29 Nov How Often Should Residential Air Ducts Be Cleaned?

Air ducts are essential parts of any home’s HVAC system. These ducts help carry air throughout the rooms in your house to keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. But how often should residential air ducts be cleaned? Here is a brief guide on how frequently you should clean your home’s air ducts.

Why Air Ducts Need To Be Cleaned

Over time, air ducts can become dirty due to dust, debris, and mold buildup. This buildup can affect the quality of air in your home. You must clean your air ducts from time to time to maintain good air quality and keep your ducts in good condition.

While mild dust and debris buildup will not cause significant health risks to your family, mold and mildew buildup can. An accumulation of moisture within your air duct system can create an ideal environment for mold and mildew to grow, which you want to avoid. Therefore, cleanings are essential to rid your HVAC system of moisture.

How Often To Clean Air Ducts

Air ducts don’t necessarily need to be cleaned as frequently as you might expect. As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to clean your air ducts every three to five years for the best results. If your HVAC system isn’t experiencing any significant issues, you can stick to this three-to-five-year rule.

However, if you notice mold and mildew growth, you should contact an air duct cleaning service immediately as the spores can spread throughout the home and air, causing potential health risks to your family. If you are experiencing an insect or rodent infestation in your duct system, you should also contact a cleaning service and pest control to handle the issue.

Signs Air Ducts Need a Cleaning

Occasionally, there will be times when you need to clean your ducts sooner than three to five years. Therefore, it’s beneficial to know what signs to look for that indicate you need to get them cleaned.

Some of the most common signs to look out for are the presence of mold or mildew, having to change your air filters more frequently than usual, and visible dust and debris when turning on your HVAC system. Some other signs include unpleasant odors from the air ducts, poor airflow throughout your home, and insect or rodent infestations. If you notice any of these telltale signs, be sure to contact a duct cleaning service as soon as possible.

Now that you know how often you should clean residential air ducts, you can determine when to schedule your next cleaning appointment. Duct Squads offers HVAC duct cleaning services to help keep your air ducts in good condition and improve your home’s overall air quality.