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A tool of the trade is used to thoroughly clean out dirty air duct.

Most allergy sufferers carefully track the conditions that contribute to the growth of whatever pollen or mold they are allergic to. They can avoid cats and dogs that may set off their sneezing. However, what should someone do if the very air they're allergic to blows out of the ventilation system of their own home? The simplest answer: contact a professional air duct cleaner.

Normal use of a heating and cooling system causes debris, like dust and pollen, to accumulate. Add a little moisture to this material and mold spores have a nutrient base in which to grow. A good air duct cleaning service can easily clear this debris from every component of your HVAC system.

The signs
There are two good indicators air ducts should be cleaned. The first indicator is if there is a noticeable buildup of dirt and dust around or below vents despite regular cleaning. The second is if household members continue to suffer from allergies outside of allergy season or despite the absence of animals or other allergens.

Effective cleaning of air ducts isn't as simple as setting up a blower and blasting stuff out of the vents, a process the industry dismisses as "blow and go." A reputable air duct cleaning service will clean your entire HVAC system, from vents to the heating and cooling coils. "This is an industry where you really get what you pay for," says David Null of IAQ Solutions. "Consumers should avoid companies that bundle services together for one low price, and instead work with a service that specializes in "HVAC hygiene.'"

The cost
Prices for the service vary, but the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimate a consumer will pay $450 to $1,000 depending on the different services provided, the type of system, accessibility, how dirty the system is and location of the homeowner.

The EPA notes that partial cleaning of a system is not good enough. Debris in one part of the system can quickly spread as soon as the system is used. A good service should use a variety of tools and methods. "There are even several kinds of antimicrobials that can be used to retard growth of mold," Null says.

The standards

This dirty air duct is an example of what can happen in a home over time.

Like any home's HVAC system, proper cleaning is a fairly complex process. Fortunately for consumers, there's a simple way to check the credentials of a potential air duct cleaner. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) offers training and certification of air systems cleaning specialists, mold premeditators and HVAC inspectors. NADCA also maintains standards, guidelines and educational materials for consumers and their members.

"NADCA standards require that a firm have at least one certified technician that has passed a rigorous test," says Jennifer Herber, publications director at NADCA. "Techs must complete continuing education credits each year to maintain certification."

In addition to certifying air duct cleaner technicians, NADCA has created a comprehensive checklist of services that a competent air duct cleaner should be willing to supply. These include cleaning supply and return air ductwork, supply registers and return air grilles, supply air and return air plenums and cleaning secondary heat exchangers. The blower motor, housing and assembly should be removed, cleaned and reinstalled. There are several other optional and as-needed services that can be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

NADCA has recently updated their standards. They now reflect the added importance of cleaning the evaporator coil as well as the drain and pan. Not just because this component can be a source of allergens, some research suggests that cleaning dirty coils, fans and heat exchangers can improve heating and cooling system efficiency.

Null suggests consumers not only check for NADCA certification, but also make sure that a vendor has the correct licensing. While NADCA certification is optional for vendors, some states require vendors to earn a license before they can work on certain types and sizes of HVAC systems.

Selecting a Contractor

Can the company show proof of NADCA membership and certification? How long has the contractor been in the residential HVAC system cleaning business? Can the contractor provide you with evidence of the current worker's compensation and general liability insurance coverage? (Ask for certificate of insurance) Does the contractor posses the proper licenses that are required by your city or state to perform the work they are proposing? (Not all cities or states require license) Will the contractor provide you with 3 to 5 customer references with phone numbers for which they provided service in the last 30 days? Will the contractor conduct a thorough inspection of your system prior to performing any work and alert you to any problems? This is required by the current NADCA Assessment, Cleaning & Restoration of HVAC Systems (ACR) Standard. Is the contractor giving you a guaranteed price before the inspection? This may expose you to extra costs. Finding mold in the system, damaged fiberglass insulation, cleaning or treating cooling coils may become add-on costs. Source: National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA)

Editorial Resources

IAQ Solutions, P.O. Box 189, Princeton, TX 75407, (972) 675-9492, www.iaq-solutions.com. National Air Duct Cleaners Association, 1518 K St., NW, Suite 503, Washington, DC 20005, (202) 737-2926, www.nadca.com. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Ariel Rios Building, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20460, www.epa.gov.

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