Air Duct Cleaning

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has listed poor indoor air quality as America's fourth-largest environmental threat. Some occupants are more sensitive to the contaminants within a residential HVAC system than others, so having a proper air duct cleaning performed to alleviate this issue is important. 

Our Air Duct Cleaning Services 

We offer air duct cleaning services that meets both the needs of quality and budget for clients:

• Premier Standard
• Clean Return Air Ductwork, Clean Supply Ductwork, Remove, Clean and Reset Supply Registers Return Air Grilles, Access Main trunk lines then after cleaning to be sealed.
• NADCA Standard
• Clean Return and Supply Duct work Remove Clean and Reset Supply Registers Return Air Grilles, Clean Supply Air Plenum Return Air Plenum, Clean Air stream Side of Heat Exchanger Clean Blower Motor, Evaporator Coil, Drain and Pan. 

How To Inspect your Home's Air Duct Vents 

One of the most popular questions our customers ask when they begin researching the air duct cleaning process is how to determine whether the vents need cleaning. There are very simple ways to do this: using a screwdriver, remove a floor or wall register. With a mirror and flashlight, observe the condition of the ductwork. If you see that the vent contains any visible dust or debris, it is time to get the ducts taken care of. This process can also be done with a digital camera. 

What You Need to Know About Air Duct Cleaning   

Air Duct Cleaning is a lot more complicated than just blowing out the heating and cooling vents in your home. Depending on how reputable of a service you are researching, air duct cleaning can mean several different things. Some firms only clean some vents, up-charging additionally for others. Some only use negative pressure, a vacuuming process. Others yet exclude furnace components. Your air ducts are only part of the overall Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) System, which include the following components: 

The truth of the matter is that many air duct cleaning firms relish working with consumers who aren't aware that air ducts are only but a small part of the overall HVAC system. They lure unsuspecting homeowners into a sales situation where they are up-charging several hundred dollars above their original quote, leaving them with only shoddy work. The best way to protect yourself is to do your research and put your trust in companies that are certified by the National Air Duct Cleaner's Association (NADCA).

As a NADCA member, each homeowner that chooses our service is guaranteed clear communication about the service, before and after. Our certification also means that all cleaners sent to your home will be licensed, bonded, and insured. 

The Basics: Proper HVAC Cleaning Process   

There are two key components to HVAC cleaning: breaking contaminants loose, and collection of contaminants. 

Breaking Contaminants Loose   

Properly cleaning HVAC systems requires removing the sources of contamination. Source removal begins with use of one or more agitation devices designed to loosen contaminants from the surfaces within the heating and air-conditioning system. Chicago Heating & Cooling, utilizes the Roto Brush Beast system through every vent in the home to agitate and remove your dirt and debris. 

Collection of Contaminants 

During the air duct cleaning process, the entire HVAC system is placed under continuous negative pressure (vacuum) to prevent the spread of contaminants. Continuous negative pressure allows very fine particles to be removed from the system as they become airborne, ensuring that these particles are not released into the living space when the system is turned on after cleaning. This negative pressure also serves to extract the loosened contaminants, which are collected and removed from your home. 

System Access 

Because each system is unique, the way the duct cleaners will access them will also be different. Where possible, access to duct interiors should be made through existing openings such as supply diffusers, return grills, duct end caps, and existing service openings. However, if the system dictates, we may need to create an access panel ourselves. Creation of these service openings, and their subsequent closure, will be performed and maintained by our expertly trained technicians. 

Cost and Time Estimates 

At Chicago Heating & Cooling, we believe in fair and accountable service. Our pricing is not based on how many vents you have because we firmly believe in no up-charging at the home. As long as you know your home's square footage and the amount of furnaces you have, we can give you a set quote, every time. As for timing, service usually runs between 2-5 man hours, which can vary depending on HVAC system set-up. The technicians can confirm with you the approximate completion time once they are on site. 

Post-Cleaning Maintenance 

There are a few things that you can do to maintain the cleanliness and efficiency of your HVAC system:

• Get good HVAC filters—ask Chicago Heating & Cooling for a recommendation.
• Clean/change the HVAC filters as needed (at least every two months)
• Even with proper air duct cleaning and changing quality filters, the HVAC system will still become dirty over time. Have your heating and cooling system inspected every 2 years to determine whether your duct system needs to be cleaned again. 

Rotobrush “BrushBeast” Air Duct Cleaning System 

Rotobrush “BrushBeast” Air Duct Cleaning System 

Powerful Vacuum System