With summer having officially ended, chances are you gave your air conditioner a solid workout in recent months. If you have a ducted system with air vents throughout the house, you likely have dirty air ducts post summer which begs the question “how often do air ducts need to be cleaned?”
It’s certainly a question you might ponder as the weather cools and, if your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system gets you through winter too, you’re likely to continue using them beyond summer.
Keeping ducts clean improves airflow, reduces energy bills and creates a healthier indoor environment. Let’s find out about the importance of commercial air duct cleaning services and how frequently you’ll need them.
How Ducted Air Conditioning Works
Before we explore the question “how often do air ducts need to be cleaned?”, it helps to understand how ducted systems work.
Ducted air conditioning systems distribute cooled air or warm air throughout a home via a network of ducts hidden in the ceiling or walls. The system includes an indoor unit, which cools or heats the air, and an outdoor unit, which removes excess heat. A central controller allows users to adjust temperatures in different zones, improving energy efficiency.
Properly maintained ductwork ensures even airflow, keeps indoor air quality high, and helps the HVAC system run efficiently.
Why Frequent Air Duct Cleaning is Important
So why do your air ducts need a thorough cleaning? Turns out, it matters for many reasons.
For homeowners with a ducted air conditioner system or an evaporative cooler, consistent duct cleaning should be part of a regular maintenance routine. It’s the easiest way to maintain both a healthy indoor environment and your system’s efficiency.
Many pollutants and particles accumulate in the ducts of your air conditioning system over time, including:
- dust and dirt
- pet dander
- mould spores
- small insects
- smoke particles
- other debris
These all reduce the airflow of your system, which makes it work harder to condition your indoor air. The result? Higher energy bills, foul smells, poorer indoor air quality and even potential respiratory problems.
Regular cleaning of dirty ducts helps prevent the build-up of dust. It also enhances the system’s efficiency and ensures cleaner, healthier indoor air. Your home stays fresh and your air conditioning system remains in peak working condition. Win-win!
So, How Often Should You Schedule Duct Cleaning?
Generally, the recommended frequency for duct cleaning is about every 3-5 years. However, certain situations may necessitate cleaning on a more regular basis. These include homes with pets, smokers or high dust accumulation, all of which can affect the air quality inside your home. People with asthma or other respiratory conditions will also likely benefit from more frequent air duct cleaning.
The Australian Government’s YourHome website suggests cleaning at the beginning of the heating or cooling season. Keeping ducts clean improves energy efficiency, reduces energy bills and makes your heating and cooling system run at optimal performance.
Signs Your Ducts Need a Deep Clean
If your evaporative cooler or ducted air conditioning isn’t running as smoothly as it should, or you see more dust in your home, your air ducts are probably long overdue for a thorough cleaning. Keep an eye out for these common tell-tale signs:
- An increase in dust and dirt settling around air vents and on furniture.
- Unpleasant odours coming from your air conditioning system.
- Visible mould growth inside ductwork or around vents.
- Higher energy bills due to reduced system efficiency.
- Weakened airflow that makes it harder for your system to condition the air.
- Increased allergy symptoms or respiratory problems.
- Pet dander and debris clog the ductwork.
- Insects, rodents and other pests nesting inside ducts.
Neglecting these several factors can negatively affect indoor air quality and make your air conditioner use more energy. Regular air duct cleaning keeps a healthier indoor environment and your system working properly.
Benefits of Regular Air Duct Cleaning
A deep clean of your heating and cooling system’s air ducts offers many benefits. They include:
- Better indoor air quality with fewer allergens and pollutants.
- Improved air flow from your HVAC system.
- Lower energy bills as your system consumes less energy.
- Fewer unpleasant smells caused by accumulated dust and mould spores.
- Extended system lifespan thanks to the prevention of wear and tear.
- Less dust accumulation on furniture and vents.
- A healthier indoor environment for people with allergies or respiratory problems.
Regular air duct cleaning keeps your heating and cooling system in top condition. You enjoy a cleaner, fresher home, and your air conditioning system keeps operating at its best for longer.
To DIY or Hire a Commercial Duct Cleaning Service? That is the Question
As tempting as flexing your DIY muscle might be, it’s always best to use a licensed air conditioning technician for your air duct cleaning needs. They have the skills and equipment to perform a deep clean that keeps your HVAC system running smoothly.
The do-it-yourself approach often fails to clear away any built-up dust, pet dander and mould spores that continue circulating through your home’s HVAC system. A technician will use high-powered vacuums and specialised tools to clean the ductwork in its entirety. They can also check for visible mould growth, leaks or other pests inside the ductwork.
Hiring a professional cleaning service means a safe and efficient cleaning process. Your heating and cooling system will use less energy and work properly – precisely the desired outcome.
Breathe Easier with Clean Air Ducts
Keeping your air ducts clean is essential for a healthy indoor environment and a smooth-running HVAC system.
Dust build-up, pet dander and mould spores can block your ductwork. They cause your air conditioner to work harder and drive up your energy bills as a result. A regular cleaning schedule improves indoor air quality, airflow and system efficiency. The result? Your air conditioning and ventilation system will continue to perform at its best. If you’ve noticed bad smells, diminished airflow or visible mould growth, it’s time for a deep clean.
Hiring a licensed air conditioning technician means a professional cleaning that will keep your home’s HVAC system working properly and give you cleaner, healthier indoor air for you and your family.
Please note: Thanks for reading our blog “How Often Do Air Ducts Need To Be Cleaned?”. This information is provided for advice purposes only. Regulations differ from state to state, so please consult your local authorities or an industry professional before proceeding with any work. See our Terms & Conditions here.