How to Clean Air Ducts: 9 Steps and When It’s Best to Call a Pro
Clean your air ducts and enjoy fresher indoor air
- Screwdriver
- Dryer vent brush
- Cordless drill
- Safety eyewear
- N-95 dust mask
- Paper towels
- Dish soap
Your home’s ductwork is essential to keeping your home at a comfortable temperature in all seasons. But over time, dust and dirt buildup in the ducts can lower your home’s air quality and force your HVAC unit to work harder. This guide will explain how to clean air ducts to keep your home dust-free and prolong the life of your heating and cooling system.
Turn Off Your HVAC System
Before you start work, completely turn off your HVAC system. Depending on your system, you can do this from the thermostat or by switching off the circuit breaker that powers the HVAC system.
Remove the Vent Covers
Photo: yunava1 / Adobe StockUse a screwdriver to remove the supply and return vent covers. The supply vents blow hot or cool air into a room, while the return vents remove the air from the room and send it back to the HVAC unit to be reheated or cooled.
Cover the Supply Vents
Next, cover the supply vents with paper towels to prevent dust from blowing into the room while cleaning the ducts. Once you've finished cleaning a vent, replace the paper towel.
As you make your way around the vents in each room, uncover the one you’re cleaning while leaving the rest covered.
Loosen the Dirt
Once the supply vents are covered, grab the dryer vent brush and attach it to the cordless drill. Insert the brush into the vent and turn on the drill to clean inside the vent and loosen any stuck dirt or debris. Go slow and use caution to avoid damaging your ducts.
Vacuum the Ducts
Put on your protective gear, including safety eyewear and an N-95 mask. Attach the vacuum extension hose to your shop vac and insert the hose into the vent opening as far as it will go. Turn on the vacuum and draw the hose toward you to remove the loosened debris inside the ducts.
Wipe the Ducts
Photo: sergeylapin / Adobe StockGrab your microfiber cloth and dampen it. Use the damp cloth to wipe the inside of the air ducts as far as you can reach. Rinse the cloth each time you remove it from the vent, and repeat until the ducts are completely clean.
Clean the Supply Registers and Return Vents
Wipe down the supply registers and return vents with your damp microfiber cloth. Use warm, soapy water to clean any stuck-on dirt and debris. Dry the registers and vents thoroughly before replacing them.
Replace the Air Filter
Photo: The Toidi / Adobe StockOnce you’ve cleaned the ducts, replace your air filter. A clean air filter will help keep your ducts clean for longer. Ideally, you should replace your furnace filter every three months, though thinner ones must be replaced more frequently. Some types of filters, like media and HEPA filters, may last longer before needing to be replaced.
Turn the System Back On
The final step is to turn your HVAC system back on via the thermostat or the circuit breaker panel. Check that everything works as it should, and call a pro if you have any concerns.
When to Clean Air Ducts
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how often to clean air ducts. Instead, there are several signs to watch for that suggest air duct cleaning is necessary:
Increased allergy symptoms in the home’s residents
Musty-smelling air in the home
Excessive dust in the air
Recent dusty home renovations
New HVAC system installation
Additionally, air duct cleaning is necessary if there’s extensive pest damage in the system or evidence of mold growth. It’s also a good idea to perform this service when you first move into a home to ensure the ducts are clear of debris from previous residents. If the air ducts are too dirty, your HVAC unit may need to work harder to deliver hot or cold air to your home, which can shorten its lifespan.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Duct cleaning can keep your HVAC system in good working shape. However, DIY cleaning can be labor-intensive, and the results are usually not as thorough as those of professional cleaning. The greater issue is that improper and careless cleaning can cause significant and expensive damage to your ductwork.
A professional air duct cleaning service near you has specialized tools and equipment to clean ductwork safely throughout the house, while DIY cleaning may be limited to the ductwork close to the supply and return vents.
How Much Does It Cost to Clean Air Ducts?
Professional air duct cleaning costs $270 to $510, with an average of $390, so it’s an affordable service that can save you time and ensure your ductwork is left clean throughout. Don’t forget to tip air duct cleaners for a job well done!
Frequently Asked Questions
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), duct cleaning hasn’t been proven to prevent health problems or to decrease dust in homes. However, if the ducts are filthy after a pest problem or major renovation, cleaning the ductwork may help improve the air quality in your home.
The amount of time it takes to clean air ducts depends on several factors, including the size of the HVAC system, the type of ductwork in the home, the accessibility of the ductwork, and the level of contamination. However, you can expect a complete professional ductwork cleaning to take a few hours. DIY duct cleaning is less involved and takes around two hours, but the results won’t be the same.
