How Often Should You Have Your Air Ducts Cleaned?

The truth is, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, but there are clear guidelines based on your home, lifestyle, and HVAC usage.

To make this easy (and to help you find the answer quickly), we’re starting with a simple Q&A and then going into more detail below.

Quick FAQs

How often should air ducts be cleaned?

Most homes should have air ducts professionally cleaned every 3–5 years. Homes with pets, allergies, recent remodeling, or heavy dust may benefit from cleaning every 2–3 years.

What are signs your air ducts need cleaning sooner?

Common signs include excessive dust, musty odors when the system runs, visible buildup around vents, poor airflow, or worsening allergies.

Does air duct cleaning help with dust?

Yes!  When performed properly. Dirty ductwork can recirculate dust and debris throughout the home. Professional cleaning removes buildup from inside the system, helping reduce dust levels.

Is air duct cleaning worth it?

Most definitely! Especially when it’s a full-system cleaning using negative pressure and mechanical agitation. A proper cleaning may improve indoor air quality, airflow, and HVAC efficiency.

What should a professional air duct cleaning include?

A proper service should include sealing vents, placing the system under negative pressure, brushing/agitating the ductwork, and cleaning key HVAC components  using professional truck mounted power-vacuum equipment.

General Recommendation

For most households, we recommend professional air duct cleaning every 3–5 years. However, you may want to clean more frequently depending on your home environment.

You May Need Air Duct Cleaning Every 2–3 Years If…

• You have pets - Pet hair and dander collect quickly inside ductwork and can contribute to allergies and dust buildup.
• Someone in the home has allergies or asthma - Cleaner ductwork can reduce airborne irritants that may worsen symptoms.
• You’ve had remodeling or construction- Drywall dust, sawdust, and debris can enter the duct system during renovations, even when vents are covered.
  
• Your home gets dusty fast- If dust returns shortly after cleaning, your HVAC system may be recirculating buildup from inside the ducts.
• You recently moved in- You may not know how well the previous owners maintained the system. Cleaning gives you a clean starting point.
  

What a Proper Air Duct Cleaning Should Look Like

Not all duct cleaning is the same. A proper cleaning should include:

• Sealing off supply vents and return vents
• Putting the system under negative pressure to contain debris
• Mechanical agitation through the vents and trunk lines
• Cleaning the plenum and key HVAC components
• Using professional equipment (like a power vacuum truck) to remove debris from the entire system

👉 Learn more about our process here:

Don’t Forget the Dryer Vent!

Dryer vents should typically be cleaned every 1–2 years (sometimes more often with heavy laundry use). Lint buildup is a common cause of dryer inefficiency and can increase fire risk.

👉 Learn more here about dryer vent cleaning here!

Our Most Thorough Option (Recommended)

For homeowners who want the best deep clean, we recommend our Full-Service Package, which includes:

• Air duct deep cleaning
• Furnace cleaning service
• Sanitizing & deodorizing fog treatment
• Complimentary dryer vent cleaning

Schedule with West Coast Power-Vac

West Coast Power-Vac proudly serves the Puget Sound area with professional, thorough service.

📞 (253) 736-5574
🌐www.westcoastpowervac.com