Most people are now aware that indoor air pollution is an issue of growing concern and increased visibility. Many companies are marketing products and services intended to improve the quality of your indoor air. You have probably seen an advertisement, received a coupon in the mail, or been approached directly by a company offering to clean your air ducts as a means of improving your home's indoor air quality. These services typically — but not always — range in cost from $450 to $1,000 per heating and cooling system, depending on:

the services offered

the size of the system to be cleaned

system accessibility

climatic region

level of contamination

If you decide to have your heating and cooling system cleaned, it important to make sure the service provider agrees to clean all components of the system and is qualified to do so.

Duct cleaning generally refers to the cleaning of various heating and cooling system components of forced air systems, including the supply and return air ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers, heat exchangers heating and cooling coils, condensate drain pans (drip pans), fan motor and fan housing, and the air handling unit housing (See diagram).

If not properly installed, maintained and operated, these components may become contaminated with particles of dust, pollen or other debris. If moisture is present, the potential for microbiological growth (e.g., mold) is increased and spores from such growth may be released into the home's living space. Some of these contaminants may cause allergic reactions or other symptoms in people if they are exposed to them. If you decide to have your heating and cooling system cleaned, it is important to make sure the service provider agrees to clean all components of the system and is qualified to do so. Failure to clean a component of a contaminated system can result in re-contamination of the entire system, thus negating any potential benefits. Methods of duct cleaning vary, although standards have been established by industry associations concerned with air duct cleaning. Typically, a service provider will use specialized tools to dislodge dirt and other debris in ducts, then vacuum them out with a high-powered vacuum cleaner.

In addition, the service provider may propose applying chemical biocides, designed to kill microbiological contaminants, to the inside of the duct work and to other system components. Some service providers may also suggest applying chemical treatments (sealants or other encapsulants) to encapsulate or cover the inside surfaces of the air ducts and equipment housings because they believe it will control mold growth or prevent the release of dirt particles or fibers from ducts. These practices have yet to be fully researched and you should be fully informed before deciding to permit the use of biocides or chemical treatments in your air ducts. They should only be applied, if at all, after the system has been properly cleaned of all visible dust or debris.

Like there’s not enough to worry about with online scams, home maintenance scams can also happen online. Duct cleaning scams are nothing new (we’ve all seen those flyers that appear in the mailbox for air duct cleaning deals that seem too good, like $89 whole-house specials. Hint: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is!), but posts targeting homeowners on social media neighborhood groups are on the rise. In fact, it seems we see multiple posts for super-cheap air duct cleaning on various social media sites every single day, with users on Facebook and Nextdoor being the biggest offenders.

The content of these posts is almost identical and often touts things like a ‘special discount’ for the first few people who comment, or one price for unlimited vents and ducts. If you look closely, you’ll notice that unrelated posts often use the exact same assortment of images and videos. The company name is almost never included in the post, and those who show interest are sent private messages through the app. Also, they're often posted from accounts that are made to look like genuine residents of the communities the groups are made for.

The scams have gotten more and more sophisticated over time, and the posts can truly appear legit. Once homeowners show interest, the most sophisticated scammers will direct message consumers, and eventually gather personal information just before asking for a hefty deposit. Your money then disappears, and your ducts never get cleaned. Or if they are cleaned, it’s sub-par work.

What a Facebook Scam Looks Like

According to our friends at DuctCleaning.org, there are several tactics that stand out when it comes to deciphering whether or not posts are a scam. Here are eight red flags to look out for:

The post says “Believe my work, not my words. This is not a scam.” Hint: if they have to say it’s not a scam, it’s certainly a scam.

No company name is included in the post. Legitimate businesses will always use their name since they want to showcase their services to the public.

Scammers provide a company name via a personal message such as “Duct Cleaning Colorado” or “Duct Cleaners.” Those company names are generic and impossible to find on Google since it’s not a legitimate business.

They occasionally provide a phone number, but it’s probably fake.

The Facebook account is just a few days/weeks old. In most cases, their names don’t match the user names in the URL. Hint: This is one of the easiest red flags to spot when it comes to a scam.

The Facebook profile is locked down tighter than Fort Knox. No followers, posts, or photos can be seen.

Their occupation says they work at Facebook Marketplace.

The scammer uses words like “kindly.” Example: Kindly message me to have our service.

Protect Yourself

As homeowners, we’re constantly tempted by great savings and a chance to mark off one of those daunting tasks on the ol’ to-do list, and it’s easy to jump at what seems like a great bargain. But buyers beware, just like other household products and services, cheaper is rarely better when it comes to air duct cleaning. And like any industry, duct cleaning is not immune to scammers looking to take advantage of unsuspecting homeowners. In fact, the industry is plagued with fraudulent service providers eager to cheat homeowners.

It’s essential to know the signs of ALL scams (not just those on social media), and as a homeowner, you can take steps to ensure you don’t fall prey to dishonest tactics. CLICK HERE to learn how to spot common home improvement schemes.

Considering Air Duct Cleaning? Make Sure You Hire a NADCA Professional!

We all want our families to breathe clean, healthy air, right? When you’re ready to tackle those air ducts, the best way to avoid scams is to make sure you choose a qualified contractor to ensure the job is done right – one who is certified for the task. NADCA members have technicians on staff with advanced training and certifications in HVAC system cleaning. Plus, NADCA makes it really simple for homeowners to find an air duct cleaning professional. All it takes is a zip code to search our online directory to find a NADCA member in your area.

With concern growing about molds, allergens and indoor air quality, residential duct cleaning is an emerging industry. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association asserts that removing contaminants from a home's ventilation system is an important step toward improving indoor air quality. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)[1] says knowledge about air duct cleaning is in the early stages, and there is currently no evidence that a small amount of household dust or other particles in air ducts poses any health risks. The EPA indicates it might be warranted in some cases but not in all situations.

Did you know that about 87% of U.S. homes now include an air conditioning unit? We depend on that hidden network of vents and ducts within our homes to keep us comfortable and to keep our air clean. Yet even the world’s biggest clean freaks don’t unscrew their vent covers and clean their home’s heating and cooling ducts.

That’s one of the reasons the air quality inside your home can actually be much, much worse than the outdoor air quality in your region. We don’t say this to scare you, but because we know that air pollution has an outsize effect on pregnant women and unborn babies.

So what do pregnant women really need to know about indoor air quality and pregnancy? Do you really need to clean out your home’s ducts when you’re expecting?

The EPA does recommend air duct cleaning in the event of an animal infestation, mold growth, or issues related to lingering odors like cigarette smoke. When it comes to indoor air quality and pregnancy, these are the biggest risks to be aware of. In addition, homeowners that have ducts that are truly clogged with debris, dust, or other particles should pursue duct cleaning if those elements are being released into the home.

The Benefits of Having Your Air Ducts Cleaned

While cleaning your air ducts may not be required, the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends homeowners have their air ducts cleaned by a professional every three to five years. Adding this task to your routine home care could be beneficial because it may help you identify problems with your ductwork earlier. Additionally, keeping your ducts in tip-top shape can also help keep your HVAC unit running smoothly.

Can You DIY Your Air Duct Cleaning?

It may be tempting to DIY your way to cleaner air ducts, but you probably shouldn’t take on this task yourself. Household vacuum cleaners are ill-equipped to handle the suction needed to reach deep into your ducts and using the wrong type of brushes can damage your ductwork. Even small holes in your ductwork can create leaks in your system, allowing additional mold, dust, and debris into the ductwork, creating an expensive fix for you down the line.

The quality of the air you breathe can contribute to health problems like asthma and allergies. And it’s not just outdoor air quality that exposes us to pollutants. The World Health Organization (WHO) says 9 out of 10 people worldwide regularly breathe polluted air. And as many as 93% of children under 18 are living in environments with pollution concentrations that exceed WHO safe air quality guidelines.¹

You can't always control outdoor air quality, but you can ensure better health for your family by improving indoor air quality. That starts by identifying levels of indoor contaminants and finding ways to restore good air.

Call an Air Quality Professional

If you notice indoor air quality problems, you may scurry to do a few common sense things like duct cleaning and installing carbon monoxide detectors. But some indoor air quality problems, like the presence of mold spores or radon, can be more elusive and require professional help.