Frequently Asked Questions

We use commercial rotary brush equipment, like systems from Rotobrush and Nikro, combined with high-powered negative-air HEPA collection to dislodge and remove debris from supply and return ducts. The process typically includes cleaning the main trunk lines, branch ducts, and all accessible supply and return vents. We also clean the return-air plenum. The goal is to remove the accumulated dust, hair, and debris from the entire system, not just the visible vent openings.

For a typical single-family home in Palo Alto, the full process takes between three and five hours. Larger homes or systems with significant buildup can take longer. We set aside a full morning or afternoon for the job so we never rush. You don't need to leave the house during the cleaning, though some homeowners prefer to run errands while we work. We'll give you a realistic time window when you schedule.

Not much. We ask that you clear access to the furnace or air handler and move any furniture blocking the main vents we'll need to reach. The equipment we use is portable and doesn't require major room clearance. Most Palo Alto homeowners find the preparation takes ten minutes or less. We'll tell you anything specific during the scheduling call.

It shouldn't. We use negative-air HEPA collection systems that pull the dislodged debris out of your ducts and into a sealed containment unit rather than blowing it back into your living space. Drop cloths protect the area around the furnace and vents. When we're done, you'll be able to see the difference in the before-and-after photos we take of your actual ducts, not stock images.

We use commercial-grade rotary brush agitation systems and high-powered HEPA collection, including equipment from brands like Rotobrush and Nikro. These systems physically scrub the inside of the duct walls rather than just blowing air through. Air-only cleaning without agitation doesn't remove caked-on dust and debris. The combination of rotary agitation and true HEPA capture is what separates a real professional cleaning from a glorified vacuum job.

Yes, and we recommend it for most Palo Alto homes. Many local homes have long dryer vent runs because the laundry area is in a central hallway or interior closet, which means lint accumulates faster and creates a fire risk. Clogged dryer vents also make dryers work harder, which drives up energy costs. We can add dryer vent cleaning to your duct cleaning appointment, and it's included in our flat-rate estimate if you request it up front.

Yes, in the same way the brand of tools matters to any serious tradesman. Professional systems like those from Rotobrush and Nikro are engineered for continuous commercial use and deliver the agitation power needed to actually dislodge debris from duct walls. We pair that with high-filtration HEPA collection to keep the dislodged particulate contained. Inferior equipment is one of the things hidden behind those discount prices we mentioned, and it's one of the reasons those jobs don't get the system truly clean.

A fresh filter is always a good idea after a cleaning. Your filter catches airborne particles before they enter the system, and a clean system with an old filter just works harder. We can install a quality replacement filter, including options from Honeywell and Aprilaire, during the same visit. Pleated filters with a higher MERV rating do a better job of keeping the freshly cleaned ducts cleaner longer, and we'll help you pick the right one for your system, especially if anyone in the house deals with allergies.

Absolutely. Every professional working under our name is required to hold the licensing and insurance their state requires for this type of work. We never send someone into your home who doesn't meet those standards. We're happy to provide proof of insurance before the job starts, and most Palo Alto homeowners ask for exactly that. We've been serving the Peninsula since 2016, and our local reputation is built on doing the job right and standing behind the work.

The professionals who work under our name are required to meet the standards our industry sets for licensing and insurance. The local coordinator who answers your call at (833) 620-7085 can walk you through exactly what that means and what you should expect before the appointment. We want you to feel completely comfortable with who's coming into your Palo Alto home before the van shows up.

We're part of a national family of home-service brands, which means we have the backing and systems of a larger organization, but the work in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Los Altos, and the surrounding Peninsula is done by local professionals who know these homes. The equipment we bring, the pricing we quote, and the follow-up we do all come from a local team that's been serving this area since 2016. You get the accountability of a real brand and the familiarity of a neighborhood contractor.

Air duct cleaning is a scheduled service, not an emergency repair. We plan appointments in advance so we can bring the right equipment and take the time to do the job thoroughly. If you have an urgent concern, like water in the ductwork after a leak or smoke damage after a kitchen fire, call us at (833) 620-7085 and we'll talk through your situation and get you on the schedule as soon as possible.

That depends on the time of year and our schedule. Our service hours are Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and Sunday from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. We do not take appointments on Saturday. The best way to find out is to call (833) 620-7085, and the coordinator can let you know what's available for your Palo Alto neighborhood. We'll work with you to find a time that fits.

We serve all of Palo Alto and the surrounding Peninsula, including Menlo Park, Los Altos, Woodside, East Palo Alto, Stanford, San Carlos, Foster City, Belmont, San Mateo, North Fair Oaks, and Alviso. If you're in Professorville, Barron Park, Crescent Park, Midtown, or anywhere else in the 94301 to 94306 ZIP range, we've likely cleaned ducts on your street. Call (833) 620-7085 and we'll confirm availability for your address.

We stand behind every cleaning with a straightforward satisfaction guarantee: if something isn't done to your standard, tell us and we'll make it right. What that means in practice is simple. You'll see before-and-after photos of your own ducts from inside the system, so you can see the work was actually done, not just told it was. If you're not satisfied, call us and we'll address it. That's the standard we've been working to since 2016.

This is the single most common question we get from Palo Alto homeowners, and it's a fair one. The answer is the before-and-after photos we take inside your actual ducts. We don't show stock images or photos from someone else's house. You'll see the inside of your own supply and return lines before and after cleaning. The difference is usually obvious, and that visual proof is part of every job we do.

Every three to five years for most homes. That said, homes with pets, allergy sufferers, or recent renovation work may want it more often. Wildfire season on the Peninsula also changes the math; after a particularly heavy smoke year, we see a spike in calls from homeowners in the foothills around Woodside and Portola Valley whose ducts picked up more ash. If you can't remember the last time yours were cleaned, it's probably time. Call (833) 620-7085 for a free estimate.

You can swipe visible dust from vent covers, but real duct cleaning is not a DIY job. The inside of ductwork is inaccessible without commercial equipment, and a household vacuum simply doesn't have the power or reach to remove built-up debris from the system. Half-cleaning the visible vents while the inside of the ducts stays dirty gives you a false sense of a job done. The professional equipment we use exists precisely because this kind of cleaning requires it. If you're seeing dust accumulation, give us a call instead of fighting it alone.

Written by the team at Air Duct Cleaning Palo Alto, serving Palo Alto and the Peninsula since 2016.