Duct cleaning is often sold as routine maintenance. The more accurate answer is that ducts need cleaning when something specific has gotten into them.
Signs your ducts need cleaning
- Visible mold in the ducts or on the furnace blower.
- Signs of mice, insects or nests.
- Dust puffing out of registers when the system starts.
- Drywall or plaster dust after a renovation.
- You’ve moved into a home with an unknown history.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s guidance follows the same idea: clean when there’s a reason, rather than on a calendar.
Why your house may still be dusty
In older Chicago homes, return ducts often run through unfinished basements, sometimes using panned joist cavities with gaps. Those leaks pull basement dust into the system. Sealing returns and using a better filter usually cut dust more than cleaning alone.
Dryer vents: clean them regularly
Dryer lint is flammable, and clogged vents are a leading cause of home dryer fires. Clean the vent run about once a year, more often with long runs or heavy use. Signs: clothes taking longer to dry, a very hot dryer, or a flap that barely opens.
What a good duct cleaning looks like
The system is put under negative pressure with a powerful vacuum, registers are covered, and ducts are agitated with brushes or air whips so debris is pulled out. The blower and coil should be checked too.
See air duct cleaning in Chicago, or call (312) 924-7223 for an honest inspection.