Your HVAC ductwork should be cleaned professionally, even if it’s once every few years. Dirty ducts can be a source of particles that circulate in your home and contaminants that can lead to health problems. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says duct cleaning hasn’t been proven to prevent these issues. Nevertheless, it should be strongly considered if ducts are potentially clogged, moldy, or infested with vermin (or your HVAC system isn’t working properly). People often ask, in addition to about cost, “Is air duct cleaning loud?”
Duct Cleaning and Noise
A moderate amount of noise may occur. The duct cleaning process often involves the use of professional-grade vacuums and air compressors. These can make loud noises that can be heard throughout your home. But they are generally contained inside.
However, the contractor may connect this equipment to a truck located outside. This vehicle may have a generator or equipment that runs the tools needed to clean air ducts. These can make noise as can the truck’s engine if it must be on when these systems are operating.
How Long Does the Process Last?
The time it takes to clean ductwork depends on the size of your home, how dirty your ducts are, and what is contaminating them. According to industry professionals, the average time is about four hours. But various factors can impact whether a particular job takes longer or shorter. Duct cleaning is typically done during business hours when people are at work, so it won’t interfere with sleep or downtime in or around the home.
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
This is one of the most common considerations when preparing for a scheduled air duct cleaning. If you’ve set a date, think about if air duct cleaning is loud for people in your home, including children who may be more sensitive to the noise. If so, then you may want to make plans for them to stay somewhere else. If this isn’t possible, ask the technician about tools and procedures to help keep everyone safe and comfortable.
Also, inquire about what steps will be taken to protect your home. If heavy equipment is used, the technician should lay drop cloths and other items to protect floors and valuables. And if you do decide to leave, provide them with details on how to secure your home and where to leave the keys after the job is completed.
Help Make the Process Go More Smoothly
You can help make the contractor’s job easier by removing furniture from near vents and clearing debris that’s around access points. This can reduce the amount of time needed to finish the process and worry about whether air duct cleaning is loud. When scheduling duct cleaning, ask how much space the technician will need around the AC, furnace, and registers. Clean the space accordingly and have your children clean up as well.
Schedule Professional Ductwork Service Today
Ductwork issues can reduce the performance of your heating and cooling system and waste energy. At Sky Heating & Air Conditioning, we specialize in cleaning and sealing ductwork. Our proprietary Sky Seal process seals ductwork from the inside out. As we clean your ducts, we’ll determine if there are sources of air leakage and take steps to fix them. To learn more about our ductwork services in Portland and surrounding areas, and to schedule an appointment, contact us online or call 503-673-9083.