EPA’s dated cleaning guidance
EPA says cleaning is as-needed, not routine, and covers forced-air components; encapsulants coat interior duct surfaces; sealing targets air leaks. Conditions to consider: substantial visible mold on hard ducts or equipment, vermin, excessive dust or debris, or particles released into the home; correct underlying causes first. The October 1997 guide says cleaning has not been shown to prevent health problems and finds little evidence duct-only cleaning improves efficiency. EPA, “EPA duct-cleaning guide”
What the proposal should make explicit
For every service line, record the components and sections included or excluded, the condition and location cited, and the evidence supplied for that condition. Ask the contractor to identify the intended work target in plain language; if a quote says only “sealant,” record that the target is unclear and request a written explanation. For example, a hypothetical quote saying only “complete duct service” leaves the included work unclear; request named sections, the stated condition, and its supporting evidence. Do not infer that a listed condition exists in your home.
ENERGY STAR lists high utility bills, rooms difficult to heat or cool, stuffy rooms, ducts in attics, crawlspaces or garages, and tangled or kinked flexible ducts as examples associated with poorly performing ducts. They are general clues, not proof of leakage in a particular home or of the right intervention. ENERGY STAR, “Duct Sealing”
Check the claim as well as the scope
For any promised outcome, record the exact claim and the evidence attached to that specific work. Leave unsupported outcomes and diagnoses unknown.
This is a proposal-comparison aid, not an inspection, diagnosis, treatment recommendation, or authorization to perform work. Do not open ducts, apply products, or test the system to resolve a missing proposal detail.