
Before we jump into how to clean ventilation ducts, let’s get one thing straight: you can’t just clean part of the system and expect it to work. At IVAeris Oy, we don’t mess around with half-measures. If you’re going to do it, do it right.
According to Section 13 of the Rescue Act (379/2011, amended by Act 1078/2018), it is the responsibility of the building owner, holder, and operator to ensure that ventilation ducts and equipment are maintained and cleaned regularly to prevent fire hazards. This obligation applies to both common areas and areas under the control of the apartment holder.
Proper Cleaning Methods for Ventilation Systems in Finland
Here’s the deal—Cleaning air ducts isn’t just about sweeping out a few dust bunnies. The entire HVAC system needs attention. If you skip parts, you’re setting yourself up for failure. The dirt will come back, and you’ll be right back where you started, wasting time and money.
Think about it like this: you wouldn’t mop half your kitchen floor and call it a day. It’s the same with your HVAC system. In Finland, the standard is clear—clean everything. That’s how you keep the air quality high and your system running smoothly. It’s not just our opinion; it’s backed by the Ministry of the Environment’s Decree 1009/2017. So, if you want results, do it the IVAeris way — thorough, by the book, and no shortcuts.
Components That Must Be Cleaned

When it comes to cleaning your air ventilation system, you’ve got to hit every single one of these components, or you’re just spinning your wheels:
Ventilation ducts
Heat exchangers
Drain pans
Registers (vents or valves in Finland)
Grills
Air plenums
Blower motors and assemblies
Filters
Air cleaners
If you skip any of these, impurities may remain in the system, which can affect its functionality and energy efficiency. However, it is important to note that there is no scientific evidence of direct health benefits from cleaning ventilation ducts. Cleaning primarily ensures the technical operation and fire safety of the system, and it does not automatically improve indoor air quality. Bottom line: If you clean, do it thoroughly and for the sake of the system's condition.

Key Aspects of Air Ventilation Cleaning
Let’s cut to the chase. When you’re cleaning an air ventilation system, you’ve got two main jobs: break up the dirt and get it out—no half-measures.
Loosening Contaminants
First, you’ve got to tackle the source. You need to dislodge the grime stuck inside your system. At IVAeris Oy, we stick to methods that work:
Brushes: These scrub the inner surfaces, clearing out the dirt stuck to your vents.
Air whips and compressed air nozzles: These blast away loose debris, making sure nothing stays behind.
Contact vacuuming: This captures those loosened particles on the spot, so they don’t end up floating around.
This step is all about making sure every inch of your air ventilation system is spotless.
Collection of Contaminants
Here’s the deal — while you’re cleaning, you need to keep the entire system under continuous negative pressure. That means vacuuming the entire time to suck up airborne particles before they have a chance to settle somewhere else. This isn’t just for show. In Finland, maintaining high air quality post-cleaning is a must. At IVAeris Oy, we make sure every move we make aligns with health and safety regulations. Clean system, clean air, no shortcuts.
Accessing the System
Let’s be real—cleaning an air ventilation system isn’t rocket science, but every job has its quirks. You’ve got to know where to get inside the ducts, and ideally, you’ll use what’s already there:
Supply diffusers
Return grills
Duct end caps
Existing service openings
Sometimes, though, you’ll need to create your own access points to reach every nook and cranny. But here’s the catch: cutting into ductwork and sealing it back up isn’t for amateurs. It takes skill and precision, the kind outlined by Finnish construction and maintenance standards. At IVAeris Oy, we make sure it’s done right, every time.

Equipment Requirements
When it comes to cleaning air ventilation systems, the right tools make all the difference. Whether you’re using a truck-mounted or portable vacuum system, the goal is the same—stop contaminants from spreading and get the job done to the highest standards. We’re talking about meeting Finnish and European regulations like the EN 15780 standard for ductwork cleanliness. At IVAeris Oy, we don’t just meet these standards — we exceed them.
Antimicrobial Chemicals
Here’s the hard truth—there’s zero solid evidence that pumping chemicals into your ductwork as a routine practice does any good. But there’s plenty of evidence that it could mess up your health or your system, especially if it soaks into things like silencers. So, proceed with caution.
That said, in some cases, antimicrobial chemicals like sanitizers, disinfectants, and deodorizers might have a place. Maybe. These can be applied to nonporous surfaces in your air ventilation system to handle microbial contamination and control odors, but only if you’re willing to take the risk.
In Finland, using these chemicals isn’t something you can just do on a whim. You’ve got to stick to the regulations laid out by the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes). At IVAeris Oy, our stance is clear—don’t even think about these treatments until after you’ve done a thorough mechanical cleaning, and only if it’s absolutely necessary. Make sure any chemicals you use are registered, approved, and applied safely. No shortcuts, no excuses.
Guide to Ventilation Duct Cleaning
Let’s cut to the chase—proper ventilation duct cleaning isn’t just important; it’s non-negotiable. At IVAeris Oy, we’ve got a step-by-step guide on how it’s done right. The process varies depending on your system type, but we’ve got you covered no matter what you’re running.

Whether you’ve got a mechanical supply and exhaust system (with or without heat recovery), an exhaust air system, an exhaust air heat pump system, or a natural ventilation system, we can handle it. Pricing? That depends on the size of your property and the complexity of your system. But here’s the deal: no matter what type of system you have, we follow a proven process every time:
Initial information and scheduling
Cleaning of terminal devices
Duct brushing
Inspection and cleaning of machines
Filter replacement
Airflow measurement and adjustment
Cleaning certificate and reporting
At IVAeris Oy, we don’t just clean—we deliver results, and we do it by the book, every time.
1. Before the Cleaning Work Begins
Project Management and Planning
Here’s how it works: The project manager locks in the timing of the job with the customer (you). They keep an eye on quality and stay in the loop with you throughout the process. The actual cleaning? That’s handled by our ventilation pros who know their stuff. The technician shows up on the agreed date, checks out the system, and if they haven’t already seen the ventilation drawings, they might ask for them before getting started.
Preparations
You don’t need to stick around while we do our thing. If you’re not home, just make sure the technician knows any house rules, like how to get in and what to do with the doors. Got pets? Let us know beforehand.
Our technician will need access to the registers (those vents or valves in your walls or ceilings), so make sure the area around them is clear. We’re not here to make a mess, but it’s a good idea to move any sensitive stuff and rugs out of the way. If any dust does get loose, don’t sweat it—the technician will clean up after themselves, leaving your place as they found it.

2. Washing the Registers
First things first—the registers inside your home are removed and washed by hand. We don’t cut corners here. While we’re at it, we take photos to show you the state of your ducts and registers before and after the cleaning. Seeing is believing.
3. Brushing the Ducts

3A. Natural Ventilation System
For natural ventilation, we start by depressurizing the ducts. Then, we brush them down, loosening the dust so it’s sucked straight into the depressurizer. We typically place the depressurizer outside, like on the roof, and the dust is discharged outside. If the rain doesn’t take care of it, our technician will make sure it’s cleaned up.
3B. Exhaust Air System
With an exhaust air system, we crank it up to full power and brush the ducts towards the exhaust air machine. The dust gets pushed out onto the roof, and if the rain doesn’t wash it away, we’ve got it covered.
3C. Exhaust Air Heat Pump and Heat Recovery System
Here’s where it gets a bit technical. We stop the ventilation machine and depressurize the system. This can be done through the exhaust air or fresh air duct, with the depressurizer placed outside. If that’s not an option, we’ll do it from the inside with a depressurizer equipped with a filter unit. This way, no dust gets into your home—it all gets captured by the filter. We use a filter class of at least F7, which even stops pollen from getting through.
4. Inspection and Cleaning of Machines
After we’ve tackled the ducts, we dive into the heart of your system—the machines. We inspect every part of your ventilation setup, documenting any issues. Within 1-2 working days, you’ll get a detailed report outlining the problems if we found and how to fix them. When it comes to cleaning, we don’t mess around. We’ll vacuum, wipe down with microfiber cloths, or even wash the machines depending on how dirty they are. Got a roof fan? We’ll clean every part of it right up on the roof, including the housing, internal parts, and fan blades. For heat recovery systems, we remove the heat recovery cell, give it a thorough wash, disinfect it, and reinstall it like new.

5. Filter Change
This one’s pretty straightforward, but let’s clear up any confusion—we don’t clean old filters; we replace them. In Finland, the general recommendation is to change filters at least twice a year, in the spring and autumn. Our standard service doesn’t include new filters, but we can supply them if you’ve run out. Just let our technician know where your new filters are, or if you need us to bring some along.

If we’re cleaning something other than a heat exchange system, filters are still in play, just not in the air ventilation unit. They’re usually found in the replacement air registers, often located in window frames or on outside walls. If you’ve got new filters for these, we’ll swap them out too. However, these are typically changed by you and only need replacing once a year—unless you live in a heavily polluted area, then you might want to do it more often.
6. Measurement and Adjustment

Once your system is spotless, we get down to the fine-tuning. First, we check if the current adjustment is up to par—if it’s already been done right, there’s no need to mess with it. But let’s be real, that’s rarely the case. If we find that your system isn’t running as energy efficiently as it should be—meaning the adjustment wasn’t done according to FISE guidelines with the relative adjustment scheme—then our technician steps in. We measure and adjust the airflow register by register, ensuring it’s all balanced based on the weakest register in your system. This ensures everything is dialed in perfectly.
When it comes to setting the appropriate air volumes (l/s) for each room, we typically use the building’s ventilation drawings, which specify the required airflow rates. No drawings? We’ll check your old air volume adjustment documentation. No documentation? No problem. We’ll calculate the optimal airflow based on the current Finnish Building Code requirements. Just remember, a natural ventilation system can’t be adjusted, as it relies on temperature and wind conditions to move the air.
7. Cleaning Certificate and Reporting
When the job’s done, we don’t just pack up and leave—though, yes, we do that too. Before we go, the technician fills out a cleaning certificate and hands it over for your records. If we spotted any issues during the inspection, you’ll get a detailed report within a couple of days. Need proof of the work? We can provide a photographic cleaning log that shows exactly what was done and the measurements taken. But here’s the thing—it’s not part of our standard service. That kind of documentation takes time, and we’re more about taking action than sitting in the office. However, if you want it, we’re happy to provide it as a separate service. If all you need is a quick look, just let our technician know—they can show you the images on the spot and share them via Bluetooth at no extra charge.

This guide gives you the full picture, step by step, so you know exactly what goes into professional ventilation duct cleaning. Regular cleaning isn’t just about ticking a box; it’s about keeping your system running efficiently and ensuring a healthier living environment. Now, let’s be straight with you—ducts don’t need to be cleaned routinely, only when there’s a real reason for it. (More on "When Should Ventilation Ducts Be Cleaned?") Duct cleaning will boost your system’s performance, extend its lifespan, and help save energy, but it’s not a magic bullet for your health. The dust stays in the ducts; it’s not getting into your indoor air, so don’t fall for the scare tactics.
Got questions or need your ducts cleaned? Contact IVAeris Oy—our experts are ready to get to work.
WE KNOW, WE CARE & WE GET IT DONE
IVAeris Oy
010 206 3000