How Often Should HVAC Systems Be Cleaned? 

Most homeowners forget about their air ducts. They assume that they are clean and never get dirty. But over the years, your air ducts start to collect dust, debris, mold, insects, and even pests. Even with the best air filters, your ducts are going to collect debris. If your home is located in an area that has high pollution or is surrounded by construction, your air ducts are going to collect dust and debris that could potentially clog them. So how often should you clean your air ducts? For optimal indoor air for your home, the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends HVAC air duct cleaning every 3 to 5 years. Mold and other pollutants can build up causing allergic reactions in your home impacting your family.

Air Duct Cleaning Factors

• People smoking indoors
• Pets that shed of hair and dander
• Water damage to the home
• Visible mold growth inside hard surface
• Allergic or Asthmatic residents in the home
• Ducts are infested with rodents or insects
• Ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debris
• Recent home renovations or remodeling
• New home occupancy

Selecting An HVAC Cleaning Contractor

Below are some criteria to consider and ask your local HVAC contractor.  To narrow down your pool of potential contractors, use the following pre-qualifications:

• Make sure the HVAC company is a member of NADCA
• How long have they been in operation
• Is the company licensed and have proper insurance
• Check references to be sure other customers were satisfied and did not experience any problems after cleaning
• Check their online reviews
• Ask them to explain how they are going to clean and inspect all of the air ducts and HVAC components
• Ask if the company has the right equipment to effectively perform cleaning, and if the company has done work in homes similar to yours