Frequently Asked Questions

The EPA and NADCA recommend cleaning air ducts every 2-3 years for most homes. However, you should consider more frequent cleaning if you have:

• Pets (especially multiple pets or long-haired breeds)
• Smokers in the home
• Family members with allergies or asthma
• Recent home renovation or construction
• Visible mold growth in ducts
• Water damage or flooding

We can inspect your system and recommend the best cleaning schedule for your specific situation.

WARNING: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Internet ads promising "$49 whole house duct cleaning," "$79 air duct cleaning special," or "$99 complete HVAC cleaning" are almost always SCAMS designed to get into your home and charge you massive upsell fees.

How These Scams Work:

1. Bait-and-Switch: They advertise an impossibly low price ($49-$99) to get in the door.
2. Fake "Inspection": Once inside, they claim your ducts are "critically contaminated" or find "urgent safety issues."
3. High-Pressure Upselling: Suddenly the $49 job becomes $800-$2,500 with "necessary" add-ons like sanitizing, mold treatment, or "emergency repairs."
4. Scare Tactics: They use fear-mongering ("your family is in danger," "this could cause a fire") to pressure immediate payment.
5. Poor Quality Work: Even if you refuse upsells, the actual $49 "cleaning" is worthless—often just putting a vacuum at one vent.

Red Flags to Watch For:

• Prices below $150 for whole-house duct cleaning
• Unsolicited door-to-door offers or robocalls
• No physical business address or valid license
• Pressure to pay cash immediately
• Refusal to provide written estimates
• Claims that cleaning is "urgently needed" before inspection
• Aggressive sales tactics or scare tactics
• No NADCA certification or industry credentials

What Professional Duct Cleaning ACTUALLY Costs:

Legitimate, professional duct cleaning for a standard residential home typically costs between $150-$350 depending on:

• Size of your home (square footage and number of vents)
• Complexity of your duct system
• Level of contamination
• Additional services (sanitizing, coil cleaning, etc.)

This pricing reflects the reality of professional work: specialized equipment (truck-mounted vacuums cost $15,000-$40,000), trained certified technicians, insurance, proper licenses, and 2-4 hours of labor.

How to Protect Yourself:

• ✓ Get written estimates from multiple companies
• ✓ Verify NADCA (National Air Duct Cleaners Association) certification
• ✓ Check online reviews on Google, Yelp, BBB
• ✓ Confirm they have proper licensing and insurance
• ✓ Ask about their equipment and cleaning process
• ✓ Request before/after photos as proof of work
• ✓ Never pay 100% upfront
• ✓ Get everything in writing before work begins

BOTTOM LINE: Companies advertising $49, $79, or $99 duct cleaning are not offering a legitimate service. They're using predatory tactics to exploit homeowners. A professional, thorough duct cleaning simply cannot be done for these prices while maintaining quality standards and paying fair wages.

Questions about pricing? Call us at (469) 654-0291 for a free, honest quote with no hidden fees or pressure tactics.

Most residential duct cleaning projects take 2-4 hours, depending on home size and system complexity. Larger homes or heavily contaminated systems may take longer. We'll give you an accurate timeframe during your free inspection.

No! Professional duct cleaning should not create a mess. We use:

• HEPA-filtered vacuums that contain all debris
• Drop cloths to protect floors and furniture
• Careful techniques to prevent dust spread
• Complete cleanup before we leave

Your home will be cleaner after we're done, not messier!

Yes, someone should be home to provide access to all areas and to review before/after photos with our technician. The process requires access to your HVAC system, all vents and returns throughout the home.

Professional duct cleaning provides multiple benefits:

• Improved Air Quality: Removes dust, allergens, and contaminants
• Better Energy Efficiency: Clean ducts allow HVAC to work more efficiently (up to 40% improvement)
• Extended HVAC Life: Less strain on your system means longer lifespan
• Odor Elimination: Removes source of musty or stale odors
• Allergy Relief: Reduces airborne allergens in your home
• Cost Savings: Lower energy bills from improved efficiency

Warning signs include:

• Clothes take 2+ cycles to dry completely
• Dryer feels very hot to touch
• Burning smell when dryer runs
• Excessive lint around door seal
• Vent hood flap doesn't open properly
• Haven't cleaned in over 12 months

If you notice any of these signs, schedule cleaning immediately to prevent fire hazards.

Yes! We offer same-day service when you call before 2PM, subject to availability. We understand that some situations require immediate attention, and we do our best to accommodate urgent requests.

Yes, 313 Local Duct Cleaning is fully licensed and insured in CA. We carry comprehensive liability insurance to protect your property. All our technicians are background-checked and trained to industry standards (NADCA for duct cleaning, CSIA for chimney sweeping).

Our complete duct cleaning service includes:

• Free inspection and assessment
• Cleaning of all supply and return vents
• Main trunk line cleaning
• Blower compartment cleaning
• Plenum and air handler cleaning
• Register cleaning and sanitizing
• Before and after photos
• System performance verification
• 2-year service warranty