When Is The Last Time You Got Your Air Ducts Cleaned? Here's Why It Matters

You should clean your air ducts every three to five years, but the specifics depend on your home.

If you turn on the air conditioning unit to stay cool in the summer, or if you turn on the heat to stay warm in the winter, you have an HVAC system, or Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning. This system needs to be cleaned every so often to ensure it’s operating efficiently and providing quality air in your home.

Meet the Experts

Traci Fournier is the Vice President of Operations of One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning in Texas.

Tim Jarvis is the Owner and Founder of Jarvis Service Company in Alabama.

Angela Pritchard is the COO of Pritchard Heating & Air in North Carolina.

Sara Long is the Founder and COO of Top Notch Heating and Air, a woman-owned business in Arkansas.

How Often Should You Clean Air Ducts

Cleaning air ducts in your home is likely not on the forefront of your mind, but ensuring the system is maintained can reduce contaminants in your home and improve air quality. “The frequency of duct cleaning will be determined by the quality of the duct system, the filtration being used, the amount of airborne contaminants, and the hours of operation,” says Traci Fournier, Vice President of Operations of One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning. “Systems installed in high-humidity climates will also require more frequent attention.” But there is a range of how frequently you should have them cleaned.

Typically, experts recommend having your air ducts professionally cleaned every three to five years. However, there are some circumstances that depend on your home and may require cleaning before the three year mark to reduce dust, pet dander, pollen or mold in your home.

Pets

If you have pets or have allergies, you may want to have your air ducts cleaned more often. “Homes with pets, especially those with shedding animals like dogs or cats, tend to have a higher accumulation of pet hair and dander in the air ducts. This can lead to decreased indoor air quality and may exacerbate respiratory issues for sensitive individuals,” says Tim Jarvis is the Owner and Founder of Jarvis Service Company in Alabama. “Depending on the number of pets and the severity of shedding, a cleaning schedule of every two to three years may be more appropriate to ensure healthier indoor air quality.”

Allergies

And if someone in your household suffers from allergies, such as dust mites, pollen, or mold spores, it’s recommended to have air ducts cleaned more regularly. Jarvis recommends that homes with allergy prone occupants have air ducts cleaned every two years for better indoor air quality and minimize allergen exposure.

Renovating the Home

Aside from pets and allergies, if you’ve recently renovated your home, you’ll want to call in professionals to clean your air ducts. “Renovation projects, such as construction, sanding, painting, and drywall work, generate significant amounts of dust and debris,” says Jarvis. “These particles can easily find their way into the HVAC system through open ducts, contaminating the air ducts and the entire indoor air environment.” Plus, it’s possible that some harmful materials may have moved around. “During renovations, harmful substances like asbestos, lead, or other hazardous materials may be disturbed,” he says. “Cleaning the air ducts can help prevent the spread of any residual contaminants throughout the home.”

Signs Your Air Ducts Need to Be Cleaned

Want to know if it’s time for your air ducts to be cleaned? Check for these signs. And if you notice any of these signs in your home, experts recommend calling an HVAC company to have them inspect your air ducts and see whether a cleaning is necessary.

Increased Energy Bills

An uncleaned system may result in higher energy bills. “When the HVAC system has to work harder to push air through dirty ducts, it consumes more energy, resulting in higher utility costs,” says Jarvis.

Musty or Unpleasant Odors

Sometimes strange smells may come from the air vents and is an indicator that it’s time for a cleaning. “Lingering musty or foul odors coming from the air vents may indicate the presence of mold or mildew in the ductwork,” he says.

Presence of Vermin or Insects

“If you notice signs of vermin or insects in your home, such as droppings or nesting materials, they could have made their way into the air ducts,” says Jarvis.

Reduced Airflow

Too much dust or dirt could cause buildup in the vents. “Reduced airflow can lead to inefficient heating and cooling and may indicate the need for air duct cleaning,” he says.

Visible Dust and Debris

“If you notice dust and debris visibly accumulating around the air vents and registers, it could indicate that the air ducts are also contaminated,” says Jarvis. “Dust particles may become visible on furniture, floors, or walls near the vents.”

Visible Mold Growth

According to Jarvis, “If you can see mold growth inside the ductwork or around the vents, it's essential to address the issue promptly. Mold can release spores into the air, posing health risks to occupants.”

Air Duct Cleaning Benefits

Cleaning air ducts every three to five years is important to ensure the system is running at capacity and can reduce dust and mold in the home. According to Fourner, benefits of cleaning air ducts include:

• Gets rid of dust mites and reduces allergies and asthma issues 
  

• Increases the efficiency and lifespan of your HVAC system 
  

• Refreshes and improves the air of your home
  

• A well-maintained air duct saves you money in the long run 
  

• Removes bugs and vermin

What Happens If Air Ducts Are Not Cleaned?

Air ducts are an important component of maintaining air quality in the home. When they aren’t cleaned, this could have a variety of consequences, such as increase in energy bills, the system not functioning at capacity as well as strange odors. According to Angela Pritchard, COO, Pritchard Heating & Air in North Carolina, “Failing to have your air ducts cleaned on a consistent basis can lead to poor air quality in your home, excess dust, musty odors, decreased HVAC efficiency, increased energy bills, and decreased airflow causing uneven heating and cooling through your home.

Can You Clean Your Air Ducts?

Experts advise against homeowners cleaning their own air ducts because it requires special equipment and tools, knowledge as well as properly disposing of the debris and any health hazards. If you’re not equipped properly, you could inadvertently be exposed to toxins.

Homeowners can minimize dust in their home by cleaning air filters monthly.  “Cleaning your air filters monthly and installing higher quality pleated air filters will also help eliminate the dust in your home,” says Sara Long, founder and COO of Top Notch Heating and Air, a woman-owned business based in Arkansas. This will help reduce dust and debris in the BVAC system and air ducts, she says.

Should You Hire Someone to Clean Your Air Ducts?

Yes. Hiring professionals is recommended to clean your air ducts. Although some homeowners may prefer to DIY, this is a household task where it’s best to pay the money and leave it to the experts. According to Fournier, “Professionals have the expertise, specialized equipment, and knowledge to thoroughly clean the ducts without causing damage [and] they can identify any underlying issues or areas that require repair.”

And if you’re still not convinced, make sure to check your HVAC warranty because attempting to DIY could cancel your warranty. “It's essential to note that if you have a warranty on your HVAC system, cleaning the air ducts yourself might void the warranty,” says Fournier. “Therefore, it's advisable to review the warranty terms or consult with the manufacturer or an HVAC professional before proceeding with DIY duct cleaning.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Does cleaning air ducts really make a difference?

Yes, cleaning air ducts can ensure the HVAC system is working efficiently, can reduce your energy bill, decrease dust, debris and mold in the home.

Will cleaning my air ducts make my house less dusty?

Yes. cleaning air ducts will reduce dust in the home.

Does air duct cleaning prevent mold?

Yes, cleaning air ducts can minimize mold in the home.

How much does duct cleaning cost?

Air duct cleaning costs are determined by a variety of factors, including accessibility, vent locations, area of the home, and the size. The costs can range from $450 and $1000. Pritchard says, “The size of the home and the style of duct, whether flex, metal, or duct board, can all factor into the increase in cost.”

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