Posted by Ed Duke on Mon, Feb 15, 2010 @ 05:49 AM
Now you know the reasons why you should have your air ducts cleaned regularly, below are some helpful reminders on whom do you find to do the work.
How do you choose an air duct service company?
A word of caution if you make your decision based on price. The national average price to clean ducts for a medium size home will range from $400-$1,000. If you come across a company who can clean your ducts for an amount significantly less, then you are not getting a quality company and their process may leave you “breathless”. Properly cleaning your HVAC and duct system can’t be done for $100 or even $200. These companies are referred as “blow-and-go” air duct cleaning companies. These companies often charge a nominal fee and do a poor job of cleaning the heating and cooling system.
Ask for a description of their cleaning process. The top cleaning companies will use a rotary brush which will scour and clean the duct while using negative air pressure and a powerful vacuum to suck up the debris before it gets airborne.
You should also do your due diligence and research the companies you are calling. Go to their website (if they don’t have one that could be a red flag), are they part of the Better Business Bureau and are they a member of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA).
Find out if you can be involved in the cleaning process by looking at your system before they start cleaning and after they are done. Ask them to show you the debris that was in your system. If they won’t/can’t show you the duct work before and after, you should be waiving another red flag. If you are not going to be home during the cleaning, demand before and after pictures so you can feel comfortable the work was actually done and your investment was worth it.
Finally, asking for references and referrals which will solidify you made the right contractor choice.
Points to Remember
- Don’t make your choice strictly on price. All good companies are going to be in the same ballpark. Cheaper is never better and if it’s too good to be true, it is.
- Ask about the cleaning process and confirm they are using negative air and a vacuum system.
- Do your research, website, BBB, NADCA, references.
- Get involved in the cleaning process to protect your investment.
Posted by Ed Duke on Thu, Feb 11, 2010 @ 01:42 PM
As we spend more time indoors during this time of the year, breathing clean air is even more critical, especially for those with respiratory disorders. Many people spend countless hours cleaning their homes, vacuuming, dusting etc. only to ignore their central air system and have their contaminated air blowing throughout their home.
As you prepare to make the investment in having your central air system and duct system cleaned, there are many questions you should ask.
Can having our system cleaned REALLY improve our indoor air quality?
Bacteria, fungi, mold and small particles of dust collect in your HVAC (Heating, ventilation and air conditioning system) and have potential to cause health problems. You can improve your indoor air quality (IAQ) by removing these contaminants.
How often should I have my air ducts cleaned?
There is not a right or wrong answer, the homeowner needs to make their own decision taking into consideration the following factors:
- Recent renovations or remodeling in the home
- Pets in the home
- Water or smoke in the HVAC system
- Anyone with respiratory challenges who would benefit from improved air quality
- Smokers in the home
- Visible mold growth in the duct work
- Ducts clogged with dust or debris
Posted by Eric Schlaubach on Wed, Feb 10, 2010 @ 08:38 AM
Disaster can mean different things depending on who you are. A disaster may range from a flooded basement or fire, to a natural disaster. We will assume, for this example, a disaster happens at work.
A tornado has directly hit your building, and there is no power or structure left. What happens next, and how will your company get back to normal business? This is a prime example of disaster recovery. What can you or your fellow employees do to help business resumption. There are many different things to think about.
Hopefully your company has put some thought into developing a disaster recovery plan. This plan will pose as a bible in getting your business back to normal operations. What is covered in a disaster recovery plan? One could have a list of a thousand line items, but some major components of the plan should be:
IT Recovery, structure repairs, temporary office space, call tree, evacuation procedures, server backups, Insurance, data recovery, phones, temporary tasks for employees, customer notification, media response, and risk assessment.
Each of the above topics should list details in addressing the needs of your company. The goal is to reduce any loss of revenue by getting resuming business. If a plan is developed beforehand and implemented effectively, a lot of money can be saved and prevent your company going out of business. Many companies have experienced a disaster and failed at an effective recovery with an end result of closing its doors – forever.
If you are reading this and are unsure if your company has a Disaster Recovery Plan, ask. Without a plan business resumption is difficult, whether you work for a small business or a large corporation. Many of us think, "A disaster won't happen to us", well I hate to say it, but it will.