Ductwork Cleaning

Duct cleaning is the process of accessing a ventilation system's air ducts and removing dirt, debris, and microbial build-up from blocking the airflow. Air duct cleaning ensures an HVAC system runs at top energy efficiency, potentially lowering energy bills and enhancing system lifespan. It also ensures your HVAC ducts are clean, ensuring a building's occupants are not at risk from breathing pollutants like dust (PM10, PM2.5) and black mould.

Yes, professional air duct cleaning is worth it when your system contains dust, debris, or microbial build-up. Effective ductwork cleaning improves indoor air quality, restores airflow, and supports efficient HVAC performance, helping to reduce energy use and ongoing maintenance costs.

For commercial buildings, schools, healthcare settings, and offices, scheduled HVAC duct cleaning also supports regulatory compliance and provides documented evidence of system hygiene. If inspections show contamination or restricted airflow, investing in specialist duct cleaning services is a practical, preventative measure rather than an unnecessary expense.

Yes. Under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Occupiers Liability Act 1984, employers have a legal duty to provide a safe indoor environment. ACOP6 (52) specifically requires mechanical ventilation systems to be "regularly and properly cleaned, tested and maintained to ensure they are kept clean and free from contamination."

TR19 guidance recommends inspection and cleaning every 1-5 years depending on building usage. Healthcare facilities typically require annual cleaning, while commercial buildings may need cleaning every 3-5 years. We can establish a tailored schedule based on your specific circumstances.

We minimise disruption by scheduling work during off-hours or weekends when possible. For operational buildings, we can section work to maintain partial system functionality. Our equipment is designed to operate quietly and our containment procedures prevent dust from entering occupied spaces.

We conduct post-cleaning verification through video inspection and deposit thickness testing in accordance with TR19 standards. This includes before-and-after documentation and, if required, laboratory testing of surface samples to confirm removal of microbial contamination.

Yes. Dust accumulation in ductwork can restrict airflow, forcing fans to work harder and consume more energy. Clean ductwork typically improves system efficiency by 5-15%, reducing energy costs while extending equipment lifespan through reduced strain on components.

No — in the UK there's no specific licence required to clean air ducts. It's not a regulated trade in the way, say, gas work or F-Gas refrigerant handling is.

That said, we don't recommend anyone to try cleaning ducts as it does require some know-how and experience to get the job done properly and without damaging the ventilation system. Here's a few things worth knowing:

• Accreditation exists but isn't mandatory. Reputable firms are typically BESA members and follow TR19 (the industry guide to good practice for ventilation hygiene), but you don't need a licence to trade — clients just look for it as a mark of competence.

• Related work can trigger licensing. If the job involves working at height, asbestos-containing materials, or handling F-Gas refrigerants in an AHU, those specific activities do have their own legal requirements — it's the adjacent work, not the duct cleaning itself.

• Insurance and site access (e.g. CSCS cards, SafeContractor status) are usually the real gatekeepers for commercial and public sector work, more than any formal licence.