Air ducts are an essential part of any air conditioning system, and regular cleaning is necessary to ensure optimal efficiency. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends cleaning air ducts every three to five years. However, certain environments may require more frequent commercial air duct cleaning. The frequency of cleaning depends on a variety of factors, such as the location, climate, and use of HVAC.
Other problems, such as mold and diseases, can also be an indication that ducts need to be cleaned. When it comes to setting how often you should clean your duct systems, the standard recommendation is every three to five years. However, certain conditions may require more frequent cleaning. For instance, if you share your home with pets that shed hair, you should clean the ducts more often.
Small amounts of dirt don't usually affect air quality inside the house, so HVAC ducts don't need to be cleaned too often. If you have recently completed a home remodeling project, it is important to ensure proper cleaning as sawdust and other debris can infiltrate the ducts. If you suffer from severe allergies or live in an area with high pollen or allergen content, you should reduce the time between air duct cleanings. The EPA takes a different stance on air duct cleaning, noting that it has not been proven to prevent health problems. However, in large quantities, dust and dirt can pose a hazard to air quality, so it's important to check the vents regularly and clean the ducts if an excessive amount of dirt enters the house through the exhaust vents.
When children, the elderly or newborns live in the house, it is important to take care of indoor air quality and choose to clean the air ducts if there is visible mold, signs of pests, or excessive dust and dirt entering rooms. One of the most important factors in determining how often air ducts should be cleaned is the number of people and animals that live in your home. Professional air duct cleaning may not seem necessary at first glance, but it requires a high level of expertise. You can reduce the frequency of cleaning air ducts or eliminate it completely by keeping your home less dusty.
