How To Avoid Duct Cleaning Scams

Your heating and cooling system is something you use year round. It’s one of the most expensive systems in your home, one you spend money on every month in the form of utility bills. So it’s only natural that you choose to keep it in as good of working condition as possible. 

Do a little research, and you’ll find a lot of opinions on how effective duct cleaning is. Some will tell you it’s important on a regular basis. Others say duct cleaning is a scam. 

Which should you believe? 

The EPA recommends that you have your ducts cleaned on an as needed basis. It only makes sense that over time, your ductwork will get dirty. Cleaning them out will impact your air quality. But beware unreliable duct cleaning companies; if they don’t do it the right way, they could actually cause more harm than good. 

The National Air Duct Cleaners Association steps it up a bit and recommends cleaning your ducts regularly, especially if you have:

• Pets
• A smoker in the household
• Allergies or asthma
• Water damage to the home or HVAC system
• Remodel or renovations
• Moving into a used home

Cleaning your ducts can improve your air quality. However, duct cleaning isn’t like carpet cleaning or maid service; you can’t see the work after it’s been completed. That leaves a lot of room for fraud, and unscrupulous businesses often see this as a way of making quick cash. 

A company not in it for the long term may not have the proper equipment to do the job the right way. They may only clean the surface – the registers and ductwork visible from each room – while leaving the deep cleaning untouched. 

Some companies may also offer you very low offers to get in the door, boosting up their pricing for “extras” once they’re on the job. 

Be sure when you receive your quote that you understand all of the charges, including potential “extras” before they enter your home. The more questions you ask about the service before you sign on the dotted line, the more likely you’ll uncover unscrupulous behavior before they enter your home. 

When was the last time you had your air ducts cleaned?