There’s a lot of information on what you should and shouldn’t do when it comes to your HVAC system. Sometimes, it can all get pretty confusing. You may even find yourself wondering if you’re doing the right thing or just wasting money.
The topic of ductwork cleaning is one that generates such confusion. Should air conditioning ducts be cleaned, or is it one of those unnecessary upsells from HVAC technicians? We’ll cover the details in this post.
The Benefits of Cleaning Air Conditioning Ducts
Straight away, we can tell you that you should indeed clean your air conditioning duct — if it’s dirty enough. Some of the benefits of cleaning dirty air ducts include the following.
Improved Indoor Air Quality
Air conditioning ducts that have been untouched for decades will accumulate pollen, dust, mold spores, and other contaminants. This will worsen your indoor air quality, leading to more allergic reactions and worsening respiratory issues.
Similarly, the unpleasant odors from the activity of pets and pests, cooking, and tobacco use can linger in your ductwork, making your indoor space smell a bit off. Cleaning the ductwork will help remove these pollutants, giving you cleaner, healthier air.
Improved HVAC Efficiency
Excessive amounts of dust and debris in the duct can make your heating and cooling system work harder than usual to maintain your preferred indoor temperatures. Cleaning the ducts will help ensure efficient airflow. This will reduce the strain on your HVAC system. The knock-on effect is a reduction in your energy bills.
Reduced Dust Levels
Cleaner ducts mean less dust floating around your indoor space and settling on your furniture and other surfaces. As a result, you won’t need to spend too much time on dusting surfaces and keeping your home clean.
When Should Air Conditioning Ducts Be Cleaned?
It can be difficult to know when to clean your ductwork. While some guides will recommend cleaning the ducts every three to five years, others will tell you that you should only clean your ductwork once in a lifetime.
However, as with many other HVAC tips, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to follow here. You should clean your ductwork if you notice the following:
- Visible mold growth
- Pest infestation
- Excessive dust and debris around vents
It also makes sense to clean your ductwork after completing any recent renovations.
Important Tips To Remember
Before you book an appointment with an air duct cleaning service, here are a few things you should keep in mind:
- Ductwork cleaning is not a magic fix for your indoor air quality issues. If you only generate a light amount of household dirt and debris, then it’s unlikely that cleaning your ductwork will solve your indoor air quality problems.
- Cleaning your ductwork won’t correct structural issues. Problems like airflow imbalance are usually traceable to poor ductwork construction. Cleaning the ductwork won’t fix things.
Trust Your Local Pros for Comprehensive Duct Cleaning Services
Are you still asking, “When should air conditioning ducts be cleaned?” Do you need professional air duct cleaning services? Call the BWS Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning team in Eden Prairie, MN, at 952-208-5459 to schedule a consultation. Learn more now.
