Your home’s air ducts function similarly to your lungs. Air ducts distribute warm and cooled air to each room in your home or place of work. They require routine maintenance much like any other part of the HVAC system to sustain optimal performance.
As leading HVAC contractors in Vancouver, we always tell our clients that they should get their air ducts cleaned every three to five years. That maintenance suggestion can be stretched to 6 to 8 years with certain approaches.
To protect the health of your family, it may be necessary to clean your air ducts more often if there has been a buildup of mould and other pollutants. If you’re wondering how often you should clean your air ducts, keep reading this blog post.
Why Air Duct Cleaning Is Necessary
Your family receives fresh air at a certain temperature via the maze-like ducting system concealed within your home. The very first step in sustaining good indoor air quality is to clean and maintain your HVAC system and air ducts.
Your air ducts could get clogged with dust, pollutants, and debris over time. This pollutes the air in your house in addition to lowering the effectiveness of your heating and cooling systems (costing you money). The significance of maintaining and cleaning your air ducts is often overlooked since they are hidden from view.
Also Read: How Often Should I Get My Air Conditioner Serviced?
The Frequency Of Air Duct Cleaning Is Important
Since it depends on several variables and (sometimes) who you ask, there is no one correct response to this question, although generally:
- When you find significant levels of dust, dirt, or mould in your HVAC system, the experts advise thorough air duct cleaning.
- Cleanings should be done more frequently, typically every two years, for households with pets. People who have animal allergies could be severely impacted by pet hair, fur, or dander, and repeated contact might eventually cause allergies to develop.
- If someone in your home has respiratory issues or allergies, you should get your air ducts cleaned.
- If there is moisture or humidity present, mould spores can quickly multiply in your ducting. You should get your ducts cleaned as soon as possible if you see any signs of mould in your vents.
What Should I Look For When Cleaning My Air Ducts?
Let’s find out how you can tell if your air ducts need cleaning.
Dirty Filter Or Duct Wall
You should change your HVAC filters every 3 months to keep contaminants out of the system. While doing so, inspect the filter and run a flashlight down the ductwork. It’s essential to call the professionals if the filter has significantly caught particles or if you can visibly see build-up on the duct wall.
A Stinky Smell Or Visible Mould
Your air ducts are one of the many moist, unreachable areas where mould loves to thrive. If you see visible mould, feel a musky smell in the air, or have symptoms ranging from nasal irritation to coughing, the contaminated ducting should be cleaned. A reliable service provider can remove the mould by disinfecting the area to stop any further development and contribute to its future prevention.
Pest Infestation
The air that is circulated throughout the house might become contaminated by the trash and stink left behind by creepy crawlers who build a home in your ducts. If you detect rodents in or around your ductwork or notice a decrease in your systems efficiency, a thorough cleaning can eliminate pests and keep them from bothering you any longer.
Symptoms Of An Excessive Cold Or Allergy
People who have clean ducts say they are generally healthier. However, if your ducts are indeed unhygienic, they might circulate contaminated air that makes members of your house susceptible to allergies and cold-like symptoms. If there is a build up in the air ducts, dust mites that feed on human waste can live there and trigger allergic and asthmatic symptoms.
About Pro West Heating And Air Conditioning
Pro West is your one-stop shop for all of your heating and cooling needs, including air conditioning, heating, and humidification. Our area of specialization is air conditioning system installation, repair, and maintenance.
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