Over time, cleaning ducts can save you even more by reducing overall system wear and tear. Dirt, dust, and other debris in the duct system can cause forced air systems to wear out, impairing energy efficiency and causing utility bills to rise over time. Keeping the ductwork system clean is an important part of overall system maintenance, which in turn improves energy efficiency and reduces utility bills. Because of its impact on energy efficiency, system maintenance and indoor air quality, air duct cleaning is one of the best investments you can make in the future of your home. Professionals rarely charge by the hour for cleaning residential air conditioning systems.
However, you may be charged a supplement if any element of the system significantly increases the time it takes for air purifiers to do their job. For example, if there are hard-to-reach ducts or air distribution chambers (also known as air distribution boxes) in attics or mezzanines, or if the duct network has a custom design. On rare occasions, the level of pollution can also increase the price. That said, the EPA recommends cleaning ducts “as needed, especially in cases of visible mold on duct surfaces, rodent or insect infestation, or visible dust particles coming out of ventilation grilles.
In addition to helping to make your home more comfortable and healthier, cleaning your ducts can also help you save money. While some air duct cleaning companies charge for the total number of vents or the square footage of the house, others charge an hourly rate. Cleaning air ducts is a task that you should leave to a professional HVAC maintenance technician. Regular cleaning of air ducts is helpful in reducing contaminants that can negatively affect air quality in your home.
Cleaning only the ducts of an air conditioning system does not usually affect airflow or air quality, except under specific circumstances. Cleaning the air ducts removes dirt, dust, and debris build-up that can block system airflow over time. One of the easiest ways to save money on air duct cleaning is to reduce the amount of dust and dirt that enters ducts from the beginning. That said, the EPA says homeowners don't need to have their air ducts professionally cleaned unless there's strong evidence of mold, vermin, standing water, or accumulation of dust or dirt.
The amount of time and work that cleaners must devote to cleaning depends in part on the condition of the ducts. The cost of cleaning air ducts may depend on the design of your home and the accessibility of the vents. If your goal is to reduce allergens and other contaminants, you should invest in an air purifier with a high-efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA) or install one in Ducts. Commercial duct cleaning equipment, such as negative air pressure machines and duct whips, are rarely available for rent and expensive to purchase.
On average, it takes 2 to 4 hours to properly clean the air duct system of a standard-size home (2000 to 3,000 square feet). If your home in Tucson, Arizona, has a central air conditioner, boiler, or other forced air system, ductwork plays an important role in air conditioning distribution all over the building.
