2037 W Belle Plaine Ave Chicago IL 60618 (773) 477-2210
Downtown Chicago - (312) 427-0085
27 N. Wacker Drive, #721 Chicago IL 60606 (312) 427-0085
Northshore - (847) 234-9501
736 N Western Ave, #259 Lake Forest IL 60045 (847) 234-9501
Northwest Suburbs - (847) 382-1135
141 S Northwest Hwy Barrington IL 60010 (847) 382-1135
Western Suburbs - (630) 725-1727
4699 Auvergne Ave, #9 Lisle IL 60532 (630) 725-1727
Southern Suburbs - (708) 349-9551
15774 S LaGrange Road, #240 Orland Park IL 60462 (708) 349-9551
Far Western Suburbs - (815) 444-0405
60 West Terracotta Avenue, #250 Crystal Lake IL 60014 (815) 444-0405
We understand that researching air duct cleaning can be difficult. There are so many coupons, methods, and equipments that vary from vendor to vendor and pricing is almost never the same. At Mr. Duct Air Duct Cleaning, we truly believe information is power and hope that our collection research matieral links will aide you in your own research process. Use the links below to help guide your search:
The main reason why residential homes should have their ducts cleaned is because they accumulate dust! This accumulation can be the cause of a myriad of problems, including increased need for dusting, poor heating and cooling performance, and musty odors. While normal, repeated cycling of dust in a home can increase the need for air duct cleaning, other factors may push the air duct cleaning timetable forward even more, including:
·Pets
·Occupants with allergies or asthma
·Cigarette or cigar smoke
·Water contamination/damage to home or HVAC system
·Home renovation or remodeling projects
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has listed poor indoor air quality as America’s fourth-largest environmental threat. Some occupants are more sensitive to the contaminants within a residential HVAC system than others, so having a proper air duct cleaning performed to alleviate this issue is important.
One of the most popular questions our customers ask when they begin researching the air duct cleaning process is how to determine whether the vents need cleaning.There are very simple ways to do this: using a screwdriver, remove a floor or wall register. With a mirror and flashlight, observe the condition of the ductwork. If you see that the vent contains any visible dust or debris, it is time to get the ducts taken care of. This process can also be done with a digital camera.
Air Duct Cleaning is a lot more complicated than just blowing out the vents in your home. Depending on how reputable of a service you are researching, air duct cleaning can mean several different things. Some firms only clean some vents, up-charging additionally for others. Some only use negative pressure, a vacuuming process. Others yet exclude furnace components. Your air ducts are only part of the overall Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) System, which include the following components:
Return vents
Supply vents
Coils
Drain pan
Vent registers
Air plenum
Blower Motor and Assembly
Heat Exchanger
Air Cleaner
Air Filter
The truth of the matter is that many air duct cleaning firms relish working with consumers who aren’t aware that air ducts are only a part of the overall HVAC system. They lure unsuspecting homeowners’ into a sales situation where they are up-charging several hundred dollars above their original quote, leaving them only shoddy work. The best way to protect yourself is to do your research and trust in companies that are certified by the National Air Duct Cleaner’s Association (NADCA).
As a NADCA member, each homeowner that chooses our service is guaranteed clear communication about the service, before and after. Our certification also means that all cleaners sent to your home will be licensed, bonded, and insured. Lastly, our cleaning will always be performed to the NADCA standard, which covers the entire HVAC system.
For an overview on how your heating and cooling system accumluated dust, view the following video produced by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA):
There are two key components to HVAC cleaning: breaking contaminants loose, and collection of contaminants.
Breaking Contaminants Loose
Properly cleaning HVAC systems requires removing the sources of contamination. Source removal begins with use of one or more agitation devices designed to loosen contaminants from the surfaces within the heating and air-conditioning system. Mr. Duct Air Duct Cleaning utilizes the Viper Whip system through every vent in the home to agitate and remove your dirt and debris.
Collection of Contaminants
During cleaning, the entire HVAC system is placed under continuous negative pressure (vacuum) to prevent the spread of contaminants. Continuous negative pressure allows very fine particles to be removed from the system as they become airborne, ensuring that these particles are not released into the living space when the system is turned on after cleaning. This negative pressure also serves to extract the loosened contaminants, which are collected and removed from your home.
Note: Negative pressure alone is not enough to clean your air ducts to standard, so avoid any company that only utlizes pressurized air to clear the vents. A reputable company will use an agitation tool in tandem with pressurized air.
System Access
Because each system is unique, the way the duct cleaners will access them will also be different. Where possible, access to duct interiors should be made through existing openings such as supply diffusers, return grills, duct end caps, and existing service openings. However, if the system dictates, we may need to create an access panel ourselves. Creation of these service openings, and their subsequent closure, will be performed and maintained by our expertly trained technicians.
Antimicrobial Chemicals
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the use of sanitizers, deodorizers, and other wet chemicals are not recommended for any HVAC system. Mold, mildew, bacterial growth, and other growths do not thrive on sheet metal (the material your duct work is made up of). They grow on organice material, which will be the dirt and debris within the system.
By trusting your home to us, we can guarantee that we will remove all organic material and prove it to you with a before and after video inspection.
At Mr. Duct Air Duct Cleaning, we believe in fair and accountable service. Our pricing is not based off of how many vents you have because we firmly believe in no-upcharging at the home. As long as you know your square footage and the amount of furnaces you have, we can give you a set quote, every time.
As for timing, service usually runs between 3-5 man hours, which can vary depending on HVAC system set-up. The technicians can confirm with you the approximate completion time once they are on-site.
There are a few things that you can do to maintain the cleanliness and efficiency of your HVAC system:
Get good filters—ask your contractor for a recommendation.
Clean/change the filters as needed (at least every two months)
Even with properly cleaning and changing quality filters, the HVAC system will still become dirty over time. Have your system inspected every two years to determine whether your system needs to be cleaned again.