Air ducts are a great way to circulate air in and out of our homes. They keep the air inside our homes fresh and also help in regulating the temperature of air. Thus, it is very important to clean these air ducts from time to time because unless the air ducts are cleaned regularly, they cannot circulate fresh air inside our homes.
Hence, getting the air ducts of your house cleaned on a regular basis is equally as important as getting them installed. These days, companies like www.ductcare.com provide affordable air duct cleaning services which can be easily accessed from our homes.
Now, one might have doubts regarding how often these air ducts should be cleaned. Well, worry not, because this article has got you covered. Below is a simple guide that you can follow to determine how often you should clean the air ducts in your home.
What is the general recommended time period for cleaning air ducts?
The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends that the air ducts in one’s home should be cleaned every 3 to 5 years.
Though, one should keep in mind that this is a general recommendation and the frequency with which you need to clean your house’s air ducts can change based on various other facts.
Taking proper care of one’s house, its surroundings and other such factors can reduce the need for frequent cleaning of these air vents; on the other hand, a buildup of mould and other contaminants leading to adverse reactions may demand a more immediate air duct cleaning.
Cleaning the components of a heating and cooling air duct system may enhance your system’s performance, resulting in a longer operational life as well as some energy and maintenance cost savings. Thus regular cleaning can be beneficial.
However, it also becomes important to look at the factors which can lead to your home requiring more frequent or urgent air duct cleaning. Taking a note of these factors and keeping a check on them can help you decide how often you might need to get the air ducts of your home cleaned. Some of these factors are:
1. Changing your home/moving to a new place
If you have recently moved to a new home or rented a new place, it would be a good idea to get the air ducts of the house clean before you start settling in.
This is mainly because as it is a house new to you, you might have less idea regarding how long ago the ducts were cleaned and leaving them uncleaned for long might lead to accumulation of a lot of dust, dirt and debris which can then lead to more polluted air within the home.
2. Having a home renovation or restoration
Renovating your house or getting some restoration work done eventually leads to the accumulation of a lot of debris from the construction materials and the dust produced from it.
This dust can then settle in the components of the air ducts and reduce its efficiency, hence it is a great idea to get the air ducts of your home cleaned once you are done with the renovation work.
3. Smoking indoors
Though it might not look like much, smoking indoors can leave a lot of pollution within your home. This smoke can accumulate overtime and degrade the functioning of the air ducts, getting these sir ducts clean on a regular basis can help in reducing this indoor pollution.
4. Symptoms of prolonged cold or allergies
Having respiratory issues like prolonged colds and respiratory allergies can be an alarming sign of mold and pollution in your house. This mold and pollution can be a result of uncleaned and poorly maintained air ducts in your home.
Hence, if you notice similar problems and symptoms in your family members then it might be the time to get the air ducts of your home cleaned.
5. Excessive dirt or dust
Just like pollution, excessive dirt, dust and debris can also accumulate in the components of the air duct system making its functioning less efficient and more energy consuming.
It is also concerning when the air ducts of your home start throwing out excessive dust into the air. This is a clear sign that the duct needs to be cleaned.
6. Developing of musty odors and moldy surroundings
The growth of molds around your house is a sign that the air inside your home is not very clean. This also leads to a musty smell indoors. If that is the case with your home, it would be highly advisable to get the air ducts cleaned. This will not only reduce the growth of mold but also improve the air quality of your home.
7. Infestation by pests or rodents
Sometimes the air ducts of your home can become a breeding ground for many other pests and vermins who can infest these systems. Not only does this create nuisance but it can also reduce the air quality of your home.
Hence, if you notice any pest or rodents taking shelter in the air ducts of your home, it is important to get them cleaned at the earliest.
8. Worsening conditions of asthma
If you or a family member is an asthma patient, it becomes much more important to get the air ducts of your home cleaned frequently. For example, it would be a great choice to clean the air ducts when the air inside your home starts getting more polluted, worsening the condition of asthma.
Thus, in normal circumstances an air duct can be cleaned anytime between three to five years but there are some factors like pollution, dust and pests which might lead to an immediate need to clean these air ducts.
Cleaning the air ducts of your home will not only enhance the quality of air inside your home but can also help in reducing the energy consumption by the air ducts.
