How Often Should You Clean Your Air Ducts?
How Often Should Your Wichita Falls, TX, Air
Ducts Be Cleaned?
Find Out How Often To Clean The Air Ducts & Factors
That Affect The Timeline
Cleaning the air ducts in your Wichita Falls, TX, home is more than just dusting the register that you see on the floor or the ceiling. Professional ductwork cleaning is about removing any dirt, mold, mildew, and debris that may be present in your ductwork. Remember, cleaning the ductwork is a way to avoid early ductwork replacement.
And yes, if you do not take the time to clean the ductwork or have it professionally cleaned occasionally, you do increase your chances of replacing HVAC ductwork, as too much dirt and debris can affect how it functions and lead to significant issues.
With this being said, one of the most common questions that Wichita County area homeowners have is whether they should have their ductwork cleaned every year, every other year, or is it something you only do every ten years.
Luckily, we have all the answers you could need about cleaning your air ducts and ductwork replacement.
The Time Frame For Air Duct Cleaning
While some homeowners opt for yearly air duct cleaning, often between seasons of using the air and then using the heat, the professional standard is anywhere from one to five years, depending upon several factors.
However, regardless of how often you have your air ducts cleaned, cleaning them is a great way to catch minor issues before they become significant problems. Routine cleanings often lead to air duct replacement due to the seals leaking or other vital matters.
Factors That Contribute To How Often To Clean Air Ducts
While the timeframe for cleaning your air ducts is very broad, several factors that all HVAC professionals agree with could point to needing air ducts cleaned more often than others.
1. Age Of Your Home
Those who live in an older home within Wichita Falls, TX, will find that older homes usually are not sealed as well as the newer homes in the area. It means that more drafts could bring in dirt and debris.
Due to the air ducts not being sealed as well, the chances of having more dirt in these are common. For this reason, many of those who own older homes will have their ductwork cleaned more routinely. However, ductwork replacement may be the best defense when dealing with an older home.
Ductwork replacement can replace all the old ductwork with something more energy efficient and has better seals to ensure the ductwork performs flawlessly.
2. Pets In The Home
Those with pets in their home often have their ductwork cleaned more frequently than non-pet owners. Pets, including cats, dogs, birds, and even hamsters, will shed, and this dander and hair will get into your HVAC ductwork.
Cleaning the ductwork yearly or every other year can help avoid clogged ducts. Plus, you will want to ensure that you are changing your air filter routinely to help keep down the dirt and debris within your ductwork.
3. Smoker In The House
If you have a smoker in your home, it can lead to a lot of issues with your ductwork. Smoking indoors can lead to many lingering smells that take over the place. Despite what you clean, it can be embarrassing and concerning when the odors will not disappear.
In these cases, professional duct cleaning can be a great way to remove the lingering odor you smell.
4. Allergy Sufferers In The Home
When people within your home are dealing with allergies or other respiratory issues, cleaning your ductwork is one of the best ways to ensure indoor air quality is not an issue. When dirt, debris, or even mold is present within your ductwork, those who suffer from allergies will find it harder to breathe in the home – and their allergies will flare up big time!
Signs It Is Time For Air Duct Cleaning
Many people don’t keep track of the time in between air duct cleaning. Instead, they focus on watching for signs that show their air ducts need cleaning – which is the better option for many!
There are several signs that your air ducts need to be cleaned.
1. Increase Of Dust In Home
If you find that you are seeing more dust within your home, then you need to consider duct cleaning now. The excess dust can be seen anywhere throughout your home. Most homeowners complain of excess dust near their registers or even floating through the air.
2. Increase In Allergies
When inside, if your allergies are increasing, meaning you are sneezing more, more nose issues, watery and itchy eyes, or the like – it could mean your air ducts are releasing a lot of dust and debris into the air, affecting the air quality in your home.
3. Moldy Smells
If your HVAC unit turns on and as the air circulates throughout your home, the air starts to smell like mold, it may be coming from the ductwork. Anytime you suspect mold in your ductwork, it needs to be dealt with, as mold can cause severe health issues.
4. Signs Of Bugs
When your ductwork is in bad shape and needs to be cleaned, you will find that bugs may become an issue. Many spiders and insects will start making their home inside your ductwork.
In many cases, insects can cause so much damage that cleaning is insufficient. Instead, it is recommended for a homeowner to go with ductwork replacement to remove the issue entirely.
Free Estimates For Your Wichita Falls, TX, Ductwork
If your ductwork in your Wichita Falls, TX, needs replacement or cleaning, we are here to make it happen. We offer free estimates for all your ductwork needs.
Contact us or call us today at (940) 257-2810 to get started!