We will start with the part most companies leave out: most homes do not need their air ducts cleaned on a schedule. Ace Chimney Service cleans ductwork in Crystal Lake and McHenry County when there is an actual reason to, and will tell you plainly when there is not.
What the EPA actually says
The US Environmental Protection Agency does not recommend that air ducts be cleaned routinely, and it notes there is no conclusive evidence that cleaning ducts in an otherwise sound system prevents health problems. This is worth knowing, because duct cleaning is an industry with a long history of being sold on fear.
What the EPA does recommend is cleaning when a specific condition exists. That is the standard we work to.
When cleaning is genuinely justified
- Visible mould growth inside hard-surface ducts or on other components of the system
- Vermin — an actual infestation of rodents or insects in the ductwork
- Substantial debris, where ducts are clogged enough that dust and particles are visibly discharging into the rooms
- After construction or renovation, where drywall dust and building debris have been drawn through the system
If none of those apply, the honest answer is usually that your money is better spent elsewhere — a better furnace filter, changed on time, does more for the air in most houses than a duct cleaning does.
How we clean, when it is warranted
Proper duct cleaning uses source removal: the system is put under negative pressure with a high-powered collection unit, then agitation tools loosen debris inside the ducts so it travels into the collection equipment rather than into your rooms. Supply and return runs are both done, along with registers, grilles, and the accessible components at the air handler.
A vacuum held at a register is not duct cleaning. Neither is fogging a chemical through the system. We do not apply biocides or sealants as a matter of routine — the EPA advises caution about both, and a clean, dry duct does not need them.
Mould deserves a straight answer
If there is mould in your ductwork, something is wet. Cleaning removes what has grown, but unless the moisture source is found and fixed, it returns. High indoor humidity, a leak, or condensation forming on cooling components are the usual causes. We would rather point you at the cause than sell you a cleaning that has to be repeated every year.
Also worth saying: not every dark patch is mould, and confirming it takes testing rather than a glance from a technician who benefits from the answer.
Not the same as your dryer vent
These get conflated constantly. Dryer vent cleaning clears the single exhaust duct running from your dryer to the outside wall, and it is a fire-safety job with a clear annual case for it. Air duct cleaning is the heating and cooling ductwork throughout the house, and it is condition-based. If you only do one of the two on a schedule, do the dryer vent.
Booking
We cover Crystal Lake and the surrounding towns, 7am to 7pm, seven days a week. Call (815) 320-0883 or request a visit, and pricing is published on our pricing page. If we come out and find you do not need the work, we will say so.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does air duct cleaning need doing routinely?
The EPA does not recommend cleaning ducts as routine maintenance. It recommends cleaning when there is a specific reason — visible mould, vermin, or substantial debris. We will tell you honestly if we do not think you need it.
When is duct cleaning genuinely worthwhile?
Visible mould growth inside the ducts or on other system components, an infestation of insects or rodents, ducts clogged with dust and debris actually entering the rooms, and after construction or a renovation that put drywall dust through the system.
Will it cure my allergies?
There is no solid evidence that duct cleaning by itself improves health or allergy symptoms in an otherwise clean system. If your ducts are genuinely contaminated, cleaning removes that contamination — but we will not promise a health outcome.
How long does it take?
A typical single-family home takes roughly two to four hours, depending on the size of the system, how many vents there are, and how much access the ductwork allows.
Do you use chemicals or sealants inside the ducts?
Not as a default. The EPA advises caution about applying biocides and sealants inside ductwork, and most systems simply do not need them. If there is a case for one, we will explain it first.
What causes mould in ductwork?
Moisture. Usually a humidity problem, a leak, or condensation on cooling components. Cleaning removes what has grown, but unless the moisture source is fixed it will come back — that part matters more than the cleaning.
Should I clean ducts after a renovation?
This is one of the clearest cases for it. Drywall dust and construction debris get pulled through the return system and settle throughout the ductwork, and there is a lot of it.
Is this the same as dryer vent cleaning?
No, they are separate services. Dryer vent cleaning clears the single exhaust duct from your dryer to the outside and is primarily a fire-safety job. See our dryer vent page.
Published: July 24, 2026