How often should you clean your air ducts?

The quality of indoor air cannot be overemphasised. Clean air prevents numerous health and safety issues and is a vital condition for optimal functioning, whether in a home or professional environment.

With most modern facilities using some form of air ducts, it’s important to clean them from time to time to ensure that debris, dust, mould and other particles are removed.

This will maintain the air purity in your environment. But how often should you perform ductwork cleaning and what other details do you need to know about the process? Find out more in this article.

What is duct cleaning?

If you have never cleaned your ducts, you may be wondering what is duct cleaning. Whether it’s home or industrial duct cleaning, air duct cleaning is the process of cleaning your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) ducts that circulate air in your indoor environment.

It can also include cleaning accessory components to your HVAC system, such as fans, coils, heat exchangers and others. In an industrial setting in the UK, there are health, safety and environmental protocols that dictate how often you should clean your air ducts.

How does duct cleaning work?

Let’s explore the duct cleaning process in more detail below.

Step 1:

The process of duct cleaning starts with a visual inspection of the ducts. It helps you assess the level of dust and debris buildup in the ducts before you proceed with the cleaning process. It is also possible to use cameras that probe deep into the duct to assess the full extent of the buildup prior to cleaning.

During the inspection, other aspects should be checked as well. Examples of these include checking for leaks or kinks (for flexible ducts), which can lead to lower energy efficiency of your ducting system.

Step 2:

The second step in the process of how to clean air ducts involves creating negative pressure. During this step, duct cleaning equipment such as vacuum collection devices are used to suck dust and debris out of the ductwork. Before this step is completed, the vacuum collector’s hose is connected to the duct or the centre of the HVAC system.

Then, each section is sealed with an adhesive cover. (A Roll Of Self Adhesive Blue Film For Dust Protection & Sealing Ducts 500mm Wide) Afterwards, the vacuum unit is switched on, creating negative pressure. The particles within the ductwork are sucked into the collection device after being brushed or blown loose.

Step 3:

Step number three involves agitating the dust. Here, it is necessary to uncover each section and clean every duct individually. It is important for the dirty air not to be blown back into the room.

Using an air compressor to agitate the dust and using small quantities of disinfectant are usually ineffective methods. Instead, tools that should be used during the process include rotating brushes, compressed air tools and vacuum cleaners.

Step 4:

The final step after cleaning the ducts is to clean the remaining components of the HVAC system. This includes the air handler’s blower motor, evaporator fan and drain pan.

How often should you clean your air ducts?

An important question that is often asked is how often you should perform cleaning of ducts. To answer it, we must be guided by the Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012, as amended in 2020 (the EPB regulations).

According to the EPB regulations, building owners or managers, as the individuals who control the operation of the system, have statutory obligations and duties of care related to the operation and maintenance of air conditioning systems.

The time frame for when air conditioning systems must be inspected by an energy assessor must be no more than five years apart. This applies to systems that have an effected rated output of more than 12 kW.

The first inspection of air conditioning systems should be carried out as follows:

• All systems first put into service on or after 1 January 2008, the first inspection must have taken place within five years of the date when the system was first put into service.
• Where the effective rated output is more than 250kW, the first inspection must have taken place by 4 January 2009.
• Where the effective rated output is more than 12kW, the first inspection must have taken place by 4 January 2011.

In addition to the EPB regulations, other statutory requirements come into play when cleaning and inspecting air ducts as part of HVAC systems. Some of the most prominent ones are:

• The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health 2002 (COSHH) law: This requires employers to ensure that assessments and checks are carried out that may be hazardous to health. They include the control and limit of exposure to pathogens, fumes and dust particles in the air.
• Health & Safety at work Act 1974 (HASAWA): Employers are required to protect the health and safety at work for all employees and visitors.
• Workplace (Health & Safety regulations) 1992: These are regulatory requirements for employers’ workplaces. They also include a focus on aspects such as ventilation.
• Approved Code of Practice 6 (ACOP6 (52): This Code of Practice relates to the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, mentioned above. It mentions that mechanical ventilation systems (including air conditioning systems) require regular and thorough cleaning, testing and maintenance. The purpose of this is to ensure they are kept “clean and free from anything which may contaminate the air.”
• British Standard for Ventilation Hygiene (BS EN 15780): This Standard sets out the frequency with which inspections should be carried out and what levels of cleanliness are required. The main purposes include maximising efficiency, lengthening the service life of the system plus achieving optimum levels of building air purity. It classifies buildings into three categories — low, medium or high occupancy — depending on intended use. These categories or classes specify the inspection frequency, which should be performed annually, as a minimum.

In short, there are several statutory requirements that dictate how often air ducts and HVAC systems should be cleaned and inspected. The specific requirements will depend on the business in question, the size of the system and its capacity and output, as well as its frequency of use and occupancy rates. It is recommended that you speak with a professional air duct cleaning expert to determine which regulations and requirements apply to your business’s case.

How do I know if my ductwork needs to be cleaned?

To determine whether your ducts need to be cleaned, you should carry out periodic inspections to determine their levels of cleanliness. Accumulation of dust, dirt, mould or other contaminants are a strong indication of the need for a clean.

Another indication of when you should clean your ducts is considering the manufacturer’s recommendations for the frequency of cleaning.

Also important is to check your local council regulations and statutory requirements for such guidelines and recommendations regarding the frequency of air duct cleaning.

What are the drawbacks of duct cleaning?

Having your air ducts cleaned has many advantages. However, it is worth considering some of the drawbacks, among which include the fact that it:

• Is not a permanent solution and dust and debris will continue to build up again
• Can be expensive
• Can create a messy space during and after the cleaning has been completed
• Can require moving furniture around, which can be inconvenient
• Takes up a significant amount of time, lasting up to several hours for residential homes

What are the benefits of duct cleaning?

On the other hand, cleaning your ducts, be they in an industrial or residential setting, is excellent for:

• Reduced carbon emissions
• Cleaner and healthier indoor air
• Lower maintenance costs
• Reduced energy consumption
• Improved inspection ratings
• A cleaner environment
• A more professional image
• Regulatory compliance

What happens if you don’t clean your air ducts?

Failing to clean your air ducts can have a number of important implications for your home and/or your business. A few effects include:

• Hikes in your energy bill
• Greater levels of dirt around vents and registers
• Mould formation, which has health implications

How to prepare for duct cleaning

In order to prepare your space or environment for duct cleaning, you should begin by cleaning up any clutter around vents and ventilation equipment to allow for easier access once the cleaning begins.

In a residential environment, you may also need to move furniture around and find a space where your pets will not be able to disturb the cleaning process. You can either be present during the cleaning or leave.

What is worth noting is that duct cleaning can be quite noisy and the process lasts a while so you should be prepared for disruptions.

Once you’ve determined this and you are ready to proceed, you should do a walk-through with your appointed duct cleaning specialists. Then, let them proceed with the work and you can enjoy improved indoor air quality as well as lower energy bills and a healthier environment for all that use it.

What does air duct cleaning cost?

The air duct cleaning cost will depend on several factors, including the size of your dust system and the amount of contamination that needs to be removed.

On average, however, you can expect to pay anywhere from £100 to £1000.

However, you should be prepared for variations in the price. Also, make sure you use the services of a professional duct cleaner.

Conclusion

The importance of cleaning your ducts on a regular basis can’t be overemphasised. Whether it refers to a residential or industrial environment, indoor air quality is a must.

If this aspect is new to you and you are looking for advice or the right air duct cleaning tools, we strongly encourage you to get in touch with us. Simply discuss your needs with our team and find the ideal solution for your HVAC cleaning needs.

Our friendly team is a quick call away and ready to assist you in every way we can. Get in touch!