If you’ve noticed a worsened air quality in your home, it may be due to dirty air ducts which need to be cleaned. Not only does cleaning your air ducts regularly improve air quality in your home, but it’s a way to conserve energy in the long run as it allows your HVAC system to run more efficiently.
As a general rule of thumb, air ducts should be cleaned every three to five years. However, there are issues that may require immediate attention.
“If you suspect mold, vermin, or excess dust and debris, you should consider cleaning according to EPA guidelines“, Andy Fox, indoor air quality specialist at Filtrete, says. Keep reading to learn what four signs to look out for, when to call a professional, and tips for maintaining your air ducts in good working condition.
Meet the Expert
- Andy Fox is an indoor air quality specialist at Filtrete.
4 Signs You Need to Clean You Air Ducts
Mold
If mold has been detected inside your HVAC system during routine maintenance, the air ducts will need to be cleaned. Humidity and condensation in the system can lead to mold, especially if you live in a highly humid area. For this reason, it is essential to have your HVAC serviced as frequently as the manufacturer recommends (which is typically once or twice a year) to prevent mold from growing and causing more extensive and costly issues.
Higher Energy Bills
Another telltale sign that your air ducts need to be cleaned is if your energy bills have been higher than they usually are during a particular season. If the air ducts are dirty, your heating and cooling systems will need to work extra hard to push hot and cool air out, which minimizes their efficiency and raises your energy bills.
Constant Dust
A constant layer of dust in your home and around air vents despite regular deep cleaning may point to dirty air ducts that need to be cleaned. Additionally, if you have done renovations on your home such as putting up drywall, dust may have gotten inside the systems and the air ducts, resulting in poor air quality and ducts that need to be cleaned.
Pests
If you hear strange sounds, detect unpleasant odors, or see visible droppings, it may be a sign of a pest infestation in your air ducts. Whether it’s bugs or rodents, call a professional to get the air ducts checked out and cleaned.
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When to Contact a Professional
While high-quality HVAC filters that are replaced on a regular basis can help keep your air ducts in good condition, only a professional can provide a deep clean and should be contacted if you detect one of the four issues above, or routinely every three to five years.
Professional air duct cleaners will service the system with heavy-duty tools and brushes that cannot be substituted with home-grade equipment. According to the EPA, the cost of having your air ducts professionally cleaned ranges from $450 to $1,000 for an average size home. The specific cost depends on your location, home size, the HVAC system, and the condition of the air ducts.
Tips for Maintaining Clean Air Ducts
- Use a high-quality filter. “One of the ways to help keep your air ducts cleaner is by using a high-quality HVAC filter, like Filtrete MPR 1500“, Fox says. “A high-quality HVAC filter positioned before the fan should help keep the fan, heat exchangers, and conditioned air supply vents cleaner.”
- Replace air filters regularly. Fox recommends replacing your air filters once every three months.
- Replace filters more frequently if the following is true of your home: You have pets, you burn candles often, or your air conditioning unit is running constantly.
- Schedule regular servicing. Have your heating and cooling system serviced by a professional as frequently as the manufacturer recommends.
- Schedule regular cleanings. Have your air ducts professionally cleaned every three to five years to avoid larger and more expensive repairs.
FAQ
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Not cleaning your air ducts leads to a lower air quality in your home. It can also affect the efficiency of your heating and cooling system and raise your energy bills due to the systems having to work harder to pump hot or cool air through.
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It may take some time for the chemical smell to go away after you’ve had your air ducts cleaned, however once they are burned off, the smell should subside.
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Some of the signs that your air ducts are dirty include mold caused by excess humidity and condensation, constant dust no matter how frequently you clean, excessively high energy bills, or signs of a pest infestation.
