There are way too many stories of contractors falsely telling homeowners they have mold or other toxic substances in their HVAC systems, often using scare tactics to persuade homeowners to pay for costly, unneeded services. Unfortunately, these dishonest companies can make the whole industry look bad.
Working to end such abuses, and to promote the value of professional inspection, cleaning and restoration of HVAC systems, is the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), which was formed in 1989 as a non-profit professional association of companies.
Highest quality services
NADCA promotes source removal as the only acceptable method of cleaning; establishes industry standards for the association; and supports members' success with education, certification, marketing, and advocacy to promote ethics and the highest quality services. With more than 1,300 members, NADCA is made up of a diverse group of HVAC industry professionals, including air systems cleaning specialists, mold remediators, and HVAC inspectors.
The air duct cleaning industry is plagued with fraud and scams designed to cheat homeowners
Unfortunately, the air duct cleaning industry is plagued with fraud and scams designed to cheat homeowners, with one of the most concerning being the influx of ‘blow-and-go’ contractors, according to NADCA. These unscrupulous companies often use bait-and-switch tactics to lure homeowners in with low-cost offers for ‘whole-house air duct cleaning’ and ‘HVAC mold and soot removal.’
Hiring a qualified professional
These companies then do an inferior job of cleaning the heating and cooling system, often cleaning only what the homeowner can actually see, and leaving dirt and contaminants deep within the system. Sometimes, they don’t do any work at all. To combat the problem, NADCA has created the Breathing Clean campaign to educate homeowners about the importance of hiring a qualified professional to do a proper cleaning.
The Breathing Clean campaign provides tools and resources to homeowners about what to expect when hiring an air duct cleaning company, where to find the right person for the job, and how to know that the job has been done correctly. “NADCA works really hard to educate consumers and businesses alike about all the reasons why it’s important to hire a NADCA member for HVAC system cleaning, inspection, and restoration,” says Jodi Araujo, NADCA’s Chief Executive Officer.
| NADCA is made up of a diverse group of HVAC industry professionals |
Ultraviolet lighting applications
With indoor air quality being top-of-mind these days, most NADCA members say that the pandemic has increased their business. Duct cleaners are fielding calls about sanitizing and disinfecting ductwork to help combat the virus. Sanitizing and disinfecting ductwork seems like a no-brainer to the untrained consumer — especially in light of guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) about airborne transmission of the coronavirus.
However, touting disinfection and sanitizing services for air duct cleaning, or accepting a job to do just that, can create a problematic situation for air duct cleaners that must be navigated carefully. NADCA offers a white paper about the safe and efficient use of chemical products in duct work, as well as the truth about ultraviolet lighting applications in HVAC systems.
Following strict guidelines
NADCA members follow strict guidelines around disinfection and UV lighting
NADCA members follow strict guidelines around disinfection and UV lighting, not just with regard to COVID-19, but for air duct cleaning in general, says the association. NADCA members tend to be a mix of HVAC service companies that offer air duct cleaning as a service, and air duct cleaning-only service providers, says Araujo.
“For members who are focused entirely on inspection, cleaning, and restoration of HVAC systems, they generally have very strong relationships with local HVAC service providers who recommend cleaning services when needed,” she says. “Typically, though not always, they are operating in partnership rather than as competitive businesses.” NADCA offers many varied training and educational opportunities, both in-person and online. For instance, NADCA offers in-person training related to both industry and business topics at their Annual Meeting and Fall Technical Conference; and their convenient online training and webinars allow technicians to train in the comfort of their own home or office.
Building performance contracting
NADCA’s Fall Technical Conference provides a hands-on learning experience for both entry-level and advanced technicians, while the online-based Ventilation Maintenance Technician (VMT) training program is geared toward new technicians and provides education on the most important aspects of HVAC system cleaning.
NADCA on-demand webinars and online training are convenient and affordable
NADCA on-demand webinars and online training are convenient and affordable, with access to practical information, from blueprint reading and estimating; to cleaning internally lined ductwork, restoring coils, home/building performance contracting, and more. NADCA members receive discounts on all levels of NADCA training and education, however, membership is not required to access their educational tools. Professional certifications help businesses stand apart in a sea of competitors — and provide an enormous competitive advantage. NADCA offers the Air Systems Cleaning Specialist (ASCS) and Certified Ventilation Inspector (CVI) certifications, two certifications that are recognized around the world.
Restoring HVAC systems
With each certification, candidates engage in a rigorous course of study and complete a standardized certification exam that reflects current practices in the industry, and focuses on the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for inspecting, cleaning, and restoring HVAC systems.
“While continuing education and certification programs can be an investment of both time and resources, they help provide recognition of specialized knowledge and skill sets, which can be a significant benefit when it comes to winning new customers or projects,” says Araujo. “Not only can certifications jumpstart careers for individual technicians, they also build professional credibility, recognize competency, and show commitment to the profession.”