THE AIR DUCT CLEANING PROCESS

The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recognizes the “Source Removal” method as the only acceptable way to properly clean and decontaminate air duct systems. Although duct cleaning is a fairly routine process, it does involve knowledge of the duct system and it is various components.

Conventional air duct systems consist of a supply and a return. The supply ducts of an HVAC system supplies heated or cooled air from the air handler to a main “trunk” line. The main trunk line carries the air to smaller “branch” lines which then distributes the air to various locations throughout the home.

Although air duct systems may vary throughout the country, a typical job would work as follows:

1. We turn the system on to make sure it is operating properly. Once we determine that everything is operating fine, we turn the system off.
2. We cover the floor with a plastic tarp to prevent any dust or debris from falling onto the floor.
3. We remove air filter, wrap in plastic, and reinstall to separate the supply and return sides of the system.
4. Now that the system is running and under negative pressure, we go to each register and seal them off with plastic sheets or foam blocks. This will increase the air velocity.
5. We connect HEPA Negative Air Pressure Vacuum Machine to one vent and close all the other vents, then we turn the machine on.
6. Starting from the furthest register, we clean each branch line by using nylon duct brushes, cable driven brushes, or forward air blast assemblies to loosen debris to the main trunk line, where it will be vacuumed out by the HEPA machine. The process is then repeated at each register. Once all the branch lines have been cleaned, we then clean out the main trunk line
7. After the system has been cleaned, we apply an EPA registered air duct sanitizer. The sanitizer is sprayed into each register with an Ultra-Low Volume (ULV) Fogger.
8. Once the supply side has been thoroughly cleaned, we repeat steps 3 through 6 on the return side.
9. Now that the duct system has been cleaned, we clean the A-coils and the blower inside Air Handler Unit.
10. After the system has been cleaned an EPA registered air duct sanitizer may be applied. While the system is still under negative pressure, the sanitizer is sprayed into each register with an Ultra-Low Volume (ULV) Fogger.
11. Once the system has been thoroughly cleaned and sanitized, we reseal all access holes with metal patches, then reinstall all registers.

OPTIONAL SERVICES:

FILTER REPLACEMENT: Many air duct cleaners offer filter replacement to their customers – replacing the less efficient fiberglass filters with a high efficiency pleated or an electrostatic filter. This will dramatically reduce dust build-up inside the air ducts.

DRYER VENT CLEANING: Dryer vent cleaning is often overlooked. By having their dryer vents cleaned, your customers will reduce drying time and save on utility bills. The customer may also be eliminating a potential fire hazard.

UV Light Installation: UV light destroy microbes in air conditioners. The lights are installed in your ductwork or near the A-Coil, and they destroy microbes like mold, bacteria, fungi, mildew, mold spores and viruses in the line-of-sight of the UV bulb.

NOTE: THE PROCEEDING INFORMATION IS ONLY A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE AIR DUCT CLEANING PROCESS. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE USED FOR TRAINING. ANY TECHNICIAN PERFORMING AIR DUCT CLEANING SHOULD HAVE A COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING OF THE AIR HANDLING SYSTEM AND THE AIR DUCT CLEANING PROCESS.