Air ducts should be cleaned every three to five years or so, and doing so will save you significant amounts of money. Between 20 and 45 percent of the energy that is used to either heat or cool a home can be wasted if the air ducts are being used inefficiently, i.e. if they’re too grimy to push air through properly. Clean ducts are essential because more air can pump through them easier, rather than having them be inoperable thanks to the heaps of dust clogging them.

Are you learning about how often air ducts should be cleaned and feeling behind on your duct cleaning? No need to worry, 360 Comfort Systems is here to help! We’re available 24/7/365 days a year including after-hours, weekends, and holidays at no extra cost to you! 

Does cleaning air ducts really make a difference?

Absolutely. Cleaning an air duct is a way to save money, plus it can extend the lifespan of your HVAC system by reducing the amount of strain it needs to go through. Clogged air ducts are harder to push air through, which may require your system to work even harder than it must. Over time, this can result in wear and tear, and your system may not live as long as you’d like it to. 

Duct cleaning can even improve health and hygiene. This isn’t a definitive science, but duct cleaning does absolutely improve indoor air quality, which consequently may mean that the odds of developing respiratory illness or having an asthma attack are greatly reduced in homes that have regular air duct cleanings and HVAC maintenance. 

Clean ducts means that cooled or heated air (depending on which you need at the time) can make it to your living spaces easier. You won’t need to put the thermostat to extremes just to get the most comfortable temperature. An air conditioner or furnace replacement isn’t a cheap job – so by cleaning your ducts and scheduling professional cleans, you can ensure that they live longer.

How do I know if my ductwork needs to be cleaned?

There are a few signs that might indicate your ductwork needs to be cleaned. If you notice any of these, it’s likely time to schedule a clean (or do some DIY scrubbing):

• If you have a relatively new home that was built only recently, the ducts may have accumulated lots of debris, dust, and sawdust. Sanding plaster and drywall can bring up a lot of dust, which can build up in your ducts and then be blown all around your nice (clean) new house.
• You notice a lot of strange odours popping up, and it’s not from any bad cooking. This could be an indication you’ve got rodents, pests, mildew, or bacteria growing in your ducts. Get them cleaned if you’ve noticed this.
• Your energy bills are soaring, and there hasn’t been any change of use. This is actually a sign of a lot of things (like your furnace getting older or having an issue) but it could be indicative that your HVAC system is working harder than it needs to due to poorly cleaned ducts. This is bad for energy efficiency and a good sign that it’s time to check your air ducts.

Of course, a lot of these symptoms could indicate an issue with your HVAC system, so if you do a clean but the issue doesn’t remedy, you might want to schedule an appointment to diagnose the issue. While you can technically do some level of DIY troubleshooting yourself, some things are better left to the professionals.

Do these signs look familiar? If so, it may be time to schedule a duct cleaning appointment with 360 Comfort Systems! We’re here to help 24/7/365 days a year including after-hours, weekends, and holidays! Book your cleaning appointment today! 

How often is duct cleaning necessary?

In most cases, we recommend that homeowners schedule a duct cleaning every three to five years. That’s a pretty broad span of time, but the variation comes from the fact that everyone really has a very different lifestyle and a very different home. If you live in a particularly dusty environment, have a household of smokers, or you live with shedding pets (no offense to any Fluffies or Fidos living at home) then you might benefit from scheduling a cleaning even more regularly.

Also, if you have anyone living at home who suffers from asthma or allergies, then it may also be a good idea to schedule a duct cleaning more regularly. Clean air ducts mean that cleaner air is circulating through your home, which means that everyone around you can breathe easier. 

What are the cons of duct cleaning?

There are a few cons that can come with duct cleaning, but most of them are the result of you doing so on your own without the advice of a technician.

Your air filter should already be keeping dust out of your ducts, but obviously, things can still get snagged, and if you’ve done any renovations recently there’s a chance that sawdust and drywall can accumulate in your ducts. Also, if you fail to clear out your air filters regularly, that can also cause dust to accumulate.

If you choose to DIY your own duct cleaning, you run the risk of damaging your ducts. The same goes for hiring a careless contractor. Choosing a company like 360 Comfort Systems means a job done well, but hiring a company with 0 reputation and 0 credentials means risking scratching, leaks, and even holes. A reputable air duct cleaner will use long vacuum tubes to clean your pipes efficiently and avoid causing damage (which can necessitate a total replacement if the damage is bad enough!)

Always beware of contractors who don’t meet the necessary requirements, i.e., those who aren’t licensed, insured, or have any reputation. Check their reviews, do your research, and above all, don’t just take them for their word! 

For high-quality duct cleaning, book an appointment with 360 Comfort Systems today!