HOA contracted with "All seasons air duct cleaning" in one of my units. Cost was $55. HOA memo said cleaning is required every 2-3 years to avoid fire hazard. These guys also replace your vents for $20 if you don't have aluminum(per JC fire code)

Hi,

Actually I don't know more about it. Can you guys tell me about air duct cleaning??

Thanks

Cleaning out the vents can be very beneficial, but also tricky. I have seen many contractors that simply open up any vent access location (such as the dryer front plate) and stick what amounts to a leaf blower into the venting area. The trick is that it has to feed to the outside vent. The strong air current is supposed to "push" out any blockage, or other lingering stuff. It's amazing the amount of lint that accumulates inside vent ducts! The only thing that is a concern to me when resorting to this simple approach is that lint can sometimes stick to the walls of vents, so it may not completely clear the ducts. I have also seen contractors that have special "brushes" that they stick into ducts and push them in. This is supposed to ensure nothing is left behind, but it is more time consuming (so, more expensive) and I don't know how easy it is to use this system in smaller spaces where ducts may twist and turn more.

Is this something that needs to be done, can you just remove the register plates and stick a vacuum cleaner up there?

Robin.

A lot of folks in my condo complex work with Joe Starosielec from Ecuacool. Based in Metuchen but in JC all the time. We've been very satisfied with their work.

http://ecuacool.net/

Any recommendations for a company to come in and clean the air ducts and the HVAC main unit? I'm in a 1br with about 6 vents and unit in the closet.

Thanks in advance!