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How Often Should You Clean Air Ducts?

when to clean air duct

Did you know that a single duct cleaning may remove up to six pounds (2.72 kg) of dust and dirt from your home?

For anyone who prides themself on how clean their home is, it’s pretty unnerving to know ducts can pull in so much dust and dirt.

The air inside your house is full of microscopic particles like dust, pollen, and human and pet dander, which are drawn in by your furnace or air conditioner as it draws air. These impurities accumulate within your ducts over time.

Air movement can decrease, and the particles can be recirculated throughout your home as your air-con unit does business.

Why Air Duct Cleaning?

Duct cleaning removes these contaminants from your ductwork, improving your home’s indoor air quality (IAQ).

Did you know one in thirteen Americans suffers from asthma? That’s 25 million people who want their air-con units to help, not hinder breathing.

Therefore duct cleaning may be especially beneficial if you have allergies or respiratory issues. However, it’s important to note that not all duct cleaning services are created equal. Make sure you choose a company that uses the latest equipment and techniques and has experience in duct cleaning and HVAC maintenance.

Routine duct cleaning is often recommended for a regular HVAC maintenance routine. The service requires clearing material from all ducts, grills, and other components of a forced-air system.

Can You Do It Yourself?

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If you want to try and clean the ducts yourself – there are a few different ways to do it. The most common is to use a special vacuum cleaner that sucks up all the dirt, dust, pollen, pet hair, and other debris from the ducts.

The DIY approach is not recommended; however, follow professionals’ instructions on Youtube if you want to do it. There is a right and wrong way to do it.

Even with your best effort, the cleaning won’t be as good as using professionals and commercial equipment. To clean the ducts properly, your service providers use high-powered, truck-mounted vacuum and compression equipment. Ducts are behind walls and above the ceiling, so access is challenging.

When Do Ducts Need Cleaning?

There are a few factors that influence the timing of a duct clean, including:

  • Health
  • Pets
  • Renovation
  • Appliances
  • Location

Location

Location will determine how often you need to get the ducts cleaned. For example, regions of America that are dry and dusty will see ducts fill up faster than colder locations. Plus, it’s not just in America. Imagine living in the desert!

The importance of duct cleaning in Dubai is exceptionally high due to the hot and humid climate and frequent sand storms.

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A professional duct cleaning service can remove years of built-up dirt, debris, and mold from your home’s air ducts. This will improve the air quality in your home and help your HVAC system run more efficiently, saving you money on your energy bills.

Pets

If you have pets, especially long-haired cats or dogs or rabbits, you’ll need to schedule a routine clean.

Renovation or rebuild

Home renovations stir up dust and dirt as floors and walls are removed and replaced. Any construction work increases the quantity of dust in your forced-air system.

Health

If you need excellent air quality for health reasons, then schedule routine HVAC and ducts inspections to reduce irritants and allergens, including:

  • Pollen
  • Pet dander
  • Mildew
  • Bacteria

Plus, as your air-con unit can push the dust back into your home, regular duct cleaning can reduce your vacuuming and dusting.

Energy use

Dust and dirt limit air movement to and from your HVAC system’s components, forcing your furnace or air conditioner to work harder and use more energy to complete its function. Your system will run with higher energy efficiency if your ducts are clean.

HVAC replacement

Another reason to proceed with duct cleaning is that it will likely lengthen your equipment’s lifetime. Keeping dust and debris out of your HVAC components with regular duct maintenance will also help you avoid expensive repairs and prolong the life of your system.

Final Thoughts

Cleaning ducts is a difficult task. It is better to utilize specialized equipment from trained professionals to do it properly. That’s why so many people choose to leave it to the experts. In the long run, you will save some time and money and feel the benefits of professionally cleaned air ducts in no time.

 

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