The EPA warns that indoor air is 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air. For this reason, keeping your home clean requires regular maintenance, such as an HVAC cleaning for the health of your household.
Air ducts distribute cooled and warm air throughout your home. Same as any other HVAC system, air ducts require regular maintenance. The NADCA advises air duct cleaning every 3 to 5 years, while more sophisticated cleaning procedures can be performed every 6 to 8 years.
Given how air ducts appear in many different areas within your home, it makes perfect sense to have them cleaned occasionally. Cleaning the air ducts keeps dust and debris, improving interior air quality.
Why and how often should you get your ductwork cleaned? Here are five recommendations you should consider:
1. Smoking in the Home
If you or somebody else in the home smokes, your air ducts should be cleaned more frequently. This helps to reduce the smoke smell and nicotine that has solidified on your air ducts and the heating and cooling coils. Keep in mind that it will be harder to clean air ducts if you have oil-based paint, adhesives, or varnishes on the ductwork.
In addition, when there’s mould or mildew growth, especially when your HVAC system has undergone flooding, the ductwork will require special cleaning. However, the excessive dust buildup in the vents makes air duct cleaning a challenge.
2. You’re Experiencing Respiratory Issues
The air quality indoors is one of the most important aspects of a healthy home. The EPA estimates that more than 25 million Americans are believed to have asthma, and more than 8 million have allergies. This makes it an urgent concern for many households. If you or a family member have ongoing respiratory issues, you may want to consider having your ductwork cleaned.
While most people don’t think about it, air ducts can cause respiratory issues. Additionally, dust and other pollutants can get trapped in your ductwork, leading to mould growth. These mould spores can trigger allergic reactions in the airways, leading to asthma attacks and other lung complications.
3. You Live in a Dusty Environment
If you live in an area of the country where there’s a lot of dust or pollen, you may want to have your air ducts cleaned more often. This is especially true if you have drywall with a lot of adhesives in your home, as it’s nearly impossible to get them cleaned without professional help. Likewise, if you’re in an area of the country where there’s a lot of dirt in your surroundings, you may want to try and clean your ducts more often.
4. You Live with Infants or Pets
Pets and children can be a significant source of allergies in the home, as they can bring in pollen, dust, and other pollutants into the air. In addition to getting your air ducts cleaned, these factors may prompt you to have your ducts cleaned more often. Remember to get your air ducts cleaned more frequently, as the fur and dander can settle in the ductwork if you have pets.
5. Issues with Your System
If your system requires repair or you have to have your system serviced, you may want to consider having your air ducts cleaned simultaneously.
A comprehensive air duct cleaning service should be a standard step in any repair. It helps remove any additional impurities from the system. If your system leaks or has a clog, the ductwork may be contaminated with mould. A thorough cleaning can help remove these blockages and prevent them from spreading to other parts of your home.
Conclusion
When you need to schedule an air duct cleaning schedule, be sure to follow these tips. They will help you save money and ensure a professional cleaning experience. Best of all, you’ll be happy to have cleaner air ducts in your home.
Do you need affordable air duct cleaning? At Canada Unified Services, we are a registered family-owned company in Calgary, Airdrie, and Chestermere. We have been cleaning carpets, furnaces and ducts, and houses since 2014. Contact us today, and we’ll be sure to handle your cleaning needs with environmentally friendly solutions!