How Often Should You Have Your Air Ducts Cleaned?

As people are becoming more health conscious – and spending more time at home – indoor air quality is more important than ever. A major contributor to your home’s indoor air quality are your air ducts, and as Tampa’s leading indoor air quality and AC company, we are frequently asked: “how often should I get my air ducts cleaned.” While there is no hard and fast rule as to when you should get your air ducts cleaned, there are obvious signs that you should look out for that will signal to you that it’s time to schedule a service. If you are unsure or have questions about whether you need HVAC duct cleaning, contact your local air conditioning experts at Super Heat & Air for guidance. In the meantime, let’s take a look at what might indicate the need for a duct cleaning service.

Rule of Thumb: Clean Your Ducts Every 3-5 Years

The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) suggests to get your air ducts cleaned every 3-5 years. While there are other factors that might come into play, professionals came up with this number based on past experience with a wide range of systems. If your HVAC system needs cleaning more than once a year, this can indicate a problem with your unit, and you will want to make sure to get this looked at.

Things to Look Out For:

There are quite a few things that contribute to dust and build-up in your air ducts. The climate in which you live can play a big role in how often your ducts need to be cleaned and the amount/type of build-up that you might have in your ducts. Here are some tell-tale signs that you need a professional AC duct cleaning:

• Dusty build-up around the outside of the vent register
• Excessive debris around the filter areas
• Thick dust or dirt in ducts
• Noticeable bursts of debris or dust exiting supply registers
• Moldy smell coming from the air flow vents
• Visible vermin infestations or access

Another sign that you need your ducts cleaned is dust accumulating faster in your home. If it feels like you are dusting every weekend and there is a new pile of dust waiting for you by the time the next weekend rolls around, you may have dirty air blowing into your home. Only you know how often you typically need to dust. But if it seems to be more frequently than normal, it may be time to call in a professional from Super Heat & Air to clean your ducts.

Your heating and cooling costs should be relatively predictable from year to year. If you receive a bill that is noticeably high, however, or if you look at your records and note that your utility bills are much higher now compared to the same time a year ago, your home’s ductwork might be (partially, at least) to blame.

In extreme cases, ductwork can become so dirty that air isn’t able to flow freely and efficiently through your home’s HVAC system. When this happens, your air conditioner is forced to work harder (use more energy, in other words) to maintain the temperature you’ve set at the thermostat. This extra energy expenditure translates to higher utility bills for you!

Beyond removing airflow-obstructing dirt and debris, your air duct cleaning technician will also keep an eye out for leaking ducts. Ductwork is usually installed in a home in sections, and these sections are sealed to prevent air leakage. Over years of use, however, these seals can deteriorate, which reduces the efficiency of your HVAC system.

The bottom line is that when your ductwork isn’t sealed properly, you’re paying for heated and cooled air that you don’t get to enjoy.

Reasons to Get a HVAC Duct Service

• You wish to prevent mold, pollen, tobacco odors, pests, dust and accumulated dirt
• You need to improve your indoor air quality
• It’s been a while since your ducts have been cleaned
• You want to help family members who suffer from allergies or asthma to breathe easier
• The air ducts in your house have never been cleaned
• You have a new home and would like to be sure that the air ducts are clear of construction debris

We often worry about our outdoor air quality, when our indoor air quality is just as (if not more) important! According to the EPA, the air quality in your home can be two-to-five times worse than the outdoor air quality. In some rare cases, it may be as much as 100 times worse! So don’t let your family’s indoor air quality suffer!

At Super Heat & Air, our air duct cleaning service removes allergens, and we incorporate antimicrobial sanitizing to ensure your air is clean. We use a roto brush to get your air ducts into a hospital-grade clean that is second to none! Air duct cleaning improves your indoor air quality and your air conditioner’s airflow. Call us today to schedule a duct cleaning appointment today!