How often should we be cleaning the air ducts in our home?
Do the air ducts in our house need to be cleaned? Short answer: Maybe.
Air ducts are a vessel for our conditioned and filtered air to disperse throughout the house. Over time, dust, dirt or debris can build up inside the ducting, pair that with condensation from the air and mold now has a chance to grow. With mold in the ducting, spores can be widely dispersed throughout your home. Here is how to prevent or remedy this issue.
Prevention:
Regular filter changes on your heating and cooling systems. Filters should be replaced every 1-3 months using quality, high efficiency filters. Inspect where the filter is housed, filters should fit snugly, air leaking around the filter can negate the benefits of one altogether. Inspect the area around the intake that it is clear from contaminates and not causing the filter to be working overtime. A little bit of upfront work can save money down the road and reduce future headaches.
Reduce excess moisture by ensuring there are no leaks in the system. An improperly installed or improperly serviced system can cause an increase in moisture. Have your HVAC inspector pay close attention to the temperature on or near the cooling coils of your air conditioning unit. Promptly repair any leaks or water damage and ensure the condensate pain drains properly. Make sure all of the ducts themselves are properly sealed and insulated when in any non-conditioned space like attics or crawlspaces. Regarding A/C units, make sure that the unit is properly sized for the space. a unit that is too big will cycle on/off frequently, resulting in poor moisture removal.
Time to clean: You may have heard to clean ducts “every 3-5 years”, research has shown that a generic timeframe is no longer the most effective course of action. Rather, we should be inspecting ducts regularly and only cleaning on an as needed basis. Here are some examples of when air ducts should be cleaned, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Air Duct Cleaning Association (NADCA)
Substantial visible mold growth is visible inside a hard surface duct or on other components of your heating/cooling system.
Ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debris and/or other particles that are being released into the home.
Ducts are infested with vermin
Cleaning and inspection prior to occupancy of a new home.
Resident with allergies/asthma who may benefit from a reduction in contaminates and irritants.
Summary: Regular inspections will help you gauge how healthy your specific system is. Over time, you can learn what your system needs to stay healthy and you will be quicker to notice abnormalities.
What to know for duct cleaning: Like mold testers/remediators, not all contractors are the same or offer the same level of service. Replacing ductwork after it was damaged by cleaning is a headache. Make sure you pick an experienced provider. The EPA warns against using chemicals or sprays inside the ductwork, if the duct cleaner you choose uses chemicals, ask what they are and if they are EPA registered.
You can find more info on this topic straight from the EPA here : https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/should-you-have-air-ducts-your-home-cleaned
or visit the NADCA website to review their FAQ here: https://nadca.com/homeowners/frequently-asked-questions-about-residential-air-duct-cleaning
We hope you found this information helpful. If you have any other questions or are looking for other ways to improve your indoor air quality, Contact Silver Valley Mold.