Our goal is to educate consumers on a proper air duct cleaning service.  If you’re considering air duct cleaning, please review a great article from CBC: MARKETPLACE on duplicitous duct cleaning companies and their $99 scams, click here.  To watch the CBC: MARKETPLACE video, click here. 

BUYERS BEWARE of duct cleaning telemarketers, watch the CBC: MARKETPLACE video, here.

The following are consumer resources assembled and prepared by NADCA for your education and benefit.  Should you have any additional questions, please contact (416) 668-4607.  We look forward to serving you and your home!

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When done correctly, HVAC cleaning is a very beneficial service for your home or business. NADCA’s dedication to quality assurance helps ensure and promote a higher standard of performance for all of its members. Quality assurance also provides a means of consumer education, through tips on how to select a qualified contractor, establishing performance checklists, and adopting a policy of full disclosure for its members.

All members are required to perform work in accordance with NADCA Standards. As part of its Quality Assurance Program, NADCA provides information about how to select a qualified contractor along with pre and post-cleaning checklists to ensure that total system cleaning is performed.

Consumers Beware: Have you Hired a Reputable Company?

Bad business practices are everywhere, especially when it comes to services that are needed in the home. NADCA, which is comprised of legitimate HVAC cleaning companies, has long been plagued by a small number of “fly-by-night” companies that are dishonestly portraying themselves as offering air duct cleaning services.

Instead of actually cleaning a customer’s HVAC system, these scam companies use scare tactics and “bait and switch” methods to squeeze money out of their clients. NADCA receives many consumer complaints about these types of companies, which many times do not clean the HVAC system at all, let alone to the industry’s standards.

Consumers are told they have mold and other toxic substances in their HVAC systems – claims which are most likely false and used merely to extort money. Coupons and flyers advertising rock bottom prices on “whole house air duct cleaning” and “HVAC mold and soot removal” arrive in the mail daily for some households.

It can be scary to think that the air circulating through your home may be causing sicknesses, allergies, or worse. There often exists a legitimate concern for the health and well-being of a home or building’s inhabitants. For this and many other reasons, consumers and property managers become interested in purchasing air duct cleaning services.  

HVAC cleaning is a legitimate service that is necessary for many homes and commercial buildings.

Dirt and debris trapped in your HVAC system should be removed not only for the quality of the indoor air, but for the efficiency of the system itself.

Click Here to View the Dateline Segment on How to Avoid Air Duct Cleaning Scams

Resources on NADCA and the HVAC Inspection, Maintenance and Restoration Industry

NADCA has developed a number of resources for consumers to use, in order to become more education about the HVAC Inspection, Maintenance and Restoration Industry. Please feel free to use these resources to ensure you are receiving service that meets the NADCA standards and guidelines.

Assessment, Cleaning & Restoration (ACR) Standard 2006

NADCA’s standard is a publication that outlines the proper procedures for HVAC cleaning.

ASHRAE Standards

ASHRAE writes standards for the purpose of establishing consensus for: 1) methods of test for use in commerce and 2) performance criteria for use as facilitators with which to guide the industry. ASHRAE publishes the following three types of voluntary consensus standards: Method of Measurement or Test, Standard Design and Standard Practice. ASHRAE does not write rating standards unless a suitable rating standard will not otherwise be available.

Consensus standards are developed and published to define minimum values or acceptable performance, whereas other documents, such as design guides, may be developed and published to encourage enhanced performance.

ASHRAE does not have an official policy on duct cleaning.

The 2008 ASHRAE Handbook – Systems and Equipment, Chapter S18 refers the reader to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) 2002 Standard “Assessment, Cleaning, and Restoration of HVAC Systems” and the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association 1993 publication “Cleaning Fibrous Glass insulated Air Duct Systems.”

The handbook and the other publications may be purchased and/or individual chapters of the handbook may be purchased and downloaded online: www.ashrae.org or by calling 1-404-636-8400.

More information on duct cleaning can be obtained from the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) and the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA).

The US EPA website on the subject of duct cleaning can be found at www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/airduct.html

NADCA – National Air Duct Cleaners Association – www.nadca.com.

NAIMA – North American Insulation Manufacturer’s Association – www.naima.org.

SMACNA – Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association – www.smacna.org

What You Need to Know About Air Duct Cleaning

A brochure designed specifically for residential consumers who are interested in air duct cleaning.

NADCA Consumer Videos:  Get Informed!

NADCA developed the videos below as guidance for residential consumers who may have questions and concerns about hiring an air duct cleaning company. The videos provide answers to a number of questions commonly asked by the residential community. Confused about why your HVAC system should be cleaned, or how to find a reputable company? These videos explain everything you need to know about air duct cleaning.

HVAC Inspection, Maintenance and Restoration Can Have Energy Saving Benefits

How Your HVAC System Affects the Indoor Air Quality of Your Home

It’s Common for HVAC Systems to Get Dirty – Learn How

The NADCA Guide to Proper HVAC System Cleaning

WHAT TYPE OF EQUIPMENT IS BETTER FOR YOU & YOUR FAMILY?  YOU DECIDE…
PORTABLE HEPA FILTERED VACUUMS VS. TRUCK OR VAN MOUNT VACUUMS – WE’VE TRIED THEM ALL!