Air Duct Cleaning Washington D.C.| Is It Worth It?

If you’re not sure whether your home needs an air ducts cleaning, there’s a simple litmus test. Get a flashlight and take a screwdriver to your nearest vent. Take a peak inside. If you like what you see, then you’re probably free to go without an air duct cleaning. If you’re like the rest of us, however, you’re likely to see an excessive amount of dust, pet and human hair, and debris. It’s presence in the vent is indicative of an abundance of it throughout your air system.

While there’s plenty of debate over the merits of air duct cleaning, both the EPA and the National Air Duct Cleaners Association recommend air duct cleaning in response to mold, pests or excessive debris in your air ducts. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association takes it a step further and recommends an air duct cleaning every three to five years. Various factors can increase the rate at which your air ducts should be cleaned. The presence of pets in your home, indoor smoking, renovations, home cleanliness and your local weather can all affect your air ducts. People with allergies tend to get their ducts cleaned more frequently, as they report a decrease in allergies following an air duct cleaning.

Proper air duct cleaning is more than just a swipe with a duster. Professional duct cleaners clean your entire system, including coils and the central system. Studies from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers show dirty coils and blowers in commercial buildings can reduce efficiency by up to 40%.

While it may sound simple, air duct cleaning is in fact a skilled job. Coils, central systems and air ducts need to be cleaned carefully to avoid damaging motors or duct work and prevent the loosened debris from going back into your home. Air duct cleaning takes several workers, specialized equipment, and several labor intensive hours.

Beware air duct cleaners that seem implausibly inexpensive. For thorough, well cleaned air ducts, the EPA and the National Air Duct Cleaners Association estimate the minimum you’ll spend to be close to $400. While that price may seem high, it can be much more costly to do with a discount air duct cleaner. Damaged motors, bent ducts, and a home full of dust are costly and time consuming to fix.

High’s Chimney is based out of Gaithersburg, and provides services throughout Washington D.C., Northern Virginia and Maryland. Whether you’re looking for air duct cleaning in Rockville, masonry repair in Fairfax, or wood stove installation in Alexandria, our trained professionals are happy to work with you to ensure a beautiful and functional home.