In commercial buildings, air ducts play an even more critical role in ensuring the health of employees and maintaining a clean and safe environment. Air ducts are responsible for collecting and purifying the air, removing dust, dirt, and allergens. Therefore, it is crucial to clean them regularly.
Commercial air duct cleaning refers to the process of cleaning and sanitizing the air ducts in a commercial building by specialized commercial air duct cleaning services. As commercial buildings are typically larger than residential ones and the ducts are constructed to be more durable, cleaning commercial air ducts requires specific skills and expertise.
Commercial Services Include
- HVAC System Hygiene Maintenance & Cleaning
- Unit Coil(s) Cleaning
- Vent/Register Cleaning
- Exhaust Duct work Cleaning
- Preventative Maintenance Programs
- Removing Smoke/Fire/Water Damage in Duct work
- Removing Microbial Contamination in Duct work
Commercial Service Components
There are two key components to HVAC cleaning: breaking contaminants loose, and collection of contaminants.
Breaking Contaminants Loose
Properly cleaning HVAC systems requires removing the sources of contamination. Source removal begins with the use of one or more agitation devices designed to loosen contaminants from the surfaces within the heating and air conditioning system. Examples of agitation devices include: brushes, air whips and compressed air nozzles or “skipper balls.” Agitation can also be achieved through hand-brushing or contact vacuuming.
Collection of Contaminants
During cleaning, the entire HVAC system is placed under continuous negative pressure (a vacuum) to prevent the spread of contaminants. Continuous negative pressure allows very fine particles to be removed from the system as they become airborne, ensuring that these particles are not released into the living space when the system is turned on after cleaning. This negative pressure also serves to extract the loosened contaminants, which are collected and removed from your home.
System Access
HVAC system cleaning is not a complex process, but each job is unique. Where possible, access to duct interiors should be made through existing openings such as supply diffusers, return grills, duct end caps and existing service openings. Cleaning technicians may need to cut access holes in the duct work in order to reach inside with various cleaning tools. Creation of these service openings, and their subsequent closure, requires craftsmanship and professional skills.
Antimicrobial Chemicals
Antimicrobial chemicals include sanitizers, disinfectants and deodorizers that can be applied to nonporous surfaces in HVAC systems to address microbial contamination and help control odors. Only chemicals registered with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can be used. These products should only be considered after mechanical surface cleaning has been performed and if the need for such treatment has been deemed necessary.
Air Duct Cleaning of New England (ADC) cleans more than just ducts. National Association of Duct Cleaning of America (NADCA) recommends that the entire HVAC system should be cleaned. Failure to clean all components of the system can result in recontamination of the entire system, thus minimizing the benefits of cleaning.
Just as you wouldn’t clean only half of your living room floor, you wouldn’t clean part of your HVAC system. Air Duct Cleaning of NE cleans the entire system, including the following components:
- Air ducts
- Coils
- Crain pan
- Registers
- Grills
- Air plenum
- Blower motor and assembly
- Heat exchanger
- Air filter
- Air cleaner
What is commercial air duct cleaning?
Commercial air duct cleaning is a process of cleaning the air ducts and vents in commercial buildings such as offices, factories, hospitals, and schools. This process involves removing dust, debris, and other contaminants that have accumulated in the air ducts and vents over time.
The cleaning process typically includes the use of specialized equipment such as high-powered vacuums, brushes, and air whips to dislodge and remove debris from the ducts. The goal is to improve the indoor air quality of the building and ensure that the HVAC system is operating at peak efficiency.
Commercial air duct cleaning is important for maintaining a healthy and comfortable indoor environment for employees, customers, and visitors. It can also help to reduce energy costs and extend the life of HVAC equipment.
What are commercial HVAC systems like?
Commercial HVAC systems are designed to provide heating, ventilation, and air conditioning for large commercial spaces such as office buildings, hospitals, schools, and factories. These systems are typically much larger and more complex than residential HVAC systems.
Commercial HVAC systems consist of multiple components, including:
Air handling units: These units are responsible for circulating and conditioning the air throughout the building.
Chillers: These are large refrigeration units that provide cooling to the building.
Boilers: These provide heat to the building through the use of hot water or steam.
Ductwork: This is the network of metal or fiberglass tubes that distribute the conditioned air throughout the building.
Controls: These are electronic devices that regulate the operation of the HVAC system and allow building managers to adjust temperature settings and other variables.
Commercial HVAC systems are typically more sophisticated than residential systems, and they require regular maintenance to ensure that they are operating at peak efficiency. In addition, commercial HVAC systems must meet specific safety and regulatory requirements, which can vary depending on the type of building and its intended use.
How does commercial duct cleaning differ than residential duct cleaning services?
Commercial duct cleaning differs from residential duct cleaning services in several ways. Here are some of the main differences:
Size: Commercial buildings generally have much larger HVAC systems than residential properties, which means that commercial duct cleaning requires more specialized equipment and expertise to clean.
Complexity: Commercial HVAC systems are often more complex than residential systems, with more components, controls, and ductwork. This requires a higher level of skill and knowledge from the duct cleaning technician.
Access: In a commercial building, the HVAC system is often located in hard-to-reach areas, such as attics or crawl spaces. This can make it more challenging to access and clean the ducts.
Regulations: Commercial duct cleaning services must comply with specific regulations and standards set by government agencies and industry organizations. These regulations may include requirements for equipment, cleaning procedures, and documentation.
Schedule: Commercial buildings typically have more people using the HVAC system, which means that the ducts may need to be cleaned more frequently than in a residential setting. Commercial duct cleaning services may need to work around the building’s schedule to minimize disruption to employees, customers, or tenants.
Overall, commercial duct cleaning services require a higher level of expertise, equipment, and regulatory compliance than residential services.