1. What is the NADCA ACR standard for air duct cleaning? The NADCA ACR standard is the national benchmark for assessing, cleaning, and restoring HVAC systems. At Air of America, we adhere to these protocols, which require source removal of contaminants using high-pressure compressed air and HEPA-filtered vacuum collection.
2. Why does Air of America use HEPA-filtered negative air pressure? Negative air pressure ensures that while we agitate the dust inside your ducts, no contaminants escape into your living space. The HEPA filtration captures 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, including mold spores and fine allergens.
3. Why does Air of America use rotary brush agitation instead of air whipping? We utilize specialized rotary brushes because they provide direct mechanical scrubbing of the inner duct walls, which is the only way to effectively remove “adhered” debris—like pet dander, skin cells, and microscopic dust that sticks to the duct surface. While “air whipping” only uses air pressure to move loose surface dust, our rotary brush system physically scours the ductwork, ensuring a deep clean that air pressure alone cannot achieve. This is especially critical for Georgia homes where high humidity can cause dust to “cake” onto the sides of the vents.
4. How does debris accumulation in air ducts affect HVAC static pressure? While air ducts do not “clog” completely like a dryer vent, the accumulation of dust, pet dander, and debris on the inner walls and over the evaporator coils creates airflow restriction. This buildup increases the “static pressure” within the system, meaning the blower motor must work significantly harder to push air through the narrowed or roughened passages. Over time, this increased resistance leads to higher energy bills, uneven temperature distribution, and unnecessary strain on the blower motor.
5. Is air duct sanitization included in the cleaning? Yes. At Air of America, sanitization is a standard part of our professional process, not an “extra.” After the mechanical brush cleaning is complete, we apply an EPA-registered, hospital-grade sanitizer to the entire system.
6. What is the difference between “blow-and-go” and professional duct cleaning? “Blow-and-go” companies use low-powered shop vacs and charge suspiciously low rates. Professional cleaning, like our service in Alpharetta, involves high-CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) industrial vacuums and specialized tools that clean the entire system, not just the registers.
7. Why should I replace my flexible dryer vent with rigid galvanized steel? Flexible foil or plastic vents are highly flammable and have ridges that trap lint. Georgia building codes and the NFPA recommend rigid galvanized steel because it has a smooth interior that prevents lint buildup and can better contain a fire if one occurs.
8. What are the signs of a restricted dryer vent line? Common indicators include drying cycles taking longer than 45 minutes, the top of the dryer being hot to the touch, or a “check vent” light on your machine. This usually indicates a blockage that requires high-suction extraction.
9. What types of kitchen vent hoods do you install? We specialize in the installation and external ducting of under-cabinet hoods, wall-mount chimney hoods, island hoods, and custom inserts. We ensure all hoods are vented to the building exterior, not the attic or crawlspace.
10. Why is external venting required for kitchen range hoods? Venting to the outside removes excess moisture, heat, and combustion byproducts (like Nitrogen Dioxide from gas stoves) from the home. If vented into an attic, it can cause wood rot and mold on the roof decking.
11. How often should a Metro Atlanta home have its ducts cleaned? The average home should be cleaned every 3 to 5 years. However, in Georgia, high humidity and high pollen counts often make a 2-year cycle better for families with pets or severe allergies.
12. Does air duct cleaning reduce energy bills? Yes. By removing restrictions and cleaning the evaporator coils or blower motor, your HVAC system operates more efficiently, which can reduce monthly utility costs by 15-20%.
13. What does “TrustDALE Certified” mean for the customer? It means Air of America has been independently vetted for consumer transparency, fair pricing, and professional quality. It also provides the customer with a $10,000 “Make It Right” guarantee.
14. Can you repair disconnected or crushed ductwork? Yes. We provide full-service duct repair. We seal leaks with professional-grade mastic or foil tape and replace crushed sections of flex duct to restore proper airflow and prevent conditioned air from escaping into your attic.