Over time dust, dander, spiderwebs, hair, and even mold spores can accumulate in your air vents. Unfortunately, these impurities can recirculate throughout your house via air vents, posing a risk to your home and family. However, regular vent cleaning can contribute to clean and healthier indoor air quality. But how often should you be cleaning air vents in your home? Keep reading to discover the expert recommendations.
Determining a Schedule for Cleaning Air Vents
The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends scheduling air vent cleaning every 3 to 5 years to maintain healthy indoor air quality. In addition, hiring professionals to clean vents can further extend the timeframe to 6 to 8 years, allowing you to save money in the long run.
Nevertheless, the general cleaning needs depend on individual circumstances. For instance, you may need to schedule air vent cleaning more often in the following conditions:
- The residents have allergies, asthma, or other respiratory illnesses.
- There’s an accumulation of visible dust and mold.
- There’s the presence of insects and rodents.
- There are smokers in the house.
DIY vs. Professional Cleaning- Which is Better?
While do-it-yourself (DIY) air vent cleaning can tackle a portion of the vents, usually the end sections, it does not achieve the same level of cleanliness as professional cleaning. This is because the vacuum with an extension can reach only up to a few feet of the return and supply ducts, failing to provide the deep cleaning your ducts require.
On the other hand, professionals have commercial-grade machines inaccessible to homeowners. With the help of specialized equipment, professional vent cleaners use source removal to agitate the debris and then extract it in a HEPA vacuum (https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/what-is-a-hepa-vacuum/). This process ensures effective and thorough cleaning of air ducts, allowing you to inhale fresh and clean air.
Takeaway Note:
While maintaining clean air vents is crucial for creating a healthy indoor living space, there is no fixed schedule for cleaning air ducts. However, as a general rule, have your air vents cleaned by a professional company once every 3 years or as necessary.
References: https://www.thespruce.com/how-often-to-clean-air-ducts-6541603 (https://www.thespruce.com/how-often-to-clean-air-ducts-6541603), https://www.hoffmannbros.com/indoor-air-quality/duct-cleaning/how-often (https://www.hoffmannbros.com/indoor-air-quality/duct-cleaning/how-often)