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It’s always a good idea for homeowners to keep their indoor air quality as clean as possible. The HVAC system acts as the lungs of the house. Homeowners want to know if they have any potential dangers inside their system. Removing the contaminants and pollutants that accumulate over time in the ductwork will help prevent people with respiratory issues and allergies from being affected and causing them serious harm. Pets, smoking, and indoor home improvement projects can contribute to a home’s poor airstream quality and produce buildup in the system.
An additional benefit, it saves money! A dirty air duct system will make a system work harder and cause unnecessary wear and tear. Keeping it clean makes it run smoothly and efficiently.
How Often Should I Have My Air Ducts Professionally Cleaned?
To ensure maximum efficiency, industry experts recommend cleaning air ducts every 3-5 years. People with respiratory issues and those that live in spaces with pets and smokers should consider doing it more frequently.
If you see noticeable dust and debris collected on vents, your HVAC system most likely needs cleaning. Also, check the filter periodically to see if there is a lot of buildup. If there is, your system is probably just as dirty inside and working harder than it needs to be.
What If I Don’t Clean My Air Ducts Cleaned Regularly?
There are a lot of things that could go wrong in an air duct system, and not staying on top of things could do damage to your pocket. Some examples include:
Remember, modern homes are more airtight than ever before, and this means the air in the house circulates throughout a closed system. If the HVAC system has an issue, the homeowner could be harming themselves and the occupants of the home with polluted air that has nowhere to go but inside their bodies.
Can I Clean My Air Ducts Myself?
Generally, it’s not a good idea for homeowners to clean their air ducts. Best left to a professional with proper cleaning equipment and the know-how to properly do it. Unless the homeowner is trained and has a high-powered vacuum with special rotary brushes designed for cleaning ducts, they should probably hire a specialist.
What Can I Expect When I Hire a Pro to Clean My Air Ducts?
Certified companies that perform professional air duct cleaning services (like United Water Restoration Long Island) arrive with trained staff and proper cleaning equipment. Experts use specialized tools designed to loosen and collect contaminants in the system without spreading to other parts of the home. The process includes cleaning the inside of the HVAC unit and all vent covers. Time varies based on the size of the home and the amount of ductwork/units, but generally, it will take a few hours (larger houses can take an entire day). If the home has any odors or microbial contamination, our company applies EPA-approved sanitizers, disinfectants, and deodorizers to the system.
The real risk is not cleaning and inspecting the air duct system periodically. The homeowner may have issues they are not aware of that could cost money or hurt their health.
Cost of Professional HVAC System Cleaning
Contact a company that provides an air duct cleaning service, like United at (631) 494-4764, to get an estimate. Companies like ours base the cost on how many air handling units the homeowner has (most homes have one, but larger homes may have two or more) and how many ducts/vents there are. The average home air duct and vent cleaning will cost a few hundred dollars, and larger homes could reach more than $1,000.
