Can dirty ducts make you sick?

Author: Stella Friesen  |  Last update: Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Develop Respiratory Infections, Disease If your family is getting sick more than normal, experiencing coughing, sneezing, sore throats, runny noses, nasal congestion, headaches, and low-grade fevers, they may have upper respiratory infections as a result of dirty air ducts.

How do you know if your air ducts are making you sick?

If you are sneezing, coughing, or experiencing watery, itchy eyes that seem much worse than normal, your air ducts are probably dirty.

What are the side effects of duct cleaning?

Is Duct Cleaning Dangerous? Duct cleaning may pose a danger to you and your family if the dirt is left to spread into your home. The air pollutants may cause allergic reactions like running nose, sneezing, and wheezing for people battling asthma.

How to tell if air ducts need cleaning?

If you see dust and dirt both inside and outside — especially by the vents that blow cool air out — your ducts most likely need to be cleaned. To prevent future dust buildup, make sure you replace your HVAC system air filters frequently. You can also run an air purifier.

What happens if you never clean your air ducts?

Ultimately, neglecting your air ducts is going to cost you money. Heating and cooling will be harder to maintain, your electricity bills will go up, and you'll have to pay more for more intensive services to solve issues. These are all problems you could prevent with air duct cleaning.

Can dirty air ducts make you sick?

Can I clean my ducts myself?

Use a brush to loosen any buildup of dust in the ductwork. Lift register and insert vacuum hose as far into the piping as it can go. Turn the vacuum on to capture as much dust as possible that the fan is pushing through the ductwork.

Can dirty air ducts cause respiratory problems?

Develop Respiratory Infections, Disease

If your family is getting sick more than normal, experiencing coughing, sneezing, sore throats, runny noses, nasal congestion, headaches, and low-grade fevers, they may have upper respiratory infections as a result of dirty air ducts.

How much does it cost to clean your air ducts?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average cost for properly cleaning an entire air duct system in an average-sized home ranges from $450 to $1,000.

How do you tell if your air ducts are clogged?

If you are not sure if your ducts need cleaning, here are some common signs to look out for.
  1. Vents & ducts are clogged with dust and debris. ...
  2. Your air filters become clogged. ...
  3. Unpleasant odor from ducts. ...
  4. Mold & mildew presence inside or outside your HVAC system. ...
  5. Unstable or poor airflow in the house.

How often should house ducts be cleaned?

Experts advise having your air ducts cleaned every 2 to 3 years to prevent many maintenance and health problems before they start. However, homes with pets or children with allergies should have their air ducts professionally cleaned more frequently than the recommended average.

How much does Stanley Steemer air duct cleaning cost?

The offer price is most likely per vent pricing and does not factor in the cost of the entire cleaning. While it may seem like a money-saving deal, the final price tag will probably be closer to that $450-$1000 range.

Is air duct cleaning really worth the money?

Duct cleaning has never been shown to actually prevent health problems. Neither do studies conclusively demonstrate that particle (e.g., dust) levels in homes increase because of dirty air ducts. This is because much of the dirt in air ducts adheres to duct surfaces and does not necessarily enter the living space.

How long does professional duct cleaning take?

According to our expert air duct cleaning technicians, it takes three to five hours to properly clean your air duct system. This includes the return side, supply side, blower compartment, blower wheel, and return drop. The exact amount of time it takes to clean air ducts will depend on the size of your HVAC system.

How do I know if the air in my house is making me sick?

Signs of poor indoor air quality may include excessive amounts of dust or increased difficulty breathing in your home. People with allergies or other breathing problems will often be some of the first to experience the effects of poor indoor air quality. Sometimes you might even smell the problem before you can see it.

What are signs of mold in the air ducts?

Symptoms of Mold in Your Air Ducts
  • Dank odor when the HVAC system is on.
  • Presence of visible mold on the air vents and grilles.
  • Irritation of the respiratory system such as the lungs, nose, and throat.
  • Sneezing and watery eyes.
  • Fever, insomnia, nausea, and headache.

What are the symptoms of dirty air?

Breathing polluted air over time can cause symptoms such as headaches, a sore throat, sneezing, and congestion. Be aware that these symptoms could be a sign of dirty indoor air. If you or a family member is experiencing these symptoms, there are a few simple things you can do to improve your home's air quality.

How do I know if my ductwork needs to be cleaned?

How to Tell if Your Air Ducts Need Cleaning
  1. Spikes in Your Energy Bill. Are you noticing an increase in your energy bill, but there's no explanation for the spike? ...
  2. Dirt or Dust Around the Vents and Registers. ...
  3. Mold. ...
  4. Your Facility Was Just Built or Has Undergone a Major Renovation. ...
  5. No Record of Prior Duct Cleaning.

Do clogged ducts clear on their own?

A plugged milk duct feels like a sore lump in the breast. Some mothers seem to be more likely to get them. Usually they go away within a few days without doing anything. They often happen when a mother makes more milk than normal.

How do you unblock your ducts?

Lightly massage your breast from the plugged duct down to the nipple before and during breastfeeding. Apply ice or cold packs to provide relief and reduce swelling. Breastfeed on demand and use different positions. Empty the affected breast first.

Is replacing air ducts expensive?

Typically, for an average house, the average cost for ductwork replacement is between $1,400 and $8,000. Smaller homes generally require less ductwork, leading to lower costs.

Is it better to clean ducts or dirty ducts?

Even if your ducts are dirty, cleaning them probably won't provide any measurable benefits. In fact, the little independent research performed on duct cleaning indicates that the process stirs up so much dust that it creates a bigger problem than it solves.

How much does Stanley Steemer cost to clean a couch?

Upholstery cleaning cost factors

Company – Stanley Steemer upholstery cleaning costs $15 to $300 per item, depending on its size. Stain prevention – Professional stain prevention costs $20 to $100. Most companies offer an upholstery sealant after cleaning to help keep the furniture cleaner longer.

Are my air ducts making me sick?

Dust, dirt, and other allergens can build up in your air ducts over time and eventually be released into the air that you breathe. This can cause all sorts of respiratory problems, including sneezing, coughing, and watery eyes.

Is duct cleaning a waste of money?

Dust and other debris accumulates in ductwork over time, and duct cleaning is beneficial and even necessary under some circumstances. However, duct cleaning might be inconsequential when there is no severe duct system issue, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Do it yourself duct cleaning?

How to Clean Your Air Ducts
  1. Turn Your System Off. Turn off the thermostat to your system. ...
  2. Remove and Clean the Grilles. ...
  3. Loosen the Debris in the Supply Duct. ...
  4. Vacuum Out the Ducts. ...
  5. Replace Your Air Filters. ...
  6. Replace the Grilles and Vent Covers. ...
  7. Reset the Thermostat.

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