How Often Should You Clean Your Air Ducts?

When it comes to keeping your home’s air clean, the ductwork behind your walls plays a more significant role than most people realize. Over time, dust, pet hair, pollen, and even mold can build up inside the ducts and move through your vents every time your system runs. But how often should air ducts be cleaned?

The General Rule

Most homes should schedule home air duct cleaning every three to five years. That number can shift depending on a few factors: whether you have pets, someone in the household has allergies, or if you’ve recently completed a renovation. Any of these can increase the debris moving through your system and shorten the time between cleanings.

Signs It Might Be Time

If you’re seeing dust buildup around vents, noticing a musty smell when your HVAC kicks on, or experiencing worsening allergy symptoms inside your home, it may be time for a closer look. Ducts that haven’t been cleaned in years can impact air quality and reduce the efficiency of your system.

Why Duct Cleaning Matters

The debris inside your ductwork doesn’t just stay there; it moves whenever air does. Clean ducts help your system run more smoothly and reduce the amount of air circulating through your home. Routine AC air duct cleaning can also help extend the life of your HVAC system by cutting down on dust buildup around motors and filters.

Choosing the Right Service

When the time comes, work with a provider who does more than just a quick sweep. A quality air duct cleaning service will inspect the whole system, use proper equipment to access and clean deep areas, and check for any signs of moisture or mold that could become a more significant issue.

Air ducts don’t need constant attention, but when they’re overdue for cleaning, you’ll feel the difference. Staying on a regular schedule helps prevent debris and allergen buildup and keeps your HVAC running more smoothly, especially in homes with pets, allergens, or older systems.

Are you noticing more dust in your home or rising energy bills? It could be time for a professional air duct cleaning. Parker’s Heating & Air handles HVAC and duct services with the same care we bring to every system check: thorough, no shortcuts, and always done right. For more information on what we offer, contact us today!