The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends cleaning air ducts every three to five years. Changing air filters frequently is the best way to keep dust, allergens, and other particles out of your home. With a newly installed system or a system in a house you just moved to, check the filter once a month to determine how quickly it gets dirty at different times of the year. Most need to be replaced every two to three months. It is widely accepted that cleaning air ducts is necessary for maintaining good air quality in the home.
However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has conducted studies that suggest that regular duct cleaning may not be necessary. The EPA found that dust levels and system performance were not significantly improved after cleaning the ducts. The EPA takes a different position, noting that duct cleaning has not been proven to prevent health problems. Most HVAC companies set a specific frequency or schedule for cleaning ducts, but regular cleaning of HVAC systems is not necessary to maintain health and air quality in the home. Studies conducted by governments of the United States and Canada and health professionals who have researched duct cleaning fail to recommend it against it, but neither do they approve it as a routine measure. However, there are times when they need to be cleaned, even when there is visible mold, an infestation, or an excessive amount of dust and dirt coming out of the vents.
If you share your home with pets that lose hair, this will increase the amount of dust and debris inside the ventilation grilles, so it may be necessary to clean the ducts more often. In addition, if you smell damp or burning when the oven is turned on, this could be a sign that your ducts need to be cleaned. Dirt, dust and hair regularly pass through the air conditioning system and can become attached to the sides of the ducts. While it is not necessary to clean the ducts if there is a small amount of dust, hair, and other debris, there are times when it is best to clean them. Any sign of rodents or insects in the air conditioning system indicates that it is necessary to clean the ducts by a professional. In conclusion, while cleaning and maintaining heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment offer some benefits, these benefits are relatively small and energy waste can be attributed to dirty ducts or equipment.
The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends cleaning air ducts every three to five years. 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.
