Mention “duct cleaning,” and often a person’s first thought goes to those robo-type calls asking if your ducts need cleaning. These annoying calls usually start in earnest in Spring and have given professional duct cleaning services a bad rap.

So, is having your ducts cleaned worth it? And is duct cleaning really necessary?

Professional duct cleaning service uses specialized blowers, vacuums, and brushes to clean out the supply, intake, and return ducts throughout your home. Most dust inside your ductwork will settle and stay where it is. It is unlikely to become airborne unless it is disturbed. Under most circumstances, it is inert and harmless. Duct cleaning has also never been shown to prevent health problems. However, when done for particular reasons and performed properly, duct cleaning will help improve indoor air and airflow.

When to consider duct cleaning for your home

    • Your home is newly built or renovated: Construction is messy! Even when contractors are diligent about cleaning up, dirt and debris always find their way in. Even if the HVAC system is turned off and kept completely covered during the entire construction process (which isn’t typical), the dust and debris can make their way into your ductwork when the system is turned back on..
    • Infestation or Mould: If there is evidence of animal infestation or nesting in your ductwork or HVAC system, have the animals removed, then clean the ducts AND your HVAC unit with a maintenance tune-up. If there is visible mould growth inside the ductwork, you should have both the ducts and your HVAC system inspected and cleaned.
    • Pets in the home: Particularly if you have more than one pet, pet hair, dander, and dirt can collect in the ductwork and should be cleaned out every couple of years or more, depending on how many pets you have and how much your pets shed.

What are some other steps you can take to improve indoor air quality?

As well as having your ducts cleaned, we recommend you check and change your air filter regularly or consider upgrading your air cleaner. The frequency you change your filter depends on the type of filter you use. Always clean and maintain the key components of your HVAC system.

Lancaster Heating and Cooling takes pride in our qualified and skilled technicians. We recommend yearly maintenance to ensure that your furnace and air conditioning are running smoothly and efficiently. Call or contact us to schedule your tune-up.