How Often Should I Clean My Air Ducts?
The air ducts in your house resemble your lungs. The oxygen that your lungs absorb from the environment is then released into your bloodstream, where it travels to the rest of your body. Air ducts distribute warm and cooled air to each room in your home. Air ducts require routine maintenance much like any other part of the HVAC system to maintain maximum performance. According to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association, you should get your air ducts cleaned every three to five years.
You will experience many health issues if your lungs are damaged or clogged from smoke or other air pollutants that you have inhaled. This holds true for air ducts. The air moving in your home will be unhealthy and perhaps deadly if there is dust, pet hair, or mold in your air ducts or if they are not working properly. The question of how frequently to clean your air ducts may then arise.
There’s no contractor better at providing quality HVAC ductwork cleaning than Miller’s Heating & Air.
What Does Air Duct Cleaning Mean?
The term "air duct cleaning" refers to the process of using duct cleaning tools in a professional manner to clean the heating and cooling elements of the HVAC system, such as fans, vents, coils, and grills. These ducts could become polluted, moldy, or dusty if they aren't cleaned thoroughly. When moisture is present, microorganisms will grow and release their spores into the interior of the home. When exposed to them, these could give people allergies or other symptoms. Cleaning the HVAC ductwork contributes to energy efficiency and reduced energy costs.
How Often Should You Get Your Air Ducts Cleaned?
Since the answer to this question depends on a number of variables and (sometimes) the person you ask, here is the general consensus:
When you find significant amounts of dust, debris, or mold in your HVAC system, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises air duct cleaning.
Pet-owning households will benefit from more frequent cleanings, which should be done every two years. People who have animal allergies may be significantly affected by pet hair, fur, or dander, and repeated exposure may eventually cause allergies to develop.
If someone in your home has respiratory issues or allergies, you should have your air ducts cleaned.
If there is moisture or humidity in your ductwork, mold spores can spread quickly. Have your ductwork cleaned as soon as possible if you notice any mold growth in your vents. When your HVAC system is operating, you might also detect an unpleasant odor that might be caused by mold growth in your vents.
We also recommend cleaning the air ducts:
When you relocate to a new house or remodel your home
If there are smokers in your home
If you have experienced serious accidents such as fire or flooding
If you haven’t used your HVAC system if a long time (vacant home, for example)
Who Should You Contact To Have Your Ductwork Professionally Cleaned?
Make sure you have your ducts cleaned by an HVAC ductwork cleaning specialist. If you’re in the Vancouver and Portland area, contact us for quality air duct cleaning or any other problem with your HVAC system cleaning. Miller’s Heating & Air only hires technicians certified and trained in air conditioning and heating services, including duct cleaning.
