How Often Should You Clean Air Ducts?

Dust on an air grill.

Your ductwork has an essential job in that it’s responsible for ensuring the heated or cooled air created by your HVAC system is dispersed throughout your home. However, since air constantly travels in and out of these ducts, it’s easy to worry about dust and debris building up inside them over time. Fortunately, cleaning the ductwork in your home with the help of a professional can help prevent these issues and more.

How often should you clean air ducts? There are some conflicting answers to this question. Let’s discuss when to clean air ducts in more detail below.

Why Is It Important to Clean Your Air Ducts?

Although your ductwork is hidden away and out of sight, that doesn’t make it any less crucial to your comfort. Without air ducts, you couldn’t keep your home at a comfortable temperature. So it only makes sense to ensure they’re clean and working at peak efficiency.

When it comes down to it, cleaning air ducts is a good idea for several reasons. Learn about some benefits of scheduling these services with a professional technician:

Now that you have a general idea of when to clean air ducts, you might be wondering if the time has come to schedule one of these services for your home. All-in-all, a few signs can indicate that you should have your ducts cleaned at the earliest opportunity. Let’s discuss some of the most common telltale signs you should look out for.

How Often Should You Have Your Air Ducts Cleaned?

As you can see, cleaning your air ducts can have several advantages in the long run, such as improved air conditioning performance and better indoor air quality. Now, you probably have a few questions. For instance, you might be wondering: how often should you clean air ducts?

According to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), it’s a good idea to have your air ducts professionally cleaned every three to five years. However, this is only a general rule of thumb you can follow, so it isn’t the be-all-end-all. Several factors can affect how often you clean your ducts, including how thorough the technician’s techniques are and if your family members have allergies.

If your household has allergies or asthma, you might want to consider having your ductwork cleaned more frequently. This is because harmful airborne contaminants can collect inside your ducts over time, which can worsen allergy and asthma symptoms. If you think it might be time for an air duct cleaning in Simi Valley, don’t hesitate to call our professionals for help. We can help you determine the best course of action for your needs.

How Do You Know if Your Air Ducts Need to Be Cleaned?

Poor IAQ

Perhaps it goes without saying, but poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can play a significant role in when to clean air ducts inside a home. It’s no secret that pet dander, mold spores, dust, and dirt can collect inside your ductwork over a long period of time. Unfortunately, these airborne pollutants — among others — are commonly found in homes and other types of buildings, where they tend to wreak havoc on the health of occupants.

How do you know if your home has poor indoor air quality? First, be on the lookout for worsening allergy or asthma symptoms in your household. You’ll also want to be conscious of dust collecting on your cabinets, countertops, and other surfaces. If you’ve noticed a greater amount of dust inside your home, it’s a sure sign that dust has started to accumulate in your ducts as well.

Mold Growth

Although it can be helpful to know how often you should clean air ducts, there are some signs that indicate that these services are needed sooner rather than later. Take mold and mildew growth, for example.

If you’ve spotted mold growing near or inside your ductwork, don’t hesitate to call a professional for a thorough cleaning. It’s no secret that mold is a harmful pollutant that can take a toll on your home — as well as your health.

Pest Infestations

Sure, it can sometimes be challenging to know when to clean air ducts — especially if you’ve never had it done before. However, there are some clear signs that can let you know it’s high time for one of these services, such as a pest infestation.

Mice and insects can sometimes find their way into your home’s ductwork, where they take up residence. If you think your air ducts have become a breeding ground for pests, it’s best to have your ducts professionally cleaned as soon as possible to prevent health problems related to the infestation. This way, you can ensure that your ducts are cleaned, and your home will be safe against any potential illnesses.

Schedule Air Duct Cleaning With Our Simi Valley Experts!

So, how often should you clean air ducts? Although you can follow a schedule and have your ducts cleaned every three to five years, there are some instances where you may want to have a professional come out more frequently.

If you think the time has come for a professional air duct cleaning service, get in touch with RR Electric, Heating & Air! We have a team of expert HVAC duct installers and cleaning technicians to fit your needs.

You can count on us to provide the best services for your air conditioning and heating systems throughout the year. For instance, we also offer routine maintenance services where we check heat exchangers, inspect cooling coils, replace air filters, and more to ensure HVAC systems are running smoothly.

Don’t let dust and debris wreak havoc on your air ducts. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with us in Simi Valley, CA, or the surrounding communities! We’re also proud to serve the residents of Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Calabasas, and beyond.