Can we get a show of hands — Who plans to spend more time indoors this winter? As the temperatures drop, it’s natural to want to be inside. The shocking thing is, we're doing it year' round (not just when it gets cold outside).
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)*, Americans spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors. That means, for almost 21 hours every day, we’re breathing the same air. Makes you wonder about what you’re inhaling and exhaling, doesn’t it?
Air duct cleaning can be an essential part of maintaining healthy indoor air quality. You can breathier easier knowing that you’ve removed unwanted or harmful material from your home’s airways.
When Should I Clean My Air Ducts?
Have you noticed a steady flow of air duct cleaning trucks in your neighborhood? When done correctly and for the right reasons, air duct cleaning can make a difference in keeping your home air safe. That’s especially true in four situations:
1. You’ve done a renovation or remodeling project.
If you’ve remodeled your home, you may need to clean your ductwork – especially if there was asbestos abatement, lead paint removal, or significant dust. Debris and dust can enter and clog up ductwork that wasn’t sealed properly prior to construction.
2. You have an animal or insect infestation.
Smell something rancid coming from your air vents? If you find critters living or nesting in your ductwork, remove them and clean the ductwork and HVAC unit. Vermin infestations are more common during colder months when rodents move indoors. Cockroaches and wasps are known to crawl into the air vents on the outside of homes.
3. You have a mold infestation.
Have you noticed an unpleasant, musty smell that won’t go away? Air ducts are home to warm, humid environments that invite mold growth and can lead to mold spores being released into the air. If mold is growing inside your ductwork, an air duct cleaning with an antimicrobial solution can clean the infected area.
Have you noticed extra water on your air ducts? Blocked air ducts may also result in extra condensation, known as ductwork sweating. This excessive condensation can create favorable conditions for mold and mildew growth.
4. Your vent openings are clogged with debris.
Should I clean my air ducts when my air registers keep being covered in debris or pet hair (even after cleaning and vacuuming them)? Quality air duct cleaning may solve the problem. It will make your home smell fresher, too.
A Few Other Reasons to Consider Air Duct Cleaning
Many homeowners feel more confident knowing that their ductwork is clear. Air duct cleaning often boils down to personal comfort level and homeowner preference. Here are some other cases where homeowners opt for frequent air duct cleanings.
- Smokers in the household
- Pets that shed a lot of hair and dander
- Residents with allergies or asthma may benefit from fewer indoor air pollutants
- Prior to moving into a new home
- How Much Does Air Duct Cleaning Cost?
According to the EPA, air duct cleaning services typically – but not always – range in price from $450 to $1,000* per heating and cooling system and depend on the following:
- Services offered
- Size of the system to be cleaned
- System accessibility
- Climactic region
- Level of contamination
- Type of duct material
Homeowners should beware of “blow-and-go” air duct cleaning companies that charge a nominal fee and do a poor job. Run the other way from gimmicks like “$79 whole-house specials.” High-quality air duct cleaning takes several hours with sophisticated equipment and involves multiple workers.
