Air Duct Cleaning in Columbus, OH

Experience top-quality air duct cleaning services in Columbus, Ohio with AdvantaClean.

Breathe Clean Air in Your Home or Business

Improve Indoor Air Quality with Expert Air Duct and Coil Cleaning in Columbus, OH

How Clean Are Your Air Ducts?

Air ducts, essential passages for your HVAC system in Columbus, Ohio, serve as the circulatory system of your home, facilitating the flow of heated or cooled air. Over time, dust and contaminants accumulate within these ducts, impacting indoor air quality. Neglecting routine air duct cleaning can lead to long-term issues.

Maintaining the health of your home’s circulatory system is crucial, making air duct cleaning a vital process. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends cleaning ducts every 4-7 years to ensure optimal performance and improve indoor air quality. Don’t overlook the importance of this maintenance task for a healthier living environment.”

How Efficient Are Your Coils?

Well maintained coils can last up to 15 years! Keeping an air conditioning unit well maintained increases the life and efficiency of the heating and air conditioning unit. That’s why air conditioner coil cleaning should be near the top of every building’s maintenance list.

Leaks, noises, diminished airflow and damaged wiring are some of the signs of a poorly maintained home AC system.

As air moves over the air conditioner coils, contaminants such as dirt, dust, mold spores, moisture and pollen collect. When this happens, the air conditioning coils become a breeding ground for bacteria and mold, threatening indoor air quality. If air conditioner coil cleaning is not performed, buildup on the air conditioning coils also creates an insulating effect, preventing the coil from absorbing heat and reducing airflow, resulting in greater energy consumption.

Call AdvantaClean for Clean Air Ducts and Efficient Coils

AdvantaClean is the premier provider of duct cleaning. Our professional technicians perform thorough cleanings, eliminating contaminants, like dust, mold and bacteria. Duct cleaning also helps prevent excessive home dust and allergies by removing irritants from your ductwork.

According to NADCA, up to 40 pounds of dust is created annually, through everyday living alone! Your HVAC system recirculates air five to seven times a day, so dust in the home and other air pollutants are pulled into your air ducts, attaches to the walls and builds up over time. Cleaning your air ducts help maintain healthy indoor air quality in your home.

When the air conditioning coils become contaminated, the system has to work harder, using more energy to transfer heat. According to the US Department of Energy (DOE), the “HVAC system accounts for 40 to 60 percent of the energy used in US commercial and residential buildings.” Add in the fact that an air conditioning unit with dirty coils can use from 30 to 37 percent more energy than a unit with clean coils! The case is clear: ensuring your HVAC system is maintained and functioning properly will save you both energy and money.

Signs that you should call AdvantaClean for air duct cleaning include:

Needing to sweep and dust more than usual.
Experiencing higher than normal utility bills – clean air ducts can improve your system’s efficiency.
Allergy signs appeared after air starts to flow? Clean air ducts can remove particulates such as mold and dust, which are known triggers.
Rooms in your home have little or no airflow coming from the air conditioning vents – air ducts will help restore airflow throughout your ventilation system.

What is Duct Cleaning?

Air duct cleaning is the process of eliminating dust, mold and other contaminants from your heating and air conditioning system ductwork.

According to the EPA, “Air duct cleaning generally refers to the cleaning of various heating and cooling system components of forced air systems, including the supply and return air ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers, heat exchangers heating and cooling coils, condensate drain pans (drip pans), fan motor and fan housing, and the air handling unit housing.”

Indoor air pollution has been identified as a top environmental health risk in the US and air duct cleaning has shown to greatly reduce indoor air contaminants, making your home a healthier place to live.

How to Clean Air Ducts (According to NADCA Standards)

AdvantaClean follows the rigorous standards set forth by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) when performing air duct cleaning.

Our courteous and professionally trained air duct cleaning technicians use the following process:

Our crews will show up at your home on time, in an AdvantaClean branded vehicle.
Our technicians will greet you and carefully review the services you have requested, explaining our air duct cleaning process in detail.
Your home will be prepared for air duct cleaning, ensuring that all vents and returns are accessible, and placing protective flooring covers and corner guards where necessary.
Our technicians will carefully seal your vents and returns before the duct cleaning begins, and put your air conditioning ducts under negative pressure to maximize airflow.

We will connect a powerful vacuum device to your main trunk line, which will collect dirt, dust, mold and other contaminants that will be dislodged during the air duct cleaning.
High pressured compressed air whips will be inserted into the ductwork to dislodge the dirt and debris, which will be collected in the containment unit.
After the duct cleaning process is complete, we will seal the access hole in your main trunk line with a metal access panel, according to NADCA standards.
Our technician will review your air duct cleaning project with you to ensure your satisfaction and answer any questions you may have.

Can I Clean Air Ducts Myself?

Properly cleaning your home air duct is trickier than it seems. First, you’ll need to acquire specially designed vacuums, brushes, fans and furnace filters. The NADCA guidelines and recommendations for specific tasks, like cleaning areas “contaminated with an accumulation of particulate” or the ones “determined to be at risk for fire hazard” will change drastically. Therefore, we do not recommend cleaning your air duct yourself, unless you have industry certifications.

Dryer Vent Cleaning in Columbus, Ohio

Why is Dryer Vent Cleaning Important?

Clogged dryer vents can be costly to a home so cleaning the dryer vent is extremely important for a number of reasons.

According to the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a full load of wet clothes can contain up to one and a half gallons of water. With the drying process:

Cleaning the dryer vent will cleanse the system, removing all debris that has built up over time. Cleaning the dryer vent is an often overlooked, but important step in maintaining your home or building. A good rule of thumb is to have dryer vent and air duct cleaning performed at the same time.

Cleaning the dryer vent is also significant in reducing the risk of fire to your home. According to a recent FEMA study, 28% of residential clothes dryer fires were caused by dust, fiber and lint. Every year, there are an estimated 2,900 clothes dryer fires causing an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries and $35 million in property loss.

Commercial Dryer Vents

Dirty dryer vents pose a serious risk of fire damage to commercial buildings, hospitals, hotels & resorts, linen companies, and so many other businesses. Maintenance and care are critical strategies that can prevent a catastrophe.

The most likely area for the possibility of fire is always within the vents. They can amass a buildup of fine flammable materials (lint) over an extended period of time and usage. If not cleaned regularly, dryer vents full of combustible lint can quickly turn into a fire hazard, and far more costly in the long run if unattended to.

Extending the life of an expensive appliance and keeping a building free of fire hazards requires regular maintenance. Give us a Call! We can put you on a schedule to clean the dryer vents of your building.

Cleaning the Dryer Vent: Facts You Should Know

When a dryer vent is clogged, you should think about cleaning the dryer vent. Clogged dryer vents reduce airflow and force the dryer to work harder, which can cause:

Signs You Need Dryer Vent Cleaning:

Consider cleaning the dryer vent if… it takes more than one drying cycle to dry one load of laundry
Consider cleaning the dryer vent if … the dryer is hot to the touch indicating it is overheating
Consider cleaning the dryer vent if … clothes smell “musty” after being in the dryer
Consider cleaning the dryer vent if … you see an increase in energy bills (dryer has to run longer and work harder to dry clothes)

Did You Know?

Cleaning the dryer vent enables the dryer to perform properly
Cleaning the dryer vent allows clothes to dry more quickly and evenly
Cleaning the dryer vent can save $18-$24 on monthly power bills
Cleaning the dryer vent creates peace of mind by eliminating a potential fire hazard
Cleaning the dryer vent limits mold, mildew and other bacteria on your clothes and in your home

Duct Cleaning How To & FAQs

The following questions are most commonly asked by air duct cleaning consumers, according to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA):

What is air duct cleaning?

Air Duct and Vent Cleaning are a means of improving your home’s indoor air quality. Air Duct cleaning refers to the cleaning of heating and cooling system components of forced air systems, including the supply and return air ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers, heat exchangers heating and cooling coils, condensate drain pans (drip pans), fan motor and fan housing, and the air handling unit housing.

Failure to clean all components of the system can result in the re-contamination of the entire system, thus minimizing the benefits of cleaning.

Just as you wouldn’t clean only half of your living room floor, you also would not want to clean only part of your home’s HVAC system. National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends cleaning the entire HVAC system, including the following components with the proper air duct cleaning tools:

Air Ducts
Coils
Drain Pan
Registers
Grills

Air Plenum
Blower Motor and Assembly
Heat Exchanger
Air Filter
Air Cleaner

There are two key components to HVAC cleaning: breaking contaminants loose, and collection of contaminants. Typically, a service provider will use specialized tools to dislodge dirt and other debris in ducts, then vacuum them out with a high-powered vacuum cleaner.

Do I have to clean my air ducts?

The short answer: Yes. At some point in every homeowner’s life, it’s important to clean your air vents and air ducts, as they directly affect the air quality, circulation and even the energy usage in your home.

According to the NADCA, dirty air ducts can contribute to health issues like respiratory infections, autoimmune disorders or allergies because they can circulate contaminants and air pollutants throughout the home five to seven times per day.

How can I prepare to have my air ducts cleaned?

Make sure there is space cleared around the HVAC system and the duct registers inside your home. Once that is done, the best thing you can do is stay out of the way to ensure your safety and allow the technician to complete the cleaning.

Are there any health benefits that come from the cleaning of air ducts?

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems have been shown to be a collection source for a variety of contaminants that have the potential to affect health, such as mold, fungi, bacteria, and particles of dust. The removal of such contaminants from the HVAC system and home should be considered as one component in an overall plan to improve indoor air quality.

How often should residential HVAC systems be cleaned?

Frequency of cleaning of air ducts depends on several factors, including:

Amount of people experiencing allergies or asthma symptoms when indoors
Number of pets that shed high amounts of hair and dander
Evidence of water damage or contamination to the home or HVAC system

The severity of allergies or asthma symptoms
After home renovations or remodeling
Smokers in the household
History of a home (schedule air duct cleaning before you move into a new home)

How should residential HVAC ductwork be cleaned?

The most effective method of cleaning air ducts is through “Source Removal.” This requires a contractor to place the system under negative pressure through the use of a specialized, powerful vacuum. While the vacuum draws air through the system, devices are inserted into the ducts to dislodge any debris that might be stuck to interior surfaces. The debris is pulled into the vacuum and removed from the system and the home.

What are the antimicrobial chemicals, and why would they need to be used?

Antimicrobial chemicals are applied by some companies to the interior surface of the air ducts to treat microbial contamination such as fungi (mold), viruses or bacteria. Before any antimicrobial chemicals are used, the system should be thoroughly cleaned. It is critical that any antimicrobial treatment used in your system be registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) specifically for use in HVAC systems. The use of antimicrobial chemicals is considered additional and not part of a typical cleaning of air ducts.

What criteria should I use when selecting an air duct system cleaner?

Verify that the company is certified by NADCA to perform proper cleaning of air ducts, is a member in good standing and properly insured.
Make sure that the company is going to clean and visually inspect all of the air ducts and related system components.
Ask if the company has the right equipment to effectively perform cleaning of air ducts and if the company has done work in homes similar to yours. Get references from neighbors if possible.
Avoid advertisements for “$99 whole house specials” and other sales gimmicks.

What is the normal price range for the cleaning of air ducts?

The U.S. EPA says that “duct cleaning services typically – but not always – range in cost from $450 to $1000 per heating and cooling system, depending on the services offered, the size of the system to be cleaned, system accessibility, climatic region, and level of contamination.” The type of duct material is also taken into consideration.

Consumers should beware of air duct cleaning companies that make sweeping claims about the health benefits of cleaning air ducts – such claims are unsubstantiated. Consumers should also beware of “blow-and-go” air duct cleaning companies. These companies often charge a nominal fee and do a poor job of cleaning air ducts. These companies may also persuade the consumer into unneeded services with and/or without their permission.

What kind of equipment is best for the cleaning of air ducts, truck-mounted vacuums or portable vacuums?

NADCA does not endorse one kind of equipment over another. There are two main types of vacuum collection devices: (1) those mounted on trucks and trailers and (2) portable units. Truck/trailer mounted equipment is generally more powerful than portable equipment. However, portable equipment can often be brought directly into a facility, allowing the vacuum source to be located closer to the ductwork. Both types of equipment will clean to NADCA standards.

All vacuum units should be attached to a collection device for safe containment prior to disposal. Any vacuum collection device which exhausts indoors must be HEPA filtered.

A vacuum collection device alone will not get an HVAC system clean. The use of methods and tools designed to agitate debris adhered to the surfaces within the system, in conjunction with the use of the vacuum collection device(s), is required to clean HVAC systems. (For example, brushes, air whips and “skipper balls.”)

How can we determine if the cleaning of air ducts was effective?

The best way to determine if the air duct cleaning was effective is to perform a visual inspection of the system before and after cleaning. If any dust or debris can be seen, the system should not be considered cleaned. While you can perform your own visual inspection using a flashlight and mirror, a professional cleaning contractor should be able to allow you better access to system components and perhaps the use of specialized inspection tools. In addition, following this post-cleaning checklist can help to ensure a top-quality job.

How long should it take to clean a typical residential HVAC system?

The amount of time it takes to clean a residential HVAC system depends on many variables such as the size of the home, the number of systems, the extent of the contamination and the number of HVAC cleaners performing the job. Ask at least two contractors to inspect your system and give you a time estimate. This will give you a general idea of how long the job should take as well as an idea of how thoroughly the contractor plans to do the job.

Why should I choose a NADCA member for the cleaning of air ducts?

NADCA Members have signed a Code of Ethics stating they will do everything possible to protect the consumer and follow NADCA Standards for cleaning to the best of their ability. For a list of NADCA members near you, click here. Air duct cleaning companies must meet stringent requirements to become a NADCA Member. Among those requirements, all NADCA Members must have certified Air System Cleaning Specialists (ASCS) on staff, who have taken and passed the NADCA Certification Examination. Passing the exam demonstrates extensive knowledge of HVAC design and cleaning methodologies. ASCSs are also required to further their industry education by attending seminars in order to maintain their NADCA certification status.

You may view the NADCA Code of Ethics here.