| If you decide to have your HVAC system cleaned, it is | | | | your air duct contamination. |
| important that the air duct cleaning services you are | | | | · DO NOT hire air duct cleaners who make claims |
| inquiring is qualified to do so, so you can enjoy a safe | | | | on the adverse effects of "not" cleaning your HVAC |
| indoor air. | | | | system, and who is consistent in recommending that |
| Indoor air pollution is an issue of growing concern in the | | | | cleaning your system should be a routine. · DO |
| United States. Many companies, marketing products | | | | NOT allow treatments-especially chemical |
| and HVAC duct cleaning services intend to improve | | | | biocides-unless you are briefed by the cleaning service. |
| this need. Its growing campaign can be seen in mass | | | | · CHECK REFERENCES if previous customers |
| media (newspapers, magazines, TV, radio) and the | | | | were satisfied with the service and did not experience |
| Internet to disseminate information on the importance | | | | any problems with their HVAC systems after cleaning. |
| of cleaning air ducts or HVACs. | | | | · Contact your local office of consumer affairs or |
| Cleaning products can be used to clean air ducts - at | | | | Better Business Bureau to determine if complaints |
| a very minimum cost. But you should consider hiring air | | | | have been raised against the companies you are |
| duct cleaning services if there are substantial and | | | | considering hiring. · Interview potential service |
| visible growth of mold inside the ducts or other | | | | providers to ensure that they are experienced with |
| components of your heating and cooling system; if | | | | different types of HVAC systems; that they use |
| there are infestations of rodents or insects; and if the | | | | procedures to protect you, your pets, your family and |
| ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust | | | | your home from contamination; and if they comply with |
| debris or particles. | | | | NADCA air duct cleaning standards or NAIMA |
| Duct cleaning refers to the "cleaning" of various | | | | recommendations (if your ducts are constructed or |
| heating and cooling air system inside your house: air | | | | insulated internally of fiber glass). · Ask the |
| conditioning, grilles and diffusers, heat exchangers, | | | | cleaning service company if they have state licenses. |
| heating and cooling coils - and cleaning it, intensively, will | | | | · If the cleaning company charges by the hour, |
| range (not mostly) up to $1,000. But this amount | | | | request an estimate of the number of hours or days |
| depends on the service offered, system accessibility, | | | | the job will take including potential interruptions during |
| the size of the system to be cleaned, level of | | | | work. Be certain that the cleaning company you are |
| contamination, and depending on the type of air duct | | | | inquiring will provide a written agreement outlining the |
| cleaning service you are hiring. | | | | total of the work before it begins. |
| Choosing Your Home Air Duct Cleaning Provider | | | | Duct cleaning is good for your home and air duct |
| Checklist | | | | cleaning companies is a good source of advice so ask |
| Talk to, at least, three cleaning service companies and | | | | questions and insist on complete and knowledgeable |
| secure written estimates. When they come to your | | | | answers. |
| home, show them your system and ask justification of | | | | |