Heat Ducts Cleaning Yes or No?
 

Hello - So early next month I made an appointment for an air duct cleaning company to come out for a cleaning. Just for the hell of it this weekend I was Googling "air duct cleaning" and to my surprise it actually appears to not come highly recommended. Most of the articles stated it makes little to no difference for performance or even cleanliness. So my question to you good folks if you've had it done what did you think of the outcome did you notice ANY difference at all in any way? I know this heating system hasn't been "cleaned" for many, many years that I know of anyway, so I just thought it was a prudent thing to do. Although now I'm beginning to second guess my decision.

Also wondering the same. Wonder how it is actually done to get all surfaces in the ducts.

Twice a year, I turn the air handler on and spray couple cans of mold stuff and let it circulate.
I make sure everyone is out of the house. I am not sure if that does anything but gives me a piece of mind..

Well I happen to know it has been easily 20 years since anything like this has been done in the home so I thought what the hell why not? Please keep the responses/opinions coming! Thanks!!

I would think if you have the furnace cleaned/maintained once a year and change the air filters in spring and fall, you should be fine. That's always been my practice, but I'm just a dopey homeowner, not an HVAC expert.

If the furnace hasn't been cleaned/maintained in many years as you indicated, I would suggest putting the money into that, as a priority over ducts being cleaned.

I had it done at my house and probably would not do it again. The reason I did it was to remove construction debris and dirt that I felt needed to be removed. After actually seeing what was removed I felt it was a waste of time and money.

Unless you know for certain you have some kind of problem within your ducts, I wouldn't waste your money doing it...

Just my thoughts.

Dan

Our house was built and we moved in 1984. Have the furnace maintained every year, change filter at that time and a new furnace installed last year and have never had the ducts cleaned and haven't had any problems ever.

Just adding my information to the mix. :)

air ducts
 

My son bought a 33 year old house last week. We pulled off all of the vents and put down a shopvac hose. Clearly, no one had ever done this before. We pulled up a lot of interesting stuff. About half a dozen boxes for electric receptacles from 1987. Lots of snack wrappers, plumbing pieces, screws, nails and lots of wood scraps. 90% of this was within one foot of the vents. We used a flashlight, and taped a USB camera to a six foot stick and I would say they looked pretty clean after the 33 year old construction debris was removed. Not sure if he would benefit from a formal professional cleaning but I'm thinking there will be a positive impact with the two hours we spent.

Heat ducts ...
 

Hmm, 33 years - did you find any Twinkies ? - they would just be coming into their own.

Service, Please
 

We have our propane gas furnace serviced annually, and change filters at the same time. Cleaning the ducts has never been recommended. 🐻

Although our current house doesn't have any ductwork, we've lived in many houses that have. If you keep your filters clean, the air coming out will be clean. If not, you also run the risk of fouling up the cooling or heating vanes, making them run inefficiently - as well as sending dirty air throughout the house.

My folks had an old oil furnace many years ago, and there was an accumulation of soot around each vent. Then they switched to gas, did get the ducts cleaned, and never had the problem again.

Hmmm reading these responses I can't see any reason the keep the appointment! I left a message this morning with an independent guy for a Boiler check/tune-up which I know has also been a handful of years. I think my money may be better spent just pursuing that for now. If they call back I'll also get their opinion about the ducts but I have a feeling what their going to say! :eek:

My wife bought a cleaning from a 'group-on.' The cleaners got here and saw white cloth tape on our ducts. "That's asbestos. We won't touch the ducts until you get it remediated."

The deal was non-refundable. After a little chat with customer service, we gave it to a friend with newer duct work. They did not notice any difference.

I've been tied up with other projects but I may just cut it away and replace our ducting.

A friend had it done after a fire in their condo. It still took a while for the smoky smell to go away.

material
 

Do not do it if you have any Flex ducts

If the filters have always been in place and changed routinely ,the only thing you need to do is to remove the supply registers and vacuum in that area.

My guess is they had a cracked heat exchanger... must have stunk oil every time it fired up!

I'm making a management decision and canceling! :D
Thanks and keep the opinions and/or experiences coming if you would... Appreciate it!