Duct Cleaning Glossary

Plain-English explainers for the technical terms, rebates, regulations, and acronyms that show up when you shop for Duct Cleaning systems and services. Each entry links the underlying source, lists the numbers that matter, and points to related concepts.

AI-assisted educational content. For general orientation only — not professional advice and may contain errors, omissions, or outdated information. Verify any specific claim with the cited source before acting on it. Full disclaimer ↓
ACR, the NADCA Standard
NADCA's written rulebook for assessing, cleaning, and restoring HVAC systems — the benchmark a quality duct cleaning is measured against.
Aeroseal (Duct Sealing)
A duct-sealing system that blows an aerosol sealant through pressurized ducts to close leaks from the inside — with a measured before/after number.
ASCS (Air Systems Cleaning Specialist)
NADCA's individual technician certification — the person-level credential behind a NADCA member company.
Dryer Vent Cleaning
Clearing the lint that builds up in the dryer's exhaust line — a fire-safety service, not just maintenance.
Duct Leakage
Conditioned air escaping through gaps in the ductwork — the problem duct sealing fixes, measured as leakage at a test pressure.
IICRC Certification
The cleaning-and-restoration credential body — the relevant standard when duct work crosses into mold remediation.
HVAC Mold Remediation
Removing and treating mold inside ductwork — a scoped restoration job, not a default sanitizing add-on.
NADCA (National Air Duct Cleaners Association)
The industry body that writes the air-duct cleaning standard — membership is the clearest signal a duct cleaner does the job right.
Negative Pressure (HEPA Vacuum)
Putting the duct system under suction with a HEPA-filtered vacuum so dislodged debris is pulled out, not blown into your rooms.
NFPA 96 (Commercial Kitchen Exhaust)
The fire-safety standard governing commercial kitchen grease-exhaust cleaning — the code behind restaurant duct work.
Source Removal
The NADCA-required cleaning method — physically dislodge debris and vacuum it out under negative pressure, instead of just fogging or blowing.
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