How Often Should Air Ducts Be Cleaned?

You probably don't think about your air ducts regularly, but that doesn't mean they can be ignored. As a part of your HVAC system, your air ducts are transporting air containing all the debris your household creates daily. Depending on your normal activities, this debris may include residual tobacco, pet dander, grease, and good old-fashioned dust. 

How Often Should Air Ducts Be Cleaned? 

Currently, the EPA does not have clear guidelines for when you should have your air ducts cleaned. There is too much variation from household to household. Some homes produce more debris. Some households are just more sensitive, thanks to allergies or asthma. As a result, industry experts suggest that the average American household should have a professional air duct cleaning every 3 to 5 years. 

The Risks of Dirty Air Ducts 

There are no significant health risks associated with dirty air ducts, with a few exceptions. As long as no one in your household has a severe allergy or chronic respiratory disease, the debris that settles in your air ducts is unlikely to cause serious harm. However, it may hurt your wallet. 

If your air ducts haven't been serviced for a prolonged period, then it is likely that your filters and other pathways are at least partially obstructed. These obstructions will force your entire system to work harder, wasting valuable energy that will cost you extra money. At the same time, you're unlikely to get the same heating or cooling effect that you would expect from a highly functional system. 

Determining When It Is Time to Call 

Scheduling regular inspections and cleanings every three to five years is one of the best ways to ensure that your HVAC system works as it should. However, if you've just moved to a new home or aren't sure when your air ducts were last cleaned, you may not know when you're due. 

To help you determine when an air duct cleaning is necessary, the EPA put together a list of scenarios that warrant a call to your air duct cleaner. These include: 

• You can see or smell mold. Only an expert can specifically identify mold, but anything that resembles mold should be checked. 
• Your air ducts are infected. Rats, mice, and insects are all possible candidates. 
• Your air ducts are physically clogged.
• You can see debris being blown out from your air vents. 

How Does Air Duct Cleaning Work? 

Your local cleaning company in Austin can clean your air ducts during their visit to clean your carpets, mattresses, and upholstery. Then, as part of a personalized service package, you can make sure that your whole home gets refreshing clean and restoration. 

When it comes to air ducts, we will start by covering walls and floors before removing the register covers. A specialized machine is then used to gently shake the inside of your air ducts, as the vacuum attachment removes all of that loosened debris. Your air ducts are then treated with a lightly scented antimicrobial mist to prevent the build-up of harmful debris in the future. 

Before leaving you to enjoy your freshly cleaned home, our technicians will replace all your register covers and remove the necessary dust protection and equipment. Then, with the help of their professional air duct cleaning services and any other cleaning services you choose, Wow Total Cleaning will leave your house clean and fresh, just the way you like it.