Like any other air conditioning system, air ducts require regular maintenance to ensure maximum efficiency. As a general rule, the National Association of Air Duct Cleaners (NADCA) recommends cleaning air ducts every 3 to 5 years. Cleaning air ducts takes between an hour and a full day (or longer, in the case of cleaning commercial air conditioning systems). A standard cleaning of the air ducts would last between two and three hours and would cover the air conditioning unit, the main duct, the ventilation grilles of the rooms and the air ducts themselves.If the air ducts extend over more than one floor, it will take longer to clean them properly.
The time needed to clean the air ducts will vary depending on the size of the house, the type of ventilation system you have, and the dirt in the ducts. However, on average, it usually takes between two and four hours to clean all of the air ducts in a typical home.The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends cleaning air ducts every three to five years. This is a good rule of thumb for homeowners who want to keep their HVAC systems running efficiently. However, in some environments, such as food manufacturing or combustible dust-producing operations, more frequent cleaning may be necessary.The average duct system needs to be cleaned every two to five years.
If your system is properly maintained and you change the filters twice a year, you can increase the time between professional cleanings. If your system has never been cleaned and has been active on your property for more than three years, you probably need to clean it. Even a single station can accumulate enough dust and dirt in the system to make it less efficient than when it was first installed.Cleaning HVAC ducts doesn't take as long as, for example, replacing the entire system, but you'll still want to set aside some time during the season when you probably don't need your system so that the duct cleaning company has enough time for the duct cleaning company to completely clean your ducts before you need to use your HVAC. Hospitals also need air duct cleaning services much more regularly because they are concerned about any type of particle that could pose a risk to patients.Don't make the mistake of thinking that since you have a filter in your system, there's no need to clean the ducts.
Homeowners are not recommended to try to clean their own air ducts because the process can be dangerous and, if not done properly, can damage the ventilation system.The best time to clean ducts is in spring or early fall, after you have stopped using the air conditioning system to cool or heat the property and before having to use it again. It's important to pay attention to the time your air duct cleaning company spends on your ducts, but you'll also want to pay attention to how often you schedule air duct cleanings.As an expert in HVAC systems and air quality control, I strongly recommend that homeowners follow NADCA's recommendation of cleaning their air ducts every three to five years. Larger homes may require more frequent cleanings due to their size and complexity. Additionally, if you live in an environment where food particles or combustible dust are present, more frequent cleanings may be necessary.
Cleaning your air ducts is an important part of maintaining your HVAC system and ensuring optimal efficiency. It's important to pay attention to how often you schedule cleanings and how long they take so that you can keep your home comfortable all year round.
