Air ducts, like any other air conditioning system, require regular cleaning to ensure maximum efficiency. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends cleaning air ducts every three to five years. However, in some environments, the need to clean commercial air ducts is more immediate. There are a few factors that influence when it comes to setting how often you should clean your duct systems. Every 3 to 5 years is a standard recommendation, but you may want to consider doing it more often depending on certain factors.
The average duct system must be cleaned every two to five years. If your system is properly maintained and filters are changed twice a year, you can increase the time between professional cleanings. If your system has never been cleaned and has been active on your property for more than three years, it's probably due to a cleaning. Even a single station can accumulate enough dust and dirt in the system to make it less efficient than it was when it was first installed.
Changing air filters frequently is the best way to keep dust, allergens, and other particles out of your home. If you have a newly installed system or a system in a house you just moved into, check the filter once a month to determine how quickly it gets dirty at different times of the year. Most should be replaced every two to three months. Cleaning HVAC ducts doesn't take as much time as, say, replacing the entire system, but you'll still want to set aside time during a season when you probably won't need your system so that the duct cleaning company has enough time to fully clean the ductwork before you need to use your HVAC. If you suspect that there is a mold problem, either because of visible growth or because of a musty smell that constantly comes from the supply grilles, cleaning the ducts won't do much good if you don't get rid of the mold.
One of the most important factors in determining how often you should clean your air ducts is the number of people and animals that live in your home. While there is no need to clean the ducts when there is little dust, hair and other debris, there are times when the best option is to clean the ducts. However, duct cleaning doesn't usually change the quality of the air you breathe, nor will it significantly affect airflows or heating costs. The best times to clean ducts are in spring or early fall, after you have stopped using the air conditioning system to cool or heat the property and before you have to use it again. When you hire professional duct cleaning companies, they know what to look for for signs of mold and almost always offer a service to eliminate and eliminate the infestation.
You should also keep in mind that sharing your home with pets that lose hair will increase the amount of dust, dirt and hair inside the vents, so you need to clean the ducts more often. Small amounts of dirt don't affect air quality inside the house, and HVAC ducts don't need frequent cleaning. While professional air duct cleaning may not seem necessary, you might be surprised at the level of expertise it requires. Also, consider cleaning the ducts if there is a musty, burning smell when you turn on the oven.
The most likely culprits are the cooling system's evaporator coils, which your heating and air conditioning contractor and most duct cleaning companies can inspect and maintain. If you or someone in your family has asthma or allergies, you may want to consider cleaning your home's heating and air conditioning ducts. Experts recommend cleaning air ducts every 2 to 3 years to prevent many maintenance and health problems before they occur.
