Why do Air Ducts need cleaning and how often? Your HVAC system and air ducts should be cleaned for the same reason that  your home needs cleaning. Suppose that your home had not been cleaned for three to five years? Most homeowners keep very clean homes and they cannot believe what is commonly found in HVAC systems. Even new homes have air  ducts which are filled with construction debris. It is recommended that HVAC  systems be cleaned every three to five years. Wouldn't an air filtering machine accomplish the same thing? No filter, not even the expensive electrostatic kind, is 100% effective at filtering out contaminants from your duct system. What's more, harmful contaminants  also get into your ducts from places other than where your filter is located. Once air goes through your filter it's sucked through the machinery that makes up your furnace and air conditioner. As a result, every time your system turns on, its  moving parts and vibration shake up the dust that typically settles in your ducts -- and the air that just went through your filter now blows that dust into your home. In addition, the process of heating and cooling your home creates the kind of  temperature and humidity changes in your ducts that enable the growth of  unhealthy mold, fungus and bacteria. How can I tell if I have air duct contaminants that could harm me? While unhealthy contaminants are mostly microscopic, there are some ways for you to detect if these bugs might be blowing out of your ducts and into the air you breathe. Do people who live in your home suffer from allergy, sinus or  bronchial problems? (Airborne contaminants in the home are a major cause of these illnesses.) Are there soiled or discolored areas around your vent covers?  Any unusual odors when the furnace or air conditioning is operating? Have you experienced a recent fire, water loss or flooding? How about recent remodeling or construction? If you have even the slightest suspicion that your air ducts may be contaminated, now is the time to call us and find out for sure. Like good  health, the earlier you discover the problem, the easier it is to cure it. Will Air Duct cleaning result in lower energy bills? Research conducted by the EPA has shown that removal of debris that builds up inside HVAC systems can improve air flow up to 20% or more. This means that your system should not have to run as long to the the job it was intended to do. Running your system less will reduce energy bills. Toronto 416.970.4039 Durham 905.509.5553 Toll-FREE 1.800.679.7479 Frequently Asked Questions