As a duct cleaning technician, your role is to clean the air ducts of heating and cooling systems. This includes cleaning the systems, performing basic maintenance, and conducting inspections. There are no formal qualifications required to become a duct cleaner, but you must have customer service experience, physical fitness, and be comfortable working in tight or confined spaces. They usually work inside a home, business or school while other people are present.
Some HVAC companies offer duct cleaning positions as internships to learn the basics of heating, cooling, and ventilation systems. You can also contact professional duct cleaning service providers and inquire about the services they offer. When service providers come to your home, ask them to show you the contamination that would necessitate cleaning the ducts. Manufacturers of products marketed to coat and encapsulate duct surfaces claim that these sealants prevent dust and dirt particles from inside air ducts from being released into the air. Some service providers may also suggest applying chemical treatments (sealants or other encapsulants) to encapsulate or cover the inner surfaces of air ducts and equipment housings, as they believe they will control mold growth or prevent the release of dirt particles or fibers from the ducts. It is important to follow a good preventive maintenance program to minimize duct contamination, regardless of whether you decide to clean your home's air ducts or not.
However, there is little evidence to indicate that simply cleaning the duct system will increase its efficiency. Since every home's conditions are different, it is impossible to generalize about whether cleaning your home's air ducts would be beneficial or not. These products are specifically designed for use in ducts or as ducts themselves, and are tested in accordance with standards established by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). This is because much of the dirt in the air ducts adheres to the surfaces of the ducts and does not necessarily enter the living space. Cases in which it might be appropriate to use sealants to encapsulate duct surfaces include repairing damaged fiberglass insulation or combating fire damage to ducts. Whether or not you decide to clean your home's air ducts, it is essential to commit to a good preventive maintenance program to minimize duct contamination.
Most organizations that deal with duct cleaning, including the EPA, NADCA, NAIMA, and the National Association of Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors (SMACNA), do not currently recommend the routine use of sealants to encapsulate contaminants in any type of duct.
