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Be Leery of Unqualified Air Duct Cleaners

There’s no concrete evidence that justifies the need for homeowners to have their air dusts cleaned regularly, but a contaminated heating, ventilation and air conditioning system could necessitate a professional cleaning. Contaminated systems have either mold growth, pests, or they distribute excessive dust, debris or particles into your home. One highly rated contractor told us he even removed a dead raccoon from a homeowner’s ducts!
But beware: there are some in the industry who are not properly trained. If you do decide to have your HVAC system cleaned, be sure the service company has the proper qualifications. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association requires its members to have at least one certified Air System Cleaning Specialist on staff. To get certified, contractors must receive training and pass an exam.
Tim Rogers of Dublin Ohio hired a company based on a newspaper ad for an $85.00 cleaning, but ended up paying more than $400.00 for 90 minutes of work. “I don’t want to say things were worse when they left, (but) they weren’t better,” Rogers said.
Allowing an unqualified contractor to clean your ducts could cause more harm than good. More dust could be released into your house-or worse-your HVAC system could be damaged.
A good air duct cleaner will clean all components of a HVAC system, including the ducts, coils, drain pans, fans, and humidifiers. If one component of the system isn’t tended to, it could result in recontamination of the entire system and negate any potential benefit from the cleaning. A good contractor should take several hours to do the job, and the cost usually runs between $400.00 and $1000.00. Be leery of a service company that offers a cleaning for much less than that or finishes the job too quickly.
Whether or not you think air duct cleaning is necessary, the most effective way to avert contamination in the first place is to prevent dirt and moisture from entering the system. Use high-efficiency filters and change it regularly. Vacuum your home often with a cleaner that has a good HEPA filter. If your system has any leaks or damage, call us immediately for a repair.
For a handyman in St. Louis, give us a call. We do HVAC repairs and we can steer you to a reputable duct cleaning company.
What other St. Louis handyman would offer such good, free advice?