How Often Should You Clean Your Air Ducts?

Your air conditioner’s ductwork is an extremely important component of your system that affects your indoor air quality. Air conditioning systems are prone to collect contaminants like bacteria, mold and fungi that can affect your overall health. People with asthma or severe allergies should strive to keep their ductwork clean and in good shape. So, if you wonder how often air duct cleaning services should be performed, continue reading.

What is an Air Duct Cleaning Service?

An air duct cleaning service is best performed when using a specialized, powerful vacuum. The vacuum draws air through the ductwork, and tools are used to remove any debris that is stuck to the interior walls. Two types of vacuums are used to perform a cleaning service. Truck-mounted vacuums are generally more powerful but are hard to relocate if you want to reach a specific area in a building or home that is not accessible. Portable vacuums are less powerful but can be brought directly into a facility or home, which helps to be closer to the ductwork.

Antimicrobial chemicals should only be used to clean the ductwork in circumstances where there is microbial contamination like mold, viruses and bacteria. To use the chemicals, you should first thoroughly clean the system to remove debris and dust. Usually, antimicrobial cleaning services are a separate service from standard air duct cleaning, so there will be an additional charge.

How Often do You Need a Service?

The number of services you need depends on several circumstances. Several things can speed up the buildup of contaminants in your ductwork. You should consider getting your ductwork cleaned more frequently if:

• There are smokers in your household
• You own pets that shed frequently
• You recently had home renovations
• There is water contamination in your home or system

Besides these general factors, experts suggest cleaning your ductwork system every 3-5 years.

How Much Does it Cost?

The cost of your air duct cleaning service depends on several factors. In most areas, the cost of a cleaning service ranges from $450-$1,000. The different factors that affect pricing include:

• Climatic region
• Contamination severity
• System size
• System accessibility
• Duct material

For more information on air duct cleaning services, contact Express Air. We can get your ducts clean and help you breathe easy inside your home.