How Often Should Rochester Homeowners Clean Their Air Ducts?

There's no set schedule. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says air ducts should be cleaned only on an as-needed basis, not as routine maintenance. Cleaning may be worth it when you see substantial mold growth inside hard-surface ducts, the ducts are infested with rodents or insects, or they're clogged with excessive dust and debris.

Here's what to expect in this article:

• What the EPA and NADCA say about how often to clean air ducts
• The signs that mean it's time for a cleaning
• What may make some homes need cleaning sooner
• Why moisture matters in Minnesota homes
• What you can do yourself, and when to call a pro

What Does the EPA Say About How Often to Clean Air Ducts?

Clean them when there's a reason to, not by the calendar. The EPA says it does not recommend that air ducts be cleaned except on an as-needed basis, because of continuing uncertainty about the benefits of duct cleaning under most circumstances. It also says duct cleaning is not considered a necessary part of yearly maintenance of your heating and cooling system.

The EPA goes a step further for homeowners comparing companies: don't hire duct cleaners who recommend duct cleaning as a routine part of your heating and cooling system maintenance.

What Does NADCA Say?

NADCA, the National Air Duct Cleaners Association, doesn't give a fixed number of years on its homeowner FAQ. NADCA says the frequency of cleaning depends on several factors, "not the least of which is the preference of the homeowner."

What Are the Signs It's Time for a Cleaning?

According to the EPA, you should consider having your air ducts cleaned if:

• There's substantial visible mold growth inside hard-surface (for example, sheet metal) ducts or on other parts of your heating and cooling system.
• The ducts are infested with vermin, such as rodents or insects.
• The ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debris, or particles are actually released into the home from your supply registers.

The EPA notes that only an expert can confirm whether something is mold, so ask the service provider to show you any mold they say exists. If the conditions that caused it aren't corrected, mold growth will recur.

Dusty return grilles alone aren't a sign. The EPA says it's normal for return registers to get dusty as dust-laden air is pulled through the grate, and that a light amount of household dust in your air ducts is normal.

What May Make Some Homes Need Cleaning Sooner?

NADCA lists things that may lead a homeowner to consider more frequent cleaning:

• Smokers in the household
• Pets that shed high amounts of hair and dander
• Water contamination or damage to the home or HVAC system
• Residents with allergies or asthma who might benefit from a reduction in the amount of indoor air pollutants in the home's HVAC system
• Home renovations or remodeling
• Moving into a new home

If you're planning a remodel, the EPA suggests sealing off supply and return registers during dusty construction work and not running the heating and cooling system until the dust is cleaned up.

Will Cleaning My Ducts Help My Health or Energy Bills?

It may not. The EPA says duct cleaning has never been shown to actually prevent health problems. Studies also don't conclusively show that dust levels in homes go up because of dirty ducts or go down after cleaning, because much of the dirt in ducts sticks to duct surfaces and does not necessarily enter the living space.

On efficiency, the EPA says some research suggests cleaning dirty cooling coils, fans and heat exchangers can improve the efficiency of heating and cooling systems, but little evidence exists that simply cleaning the duct system will increase your system's efficiency.

Why Does Moisture Matter in Minnesota Homes?

Mold needs moisture to grow, so controlling humidity is important for preventing the mold the EPA lists as a sign. The Minnesota Department of Health says high humidity frequently causes mold growth in our climate. It recommends keeping your home's relative humidity between 20 and 40 percent in winter and below 60 percent the rest of the year.

The EPA adds that cooling coils can be a major source of moisture contamination that can lead to mold growth. If you find mold, fixing the moisture source matters as much as the cleaning.

What Can I Do Myself, and When Should I Call a Pro?

Most of the work that keeps ducts clean is yours, and it's simple. The EPA recommends these steps:

• Use the highest-efficiency air filter recommended by the manufacturer of your heating and cooling system.
• Change filters regularly, and more often if they become clogged.
• Make sure no filters are missing and air can't bypass them through gaps around the filter holder.
• Commit to yearly inspections of your heating and cooling system.

The EPA's guide to air cleaners adds that all filters need regular replacement, and a dirty, overloaded filter won't work well.

Call a professional when you see one of the EPA's signs: mold, rodents or insects, or heavy dust and debris coming from your supply registers. Mold or water problems may also need an HVAC technician to fix the cause. For the yearly furnace inspection, the EPA recommends having a fuel-burning furnace inspected and serviced before each heating season to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning; that's a job for your heating contractor.

When a cleaning is warranted, our air duct cleaning service uses a Rotobrush system with a HEPA-filtered vacuum on every supply register, return duct and main trunk line. We also offer a price match promise on residential duct cleaning: if you have a lower written quote from another local company for comparable service, we'll match it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should air ducts be cleaned every year?

No. The EPA says duct cleaning is not considered a necessary part of yearly maintenance of your heating and cooling system. Yearly maintenance means regular filter changes, cleaning drain pans and coils, and a yearly inspection of your heating equipment.

Does NADCA recommend a set number of years between cleanings?

Not on its homeowner FAQ. NADCA says frequency of cleaning depends on several factors, including the preference of the homeowner, and lists situations that may lead a homeowner to consider more frequent cleaning, such as smokers, pets that shed a lot, water damage, allergies or asthma, renovations and moving into a new home.

Can dirty air ducts make you sick?

No one knows for sure. The EPA says duct cleaning has never been shown to actually prevent health problems, and there is no evidence that a light amount of household dust in air ducts poses any risk to health. Ducts badly contaminated with mold or vermin are a different matter, and cleaning may make sense.

Will duct cleaning lower my energy bills?

There is little evidence it will on its own. The EPA says little evidence exists that simply cleaning the duct system will increase your system's efficiency. Cleaning dirty cooling coils, fans and heat exchangers may help, according to some research the EPA cites.

How do I check whether my ducts need cleaning?

Look inside them. The EPA says that if no one in your household has allergies or unexplained symptoms, and a visual inspection of the inside of the ducts shows no large deposits of dust or mold (no musty odor or visible mold growth), cleaning is probably unnecessary. Substantial mold, rodents or insects, or heavy dust and debris are reasons to consider it.

Not Sure Whether Your Ducts Need Cleaning?

We'll assess your ducts and give you an honest recommendation, including when cleaning isn't needed. Call us at (507) 289-4039 or request a quote online.

Sources

1. Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned?, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
2. Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
3. FAQs, Breathing Clean by NADCA
4. Mold and Moisture, Minnesota Department of Health