| As a qualified duct cleaning contractor I | | | | cleaning must include any internal surface in |
| have discovered that most homeowners feel | | | | which the air moves across, this not only |
| that they are very uninformed when it come to | | | | includes the main ducts and vents but must |
| the principals and practices of proper air | | | | also include the conveyance compartment of |
| duct cleaning hygiene. | | | | the furnace/AC, heat exchanger, AC coils, |
| | | | drain pan, blower, filter housing and any air |
| Let me begin by saying that the EPA as well | | | | cleaning equipment that might be installed. |
| as the National air duct cleaners association | | | | |
| have stated that residential duct cleaning | | | | The only acceptable method of proper air duct |
| should take no less than between 4 and 8 | | | | cleaning is to put the entire system under |
| hours to complete, anything short of that and | | | | negative air (vacuum) by means of a powerful |
| you are probably not getting a thorough job. | | | | vacuum system that produces no less than 2000 |
| | | | cubic feet per minute of air flow (cfm), each |
| Consumers are cautioned against duct cleaning | | | | individual vent shaft should be cleaned using |
| companies that claim to be able to clean your | | | | a combination of high pressure air snakes, |
| entire air duct system in a very short period | | | | rotating brushes and whips which must be |
| of time and for an unrealistic low price, in | | | | driven by a compressor that will deliver no |
| this industry that kind of service is | | | | less than 175 psi @ |
| completely unacceptable and is known as the | | | | |
| blo-n-go style of duct cleaning. | | | | 12-16 cfm. |
| | | | |
| Remember...anything short of between 4 and 8 | | | | In conclusion, when choosing a qualified air |
| hours and you are probably not getting what | | | | duct cleaning company be sure to ask if they |
| you're paying for. | | | | their technicians and equipment meet the |
| | | | above criteria and always get a few |
| Many homeowners are also under the impression | | | | references, it is also recommended that you |
| that the main ducts and primary vents are the | | | | contact your local better business bureau or |
| only components that require cleaning, | | | | chamber of commerce. |
| However this is not the case, a thorough duct | | | | |