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7 minutes read

How Often Should You Clean Your Air Ducts?

Published by Youtech

Air ducts are usually on the last list of chores we want to do. However, as tedious as cleaning your ducts may be, they play an essential role in your home’s comfort. According to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association, known as NADCA, you should clean your air ducts once every 3 to 5 years—or 6 to 8 years if you keep up with regular maintenance. 

Not sure if your air ducts need to be cleaned? If you’re smelling musty odors or experiencing respiratory issues, it’s definitely time to call a professional.

Understanding Air Duct Cleaning and Your HVAC System

What Is Air Duct Cleaning?

An air duct cleaning is an extensive cleansing of your HVAC system. This includes cleaning the ductwork and other components. At Charles Stone, we leave nothing to chance, so we cleanse everything from the heat exchanger and motor to the diffuser and air handler. 

Risks of Neglecting Air Duct Cleaning

Without consistent cleaning, you leave your ducts open to a variety of issues—poor air quality, increased energy usage, and a decrease in system efficiency, to name a few. Ignoring air duct cleaning can even result in worsened allergy symptoms. At Charles Stone, we make cleaning worth it by not only providing clean air but also enhancing your system’s efficiency.

Layout about the most common dangerous domestic pollutants we can find in our homes which cause poor indoor air quality and chronic disease

Is Air Duct Cleaning Necessary?

Cleaning your air ducts is extremely necessary as it directly affects the indoor air quality of your home. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, also called the EPA, the air inside your home can be 2 to 5 times more polluted than the outside air.

This is due to a buildup of grime and bacteria within your ducts that break off in the air. The broken-off contaminants circulate through the ductwork into the air you breathe, directly affecting your family and you.

When You Should Schedule an Air Duct Cleaning Service

Changes to Your Home

Air duct cleaning is important whether you’re building or reconstructing a home. If you’ve recently moved into a pre-owned home, make sure you schedule an air duct cleaning as soon as possible. This is especially true if the previous owner smoked or owned pets. 

If you’re building a new home, schedule ductwork cleaning to clear debris like drywall dust or sawdust. This can linger in your ducts long after you’re finished building.

Visible Mold or Unusual Odors

Air ducts create a damp and humid environment ideal for mold growth. If you smell a musty odor in the air or experience symptoms like itchiness and coughing, it’s important to have your ducts cleaned. Our team eliminates existing mold through effective sanitization and implements preventive measures to stop mold in its tracks.

Pest Infestation

Small insects can make themselves at home in your air ducts. This, of course, can lead to infestations and odors. If you notice the presence of insects, make sure you call a professional for immediate cleaning of your ducts and vents.

Blocked by dust and debris the air filter of the ventilation return duct at home. The need to clean ventilation for fresh air, dust allergy concept.

Excessive Dust or Debris

Dust and pet dander can build up in your ducts. Buildup can cause both respiratory and other health risks, but can also decrease HVAC air flow and overall efficiency.

With duct and vent cleaning by Charles Stone, we get your system running better than ever and prevent any health risks to you and your family.

Enhanced Cold or Allergy-like Symptoms

Contaminated air from dirty ducts can trigger both allergies and cold symptoms in anyone living in your home. Not only that but small pests like dust mites reside within buildup through your ducts that contribute towards increased allergies.

These issues target not only those susceptible to respiratory issues but also newborns, children, and the elderly as well.

Increased Energy Bills

Noticeable rises in your heating and cooling bills are enough to raise eyebrows. Usually, unexplained bill increases can be traced to HVAC problems. Blockages in your airflow force your HVAC system to use up more energy than it should to maintain a comfortable temperature. This extra energy causes your bills to increase.

Poor Airflow in Your Home

The easiest sign to know if your ductwork needs cleaning. Indoor air flow directly correlates to your vents as they deliver a consistent stream of air no matter where in the house. If you are experiencing inconsistent air flow then you need a thorough ductwork cleaning by Charles Stone.

HVAC technician discussing financing plan with homeowner in front of Charles Stone van

Breathe Easier With Our Professional Air Duct & Vent Cleaning Services in the Metro Nashville Area

If you are noticing problems arising from your ductwork, it is time to call Charles Stone. For over 30 years, our experts have serviced places such as Nashville, Cookeville, Murfreesboro, and surrounding areas. We make HVAC maintenance a priority, ensuring you’re breathing the best air quality.

We don’t stop at air duct cleaning. We go the extra mile and provide full HVAC sanitizing services so that your system is contaminant-free. Call Charles Stone for cleaner air ducts, improved indoor air, and more.

FAQs:

How much does air duct cleaning cost?

Typically the price of cleaning the ductwork of an average-sized home ranges from $450 to $1,000. The price can be affected by:

  • Size of HVAC system
  • Ductwork and system accessibility 
  • Type of Ductwork 
  • Contamination level

How long does air duct cleaning take?

Professional duct cleaning typically ranges from 2 to 4 hours depending on factors like the condition of the ducts or the size of your home.

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