So, you’re ready to have your air ducts cleaned? That’s wonderful, and your entire home will absolutely be better for it. However, that’s assuming that you have the right type of air duct cleaning completed!
I mean, before you ask, yes– any air duct cleaning is preferable over none. It has a whole host of benefits, including reduced risk of fire and respiratory problems, but it’s not a cure-all. There are the occasional problems that need a more direct approach, instead of the general sweep.
The only thing you need is to understand which type of cleaning is best for your needs or more accurately, your worries. So, we’ll cover some basic types of air duct cleaning techniques below that will ensure you’re able to get the correct type of cleaning and receive a clean result that lasts for a while.
Ensure that you read about each cleaning technique below before booking an appointment!
Debris removal.
This is the most common type of air duct cleaning and it’s easy to understand why.
Air ducts collect a surprising amount of dirt, dust and other debris over time. That debris can cause many adverse health conditions and even smells. So, the goal of debris removal is to get rid of the problem causing these effects at its source.
This process is usually accomplished in two steps– mechanical agitation and extraction.
Mechanical agitation loosens or breaks up all the debris within the air ducts. Then the extraction is the safe removal of that debris.
All in all, the result of these two steps will result in a clean air duct system.
Steam cleaning.
This is an effective method of cleaning in many industries so it’s no wonder that it has made its move over here.
When used for air duct cleaning, a wand will be used to release very high pressure and high-temperature steam into the air ducts system– that will agitate and loosen much of the dust, dirt and debris that bind themselves to the walls of your vents.
This can be a very effective method for breaking down debris and sanitizing the air ducts.
However, many of the new HVAC systems with electrical components may be damaged by excessive moisture. So, with that in mind, be sure to ask the cleaning technician if your system will be safe.
Vacuum cleaning.
Vacuum cleaning is one of the more heavy-duty techniques today. Instead of using a simple, everyday vacuum, the average company will employ something much larger. Something such as a massive truck-mounted vacuum system.
They deploy that vacuum system by running a line from the truck to your home– the line draws air volume that ranges from 10 thousand to 15 thousand cubic feet, every minute. In other words, a lot of air.
For reference, an everyday, modern vacuum pulls around 50 to 100 cubic feet every minute.
While some companies still use this method, it’s steadily decreasing in popularity. Mostly likely due to the ease of use that the other methods have and the chance of cross-contamination between your HVAC.
Point of contact cleaning.
This is thought to be the safest and even the most effective technique. And along with debris removal, it’s becoming very popular.
It uses a simple portable vacuum with a HEPA filter and a crucial agitation device– allowing it to break up the debris and remove it at the same time. All while the HEPA filter prevents the real risk of cross-contamination.
The best part is that it’s likely to be one of the quickest methods that you can find.
How to know which technique is best for you:
Okay, the truth is, you won’t know. Not unless you’ve done the training and research to spot different types of debris or problems in an HVAC unit.
So, if you want the best result possible, consult the professionals. They make a living cleaning and repairing HVAC units for a reason– they’re good at it. You can trust them to listen to the issues that you’ve been experiencing and then provide you with the best solution they’re equipped to provide.
If it was me, I would inform them of any smells or adverse conditions that I’ve experienced. Then, ask them what would be most likely to clear those up. Even if the company doesn’t offer the type of cleaning you need, they’ll most likely refer you to a company that does.
You’re ready to go!
Let’s run over a brief recap. We covered mechanical agitation and extraction, steam cleaning, vacuum cleaning and point of contact cleaning! With that as a base of your information going forward, you can count yourself as well informed and ready to go!
So, there isn’t much else to do aside from get the cleaning that you deserve! Do your research and check around to find the best cleaning service in your area. And a word of advice, once you have a good service, stick with them! It’s much easier to have someone you know and trust come into your home every few months.
If you need some more words of advice for finding the best air duct cleaning service for you, don’t worry, you won’t have to go far at all. Our blog has all the information that you need on HVACs and the good people who clean and repair them.
All of that is only a click away! What could you be waiting for? The longer you wait, the dirtier those air ducts will be getting…
