Air ducts house a lot of invisible contaminants, and those contaminants get into the air you breathe. That means all home air duct systems need to be cleaned regularly. As a general rule, you should clean your air ducts once every 5 to 10 years.
Of course, that’s quite a range, because there are a lot of factors that affect exactly how often your ducts need cleaning. We’ll go through all of them below—as well as why your ducts need cleaning at all.
Why do I need to clean my air ducts?
Over time, air ducts accrue a substantial amount of dust, dirt and air contaminants. These buildups disperse a certain amount of contaminants whenever AC or heat blows through—and it spreads out into your home. You may not notice the dust directly, but they have a variety of effects:
- Air contaminants can fuel allergies or asthma
- Buildup can eventually make your AC or heating system less efficient, raising energy prices
- Some contaminants can even make you sick
This last one is particular important. Regular duct cleaning, for example, correlated with a reduction in risk for Legionnaires’ disease—a pneumonia-like illness caused by airborne bacteria In some cases, Legionnaires’ disease can even be fatal.
Of course, your AC and furnace should have air filters, but these don’t provide total protection. Contaminants will enter the system even if you have the best air filters available.
What kind of contaminants can be found in my ducts?
Each house may have a slightly different profile depending on live style, age of home, and environment, but some of the most commone include:
- Organic dust from in the home
- Fine dust from the soil outside the home
- Mold and mold spores
- Pollen
- Pet dander
- Cigarette smoke
- Dust mites
- Bacteria
- Asbestos
- Heavy metals
- Paint particles
This list is far from exhaustive. Everything from sawdust to rodent droppings can create airborne contaminants that build up in your ductwork.
How do I know how often I need to clean my ducts?
You can gauge this by several factors, such as:
- Do you have pets in the home?
- Does anyone smoke in your home?
- Does anyone have allergies in your home?
- Does more than one person reside there?
- Do you do indoor projects that involve paints, sprays, or cutting wood?
- Do you ever forget to change your AC/furnace air filters?
- Do you have home humidifiers?
- Do you use chemical and fragrance sprays?
If you answer “yes” to some or all of these questions, plan cleaning every five years. If it’s all “no,” go with every ten years. And if it’s somewhere in the middle, a seven-year schedule is good.
Getting your ducts cleaned allows the pros to come in with specialized equipment that truly reaches every nook and cranny of your ductwork—equipment that most homeowners don’t have. This is much more effective than trying to do it yourself, and it doesn’t cost a lot of money. You will breathe easier once it’s done.
Get Help with Your Las Vegas Air Ducts
Don’t let air quality become an issue in your home. Call Ambient Edge. We offer flat rates on fast, efficient air duct cleanings—and friendly service. Call us at (702)948-7201 or fill out the form to your right and speak with one of our service experts today.
