If you're starting to feel the effects of poor indoor air quality in your home, it may be time to call up a local air duct cleaning service. But before you call the first company that shows up in the search results, it's crucial to research your options to find the best value.
Air duct cleaning is a complex process, which is why we rely on professionals in the first place. When someone without enough air duct cleaning experience tries to tackle the job, they could end up creating significant damage and expensive HVAC issues. On top of that, if they don't know what they're doing, they may make the indoor air quality issues even worse!
You put your health and your wallet at risk if you don't research air duct cleaning companies in your area. Save yourself the frustration of a bad experience with this guide on finding the right professionals to clean your air ducts.
When Should You Call an Air Duct Cleaning Service?
You should have an air duct cleaning once every 3-5 years. If you suffer from asthma and allergies, you may need more frequent service to maintain a tolerable air quality level.
It can be hard to assess if you need an air duct cleaning because of the limited access to the lines running through your crawlspace and structure. If you're uncertain about whether or not it's time to call in a cleaning company, you can test the air quality yourself or have a professional do an evaluation. That will tell you if there are any allergens, mold, or other contaminants that may be linked to your air ducts.
Choosing the Right Duct Cleaning Company
Air duct cleaning takes more than scrubbing and sweeping the inside of your air ducts. If you take that approach, you'll make your air problems even worse by loosening and agitating dust that will then get blown back into your house.
Professional duct cleaners use high-powered vacuum equipment and industrial duct cleaning tools to remove debris and contaminants without putting your home at risk. Some go a step further in disinfecting air ducts and treating them for mold and microbes they find in the system.
It takes knowledge and skill to not only clean air ducts but to find solutions to air duct issues to support their long-term performance. That's why it's crucial to discern quality air duct cleaning services from those that only seem like a good value.
The best way to ensure a positive air duct cleaning experience is to create a shortlist of potential providers. Here are the essential points to check as you build that list.
Background Checks, Licenses, and Insurance
The only air duct services you should consider are those with proper business licenses and liability insurance. If you're finding a company on Google, it's a safe bet that they have those credentials, but you should always double-check. Without adequate assurances in place, you could end up with a massive legal headache if the technician damages your property.
Whenever you invite a professional to work on your home, it's critical to ensure they're experienced and reliable. Check the company's "About Us" section to see how they hire team members and perform background checks. When companies thoroughly vet their technicians, it offers confidence that they have your best interests in mind.
Look at Certifications
After assessing their authenticity as a business, you should check your duct cleaner's capacity as an expert. There are many certifications from various organizations, but the main ones to look for come from the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA). The NADCA offers two types of certifications:
- Air Systems Cleaning Specialist (ASCS) for individual air duct cleaners and HVAC hygiene experts
- Certified Ventilation Inspector (CVI) for individual HVAC inspectors
Most certifications need to be renewed each year, so check that each service's accreditations are up-to-date. If they have industry recognition, most companies proudly display awards and certifications on their website.
Online Reviews
Reading online reviews will give you an unfiltered look at each air duct cleaning service. Check Google, Yelp, Angi, and other review sites to learn about other customers' air duct cleaning experiences.
Get an idea of each service providers' authority by looking into their number of reviews and the recency of each one. A company that boasts a high amount of 5-star reviews from the recent past will likely give you a better experience.
Reviews are crucial because you get an unbiased account from people in your situation. That's why, with each air duct cleaning service, you should look at their most recent negative reviews. You can get an excellent idea of common complaints and what to watch for so that you'll be ready with the right questions.
Process and Promises
Once you've got your shortlist of companies from searching reviews and credentials, you can talk with each one about your needs.
Ask about each company's process for cleaning your air ducts. How long will it take, and what kind of team will come out? What duct cleaning tools do they use, and will they treat for contaminants as well?
Understand what each company does to clean your ducts and stand by their work. If they can clean quickly and thoroughly and offer some guarantee on their work, they will likely be an excellent value.
Cost Comparison
Of course, the quality of the work is only one side of the value of an air duct service. The other side is the monetary cost, and for many people, this is the most critical consideration. Look for a price that sounds reasonable for the work you need.
Some prices may be extremely low, even below $100. But if you don't understand the company's processes, you'll end up disappointed with the experience. We recommend leaving the cost comparison until the end, so you can be sure not to be so blinded by a great price that you miss out on exceptional service.
When Was Your Last Air Duct Cleaning?
If you can't remember the last time you've had an air duct cleaning, it's a great time to call in a professional. Getting your air ducts clean could improve your indoor environment in ways you never thought possible. Follow our tips on finding the best air duct cleaning service near you, and you'll be sure to have an excellent experience.
Are you looking for air duct cleaning in Billings, MT? At Comet Air Duct Cleaning, we take pride in offering the comprehensive service and honest advice that our clients deserve. Contact us today to learn more about our processes and get a free quote for your home.
