Knowing when to clean air ducts may seem like a guessing game, but there are some general guidelines to follow. If the ducts have never been cleaned and require a lot of work to remove dust and build-up, be prepared to pay additional charges. This helps eliminate build-up on the surface, but it doesn't penetrate deep into the ducts or clean the entire system. While the initiatives you do yourself may offer some benefits, in essence it is a matter of light surface cleaning compared to a professional service.
The price you'll pay to hire someone to clean your air ducts depends on the size of your house and the ducts, accessibility, and labor costs in your area. According to the National Institutes of Health, there is insufficient evidence that routine cleaning of air ducts shows a clear benefit to indoor air quality, health or air conditioning performance, even when contaminants are effectively removed from the duct system. Depending on the size of your house, the type of ducts you have and the degree of accessibility of the ducts, most cleaning jobs require three to eight hours of work. Cleaning rigid metal ducts usually costs less than cleaning flexible ducts because they are relatively easy to clean with basic equipment.
Not all homes need routine air duct cleaning, but certain signs may indicate that it's time to schedule a professional service. You may need to schedule air duct cleaning for a time when the heating or air conditioning system isn't in use. Failure to clean ducts can cause dust, mold and other allergens to build up, reducing air quality and causing health problems. Visible dust, unusual odors when the HVAC works, and increased allergic reactions may be signs that air ducts need to be cleaned.
