The air ducts in your home or business are needed for the distribution of heated or cooled air from your heater or air conditioner. An air duct system may be comprised of several air ducts that deliver the air throughout your building to keep indoor temperatures from getting too hot or cold. Your air ducts need to be cleaned so that they can continue to function without problems that could make the inside of your building dirtier and may even lead to illnesses. Here are some answers to common questions that you may have about duct cleaning.

How are air ducts cleaned?

The goal of air duct cleaning is to remove the dirt, mold, and other contaminants that build up inside the duct network over time and can get into the air you breathe as air passes through the ducts. Service professionals often remove these impurities from the ducts by using special tools to loosen debris buildup and vacuum it up. In addition to cleaning the ducts themselves, service professionals often clean the fan motors, grilles, diffusers, and other components that function with the ductwork to distribute air.

How often should air ducts be cleaned?

Your ducts may only need to be cleaned once every three to five years, but different factors can affect how often the ductwork should be cleaned. If you live or work in an older building or have occupants who are more prone to allergies, you may need to have the ducts cleaned more often. You might also have to have the ducts cleaned more frequently if any occupants smoke regularly indoors.

What are some of the key benefits of duct cleaning?

In addition to making your indoor air cleaner and healthier to breathe, duct cleaning can keep your heater and air conditioner from having to work so hard to produce air for your building. Duct cleaning can also save you money on utilities. You may even notice that the inside of your building smells fresher and odor-free after the impurities that often emit unpleasant odors are removed from your ductwork.

How should I prepare for air duct cleaning?

Before your ducts are cleaned, you should try to clear the areas around vents and registers along with your heater and air conditioner as much as possible. Duct cleaning can be a noisy process, so you should try to make arrangements to be out of the building for at least a few hours if you don't want to be disturbed, and you should also consider taking any pets with you. To be sure that the ductwork will be cleaned thoroughly, you may want to show the service professionals all the vents, registers, and other ductwork components that you're able to access so that the professionals will know what's expected to be cleaned.

Duct cleaning can improve your building's functioning and make your home or business safer and more pleasant for everyone. If your air ducts are due for a cleaning, you can contact duct cleaning professionals who will bring the necessary equipment that you won't need to supply yourself to do the job.