Should you clean air ducts in your AC system?

Should you have your air ducts cleaned regularly by a professional? Plenty of debates surround whether or not it’s necessary. Some schools of thought say yes because trapped dust and debris builds up in your ventilation system and can affect the airflow or even the AC equipment. It’s also recommended by some companies because of potential allergens that can filter through the ventilation system and back into the home, causing allergies and other ailments.

Others recommend against duct cleaning and cite it as an unnecessary expense because most dust and debris are stopped from entering living spaces with an air filter. It’s instead recommended to change your air filters regularly and if needed, use a handheld vacuum to remove excess debris at the air intake registers. The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) does not advocate air duct cleaning except in extreme cases such as:

• Ongoing and unexplained illnesses or allergic symptoms affecting multiple people at home
• Visible mold in the air ducts or air registers
• Confirmed insect or vermin infestations in ductwork
• People in your home suffer from severe allergies caused by problems with indoor air quality
• Ducts are clogged and particles are being released from the home supply register

No conclusive evidence exists on whether air duct cleaning is helpful and none showing it’s harmful, but if you decide to have air duct cleaning done, thoroughly research your potential contractor to make sure they are reputable. Contractors who are not properly trained to work on your HVAC system may use non-professional equipment that causes dust and debris to come free and blow into living spaces or at worst, may damage your ductwork or HVAC system itself. If you already have a contractor entering your duct system to do repairs, ask them if they will clean the ducts after repairs.

If you want to your home indoor air quality checked or other AC system maintenance with a licensed, reputable contractor, contract ELA Home Repairs at 800-368-PROS.