Once the windows are shut for the winter, you will only be breathing in the air that is circulating through your home once it is filtered through the ductwork and into the vents in each room.
Having clean ducts is key to having clean air. But how do you know when it is time get your ducts clean?
The National Air Duct Cleaners Association recommends that you get your air ducts cleaned every three to five years. There are a lot of factors to consider when deciding whether to get it done every three years, five years, or maybe even more often.
Here are 5 ways to know it’s time:
Do you have a layer of dust on the flat surfaces of your home after turning on your heating system?
That dust may be coming from your duct system. Especially if you have a clean filter in place and are still getting lots of dust, that is a sign that your ducts may need cleaning
Who lives in your home?
Do you live with someone who smokes in the home? With smoke in the air, your ducts will become dirtier faster. What about pets? Pet dander can also contribute to build up in your duct system. If you have a smoker or have pets, duct cleaning should happen closer to every three years rather than every five years.
Do you have someone in your home who has breathing problems?
Asthma, allergies, and other breathing issues can be aggravated by ducts that are not clean. Dust, bacteria, and fungi can all accumulate in the duct system and pepper the air you breathe. If you have breathing issues in your home, you may even want to have your ducts cleaned every other year.
What kind of filters do you use in your air handler?
Cheap fiberglass filters do not block as much dirt and dust as higher quality filters can. If you use cheaper filters, have your ducts cleaned more often.
Did you have a sudden rise in your heating or air costs?
If you cannot account for the rise in costs any other way, it may be caused by dirty duct system. If your system needs to push air through lots of debris in the ducts, your system will be working harder and using more energy to heat the same space which costs you more money.
If you are in doubt about the cleanliness of your ducts, it’s better to err on the side of caution and get them cleaned. Then going forward you can know for sure when they were last cleaned. Maybe you could even write a note to yourself on your phone or place a reminder on your phone calendar alerting you to when they will need to be cleaned again.
Contact Cranbury Comfort to get your ducts cleaned. Our “Source Removal” duct cleaning method is powerful and effective so that you and your family can breathe the cleanest possible air this season.
