A/C Air Duct Cleaning

The objective of source removal duct cleaning is the removal of all dirt, debris and other contaminants from the ductwork. This is recognized as the only acceptable form of cleaning and decontaminating of air duct systems. Absolute Environmental utilizes several different types of source removal methods because not all systems are structurally the same.

A conventional HVAC duct system consists of a supply system of ducts to carry heated or cooled air from the furnace/air conditioner (air handler) to various parts of the home or building, and a return duct system to bring air back to be heated or cooled again. The supply network consists of a main duct that carries air to smaller branches for delivery to the desired locations. The return network works in reverse.

DIFFERENT SYSTEMS REQUIRE DIFFERENT CLEANING METHODS!

Power-Vac Truck System Preferred method for houses, villas, townhomes, and light commercial jobs. The power of this state of the art vacuum unit comes from the 6.2-liter diesel engine that is connected to a power take off unit built into the truck. The powerful air movement (approximately 16,000 cubic feet per minute) pulls throughout the entire air duct system drawing all contaminates towards the truck outside (the house stays clean). This method enables our technicians to remove contaminants from all parts of the system, regardless of the location. Cleans where no portable equipment can.

1. The air conditioning unit is turned off.

2. An access hole is cut into the supply plenum and the flex duct from the Power-Vac inlet is connected to the plenum. The Power-Vac is then turned on to create negative pressure within the supply ductwork.

3. All of the vent covers are removed and cleaned.

4. Foam core boards are placed up to the supply vent openings. The air movement holds these boards up to the openings. This also increases the air movement in the ducts. All but one supply vent is covered. The open supply vent allows for the air to safely flow backward through the air duct system without creating adverse negative pressure.

5. Starting from the furthest vent opening, each branch line is cleaned using nylon duct brushes, cable driven brushes, or forward air blast assemblies to loosen debris. The agitation tool causes debris to be quickly caught up in the air movement from the Power-vac truck and is carried out of the system into the Power-vac's vast holding tank outside. The process is then repeated at each vent opening. Once all the branch lines have been cleaned, the main trunk line is cleaned.

6. After the dust and debris is removed from the system, an E.P.A. registered product called Oxine is lightly fogged throughout the air duct system. The air movement from the Power-vac truck pulls the Oxine throughout the system. This product immediately kills fungus and bacteria that may be left in the system, then evaporates, leaving no residual chemical activity. If left in a jar, Oxine will break down to simple sodium chloride (common table salt).

7. The power-vac truck is turned off.

8. The air return is manually cleaned with portable vacuum equipment. It is then decontaminated with Oxine.

9. The plenum area above the air handler unit is manually cleaned with portable vacuum equipment. It is then decontaminated with Oxine.

10. The access opening is securely closed. If the system is sheet metal, the proper gauge sheet metal is cut to size. Insulation is put in place if required. Mastic is applied to the patch opening. The patch is secured with sheet metal screws, duct tape, metal tape, and more mastic. If the system is made of duct board or flex duct, the ten-inch cut out is reinserted. The entire area is fastened with approved duct tape and metal tape to insure a proper seal.

11. The insulation in the air handler unit case is manually cleaned and then treated with Oxine to kill any residual mold, fungus, or bacteria. The blower motor is inspected and cleaned if necessary and accessible.

12. The vent covers are re-installed.

13. The system is turned back on and inspected for proper airflow.

14. The air return is measured for a custom-made air filter. The filter size will be noted on the contract, and may be purchased at the customer's discretion. Good filters are an investment for your duct-cleaning job. High quality filtration is the key to keeping your air conditioning equipment and duct system clean and protected for the future.

Portable Method - For multi-story buildings, condominiums and apartments (example: buildings with air conditioning supply vents on the side of the walls just under the ceilings). When ductwork is accessible through the vent openings, portable HEPA and/or HEPA type vacuum equipment is used to clean the air ducts.

1. The air conditioning system is turned off.

2. The vent covers are removed and cleaned.

3. Long aluminum extensions are used to access the entire lengths of the ducts, while soft brushes at the end of the extensions are used to clean the surface of the ducts without tearing the fiberglass insulation.

4. After the dust and debris are removed from the system, an EPA registered product, Oxine, is lightly fogged throughout the air duct system. This product immediately kills fungus and bacteria, then evaporates, leaving no residual chemical activity. Oxine breaks down into sodium chloride (salt).

5. The air handler unit case is cleaned with portable vacuum equipment. It is then decontaminated with Oxine.

6. The plenum area above the air handler unit is manually cleaned with portable vacuum equipment. It is then decontaminated with Oxine.

7. All access openings are securely closed. If the system is sheet metal, the proper gauge sheet metal is cut to size. Insulation is put in place if required. Mastic is applied to the patch opening. The patch is secured with sheet metal screws, duct tape, metal tape, and more mastic. If the system is made of duct board or flex duct, the ten-inch cut out is reinserted. The entire area is fastened with approved duct tape and metal tape to insure a proper seal.

8. The insulation in the air handler unit case is manually cleaned and then treated with Oxine to kill any residual mold, fungus, or bacteria. The blower motor is inspected and cleaned if necessary and accessible.

9. The vent covers are reinstalled.

10. The system is turned on and inspected for proper airflow.

11. The air return is measured for a custom-made air filter. The filter size is noted on the contract, and may be purchased at the customer's discretion. A good filter is an investment in your duct-cleaning job. High quality filtration is the key to keeping your air conditioning system and duct work clean and protected for the future.

Cut and Clean Method - For commercial buildings with drop ceilings or exposed ductwork. Portable HEPA and/or HEPA type vacuum equipment is used to clean the air ducts by directly accessing the ductwork and manually cleaning it.

1. The air conditioning system is turned off.

2. Vent covers are removed and cleaned.

3. Access panels are cut in the duct systems at specified intervals approximately every 6 to 8 feet.

4. Long aluminum extensions are used to access the entire lengths of the ducts, while soft brushes at the end of the extensions are used to clean the surface of the ducts without tearing any fiberglass insulation.

5. After the dust and debris are removed from the system, an EPA registered product called Oxine is lightly fogged throughout the duct system. This product immediately kills mold, fungus, or bacteria then evaporates, leaving no residual chemical activity. Oxine breaks down into sodium chloride, or common table salt.

6. The air return and plenum are manually cleaned with portable vacuum equipment and then treated with Oxine.

7. All accesses are closed properly. If the system is sheet metal, proper gauge sheet metal is cut to size. Insulation is put in place if required. Mastic is applied to the patch opening. The patch is secured with sheet metal screws, duct tape, metal tape, and more mastic. If the system is made of duct board or flex duct, the ten-inch cut out is reinserted. The entire area is fastened with approved duct tape and metal tape to insure a proper seal.

8. The insulation in the air handler unit case is manually cleaned and then decontaminated with Oxine. The blower motor is inspected and cleaned if necessary and accessible.

9. The vent covers are re-installed.

10. The system is turned back on and inspected for proper airflow.

The air return is measured for a custom-made air filter. The filter size will be noted on the contract, and may be purchased at the customer’s discretion. High quality filtration is the key to keeping your air conditioning equipment and duct system clean and protected for the future.