Air duct cleaning is something that most homeowners never think about. That is, until you start to smell something off or see puffs of dust coming from your vents. The truth is that quite a lot can build up inside your ducts, transforming from clean metal chambers into fuzzy dust-covered tunnels in just a few years of regular HVAC use in your home.
If it is time to clean your ducts, no doubt you want to plan ahead. An important question to prepare for is, “How long does duct cleaning take?”. While every home is unique, we can help you estimate the likely time range of your air duct cleaning so that you can know what to expect and build a practical duct cleaning schedule.
Why is Air Duct Cleaning Important?
Our ancestors believed indoor air was stale and dangerous – and they were right. EPA studies have found that the air inside a home is five to ten times more polluted than outside air, especially if a home’s HVAC system is poorly maintained.
Interior pollutants come from paint, dust mites, mold spores, trapped allergens, insulation particles, and much more. All of this can get caught in the dust buildup in your air ducts and re-circulates every time the HVAC blows another gust of air.
Regular air duct cleanings can significantly improve air quality in your home and remove most of the harmful particles lurking before they cycle again.
When Should You Get Your Air Ducts Cleaned?
Air ducts in most homes should be cleaned every three to five years. This length of time is about how long it takes for a new layer of heavy dust and particles to form inside the metal walls of your ducts.
Having your ducts cleaned after any major polluting event is also important. Construction that releases insulation, sawdust, or anything involving mold spores should be followed up with a duct cleaning to fully purify dangerous particulates from your home’s air before you return to live and breathe there.
How Often Should Air Ducts Be Cleaned?
There are, of course, factors that may increase the pace at which you’ll want to have your ducts cleaned.
If there is smoking or pets living inside your home, more frequent cleaning can help to counterbalance the air quality effects. If there is an infant, someone with a compromised immune system, or bad allergies, more frequent air duct cleaning can help – closer to every other year to remove unwanted particles from your air system.
How Long Does Air Duct Cleaning Take?
The length of time that air duct cleaning takes will vary based on the size and design of your home. However, most homes have a floorplan between 2,000 and 3,000 square feet, and cleaning duct systems about this size will take two to four hours with a standard team and equipment.
Homes with damaged ductwork that needs repairs first, extra-large homes, and homes with two stories will take longer to clean. Be sure to get an estimate for a realistic time frame.
Professional Air Duct Cleaning Services in Phoenix
A-Z Air Duct is dedicated to keeping the air inside Phoenix, AZ homes safe. We know that clean air is the key to good health and quality of life inside your home and that changing your air filters isn’t always enough.
A-Z Air Duct can help improve your home’s air quality regardless of your reasoning. Contact us for a free quote, so we can let you know how long air duct cleaning will take and what to expect based on your home’s specific size and design. Schedule an air duct cleaning with us today.
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