Your air ducts work hard to circulate air throughout your home. Over time, dirt and other particles accumulate in your ducts, affecting the air quality in your house. So how regularly should you schedule an appointment to clean your air ducts?
Build-up of contaminants
Dust, pollen, mold, and pet dander all build up inside your air ducts throughout the year. Hence, regular cleaning helps remove these contaminants. Uncleaned ducts can harbor microscopic dust mites, microbes, and animal remains which ultimately circulate in the air you breathe. Consequently, an air duct cleaning every 1-3 years removes dangerous particles.
Effects on heating and cooling systems
Additionally, dirty air ducts negatively impact heating and air conditioning systems. The dust and debris that collect inside air ducts act as insulation, causing HVAC systems to work harder. Therefore, a thorough duct cleaning every few years helps remove dust which impairs your HVAC unit’s efficiency. A well-functioning HVAC system then saves money on energy bills.
For these reasons, many HVAC professionals recommend duct cleaning at least every three years. However, some experts advise more frequent cleaning under certain circumstances.
Factors affecting cleaning frequency
Several factors influence how often you need to clean air ducts.
For one, allergy and asthma sufferers may benefit from annual duct cleaning. Individuals sensitive to contaminants notice improvements by frequently removing dust and debris from their air ducts.
Another consideration is the age of your HVAC system. Older systems with degraded filters accumulate dust at a faster rate. If your HVAC unit is more than 15 years old, cleaning ductwork annually might be wise.
Likewise, households with pets require more frequent cleaning. Pet hair easily makes its way into ducts, necessitating cleaning perhaps every other year.
In conclusion, many factors dictate how regularly you need air duct cleaning. At minimum, most experts recommend every 3-5 years. However, for optimal home air quality and HVAC performance, seriously consider yearly duct cleaning if you have allergies, pets or an older HVAC system. Regular duct maintenance ultimately improves indoor air quality and cuts energy costs.
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