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Blog

Signs Your HVAC Ducts Need to Be Cleaned

7/28/2021

9 Comments

 
I need to get my ducks cleaned – what?!

NoOoOo, not your ducks, your ducts!
​
Your air ducts are conduits that run throughout the attic space in your home. They deliver and remove air for both the AC and heating system. Each room in your home is connected to the ducts with a supply register and some rooms will also have a return register. 
Picture
Photo: Air ducts being installed into a new construction home.

 Why do air ducts need to be cleaned?

A buildup of mold, fungi, bacteria, and dust in your air ducts directly affects the indoor air quality of your home.

Poor air quality can result in a decline in the overall health, comfort, and well-being of the building occupant. People who are more sensitive to their environments that have allergies or certain diseases may be impacted further by poor air quality in the home.
​
Getting your air ducts cleaned when needed will help improve indoor air quality and your overall health and wellness. Clean air ducts can also result in more energy savings on your monthly bills depending on how clogged they were before cleaning. 
Picture
Photo: A Certified Technician with Country Air cleaning out an air duct.

How often do air ducts need to be cleaned?

A general rule of thumb is every 3 to 5 years, but this depends on several factors, like:
​
  • Number of smokers in the household.
  • Number of pets that live in the home shedding hair and dander.
  • A recent renovation or remodeling projects.
  • Location of your home.
  • Prior to occupancy of a new home.
  • Residents that have underlying health conditions that may benefit from a reduction in indoor air pollutants.
  • How often the air filter is changed.
  • How often the HVAC system is maintained.
  • Water or other damage that may have affected your HVAC system.
 
Depending on how these factors may affect you and your home will determine how often your ducts need to be cleaned. Some homes can go longer than 5 years before needing a good duct cleaning. 

Look for these clues to know when it might be time to get your air ducts cleaned:

  1. Your air returns are coated in dust and debris.
  2. You notice a change in the air flow coming out of your supply registers, the air may be coming out at a slower rate, or it may feel clammy.
  3. You can visibly see dust blowing out of your registers when the air is flowing out.
  4. You notice a fowl smell when your air is blowing. Sometimes insects and rodents make their way into the duct work but don’t make their way out.
  5. Black mildew is present on the registers. This can be a sign of a more serious problem like mold and/or mildew growth throughout the system. If so, it is recommended to do an antimicrobial fogging service first and then follow it up with a duct cleaning to prevent regrowth of mildew and microbes.
  6. You can visibly see an accumulation of dust and debris when you check inside your ducts with a flashlight.
  7. You can hear clatter other than your blower motor when you listen to the air flowing through your home. 
Picture
Photo: microbe growth on the inside of an air duct.

What can I do to prolong the time between duct cleanings?

Make sure you are taking care of your home and HVAC system properly. This includes:
  • Vacuuming and dusting your home regularly.
  • Changing your air filters routinely.
  • Finding and sealing leaks in your air ducts that might attract dust to come in from your attic area.
  • Upgrading to new duct work if your home is older or your duct work is in poor condition.
  • Signing up for an affordable HVAC maintenance plan where your system will get professionally tuned and inspected twice per year.

How should a residential HVAC system be cleaned?

An air duct system should be cleaned by a reputable professional. The air duct system will be placed under negative pressure using a specialized duct cleaning system that functions like a vacuum cleaner.
​
While the vacuum draws air through the duct work, a rotating brush head is inserted into the ducts through the registers of each room which dislodges any debris and gets sucked into the vacuum, leaving the system like new again. 
Picture
Photo: Country Air at a customer’s home doing an air duct cleaning. Notice the buildup of mildew on the registers that were removed prior to cleaning.

How much does duct cleaning cost?

Costs for duct cleaning vary depending on how many HVAC units your home has, whether you own a one or two story and how large your home is.
​
Country Air specializes in whole home air duct cleaning and provides free quotes. Give us a call today at 281-356-8564 and we’ll be happy to answer any more questions you have about duct cleaning and provide you with a free quote at no obligation to you. 
9 Comments
Kellie Herrin
7/31/2021 10:58:08 pm

Hello. I'm reaching out for a quote on duct cleaning of our 1900 Sq ft one story home. We are located in lakes of magnolia subdivision.

Reply
Country Air
8/1/2021 07:03:53 pm

Hi Kellie,

We would love to help you with that. Kindly call us at 281-356-8564 or please submit a help form on our website (https://www.countryairco.com/contactus.html) and we will give you a call asap. We look forward to talking with you!

Reply
Mitch link
8/1/2021 10:46:23 pm

We are just getting in the air duct cleaning business in LA, and appreciate your blog!

Reply
Country Air
9/1/2021 11:05:07 am

So glad to hear this, Mitch! Thank you for reading our blog.

Reply
Joshua Lane link
1/12/2022 03:03:48 pm

Ducks, ducts, what's the difference? ;)
Mold in the ducts is the grossest things, but fires are worse, for sure. Stay safe!

Reply
Mia Evans link
2/25/2022 05:18:00 am

I totally agree when you said that air duct cleaning would be important when there are residents with underlying health conditions in your home, since they can be affected by the indoor air pollutants. I will definitely hire that kind of service after a year of living in this new house we moved into. It will ensure that my son with mild respiratory issues to be safe and not have attacks in the future.

Reply
DUCTZ Charleston link
2/26/2022 03:22:30 am

Ducts are an important part of any heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. They carry heated or cooled air from the furnace or air conditioner to the different parts of the house. Ducts can be made of metal, fiberglass or plastic. They are usually hidden in the walls or ceilings, but they can also be installed in the floor.

Reply
John Carston link
4/26/2022 07:06:15 pm

I like that you said that wellness and overall health in your home would be helped by cleaning the air duct. My father mentioned to me last night that he and my mother was hoping to find a reliable cleaning service for the indoor air quality of their home, and he asked if I had any idea what could be the best option for them. Thanks to this informative article, I'll be sure to tell him that it will be much better if they consult a trusted air duct cleaning service as they can help them achieve healthy air.

Reply
Zachary Tomlinson link
6/9/2022 04:53:58 pm

Great tip on how you should have someone maintain your air ducts to avoid problems and contamination. My uncle plans to invest in an HVAC system that uses these for ventilation. This article really helped me understand how important air ducts are for your home.

Reply



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