Air ducts are passages that transport hot and cold air throughout the house. To ensure maximum efficiency, the National Association of Air Duct Cleaners (NADCA) recommends cleaning air ducts every 3 to 5 years. Changing air filters regularly is the best way to keep dust, allergens, and other particles out of your home. When it comes to newly installed systems or a system in a house you just moved to, it is important to check the filter every month to determine how quickly it gets dirty at different times of the year. Most should be replaced every two to three months.
After completing a home remodeling project, studies conducted by the 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 support it as a routine measure. If you suspect that you have a mold problem, either due to visible growth or a musty smell that constantly comes from the supply grilles, cleaning the ducts won't do much good if the mold isn't removed. In fact, regular duct cleaning can cause dust formation and increase levels of particulate matter inside the house more than it would have been if you had lived with slightly dirty ducts. While dirt, dust, hair, and other debris can accumulate inside these ducts, this doesn't mean you should clean them regularly. Duct cleaning companies often advertise health benefits or suggest that duct cleaning will reduce energy bills by improving system efficiency. Although it's not always part of their basic cleaning services, many duct cleaning companies often also clean heating and cooling equipment (heat exchangers, cooling coils, condensate collectors, fan motors, fan blades, and fan housings).
You should hire a professional who specializes in HVAC air duct cleaning and is certified by NADCA for this job. Another vague statement made by most duct cleaning companies and their trade associations is that dirty ducts and equipment overload heating and cooling equipment, wasting energy. Any sign of rodents or insects in the air conditioning system indicates that the ducts should be professionally cleaned. After testing 33 homes in Montreal before and after cleaning the ducts, the study found that there was no significant improvement in air quality and that cleaning the ducts alone did not improve airflow or energy efficiency. However, the EPA takes a different position, noting that duct cleaning has not been proven to prevent health problems. Some HVAC companies often state that a home's air conditioning ducts should be cleaned at least once every three to five years to ensure that hair, dust, and debris don't affect the home's air quality or cause health problems.
Most air conditioning companies set a specific frequency or time for duct cleaning, but regular air conditioning cleaning is not necessary to maintain health and air quality in the home. As an expert in HVAC systems and air conditioning maintenance, I recommend cleaning your heating and air conditioning ducts every 3-5 years for maximum efficiency. This will help keep your system running smoothly while also ensuring that your home's air quality remains healthy. Additionally, changing your air filters regularly is essential for keeping dust and other particles out of your home. If you suspect a mold problem or notice any signs of rodents or insects in your system, contact a professional immediately for help.
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