duct cleaning + HVAC = legit??

[nodule]

Can a homeowner really take a HVAC contractor seriously if they also do
duct cleaning as part of their new installation?

[rubberduck]

I think there is alot more to this question than whether or not someone chooses to do duct cleaning. The A/C business is very competitive and there are many companies that offer other services to supplement the cash flow.

You will find that everyone has an opinion on duct cleaning. Personally I think that if a system is sealed properly and the filter is changed regularly that there is no reason for duct cleaning.

If you don't want you duct cleaned as part of a new install tell them that you don't want the service.

[d_griff]

what can it really hurt????i read once an E.P.A report and they were recommending a duct cleaning every 5-7 years..they basically just sanitize your registers and cut a whole in the ain supply and return and but a big blower on there to sucj the dust out..are they trying to charge alot for it on top of the install??or including it?

[dash]

Clean them!!Only after testing confirms there's something that needs to be removed!!

[mark beiser]

i read once an E.P.A report and they were recommending a duct cleaning every 5-7 years

Nowhere in the EPA's "report" is there a recommendation for a cleaning interval.
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/airduct.html

Maybe you confused something the NADCA put out for something from the EPA. ;)

[kroberts38]

I really think that it depends on where your vents are, if they are in the floor odds are something has probably fell into it, and if you put a new system in the airflow will more than likely increase blowing this stuff into your room. When they say duct cleaning most people seem to think filters are the catch all and they do catch alot but not all so cleaning before you put a new system in is not a bad idea after all you want your new system to perform that way for a good while and taking a precaution to ensure this even if you do it yourself cannot be bad.

[nodule]

My ducts are in the ceiling, built in 1986. Last night, for a goof, I took off 3
registers in various rooms. All three were spotless...no dust, no film,nothing. I
was able to snake my hand through the duct and felt nothing but duct! My hand
came out clean!

[jrbenny]

Is there a reason you have two threads on the same topic?

[wconell]

I'm asked all the time if I clean ducts. I tell them no, but I have a company I suggest who has the proper equipment and skill to do it right. They just can't understand why. There certainly is a good market for it and the profits are great, but the duct cleaning scare has just gotten out of hand.
I beleive the company that adds duct cleaning to their arsenal has the best intentions to satisfy a need, but the need is really rare. To just make the customer happy because they want their ducts cleaned is not fair to them- they should be educated about the whole concept and after a duct inspection be informed wether the proceedure is needed.
The company doing the duct cleanings should really take it upon themselves to seek the education needed to give the proper advice to the customer.

[timebuilder]

Can a homeowner really take a HVAC contractor seriously if they also do
duct cleaning as part of their new installation?

Here is a lot of information.

http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/airduct.html


One thing you must consider is when a government entity uses phrases such as "has not been shown." Realize that just because something "has not been shown," i.e., by a study or long term examination, it does not mean that there is not a benefit from the process.

In fact, what they are stating is that they "don't know."

[airsome]

The company I work for does not recommend duct cleaning but we
do provide it as a service.

A few years ago we did not offer it. We recommended someone else.

But we got so many calls for it that we finally changed our tune.

We got the calls because we are well known and have a very good
reputation.

We are always honest. We try to save the customer from the
expense if we can.
We use a camera that goes into the duct and shows the customer
what his duct looks like.
Some customers insist on the cleaning; others see that it has no
benefit.
Sometimes we see ductwork that has as much as an inch of dust built up!
In these cases we usually recommend replacement.

Above all, we do not sell this service. We make it available.

[drk]

an inch of dust in the return is about the norm!

[dash]

Here is a lot of information.

http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/airduct.html


One thing you must consider is when a government entity uses phrases such as "has not been shown." Realize that just because something "has not been shown," i.e., by a study or long term examination, it does not mean that there is not a benefit from the process.

In fact, what they are stating is that they "don't know."


Some people are suspect of whatever the government says,and I think that's the case here.

[hvaclogic]

Is there a reason you have two threads on the same topic?


He and his brother cottygee have a bet going as to how many questions can be asked or how many stones over turned before they actually buy something.

Truth be told I think they are waiting for it to get really hot so the hvac crew won't get cold up in the attic.:D

[timebuilder]

Some people are suspect of whatever the government says,and I think that's the case here.

It's reasonable to be suspicious when the government is, in effect, saying "nothing."

[dash]

It's reasonable to be suspicious when the government is, in effect, saying "nothing."

Gee,knew You would say so!








Yeah ,right ,take it to ARP section!!!!

[timebuilder]

Gee,knew You would say so!

Yeah ,right ,take it to ARP section!!!!

Clear thinking should always be obvious.