Real Clean Air Answers “Is Duct Cleaning a Waste of Money?”
Comparing Air Duct Cleaning Costs in the Montgomery, MD Area
If you’re a homeowner, chances are you’ve asked yourself the question, “Is duct cleaning a waste of money?” At Real Clean Air, we know it isn’t, but we can tell you what you should be on the lookout for in terms of companies who have your best interests in mind. We’re also able to share with you some practical reasons you may want to consider a thorough duct cleaning periodically for your home, as well as some helpful information about average air duct cleaning costs in Montgomery and surrounding areas in Maryland, Northern Virginia, and the D.C. Metro Area. Should you ever want a free estimate for our thorough air duct cleaning services, we invite you to contact us via phone or email!
What Does Air Duct Cleaning from Real Clean Air Include?
Before you decide if you want to invest in a duct cleaning service, it’s helpful to know what it entails. The basic idea is to have a thorough cleaning of all the ductwork done throughout the house. However, it also means cleaning related equipment, such as registers, grills, coils, motors, and more. Just like any thorough cleaning, all parts of the system should be addressed for the process to be of any real value. If you research duct cleaning on the web, you may find conflicting information on whether it’s worth doing or not. While it’s true that you may be wasting your hard-earned money if you hire the wrong company, for many homeowners, it’s a worthwhile service if done through reputable sources such as Real Clean Air. This can be especially true if you haven’t cleaned recently, or if you have had recent changes in your household like renovation work.
What Companies Make Duct Cleaning a Waste of Money?
Don’t get scammed by the bait-and-switch tactics of companies that don’t provide reputable services. One possible warning sign is an unusually low price for the service, which is then usually followed by the contractor insisting you need additional cleaning in the middle of the job. This situation puts the homeowner at a disadvantage and can wind up being costly in the end. Always do your research! When you hire an air duct cleaning company, make sure they follow the procedures set forth by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) in terms of how they approach the cleaning in your home. Ask about their equipment to make sure you’re getting a professional job and not just having a company come out with a few shop vacuums to put on a show. Responsible companies will utilize high-pressure air whips to provide a thorough job of clearing ductwork of debris and buildup.
How Do I Know If My Air Ducts Need to Be Cleaned?
If you’re getting more dust than usual or are having other problems that seem to point toward getting a duct cleaning, it may be helpful to have an HVAC professional evaluate your system to see if an air duct cleaning would fix your issues. Sometimes these problems may turn out to be something else, such as an improperly sealed or blocked duct or a unit in need of a coil cleaning. Although coil cleaning isn’t included in air duct cleaning pricing, it can be a beneficial add-on. Besides periodic duct cleaning to keep your system in solid working order, there are sometimes moments where it’s apt to consider cleaning. When you move into a new house and don’t know when the system was last cleaned, when you do renovation work, or when someone in the house is prone to allergies are all good times to consider air duct cleaning. Household changes such as moving furniture can also cause symptoms that look like a problem but can be remedied by the homeowner. Be sure to check the intake and supply vents when moving things around to make sure nothing is preventing them from doing their job. Sometimes the fix is as simple as moving an area rug or pushing a sofa over a few feet. A professional company won’t try to sell you something you don’t need.
What Are the Drawbacks of Not Getting My Air Ducts Cleaned?
As a homeowner, you’re probably on a tight budget when it comes to home maintenance services. You may be tempted to skip air duct cleaning to save money. However, this can end up costing you more in the long-term. Here are a few of the drawbacks of not getting your air ducts cleaned regularly:
- Rising Health Costs – Not getting your air ducts cleaned results in diminished indoor air quality. Breathing unclean air often contributes to severe health problems, including asthma, allergies, respiratory and sinus infections, and even emphysema. Chronic illnesses such as these usually lead to an increase in medical bills with more visits to the doctor and more prescriptions to alleviate the symptoms.
- Rising Energy Costs – When you get your air ducts and related HVAC equipment inspected and cleaned, it ensures everything is running efficiently. You won’t have to waste money on an air purifier. You’ll also enjoy energy savings as the result of having an effective HVAC system that isn’t allowing air to escape.
- Replacement Costs – Not getting your air ducts inspected and cleaned may result in more frequent or costly HVAC repairs and replacements. The average furnace and air conditioning repair costs fall between $150 and $550 per job. However, leaky air duct repairs should be a thing of the past when you decide to invest in air duct cleaning.
Can I Save Money by Making Air Duct Cleaning Do-It-Yourself?
While you may be wondering about how to clean air ducts yourself to save on the costs of hiring an HVAC company, you should be aware that it’s not an easy task. Air duct cleaning do-it-yourself is not recommended because this job requires specialized equipment, including a high-powered vacuum and rotary brushes, as well as specialized knowledge about how your HVAC system works. Attempting to clean your ducts yourself may result in damage to your ducts or insulation, which could end up causing your energy bills to skyrocket. Not doing a thorough cleaning job may result in poor indoor air quality, as you could potentially spread mold and other pollutants faster than the dirty ducts would on their own.
Comparing Residential & Commercial Air Duct Cleaning Costs
Are you curious about how residential and commercial air duct cleaning costs compare? Residential air duct cleaning usually costs less than commercial. Air duct cleaning costs are typically calculated per square foot or per vent, meaning a larger home or business with a greater number of vents and ductwork and a potentially higher degree of contamination will usually end up costing more. The average cost per vent falls around $35. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association and the Environmental Protection Agency estimate most air duct cleaning jobs fall somewhere between $400 and $1,000. The good news is you won’t have to worry about paying air duct cleaning costs every year, as the average home may only require a thorough air duct cleaning every three to five years.
Call Real Clean Air for a Free Estimate in Maryland or Virginia
When you contact Real Clean Air for air duct cleaning costs in Maryland or Northern Virginia, you’ll be given an honest estimate without any hidden fees or bait-and-switch tactics. We believe everyone is entitled to enjoying pure, clean air at home. Please contact us today to learn more about our services!