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Home > Services > Air Ducts

Air Ducts

Why Clean?
FAQ
Customer Testimonials

Why Clean?

Your AIR DUCTs are the lungs of your home. Keep them healthy and you will keep your family’s surroundings healthy.

Cleaning your AIR DUCTs promotes a healthier, cleaner and more efficient environment.

Before

After

MAXIM Cleaning & Restoration’s 3 part cleaning process safely and thoroughly cleans your AIR DUCTs.

EPA Registered anti-microbial sanitizer eliminates microbial growth and odors in AIR DUCTs.

Why clean air duct systems?

Promotes healthier environment
- Removes dirt, animal dander, pollen, molds, mildew, bugs, etc.
- Eliminates airborne allergens and germs that aggravate allergies, asthma and other respiratory ailments
- Improves indoor air quality
Promotes cleaner environment
- Eliminates excess dust in ducts that is disturbed every time system fan turns on
- Decreasing dust circulation means less dusting which means less housework which means more free time for you
Promotes efficiency and lowers utility costs
- Demonstrations by the EPA indicated that cleaning air ducts may allow heating and cooling systems to run more efficiently by removing debris from sensitive and expensive mechanical components
- Clean and efficient furnaces and air conditioners are less likely to break down and can last longer

Learn answers to the most frequently asked questions consumers have when considering this service by clicking here.

How does MAXIM clean air ducts?

Powerful vacuum system attached near the furnace pulls debris away from your rooms through ducts toward an 8" vacuum hose
Compressed air tools used at each vent or register dislodges stuck on debris blasting it away from your rooms toward the vacuum hose
Whipping tool inserted into ducts agitates thousands of times per minute insuring no debris remains
Debris is removed through the 8" hose into an outdoor enclosed receptacle

Is an anti-microbial sanitizer needed?

Consider sanitizing air ducts if:
- Occupants suffer from allergies, asthma, emphysema (COPD) or other respiratory conditions
- Occupants are very young or very old - a more susceptible group
- Contaminants are known to be present such as mold, mildew, bacteria, etc.
- Other concerns exist
MAXIM offers EnviroCon as an optional service as not every one wants it or needs it
- EPA registered anti-microbial sanitizer
- Eliminates and controls re-growth of microscopic allergens and contaminants
- Eliminates unpleasant odors and their sources which promote microscopic growth
- Does not mask odors with alcohol or perfumes which can aggravate respiratory issues
Product information flyer available upon request

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FAQ

Are there any health benefits that come from HVAC system cleaning?

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems have been shown to act as a collection source for a variety of contaminants that have the potential to affect health, such as mold, fungi, bacteria, and very small particles of dust. The removal of such contaminants from the HVAC system and home should be considered as one component in an overall plan to improve indoor air quality.
Will HVAC system cleaning reduce our home energy bills?

Research by the U.S. EPA has demonstrated that HVAC system cleaning may allow systems to run more efficiently by removing debris from sensitive mechanical components. Clean, efficient systems are less likely to break down, have a longer life span, and generally operate more effectively than dirty systems.
What kind of equipment is best for cleaning: truck mounted vacuums or portable vacuums?

There are two main types of vacuum collection devices: (1) those mounted on trucks and trailers, and (2) portable units. Truck/trailer mounted equipment is generally more powerful than portable equipment. However, portable equipment can often be brought directly into a facility, allowing the vacuum source to be located closer to the ductwork. Both types of equipment will clean to standards. Large, more powerful equipment is highly desired because noise and debris is outside your home or office. All vacuum units should be attached to a collection device for safe containment prior to disposal. Any vacuum collection device which exhausts indoors must be HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filtered. A vacuum collection device alone will not get an HVAC system clean. The use of methods and tools designed to agitate debris adhered to the surfaces within the system, in conjunction with the use of the vacuum collection device(s), is required to clean HVAC systems. (For example: brushes, air whips, and “skipper balls.”) Vacuum collection device hose sizes vary. Obviously an 8" diameter hose can handle significantly larger pieces of debris then a 2" diameter hose. Therefore, one may want to ask a potential contractor about their hose size.
How often should residential HVAC systems be cleaned?
Frequency of cleaning depends on several factors, not the least of which is the preference of the home owner. Some of the things that may lead a home owner to consider more frequent cleaning include:
- Residents with allergies, asthma, emphysema (COPD) or other respiratory conditions who might benefit from a reduction in the amount of indoor air pollutants in the home’s HVAC system.
- Smokers in the household.
- Pets that shed high amounts of hair and dander.
- Water, bacteria, mold or other contamination or damage to the home or HVAC system.
- Following home renovations or remodeling.
- Prior to occupancy of a new home.
What is the normal price range for the air duct cleaning service?

The Environmental Protection Agency says that “duct cleaning services typically – but not always – range in cost from $450 to $1000 per heating and cooling system, depending on the services offered, the size of the system to be cleaned, system accessibility, climactic region, and level of contamination” and type of duct material. Consumers should also beware of “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. These companies may also persuade the consumer into unneeded services with and/or without their permission. (If you have knowledge of a practicing “blow-and-go” air duct cleaner, contact your local Better Business Bureau to report the company, and your local, federal, and state elected officials to demand legislation.)
What criteria should I use in selecting an HVAC system cleaning contractor?
Interview as many local contractors as you can. Ask them to give you a price quotation. Talk with them at length about their experience, reputation, process, charges, etc. This simple phone call strategy can tell you a great deal about the business and their staff. To narrow down your pool of potential contractors, use the following pre-qualifications:
- Ask if the company has been in business long enough to have adequate experience.
- Ask for proof that the company is properly licensed and adequately insured.
- Avoid advertisements for "$99 whole house specials" and other sales gimmicks. Read the "fine print"
- Ask if the company has the right equipment to effectively perform cleaning, and if the company has done work in homes similar to yours.
- Ask if they are going to clean and visually inspect all of the air ducts and related system components.
- Ask them to describe their process.
- Ask for references.
What are sanitizers, and why would they need to be used?

Sanitizers are anti-microbial chemicals applied to the interior surface of the air ducts, designed to control microbial contamination. Before any sanitizers are used, the system should be thoroughly cleaned. It is critical that any anti-microbial treatment used in your system be EPA registered for the intended use in HVAC systems. Ask about the specific product to insure they are not substituting alcohol based or "perfume" deodorant water that mask odor but do nothing to eliminate or retard growth. Such substances have the potential of irritating human and animal sensitive respiratory systems.
How long should it take to clean a typical residential HVAC system?

The amount of time it takes to clean a residential HVAC system depends on many variables such as the size of the home, the number of systems, the extent of the contamination and the number of HVAC cleaners performing the job. Ask at least two contractors to give you a time estimate for your particular system. This will give you a general idea of how long the job should take as well as an idea of how thoroughly the contractor plans to do the job.
How can we determine if the HVAC system cleaning was effective?

The best way to determine if the HVAC system cleaning was effective is to perform a visual inspection of the system before and after cleaning. If any debris can be seen during the visual inspection, the system should not be considered cleaned. While you can perform your own visual inspection using a flash light and mirror, a professional cleaning contractor should be able to allow you better access to system components and perhaps the use of specialized inspection tools.

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Customer Testimonials

AIR DUCT CLEANING TESTIMONIALS

"I just wanted you to know what a wonderful job your company did in my home. Since I have had my air ducts cleaned out my allergies have been so much better!!!!! I should have done this a long time ago !!!!! Anybody that has allergies should have this done, I was so surprised how much it helped!!!! S. Chambers

"You did well in the air duct cleaning bid arena. Smack dab in the middle. We received a bid that was a great deal less and we received a bid that was slightly greater than yours. I chose you all primarily due to the professionalism and the rapid response to our request for a bid." Kristine N.

"I have used MAXIM for years in many capacities. In my home, kids' homes and that of my clients. I have had air ducts cleaned, carpets, furniture, draperies and more cleaned and could not sing praises any louder. MAXIM has always been polite, clean and has done the best job. I cannot sing their praises any louder." Jan L.

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