Is air duct cleaning worth it for Kansas City homes?

Written By Brakyn Nelson

Hey, Kansas City home owners! It's almost that time of year again… time for the spring cleaning, Rush. Everyone is trying to get the house in order for the summer months (ideally before it gets too hot). At this time, many of you may be asking, “Is duct cleaning worth it?” That's a really good question, with a more complicated answer than many people might expect. Here's everything you need to know about duct cleaning this spring if you live in the greater Kansas City area.

Before and after a new construction Air Duct Cleaning

First, let me give you some background on me and where I come from. My name is Brakyn, I'm a Kansas City resident, and I've been here as a permanent resident for about 5 months now… I moved from Utah to be closer to my wife's family and get some additional help raising our two kids (a 2-year-old and 6 a 6-month-old). I owned an HVAC cleaning business in Utah for half a decade, during which I learned a lot about the industry and what to look for. I also learned about the shady tactics many companies use in the industry, which often give it a bad name.

So, when do you really need duct cleaning? Well, here are a few signs you can look out for

  1. Dust build-up or black streaks around the return vents.

    • This usually indicates excess dust in the return portion of the system. Meaning if you're not replacing your filter every 30 days or so, it's most likely being pulled through the filter into the furnace and then the rest of your living space.

  2. Noticeable dust in the air or settling on surfaces.

    • This is similar to the last sign but much more annoying. Dust in the air or the constant need to dust can be a super common sign that your ducts are holding onto more than you might think.

  3. Post-construction or newly renovated homes.

    • This is a super easy one to overlook, but once you think about it, it makes sense. During construction, you're getting sawdust and drywall debris everywhere in the home. Unfortunately, a large portion of that ends up in the duct system, recirculating through the home after construction is complete. (Sometimes workers will use the ductwork as a trach shoot during the construction process because it's so easy to get away with it.)

  4. Limited airflow in the home or at specific registers.

    • This reason is actually much less common than many people realize. It can certainly be the case that if air flow is weak, you have a blockage in the vent that needs to be cleaned out, and it's always a great place to start. The most common reason is actually two-fold. It's improper ductwork sealing or full ductwork disconnects. Both of which the technicians can tell you about after performing your cleaning.

Here’s what KC Duct cleaning might look like

So that’s it.

A few of the reasons Kansas City home owners could use duct cleaning this spring. It's not complicated, but it can feel like a huge task if you're not sure what you're getting into. If you have any questions, I'm actually starting a duct-cleaning business here in Kansas City called KC Duct Cleaning and Sealing. I’m more than happy to answer your questions. You can reach me at (913) 725-8666.

On a final note. Remember, there are many reasons you may be experiencing the signs listed above. Duct cleaning is a really good option and a good place to start if you're looking to solve dust and air flow issues. But results may vary.

Brakyn Nelson