As a general rule, the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends cleaning air ducts every 3 to 5 years. Air ducts are passageways that carry hot and cold air throughout the house. Like any other HVAC system, air ducts require regular maintenance to ensure maximum efficiency. With certain methods, the cleaning recommendation can be extended from 6 to 8 years.
The accumulation of mold and other contaminants that cause allergic reactions may be a consideration for more immediate cleaning of air ducts for the health of your home and family. To maintain an efficient HVAC system, the NADCA recommends inspecting air ducts at least once a year and cleaning them as needed. Your professional air duct cleaner will be able to assess the condition of your air ducts and identify any problem areas (including leaks) during the inspection process. An annual evaluation can help avoid costly repairs in the future.
A common statement made by some HVAC companies is that a home's HVAC ducts should be cleaned at least once every three to five years to ensure that hair, dust, and dirt don't affect air quality in the home and cause health problems. However, the EPA takes a different stance and notes that duct cleaning has not been proven to prevent health problems. In addition, studies on the effects of duct cleaning do not conclusively demonstrate that the presence of dust and debris in ducts increases levels of particles inside the home. Cleaning the air ducts involves thoroughly cleaning the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. In addition to regular duct cleaning by an authorized HVAC and indoor air quality contractor, a faster appointment may be required to get the ducts in order under the circumstances listed below.
Air duct cleaning isn't a one-size-fits-all service, and the amount of time it takes to clean a residential HVAC system depends on many variables, such as the size of the house, the number of HVAC systems, the type of ducts in the house, the degree of contamination, and the number of HVAC cleaning technicians needed for the job.
