The heating and cooling system is a necessary component of every house, but the air ducts themselves are a part of that system that many homeowners neglect until problems arise. In this short article, we’ll look at how often to clean your air ducts and whether you should include duct cleaning as part of your standard heating and air conditioning system maintenance.
When dust or debris collects in the air ducts, air travels along these dusty corridors, and connected air conditioners and heaters may end up having to work harder than usual to force air through the system. This often also results in less-than-optimal home air quality. Furthermore, when dirt builds up within the ductwork, it can cause wear on your ductwork itself and even result in leaks if the situation is substantial.
Primary Reasons For Needing an Air Duct Cleaning
Dust, debris, and hair accumulate in your air ducts as a natural consequence of living in an industrialized world. Removing these contaminants can improve the quality of your airflow and even eliminate allergens from your home. Duct cleaning not only promotes better indoor air quality but also helps to prevent debris from returning into your heating system, extending its longevity. In a nutshell, keeping your heating and cooling equipment clean will allow everything to function more effectively while saving you money on energy bills.
The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends that your air ducts get a cleaning every two to five years. However, if you have pets or there is construction or renovation work near your home, you may want to have your air ducts cleaned more often. This is dependent on your home’s environment and the type of air filters you are using.
Regular maintenance of your heating and cooling system, including air duct cleaning, can help ensure that your system is running at peak performance and helps extend the life of your equipment. If you are unsure whether or not you need your air ducts cleaned, contact a qualified air duct cleaner like CleanCo to evaluate your system and get an estimate.
The equipment in your home may need to be maintained once a year to keep your systems running efficiently and effectively. You can keep everything performing well for years to come by taking care of your air duct systems. We are available to service a wide range of modern heating and cooling/ventilation systems.
Air Ducts Cleaning Time-Frames
Every two years is the average frequency for duct cleaning in the Northwest. Particularly if the house has smokers, shedding pets, water damage, deterioration to the house or HVAC system, residents with allergies or asthma, or you’ve had a recent home remodeling.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published basic information on air duct cleaning, including their recommendations. While they don’t give a specific time frame for how often your air ducts should be cleaned, they suggest signs to look for when it’s time to get them cleaned.
When you have an air duct system in your home, you should be mindful that there are indications when it’s time to clean your air ducts. You may notice minor modifications to objects around you, or you could have symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Keep an eye out for these revealing signals so you can tell when it’s time to clean your ducts.
Noticeable Dust in Ducts
This is the most apparent signal that it’s time to call in a professional. If you can see debris buildup after removing a vent cover, this indicates that your ducts have not been cleaned in a while, and they need to be.
Dust Accumulation Around the Registers
If you keep pumping your AC in your house, the air ducts will be working all of the time. Small particles may accumulate as dirt, cells, pet dander, and even hazardous allergies are filtered into cold or hot air. The amount of dust and debris can increase over time and cause issues with your health.
If you’re breathing in this mix of dust 24 hours a day, seven days a week, you and your family could suffer from minor to severe respiratory issues that make it difficult to breathe or cough that won’t go away. If your air ducts need cleaning, you may have persistent runny or stuffy noses.
Increased Allergy Symptoms
A dusty house can make allergy sufferers miserable. The last thing anyone wants is to not feel like you can’t breathe properly in your own home. If your nose itches, your throat itches, or your eyes are watering, you may not automatically point to your air ducts. This may be an indication that your air ducts need cleaning, if you continually have persistent cold-like symptoms.
You could be breathing in much more dust and allergens than you realize, allowing it to build up in your lungs, which is very likely to cause respiratory distress of some kind. Just consider that your air ducts may be clogged if you’re frequently finding yourself under the weather.
Moldy Smells
Mold thrives in humid, wet, and dark places like air ducts. While no specific odor accompanies decay, it has a musty, dusty aroma that tickles your senses when you come into direct contact with it.
If you detect a strange and possibly moldy odor when you turn your air conditioner or heater on, it’s time to clean your ducts. Breathing in musty air may induce throat irritation or persistent coughing.
View this helpful resource from the EPA to learn more about having your air ducts cleaned.