Air ducts are an essential part of any air conditioning system, and regular cleaning is necessary to ensure maximum efficiency. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends cleaning air ducts every three to five years, but this can vary depending on the environment and other factors. Location, climate, and the use of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning all play a role in determining how often you should clean your air ducts. Additionally, mold and disease can be signs that your ducts need to be cleaned.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that duct cleaning has not been proven to prevent health problems. However, it can reduce or eliminate allergens that build up in your home's airflow systems. If you notice visible mold, signs of pests, or excess dust and dirt entering the rooms, it's time to clean your air ducts. Cleaning your air ducts is a job best left to the professionals.
Each air duct cleaning company will have a slightly different process, but they will all have a similar overall approach. Professional air duct cleaning services have unique tools to get the job done right. Homes with pets or children with allergies should clean their air ducts more often than the recommended average. If you share the house with pets that move in, the amount of dust, dirt and hair inside the vents will increase, forcing you to clean the ducts more often.
Also consider cleaning the ducts if there is a musty or burning smell when the oven is turned on. You can do the job yourself with the right instructions from a reliable online source or with a DIY manual. However, professional air duct cleaning services specialize in this process and are better equipped to get the job done right. The number of people and animals that reside in your home is an important factor in determining how often you should clean your air ducts. Some HVAC companies suggest that a home's air conditioning ducts must be cleaned at least once every three to five years to ensure that hair, dust and dirt don't affect the air quality of the home or cause health problems.
