You can take care of your air ducts yourself when the situation is not serious, but in most cases, it is advisable to call a ventilation duct cleaning service, as they will undoubtedly do a better job. According to the National Association of Air Duct Cleaners (NADCA), homeowners should clean air ducts every 3 to 5 years. We have detailed how to clean your air ducts, but you might want to hire a professional. Read on to learn more about how to safely clean dirty air ducts and, for example, whether you should take care of this task yourself or hire a professional. Viruses, bacteria, and fungi can invade air ducts and become suspended in indoor air if the ducts are not cleaned.
This is because much of the dirt that can accumulate inside the air ducts adheres to the surfaces of the ducts and does not necessarily enter the living space. Pollutants that enter the home from both outdoor and indoor activities, such as cooking, cleaning, smoking, or just moving, can cause greater exposure to pollutants than dirty air ducts. Many heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system cleaning companies set prices with a fixed rate plus an additional charge for the number of ventilation grilles in their system. Regular air duct cleaning can remove dust, allergens, and other contaminants that circulate in your home's air through the duct system. It's important to note that dirty air ducts are just one of many possible sources of particulate matter in homes.
Use these questions to get all the information you need to make an informed decision before inviting an air duct contractor to your home. It's also worth noting that the National Association of Air Duct Cleaners (NADCA) recommends that air ducts be cleaned by a professional every three to five years, so the decision will ultimately be yours. When service providers come to your home, ask them to show you what type of contamination would warrant cleaning the ducts. According to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), cleaning frequency depends on many factors, such as whether your home has pets, smokers, or residents with asthma. The best way to keep air duct cleaning prices low is to be diligent in maintaining and repairing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
Professionals can also clean the entire system (air controllers, fans, heat exchangers, drain chambers, etc.) without dust or contaminants leaking through the ventilation grilles and entering your home. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), you probably only need to clean your air ducts if someone in your home has allergies, symptoms, or sudden illnesses, or if you notice that your ducts are full of mold, large amounts of dust and debris, or vermin. You can also contact professional duct cleaning service providers and ask them about the services they offer. While many of these products can be legally used inside uncoated ducts if all instructions on the label are followed, some of the instructions on the label may not be appropriate for use in ducts. In conclusion, it is important for homeowners to understand that they can clean their own air ducts when necessary. However, it is usually best to hire a professional for this task as they have more experience and knowledge about how to safely clean dirty air ducts.
Additionally, NADCA recommends that homeowners have their air ducts professionally cleaned every three to five years.
