Did you know that dirty air ducts can significantly affect your and your family’s health? Once dust, dirt, and allergens accumulate in them, they can start releasing into your interior and cause all sorts of adverse reactions and health issues.
Knowing the answer to the question, “How do I know if my air ducts need to be cleaned?” is essential to ensuring a safer indoor environment and optimizing the performance of your HVAC system.
However, sometimes your air ducts may be subject to more insidious issues. Diagnosing anything other than dust buildup can be challenging if you lack the know-how, which may endanger your environment’s safety. We’re talking about mold, pest infestations, and the like.
At Clearview Air Duct Cleaning, the well-being of your home and your comfort are our priorities. So, stick with us to learn the different signs your air ducts need to be cleaned and the best cleaning advice!
What Are Air Ducts?
Air ducts are the network of passages and channels that make up part of your HVAC system and “end” at your air vents. They distribute the heated or cooled air your air conditioning system generates throughout your building to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures.
How Do Air Ducts Get Dirty?
Air ducts pull in air from the surrounding environment as your HVAC system operates. This air can contain a variety of pollutants, including dust and pet hair. Other than dust, air can also carry biological contaminants like mold spores and pollen, which are dangerous to allergic individuals.
Without regular maintenance and cleaning, these particles can settle and accumulate on the inner surfaces of your air ducts. Herein lies the problem; these particles can eventually find their way back into your indoor environment and cause many issues.
Inadequate filtration, open windows, and construction can also exacerbate the accumulation of these particles, which brings us to our guide.
How Do I Know If My Air Ducts Need Cleaning?
There are several ways to know whether your air ducts need cleaning. Let’s break them down for you.
Dust and Debris Buildup
This is the most common reason for cleaning air ducts; all ducts will accumulate dust and debris after some time.
If you notice an excessive amount of dust particles releasing into the air or if your home accumulates dust quickly after cleaning, that’s significant enough dust has accumulated in your ducts to merit a thorough cleaning.
Visible Mold Growth
Mold growth is a common occurrence in humid areas or if water has recently seeped into your air ducts.
You must clean your air ducts if you can see mold growth inside them (or on any other components of your HVAC system). Mold is dangerous in the sense that it can cause adverse allergic reactions and respiratory problems, endangering your and your family’s health.
Pest Infestation
Some insects and vermin can live and nest in your air ducts, contaminating the air with their droppings and debris. Professional cleaning is necessary if you suspect or have evidence of their presence.
Allergy or Respiratory Issues
Your HVAC system could be the culprit if you or a family member is still experiencing unexplained allergy symptoms or respiratory problems after ruling out other potential causes (seasonal changes, contact with allergens, etc.).
If enough dust and contaminants accumulate on the inner surfaces of your air ducts, they can circulate throughout your indoor space and affect indoor air quality.
Foul Odors
Persistent, unpleasant, and unexplained odors within your living space could signify mold or bacteria in your air ducts. While the odors themselves don’t pose a risk, their causes do, and you should promptly clean your air ducts if that’s the case.
Construction or Renovation
Cleaning your HVAC system in its entirety after completing a renovation or construction work is a good idea. All the debris and dust you lift can accumulate in your air ducts and impact your indoor air quality and the efficiency of your air conditioning system.
How Often Should I Clean My Air Ducts?
Thankfully, depending on some factors, you may not need to clean your air ducts often.
The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that you clean your air ducts only when there’s visible mold growth or pest infestation or when they release excessive amounts of debris and particles into your indoor environment. Click here to read the EPA’s article on this topic.
The National Air Duct Cleaning Association (NADCA) suggests cleaning your air ducts every three to five years or when needed but also recommends getting your HVAC system inspected at least once a year to stay up-to-date with its condition.
However, you may need to clean your air ducts more often if you live in an older house, have more pets, have smokers among your family members, or suffer from respiratory problems or allergies.
You should also clean your air ducts after moving into a new home, especially if you do any construction or renovation work, as they can often be neglected by previous owners.
It’s always a good idea to consult with a professional and get an inspection if you’re stumped.
How Can I Clean My Air Ducts?
Unlike cleaning air vents, cleaning air ducts is more complex and often requires specialized equipment, meaning you’ll struggle with reaching deep into the channels and thoroughly cleaning their inner surfaces.
You may also stir up dangerous contaminants and spread them around your interior, risking a less-safe living environment. And it’s near impossible to eliminate a pest infestation or mold growth without the assistance of a professional.
If you’d rather do the job yourself, notwithstanding its risks (especially if you’re dealing with dust buildup), you’ll need the following:
- Microfiber cloths
- Vacuum cleaner
- Stiff-bristled brushes
First, shut off your HVAC system to prevent dust and debris from spreading around your home. Once done, unscrew and detach the vent covers to access the duct openings.
Using your long hose vacuum cleaner attachment, vacuum the vents and duct openings to remove loose dust and debris. If your hose attachment allows it, reach deeper into the air ducts and brush off the stubborn buildup.
Once done vacuuming, wipe down the vents using the stiff-bristled brush, then follow up with a damp microfiber cloth. Reattach your air vents once finished.
Cleaning Air Ducts: Pros and Cons of Hiring a Professional
We emphasized the importance of hiring a professional to clean your air ducts. Let’s tell you why.
Pros
These are the reasons why hiring a professional is a good idea:
- Expertise and Experience: Professionals have the training, knowledge, and experience to provide a comprehensive cleaning service and eliminate any problems you may face.
- Specialized Equipment: Professionals have equipment specifically designed for dust cleaning, including high-powered vacuums, rotary brushes, etc. They allow them to reach deep into the ductwork and tackle any kind of buildup.
- Safety: Professionals take many precautions to minimize spreading particles into your home through cleaning, ensuring a healthy and safe indoor environment during and after cleaning.
- Thorough Inspection: Professionals can also conduct a thorough inspection of your air ducts to identify more insidious issues, such as water damage and mold growth, and recommend the best course of action.
Cons
Expectedly, hiring a professional does have a drawback.
- Labor Costs: Labor costs are the main deterrent to hiring a professional. You can save up a significant amount of money by cleaning your air ducts yourself.
How Much Does Cleaning Air Ducts Cost?
In short, according to the NADCA and EPA, cleaning the air ducts of an average-sized home can cost anywhere from $450 to $1,000. We also highlighted that the national average is $750.
This cost largely depends on your system’s size, which professionals measure by the number of supply and return vents or the square footage of your home.
It also reflects the price of the basic service: getting rid of dust and debris buildup. More severe issues like pest infestations or mold can warrant higher labor costs. Bigger homes also have larger HVAC systems that’ll cost more to clean.
Some professionals charge by the vent or hour, while others offer cleaning packages or custom services. So, it’s always a good idea to compare and contrast the services and pricing of several contractors before deciding on one.
Conclusion
Cleaning your air ducts when needed is the best way to ensure a healthy living environment and an efficient HVAC system. Good signs you need to clean your air ducts include visible mold growth, excessive release of particles into your home, unexplained foul odors, or respiratory issues.
While it’s feasible, we recommend against cleaning air ducts by yourself. Professionals have the specialized tools to reach every nook and cranny and provide a comprehensive cleaning service.
At Clearview Air Duct Cleaning, your health and comfort are our priorities. Contact us to get a quote today!
