Have any of you ever had your air ducts cleaned and was it worth it? Also, I am thinking about replacing my windows, which brands have you used and how do you feel about your purchase? Thanks Mamas!!
I'm very interested in getting my air ducts cleaned. In the summer, when we run the AC, the house is SUPER dusty. I can only think it is coming out of the ducts.
I would like to know if anyone else noticed a before and after dust difference when having ducts cleaned.
I had two pane windows installed in our single pane home. I wish I had had the money to do triple pane. It cut our electricity in half during the summer.
IF you want to save a LOT of Money, wait until there is a state fair or large county fair in your area. Then go to all the places that sell windows and fill out cards to win what ever they are giving away. That will cause you to be called by all of those businesses. Get a spiral note book and write down every window installer in the yellow pages on a different page. When they call for an appointment write it down and invite them over. If you get two at one time, that's great.
When they come to your door ask them who they are and make a show of finding them in your notebook. Some time during their presentation be sure to tell them that you are price shopping and for them to give you their best price. I always tell them that if they have the best price I will call them and have them do the work. But if they don't have the best price, they won't hear from me again.
The result: I had 14 people call me and 13 gave me a bid. (When the 14th one came over and I told him I was price shopping, he packed up his gear and told me he couldn't compete and he left.) The highest bid was $13,900. The lowest bid was $7500. I didn't like the lowest bidder, so I called the second lowest bidder and told him he was the second lowest bidder and if he wanted to look at his bid and revise it I would use him if he became the low bidder. He called me back in about 10 minutes and gave me a bid of $7000. I had him do the work.
I love my windows. I wish I could have afforded triple pane, but that's life. The point is that it was a pain (no pun intended) to have to deal with all those salesmen. But I saved $6990 over the highest price. That was worth the hassle.
Good luck to you and yours.
never had the air ducts cleaned, and we have replaced half of our windows so far, with Andersen. They are more expensive but they look great, and they are low E, and I can't hear anything outside!!
We've never had our air ducts cleaned. We took off many of our registers and peered inside (they were clean!)...I would highly recommend doing this. Beware of getting ripped off...I saw an episode on TV about companies "claiming" to clean out the ducts but in some cases they didn't do ANYthing. If you do decide to get it done, I'd be sure to watch their every move. I know I sound a little paranoid right now!
Unfortunately I don't know what brand our windows are...but they are SO airtight that we get a TON of moisture in the winter (I have to walk around the house every single morning and dry off all of the windows so that we don't get mold! It's annoying.) Our window-installer (an independent contractor) said that it is very common with new windows. :-/ Next winter we are going to try using a dehumidifier upstairs to see if that helps. I'm sorry my answer isn't very helpful!
my husband does heat and air, has for 20yrs. he says its overrated to get your ducts cleaned.
I had my ducts cleaned and they didn't have to cut anything. They did a great job. In fact, we had it done when we first moved in since they had a dog and cat and the guy took out a furball the size or a poodle from the return vent. It was worth it!
Replacing windows, is a HUGE job and cost.
Ditto 8KidsDad.
Totally.
Also consider long term parts replacement if needed. Many window companies go out of business, then you are stuck, without being able to get replacements parts for the cranks etc. and/or your warranties are nil.
Consider weather wear too. How will it stand up to your locales weather????
we had the air ducts cleaned and I don't think it was worth it...now we have "leaks" from where they cut through to clean...I think it brought our efficiency down a notch or two.
I would stay away from The Window Man - not sure if they have them in KS - but definitely wouldn't use them again...
Check with Angieslist.com and get references for things like this!!
GOOD LUCK!!
Yes, air duct cleaning is worth it. Call Stanley Steamer. They do this and the people they send are not scary. They will do a quote and show you pics of how bad it is. The pics are of your house. :) One of my dog's balls was in a pic of one of the vents pre-cleaning.
Hi K. - we've never had our air ducts cleaned (been here 11 years). We did, however, get new windows earlier this year and got the THV compozit windows (triple pane, have argon and krypton gases) and I have noticed a big difference in noise and how often the air/heat were kicking on. The windows were pretty pricey, but I didn't want to get the cheaper vinyl windows again that I'd have to replace in 10 years. (Funny thing is that we were given a fairly high bid (for all double hung windows), and said no thanks. They hounded us a bit, and then came back and we got a bay window and 2 casement windows (rest are the double hung) for a few thousand less than the original quote.) Just don't agree to anything until you price shop!
