How Often to Clean Air Ducts and Why Clean Them at All

Air duct cleaning is a separate service from the HVAC maintenance that experts recommend every year or two. While some say it’s just as important, the research shows duct cleaning may not be necessary in most homes. This guide lays out the facts about air duct cleaning, how often to clean air ducts, and the select few reasons you might want to have it done.

What Is Air Duct Cleaning?

Air duct cleaning is a service offered by HVAC companies and other providers that involves cleaning the interior of an HVAC system's ductwork. The service might also include a thorough cleaning of all components of the system including:

• Heat exchangers

• Heating and cooling coils

• Condensate drain pans

• Fan motors and housing

• Outdoor air handlers

 Some duct cleaning services also apply chemical biocides or other treatments to control mold growth or trap dirt particles.

How Often to Clean Air Ducts

Some HVAC service providers recommend routine duct cleaning every two to eight years, depending on the cleaning method used. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests that duct cleaning is only necessary under specific circumstances and that homeowners should be wary of companies selling duct cleaning services without complete and easily understandable reasons.

Is Air Duct Cleaning Effective?

Air duct cleaning will not usually solve indoor air quality problems. HVAC systems are designed to filter out dust and other particles, so particles stuck inside ducts won't blow into your home. Duct cleaning won't necessarily eliminate, reduce, or prevent indoor dust contamination, health problems, dirty air, or HVAC inefficiency.

3 Reasons to Clean Your Air Ducts

The EPA lays out three specific scenarios in which duct cleaning can be useful to increase the air quality in your home or the efficiency of your HVAC system.

1. Mold Is Growing in Your HVAC System

Substantial mold growth on any component of your HVAC system is a problem. If your service provider has found mold inside your ducts and has had it lab-tested to confirm that it's actually mold, duct cleaning may be necessary to remove it. However, you'll need to identify and resolve the conditions that caused the mold growth.

Condensation, leaks, poor insulation, or dirty air filters can all cause mold. A local mold remediation specialist can test your ducts for mold after cleaning, and your HVAC company should properly seal and insulate your system to prevent future problems. Note that moldy duct insulation cannot be cleaned and needs to be removed and replaced.

2. Your Home Has Had a Pest Infestation

When pests such as rodents or insects make their home in your ducts, they can leave droppings and nesting materials that cause clogs and foul odors. They may also die in your ducts, either from natural causes or from extermination efforts.

Duct cleaning should not be your first step. Instead, call a local pest control company to eliminate the infestation. Once the source of the problem is gone, hire an air duct cleaner near you to remove the debris inhibiting airflow and causing odors.

3. Ducts Are Clogged and Particles Are Visibly Coming Out of Registers

If you notice particles of dust and debris coming out of your air supply vents, this may be a sign of an overabundance of dust in the ducts that the system's filters cannot handle. This is rare but may happen in a brand-new home or after a major renovation. Sawdust and other construction debris can get into the home's ducts and cause issues.

Start by vacuuming your registers with a brush attachment. If that doesn't do the trick, consider professional duct cleaning.

How Much Does Air Duct Cleaning Cost?

The average cost of air duct cleaning is $390, though it could range from $150 to $800, depending on your home's square footage and type of ductwork. Larger homes have more ductwork and take more time and labor to clean thoroughly, while rigid ducts are easier to clean than flexible ones.

If you have mold or pest problems to remediate in addition to duct cleaning, these services will increase the overall project cost.