How Often Is Duct Cleaning Necessary?

People often ask how often duct cleaning services are needed; the answers usually vary. Some homes may try to put off maintenance for three or four years, only to discover what happens when the weather gets bad. On the other hand, some service providers recommend two checkups a year, one before the hottest part of the year and another before the coldest part.

Most HVAC pros agree that servicing your system once a year is the best way to keep it in good shape. There are a few things to consider when figuring out the right schedule. Check out more about the factors that come into play regarding how often duct cleaning is needed to ensure that the yearly plan fits your system’s needs.

1. Consider How Your HVAC Is Used

The frequency of servicing can be better understood by drawing distinctions between HVAC systems used in homes and businesses. 

In general, less maintenance is required for residential systems than it is for their commercial counterparts because residential systems are smaller and run less frequently than commercial systems. In business, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are subject to far more regular maintenance.

In addition to this, the stakes are larger for companies. If the heating or air conditioning system in an office building or factory breaks down and needs to be shut down, there could be major repercussions for the company’s finances, with potential daily costs reaching hundreds of dollars. 

As a consequence of this, some homeowners can consider preventative maintenance to be an expense. Still, company owners view air duct cleaning as a strategic investment to save money in the long term.

2. Evaluate The Benefits Of Cleaning Your Air Ducts

The decision to have inspections performed every year carries with it a lot of benefits, which can result in less stress and cost savings for company owners and homeowners alike. The active performance of preventative maintenance results in several benefits. 

Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system will work efficiently if you regularly maintain it, resulting in around a thirty percent reduction in your monthly energy expenses. This monetary benefit directly results from the system operating at its highest possible level.

In addition, research has shown that performing maintenance on a system on an annual basis can prevent up to 95% of system failures. When you take care of smaller problems before they become major problems, you can avoid potentially expensive significant repairs. 

In addition, regular maintenance extends the life of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, so you won’t have to invest early in its replacement.

The continuation of the validity of many warranties is contingent upon the performance of routine maintenance. Your ability to maintain coverage under your warranty terms depends on your adherence to a maintenance program. 

Other than the financial benefits, maintaining your HVAC system protects your home or place of business. During winter, it can stop your pipes from freezing and safeguard your household from any potential dangers carbon monoxide poses.

A preventative strategy that yields significant benefits, including cost reductions and improvements in safety and comfort, is to make annual inspections part of the routine maintenance that your organization or home performs.

3. When Exactly Should You Clean Your Ductwork

Most of the time, you should establish a routine for cleaning the ducts associated with your HVAC system. However, several different situations call for the necessity of comprehensive cleaning. 

For instance, if you have dogs, the hair and dander they shed might gather within the ducts, meaning you will need to clean them more frequently. 

When moving into a new house, you can feel compelled to thoroughly clean it to eliminate any dust or filth that may have developed due to the previous inhabitants. In a similar attitude, after constructing a new home, debris, and dust from the construction process may have gathered in the ducts, necessitating a comprehensive cleaning.

In addition, after a remodeling project, there may be an increase in dust and debris in the air, which may cause a buildup within the ducts. 

A thorough cleaning of the ducts can remove any residue that may be present after chemical irritants have spread throughout the home. These irritants may include powerful cleaning products or paints.