request free estimate
eco airflow phone number icon

Call us today at:

551-444-8340

Frequently Asked Questions

Ever wonder about various HVAC cleaning services or how we go about providing them?  Take a look below for some questions and answers — and feel free to contact us today with other questions or for a free estimate!

Air Duct Cleaning Service

We both want an excellent job done — as quickly as possible. Here are some things you can do to speed up the job:

  1. Clear a pathway — Move obstacles away from our workday, from the entry door to the heating and air conditioner units.
  2. Block off the pets and kids — Please plan ahead to make sure they aren’t near our technicians or equipment. We use high-powered vacuums that can scare children and animals or hurt their ears. Keeping them all away is also a necessary safety practice.
  3. Have jackets or warm blankets available to family members if wintertime — We will likely be opening and closing doors often.

Eco AirFlow follows the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) standards for effective air duct cleaning. We use specialized tools to safely and effectively clean all types of duct work, including both supply and return air ducts, clean and all registers and grills, and seal the access panel. 

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems include a line of tubing that filters the heated or cooled air. These shafts distribute the air, as well as bring in outside air that will be treated and dispersed. By removing the pollutants, allergens, contaminants, and even pathogens from your air ducts can help minimize breathing and health issues including allergies and asthma.

We have seen it all — and removed it. Air ducts can contain dust, pollen, chemicals, insects, mold spores, dead skin cells, pet hair and dander, smoke, pesticides, cooking particulates, personal care product residues, wood shards, fireplace soot, carpet and plastics particles, metal shavings, animal feces, and more. And because rain water can find its way into your ducts through leaks, we might also find mold.

Yes. Clean air ducts reduce the functioning strains put on your HVAC equipment. The EPA has stated that clean air ducts contribute to your HVAC system’s general health and longevity, and will help it operate at its full potential.

At least every five years. However, if you qualify for any of the points listed below, we advise immediately and/or every three years:

  • Your home or HVAC system experiences water, smoke, or fire damage, or mildew or mold contamination,
  • Your family members or frequent guests offer from severe allergies or asthma attacks.
  • You have pets that frequently shed hair, fur, or dander.
  • You have occupants who smoke in the home.
  • You just moved into a new home
  • You just had your home remodeled, renovated, or had other add-on or construction projects.

Dryer Vent Cleaning Service

You might think you know, but many people are actually confused about this. It is not just the lint trap that you clean out (and probably don’t) after each use. A dryer vent includes the tube behind your dryer that attaches to the wall and runs through your home to a vent hood on your home’s side wall or roof. Pretty much impossible to clean effectively if you are not a professional!

If you have not had your dryer vent cleaned in the past year, you should really have a dryer vent cleaning to make your home safer. Otherwise, here are some tell-tale signs that the time has come:

  • Your clothes require more than one cycle to get dry.
  • Your clothes require a longer cycle to get dry.
  • Your clothes are hot after one drying cycle.
  • Your clothes dryer’s surface is hot when it is on.
  • Lint is accumulating on the floor around and behind your dryer.
  • Your laundry area gets humid or hot when using your dryer.
  • Your clothes smell musty when pulled from the dryer.

Major appliance manufacturers actually recommend that you have a professional inspect and clean your dryer vent annually. They site considerations beyond those listed above:

  • An older dryer should have its venting system cleaned more often.
  • Venting with several twists and turns will collect more lint than will straight venting.
  • A compact or stackable dryer will have poorer flow than a full-size dryer.
  • An often-used dryer needs recurring vent cleaning sooner than dryer that you use occasionally.
  • The longer your vent stretches, the more it will build up with lint and debris and thus need cleaning.

After moving your clothes dryer and its connecting tube to the duct, we will go outside to clear the flapper or vent cover so our brush can exit the duct freely. We then return inside and test the airflow, end to end. If the airflow is good, we will run a dryer vent brushing system through the duct to the vent’s exit point. If the airflow is not good, however, we will determine whether your dyer vent duct is separated or clogged. If separated, we will provide you with an estimate cost for reconnecting the duct.  If it is clogged, we will determine the best way to clear it and continue with the cleaning. While unclogging your dryer vent is commonly part of the process, occasionally we run into something more difficult and unusual, such as dead animal or a nest — either empty or with babies (and their protective parents). In such cases, we will advise you and provide you with an estimate for clearing such an “above and beyond” scenario.

After all we have concluded our work, we will remove all collected debris, reconnect the tube to the dryer, and move the dryer back to its original position in your laundry area.

After moving your clothes dryer and its connecting tube to the duct, we will go outside to clear the flapper or vent cover so our brush can exit the duct freely. We then return inside and test the airflow, end to end. If the airflow is good, we will run a dryer vent brushing system through the duct to the vent’s exit point. If the airflow is not good, however, we will determine whether your dyer vent duct is separated or clogged. If separated, we will provide you with an estimate cost for reconnecting the duct.  If it is clogged, we will determine the best way to clear it and continue with the cleaning. While unclogging your dryer vent is commonly part of the process, occasionally we run into something more difficult and unusual, such as dead animal or a nest — either empty or with babies (and their protective parents). In such cases, we will advise you and provide you with an estimate for clearing such an “above and beyond” scenario.

After all we have concluded our work, we will remove all collected debris, reconnect the tube to the dryer, and move the dryer back to its original position in your laundry area.

Yes. These sheets are made of polyester and covered with fabric softener chemicals — which are so heavily applied that they can represent 10% of the product’s content.

Not only can these chemicals cause dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, red eyes, dry skin, sore throats, and labored breathing — they can also clog your lint screen and coat the inner walls of your venting system. They can also damage your dryer’s sensors and thus lower it’s operating efficiency … and thus increase your energy bills. That’s a lot of potentially unhealthy, unsafe, and unnecessarily expensive outcomes for perfumed clothes!

AC Coil Cleaning Service

Your heating and air conditioning systems will of course deteriorate over time. But you can prolong their vibrant lifespans through regular  repair and cleaning.

A professional AC condenser coil cleaning helps counteract the negative affects of:

  • Outdoor airborne debris — from dirt and dust, from insects to lawnmower clippings, from dead leaves to small litter, your condenser will collect many foreign items on and within in its coils. This increases your system’s workload and wear, and will ultimately prevent the coils from working at all. 
  • Frozen coils — A clogged condenser coil can freeze, when can cause either the coil to break or, upon thawing, introduce water damage into your home.

With regular servicing by our professionals, however, Eco AirFlow can help you enjoy long-term benefits such as:

  • Colder air throughout your home or business.
  • Less strain on your HVAC systems.
  • More energy efficiency.
  • Lower energy bills.
  • Reduced risk of leaks.

Generally speaking, your AC coil should be cleaned twice a year.

But you need to apply these considerations:

  • The age of your AC unit — older equipment tends to accumulate debris faster.
  • The demands on your AC unit — the more frequent its use, the more it will accumulate debris, and faster.
  • The location of your AC unit — the closer it sits to traffic, construction, woods, and etc., the more often it will need cleaning.
  • How often the area gets mowed — grass, dirt, and debris will be forced into the coil.

The more the above applies to your situation, the more often you should get your coils cleaned.

Air conditioners and their parts are very delicate — including condensers coils. Without the proper training and tools, you can very easily apply too much pressure and damage the fins … which will require the greater expense of a replacement rather than a repair. In fact, causing what seems to be small damage can result in greater damage to your entire heating and cooling system due to the chain of connected parts and operations.

Honestly, you will incur the very best cost-to-risk scenario by having your Eco AirFlow professionals do it right the first time.

Air Conditioning Repair and Tune-up Service

At least twice a year, in early spring and late fall.

Filters need to be changed, motors oiled, electrical systems checked, and so on.

Scheduling a tune-up is also a great low-cost way to catch a minor repair need before it becomes a major repair or a significant replacement cost.

Here are some common indications that you need to call Eco AirFlow for air conditioning repair:

  • Weak or no cooling —  many issues can cause this, from a clogged air filter or condenser coil, lack of refrigerant, a broken fan motor, and more.
  • Strange noises — gurgling sounds could mean your system is low on refrigerant, while grinding sounds outside could mean the fan’s motor bearings are worn out, and hissing noises could mean a refrigerant or compressor leak.

In any case, odd occurrences such as these require that you give us a quick call!

How old is your AC unit? Over 10-12 years old? At that age, it might make more sense to replace it if the repair bill is over $1,000 and you can afford a new system. If the repair is less than that, or the repalacement cost is too much for you now, then go with a repair.

Another factor is: How much longer are you planning to live in your home? If you’re planning to move within seven years, repairs might make more sense since you won’t get your money’s worth out of a new system.

Your Eco AirFlow technician can help advise you on how many years we think are left in your AC equipment and help you understand the pros and cons involved within the sometimes difficult decisions involved in whether to repair or replace.

Furnace Repair and Tune-up Service

Your heating system is one of the most important systems in your home, which is why your furnace requires regular maintenance and repair. Here are some common indications that your furnace needs repair:

  •  Your furnace blows cold air when “heating.”
  • Your rooms feel too cool even when your thermostat is set to a high temperature.
  • Your heating system shuts down unexpectedly.
  • Your heating system won’t start or turn off.
  • You hear odd noises from your furnace, such as grinding, squealing, grating, or clanking.
  • You smell strange odors coming from your vents.
  • You see a leak or drops coming from the HVAC unit or ducts.
  • Some rooms feel warm while other don’t.
  • Your furnace or heat pump hasn’t been serviced lately or ever.
  • Your energy bill doesn’t seem as high as it usually is during cold weather seasons.

Your Eco AirFlow technician will arrive promptly and always act courteously and professionally. He will wear shoe covers, work as quietly as possible, and clean and remove all work waste. These are among the duties he will perform during a furnace tune-up:

  • Check vents for leaks or blockages.
  • Examine the heat exchanger for corrosion, cracks, or separations.
  • Check the blower and clean its components, including the blower wheel.
  • Test the blower access door for a tight seal.
  • Check the air intake grills for blockages.
  • Perform an amp-draw test on the blower motor and compare the results to its listed specifications.
  • Check the burner for ignition.
  • Test the flame sensor for accurate operation.
  • Lubricate the motor’s moving parts.
  • Check all electrical connections for tightness, rust, and corrosion.
  • Test the thermostat’s calibration.
  • Examine the flue for obstructions.
  • Test all safety controls, including the high-limit control.
  • Check the belts for wear or cracks.
  • Test the system’s startup cycle.
  • Check the furnace’s air filter.

We will advise you about any parts that need replacing, and provide you with parts costs before performing replacements. If repairs are required, will likewise provide you with this information and pricing.

 

Sewer Cleaning and Drain Cleaning

Eco AirFlow provides cleaning services for:

  • Clogged kitchen or bathroom sink drains — grease, soap, shavings, toothpaste, food … over time these lumps and globs and residues can build up and clog your sink’s pipes.
  • Clogged shower or tub drains — in a word, “hair.” Each time we wash our hair (or our dog’s) or shave in the shower, strands will fall toward the drain. If there is nothing to trap it, it will eventually ball up and build up in the pipes.
  • Clogged toilets — nose tissues, baby wipes, toys, paper towels, sanitary items, clothing … everything short of a bowling ball … people will drop things willingly or unwittingly into your toilets. 
  • Clogged sewer lines — your various household drains lead to your main sewer line, which connects to a neighborhood sewer or septic tank. The most common cause of a clogged sewer line is aggressive tree roots that are seeking moisture … on the inside of your aging pipes.

Eco AirFlow technicians use the latest drain cleaning systems, including video camera pipe inspection equipment, motorized snakes, and hydro-jets. 

Our video equipment gives us a barely intrusive, close-up look at the pipes in your plumbing system. It allows us to quickly and easily figure out exactly where the clogs are and what will be required to remove them.

Our drain and sewer jetting lets us safely yet strongly use high-pressure streams of water to blast away clogs that are resistant to motorized snakes. 

We perform all work as quickly, cleanly, and quietly as we can, leaving nothing but your free-running pipe system behind.

Of course you can try — but you can do significant damage to your plumbing by trying to unclog a drain yourself.

You can exert too much pressure, which can crack or break your pipes.

You can overuse store-bought drain cleaners, which contain really harsh chemicals that can weaken pipes and eventually cause erosion and leaks. (In fact, some types of pipes should never be exposed to drain cleaners.)

So, yes, you can have at it. Just remember that cartoons and sitcoms have long depicted the DIYer who creates a flooded kitchen or bathroom during a “simple” operation. That’s because it happens … a lot.

Do not pour greases, oils, and fats down your kitchen drain. Instead, pour it into an old coffee can or other container that has a tight lid.

Run steaming hot water down your sink after cleaning dishes. It’s not the be-all and end-all, but it might at least slightly help melt any grease along the pipe walls and help keep fresh food particles moving along toward your sewer line.

Use a shower drain screen. Fight the ravages of hair loss … that is, the hair that is literally going down the drain.

CONTACT INFO

551-444-8340
info@ecoairflownj.com

2 Donor Avenue
Elmwood Park, NJ
07407

map highlighting central and northern nj

SERVING ALL OF NORTHERN AND CENTRAL NJ!

© 2023 Eco AirFlow LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Website created by JonEvan Marketing Group.