Monday, July 4, 2011

Air Duct Cleaning As a Home Based Business

With a trend toward indoor air quality becoming of importance to homeowners and office workers who are concerned about health, germs and allergies, now is a good time to consider the possibility of owning a home-based air duct cleaning service.

dryer duct cleaning tools

What is air duct cleaning? It is a means of using professional equipment to clean the heating and air duct system inside a home or office which is often a breeding ground for dust, mice, pollen, insect debris, pet hair, construction debris and allergens of all kinds. For duct systems that are located under the floor instead of in the ceiling, all kinds of debris can fall through the vents such as dirt, food and liquids which make them gummy, smelly and sticky. In some instances, pets use the vents as urinals which also rusts the floor grills as well as puddles up inside the duct, causing a very strong, offensive odor.

Dryer Duct Cleaning

When a duct system is properly installed and a filter is kept in place and changed frequently, it is rare for a duct cleaning to become necessary. However, not all duct systems are installed properly, and even those that are will develop occasional air leaks or become torn which allows dirt from under a crawl space or dust from within an attic to become sucked into the ducting and accumulate. The same is true when filters are not changed on a regular basis or are left off entirely.

With these types of situations happening in homes and offices everywhere, a home-based duct cleaning business is something to consider, particularly if you're looking for a home-based business that provides a relatively unique service. Before proceeding, it's important to do the homework.

Not all duct cleaning machines are created equal. Some do just a surface job much like an oversized vacuum cleaner while others create a suction throughout the duct system that traps the debris into a HEPA-rated filtering system to purify the air and trap debris. The suction-types of equipment are the best but are more expensive to purchase in that they require both the suction vacuum, an air compressor and hoses through which to blow or spray the debris from one end of the ducts toward the capturing vacuum system. Although this type of set-up is labor intensive, it is preferred and often required by hospitals, clinics and other commercial customers your business may acquire who rely on cleanliness and sterile conditions. It is also the most thorough means of duct cleaning.

It is important to have more than a basic knowledge of heating and air ducting systems before engaging in this type of work. Duct cleaning machine manufacturers sometimes provide classes, but it would help to contact a reputable heating and air contractor to ask for some basic lessons about duct systems. You will need to know how to protect the air handler from flying debris during the vacuuming process and will need to learn some basic electrical safety measures.

Suction type duct cleaning equipment is heavy and averages 100-150 lbs. Most models come on wheels but may need to be lifted up or carried down stairs. Be prepared to get a work out. The air compressor can weigh as much as 250-300 lbs. By using long connective hoses, you may not need to remove the air compressor from the back of a truck or van as long as it is adequately ventilated and supported. Therefore, plan on a duct cleaning job being a two-man (or two-woman) operation.

The average initial investment for duct cleaning equipment is around ,000 to ,000 depending on what type of equipment you choose. It is possible for the equipment to pay for itself within a year or two depending on how quickly the business grows.

Good customers would be heating and air contractors, health care physicians who can refer you to some of their allergy-prone patients, residential customers, hospitals, clinics, day care centers, nursing homes, commercial plants and office complexes.

It's important to learn information about mold and fungus, and if possible, to attend a mold remediation class. This is to learn what duct cleaning can and cannot do to eliminate or prevent mold so that you are not making false claims which can lead to lawsuits -- and so you will know a dangerous mold situation when you see it and can handle it properly.

You might also decide to specialize in sales of products related to duct cleaning such as whole house filtration systems, specialty decorative floor and ceiling grills, dryer vent cleaning, ultra-violet filtering systems, etc. You might also want to provide duct inspection services by working in cooperation with a licensed heating and air contractor and offer duct sealant services when air leaks are discovered.

The only obstacle to owning a duct cleaning business is that not all homeowners or heating and air contractors are convinced of the health benefits or necessity of duct cleaning. It will be up to you to educate the homeowners and businesses in your area since this technology is not readily understood.

A home-based duct cleaning business is ideal for part-time or full-time work. Most residential jobs can be completed within 4-6 hours. All of the equipment and supplies can be easily stored in a van or in a covered pick-up truck bed when you are just starting out. Add some commercial lettering to your vehicle, and you're ready to start.

Air Duct Cleaning As a Home Based Business

Dryer Duct Cleaning

1 comments:

Unknown said...

I own a small duct cleaning business for several years now, and I think this can really help improve my company and expand for the next year.

Duct cleaning Toronto

Post a Comment