Why would I want to have my Furnace, Ducts or Chimney cleaned?

The FACTS speaks for themselves!

Scroll down to read facts, or click the links below to jump to specific information.

Health and Safety:

The 2001 US Consumer Product Safety Commission reported the following losses due to home heating and appliance hazards:

68,900 Home Fires
1560 Deaths and Injuries caused by Carbon Monoxide and Fire
$532.8 Million in Property Losses

Proper cleaning, inspecting and maintenance of your homes heating systems can prevent you from becoming a statistic.

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Indoor Air Pollution:

The air inside your home may be unhealthy. According to the EPA, studies of human exposure to air pollutants indicate that indoor air levels of many pollutants may be as much as 100 times higher than outdoor levels. These levels of indoor air pollutants are of particular concern because it is estimated that most people spend as much as 90% of their time indoors.

Today’s industrial hygienists are increasing discovering the adverse affects of dirty air. Smoke, bacteria, fungi, mold spores, animal dander, moth larvae, lint, and cold germs are all things that are circulated through a buildings ventilation system. These are things that are circulating in the indoor air you breathe. Sick home/work environments have people complaining of increased allergies, headaches, dizziness and other symptoms.

At Midwest Home Services, we take these issues seriously. By regularly cleaning and inspecting your homes systems, we can help reduce the amount of indoor pollutants your family is exposed to and promote a healthier home.

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Cost Savings:

Furnace and Air Ducts:
Having your Furnace and Air Ducts regularly cleaned and inspected can reduce both short term and long term cost's. On average, cleaning and proper maintance of your furnace and ducts systems can reduce your annual heating and cooling bills. Also through proper maintanaince cleaning you can help to prevent the need for future costly repairs or replacements of your systems which can result in $1000’s of dollars in costs.

Chimney and Fireplace Cleaning:
According to the State Fire Marshall’s office, of the thousands of Minnesota fires over the past few years, 25-30% originated in chimneys. Annual cleaning of your chimney's flue eliminates the chance of a chimney fire due to creosote buildup and protects your family and your home.

Annual inspection of your Chimney and Fireplace can also help to save you $1000’s of dollars down the road in costly repairs. By cleaning and inspecting your chimney and fireplace on an annual basis you can address any repair or maintance issues today and save you the expense of costly repair or complete restacking of your chimney.

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Furnace and Air Duct Cleaning

What benefits are derived from having my Furnace and Ducts Cleaned?
Having your Furnace and Air Ducts regularly cleaned and inspected can reduce both short term and long term cost's. Cleaning and proper maintenance of your furnace and ducts systems can reduce your annual heating and cooling bills. Also through proper maintenance and cleaning you can help to prevent the need for future costly repairs or replacement of your systems which can result in $1000’s of dollars in costs. Also, by helping to reduce the amount of dust circulating in your home, regular cleaning of your Furnace and Ducts can even help you save on cleaning costs for your homes furniture, draperies and carpeting! <back

How often should I have my Furnace and Air Ducts professionally cleaned?

Ducts:
For maximum reduction of dust and airborne contaminates, We recommend that your furnace and Air ducts are cleaned every 2 Heating seasons. For those who have allergies,smoke,have peta or are especially sensitive to airborne contaminates, we recommend cleaning every year. Regular monthly replacement and cleaning of your air filter mayalso help to reduce airborne contaminates in between cleanings.

Furnace:
iMidwest recommends that when you clean your Air Ducts that you also have your furnace cleaned and inspected. This assists the proper operation of your system and can help prevent costly repairs or replacement. <back

I just built/bought a new house, how do I know if the Air ducts have been cleaned?

In our years of experience we have surveyed both builders, and homeowners who are selling their homes. We have found that alot of homeowners who are selling their homes and some builders do not have the furnace and duct systems cleaned and inspected prior to sale. If you are a new homeowner, look for a Midwest Home Services Sticker with the next scheduled cleaning date. If there is no sticker, odds are it has not been done! <back

What method does MHS use for Furnace and Air Duct Cleaning?
At Midwest Home Services, we use the patented “Air Snake” cleaning method.

Our Technicians start by attaching an industrial strength vacuum to the system, which creates a pulling action throughout the duct system. Then we use high-pressure compressed air and an Air Snake to clean each individual vent and the trunk lines of your system.

From there the technician inspects and cleans your furnace components including your blower motor, combustion chamber, heat exchanger, burner and checks for pilot operation.They also inspect and if needed recommend the proper replacement size of your filter. The technician additionally checks your vent pipe for proper draft.Last the technician restarts your furnace or boiler to insure proper operation. They also provide a written record of your cleaning and inspection findings. <back

How does MHS’s Air Duct Cleaning method differ from using a big truck?
Many years ago, cleaning professionals needed to use a large truck as part of the cleaning process due to the lack of proper portable equipment. With the technological advancements in industrial strength vacuums and portable high-pressured equipment, the truck has become unnecessary.

The long wide hoses that are associated with the trucks, although impressive looking, may experience reduced efficiencies. The longer the hose, the less amount of cleaning action you are able to receive per square inch. The challenge is to get as close to the Furnace as possible for maximum cleaning power. Additionally, bringing the equipment closer to the source, helps reduce the length of hose running through a customers home thereby reducing the opportunity for tripping hazards.

At Midwest Home Services, we use high powered, industrial strength, portable equipment that is close to the Furnace for maximum cleaning power with a minimum amount of hoses running from the outside to the inside of your home.

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Chimney and Fireplace Maintenance and Cleaning

What benefits are derived from having my Chimney and Fireplace regularly maintained and cleaned?
According to the State Fire Marshall’s office, of the thousands of Minnesota fires over the past few years, 25-30% originated in chimneys. Annual cleaning of your chimney’s flue eliminates the chance of a chimney fire due to creosote buildup and protects your family and your home.

Annual inspection of your chimney and fireplace can also help to save you $1000’s of dollars down the road in costly repairs. By cleaning and inspecting your Chimney and Fireplace on an annual basis you can address any repair or maintenance issues today and save you the expense of costly repair or complete re-stacking of your chimney. <back

How often should I have my Chimney and Fireplace professionally cleaned and inspected?
We recommend that your Chimney and Fireplace is cleaned and inspected every year or every 30-40 fires. <back

What method does MHS use for Chimney and Fireplace Cleaning?
Midwest Home Services uses the European cleaning method.

This method utilizes a wire brush sized for your chimney and long flexible rods to clean the length of the chimney’s flue. This technique eliminates the chance of a chimney fire due to the removal of creosote build-up. Our Technicians prefer to work from the roof, however they can attain the same results from inside the home should that be necessary.

From the inside of the home our Technicians use hand held brushes to clean the lower portion of the chimney and fireplace. They clean the smoke shelf, smoke chamber, damper and firebox. This helps to prevent odor problems you may have noticed or keep them from occurring.

As part of this process our Technicians also perform a 14-Point Safety Inspection. This helps them to find and advise you on any structural or mechanical problems they might discover with the chimney or the fireplace. <back

Does MHS Repair Chimneys?
Midwest Home Services is able to perform many commonly required maintenance and repair needs for your fireplace and chimney. These include installing proper chimney caps, tuct pointing, waterproofing, crown repair, and basic Chimney Masonry work. Midwest Home Services also provides animal removal. We use quality professional grade materials to insure that your chimney and fireplace are kept in top condition for your family’s health and safety.

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What are MHS’s hours of operation?
We schedule appointments Monday – Friday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM. And Saturdays From 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

How do I schedule an appointment?
To schedule an appointment simply click the Schedule a Visit page.

You may also contact us at 612-724-1549 to schedule your appointment directly.

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© Angies List is a web-based consumer organization that compiles customer Feedback about various business’s. In 2001 MHS received their highest ranking under the name Advanced Cleaning which is a sub-division of MHS.