Get matched with top air duct cleaners in Downs, KS

You can experience respiratory problems if your return air vents are dirty. While this doesn’t necessarily mean dirty return air vents will make you sick, they can exacerbate symptoms of respiratory illness, such as sneezing, wheezing, and coughing. This is due to the extra contaminants in the air, which may include allergens and dander that can affect people with allergy sensitivities.

You may be interested in moving a return air vent as an alternative to adding a new one. You can technically move return air vents, but you should always consult an HVAC professional before doing so. Moving your return air vents can disrupt your HVAC system's airflow and may require that a pro make adjustments to the ductwork. Moving the vents as a DIY project could damage your HVAC system and cause it to work improperly.

Some experts say you should clean your air ducts every three to five years, but regular air duct cleaning is something you may never need to do. The EPA has shown no noticeable health benefits to cleaning your ducts regularly, so as long as you don’t encounter any major problems and maintain your HVAC system, you won’t need to clean your air ducts.

The number of return air vents a house should have depends on its overall square footage. You'll need one supply vent and one return vent for every 100 to 150 square feet of living space. This means that, ideally, there should be at least one return air vent in every room. However, if the room is 100 square feet or larger, it's better to have two or three. A 2,000-square-foot home should have between 13 and 20 return air vents, in total.