Our answer? It depends.
Duct cleaning can be beneficial—and even necessary—in certain situations. According to the EPA (Environment Protection Agency), duct cleaning is recommended—and is not a waste of money—if:
- There is substantial visible mold growth inside your ducts
- The ducts are infested with insects, rodents or other small critters
- The ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust
Beyond those scenarios, it’s tough to determine (without inspecting your ductwork) if duct cleaning is necessary. Even if your ducts are moderately dirty, there hasn’t been any conclusive scientific consensus that duct cleaning will prevent health issues or significantly improve the performance of your HVAC system.
That said, the best way to know if your ducts should be cleaned is to have a reputable company inspect your ductwork. They can help you weigh the benefits of the service and catch other problems inside your air ducts.
In this blog, we’ll explain the following:
- What’s included in a duct inspection
- What to look for (and avoid) in a duct cleaning company
Want to know if your ducts need to be cleaned? Our duct cleaning specialists will perform a thorough inspection and only recommend duct cleaning if you actually need the service.
What’s included in a duct inspection
During a thorough duct inspection, a specialist will look for:
- Signs of bio growth or asbestos-containing material*
- Animal or insect infestation in your ducts
- Leaks, holes or disconnected ducts (which all cause significant energy loss)
- Anything that prevents proper airflow inside the ducts (such as excessive dirt buildup, leaks or objects stuck inside the vents)
*Note: If bio growth or asbestos is found in your ductwork, you will likely need to have your ducts cleaned to safely and properly remove the contaminated material from your ducts.
After reporting their findings to you, a duct specialist will help you determine if duct cleaning is necessary or if it would be beneficial. If your ducts are significantly damaged, they should be repaired as soon as possible to prevent additional wear and tear on your HVAC system.
What to look for (and avoid) in a duct cleaning company
Unfortunately, some duct cleaning companies are only looking to make a quick buck, trying to sell customers on duct cleaning service when it’s not really needed.
These companies may try to convince you that your ducts need to be cleaned frequently (which isn’t true) or that your ducts contain harmful substances—without providing any proof.
To avoid those duct cleaning scams, we recommend doing some research before working with a duct cleaning company.
As you look for a duct cleaning company, make sure the company...
- Is licensed and insured
- Provides upfront, written estimates (before any work begins)
- Has good customer endorsements on sites such as Better Business Bureau, Yelp and Google
Additionally, you’ll want to ask about the company’s duct cleaning procedures and how the company will provide proof that your ducts need to be cleaned. If you feel unsure about the answers they provide, look for another company.
Want to know if your ducts need to be cleaned?
We’re happy to provide a thorough duct inspection. At Reliable Air, our duct specialists offer honest recommendations and will not try to upsell you on a duct cleaning you don’t actually need.
Learn more about our prices and process by visiting our duct cleaning service page.