When should you clean your HVAC air ducts?
Air ducts are channels that distribute cooled and warm air throughout your home. To achieve optimal performance, air ducts, like any other HVAC system, require regular maintenance. How often to clean ducts? Air duct cleaning should be done every 3 to 5 years, according to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA).
Cleaning might be extended to 6 to 8 years using particular procedures. For the health of your house and family, the accumulation of mold and other pollutants that cause allergic reactions may necessitate a more immediate air duct cleaning.
Is it Necessary to Clean Air Ducts?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air is 2 to 5 times more contaminated than outdoor air. These contaminants in the air are recirculated throughout your home via air ducts, posing a health risk to your family and home. In addition to regular ductwork cleaning by a professional HVAC and indoor air quality contractor, the following circumstances may necessitate a more expedited appointment to get your ducks in order.
Changes in your residence.
How often to clean ducts? It is a question that both new and existing homeowners must ask themselves. When moving into a new home, you should perform cleaning mainly if the prior owner was a smoker, had pets, or had not serviced the ducts in the preceding three years.
During the construction of a new home, air duct cleaning removes drywall dust and other construction waste. Because sawdust and other debris might get into your ducts after a home remodeling project, it’s essential to clean them thoroughly.
Mold or a musty odour are both signs of a problem.
Mold thrives in humid, moist, and difficult-to-reach environments, such as your air ducts. If you detect mold, smell mustiness in the air, or have symptoms ranging from irritation to coughing. A reputable service provider can treat the decay by disinfecting the area and preventing future growth.
Infestation of pests.
Crawlers can create a home in your ducts and taint the air you breathe with their detritus and odour. If you detect bugs in or near ductwork or notice a drop in the operation of your system, a thorough cleaning can eliminate vermin and keep them from bothering you any longer.
Symptoms Of an Excessive Cold or Allergy.
Clean ducts are associated with improved overall health. Air duct accumulation can harbor dust mites that feed on human waste, causing asthma and allergies.
When exposed to poor air quality, family members who already have respiratory problems are more likely to become ill. When you have children, the elderly, or newborns in your home, you should consider air duct cleaning to improve your indoor air quality.
Conclusion.
If you or a family member is suffering from health or respiratory problems connected to poor indoor air quality, the best course of action is to follow the NADCA and EPA guidelines. How often to clean ducts? Keep in mind that air duct cleaning should be a frequent element of your home’s routine maintenance.