If you’re a stickler for keeping your home as spotless as possible, you might be eyeing your ductwork with a bit of extra trepidation. Like almost any part of a house, air ducts can collect some dust over time. However, various other contaminants warrant a cause for concern — including mold, pet dander, and animal droppings.

Since it can seem like a fairly easy part of your home to clean, you might be wondering if you can clean air ducts yourself. When it comes down to it, it’s usually better to leave the scrubbing and vacuuming to a trained expert. However, if you enjoy a small DIY project from time to time, you can clean your own air ducts to an extent.

Let’s discuss why you should leave the duct cleaning to a professional — and a few small-scale DIY maintenance tasks you can try in the meantime.

How Important Is It to Clean Your Air Ducts?

When our homes are adequately air-conditioned and comfortable, many of us don’t have a care in the world. However, just because your comfort isn’t being affected doesn’t mean you should overlook your air ducts. Before discussing whether or not you can clean air ducts yourself, it’s important to know why cleaning them is important.

Air ducts work as a sort of middleman for your heating and cooling system. The heated and cooled air that these systems create must travel through your ductwork before entering the different rooms in your home.

As you can imagine, various types of airborne pollutants — from dust to pollen — can collect in your ducts. These contaminants can negatively affect your health, especially if you have asthma or allergies. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air pollution is a significant risk to public health.

So, how often should you clean your air ducts? Overall, it’s a good idea to schedule a cleaning every three to five years.

Can You Clean Your Own Air Ducts?

“Can you clean air ducts yourself?†If you ask this question to an HVAC technician, there’s a good chance they will tell you “no.†Instead, they’ll probably guide you toward a professional duct cleaning company.

The duct system in your home is perhaps more complex than you think. It can be difficult for the average person to reach the farthest parts of their ductwork — especially if you don’t have the right equipment in your possession. When you call a team of experts for your McKinney duct cleaning, rest assured that they’ll have the proper, high-powered tools on hand.

Cleaning your own ducts can also put your health and safety at risk. If you suspect there are rats, insects, or other critters inhabiting your ducts, it’s always best to have a professional handle the problem. The technician will thoroughly clean and sanitize the area.

Simple DIY Tasks You Can Try Yourself

Although you should leave a comprehensive cleaning to a trained professional, you can clean your own air ducts to a certain degree. We’re talking about small and easy maintenance tasks.

Installing Air Filters

You might want to consider adding filters to your air vents. These specifically-designed air filters prevent dust and debris from circulating through your HVAC system — and, as a result, your entire home. These products can be bought online and are often available at home improvement stores.

Vacuuming Grilles

If you want to learn how you can clean air ducts yourself, there are only a few tasks that you should handle yourself. One of these tasks involves a simple vacuum cleaner. You can vacuum air vent covers — including grilles and wall supply registers — to keep them free of dust.

How To Know If Your Air Ducts Need Cleaning

It’s not always obvious that you need duct cleaning services. However, knowing when to schedule an appointment can have an impact on your comfort and the performance of your HVAC system.

If you’ve been debating cleaning your ducts, there are a few things to keep an eye out for. For instance, dust, mold, and higher energy bills are cause for alarm. Look for traces of mold on vent covers and dust building up throughout your home at a higher rate.

When it comes to your energy costs, though, it’s usually much easier to spot a sudden change. If dust and debris collect in your ducts, it can impact the airflow throughout your home. As a result, your heating and air conditioning systems will have to work harder to keep you comfortable — and end up using more energy.

Keep Your Ductwork Clean With Our Experts

While you can clean your own air ducts to a minor extent, you should never try to tackle a full-on cleaning by yourself. Leaving the job to companies that clean air ducts will ensure your safety, comfort, and overall satisfaction in the end.

Adon Complete Air Conditioning & Heating is happy to help heat and cool your home — but we also specialize in McKinney air duct cleanings! Contact us today for more information about our services and schedule an appointment with our experienced team.