How Often Do Air Ducts Need to Be Cleaned?

According to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), air ducts should be professionally cleaned every 3 to 5 years; however, depending on the type and size of your system, the recommendation can be expanded to every 6 to 8 years. That said, however, it’s important to note that these timeframes are just recommendations, and you may need to have your system cleaned more frequently.

So, how do you know when you should have your air ducts cleaned? Fortunately, there are some signs that you can be on the lookout for that will tell you it’s time to schedule an appointment with a certified air duct cleaning professional.

Mold

Mold thrives in damp, humid, dark, and hard-to-reach places – like your home’s air ducts. If you see any visible signs of mold growth or you smell a musty odor every time your heating and cooling system kicks on, you’re definitely going to want to schedule an appointment with an air duct cleaning professional. Additionally, if you’re experiencing any symptoms that are indicative of mold exposure, such as:

•         Skin irritations
•         Increased allergies
•         Throat, nose, and eye irritation
•         Increased respiratory infections
•         Increased fatigue
•         Feelings of listlessness and malaise
•         Difficulty concentrating
•         Unexplained mood swings

You should contact a certified air duct cleaning expert, as mold growth in your HVAC systems could be the source of your symptoms.

Increased Dust

It’s normal for dust to accumulate on the surfaces in your home; however, it isn’t normal for thick layers of dust to reappear right after you just finished cleaning. If you’ve noticed that the surfaces in your home, such as the bookshelves, tabletops, countertops, floors, and decorative accessories are coated in dust right after you put the cleaning supplies away, then you probably need to have your air ducts cleaned.

When your air ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dirt, debris, pet dander, and other airborne pollutants, when the system turns on, those contaminants will be kicked out of the vents and will be distributed throughout your home’s indoor air. When the pollutants settle, they’ll create layers of thick dust on various surfaces. 

Increased Utility Bills

While yes, the cost of energy is rising throughout the nation and across the world, if your utility bills are unexpectedly high, your ductwork could be to blame. If your air ducts are clogged with caked-on dust, dirt, debris, dander, and other pollutants, the airflow will be minimized. When the airflow is minimized, your HVAC system will need to work harder in order to distribute the heated and cooled air throughout your house. The harder the system works, the more energy it uses, and the more energy it uses, the higher your utility bills will be.