How to Find a Good Air Duct Cleaning Company

Getting your air ducts cleaned is a great way to ensure your house has better indoor air quality and improved efficiency of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. However, it’s hard to find a specialist company that’s up to the task. So, what should you do to find a good air duct cleaning company?

1. Do Some Basic Research

Ask your friends or family members to recommend some of the best air duct cleaning companies they have worked with in the past. You may get some useful contacts this way. 

You can also try an online search or consult your local businesses or services directory for the air duct companies in your area. However, do not take the online ratings and reviews at face value because some reviews may be paid for and may not be factual.

2. Get References and Testimonials from Previous Clients

Once you have a list of highly-rated and recommended air duct cleaning companies, ask them for references, testimonials, or recommendations from previous clients.

With aggressive marketing, almost any company can claim to be the best, but it may not be true. The best way to confirm a company’s quality of service is by hearing what previous customers have to say about them.

Positive reviews and references from previous clients indicate the company’s services are great. However, pay attention to any negative reviews or references and ask the unsatisfied clients if and how the company resolved the issues.

3. Check Ratings with Local Consumer Welfare Organizations

You should also check with consumer welfare organizations in your area. This may be a Better Business Bureau or your county/city’s consumer affairs office, depending on where you live.

Confirm if any company in your list has a registered complaint, and if any complaints are registered, how they were resolved.

A company with many registered complaints should raise a red flag. However, this doesn’t apply to all as some companies amicably resolve complaints with their clients.

4. Review Their Cleaning Methods and Procedures

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that the entire HVAC system should be cleaned when servicing air ducts. This is because if some parts are not cleaned, they may contaminate the whole system.

Additionally, according to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), proper air duct cleaning should involve these two steps:

• Agitating contaminants loose from the surface of your HVAC system
• Collecting all the contaminants from the HVAC system

Unfortunately, some air duct cleaning companies only collect contaminants from the HVAC system without loosening the contaminants from its surface. To ensure you get value for money, choose companies that follow the recommended two-step process. The contaminants collection should be thorough, preferably using high-powered and truck-mounted vacuum equipment.

5. Check the Pricing

Ask the air duct cleaning company how they price their services and request a free estimate. While low prices may be attractive, go for companies that provide value for money even if they charge extra.

Most companies charge a fixed cost or charge on an hourly basis. For companies that charge hourly, ask for a quote or estimate for the service. Some technicians of companies that charge hourly may intentionally work longer hours, and this extra cost will be passed on to you.

Further, avoid companies with ridiculous price offers. While some of these offers may be genuine, most of them are just lures, and you may end up trapped with additional miscellaneous costs.

6. Check if They Vet Their Employees

Some air duct cleaning companies may hire questionable individuals as technicians, and this may pose a security threat to you and your home. Therefore, ask cleaning companies if they vet their technicians, and if they do, ensure the background checks and vetting are done by reputable firms.

If you can, conduct additional background checks with third-party firms.

7. Check Their Licenses and Affiliations with Industry Professional Bodies

Air duct cleaning companies are required to be registered and licensed to operate, and you should only work with those who are. 

You should also check whether an air duct cleaning company and its employees are affiliated with recognized industry professional bodies such as NADCA or the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification.

Certified and recognized air duct cleaning companies follow strict rules and observe a code of ethics in their practice. Additionally, their technicians undergo rigorous training to ensure that they deliver the best services.

8. Ask for Proof of Insurance

Ask for proof of liability insurance. Due to unforeseen circumstances or even negligence by technicians, your HVAC system or items in your house may be damaged during the work. Similarly, technicians may be injured while cleaning your air duct, and you may be liable to pay damages.

To avoid this, ensure a company can provide you with proof of liability insurance to cover the cost of damages should anything unfortunate occur.

9. Check Availability of Inspection Checks

A good air duct cleaning company should be able to provide you with a before and after cleaning inspection report of your HVAC system. This would ensure your air ducts are properly cleaned, and you’ll also learn what was contaminating your HVAC system.

Schedule an Appointment with Us

Once you know how to find a good air duct cleaning company, you’ll enjoy savings in energy costs, improved indoor air quality, and peace of mind knowing you were served by professionals.

At First Coast Homes Pros, we guarantee 100% customer satisfaction with our excellent air duct cleaning services. Contact us today for a free quote or to schedule an appointment.