To ensure that your home stays in tip-top shape, you’ll need to always be on the ball when it comes to maintenance services. Air duct cleaning services are considered a form of home maintenance and will keep your HVAC system in great shape. It’ll get rid of all of the dirt, dust and particles that are lingering within your HVAC system to improve the air quality within your home. This can help reduce asthma and allergy symptoms.
There are so many HVAC companies and technicians out there that offer air duct cleaning services. It can be difficult to choose the right person to work with. Many people are tempted to call the first number that they see; however, this isn’t a good thing to do. By going in blind, you have no idea whether you’re in good hands or not.
The key to ensuring that you’re getting a high-quality air duct cleaning service is to do your own research. You also need to take the time to get different companies and technicians in Minneapolis, MN to find an individual who can meet your expectations. This article will look at 7 critical questions that you should always ask the HVAC company or technician before agreeing to any air duct cleaning services with them.
#1. Are You Licensed and Insured?
This is one of the first questions that you should ask any professional that’s performing an air duct cleaning service. Make sure that they are licensed with the state. This means that they’re able to uphold a certain quality of work and that they know what the state expectations are. You can always check their license to confirm whether or not they’re licensed.
Another important question to ask is whether they have insurance. In particular, you want to look for a company that has liability insurance. This will cover you should any mishaps or accidents occur while they’re on the job. In the event that they make a mistake during the air duct cleaning service, their insurance will pay for the repairs that are needed. If the professionals do not have any insurance, then you’ll be left in a bind should anything go wrong. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to these things.
Even if the company or technicians tell you that they are insured, you can always ask them to provide proof of the insurance. Go over their insurance if you have time to get a better idea of the amount and type of coverage that they have. You’ll need to compare the coverage that they have with the potential cost of the repairs that may be needed should anything go wrong. Make sure that the insurance will also cover any mishaps that occur during a duct cleaning service and that the insurance is valid for Minneapolis, MN.
#2. What Does the Air Duct Cleaning Service Include?
Knowing what you’re paying for is also important before agreeing to any type of duct cleaning service. In general, you can expect a duct cleaning service to include the following:
- Protecting your furniture and surfaces from dust and airborne particles. This can take some time depending on the size of the home, so it’s definitely something you want to make sure is included in the service. You definitely don’t want to be stuck doing this by yourself.
- Inspecting the entire system before the cleaning. This includes checking the system for asbestos and for vermin, dirt, dust and more. The inspection may involve the use of a camera. A video inspection will give you a good idea of the condition of the ducts. Most professionals will also do an inspection afterwards, so you can compare the difference.
- Brush all surfaces to scrub off contaminants, dirt, debris and more. The professionals should also clean all components inside the HVAC system. This includes the ducts, grilles or registers, air handler, motor, fan, drain pans and coils.
- Replace any insulation that was removed in order to clean the ducts and reseal any and all access holes that were used.
Some duct cleaning services will also include the use of compressed air or even UV lights to kill bacteria and mold. You’ll want to ask the company or technician what type of tools and equipment they’ll be using while cleaning your ducts. Ask them what types of preventative measures they’ll take to protect your ducts from getting damaged during the cleaning.
#3. What Is the Total Cost of the Air Duct Cleaning Service?
This is a really important question. The price that you see on an ad may not necessarily be the price that you pay at the end of the air duct cleaning service. To ensure that there are no additional fees and costs tacked onto the cost of the service, you should always confirm with the HVAC company and technicians what the price includes. For example, you should ask whether the technicians may charge you an overtime fee if they spend more time than expected in cleaning your ducts. You should also ask them whether they charge a travel fee or other fees.
It’s always a good idea to get several quotes from different companies and technicians. This will give you a better idea of what the going rate for this service is. If you live in an affluent neighborhood, you’ll definitely want to get several quotes, as some unsavory businesses may charge those who live in affluent neighborhoods more. By getting several quotes and by doing your own research online, you’ll have a better idea of whether the quote that you’ve received is fair.
If you have any questions about the quote, ask the company and technician to break down everything for you. A good company will be happy to let you know where every dollar is being spent.
#4. Do You Offer Any Guarantees?
A good HVAC company and technician will be more than happy to offer you a guarantee on their work. They will be more than confident in the quality of their work and should be willing to come to your house again on their own dime should anything go wrong with the air ducts. Before you agree to any type of air duct cleaning service, you should always ask about the guarantees. In general, you can expect most professionals to guarantee their work for about a month. Some HVAC companies and technicians may be comfortable with guaranteeing their work for even longer than that.
Make sure that you understand what is involved with the guarantee as well. For example, do they only guarantee that the ducts are cleaned or do they guarantee that they’ll come back and fix things up if they accidentally didn’t assemble all of the parts properly?
#5. What Measures Will You Take to Protect My Home from Dust and Dirt?
Air duct cleaning services can be very messy. Think about it. Dirt, dust and other types of particles that may have been hiding within the ducts will all of a sudden see the light of day. With one small breeze, these dirt, dust and particles can easily escape from the ducts and travel everywhere in your home. To make sure that you don’t have to deal with a lot of cleaning afterwards, you should always ask the HVAC companies and professionals about the measures that they will take to protect your home from dust and dirt.
A good company will take the time to cover all of your furniture and surfaces with some type of plastic or cover to protect them from dust and other types of airborne particles. They’ll wear shoe coverings inside the home to avoid trekking any of the dirt and dust around, and they’ll also brush and clean areas that were dirtied by the ducts. A good company will be able to guarantee that your home won’t be left looking like a mess.
#6. Do You Adhere to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association’s (NADCA) duct cleaning standards?
To confirm that you are getting a high quality service, ask the HVAC company or technician whether their duct cleaning service adheres to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association’s (NADCA) duct cleaning standards. If you’re not familiar with these standards, you can also ask the technician to walk you through them. This way, you’ll know what the standards are and what you can expect from the cleaning.
#7. Do You Have Any References?
If everything else checks out, then you’ll want to make sure that you asked for references. References that have also received air duct cleaning services from the HVAC company will be able to tell you what to expect, how the service was and the quality of the work. Make sure that the references received air duct cleaning services in the past several years and make sure that the reference is for the individual that will be performing the air duct cleaning service in your home if you are going through a company.
Other than calling the references, you should also do your own homework and research. Look online for reviews and ask around about the company. Make sure that you are working with professionals with a lot of experience under their belts and a good reputation within the community. A company with a lot of years of experience will generally be able to handle tougher jobs. They’ll also have more references for you to call, so you can confirm that they are consistent with their work ethics and abilities.
When Should You Get Your Duct Cleaned?
There are quite a lot of disagreeing opinions when it comes to how often you should get your air ducts cleaned. Some professionals recommend cleaning it every couple of years in order to keep your HVAC system in tip-top shape while others may recommend that you only get it cleaned if you notice something’s wrong.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommend that you get your ducts cleaned if:
- There is substantial and visible mold growth inside the ducts. It can be difficult to tell whether there is mold growth without disassembling the entire HVAC system. However, if you noticed that there’s a musty odor in the air whenever the HVAC system is turned on, it could mean that your home needs air duct cleaning services.
- The ducts are infested with some type of vermin. This can include anything from rodents to insects. Rodents love making homes inside the ducts because they are difficult for home occupants to reach. These areas also tend to be nice and warm or, at the very least, comfortable.
- The ducts are clogged with a lot of dirt, dust and other types of debris and particles. You may notice that the HVAC system is no longer working as efficiently as before.
If you notice any of the issues above, then you should consider calling an HVAC company for an assessment. Our professionals will be able to take a good look at your ducts to see whether you require any air duct cleaning service. We’ll also be able to walk you through the process.
Give Us a Call for Air Duct Cleaning Services in Minneapolis, MN
Blue Ox Heating & Air offers affordable air duct cleaning services in the Minneapolis area. We have a bunch of coupons and promotions available throughout the year that can really help you take the price down by quite a bit. We also offer payment plans and rebates. Our technicians are licensed and Have many years of experience under their belts. There is no HVAC problem that they can’t tackle. Best of all, we’re able to guarantee our work, so you can rest assured that you’re in good hands.
If you need air duct cleaning services in Minneapolis MN, do not hesitate to give Blue Ox Heating & Air a call at 952-213-3955. You can also contact us online to schedule an appointment. Our licensed technicians will work with your schedule to get everything done in record time.
