Like any other air conditioning system, air ducts require regular maintenance to ensure they are running at their best. The National Association of Air Duct Cleaners (NADCA) recommends cleaning air ducts every 3 to 5 years, but this can vary depending on the environment. Food manufacturers, for example, may need quarterly, biannual, or even annual duct cleaning services due to the food particles they introduce into their systems, leading to mold and pest problems. Manufacturing operations that create risks of combustible dust also need more frequent cleaning.Location, climate, and HVAC use are all factors that affect air duct cleaning frequency programs.
Other problems such as mold and diseases can also be a sign that ducts need cleaning. If your system is properly maintained and you change the filters twice a year, you can increase the time between professional cleanings. If your system has never been cleaned and has been active on your property for more than three years, it's likely due to a cleaning.Even a single station can accumulate enough dust and debris in the system to make it less efficient than when it was first installed. In general, in office buildings, educational premises, shopping malls, and other commercial properties, it is advisable to clean the air ducts every three to four years, just like in residential homes.
Hospitals also need air duct cleaning services much more regularly because they are concerned about any type of particulate matter that could pose a risk to patients.Don't make the mistake of thinking that because you have a filter in your system, you don't need to clean your ducts. Duct leaks can also cause the air conditioner to escape through the openings in the ducts, forcing the air conditioning system to run longer and consume more energy. The best time to clean ducts is in spring or early fall, after you have stopped using the air conditioning system to cool or heat the property and before having to use it again.Studies on the effects of duct cleaning do not conclusively show that the presence of dust and debris in ducts increases levels of particulate matter inside the house. However, in large quantities, dust and debris can create an air quality hazard, so it's important to check the vents regularly and clean the ducts if an excessive amount of debris enters the house through the ventilation grilles.
Especially if you live in a heavily polluted area, surrounded by buildings or with a lot of wind or dust, your ducts will accumulate particles that will clog them or reduce the air quality in your home when you turn on the air conditioning system. Unfortunately, many components of your system are not easily accessible, making it difficult to visually detect mold in air ducts.According to NADCA (National Association of Air Duct Cleaners), there are several reasons why you should clean your air ducts more often than every three to five years. By choosing the right company to clean your air ducts, you'll get more benefits than just a cleaner air duct system.
