When you need to have your HVAC ducts cleaned, there’s a lot of confusion and misinformation about how to do it. It seems like everyone is an expert,
When you need to have your HVAC ducts cleaned, there’s a lot of confusion and misinformation about how to do it. It seems like everyone is an expert, and it can be difficult to determine who’s right and who’s wrong about what should or shouldn’t be done. So we put together this list of 5 mistakes to avoid when having your ducts cleaned:
1) Not Knowing What’s In Your System
When many homeowners get their heating and cooling systems inspected, they expect that the technicians will simply look at things like filters, coils, blower motors, and wiring — which are all important issues — but forgetting to check for biological growth is a big mistake. This type of material builds up in ducts over time, so if you have your heating and cooling system inspected once a year or more, you should ask the technician to inspect all components of your system. This includes checking for mold and mildew buildup inside the ductwork. If left untreated mold can cause a variety of health issues ranging from allergies to respiratory illness.
2) Not Knowing How Much Duct Cleaning Costs
HVAC technicians don’t all charge the same amount. There are two types of costs associated with duct cleaning: labor and equipment. Labor is pretty simple – it’s how much time it takes to get in there and clean your system properly. Equipment costs vary depending on the size of the home (or buildings), ease of access, whether or not heat has to be turned off during the process, frequency of service contracts, etc. Some companies use portable tools that can do an adequate job; however, most agree that truck-mounted equipment is more effective due to its higher pressure capabilities and higher temperature water being used for removing debris.
3) Not Getting A Proper Estimate On Cost
This can be a big problem if you’re not careful during the process of getting an estimate for your job. Many people are surprised to find out that they have been quoted one price but then are charged another when the company comes back to do the work. To avoid any surprises, try to take detailed notes on everything that’s being discussed before hiring anyone for this type of project. That way there won’t be any question about what was said and promised. Be sure it’s put in writing as well. You also want to make sure you know how long it will take to get done – since this is something that needs to be done once every year or two, hopefully, you won’t have to wait long.
4) Hiring The First Company That Answers Your Call
How do you find the best company for your job? Ask around, check with family and friends, talk to neighbors or even check online for reviews/ratings. If there’s a big box home improvement store in your area, they may also be able to recommend a reputable company. When you’re looking for a local business that deals with heating and cooling systems, most people will usually go with someone who has been taking care of their system for years, if not decades. After all, who really wants to have to learn about replacing equipment every year?
5) Not Getting It Done On A Regular Basis
Of course, this isn’t always possible. Sometimes your schedule just won’t allow for it, and that’s okay. Not every company will charge you extra for this type of thing either. If they do though, remember that it is an additional cost that may or may not be justified by the work you’re paying them to do. There are many tips and tricks on how to choose a reliable duct cleaning company like checking reviews, getting recommendations from family and friends (or even co-workers), doing research online, etc. As long as you ask around first and make sure those who recommend a particular business know what kind of service needs to be performed on your home, then coming up with a list of potential candidates should be done smoothly.
