How Often Should You Clean Air Ducts in San Antonio?
A practical schedule for San Antonio homes, the signs that you are overdue, and what a proper cleaning should include.
There is no law that says when air ducts must be cleaned, so most homeowners go by two things: how long it has been, and what they can see and feel in the house. Here is how we advise customers across San Antonio.
The general rule: once a year
We recommend that you clean air ducts once a year. Ductwork in San Antonio homes collects dust faster than in milder climates, for a few reasons:
- The AC runs most of the year. More air moving through the ducts means more dust settling in them.
- Cedar and oak pollen. Hill Country pollen seasons are heavy, and some of it ends up inside the return ducts.
- Dust and construction. New subdivisions, nearby road work and home renovations all push fine dust into the system.
When to clean sooner
Move the cleaning up if any of these apply:
- You just bought the home and do not know when the ducts were last cleaned.
- You finished a renovation, especially drywall or flooring work.
- Someone in the house has allergies or asthma that gets worse indoors.
- You have pets that shed.
- You see dust puffing from vents when the AC kicks on, or dark buildup around the vent covers.
- There has been water damage, or you notice a musty smell when the system runs.
What a proper cleaning includes
A cleaning is only worth doing if it is done under negative air pressure, which means a vacuum pulls the dust out of the ductwork and out of the house instead of blowing it into your rooms. At Texas Heritage Air Duct every cleaning includes a camera inspection, so you see the inside of the ducts before and after, and unlimited vents, so nothing gets skipped because of the size of the home.
Add your dryer vent and chimney to the same visit
Dryer vents collect lint every load and should also be cleaned about once a year, sooner if the dryer runs hot or takes two cycles. Chimneys and fireplaces should be inspected every year before the first fire. Air duct cleaning with dryer vent or chimney cleaning is $79, so it makes sense to handle them in the same visit.
Related reading and services
Book residential air duct cleaning, add dryer vent cleaning to the same visit, see the current coupons, or read 5 signs you need dryer vent cleaning.
Air duct cleaning schedule
Does a new home need its ducts cleaned?
Often, yes. Construction dust, drywall and sawdust end up in the ductwork during the build. A camera inspection tells you for sure.
Will cleaning help with allergies?
Cleaning removes the dust, pollen and pet hair that sit in the ducts and get blown back into rooms. Many customers notice less dust on furniture afterward. It is not a medical treatment, but it removes one indoor source of irritation.
How long does a cleaning take?
Most homes take about 40 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on the size of the home and the number of vents.
Does duct cleaning help the AC run better?
Cleaner ducts and returns move air with less resistance, so the system does not have to run as long to reach the thermostat setting.
How much does it cost?
$69 per AC system, with every vent and a camera inspection. With dryer vent or chimney cleaning it is $79.
