HOW TO AVOID FOUR-AIR DUCT CLEANING RIP-OFFS

RIP-OFF # 1: UNBELIEVABLY LOW PRICE. To some degree, all of us are attracted by low price because we want to work within a budget. But some air duct cleaners use price as the bait for their false and misleading advertising. They offer a cheap price--like $79.95 for a basic cleaning--and then, once they're in your home or office, they pressure you into buying "add-ons". It's as if you were buying a car and found out that the dealer was charging you extra for the tires and steering wheel. Professional air duct cleaning is not as cheap as some unethical air duct cleaners would like you to believe, and these specials may not solve your indoor air quality problems. Their basic price may not include complete cleaning and source removal, the cleaning of all components, or testing to determine the true source of an indoor air quality problem.

THE IMPORTANCE OF VALUE AND PRICE

Price is what you pay. Value is what you get. When you select an air duct cleaner you'll choose from a wide variety of capabilities and prices. Not surprisingly, having your air ducts thoroughly cleaned by a professional costs more than using your vacuum cleaner to do it yourself. If you are going to use the cheapest cleaner to do the job, you may actually be better off doing it yourself. On the other hand--if you want your air ducts thoroughly and reliably cleaned--then you have to have it cleaned by a skilled, qualified technician with the correct equipment.

RIP-OFF # 2: BAIT AND SWITCH. Professional air duct cleaning should include all of the system. Unfortunately, unethical air duct cleaners often use a "basic" cleaning as a bait-and-switch technique. Here's how it's done: First, they "bait" you with a basic cleaning at an unbelievably low price. Then, when you call, they try to "switch" you to more complete and more expensive service. If you don't fall for their switch--and choose their basic service--you'll likely receive poor workmanship and they will not guarantee their work.

RIP-OFF # 3: UNSUPPORTED CLAIMS LIKE: "CLEANING YOUR AIR DUCTS WILL SOLVE YOUR INDOOR AIR QUALITY PROBLEMS". You may read this in an ad or hear it from an air duct cleaner, but remember this--air duct cleaning is only one part of an overall, comprehensive program for ensuring cleaner indoor air. Remember this--if your air ducts are NOT the source of your indoor air quality problem, your air ducts may NOT need to be cleaned. Only an honest, trained technician will be able to help you determine what steps you need to take to clear up an indoor air quality problem.

RIP-OFF # 4: ENCAPSULATING SPRAYS ARE BETTER THAN CLEANING. That seems to be the current rage among less than ethical air duct cleaners, because it is extremely cheap for them to apply and extremely lucrative for them to bill. Unfortunately, there are several good reasons NOT to do this. First, the North American Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends air washing the system. Second, encapsulates may be registered with the EPA, but they are not yet approved. You shouldn't have anything sprayed into your ducts that doesn't need to be there, and encapsulates are currently only recommended for sealing the inside of fiber-lined ducts AFTER a complete source removal--or cleaning. Finally, even encapsulates break down over time and will become "particles" that will be released in your indoor air--not to mention all the dirt, mold, mildew, and bacteria that the encapsulate has been holding back.

FIVE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CLEAN HEALTHY AIR
If you are thinking about having your air ducts cleaned, I encourage you to follow these five recommendation

Recommendation # 1: Make a commitment to yourself to get your air ducts cleaned. The longer you wait, the longer you expose yourself and your family or employees to possible contaminants. Furthermore, the sooner you get the air ducts cleaned, the sooner you will have the confidence that your air quality is good and that your system is running efficiently.

Recommendation # 2: Decide whether you want to work with an honest, reputable company--or are you willing to risk working with the company that offers the lowest price, knowing that it may be your health at risk and that the company may not be in business tomorrow.

Recommendation # 3: Ask the right questions of a duct cleaner before you hire. Interview potential air duct cleaners by asking the following eight questions:

1) How do I know when my air ducts need cleaning?
2) How often should I get my air ducts cleaned?
3) How long have you been in business?
4) Are you properly insured with liability and workmen's comp?
5) What type of equipment do you use?
6) Is your equipment HEPA equipped?
7) What training have you had in air duct cleaning?
8) Will a trained technician be on site at all times?
9) What is your Guarantee?

Recommendation # 4: Once you are satisfied that you are working with an honest, competent professional, invite him into your home or office and ask for a specific quotation in writing before starting to clean. A written quotation gives you the assurance that you know exactly what your job will cost--no surprises.

Recommendation # 5: Use high efficiency air filters. I highly recommend using electrostatic air filters. They remove pollen, dust, and airborne pollutants with a peak air resistance of 94%. You will never need another filter, and they are quick and easy to clean.

Does your return air vent look like this?  If so your system needs cleaning.

By following these five recommendations, you'll gain all the information you need to make an informed and intelligent decision.