If you are someone who has an HVAC system with a range of 2 to 5 years without having the ducts cleaned, it may be the right time to do it. Sometimes, as seasons come and go, you may even completely forget about it for years or decades. In such cases, you will definitely need duct-cleaning assistance.

Although there is no scientific evidence that regular duct cleaning improves indoor air quality as mentioned by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the recommendation is to keep the HVAC system in a good condition by having it regularly inspected, maintained and changing filters when necessary.

Here we have a few recommendations when considering duct cleaning for the first time:

The frequency of air duct (HVAC) cleaning

The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends cleaning your air ducts every three to five years. But you should also consider duct cleaning when moving into a new house, after completing a home remodeling project or if you have pets that shed fur. The presence of residents with health conditions like allergies or asthma is another factor to take into account.

Evidence to clean ducts

As stated above, the right timing for an air duct cleaning is not something easy to decide, but sometimes there will be evidence that you can look out for to warn you if it is time for an air duct cleaning. If you suspect that mold exists in the air ducts, growing or blocking the flow of air to your furnace, you should call a reliable duct cleaning service.

Another sign may be found when changing your filter. If there’s a lot of dust buildup in that area, that’s another sign you are overdue for a cleaning. A third sign might be noticing insects or rodents entering or exiting ductwork. If you’re concerned about your ductwork, don’t hesitate to check with our experienced team of HVAC specialists.

Cleaning the Ducts

The most effective way to clean an air duct and ventilation system is to use a specialized, powerful vacuum machine that puts the air duct system under negative pressure. While the vacuum draws air through the system, devices are inserted into the ducts to dislodge contaminants and debris from the interior surfaces, moving the debris from the home’s air ducts and ventilation systems into the vacuum. A lot of dust and dirt accumulate in the other parts of the cooling and heating mechanism, and in these situations, they will need to be replaced.  

Having clean air ducts means living in a clean indoor environment, improving your family’s health; and do not forget that the build-up of dirt that prevents the air from flowing throughout the system makes it work harder and, therefore, costing more to operate normally.