How Often Should I Have My Ducts Cleaned?
When was the last time you had your ducts cleaned out? If it’s longer than you can remember, it’s very likely that your indoor air quality is contaminated with particles of bacteria, dust, mold, pet dander and more. Without regular cleanings, this can eventually impact your health and wellbeing. To learn how often you should have your ducts cleaned to keep your interior safe, read on.
Why It’s Necessary to Have Ducts Cleaned Regularly
The heating and cooling system plays an important role in maintaining our comfort levels, whether it’s at home or in commercial settings. As the system heats and cools your home, it captures particles to prevent them from polluting the air that gets dispersed through the duct system. However, the filter can eventually get overwhelmed with the accumulation of pollutants, such as dust, dirt, pet dander, and pollen. Once it’s too clogged, it can generate poor indoor air quality which can impact your comfort and health over time.
How Often Should You Have Your Ducts Cleaned
To maintain good indoor air quality, we recommend a duct cleaning service every two or three years. This is typically the average timeframe of when the ducts end up getting clogged with dust and debris. Depending on your interior and lifestyle, you may need to get them cleaned out more often. For older, dusty homes and those living with pets, we recommend hiring someone to clean them once each year.
Here are some signs to keep an eye out for that will indicate when it’s time to get your ducts professionally cleaned:
Thick Coating of Dust on Vents
The easiest way to determine when it’s time to tackle the ducts with a deep cleaning is by looking at the vents. Over time, dust will collect and create a noticeable thick layer. The vacuum can usually remove some of it, but in most cases, once the dust has accumulated, it will keep appearing on the vent. This is a sign to call and have them cleaned.
Monitor the Filter
Since the filter’s job is to capture debris and particles to prevent them from floating around in the air, it’s another key area to monitor. When it becomes coated, it will limit the airflow and force the HVAC system to work twice as hard to heat or cool your interior. Take a look at it every few months and if it’s coated, get it changed and call to have the ducts cleaned.
Inspect the AC Coil
Don’t forget to monitor the dust around the A/C coil which is located under the back panel of the unit. You can access this by simply removing the back panel. It’s best to do this at least a few times throughout the summer months.
Inspect the Blower Fan and Motor
Take a look at your furnace on a regular basis as well by opening it and inspecting the motor and blower fan for dust.
The Negative Impacts of Clogged Ducts
Makes Your HVAC System Less Energy Efficient
When the ducts and other components of your HVAC system are blocked with dust, it reduces the efficiency of the entire system, requiring more energy to heat or cool the interior. As it works harder, it will cause your energy usage and monthly bills to increase as well.
Shortens the Lifespan of Your HVAC Unit
In climates like Canada, we rely on our HVAC systems almost constantly. And when they have to work harder to operate, it places even more pressure on the system. This increases the potential of repairs, faster wear and tear, and can reduce the lifespan of the unit.
Unhealthy Indoor Air Quality
Maintaining clean and safe indoor air quality is important for our health and wellbeing. Without regular cleanings, bacteria, pollen and dust can cause allergy flare-ups as well as respiratory problems and more.
Don’t suffer from unsafe indoor air quality due to dirty ducts. Reach out to our team at Top Hat Home Comfort for a thorough cleaning today.
