DuctMasters
Air Conditioning & Solar
Florida's Indoor Air Quality & Clean Energy Specialists
5 Things You NEED to Know Before Hiring a Duct Cleaning Company
5 Things You NEED to Know Before Hiring an Air Duct Cleaning Company in Florida
Unfortunately, there are a number of companies who don't perform air duct cleaning correctly. These companies are scamming you out of your hard-earned money. Here are the 5 things you should know before you hire an air duct cleaning company:
1. An A/C and duct hygiene inspection is needed to provide a proper proposal.
You may have seen $99 duct cleaning ads that sound too good to be true. They are. Beware of low price quotes that are advertised or given over the phone, as "bait and switch" pricing is common by Florida companies. We've seen this sleazy tactic used to get in the door of unsuspecting clients who are then told about how bad their system is. Some companies even go so far as to say they are going to suffer deathly health issues due to the mold in their system.
To be clear, mold and other contaminates found in your A/C and duct system can be harmful to your health. However, these companies will multiply their price to charge thousands of dollars more than they advertise and do not follow the correct procedures for properly removing mold within your duct system.
For over 30 years, DuctMasters has specialized in inspecting air duct systems prior to starting the work. We commonly find that air duct repair is needed, which must be addressed prior to air duct cleaning. Keep reading for what else we look for during your inspection.
2. What qualifications and experience do they have?
The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) certifies Professionals in proper air duct cleaning methods. This is especially important in the case where mold is a concern. But be careful--some companies may be listed as having NADCA Professional, but do not follow the NADCA standards.
You should also make sure that the air duct cleaning company you choose is a licensed air-conditioning contractor as this is required by Florida law. Any invoices or estimates should have a contractor license number on it.
Since 1992, DuctMasters has cleaned and decontaminated thousands of systems for commercial clients such as schools, police and fire stations, hotels, as well as thousands of homeowners. We are also a Licensed & Insured Florida Air-conditioning Contractor #CAC056953 with four NADCA Certified Professionals on staff and many more employees in training. Most companies have just one or two.
3. Ask about their air duct cleaning process.
Here's a simplified explanation of our basic air duct cleaning process:
- A High-Efficiency Air Filtration (HEPA) Vacuum should be connected to the duct system to create negative pressure, all vents should be removed and foam or plastic should be placed in each vent to ensure complete vacuum.
- Next, agitation tools including brushes and air whips should be placed inside the ductwork to push the dirt towards the HEPA vacuum. This should be done one vent at a time.
- Finally, an EPA approved sanitizing and deodorizing agent should be applied through each vent to ensure any mold or bacteria in the air is removed.
You can see a video of our process towards the end of this article. If a company is using a Rotobrush "Duct Cleaning" system, which is basically a large brush with a vacuum attached to it, the ducts will not be properly cleaned because there is no "negative pressure" or vacuum on the duct system.
Negative pressure is required in accordance with National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) standards. The Rotobrush system pushes dirt from one duct to another since the system is never under vacuum.
4. Has your A/C unit been inspected?
A common misconception about air duct cleaning is that the A/C unit does not need to be looked at. If you air ducts need to be cleaned, the A/C unit supplying the air to your air ducts must be inspected by a NADCA professional.
Think about it this way: the air ducts are like the lungs of your home and the only way they get oxygen is from your A/C unit. If the A/C unit components including the coil, blower wheel, and cabinet lining are not properly cleaned, the air ducts can get re-contaminated. The blower wheel must always be removed and taken apart to be properly cleaned. The coil may need to be removed as well if it is heavily contaminated.
We also provide and install our DuctMasters Ultraviolet Light System, which goes into the cleaned system to minimize the chance of future mold or microbial growth and has a two-year warranty on the bulb and a lifetime warranty on the ballast.
Even if you think your A/C unit is fairly new or was recently cleaned, it should be inspected before work begins.
5. Do your air ducts contain fiberglass?
The large majority of air duct systems in Florida contain exposed fiberglass.
Fiberglass is like a sponge for dust, dirt and mold spores.
If Mold Resistant Duct Coating isn't applied to the fiberglass portions of your duct system after cleaning, you could have loose fiberglass in the air after cleaning, which can cause skin irritation and breathing issues. In addition, if mold is believed to be present within the fiberglass or the system is over 20 years old, Mold Resistant Duct Coating can be an alternative to air duct replacement.
We recommend scheduling an
AC Duct inspection before having your air ducts cleaned. Click the link below to get started.
Check out the video of the DuctMasters Duct Cleaning Process:
Since 1992, DuctMasters has been improving indoor air quality for thousands of homeowners and clients such as FPL, Miami-Dade Police and Fire Departments, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
We haven't been able to find any company that matches our level of cleaning, customer service, and professionalism. That's why we offer our price guarantee.
Also, checkout frequently asked questions, which includes answers on for our air duct cleaning process.
Please feel free to give us a call at (855) DUCT-411 regarding any questions you have.
