Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it’s even more important for air duct cleaning companies that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For AWC, the best way to keep customers satisfied is to offer them a versatile suite of services that aren’t typically found in one place. “The fact that we clean everything from air ducts to windows essentially makes us a one-stop shop for home maintenance, which is helpful for people who want to get a lot of things done at once,” says co-owner Joe Frediani. “Plus, we offer a discount for ordering multiple services during one appointment, so it’s a real win-win for our customers.”

AWC has been cleaning air ducts, dryer vents, windows, and gutters for residential and commercial clients in San Mateo, Santa Clara, and San Francisco Counties since 1946. The family-owned and operated company uses pressure washers and other state-of-the-art equipment to complete jobs quickly and efficiently, and it’s available 24/7 for its customers’ convenience.

Unlike less experienced air duct cleaning companies that lack the resources and training to offer responsive service, AWC is quick to reply to its customers and take care of their needs. “When a customer calls us, they talk to a live person who addresses their concerns and sends a technician in a timely fashion,” says co-owner Ron Frediani. “It’s rare for us to not be on a jobsite within 48 hours of the customer’s call. We just do our best to be there when they need us.”

Ultimately, the Frediani family sees AWC’s seven decades of experience as its most important attribute. “We’ve been in business for 70 years, which is practically unheard of for home maintenance companies, so our customers have a lot of assurance that we’ll be able to handle their jobs,” says co-owner Carol Frediani. “They know they can call us any time and we’ll help them with their cleaning needs.”

While an airtight home is good for energy efficiency, it makes air quality a greater concern.

“Due to improvements in modern window and door technology, today’s homes are more tightly sealed than ever,” explains Joe Frediani, co-owner of AWC in Millbrae. “While this is good for keeping conditioned air inside the home, one drawback is the home isn’t able to ‘breathe’ very well. As a result, all the air that gets circulated through the HVAC system tends to stay inside, which can make it challenging to maintain a high level of air quality.”

This lack of ventilation is further exacerbated by the increased use of heating and air conditioning in today’s world. “Between heating in the winter and air conditioning in the summer, the HVAC systems in most homes are running all the time,” says AWC co-owner Ron Frediani. “This increased use means a greater amount of airborne particles being circulated through the system, which results in more dust accumulating in the air filter and ductwork.”

With this in mind, consider the following steps for maintaining air quality in your home:

Change your HVAC filter regularly. Filters should be changed in accordance with the manufacturer-recommended interval. For example, if your filter is rated for three months, be sure to replace it every three months.

Upgrade to a better filter. Standard 1-inch fiberglass filters only provide a minimal amount of filtration, whereas high-grade, pleated filters do a better job of capturing dust, allergens and other airborne particles.

Have your air ducts periodically cleaned. A home’s air ducts should be professionally cleaned every two to three years, and more often if there are inhabitants with severe allergies or respiratory issues. Remember, effective air duct cleaning requires the right equipment and techniques, so be sure to hire a certified professional for the job.