Residential Air Duct Cleaning for Your Home
We spend a lot of time indoors. That's why keeping your ducts clean is always a great idea, especially because your HVAC system circulates the same air over and over. Simply put, if your ducts are dirty, you breathe in polluted air each time you step through the door.
Here are some of the significant benefits of cleaning duct work:
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Improves air quality
Nobody wants to breathe in dirty air. Cleaning your ducts will make your indoor environment feel fresher, which can improve your well-being.
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Helps with respiratory conditions
If you live with asthma or other respiratory conditions, keeping your indoor air clean, well-circulated, and ventilated can reduce the impact on your lungs.
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Reduces allergy symptoms
If you notice your allergies act up every time you step indoors, or you feel a tickle in your throat, this could mean that you’re surrounded by poor air quality.
You can reduce these symptoms by having your ducts cleaned, which can eliminate air pollutants and restore your HVAC’s ventilation system.
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Prolongs the life of your HVAC system
HVAC systems are not the cheapest to replace — regular cleaning and maintenance can extend the life of the system and prevent premature replacement.
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Saves you money
Your HVAC system works harder to regulate indoor air when it’s full of debris, dust, and other pollutants. This extra effort drives up energy costs. Cleaning and maintaining your ductwork increases the unit’s efficiency and saves you from those monthly bill spikes.
What to Expect from Residential Air Duct Cleaning Services
Our NADCA-certified professionals use sophisticated technologies to ensure your HVAC and ductwork are protected. Here’s how you can prepare and what you can expect for your cleaning:
Before the Appointment
We’ll need full access to your vents and air registers, so please clear these access points. If you have pets, let us know how you want us to manoeuvre around them safely!
During the Appointment
We’ll start with a thorough visual inspection of your heating and cooling system to verify its cleanliness and overall condition.
We will use our powerful vacuums and other specialized equipment to clean the dust and debris in your ducts. During this process, the HVAC system should be turned off.
Residential Duct Cleaning FAQs
The experts at Power Vac of Ottawa answer some frequently asked questions about duct cleaning in your home.
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What is an HVAC System?
HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. This system facilitates heating and cooling in residential buildings.
Its goal is to provide optimal comfort for your indoor environment and promote high air quality with thermal regulation and ventilation of moisture, odours, and other pollutants.
If your ducts are dirty, dust and particles circulate through each room of the building, which you inhale every time you’re inside.
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How often should my ducts be cleaned?
In general, it’s recommended that ducts be cleaned every three to five years. However, this depends on several factors that have to do with your home. For example, living with several shedding pets, like cats and dogs, can increase the rate at which your ducts get dirty. Here are some other factors to consider:
- More people in your home contribute to dust and debris.
- If you have a family member with allergies or a respiratory condition, they are likely sensitive to air quality, so it may be worth considering more frequent cleanings.
- Living off a dirt or gravel road can add to the dust in your ducts.
- If you just recently renovated, sawdust likely got into your ducts.
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What are the benefits of having my ducts cleaned?
Having your ducts cleaned allows your HVAC system to perform at its best, reducing the chances for wear and tear and elongating its life. In fact, you will likely see a change in your energy bills since your ducts are working more efficiently. In addition, it reduces dust and allergens in your home, meaning you can breathe easier and pull out the duster a little less often.
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How long does duct cleaning take?
This depends on the size of the building, the number of vents, and the level of dust. For many homes, it can take two to four hours to fully clean air ducts. Professional cleaning includes the return air vents, the supply air vents, and the return drop. However, jobs are assessed independently, and the actual time might differ.
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How much does duct cleaning cost?
Many factors may affect the cost of this service. Many companies will offer an initial base price, which is likely to be much lower than the actual cost.
The size, the ease with which technicians can access your system, the amount of supply and return vents, and the location of the air handling unit all factor into how much you’ll pay.
Prices can range from $250 to $1000. If you are interested in a quote, please reach out to our team. We have no hidden charges or additional fees.
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Is cleaning my ducts necessary?
Although some may question the efficacy of cleaning your ducts, it is a necessary part of routine maintenance. It ensures your HVAC system works properly and allows your space to be filled with clean, allergen and dust-free air. If you notice a decrease in the air quality in your home, consider a ductwork refresh. As outlined above, there are many benefits to taking action. Power Vac of Ottawa can provide before and after pictures of the service to visualize the impact and results.
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How can I tell if my ducts need to be cleaned?
A telltale sign your ducts need to be cleaned is a constant layer of dust settling around your home. You can also lift up one or two of your vent covers and see if they are filled with dust or debris, giving you an idea of how the rest of the ductwork looks. If you have recently renovated a room in your home, you should consider scheduling a cleaning to remove any particles that may have travelled into your HVAC system. Additionally, if the air feels stuffier than usual, this may be a sign to get things checked out.
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Can I clean my own air vents?
Due to the sophisticated and technical nature of the equipment used to clean air ducts, homeowners or other property owners are not recommended to attempt to clean them themselves. Our NADCA-certified technicians have the proper knowledge and tools to complete the job efficiently and safely, offering the peace of mind of a job done right.
If you attempt to perform your own cleanings, you may also risk damaging your ducts or other parts of your HVAC system. It can also be dangerous if you have to climb on ladders to reach registers, so it’s best to speak with a technician.
However, there are some things you can do in the meantime to maintain your ductwork and the entire heating and cooling unit, such as:
- Checking your air filter monthly and replacing it as necessary
- Regularly cleaning your space by vacuuming and dusting to keep the indoor air particle-free
- Removing clutter and objects that block the unit and registers to allow proper airflow to all rooms of the building
Why Keep Your Ducts Clean?
If your home feels stuffy or you’re having trouble breathing, there’s a good chance your air quality is not as good as it should be. Duct cleaning allows your space to be filled with clean, allergen and dust-free air.
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Other Residential Duct Services
Aside from regular duct cleaning, there are a variety of effective ways to protect your home’s HVAC system and save energy. At Power Vac of Ottawa, we also offer: