How Long Does It Take to Clean Air Ducts? And Other Common Questions
From breathing quality indoor air to reducing the costs linked to operating your furnace and HVAC unit, there are many benefits to cleaning your home's ductwork. Air duct cleaning can also improve the energy efficiency of your heating and cooling systems and prevent respiratory issues.
The best way to get rid of the dust and debris that accumulate inside return ducts is to use a professional duct cleaning service.
How long does air duct cleaning take? Read on to learn more about what to expect when you get your air ducts cleaned.
How Long Does Air Duct Cleaning Service Take?
On average, air duct cleaning takes about three hours. However, it can vary depending on several factors.
Duct cleaning takes longer if you have a large commercial property or a home with high square footage. Buildings with multiple levels also have HVAC systems with more components, which means air duct cleaning services take longer. Proper air duct cleaning can also take longer for families with pets or homes with clogged ducts.
For a simple cleaning process that improves air quality by focusing on the HVAC system, cleaning usually takes between one and two hours. Professional air duct cleaning can take two to three hours if your house has clogs or if you need additional ducts cleaned.
When scheduling air duct cleaning, you can ask about air duct cleaning costs and get an idea of how long cleaning your ducts will take. An industry expert can give you an estimate once they know more about your HVAC system and whether they'll have to clean the main return vents, ventilation pipes, dryer vents, and other components of the ductwork.
Make sure to tell us if you have pets! Cleaning pet hair from your HVAC system ducts can take longer.
The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that you have your air ducts cleaned as needed. There is no regular maintenance schedule to follow, but keep in mind that cleaning your system can take longer if no one has cleaned the air ducts in a while.
Will Air Duct Cleaning Make a Mess of My Home?
How does professional air duct cleaning work? Our technicians will start by inspecting your HVAC system and air ducts. They will then block vents and grills by using negative pressure. This step prevents dust, allergens, and even mold from ending up in your living space during the cleaning process.
Next, our duct cleaners use air pressure to dislodge any clogs and stuck debris. They will then use specialized vacuums to suck loose dust, debris, dust mites, pet hair, and other allergens out of your system.
This process effectively improves the quality of the air inside your home and makes your HVAC system more performing. Thanks to the use of negative pressure, no dust or allergens will leave the air ducts while the duct cleaner works.
What Chemicals Do You Use to Clean Air Ducts?
In most cases, there are no chemicals involved in duct cleaning. Using specialized blowers and vacuums to dislodge debris is sufficient to improve the quality of the air inside your home and reduce energy bills by achieving maximum performance.
However, we can use chemicals for other home maintenance concerns. For instance, degreasers can help keep the duct system clean if you have a kitchen hood vent. We can also apply a deodorizer if you're dealing with bad smells, or use a chemical vapor to prevent mold growth and other contaminants.
We'll discuss these different options before we get started. Let us know if you have a compromised immune system or any other concerns, since it's possible to clean your ducts and improve indoor air quality without using chemicals.
Do I Need To Prepare My House Before the Arrival of Air Duct Cleaning Specialists?
Before we clean your air ducts, we ask that you clear a path so our duct cleaners can easily access the air conditioner unit, furnace, and return vents.
You might have to pick up toys in the children's room or move furniture. We'll protect air quality by covering the vents and grills throughout your home, and this part of the process goes faster if we have a clear area to work with.
Can I Stay in the House During Air Duct Cleaning?
You don't have to worry about accumulated dust and other contaminants ending up in your living space while we clean your home's air ducts. However, the specialized equipment we use can be noisy. Most of our customers prefer waiting outside while we work hard to improve their indoor air quality.
Conclusion
At A R Engh, our goal is to improve the quality of indoor air with our duct cleaning service. We use a safe and efficient process that prevents exposure to air pollutants and leaves you with cleaner air in only a few hours.
Do you have any questions? We're here to answer your questions about air duct cleaning cost, how long this process takes, and more. Get in touch with us!
