How Frequently Should Your Air Ducts be Cleaned?
How Often Should You Clean Your Air Ducts?
While your home’s air ducts are out of sight for the most part, they should definitely not be out of mind. Their job is an important one in carrying clean air throughout your home. If they become neglected, you could end up with a whole host of issues from inefficiency to health problems. Cleaning your air ducts and vents helps improve your overall indoor air quality by preventing dust and debris from accumulating inside the system. But how do you know when they need to be cleaned?
It’s recommended that homeowners have their ducts cleaned every three to five years, but exactly when you should schedule a cleaning depends on a few factors such as your geographic location, how often you use your HVAC system, and whether you have any family members with respiratory issues. Frequent cleaning can help avoid allergic responses and health problems for those at higher risk.
How do I know if my air ducts need to be cleaned?
To find out if your air ducts need to be cleaned, not only can you hire a professional, but there are also a few signs you should look out for that could indicate it’s time for a cleaning:
- Mold – If you have a suspicion that mold has grown inside the air ducts or if you've been smelling a musty odor inside your home for a while, it’s definitely important to get assistance in determining if your ducts need cleaning.
- Excessive dust – If you observe a cloud of dust coming out of your air vents, or if there is any black debris or dust around the air vent, your air ducts are likely in desperate need of cleaning. While changing your air filter, take a look within the system; significant dust buildup in that area is another sign that they need to be cleaned.
- Pests – If there are any unwelcome visitors in the ducts, or if you hear scratching or buzzing from your ductwork, you should have your air ducts cleaned by a professional right away.
Do you have excessive or unexplained cold or allergy symptoms?
Clean air ducts generally help support better overall health. If your ducts are dirty, dusty, or moldy, the polluted air is being circulated throughout your home, which could be triggering or even causing allergy and cold-like symptoms in those who reside there. Dust mites that feed on human waste can survive in the buildup, causing allergic responses.
Not only is healthy air quality important for all residents of your home, but it is even more critical for family members who may have respiratory problems or are more susceptible to illness. Air quality is also incredibly important for homes with newborns, children, or elderly.
How can you improve your home’s air quality?
Cleaning and maintaining your home’s air ducts is definitely one important step in improving your home’s air quality. But did you know that air filtration systems, dehumidifiers, and humidifiers can also help you maintain a healthy home? If you’re curious about the benefits of air purification, we’re here to answer any questions you might have and even explore the options available for your home.
At Technical Hot & Cold we believe everyone deserves to breathe clean, healthy air. We are dedicated to making your indoor air quality the best it can be!
