A creative shot of a pristine air vent installed impeccably on a ceiling.

If you notice that your family members are becoming ill and suspect that it is due to mold forming on your ducts or dust billowing throughout your air ducts, you may be tempted to hire a professional Colorado Springs air duct cleaning service.

Every homeowner desires clean, fresh air in their home. It not only provides a sense of comfort but also lowers the risk of any health anomalies. However, will cleaning air ducts actually produce cleaner air? Or is it an unnecessary expenditure?

“Is duct cleaning necessary?” you may ask yourself. Let us reassure you with this article that not only is it necessary, but it is also a very important aspect of maintaining a healthy household.

Central, Dryer Vent, HVAC Duct Cleaning: Are They All The Same Thing?

First, we must distinguish between air duct cleaning and dryer vent cleaning. Both are frequently confused with one another because they are nearly identical with a few key differences.

Obviously, cleaning your dryer vent has nothing to do with your HVAC system, but it’s also a service that can be included as a package when you want to have your air ducts cleaned and sanitized.

  • Air Duct Cleaning – What is air duct cleaning? Air duct obstructions impair the performance of your HVAC system and can impede your home’s ability to reach a pleasant temperature due to airflow restrictions. In addition, it places the unit under significant stress, making it consume more energy, break down frequently, and gradually destroy the system. You can easily enjoy air duct cleaning benefits and prevent these occurrences.
  • Dryer Vent Cleaning – The dryer vent is typically obstructed by the lint from the clothing. As a result, the hot, humid air is unable to escape and becomes trapped within the building. In addition, the clothes do not dry properly and remain somewhat damp. In extreme circumstances, this obstruction can pose a fire threat. For optimal results, it is vital to clean both the dryer vent and the lint trap.

Do Air Duct And Dryer Vent Cleaning Follow The Same Recommended Maintenance Schedule?

Homeowners mostly want to have their ducts and dryer vents cleaned at the same time. However, dryer vents should be cleaned more frequently than your ducts since they can be a fire hazard if left unattended. This can be dangerous in a home with a large family because dryers can be used frequently, resulting in a debris backup.

  • Air Duct Cleaning – Experts recommend that a cleaning be performed at least once every five years. However, you can do it more frequently if you live in an area where there is a lot of dust in the air or if you are allergic to pollen and the like. If you are interested in improving the quality of air, this is the step for you.
  • Dryer Vent Cleaning – Every homeowner should clean the dryer vent at least once or twice annually. If you can’t do it every six months, annual cleaning is definitely recommended.

A series of air vents on a rectilinear ceiling.

Can Homeowners Do It Themselves?

It’s not advisable to use a broom to clean the ducts, but it’s definitely encouraged to remove the floor registers and to see if there’s any debris in there that can be sucked out with a vacuum.

You’re not going to be able to get to the more extensive parts of your duct system, unlike with your dryer vent. Regardless, it’s important to keep your filter clean as often as possible. If you can remove your dryer vent, disconnect it from time to time, and vacuum it out, that is also advisable.

What Homeowners See At Surface Glance

It’s safe to assume that if people open their vents or filters and find a little filth, everything is fine. However, it varies depending on the application and what ductwork is accessible to you as the homeowner, as well as where you can reach it.

If you’re just opening up your grills in your kitchen or bedrooms and you see some debris in there, it’s not really going to show you the full integrity of your duct system and its condition, but it can give you an idea of how things look beyond what the eyes can see.

If you remove your return vents, for example, and you notice that there is a large amount of debris, dust, and maybe even some biological growth, that can give you an idea that the parts you’re not seeing have some debris and some biological growth that you might want to clean out as well.

How Often Should Ducts Be Cleaned? High Use Vs Low Use

In many parts of the United States, ACs run year-round. If homeowners decide to have some upgraded filtration where they want to go ahead and circulate the air, whether they’re using heat or cooling throughout the day, the movement of air throughout the home and the condition of the ducts will tell them how often they should get it cleaned.

However, it does beg the question: How often should you do duct cleaning? Having yearly maintenance with a professional, homeowners will be able to see what’s going on inside the unit and also in areas of the duct system, and they’ll be able to know if they need it cleaned every two years. If the homeowners have three dogs or four kids, for instance, they’ll probably want to do the cleaning a little more often. Generally speaking, 3-5 years is usually a good rule of thumb.

What are Typical Household Signs You Need Duct Maintenance?

What are the signs that you already need maintenance? Aside from the risk of seasonal allergies you can accumulate due to dirty ductwork, you will start noticing some inefficiencies in your unit as well. If you frequently need to change your filters between 3-4 weeks after you put a brand new one in, that is a sign to get your duct system checked out.

Here are other signs that your ducts need cleaning:

  • There is a clear presence mold.
  • Dust can be found everywhere.
  • Ducts are infested with rodents or insects, or their droppings.
  • Your home was recently constructed or underwent a major renovation, and construction debris might have occurred.
  • Unexplainable rising energy costs and bills.

How Do I Find The Right Specialist?

Choosing the right duct cleaning specialist is similar to selecting any other service provider. You seek excellent customer service, knowledge, and value. To determine whether a company possesses these attributes, you should evaluate customer reviews, examine industry qualifications, and get a quote.

Some industry-specific considerations include:

  • The process the company will use to clean your vents.
  • If they will inspect the system before cleaning.
  • If they are bonded and insured.
  • If they have special training to deal with mold.
  • If they have experience working on systems like yours.

Moreover, despite the fact that there are real reasons for having your ducts cleaned, you should be wary of duct cleaners that make exaggerated and unsubstantiated promises.

What Is Usually Included In A Duct Cleaning Service?

Generally, duct cleaning is a four-step process:

  1. The HVAC technician will inspect your ducts.
  2. The technician will start a vacuum.
  3. The technician will shake up the dust in the system.
  4. Finally, the technician will clean the rest of the system.

What To Expect

After the process, expect the following air duct cleaning benefits:

  • Better air quality
  • Improved energy efficiency
  • An extended lifespan for your unit

Hope we were able to answer your question, “is air duct cleaning necessary?” We at Duct Pros offer duct cleaning services, and we’d be happy to assist you in your home!

If you have air quality issues or need an AC repair or replacement, don’t hesitate to contact us to find out how we can help. Feel free to check out our website for more information about the other services we offer as well. It is our pleasure to help your home be as comfortable as possible just like we did for our previous clients.

Published On: November 14, 2022Categories: Air Duct Cleaning

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