Opting for a professional cleaning of your HVAC system's air ducts is a wise choice. Among the benefits are improving the efficiency of your HVAC system, lower energy bills, and preventing respiratory diseases caused by pathogens in the ducts. But how long does it take to clean air ducts? Today, our experts at Power Vac of Ottawa will explain how much time you should set aside for duct cleaning.
How Long Does It Take to Get Your Ducts Cleaned?
The time it takes to get your ducts cleaned varies depending on several factors. These include your HVAC system’s size, the number of attached components and whether you're getting a commercial ductt cleaning or residential duct cleaning. On average, however, a professional duct cleaning service can typically be completed within a few hours to a full day.
Your HVAC System's Size
How long an HVAC cleaning takes depends on the size of your system. Normally, the cleaning process can take anywhere from three to seven hours. It usually takes around three hours to complete a thorough air duct cleaning for small properties—those that are less than 3,000 square feet. Air duct cleaning for larger properties—those that are over 3,000 square feet—can take three to five hours.
The Number of Components
Air ducts include a multitude of components that need cleaning. These can include:
- Vents
- Return registers
- Filters
- Furnaces
- Air conditioning coils
- Duct covers
Thorough air duct cleaning involves removing dust and debris from these components. It also involves cleaning or replacing the filters. As such, cleaning more air duct components would naturally require more time.
Commercial Duct Cleaning Versus Residential Duct Cleaning
As you may have already guessed, it will take longer to clean a commercial property's HVAC system than a residential property's HVAC system.
The variation in cleaning times between commercial and residential duct cleaning primarily depends on how easily the HVAC system can be accessed. Ideally, professionals who clean residential HVAC system air ducts can work without many interruptions. However, those working on a commercial HVAC system typically need to be discreet so they don’t interrupt the work day. This can slow down their progress. Commercial properties also have larger and more intricate HVAC systems compared to residential properties.
How Often Should I Clean My Air Ducts?
For a residential property, we generally recommend having your air ducts cleaned every three to five years. However, the frequency may vary depending on many factors, such as whether you have pets, or if anyone living in the house smokes or suffers from allergies. In these cases, it may be wise to have your ducts cleaned more frequently.
For a commercial property, we typically recommend having air ducts cleaned at least once every year. However, this frequency may vary depending on factors such as the type of business, the property's size and the ventilation system's specific needs.
We recommend that you consult with a professional HVAC technician to determine the most suitable cleaning schedule for your commercial property. Contact Power Vac of Ottawa for air duct cleaning services for improved indoor air quality.