Although you never see your air ducts, they’re an important part of your home’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment. They carry heated and cooled air throughout your home, impacting temperature and air quality in your space. Over time, they collect dust and debris that can spread through your home when your heating and air conditioning are in use.
At Thielmann Heating, Cooling, & Plumbing, we recommend cleaning your air ducts every three to five years. If you’ve recently moved or had construction done in your home, you should consider having your ducts cleaned sooner.
When to Clean Your Air Ducts
Cleaning your ducts is important for maintaining good air quality indoors because all the air in your home circulates through this system. With regular cleaning, you can prevent dust buildup and mold or poor air quality issues.
There are multiple factors that determine how often air ducts should be cleaned. For example, people with furry pets or smoking habits should clean their ducts more frequently. Here are a few reasons you should schedule an HVAC duct cleaning soon:
- You have an older home, and the ducts haven’t been cleaned in a while.
- You just finished a renovation or construction project inside your home.
- Your house has an odd smell when your HVAC system is running.
- There’s excessive dust coming out of the vents or lying around your home.
- People living in your home are having ongoing allergies or cold symptoms.
Sometimes, the dust and debris in air ducts can become damp and develop mold. If you can see mold inside the vents or are having allergy symptoms, it could be either dust or mold-related because of dirty air ducts. Vermin infestations inside your air ducts are also a sign that you need to thoroughly clean your system.
Benefits of Cleaning Air Ducts
Cleaning your air ducts can improve air quality in your home. However, there are many other benefits to keeping your HVAC system dust-free. Here are the top five to consider:
- Better HVAC system performance
- Fewer HVAC repairs and longer system life
- Higher energy efficiency and lower bills
- Less likelihood of dust or mold allergies
- A cleaner home with less dust to remove
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans spend around 90% of their life breathing indoor air. Without the proper filters and a clean HVAC system, you may experience indoor air pollution that affects your quality of life. Cleaning your air ducts is a practical way to improve your indoor air quality, especially if you live in an older home.
Another benefit of cleaning your air ducts is improved performance and lifespan for your HVAC system. With less dust in the system, components can run more smoothly and stay in good condition. A dust-free system works better and doesn’t require as much energy to power, which can mean lower energy costs.
If you’re noticing high dust levels in your home, cleaning your ducts may help with that problem. A dirty air duct system blows dust into your home anytime the HVAC system is running. You may find that cleaning your ducts reduces the amount of dust in your home, making it easier to keep your home clean and tidy.
What Is the Air Duct Cleaning Process Like?
Cleaning your air ducts is a simple process that requires professional equipment and experience. Here’s a quick overview of the process:
- Technicians will locate the ducts in your home and carefully remove any vent covers.
- They’ll use a powerful vacuum and hose to remove debris from inside your air ducts.
- Finally, they’ll clean registers and grills and then reinstall them.
Professional technicians use special equipment to seal vents off from your home while they’re vacuuming. This keeps the dust inside your vents from exiting out into your home. Once they’ve cleaned every vent, they’ll do a final cleaning to ensure there’s no dust or debris left on the floor near vent openings.
This process can take a few hours, depending on the size of your home and how many ducts you have. If you need a time estimate for planning purposes, you can ask your technicians for one before they arrive. You can help save time by moving furniture and other belongings away from vent openings so they’re easy to access.
What Does Air Duct Cleaning Cost?
On average, air duct cleaning costs a few hundred dollars, depending on your location, the size of your home and how much work needs to be done. When hiring an air duct cleaning service, it’s important to make sure you know all the costs upfront. Lower prices may not include the total cost, so be careful with choosing companies based only on cost.
You can check customer reviews to find out whether a company offers reliable work at an affordable rate. Companies that have been around for years and built a trustworthy reputation are a better choice, even if their rate is slightly higher than other options. When it comes to home maintenance, you want the highest quality of service and care.
Maintenance for Air Ducts
Taking care of your air ducts can help reduce the amount of dust they collect inside. After a professional cleaning, you can use these steps to maintain your air ducts until it’s time for another cleaning. A few steps you can incorporate into your home maintenance routine for clean ducts include:
- Change all HVAC filters according to their specific instructions.
- Keep the vents clear of furniture so air is free to move through them.
- Vacuum the vent covers and registers when you clean your home.
If you have pets, make sure you vacuum often so pet fur and dander don’t end up inside your ductwork. Because construction creates a lot of dust, always plan an air duct cleaning after you finish an indoor renovation project. You should also keep note of the last time you scheduled a professional cleaning so you know when the next one is due.
Breathe Easy With Thielmann Heating, Cooling, & Plumbing
Is it time for your air ducts to be cleaned? Thielmann Heating, Cooling, & Plumbing has served families and businesses in southeastern Wisconsin since 1929. Our air duct cleaning services can help improve your indoor air quality while reducing unpleasant odors and allergens in your home.
We offer upfront pricing, and our professional technicians have years of experience, so you know you’re getting service you can trust. It’s our goal to leave your home in perfect condition with notably cleaner air ducts and fresher air after our visit. Contact us today at (262) 299-6167 to schedule an air duct cleaning service for your home!
