You probably don’t think about the air ducts running through your home. However, that’s a mistake because they play a significant role in your overall health. Your ductwork circulates warmed or cooled air from your HVAC systems to every room in your home.
Ignoring years of accumulated dust, dirt, and debris means you’re inhaling poor-quality air every time you draw a breath. You have to clean your ductwork periodically to avoid living in a polluted indoor space.
Do you know how often to clean air ducts in your home? FreshX Air Duct Cleaning, the leading provider of air duct cleaning service in Hollister, CA, covers the details.
The Recommended Frequency for Air Duct Cleaning
Indoor air quality has a profound effect on your health. Pollutants like dust and pet dander may sound benign, but they can be very harmful. Some of the contaminants in your ductwork can cause diseases, trigger respiratory issues, and cause lung cancer. Therefore, it’s important to clean your duct system regularly to protect your health.
According to the NADCA (National Air Duct Cleaners Association), you should clean your ductwork every three to five years. However, this is a general recommendation. Ideally, you should clean your ductwork as soon as you notice the signs it’s dirty.
The Top Signs of Dirty Ductwork
If you’ve not cleaned your ductwork at least once in the last five years, it’s probably dirty. If you’ve cleaned it at least once, it might still need cleaning right now. Some of the most common signs of dirty ductwork include the following.
An Increase in Allergy Symptoms
High amounts of dust and debris, mold spores, pet dander, and other contaminants can worsen allergies and respiratory conditions like asthma.
If you (or others in the family) have noticed a worsening of allergic and respiratory conditions, especially when your HVAC system is working, it’s a sign to clean your duct work.
Visible Dust and Debris Around Vents
If you can see dust and debris around your vents, you need to stop wondering how often to clean air ducts in your home and schedule a duct cleaning appointment with a qualified company.
Visible Mold Growth and Musty Odors
Mold thrives in dark, damp environments making your ductwork a prime location. If you can see the signs of a mold colony along your ductwork or perceive any musty odors, you have to address the issue promptly to reduce the risk of other health complications.
Factors Affecting Ductwork Cleaning Frequency
You may be wondering why some property owners can clean their ductwork every five to seven years while others have to clean their ductwork more frequently. The frequency of the cleaning depends on several factors that influence how much dust, debris, and other contaminants accumulate in your air ducts. They include the following.
Number of Occupants
More people mean more generated dust, skin flakes, hair, and debris are shed into the air. Therefore, homes with more people in them will need more frequent cleanings (every two to three years) compared to those with fewer people.
Number and Type of Pets
Do you have multiple heavy-shedding pets living in your home? You’ll need to clean your ducts every two to three years.
Changes to the Home
Have you recently completed any home additions or major renovation work? Construction projects generate a lot of dust. Most of it gets sucked into your HVAC system and ends up within your ductwork. It’s always a good idea to clean your ductwork in the weeks following the completion of your construction work.
Age of the Ductwork
Older ducts with gaps and leaky seams will trap more dust and debris over time. Therefore, they’ll need more regular cleaning and maintenance work.
Get Professional Ductwork Cleaning Services in Hollister
Are you still wondering about how often to clean air ducts in your home? We can help. Our highly experienced crew can inspect your ductwork and your living situation and then recommend the perfect ductwork cleaning frequency to keep your indoor air quality healthy.
If your ductwork needs cleaning right away, you can also trust for a hassle-free service. Call FreshX Air Duct Cleaning in Hollister, CA, today at (831) 801-1233 to book an appointment.