There is no single schedule that fits every home. Many duct cleaning companies suggest every three to five years, but the better question is whether your ducts have a reason to be cleaned.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency suggests considering duct cleaning when there is visible mold growth inside the ducts, signs of rodents or insects, or ducts clogged with enough dust and debris that particles are released into the home. You can read their guidance on the EPA website.
Clean sooner if
- You have pets that shed. Hair collects at the returns and inside the ducts.
- Someone in the home has allergies or asthma and symptoms are worse indoors.
- You finished a remodel. Drywall dust and sawdust get pulled into the return side.
- You moved into a home and don't know when the ducts were last cleaned.
- You see gray buildup around the vent covers or dust coming out when the system starts.
When you can wait
If your system has a good filter that you change on schedule, nobody in the home has allergy problems and the vent covers stay clean, you may not need a cleaning yet. During our inspection we look inside several registers and the plenum. If the ducts look clean, we will tell you.
Keep ducts cleaner between cleanings
- Change your HVAC filter on schedule.
- Vacuum vent covers and return grilles every few months.
- Close off returns and cover registers during remodeling work.