Air duct cleaning is oddly one of those home improvement upkeep tasks that sparks debate among homeowners.
Some people swear by it as a routine part of their yearly routine, whereas others dismiss it as purely cosmetic and rarely necessary. And along the way, many myths have sprouted up out of the depths of the internet that have created confusion, unrealistic expectations and missed maintenance opportunities.
We recently spoke with some renowned air duct cleaning technicians based in South Jordan, Utah to learn more about these common myths—and what the actual truth is.
So, check out the below sections to better understand what air duct cleaning is technically capable of (and not able to do) to make more informed decisions about your property’s HVAC system and indoor air quality!
By far one of the most common beliefs is that only older homes actually require air duct cleaning services.
And although age can undoubtedly be a significant factor, it’s far from being the only one that homeowners need to keep in mind. Newer homes often accumulate a tremendous amount of construction dust and debris, as well as allergens inside ductwork systems. This is particularly an issue after new installations, renovations and drywall work.
Homes here on the Jersey Shore also just so happen to be in a high-humidity environment, which means that buildup will accumulate faster no matter how old the property is. This is why the actual truth is that air duct cleaning necessities are more oriented around a household’s usage and conditions—as opposed to how long the home’s been physically standing.
It’s essential to replace your HVAC filters on a regular basis, but doing so doesn’t negate the overall possibility of incurring ductwork buildup.
Your system’s filters are designed to capture a lot of airborne particles, but they’re far from perfect. Over time, it’s inevitable that pet dander, dust, pollen, and all sorts of other contaminants will settle deep within duct systems.
But it’s also important to remember that investing in air duct cleaning doesn’t replace your need for filter changes. These two practices work in unison together by serving different roles for your home’s indoor air quality (IAQ) and HVAC system health.
It’s also common for some homeowners to expect professional air duct cleaning services to completely eliminate odors, allergies and even respiratory issues.
Although thoroughly cleaning out your ducts will significantly reduce the amount of airborne irritants that are in your home, it’s not a one-size-fits-all cure for every potential IAQ concern.
This is because your home’s air quality is impacted by a wide variety of factors, including humidity levels, ventilation, pets, cleaning habits and outdoor weather conditions. Even though air duct cleaning is an essential part of your broader IAQ strategy, it’s important that you don’t view it as some kind of standalone solution for all IAQ dilemmas.
Another common misconception is the idea that air duct cleaning automatically improves HVAC efficiency right after appointments are finalized.
The truth is that getting your ducts cleaned isn’t a full-on guarantee that your system performance will improve. HVAC efficiency is tied to various other factors like airflow balance, equipment condition, regular maintenance and insulation.
However, air duct cleaning does do a great job at improving HVAC efficiency when a household is being plagued by debris-filled ducts. But it’s important to remember that ductwork cleaning isn’t some kind of universal efficiency booster that works at every property.
There’s some widespread skepticism circulating around the Web about air duct cleaning, and this is largely due to unrealistic promises and aggressive marketing tactics.
And although there undoubtedly are some low-quality service providers in any industry, it’s safe to say that air duct cleaning is far from being some sort of scam.
When these services are conducted for valid purposes like post-renovation cleanups, visible contamination and excessive dust buildup, it’s incredibly beneficial. The key here to understanding the overall importance of air duct cleaning is that it’s great when it’s actually appropriate.
A lot of homeowners also believe that air ducts need to be cleaned on a very strict schedule, like once per year.
The truth is that there’s no such thing as a universal timeline that applies to every home. The overall need for air duct cleaning services depends on unique factors like smoking, occupancy, pets, environmental conditions, renovations, etc.
Noticeable changes or a visual inspection can help you better understand when it’s time for air duct cleaning, and not just a calendar reminder.
The truth when it comes to these common air duct cleaning myths typically lies somewhere in the middle.
Not every homeowner needs air duct cleaning on a frequent basis, but there’s no denying how helpful it can be given certain circumstances. For the most part, it’s an essential home improvement service when there’s clear evidence of contamination, buildup, or specific airflow dilemmas that can be tied back to dirty ducts.
It’s important for all homeowners to understand the limitations associated with air duct cleaning by establishing their own realistic expectations. Rather than chasing online myths from obscure corners of the Web, you should instead be putting your efforts toward focusing on proper filtration, HVAC care, and knowing when air duct cleaning truly makes sense for you and your home.
And by separating fiction from fact, you can subsequently make much smarter decisions that support your property’s cleanliness, comfort and long-term HVAC performance!
