What kind of equipment is best for cleaning-truck
mounted vacuums or portable vacuums?
NADCA does not endorse one kind of equipment
over another. There are two main types of vacuum
collection devices: (1) those mounted on trucks
and trailers, and (2) portable units.
Truck/trailer mounted equipment is generally
more powerful than portable equipment. However,
portable equipment can often be brought directly
into a facility, allowing the vacuum source to
be located closer to the ductwork. Both types of
equipment will clean to NADCA standards.
All vacuum units should be attached to a
collection device for safe containment prior to
disposal. Any vacuum collection device which
exhausts indoors must be HEPA (high efficiency
particulate arrestance) filtered.
Are there any health benefits that come from HVAC
system cleaning?
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
(HVAC) systems have been shown to act as a
collection source for a variety of contaminants
that have the potential to affect health, such
as mold, fungi, bacteria, and very small
particles of dust. The removal of such
contaminants from the HVAC system and home
should be considered as one component in an
overall plan to improve indoor air quality.
Will HVAC system cleaning reduce our home energy
bills?
Research by the U.S. EPA has demonstrated that
HVAC system cleaning may allow systems to run
more efficiently by removing debris from
sensitive mechanical components. Clean,
efficient systems are less likely to break down,
have a longer life span, and generally operate
more effectively than dirty systems.
What is the normal price range for the air duct
cleaning service?
The Environmental Protection Agency says that
“duct cleaning services typically – but not
always – range in cost from $450 to $1000 per
heating and cooling system, depending on the
services offered, the size of the system to be
cleaned, system accessibility, climactic region,
and level of contamination” and type of duct
material.
Consumers should beware of air duct cleaning
companies that making sweeping claims about the
health benefits of duct cleaning – such claims
are unsubstantiated. Consumers should also
beware of “blow-and-go” air duct cleaning
companies. These companies often charge a
nominal fee and do a poor job of cleaning the
heating and cooling system. These companies may
also persuade the consumer into unneeded
services with and/or without their permission.
What are sanitizers, and why would they need to be
used?
Sanitizers are anti-microbial chemicals applied
to the interior surface of the air ducts,
designed to control microbial contamination.
Before any sanitizers are used, the system
should be thoroughly cleaned. It is critical
that any anti-microbial treatment used in your
system be EPA registered for the intended use in
HVAC systems. Ask to see the chemical’s Material
Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). If you are still
concerned, call the EPA at 1-800-438-4318.
How long should it take to clean a typical
residential HVAC system?
The amount of time it takes to clean a
residential HVAC system depends on many
variables such as the size of the home, the
number of systems, the extent of the
contamination and the number of HVAC cleaners
performing the job.
How can we determine if the HVAC system cleaning was
effective?
The best way to determine if the HVAC system
cleaning was effective is to perform a visual
inspection of the system before and after
cleaning. If any dust or debris can be seen
during the visual inspection, the system should
not be considered cleaned. While you can perform
your own visual inspection using a flash light
and mirror, a professional cleaning contractor
should be able to allow you better access to
system components and perhaps the use of
specialized inspection tools. In addition,
following this
post-cleaning check list can help to
ensure a top quality job.
