Duct Cleaning
Are your ducts dirty?
Home duct cleaning has received a bad name from
"blow and go" scam artists looking for a fast buck.
And your air ducts may not even be dirty. Most folks
think the ring of dirt around their grills in the ceiling
are signs of dirty ducts. However, this dirt is due to
the "vortex" effect of air blowing out of your vents
and actually picking up dirt fromt the floors and
carpets. But it makes a great selling point for fly
by night duct cleaners.
Homeowner prevention
The best thing the homeowner can do to lower dust and airborne particulates in the home is to have an electronic air cleaner installed - not an electrosatic filter. What is the difference? The electronic air cleaner works to electronically charge the filter media with a safe, low voltage electrical charge to trap dust, dirt and debris before it enters your system and ductwork. And the electrostatic filter is commonly called a "compressor killer" because it will clog up in time and choke off the airflow to the system and begin to damage the compressor outside.
Do we need our ducts cleaned?
We often do. Sometimes, residential ductwork can be damaged during the cleaning process because it was improperly installed in the first place. How? If the duct is not supported every four feet per code and has exisitng kinks and severe bends, the duct cleaning machine and brushes can tear and destroy the ducting. Also, there is still a huge amount of old flexible ducting in attics that just falls apart due to the extreme Texas heat. So, instead of clean ducts, you can wind up with torn ducting and lose valuable airflow to different parts of your home. This is why we inspect your ducting system before any cleaning is done. This helps determine if your best course of action is to clean, repair or replace your ducting system.
What can be done?
The most important day in the life of a new comfort system is the day it is installed. And to install the new system correctly, it is equally important to make sure the existing ductwork is sealed and in proper working order. And if it is not, the best option is not to clean the duct, but to REPLACE it!. After all, your old ductwork is the same age as your home in most instances and has long ago outlived its efficiency. Today's ductwork is higher quality with several choices for insulation thickness (R-Value), spiral helix liner and outer vapor barrier. There is even a "green duct" that is formaldehyde free to lower our carbon footprints.
What if I have flexible ductwork?
This is a great question! Many older homes have sturdy sheet metal ducting in their attic or under the house. And this type of duct is safe to clean. But flexible ducting is difficult to clean because of its very nature - flexible and soft. Having a rotating brush and vacuum inserted into a flexible duct can rip old, worn out flexible duct to pieces - especially if it was installed improperly. City Code requires each duct run to be supported every four feet. And in many Fort Worth homes this Code is not adhered to. This lack of properly supported duct can affect both the integrity of the duct and the cleaning process. Each home is on a case by case basis. The technician will be able to inform you if your duct can be cleaned without damage. Or, in many cases, the ductwork needs to be replaced.
What does the cleaning cost?
It all depends on the size of your home, how many supply air and return air grills and registers you have, the shape, location and integrity of your existing duct system. and how difficult it is to access. Your technician is highly skilled to advise to to the best course of action. And he will then inform you the cost of each option. Typically duct cleaning runs about fifty cents a square foot (and up) of house space.
Wow! The TV Guide has ads for $7.99 per room
See the first paragraph above about "blow and go" duct contractors. We here at Thompson's 72 Degree Air Conditioning and Heating are confident you can get "duct cleaning" at a cheaper price. Cheap is on every corner. But if you stop and think whether a company can dispatch two men for over half a day for about $79.00 - can it be done? Or will you be goaded into other, more expensive purchases? And don't forget, if your ducts are already in bad shape, will they be responsible for the damages?
Our guarantees are in writing for your protection. For more information about duct cleaning scams see this video.
What else can be done?
Your ducts can be properly sealed at both ends with UL listed tape and mastic, which is like a very thick latex paint that dries to a hard, air-tight plastic coating. Next is to clean your return and supply air vents of any dirt, hair and debris. Then dust the house thoroughly and have a good quality electronic air cleaner installed. However, if you have an old, leaking HVAC system, you are still going to experience problems with dust and dirt. This has to be sealed as well. Remember, any ducting in the attic or crawl space, if not properly installed, is highly subject to infiltration of airborne particulates
What's next?
Call Thompson's 72 Degree Air Conditioning and Heating for an evaluation of your existing ducting system and recommendation. After all, we spend over 90% of our time indoors. Shouldn't you and your special loved ones have healthy air inside your home?
Call today at 817-560-4300!
817-560-4300
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Air Duct Cleaning - Serving the Fort Worth Area
