Duct Cleaning

Consumers are often sceptical about duct cleaning. They are unsure exactly sure what duct cleaning entails. They are confused about what needs to be done and how often should it be done.  They want to know why ducted systems need cleaning and what exactly are the benefits of having a clean ducted system.

Duct cleaning originated in the US. Many years after their ducted systems were installed, it was discovered that the duct lines were littered with dust and debris, hence the need for cleaning. Most of these systems, however, had good quality filters on the intake which restricted a lot of the dust entering the system, keeping the return line, fan and heater interior relatively clean. Therefore cleaning focused mainly on the outlet ducting and is commonly referred to as Air Duct Cleaning.

Ducted Heating Cleaning

If you are considering cleaning your ducted heating system it is important to realise that cleaning your ducted heating system is not just about the ducts. In most cases up to 90% of the dust (and therefore dust mites, pollens, germs and fungi) is located in the air return ducting and heater interior. The dust and germs stored here breed and multiply continuously, even when the system is not in use. These contaminants lay ready and waiting for you to turn the system on, allowing them to blow all around you home for you and your family to breathe in.

A quality duct clean comprises of the following elements.

Return Air Cleaning:
Before the warm air comes out of your ducts the air must enter the heater. It does this through the return air grill. The air then travels along the return duct to the heater. Up to 90% of the dust in your system is contained in this area and it is most important that the entire length of duct is thoroughly cleaned.


Dirty Return Grill Clean Return Grill

The return air vent cover and return duct cover (if present) is removed for cleaning, as well as the heater panel that exposes the fan motor. This gives access to both ends of the return duct.


Dirty Return Cover Clean Return Cover

Heater Unit Heater unit with fan panel removed.

The return line is the brushed down to loosen the build up dust and debris so that it can be easily extracted. Allow between 45mins and 1 hour to complete this section.



Return Duct line Before Cleaning Return Duct Line After Cleaning

Cleaning of Heater Interior:
With the fan already exposed, it is removed so that the blades, casing and motor can be separated for individual cleaning. The interior walls of the heater and heating channels are also cleaned, dust, debris and foreign objects removed. Allow 30-45 minutes to complete this task.

Fan inside heater unit Fan removed from heater unit

Fan blades, casing and motor Clean fan motor reassembled

All Duct Lines Are Cleaned and Checked.
Starting with the outlets nearest the actual heater a dust probe displaces air backwards and travels down the duct line into the main trunk, toward the heater. Using a powerful truck mounted vacuum system in tandem with the probe, dust and debris is dislodged from the duct lining and safely extracted to a tank in our truck. Allow 30 minutes to 1 hour for a system with up to 10 outlets

Sanitising with Bactigas:

Once steps 1-3 are completed your system is turned on to check it is operating correctly. With air moving through the system Bactigas is sprayed into the return vent so it can travel down the return line, through the heater and along all the outlet ducting, sanitising your complete system. Bactigas is distilled from the Australian teatree plant, and is a natural antiseptic. Tea Tree Oil has been used as a natural antiseptic and fungicide for over 60 years in Australia and has shown to possess antimicrobial activity against a wide range of bacteria and fungi.

Why your ducted system requires regular cleaning
When your ducted system is in use, a fine layer of dust slowly builds up along the inner lining of the intake duct and inside the heater.  This collection of dust contains dust mites and bacteria that breed and multiply. These contaminants then create more dust and a greater concentration of allergens. Cleaning your system removes this build up and ensures your system delivers clean healthy air to you home. A clean system also allows air to flow unrestricted, ensuring your system runs more efficiently.  Provided you system is cleaned thoroughly and correctly every three years is a suitable time frame for cleaning. If you have persons in your household with severe dust allergies such as asthma then you may elect to have it cleaned more often.

Cleaning of Ducted Air Conditioning Systems and Reverse Cycle Ducted Heating/Cooling Systems
Ducted air conditioning and reverse cycle systems both work in a similar way to a standard ducted heating system in the they recirculate the same air throughout the home. The have a return air line, a heater and/or cooling unit that contains a fan motor and cooling coil, and of course outlet ducts. The fan draws air along the return ducting and through a cooling coil, before coming out the individual ducts. These systems are cleaned in the same way as a standard ducted heating system. The major difference is the intake grill will have a filter that will be cleaned as part of the process or replaced if necessary.

Ducted Evaporative Cleaning

Evaporative Cooling Systems
Evaporate cooling systems consist of the cooling unit located on the roof and outlets ducts usually located in the ceiling but sometimes come out the wall.

These systems draw in the outside air through filters cooled by water. The air travels through large diameter ducts but the leaves the home through slightly open doors and windows.

The process for cleaning these systems is two fold.

First the main unit is cleaned, including the fan motor and blades, the cooling filters and pump filter. The water is drained (some units are self draining) and the brown gunge removed from the water moat area.

Second, the debris from each individual duct lining is removed, in a similar way to step 3 above.


Dirty Cooling Unit Clean Cooling Unit