The more you use your HVAC appliances, including your furnace and air conditioner, the faster they collect contaminants. Regular duct cleaning will help eliminate pollutants and improve air quality, but if you’ve never used this service, you may not know how to proceed. To prepare, review the following frequently asked questions.

Common Questions About Duct Cleaning

When do you need duct cleaning?

First, ask yourself how long it's been since you changed your air filter. For a single occupant home with no pets or allergies, getting your ducts cleaned every six to 12 months is ideal. However, if you notice your filter getting dirtier quicker, dust may be collecting within your ductwork. Duct cleaning is also necessary if you have bad odors, restricted airflow, slime growth, and water damage in or around your HVAC system.

What happens during the process?

Duct cleaning starts by cutting an access port in the plenum, which is the box on top of the HVAC system. Then, an HVAC contractor will insert long flexible brushes inside that use compressed air to spin bristles and suck up dust.

The noise level for this process is moderate and about as loud as a typical vacuum cleaner. From start to finish, you can expect four hours of work, although it can be longer or shorter depending on the size of your house or business. During this process, you can stay in the building or home.

How should you prepare?

Prepare for a duct cleaning by closing all air vents and covering the furniture in case dust leaks out. However, keep in mind that most companies will do this for you and ensure the rest of your home doesn't become dirtier.

How can you keep your ducts clean afterward?

The more people and animals that are in your home, the faster your HVAC system will be covered in dust and debris. However, regular HVAC maintenance and a good housekeeping schedule will prolong the cleanliness of your ducts. You should also change your air filters frequently as a precaution.

To keep your ductwork in fantastic condition, schedule preventative maintenance from River Valley Air Conditioning. For over 65 years, these contractors have offered HVAC services to residential and commercial clients throughout Kingman and Fort Mojave, AZ. For installation, repairs, and cleaning, call (760) 326-3020 to set up a maintenance schedule. To learn more about their services, visit their website.