|
Still in the research phase, but not ready to give us a call? The following links will help lay down the basics of air duct cleaning, as well as provide some insight on the industry:
www.NADCA.com
The National Air Duct Cleaning Association (NADCA) is an accreditation organization that sets both the technical and ethical standards that, as members, our company follows. Here you can find articles on the benefits of having your air ducts cleaned, keep tabs on the evolving practices in the industry, and find other greats sources for consumer information.
www.EPA.gov
The Environmental Protection Agency is an outfit of the United States government and the nation’s leader in environmental science, research, education, and assessment efforts. Here you can find information on the importance of Indoor Air Quality and the do’s and don’ts of Air Duct Cleaning.
www.consumerreports.org
Consumers Union (CU) is an expert, independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to work for a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers to protect themselves. The following link will take you to their page on "dirty" air duct cleaning practices to watch out for.
|
| Q: What Are The Health Benefits of Air Duct Cleaning? |
|
Research has indicated that heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems act as a contaminant collection source. These contaminants include fungi, bacteria, dust particles, allergens, and other materials. Mr. Duct’s expert technicians will remove all of the contaminants from your HVAC system, bringing you one step closer to improved Indoor Air Quality. |
|
Q: Will air duct cleaning reduce our home energy bills? |
|
Research by the U.S. EPA has demonstrated that HVAC system cleaning may allow systems to run more efficiently by removing debris from sensitive mechanical components. Clean, efficient systems are less likely to break down, have a longer life span, and generally operate more effectively than dirty systems.
Our total ventilation system cleaning should help your system to operate at its maximum efficiency. As components of your HVAC system become caked with dirt and debris, they may take longer to reach the set temperature on your thermostat, costing you hundreds of dollars on your heating and cooling bills. Our air duct cleaning service will clear these parts of contaminants and help to prevent their accumulation in the future. Clean, efficient systems are less likely to break down, have a longer life span, and should result in energy savings. |
|
Q: How should a residential HVAC system be cleaned? |
|
All air duct cleaning services should follow the "source removal method”. This method requires that the entire HVAC system be put under negative pressure while a technician loosens all contaminants in each vent. The contaminants are removed via negative pressure through a closed system, ensuring no dirt gets into your home.
As a National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) member, Mr. Duct follows this system to the letter. We attach our high-power, commercial grade HEPA filter vacuum to your system, which collects contaminants from the system throughout the entirety of the service. The air duct cleaners will than systematically clean every vent, using the Viper Whip tool to ensure that no dirt is left within the individual ducts. After all material is agitated, the debris collected from the interior surfaces of the vents will be pulled out of the system by our vacuum. |
|
Q: Is Sanitizer Necessary to Duct Cleaning? |
|
There are many air duct cleaning companies in the Chicagoland area that offer this very service. According to a study conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), sanitizer is not recommended for application in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
Mold, mildew, and bacterial growth can only thrive on organic material. The only organic material within your vents is the dirt and debris, which any reputable duct cleaner will be removing through the duct cleaning service.
The EPA also discourages homeowners for using sanitizers or deodorizers in their vents because of chemical inhalation risks. Though many sanitizer advertisements claim that the sanitizer used has been registered by the EPA, the fact is that the EPA has not registered any sanitizers for use in the HVAC systems.
|
|
Q: How often should the ducts be cleaned? |
|
The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) maintains that a total ventilation system cleaning should be performed every 3-5 years. Customers who have the following might also want to consider more frequent cleanings:
- Pets that shed high amounts of hair and dander
Water contamination or damage
Residents with allergies or asthma
After home renovations or remodeling
Prior to occupancy of a new home |
|
Q: How long does a typical air duct cleaning take? |
|
The amount of time it takes to clean a residential HVAC system can vary, depending on the complexity of the system. We ask for at least 3-5 hours in your home so that we can ensure that our expert technicians have provided the best air duct cleaning service in Chicagoland. Once the technicians arrive on site, they should be able to narrow the time estimate for you. |
|
Q: Why should I choose Mr. Duct ? |
|
We have an A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau and are the recipients of the 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 & 2012 Angie’s List Super Service Award. We are members of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) and the recipients of the 2008, 2009, 2010, & 2011 NADCA Safety Awards.
There will always be an NADCA certified Air Systems Cleaning Specialist (ASCS) on-site to ensure that the NADCA standard cleaning is provided to you. We also provide before and after video inspections to visibly demonstrate the difference a Mr. Duct air duct cleaning can make.
Lastly, our technicians are there to clean, not to sell. We do not badger homeowners for additional services nor do we produce scare tactics to force an upsell. All of our pricing is communicated upon booking, before the service, and on our receipt. |
|
Q: What is Dryer Vent Cleaning? |
|
Dryer vent cleaning is an important yet simple solution to many common dryer problems. Here are a few ways to identify if you need a dryer vent cleaning service
If your dryer takes longer than 35-40 minutes to dry one load of laundry, you might have a clogged dryer vent.
If you’ve noticed that your energy bill has increased from $18-$24 each month without a change in electrical use, you might have a clogged dryer vent.
If your vent is hot to the touch or emitting a burning smell, you definitely have a clogged dryer vent. |
|
Q: What is Dryer Vent & How is it Cleaned? |
|
Your dryer vent is the vent found behind the dryer, which carries moisture and lint through its length and expels these materials out of the home. (All gas dryer vents should vent to the outside of the home according to U.S. and Canadian law. This ensures that any potential carbon dioxide produced is vented away from the home).
Each company will vary in cleaning methods, but be sure that the company you choose utilizes an agitation tool with a long reach (40 feet or more) and is flexible in design. If they have airflow measurement tools, all the better. A company that is only utilizing negative pressure (i.e. a vacuum) will not be able to clear your vent of all debris. |
|
Q: What are the benefits of Dryer Vent Cleaning? |
|
(1) Dryer Vent Cleaning Cleans Lint Build-Up in Dryer Vents
When a dryer vent is clogged with lint, air flow becomes restricted. This causes your dryer to work harder and use more energy. This means higher utility bills and a greater chance of the appliance breaking down. Appliance repairs and/or replacement can be expensive. You can prolong the life of your clothes dryer with proper dryer vent cleaning and maintenance.
(2) Dryer Vent Cleaning Reduces Energy Bills
When a dryer vent is clogged with lint, air flow is greatly restricted, which causes your dryer to run longer. This uses unnecessary energy, which also drives up your utility bills and puts your appliance at great risk for a break down.
(3) Dryer Vent Cleaning Reduces Fire Hazards
Failure to clean the dryer vent is the cause of most of residential fires. In fact, your clothes dryer is more likely to cause a fire than your furnace, stove, and chimney combined. Prolonged drying cycles can overheat the lint trapped in the dryer vent. This built-up lint can ignite within the dryer cabinet, causing a dryer fire in your home. |
|
