Every few years, you should bring in a professional to perform residential duct cleaning in order to improve the air quality in your home. This eliminates harmful dust and allergens that get into your air ducts, thus making the air you breathe on a daily basis healthier. But what is a duct cleaning professional? What sort of training do air duct cleaning companies require? The information below will explain how a person enters into the field of air duct cleaning and what sort of education and training they need.

Becoming an HVAC Professional

Residential duct cleaning is part of the larger field of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, commonly known as HVAC. Becoming an HVAC professional does not require a college degree, but somebody who aspires to this role does need to complete at least some postsecondary training. After receiving a high school diploma or the equivalent, an aspiring HVAC professional should seek out certification in the field. This can come in the form of a one-year training program, a two-year associate’s degree, or a four-year bachelor’s degree. Generally speaking, longer training times allow a future professional to learn a specialty such as residential services, which has the most relevance to duct cleaning.

Apprenticeship

While not strictly required, most HVAC professionals benefit from an apprenticeship period. This training involves working closely with an experienced professional and picking up skills along the way. An apprenticeship is an ideal way to pick up real-world experience and witness some of the unusual situations that can come up during residential duct cleaning jobs that one misses when studying in a classroom. A typical apprenticeship lasts between three and five years. During this time, the HVAC professional learns both in the classroom and in the field. Following the successful completion of an apprenticeship, the new HVAC professional is able to take on professional jobs solo.

Ongoing Training

Different states and provinces in North America require different continuing levels of certification. Additionally, as ventilation systems grow and change, a professional needs to remain up to date on the latest technology. Of course, not every home stays up to date with the march of advancement—in fact, many buildings stick to older systems until governmental codes and regulations come into play. For this reason, somebody involved in residential duct cleaning needs to remain well-versed in existing systems while also actively learning new technologies and trends. Most areas require some level of continued education and training in order to maintain proper levels of certification.

Engaging in a profession in residential duct cleaning means taking the time to learn about ventilation systems in residences and commercial businesses. It also means learning at the feet of an expert in the field and continuing to develop new knowledge as ventilation systems and air ducts continue to advance. As this role protects a family’s breathing air in their home, it is only appropriate for a professional in the field to meet and exceed these educational requirements to the best of their ability.