Frequently Asked Questions

We clean the entire air distribution pathway: supply trunk lines, branch runs to each register, return air ducts and grille, and the boots where ducts meet the wall or floor. We use Rotobrush and Nikro equipment to agitate and extract debris, then HEPA-filter the workspace. Every run is photographed before and after. You receive the photo record with your invoice.

Most single-system jobs take 3 to 5 hours from arrival to final walkthrough. Older Chicago homes with plaster walls, finished basements, or multiple levels in neighborhoods like Hinsdale or Glenview may run longer. We book a real arrival window, text when the tech is en route, and do not rush the documentation step. Haven Clause 2 means we arrive on schedule with a named technician.

The National Air Duct Cleaners Association recommends every 3 to 5 years for typical households. In Chicago, we see faster buildup from lake-effect humidity, pollen-heavy spring seasons, and winter heating systems running six months straight. Homes with pets, recent renovations, or residents with allergies benefit from the shorter end of that interval. We inspect and advise based on what we find, not a calendar.

Clean ducts can restore airflow efficiency, which may reduce runtime and strain on your HVAC equipment. The savings are modest in most cases, maybe 5-15% if buildup was severe. The clearer benefit is reduced particulate circulation, less frequent filter changes, and longer equipment life. We measure static pressure before and after so you have a number, not a promise.

We photograph the interior of every run before and after cleaning, dated and labeled by location. You receive these photos with your completed invoice. This is not a marketing gesture; it is Haven Clause 4, and it has been standard practice since our first job in 2013. If a company cannot show you photos of your specific ducts, you cannot verify what occurred.

We use Rotobrush brush-and-vac systems for residential branch lines and Nikro high-powered negative air machines for main trunk lines and heavy contamination. Both are HEPA-filtered to prevent redistribution of fine particulate into your home. For homes with Aprilaire or Honeywell whole-house air cleaners installed, we inspect and clean those units as part of the system scope when requested.

We inspect your filter and recommend replacement if it is due, but we do not upsell filters as a hidden add-on. If you use a standard 1-inch pleated filter, we can install one you have purchased. For homeowners with Aprilaire or Honeywell media cabinets, we note the filter condition and size so you can source the correct replacement. Haven Clause 5 prohibits scope creep and door upsells.

Robotic duct cleaning exists but is overkill and overpriced for residential systems. The Rotobrush and Nikro equipment we use is purpose-built for home ductwork: flexible enough for tight bends, powerful enough for typical residential debris, and cost-effective for the homeowner. We reserve robotic or camera-crawling methods for commercial or industrial applications where duct dimensions warrant it.

Every professional working under our name is required to hold the license and insurance their state requires, and we verify this before they represent CleanRun. Their license numbers are available on request. We carry general liability and workers compensation coverage appropriate for residential work. This is Haven Clause 3: verified crews, documented credentials.

No permit is required for standard residential air duct cleaning in Chicago. If we discover damaged ductwork that needs repair or modification, we will note it and advise whether a permit applies. We do not perform HVAC mechanical alterations that would trigger permitting; we refer those to licensed mechanical contractors we trust in the Chicago area.

The Haven Standard is the five-clause operating code every CleanRun branch agrees to: Have it in writing (flat price, scope, warranty); Arrive on schedule (real window, named tech, text en route); Verified crews (licensed, insured, background-checked); Evidence on every job (photos and readings); No surprises (no door upsell, no scope creep). It was developed in 2013 as a direct response to an industry rife with coupon bait-and-switch. Every job we perform in Chicago is held to this standard.

Duct cleaning is a scheduled service, not an emergency response. We book appointments during our operating hours: Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM. We do not claim 24/7 availability because thorough cleaning and documentation cannot be rushed. If you have an urgent air quality concern, call (708) 683-3974 and we will fit you into the next available slot with a real arrival window.

Call or text us at (708) 683-3974 at least 24 hours ahead and we will move your appointment without penalty. Same-day cancellations may incur a fee if the technician has already departed for your home. We send a confirmation text 48 hours before arrival and another when the tech is en route, so you have multiple touchpoints to adjust if plans change.

Yes, we schedule Saturday and Sunday appointments from 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM. Weekend slots fill faster, especially in spring and early fall when Chicago homeowners prepare for cooling or heating season. We recommend booking at least a week ahead for weekend preference.

Every job carries a written warranty against workmanship defects, documented on your invoice before we leave. If you believe debris was missed or a register was damaged during service, we return to inspect and correct at no charge. The warranty term is stated in your written quote under Haven Clause 1. We do not make vague satisfaction promises; we make specific, documentable ones.

Contact us within 30 days with your concern. We review your photo record, return to re-inspect the areas in question, and correct any verifiable shortfall. Haven Clause 4 means we already have the evidence to resolve disputes quickly. We have done this since 2013 because a documented record protects both the homeowner and the technician.

We guarantee that we will clean what we agreed to clean, document it, and leave your ductwork in the condition specified in your written scope. We do not guarantee specific health outcomes because indoor air quality depends on factors beyond duct cleanliness: filtration, humidity, occupant behavior, and sources of pollution outside the duct system. We will tell you what we found and what we did. That is the honest limit of what a duct cleaner can promise.

Change your HVAC filter on the schedule appropriate for your filter type, typically every 1-3 months for standard 1-inch pleated filters. Keep return grilles unobstructed by furniture or drapes. Vacuum floor registers periodically. In Chicago's pollen seasons, consider upgrading to a higher MERV rating if your system can handle the airflow restriction. We note filter recommendations specific to your system on your service documentation.

Written by Tomas Reyes, Owner at CleanRun Air Duct Cleaning Chicago, serving Chicago, Oak Lawn, Hinsdale, Skokie, Elmhurst, Evanston, Bensenville, Lombard, Downers Grove, Des Plaines, Orland Park, Glenview and surrounding communities since 2013.