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Discounts & Deals for HVAC Services—Are They Too Good to Be True?

NADCA Urges Homeowners to Be Aware of Misleading Advertisements When Looking to Hiring a Technician for HVAC Services

Cutting costs and saving money whenever possible is a priority for many homeowners—but determining when and where to budget the spending can be a bit of a challenge. Websites that offer products and home maintenance services at discounted rates can appear attractive, but consumers must be able to differentiate between the deals that are too good to pass up—and the deals that are just too good to be true.

The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), the HVAC Inspection, Maintenance and Restoration Association, recommends homeowners determine whether or not a company is reputable before purchasing discounted services for air duct cleaning and HVAC repairs.

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“When looking to hire a company or a contractor, it’s important to pick a reputable business whose technicians have gone through the NADCA certification process,” said Bill Benito, ASCS, CVI, president of NADCA. “NADCA is the leading organization for professionals in the HVAC inspection, restoration and maintenance industry and companies with NADCA-Certified technicians on staff are able to provide the complete service that aligns with the Standard for Assessment, Cleaning and Restoration (ACR) of HVAC systems.”

The Standard provides practical, reliable and industry-backed information for:

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  • Assessing new and existing HVAC systems
  • Evaluating and verifying the cleanliness of HVAC system components
  • Preventing job related hazards
  • Guiding the cleaning and restoration of HVAC systems to a specific level of cleanliness
The NADCA Standard is available for all industry professionals and defines the minimum performance and procedural requirements for the assessment, cleaning and restoration of heating, ventilation and air conditioning units. The Standard is based on reliable principles, practical experience and review of applicable industry lecture and information. It focuses on preventing job-related hazards, such as exposure to workers and occupants, as well as cross-contamination to the indoor environment.

“In today’s economy, homeowners are looking for ways to save money any way possible, but it’s important to be cautious of those ‘to good to be true’ deals for air duct cleaning and HVAC maintenance,” added Benito. “It’s likely that the companies offering these highly discounted deals aren’t offering full-service cleaning and maintenance—and they aren’t performing up to the NADCA Standard.”

  • To help consumers determine whether or not a company is reputable, NADCA offers these tips:
  • Verify that the company is a NADCA member with a certified contractor on staff.
  • Ask for proof of license and insurance.
  • Request that a system inspection be performed at your home, prior to hiring a contractor.
  • Avoid advertisements and discounts for “whole house specials” under $100.

NADCA reminds homeowners that according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), duct cleaning services typically—but not always—range in cost from $450 to $1,000 per heating and cooling system. The estimated cost of services depends on the size of the system being cleaned, accessibility to the unit, climactic region the level of contamination, and the type of duct material.

“All Members of NADCA have signed a Code of Ethics, stating that they will do everything possible to protect the consumer and follow the Standard, to the best of their ability,” said Benito. “If you’re looking to hire a contractor or a company, start by selecting a NADCA member.”

To find a local NADCA professional, visit www.nadca.com.

About NADCA: The HVAC Inspection, Maintenance and Restoration Association, otherwise known as the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) was formed in 1989 as a non-profit association of companies engaged in the cleaning of HVAC systems. NADCA’s mission is to represent qualified companies engaged in the inspection, maintenance and restoration of HVAC systems, promote source removal as the only acceptable method of cleaning, establish industry standards for the association, and assist NADCA members in providing high quality service to their customers. With nearly 930 members, NADCA is made up of a diverse group of HVAC industry professionals, including air systems cleaning specialists, mold remediators, and HVAC inspectors. To learn more about NADCA, visit www.nadca.com.


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