The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not recommend that air ducts be routinely cleaned, but only when necessary. However, the EPA does suggest that if you have a furnace, stove, or fireplace that burns fuel, they should be inspected to ensure they are working properly and maintained before each heating season to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning. Keeping the return vents clean helps the air conditioning system work more efficiently, but it also has other benefits. Clean ventilation grilles reduce allergens in the house and keep the oven filter clean for longer (so it can trap more dust and allergens).There is an abundance of dust, dander, dirt, hair, and insect fragments that can hide in ventilation grilles and ventilation ducts, which can contaminate the air you breathe.
If the supply grilles are on the floor, things can fall into them, but when the system is running, they blow out air which tends to keep dust bunnies away. Use a powerful household vacuum or a wet and dry vacuum to remove dust and dirt from the vent covers and the deepest part of the ducts that you can reach with the vacuum attachment. If you have an old or complex system, it is best to leave certain vents in the hands of professionals. If the intake covers don't fit in the sink, take them outside to clean them or use the bathtub, but place an old towel in the tub first to prevent it from being scratched by the metal edges of the ventilation grilles. If you have access to the outside of the air ducts directly around the duct opening, tap them lightly to release dirt and dust so you can vacuum them up.
Use a thick paper towel or piece of paper to block any supply grids that you're not currently cleaning.
These ventilation grilles allow air to enter and exit the attic and are not part of the air conditioning system, so there is no need to clean them to install air ducts.
To get a full view of your air ducts' interior, it is necessary for an air duct cleaning company to perform a video inspection. Ventilation grilles tend to accumulate more dust faster as they suck in air when your system is running. Every time your air conditioning system pushes air through your ducts, mold spores are distributed throughout your home.If mold grows in your air ducts, mold spores will continue to grow and will be spread throughout your house with each HVAC cycle. However, if you have pets or children with allergies at home, it is recommended that you get your air ducts professionally cleaned more often than what is suggested on average. It is important to remember that even if you smoke inside your home, your lungs will never adequately lose all of the impurities that accumulate in them; this is similar to how air duct filters work. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) suggests that homeowners inspect their air ducts once a year to check their condition. Cleaning your air vents is essential for maintaining a healthy home environment. Not only does it help your air conditioning system work more efficiently but also reduces allergens in your house.
It is important to remember that even if you don't have pets or children with allergies at home, it is still recommended that you get your air ducts professionally cleaned once a year.
