How Often to Clean Air Ducts and Why Clean Them at All
Duct dust is often out of sight, out of mind
Air duct cleaning removes debris from the inside of air ducts.
The EPA only recommends air duct cleaning under specific circumstances.
Mold, pests, and excess debris from construction or renovation are reasons for cleaning.
Air duct cleaning costs $150 to $800, depending on home size and duct type.
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.
Air duct cleaning takes an average of two to six hours for most households, so if a pro claims they can do it in less time—and for less money—it could be a scam.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to the EPA, cleaning air ducts doesn’t make a difference in most situations. Duct cleaning has not been shown to improve indoor air quality or notably improve HVAC system efficiency unless it’s done to remove an overabundance of dust from a home construction or renovation project. Dust has also not been shown to be bad for your health.
The drawbacks of duct cleaning include the risk of damage to flexible ducts, the overall cost, and the potential mess involved. Flexible ducts are at risk of damage if the company you hire doesn't use the proper techniques to clean them. Duct cleaning can cost up to $800 in large homes, and accessing ductwork can often involve drilling holes in walls or ceilings.
- How Long Does Air Duct Cleaning Take? 4 Factors That Impact the Time Frame
- What Are Air Ducts? Understanding Your Home’s Ductwork
- DIY Air Duct Cleaning Tools and How to Use Them
- When Is Insulation Required on Air Ducts? What You Need to Know
- Air Duct vs. Air Vent: Learn the Differences Between These HVAC System Parts
- Condensation on Ductwork: Causes and Potential Solutions
- How to Get Rid of Mold in Air Ducts: 7 Potential Methods
- Does Air Duct Cleaning Help With Smells?
- How to Stop Condensation on Air Vents to Prevent Mold and Mildew Growth
- Breathe Easy: 10 Tips for Improving Your Indoor Air Quality
