When Should the Air Ducts be Cleaned?

The left image shows an air duct before cleaning and the right image shows an air duct after cleaning.

In the world of property and facilities management, construction, and real estate, indoor air quality is more than just a comfort issue—it’s a critical component of health, safety, and value. Whether you’re preparing a property for sale, managing facilities, or overseeing renovations, understanding when to schedule air duct cleaning can help you prevent complaints, improve indoor conditions, and even protect your bottom line.

So, when should air ducts be cleaned?

Schedule Visual Inspections Every 6 to 12 Months

Before jumping into a cleaning schedule, establish a habit of routine inspections. Ductwork should be visually assessed at least once or twice per year—especially in high-occupancy, commercial, or recently renovated spaces. Look for dust buildup, microbial growth, odors, or debris that could be circulating through the HVAC system.

This allows for evidence-based decision-making: clean when needed, document findings, and support overall building health strategy.

Clean Every 3 to 5 Years—Or As Conditions Require

While the general recommendation for duct cleaning is every 3 to 5 years, certain environments or usage patterns may justify more frequent service. Build this into your maintenance plans and budgets for residential communities, office buildings, schools, or healthcare facilities.

Always Clean After Construction or Renovation

Drywall dust, insulation particles, and construction debris can spread through the HVAC system during any building project. Cleaning the ductwork after renovations helps prevent occupant complaints and protects new HVAC components from premature wear.

Clean Between Occupants or Before Listing a Property

For realtors and property managers, duct cleaning before showing or turning over a space can elevate the first impression, support disclosure practices, and reduce risk of post-move-in issues.

In Pet-Friendly or High-Allergen Environments

Facilities with pets or occupants prone to allergies often require more frequent cleaning. Dander, pollen, and dust accumulate faster in these environments, potentially affecting indoor air quality and occupant health.

Clean If You Observe Red Flags

If any of the following are present, cleaning is likely needed:

Visible mold inside HVAC components
Persistent odors from vents
Dust emissions when the system starts
Recent water intrusion or smoke exposure
After a pest infestation
Tenant complaints about allergies or respiratory symptoms

Breathe the Difference with Baxter Environmental

At Baxter Environmental Group, we partner with professionals who share our commitment to healthier buildings. Our certified inspection and cleaning services are tailored to support your responsibilities—whether you’re renovating, turning over units, or maintaining a safe and efficient indoor environment.

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If you are concerned about asbestos, lead, mold, and other environmental contaminants, please give this company a call. They are informative, helpful and very passionate about their work. If you are doing construction or any type of renovation or just want to find out what is in the air you are breathing, make the call.

Working with Baxter Environmental Group is always a pleasure! I have worked extensively with them on Mold Remediation projects, vent maintenance, Asbestos Remediation and much more! The team is extremely professional.

We were having issues with additional dust in our home and were concerned about the additional health concerns we had for a 50-year old house. Baxter found the issues in our flex duct network and recommended solutions.

Baxter group is one of a kind! The service and employees are sure to exceed your expectations every time. I work for a company that has been fortunate enough to work very closely with the team at Baxter Group and we could not be more grateful to have them as a resource for our own customers!