There is a popular misconception that having your ducts cleaned are not necessary because it is a scam. And there is some truth to that, but not what you think!
Lets look at what duct cleaning does and why its important to you. Your heating and cooling system relies on your ducts generating maximum air flow and that can only be accomplished by having clean air ducts to run more efficiently. Air ducts can not possibly stay clean by themselves with the amount of dust particles and allergen’s that occupy your home every day.
This is even more true if you have pets. The combination of dust, dander, pollen, and other pollutants that enter your home impact the air quality and can lead to allergies and respiratory issues. Once you develop allergies they can be irreversible.
It is also important to note that an air duct cleaning will not remove ALL contaminants. Keeping them clean significantly improves the air quality and left untreated your home will develop a musty smell or even mold, and mold loves to feed on itself as do allergens. Keep your home healthy and you will keep your lifestyle healthy.
How often should they be cleaned?
Depending on where you live and the environmental conditions, ducts should be cleaned every 2 – 3 years. If you live where dust is constantly around you (like on a gravel road) you may consider cleaning them yearly. This is more true if you have pets that contribute to the poor air quality in your home.
Cost to have your ducts cleaned is very reasonable and can be cleaned between $300 - $500, depending on the size, and any extra services you may wish to take advantage of. Sometimes you can get the price cheaper if the services are on sale, but make sure the company is legitimate.
Now the scam part of having your ducts cleaned:
Cleaning your ducts is NOT a scam, but having them cleaned by unprofessional, unscrupulous people is. If you are approached by someone that is soliciting a great deal on having your ducts cleaned, be cautious and find out who they are and how long they have been in business! There was a time when this was a classic phone scam where they would call you to have your ducts cleaned claiming to provide professional services, while in reality, they deliver subpar work or no service at all. Today, they have moved onto social media and offer their services thru online ads with Facebook and Instagram or Kijiji. If you are approached, make sure you search them online and check to see that they are a legitimate Duct Cleaning service in your area and that they have references. If they are calling from a foreign land or out of province area code, be careful and suspicious.
When selling your home, I always recommend having your air ducts cleaned before you list to sell. Nothing turns off a home buyer more than walking into your home with a foul stale odor in the air. Make sure your home smells fresh and is ready to make an impression. I also recommend that the invoice be left on a table, so they can see you recently cleaned them. Better yet, put all your recent invoices out to show you have kept your home clean over time. It shows you care about your home and you care about having your home clean for the next person occupying it.
I am always here to help you with your Real Estate needs. If you are planning on selling your home anytime soon, call me and I will give you my recommendations on who I trust to call to ensure the work is done properly and professionally.
YOUR REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE MATTERS!
Tony Rinella – B.A. Urban Studies (1981)
Ethos Realty
204-771-3866 (Call or Text me)