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Industry Tips

Air Duct Cleaning

Local ads offering a low price on air duct cleaning can seem like a great deal with minimal risk. While most companies are on the straight and narrow, Better Business Bureau cautions consumers to beware of air duct cleaning businesses that employ bait and switch tactics or try to scare the homeowner into thinking they have a serious health-threatening mold problem. 

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a careless or inadequately trained service provider can damage your ducts or heating and cooling system, possibly increasing your heating and air conditioning costs or forcing you to undertake difficult and costly repairs or replacements. Complaints to BBB also show that putting your trust in the wrong company can mean spending thousands of dollars on unnecessary mold remediation services.  In some cases, consumers are baited with low advertised prices, generally through mass mail or local newspapers, for air conditioning duct cleaning services. These ads often include alarming descriptions of mold, mildew and unhealthy air quality. Once sales agents are in the customer’s homes they run reportedly bogus mold detection tests and tell the owner they must pay thousands of dollars to have the mold removed. 

When looking for a professional to clean out air ducts, BBB recommends that consumers:

  • Look for the Fine Print. Ads and contracts may contain fine print which the business might think will absolve them from honoring their advertised price. Always ask plenty of questions and get to the bottom line of what it’s going to cost you, before you sign on the dotted line.
  • Get a Second Opinion.  If the duct cleaner discovers that you have a mold problem, get a second opinion.  Mold remediation can cost thousands of dollars so you’ll want expert advice on how to take care of it.
  • Research bbb.org.  Find air duct cleaning companies that are accredited by BBB and have agreed to uphold the BBB Standards of Trust.