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Air conditioning duct cleaning

Brushing, filtered vacuuming and disinfection of the inside of the ducts, verified with a camera. Photo report included.

Air conditioning duct cleaning removes the dust, dirt and microbial growth that build up inside the ducts and disinfects their surfaces. It is done with brushing and filtered vacuuming, and verified with a camera before and after.

Scope

What exactly is cleaned

Ducts

The inside of the supply and return ducts, with brushing and filtered vacuuming.

Grilles and diffusers

They are cleaned as part of the same job, not as an extra.

Air handling unit and coil

The equipment that moves the air and where moisture tends to build up.

Condensate pan and drain

If standing water remains, the system gets contaminated again.

Air handling unit

Why the air handling unit is in scope

Cleaning the duct and leaving the condensate pan with standing water contaminates the system again within weeks. That is why the cleaning includes the air handling unit, the coil, the condensate pan and the drain, and the report records what was found in each one.

In a humid climate like Panama’s, water that does not drain is where mold and biofilm start.

How we work

Eight steps, in this order

Prior camera inspection to learn the real condition.
Work plan by sectors so operations do not stop.
Mechanical cleaning with brushing and filtered vacuuming.
Grilles and diffusers.
Air handling unit, coil, condensate pan and drain.
Disinfection with a product suitable for ducts.
Verification with a second inspection at the same points.
Report with side by side photographs.

Sections without access

What about sections without access panels?

Some ducts have no access panels to put the camera or the brush through. Anything that could not be reached is not declared clean.

The report lists those sections as sections without access. With that information, you decide whether it makes sense to open access panels.

Who it is for

What changes depending on your business

Hotels

A damp smell in a room ends up in a review.

Office towers and buildings

Tenants' complaints about air quality reach the building manager.

Stores and shops

Smell is the first thing a customer notices when walking in.

Clinics and medical offices

Air quality is part of the service.

Restaurants

Dining rooms with high occupancy, where the system runs all day.

Homes

We also serve residential installations. Tell us what you have and in which area.

Frequency

How often should ducts be cleaned?

There is no universal number. It depends on occupancy, the type of activity, the condition of the filtration and whether the system has had condensation problems.

Cleaning is not recommended as a routine. It is recommended when a camera inspection justifies it, for example in the presence of mold, pests or excessive dirt.

In Panama the deciding factor is humidity. A system with drainage or condensation problems needs more frequent checks.

Industry references

ACR, The NADCA Standard: how HVAC system cleaning is carried out.
ASHRAE Standard 62.1: ventilation and acceptable indoor air quality.

More technical detail about the service on Climatiza’s page.

Symptoms

What the things you notice usually mean

Symptom	Probable cause
Damp or stale smell when the air is turned on	Accumulated dust and microbial growth in the duct or the air handling unit.
Complaints of allergies, congestion or irritation	The system may be spreading accumulated particles.
Dust that returns soon after cleaning	Buildup in the ductwork that is released through the grilles.
Stained grilles and diffusers	Dust that comes out through the grilles and settles around them.
Less airflow in some areas	Dust buildup that blocks the flow.
Rising electricity use with no change in usage	The system works harder against more resistance.

These are probable causes, not a diagnosis. Only a camera inspection can confirm it.

Frequently asked questions

Questions about the service

How often do they need to be cleaned?

There is no universal number. It depends on occupancy, the type of activity, the condition of the filtration and whether the system has had condensation problems. Industry references work on periodic inspection and cleaning when the inspection justifies it, not on a fixed calendar. In Panama the deciding factor is humidity.

Does the building need to be vacated?

No. Work is done by sectors and at an agreed time. Filtered vacuuming keeps the dirt from spreading into the occupied space.

Do you use products that leave a smell or residue?

We use disinfectants suitable for HVAC ducts. The product used is recorded in the service report.

How much does it cost?

It depends on the size of the system, its condition and how many sections are accessible. It is quoted after the inspection, because quoting blind leads to estimating too high or too low.

Should ducts be cleaned as a routine?

No. Cleaning is recommended when a camera inspection justifies it, for example in the presence of mold, pests or excessive dirt. If the system is clean, we tell you.

What do I receive at the end?

A written report with scope, date and the staff involved, photos and video of the before and after at the same points, the record of cleaned sections and sections without access, and the frequency recommendation. The disinfectant used is recorded in the report.

Request an inspection

Before cleaning, it pays to look

Ask for a quote on WhatsApp. Quotes come after the inspection, because quoting blind leads to estimating too high or too low.