How To Clean Your House’s Air Ducts Yourself

You live in your house every day and you’ve made it your own in the ways that matter. Painting the walls, moving furniture or putting up décor; it’s visibly perfect. But houses come with much more than the rooms you live in. Behind the walls and under the floors are systems that help you enjoy hot or cold water, electricity and most importantly the air you breathe.

You probably never thought about systems like the air ducts when it comes to your home, and that’s OK! They’re hidden within the structure of the home and mostly silent so it’s easy to assume things are working smoothly. But this type of thinking could have you ignoring important upkeep that these systems need.

First, let’s figure out how to clean air ducts, so you can decide if this is something you can tackle on your own, or if you should bring in professionals.

What Is Air Duct Cleaning?

Air duct cleaning is a process that cleans out contaminants and allergens that shouldn’t be in your system, like mold or dust, to increase the air quality of your home. But what exactly are you cleaning, and how? It’s important to know the parts of the system you should be focusing on when cleaning.

One main part to look at is from the source. Every house will have an HVAC system that typically flows through one unit, although you might have separate systems for heating, ventilation and air conditioning depending on your house. This unit will have major components that help filter your air, so this is a good place to start. Another major part to look at are the individual supply and return vents that are placed throughout your home. Professionals will be able to access the entire system, while you will only be able to clean as far as your equipment allows.

How To Know When It’s Time To Clean Your Air Ducts

Some signs that you need to clean your air ducts can be found once you locate and look at the actual parts of the system. But some signs aren’t physical, so make sure you’re not ignoring important symptoms that indicate your air ducts might need some attention. Here are some examples:

• Mold or moisture on or around your ductwork. It’s never good to breathe in mold. If you see any, or signs that could lead to mold like excess moisture, it’s time to get cleaning.
• You should be able to see a buildup of dust in your ducts pretty clearly once you remove vents and get a look into the system. Additionally, these vents will typically lead to a grille that collects and traps large pieces of dust and debris.
• A buildup of dust in your ducts will result in noticeable allergic reactions like sneezing or itchy eyes.
• If you or other members of your household are experiencing respiratory problems like shortness of breath, trouble breathing or a persistent cough, it could be a result of breathing in air flowing through a dirty duct.
• You might be smelling musty odors coming from your air vents because of dust and debris buildup, especially if the air flow is decreased because of this.
• Higher utility bills without extreme temperatures or provider price hikes. This means your system is working overtime to compensate for its lack of airflow, or that the parts just aren’t working as well because buildup is getting in its way.

How To Clean The Air Ducts In Your House

1. Turn Off The System

The first step is to turn off your HVAC system. Look for a switch on the actual unit or nearby, typically found in a basement or closet. If you still can’t locate it, your circuit breaker will be your next best option to getting the system’s power turned off.

Note that turning off your air or heat by thermostat is not the same thing as turning off the system, and it’s important to make sure the system is completely off while you’re working so dust and debris isn’t blowing while your vents aren’t covered.

2. Remove The Vent Covers

Take a screwdriver or flathead to remove any vent covers, these can be found throughout your home either on the floor or high up on the walls. Make sure to keep track of all parts you’re removing, especially those tiny screws.

After removing, wipe off any buildup you see on the covers. Your house will typically have both supply and return vents; make sure you’re cleaning both as buildup can occur anywhere.

3. Vacuum The Dust And Debris

Now that you’ve removed your covers, it’s time to get inside the vents. You’ll need a brush with bristles, like a toilet brush, and a vacuum with a hose or some type of longer attachment to help you get deeper inside the vents. Note that a typical household vacuum might not be powerful enough to get a proper cleaning.

Before you get your vacuum out, you’ll need to loosen any dust or dirt stuck to the vents. You can do this internally by moving your brush around the interior of the ducts as far as you can reach to knock off any buildup. Do it externally in your basement or attic (or wherever any ducts may be accessible) by gently tapping on the ducts to loosen dirt and other buildup. Now that everything is mostly loosened, stick your vacuum inside the vents and suck out any debris until you feel it’s clean. Repeat this with all the supply and return vents that you have.

You’ll also want to vacuum inside the HVAC unit or furnace you turned off earlier, which can be done by removing the front panel and cleaning out any dust buildup that’s living in the blower compartment or on the fan.

4. Replace The Air Filter

You’ll find an air filter inside your HVAC unit that can be removed, it should look like a large square of clean aerated fabric. Check to see if the filter needs to be replaced, you can find replacements at most home supply stores.

This is also a great opportunity to consider what kind of filter you’d like. Standard air filters trap dust and pollen, but higher-rated air filters trap many more kinds of particles. These ratings are called the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV). These ratings are on a scale of 1 – 20. The lower the number, the fewer percentage of particles filtered, and vice versa.

To install your new filter, look at the arrows that are normally printed on the frame. These tell you what direction the air should flow, and the arrows should always point in the direction of the blower.

5. Restore The Vent Covers

Now that you’ve cleaned out the vents and any part of the system that needs it, you’re good to put the vent covers back on and secure them. Clean up any additional mess that was made and you’re good to go. The last step is to turn the system back on.

Additional Tips On How To Clean Air Ducts

• Consider hiring a professional: While a DIY cleaning is achievable and can give you solid results, a professional duct cleaning service will be able to get into the entire system of vents that run throughout the house, not just the openings. They can also identify harmful materials like asbestos and remove them safely.
• Protect the surrounding area: Loosening up the dust and debris from the vents is a great way to ensure you’re getting a proper cleaning. Try covering any furniture or carpet to help keep dust and debris from settling on them, especially when you turn your system back on and use it for the first time after cleaning.
• Check for any leaks: Check for any leaks or drips after cleaning to ensure that the integrity of the vents are still intact.

FAQs About How To Clean Air Ducts

Here are some frequently asked questions about air duct cleaning:

How often should I clean my air ducts?

This will typically depend on your way of living, but The National Air Duct Cleaners Association recommends inspecting your air ducts once a year and cleaning as needed. For example, if a household has smokers living there, pets that shed a lot or if someone is more susceptible to allergies, you’ll want to clean your air ducts more frequently.

How much does it cost to clean air ducts professionally?

Depending on the house, an average cleaning will cost around $450 - $1,000, but keep in mind larger homes can cost upward of $2,000.

What supplies do you need to clean air ducts yourself?

Some helpful tools to have:

• A vacuum with a long attachment that can get deep into the vents.
• Some type of bristle brush that will help you loosen dust and debris buildup, like a toilet brush.
• Tools like a Phillips or flathead screwdriver to help you with secured vents.
• Cleaning supplies like microfiber clothes or paper towels, along with work gloves, a dust mask and goggles to protect yourself from particles.

Does cleaning air ducts really make a difference?

Yes, a clean air duct system means less chance of you or your household breathing in bad air which can lead to health issues. Cleaning the HVAC system will also help you extend the life of the system, which in the long run means less money for repairs. While it may not seem like your air ducts are the main cause of health issues, it’s better to play it safe.

What happens if air ducts aren’t cleaned?

If you neglect your air ducts, allergies will worsen and symptoms of respiratory problems will increase. Additionally, your utility bills will increase as the system is not working as well as it could be. Simply put, your house will continue to pump in poor air that results in poor health, and an increased risk of having to replace your entire HVAC system.

The Bottom Line

Keep in mind that while it is possible to clean your air ducts yourself, hiring a professional has certain benefits that can’t be achieved by a DIY project. Assess what kind of care your system needs to determine if this is a job you want to do yourself, or if bringing in a professional cleaning service is the better option.

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