Is Duct Cleaning a Waste of Money? A Complete Guide to Understanding If Air Duct Cleaning Is Worth It
Duct cleaning may or may not be worth the money that you pay to have it done. While it is true that duct cleaning is not something you need to do all of the time, it does have benefits for improving the air quality in your home as well as improving the performance of your heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) equipment. By knowing when to get your ducts cleaned, you can make a smarter decision with regard to your home maintenance.
Air Duct Cleaning: What Does It Mean and How Does It Work?
Air duct cleaning is the removal of dust, debris, and other contaminants that are found within the ductwork that is associated with your heating and/or cooling system. Over time, the dust and debris that comes into your house (pet hair, dust mites, pollen, etc.) can find its way into the ductwork.
Professional duct cleaners use various pieces of equipment including vacuum and agitation tools to break loose and remove debris. They can clean all areas of your HVAC system, including supply ducts, return ducts, registers, etc.
The ultimate goal of duct cleaning is to eliminate the dust and debris that could possibly spread into the air inside your house.
Why Do Some People Think Duct Cleaning Is An Unreasonable Expense?
Some people think that duct cleaning is a waste of money due to the fact that most heating and cooling systems have filters that catch dust and debris that can spread into the air inside your house.
If the ductwork is relatively clean and your HVAC system is maintained regularly, cleaning the ducts may not be beneficial in terms of improved indoor air quality.
For example, in houses with modern filtration systems and good maintenance practices, ducts can remain clean for many years. In such cases, paying for duct cleaning would be an unwise decision.
Because of this, many professionals recommend duct cleaning only when there is a legitimate reason for doing so.
When is It Wise to Get Professional Duct Cleaning?
Duct cleaning is not always necessary; however, there are instances when it can provide actual value to your house.
After recent construction or remodeling activities in a house, there is a possibility that dust from drywall and/or insulation, along with other debris, may be found inside the duct system. Cleaning the ducts at this point in time can eliminate this debris.
Households with pets may benefit from having their ducts cleaned periodically due to the accumulation of pet hair and dander into the ductwork over time.
Another case for duct cleaning would be if you find evidence of mold growing within the ductwork or the HVAC system. The negative effects on the indoor air quality of a home from mold spores being circulated through the air can be detrimental.
If an infestation occurs within the ducts, pest waste and/or nesting materials will be present. In these instances, professional duct cleaning should occur to eliminate the contaminants from the duct system.
Will Debris Buildup Inside Ducts Affect the Efficiency of My Heating/Cooling System?
When debris builds up inside ducts, they can restrict airflow traveling through the HVAC system.
Restricted airflow requires HVAC systems to function at higher rates of operation to maintain the comfort level of temperature in a household. Over time, the increased load on HVAC components results in reduced efficiencies and shorter operational life spans.
However, removal of excessive debris from the ducts may assist in restoring airflow back to a normal state and improving HVAC system operation; but it is unlikely to produce significant reductions in energy bills.
Cleaning and maintaining ductwork can also reduce the likelihood of unpleasant odors resulting from debris, dust and/or mold being distributed through the vents.
Warning Signs That Indicate Your House Needs Duct Cleaning
Rather than getting duct cleaning done regularly, many homeowners prefer to wait until specific indicators emerge that suggest their house would greatly benefit from duct cleaning.
One indicator is visible dust or debris emanating from vents when your HVAC system is turned on.
Another indicator is a persistent odor of mildew emanating from the air vents, which can indicate that mold has developed inside the ductwork.
If you find that dust quickly builds up in your home even after cleaning, then it’s possible that debris has accumulated within your duct system and is being circulated back through the air.
Also, if you think there are mice or other pests in your duct system, it would be smart for you to contact a contractor to do an air duct cleaning.
Why Hire A Quality Duct Cleaning Company?
Because of the wide range of quality in duct cleaning services, it is necessary to select a reliable and capable company.
Quality duct cleaning companies utilize equipment that creates sufficient suction to pick-up dirt/debris, yet prevents such debris from entering your home during the cleaning process.
Do not hire companies that price themselves lower than others; nor companies that provide quick duct cleaning services with unrealistic claims.
A reliable service provider will examine the duct system before cleaning and advise you whether or not cleaning is really needed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Duct Cleaning
WHEN SHOULD I HAVE MY AIR DUCTS CLEANED?
It is usually necessary to clean your home’s air ducts no more than one time in a few years as long as there is no debris or contaminants in the ducts.
WILL HAVING MY AIR DUCTS CLEANED HELP WITH IMPROVING MY HOUSEHOLD INDOOR AIR QUALITY?
Cleaning the dust, debris and mold from your ducts can add to the cleanliness of the air you are breathing indoors.
WILL CLEANING MY AIR DUCTS MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SAVING ME MONEY FOR MY ENERGY BILLS?
While duct cleaning could potentially improve the airflow through your ductwork, most of the potential for energy cost savings would result from keeping your entire heating and cooling system (HVAC) maintained regularly.
SHOULD I HAVE MY AIR DUCTS CLEANED AFTER I BUILD A NEW HOME?
New construction leaves dust in duct systems; therefore, it may be wise to have them cleaned at the completion of the construction process.
