Keeping your home’s air ducts clean is an important step in maintaining good indoor air quality. In this blog, your trusted California HVAC provider John Stevenson Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. discusses how often your air ducts should be cleaned
How Often Should Your Air Ducts Be Cleaned?
Air ducts should ideally be cleaned every three to five years; no clear benefits have been found in having it done more frequently. You can tell if your air vents need to be cleaned by taking a peek inside your air vent register. If you notice a buildup of dark, sooty residue around it, it means dirt and dust are being recirculated through the vents, which therefore will need to be cleaned.
Outside of the recommended three-to-five-year cleaning schedule, air ducts may require cleaning if the house has recently undergone significant remodeling. Drywall and tile installation in particular generate a lot of dust and particulates. In addition, having pets in the home that shed fur and dander can speed up the rate at which the ducts will need to be cleaned, which means you’ll need to check your air ducts more often. If you’re moving to a new home, don’t neglect to ask the previous owner if the air ducts have been serviced within the last five years.
The Benefits of Air Duct Cleaning
Clean air ducts help maintain good indoor air quality, and can also improve your HVAC system’s efficiency by reducing indoor particulates. This is especially important at the beginning of the spring season when you’re likely to still be using your heating system running and the pollen count in the air is high. It also helps reduce the instances of mold and mildew growth.
How Air Ducts are Cleaned
In a typical air duct cleaning procedure, the HVAC technician will remove the vents and blowers from the air ducts. Registers are then sealed, while the main intake vent is attached to a “negative air” machine, which is basically an industrial-grade vacuum cleaner. A rotating brush is used to loosen the accumulated dust. The HVAC technician may also introduce anti-microbial mist into the vents to prevent mold and bacterial growth. The vents and blower are then cleaned and dried before reinstallation. Some air duct cleaning services may also include the application of sealant and blower calibration.
John Stevenson Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. is your leading provider of cooling and heating installation. Give us a call at (949) 426-7377 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.