Are you tired of worrying about the excessive amounts of dust, debris and other particles clogging up your air ducts?
If so, a thorough air duct cleaning can improve the overall health of your home and set your mind at ease.
Yet, before you begin looking for a local company in your city that offers this type of service, read on.
Not every team is created equal, and it's important to understand how each one operates before you welcome them into your home. Today, we're sharing eight questions to ask to make sure you found the right fit.
1. How Do You Set Your Prices?
Before you get too deep into the process involved, you need to know the pricing structure that the air duct cleaning company follows.
Specifically, do they charge a flat rate or do they charge by the vent?
Larger homes with more air ducts (or vents) will naturally require more technician labor and incur a higher cost. Still, it pays to ask for specifics.
Some companies will charge a flat rate to clean a certain number of vents. Then, they'll tack on a surcharge for any additional vents outside of that range. Other teams will calculate their service price based on the liveable square footage of your home.
2. How Long Have You Been in Business?
A company's longevity speaks volumes about its quality. While there are certainly new air duct cleaning companies that can do a competent job, it pays to partner with a team that's been in the business for a while.
You want to make sure the team is well-versed in industry standards, including those set forth by the:
- State you live in
- National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA)
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
A well-established company will have the experience and expertise required to get the job done right the first time.
3. Do You Have References and Reviews?
Research shows that 84% of people trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations from friends and family members.
Before you sign on the dotted line, ask the air duct cleaning company if they can share any client references with you. Any reputable team will be happy to provide these, and plenty of them.
You can also hop online and research the company's website to find customer feedback and testimonials. It's always smart to hear first-hand from people who have been in your shoes. As you read through them, look for language that points to the technicians' capabilities, as well as their trustworthiness and tidiness level.
4. Do You Have Liability Insurance?
If your home is damaged in any way during the air duct cleaning service, or a technician is injured on your property, you shouldn't end up with the bill.
Make sure the company has liability insurance in place, and ask to see proof.
5. Will Your Technician Assess My Situation First?
Often, homeowners aren't sure what level of air duct cleaning they need.
That's why it's important for a technician to ask you questions about your property and thoroughly assess the situation before recommending a way forward. Even without coming to your home, they can get most of the answers they need in an initial phone consultation.
A few of the questions they should ask you include:
- Have you ever had your ducts clean?
- If so, how long has it been since they were cleaned?
- Do you have any pets?
- Have you undergone any recent reconstruction or remodeling projects?
The answers will help determine the appropriate level of cleaning you need. Be wary of any team that quotes you a price on the spot without understanding your requirements first.
6. Will You Check Other Components of My HVAC System?
It's important to understand that your air ducts don't work independently. They're connected to your home's larger HVAC system, and all parts should work harmoniously together.
That said, if one part of the system is dirty, air duct cleaning alone might not solve the entire issue. A reputable technician will inspect the other components of the system, including the furnace, air exchanger, and A-coil.
If any of those components are faulty, the technician should recommend services to remediate the problem. If performed in conjunction with the cleaning, many teams will offer a discount on additional HVAC repairs.
7. What Kind of Equipment Will You Use?
There are many different processes that technicians can follow to clean your air ducts. Make sure you understand how the team in question plans to approach yours.
The general procedure consists of agitating debris out of the ducts and sending that material into a containment system, which will consist of some form of vacuum.
Companies can use a variety of tools and technologies to perform the agitation, including:
- High-pressured blow nozzles
- Air wands
- Rotary brushes
- Tentacled air whips
State-of-the-art equipment might cost more in the short-term, but it can deliver powerful results.
8. How Will You Keep the Rest of My Home Clean?
It's no secret that air duct cleaning can be a messy business. Yet, there are certain steps that technicians can take to keep your home as clean and safe as possible.
These include:
- Wearing booties inside your home
- Using drop cloths to protect floors and furnishings
- Applying plastic guards to protect walls and trim
- Laying tarps underneath their equipment
- Placing magnetic vent covers over return vents to minimize blowback
These are only a few of the steps they can take to protect your home and your family. Make sure you're satisfied with these processes before moving forward. Staying clean is a major way that the technicians demonstrate their respect, work ethic and commitment to quality.
Schedule Air Duct Cleaning Services Today
Now that you know a few of the questions to ask your technician, are you ready to clean the air ducts in your home?
If so, we'd love to help.
Our team of qualified, certified and experienced technicians is well-versed on a range of HVAC and air quality solutions, including professional and affordable air duct cleaning services.
Get in touch today and let's discuss your next project!