Is cleaning your air ducts important? If so, how often should you clean them? Homeowners are often shocked to learn that, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, cleaning your air ducts does not necessarily improve the air quality in your home. In many cases, it can cause more problems than benefits.
If you’re concerned about the air quality in your home, don’t hesitate to reach out to an HVAC professional.
How Often to Clean Air Ducts
How often should you clean your air ducts? The answer may be surprising: you shouldn’t. According to multiple reports and experts, cleaning your air ducts is unnecessary because it does not improve the air quality in your home. In fact, in some cases, it can do more harm than good.
The dust that adheres to your air ducts tends to cling to the duct’s surface and rarely enters your home. Since it doesn’t interact with your living space or reduce the air quality in your home, you don’t need to worry about it.
Depending on what kind of air ducts you have, cleaning them can cause substantial damage. For example, with flex air ducts, which are made out of flexible plastic, a metal coil and an outer layer of foil, cleaning them can poke holes in the duct. Over time, those holes can become larger and cause significant problems for your air conditioning system. You may end up needing to replace the duct.
Another type of air duct is called duct board, which is made primarily of fiberglass. When you clean the duct board, the fiberglass can become loose and enter your living space through your air filters. No matter what type of air ducts you have, it’s possible that cleaning them causes more dust to enter your home. This is because cleaning the air ducts disturbs the settled dust, releasing it into your home.
If you’re worried about the air quality in your home, there’s a better way to address the problem than air duct cleaning. Instead, you should prioritize proper HVAC system maintenance.
According to Gary Cremeans, HVAC Operations Manager at ABC Home & Commercial Services, “I don’t usually suggest cleaning ducts. Instead, I recommend using a good air filter and making sure your ductwork is properly sealed.”
It is typically recommended that you change your air filters every three months to ensure clean air circulation. If you have pets or allergies, you may need to change your filters more often. Pet hair and pet dander can significantly impact air quality, so regular filter changes are essential.
Next, choose high-quality air filters that effectively capture airborne particles. You should also schedule regular HVAC inspections with a professional to catch any issues before they become big problems.
Does Cleaning Air Ducts Really Make a Difference?
Research indicates that cleaning your air ducts does not significantly improve the air quality in your home. In many cases, cleaning your air ducts can make the problem worse.
Additionally, when you clean your air ducts, the same amount of dust and debris will gather again within six months. The task is not only ineffective, but a waste of time and money.
There are several ways to improve your air quality without needing to clean your air ducts. These include replacing your air filters every three months, choosing high-quality filters and scheduling routine HVAC system maintenance. The best way to maintain your system is to partner with an HVAC professional.
What are the Drawbacks of Duct Cleaning?
When you look at your dusty air ducts, cleaning them feels like a no-brainer. However, research from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has shown that cleaning air ducts does not improve the air quality of a home. Even more shocking, it can worsen the air quality.
How? Cleaning the ducts stirs up the dust and debris you’re trying to eliminate, which causes it to circulate throughout your home. It can make your home even dustier than it was before. Added dust can contribute to poor air quality in your home.
Another drawback to duct cleaning is that it can damage your ducts. If your air ducts are on the older side or you have flexible ducts, cleaning them can cause problems. The brushes and suction used to get the job done can tear, puncture and even cause your ducts to collapse.
In the worst-case scenario, you’ll need to replace your damaged air ducts, which is far more costly than cleaning them. You can avoid unnecessary and costly damage by simply skipping the air duct cleaning.
Speaking of cost, another drawback of cleaning your air ducts is that it’s an expensive service. Since it has been proven to have very few benefits, the cost is not worth the service and potential damage it can cause.
There are better ways to improve the air quality in your home that don’t involve cleaning your air ducts. For example, you should use high-quality air filters and replace them at least every three months. Replace them more often if you have pets or allergies.
Increasing ventilation in your home can also help. Open doors and windows to let in more fresh air. Vacuuming regularly can also remove dust and improve your home’s air quality.
If you’re concerned that your HVAC system isn’t working correctly, schedule routine maintenance with a professional. For example, if your AC isn’t blowing cold air, that’s an issue that an expert should address. Working with the pros is the best way to understand what’s going on with your system and get it up and running smoothly again.
Why is My House So Dusty All the Time?
Is there a constant accumulation of dust in your home that you feel like you can’t get on top of, even though you work hard to keep it clean? The problem could be due to poor air flow.
If the air isn’t circulating properly in your home, dust has a chance to settle and accumulate. Proper air flow keeps the dust moving, allowing your air filter to catch it or your HVAC system to remove it. Without good air flow, these systems can’t do their jobs.
Luckily, there are several ways to improve the air flow in your home. First, vacuum your carpets, rugs and hard floors regularly, as floors are magnets for dust. Vacuuming once a week, preferably with a HEPA vacuum filter, can make a big difference.
Regular dusting is also important, but it must be done correctly. Using a dry cloth or feather duster simply pushes dust around. Opt for a damp microfiber cloth that traps and removes dust effectively.
Next, reducing clutter in your home gives the dust fewer surfaces to land on, which cuts down on your dusting time.
If the problem is advanced, it may be beneficial to invest in an air purifier. Choose a purifier with a HEPA filter that captures dust, allergens, pet dander and other fine particles. Place an air purifier in each room that has a dust accumulation issue.
Running your ceiling fans can also help circulate air. However, it does not solve any underlying problems with your HVAC system.
Proper HVAC maintenance is crucial to ensure good air flow and minimize dust. A simple solution is to replace your air filters at least every three months. For best results, choose a high-quality filter.
For other routine HVAC maintenance or to diagnose a problem, consult with an HVAC professional. An expert can get to the bottom of your dust problem and efficiently improve your home’s air flow.
They can also diagnose other issues, such as your AC not cooling your home enough. Contact a professional to inspect your system.
Choose a Better Way to Improve Your Home’s Air Quality
Cleaning your air ducts can seem tempting, but it’s unnecessary and offers very few benefits. In fact, it’s better to skip the cleaning to avoid doing costly damage to your air ducts.
A more effective way to enhance your home’s air quality is to replace your air filters on schedule and conduct routine HVAC system maintenance. An HVAC expert can stay on top of your system’s operations and diagnose issues before they become significant problems.
ABC Can Assess and Help Improve Your Home’s Air Quality
While duct cleaning generally does more harm than good for homes, that doesn’t mean you should ignore your indoor air quality. If you’re noticing issues like persistent dust or a lack of air flow, it could be a sign of other underlying problems.
ABC Home & Commercial Services can help. Our licensed HVAC professionals can evaluate your system, identify the source of air quality issues and recommend effective solutions to address them. From improving ventilation to maintaining your unit and replacing filters, ABC can help you create a more comfortable home without relying on unnecessary services like duct cleaning.
