DIY Duct Cleaning: A Guide to Cleaning Your Air Ducts Yourself
What is Duct Cleaning?
Duct cleaning is the process of removing dust, dirt, pollen, and other contaminants from your home’s HVAC ducts. This can help to improve indoor air quality, reduce energy costs, and prevent the growth of mold and mildew in your ducts.
When to Clean Your Air Ducts
You should clean your air ducts if you notice any of the following signs:
- Increased dust or dirt in your home
- Musty or unpleasant odors when you turn on your HVAC system
- Reduced airflow from your vents
- Allergies or respiratory problems that are worse when you’re at home
DIY vs. Professional Duct Cleaning
You can either clean your air ducts yourself or hire a professional. DIY duct cleaning is less expensive, but it is not as thorough as professional duct cleaning. Professional duct cleaners have specialized equipment that can reach all areas of your ducts and remove more contaminants.
Safety Considerations
Before you start cleaning your air ducts, be sure to take the following safety precautions:
- Wear a dust mask to protect yourself from inhaling dust and debris.
- Turn off your HVAC system at the thermostat or circuit breaker.
- Remove all furniture and other objects from the areas where you will be working.
Instructions for DIY Duct Cleaning
To clean your air ducts yourself, you will need the following supplies:
- Shop vacuum
- Shop vacuum extension hose, 10-foot
- Dryer vent cleaning brush with 10-foot extender
- Nylon bristle brush
- Electric drill, with handle
- Flashlight
- Dish detergent
- Duct tape
- Replacement HVAC filter
Step 1: Turn Off the System
Turn off your HVAC system at the thermostat or by shutting off the circuit breaker.
Step 2: Remove the Grilles
Remove the supply vent grilles and the return vent grilles. Floor supply registers typically are not attached, so they lift off. For ceiling and wall supply registers, use the drill to turn out the screws holding the grilles in place. Return grilles, too, will be screwed into place.
Step 3: Clean the Grilles
Clean the supply grilles with warm water, mild detergent, and a soft brush in the kitchen sink. The return vent may be too large to clean in the sink. So, wash off outside with the hose, brush, and detergent. Set all grilles against a wall to air dry.
Step 4: Prepare the Cleaning Brush
Screw the flexible nylon rods together to form a 10-foot pole. Screw the cleaning head onto the end of the rods.
Step 5: Examine the Supply Ducts
Begin at any supply duct vent. With a flashlight, look inside to see the duct’s configuration. Often, the duct will be straight for a short run, then make a 90-degree turn. Sometimes, the duct will reach a tee and turn in two opposite 90-degree directions.
Step 6: Dislodge the Contaminants in the Supply Ducts
Force the cleaning head into the duct until about 1 foot is exposed at the top of the vent. Chuck the rod into the drill. Press the trigger of the drill forward (not reverse) to turn the cleaning head. While turning, slowly draw out the cleaning rod. When it reaches the end, stop the drill.
If this is a tee, send the cleaning head down the other side of the tee.
Step 7: Clean the End of the Supply Vent
With the shop vacuum, suck up the contaminants that the cleaning head deposited at the end of the supply vent.
Step 8: Prepare the Vacuum Hose
Add the 10-foot extension hose to the shop vacuum. If using a nozzle at the end, secure it to the hose with duct tape to avoid losing it in the ductwork.
Step 9: Clean the Supply Duct
Turn on the shop vacuum. Force the hose into the supply duct as far as it will go. Slowly draw back the hose. Jostle the hose up and back to reach as much of the vent as possible.
Step 10: Dislodge the Contaminants in the Return Duct
Similar to the supply ducts, force the cleaning brush and rods into the return duct. Draw it back slowly while rotating it with the drill.
Step 11: Clean the Return Duct
As with the supply ducts, push the extended shop vacuum hose into the return duct to vacuum out debris.
Step 12: Replace the Grilles and Vents
When the washed grilles and vents are dry, replace them on the vents.
Step 13: Turn the System On
Turn the HVAC system back on. Let it run for about 20 minutes. Shut it off and check the filter. The filter will catch contaminants that you weren’t able to remove with the vacuum in the return duct. Likely, you will need to discard this filter and replace it with a fresh one.
When to Call a Professional
If you have any of the following concerns, you should call a professional duct cleaner:
- You have never had your air ducts cleaned before.
- You have pets or smokers in your home.
- You have allergies or respiratory problems.
- You have a large or complex HVAC system.
- You suspect that there is mold or mildew in your ducts.
Benefits of Duct Cleaning
Duct cleaning can provide a number of benefits for your home and your health, including:
- Improved indoor air quality
- Reduced energy costs
- Prevention of mold and mildew growth
- Reduced allergy and respiratory problems
