The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends regular duct cleaning. The typical home requires the service every several years, but it varies. Factors include how big the residence is and how many people and pets live there. Many HVAC experts recommend an annual inspection through which you can decide if you need the service at that time. Let’s explore what you should expect during that inspection and, potentially, the duct cleaning.
Preparing Your Home
On the day of the service, check all the vents in your home. If you have any heavy furniture blocking access to those vents, you should move that furniture before the duct cleaners arrive.
Turn the System Off
The HVAC system must be off for a technician to inspect and clean it. If it’s currently on, we’ll need to turn it off and wait for it to finish the cycle before proceeding. This is why we often recommend scheduling an inspection in early spring or fall alongside an HVAC tune-up. You won’t be running your HVAC system at that point, so it isn’t an issue.
Camera Inspection
HVAC technicians used a device called a borescope for duct inspections. These devices have either a hand-held or rack-mounted monitor. They also have a cable reel with a high-definition camera attached at the end. We’ll thread that cable through your ductwork, and then we can show you the dust in your ducts and provide a professional recommendation.
Dust isn’t all we may find through a camera inspection. If there are worn seals or damage to the duct walls, we’ll spot those issues. Those problems are the leading cause of air leakage in ducts. In rare cases, we may find mold, which indicates you have a moisture problem. Although uncommon, there’s also the potential we find pests, such as mice or insects.
Vent Cleaning and Covering
If you opt to proceed with the duct cleaning, we have to prep the vents. The system we use does create negative air pressure in the ducts, which should avoid any dust getting into your living environment. Sealing the vents is an extra precaution we take to protect your home. We’ll first check each vent. Then, our technician will clean the outer side, inner side, and up into the duct mouth. We’ll then cover the vent, and depending on the system, we may use plastic or magnetic covers.
The Vacuum Process
There are two types of vacuum systems we use. One type is portable, which allows us to roll it into your home. This type is ideal for small duct networks. The other type is in our truck, and we’ll run the line from the vehicle into your home. In both cases, these are powerful, industrial-strength vacuums.
Our technician will thread the vacuum hose and camera line into your ducts. We’ll then turn the system on. As mentioned, that creates negative air pressure, which prevents dust blowing toward the vents. If you regularly schedule duct cleaning, the dust should be loose. This will enable our vacuum to suck it up with ease. Our duct cleaning equipment also has integrated air filtration as another level of protection for your home.
If the dust has been in your ducts for a long time, it can cake up and become hard. In that case, vacuuming alone may not be enough to remove it. Our team has a range of tools at their disposal, including air nozzles, brushes, and scrapers. When we’re done, we’ll show you on the monitor how clean your ducts are.
Final Steps
Our technician will remove all the equipment from your home. We’ll then remove all the covers from your vents and discard those materials properly. Our technician will check your HVAC filter and replace it as necessary. Finally, we’ll provide you with a service invoice and, if you’re completely satisfied, depart for our next job.
Call for Duct Cleaning in San Antonio
MD Air Conditioning & Heating is a licensed HVAC contractor that serves homeowners and businesses throughout San Antonio and the surrounding areas. Our duct experts install, inspect, repair, seal, and clean ductwork. Our HVAC technicians install, replace, maintain, and repair all types of heating and cooling systems. That includes air conditioners, heat pumps, and furnaces.
We offer a maintenance plan that will keep your HVAC equipment serviced on schedule while saving you money. Our company has an indoor air quality (IAQ) team as well. We perform IAQ assessments and install and service air purifiers, UV lamps, dehumidifiers, and humidifiers. Call today or contact us online with questions or to schedule an appointment.
Tags: duct cleaning, duct solutions