Flex-ductThe ducts in a home are among those things that, despite being quite important, don’t get a whole lot of attention. The problem is that your ducts aren’t really things that you can afford to ignore all the time. Ducts that are neglected by their owners will have a tendency to develop a couple of different issues that will impact the efficiency of the climate control systems hooked up to them, as well as the health of the homeowners. One of the best ways to make sure that your ducts remain in good shape is to schedule duct cleaning for them. Let’s go over why duct cleaning is a good idea, and when you should schedule it.

What Happens if You Don’t Clean Your Ducts

The average home’s air is teeming with all kinds of microscopic airborne contaminants. Dust, dirt, pollen, dander, mold spores, and germs of various kinds are all commonly found in a home’s air. Normally, these contaminants are not found in high enough concentrations to cause any adverse effects on your health and comfort. However, ducts complicate things.

Since the ducts are rarely, if ever, cleaned, they will often serve as a haven and collection point for contaminants like those listed above. Mold colonies can grow if the ducts are moist enough. Dust and pollen can collect in large clumps. Germs can breed and spread. These disgusting contaminants can then inhabit your ducts until such time as they are blows out of them… like when you turn on your heater or air conditioner. If you don’t clean your ducts and you turn on your climate control systems, you’re blasting yourself with an increased concentration of contaminants. This makes it much more likely that you’ll suffer negative effects of exposure, such as allergy attacks or illness. As if that weren’t bad enough, the presence of so much dirt and other debris in the ducts can serve to insulate them. This restricts the flow of air through the ducts, lowering the efficiency of your climate control systems. Duct cleaning is so important because it prevents these things from happening.

How Often to Schedule Duct Cleaning

How often you should schedule duct cleaning will depend on your individual circumstances, including the kinds of ducts you have and the outdoor air quality in the area in which you live. However, if you’re not sure whether or not it’s time for duct cleaning services, the best thing you can do is consult with a professional technician. They’ll be able to tell you what kind of state your ducts are currently in, whether they need an immediate cleaning, and how often you’ll need to clean them after that initial time. The general guideline is once every 3-5 years, but you should still ask a professional to know for certain about your own ducts.

Climate Control Heating & Cooling provides comprehensive duct cleaning services in Parkville, MO. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our professional indoor air quality technicians. We’ll help keep your ducts, and your lungs, clear.