What's Hiding in Your Ductwork?
Every time your HVAC system runs, air circulates through your ductwork — and it brings things with it. Over time, your ducts can accumulate a surprising amount of contaminants that affect both your air quality and your system's performance:
- Dust and dirt — The average home generates about 40 pounds of dust per year. A significant portion of that ends up in your ductwork.
- Allergens — Pollen, dust mites, and their waste products accumulate in ducts and get blown into your living spaces every time the system runs.
- Mold and mildew — East Texas humidity creates ideal conditions for mold growth inside ductwork, especially in dark, damp sections near the evaporator coil.
- Pet dander and hair — If you have pets, their dander and fur circulate through the system and build up in the ducts over time.
- Construction debris — If your home has had any remodeling, painting, or construction work, drywall dust, sawdust, and other particles are likely in your ducts.
- Insect and rodent debris — Ductwork can harbor insects, rodent droppings, and even nesting materials, especially in older homes or homes in rural areas.
Signs Your Ducts Need Cleaning
Not sure if your ductwork is due for a cleaning? Here are the most common indicators:
- Visible dust around your vents — If you can see dust buildup on or around your supply registers, there's likely much more inside the ductwork.
- Musty or stale odors when the system runs — A musty smell usually indicates mold or mildew growth inside the ducts.
- Increased allergy or asthma symptoms at home — If family members experience more sneezing, congestion, watery eyes, or respiratory issues when they're home, contaminated ductwork could be contributing.
- Recent home renovation or construction — Construction projects generate enormous amounts of fine dust that gets into the duct system.
- You've never had your ducts cleaned — If your home is more than five years old and has never had a professional duct cleaning, it's probably time.
- Uneven airflow between rooms — Debris buildup can partially block ducts, reducing airflow to certain rooms.
- Your air filter gets dirty unusually fast — If you're replacing your filter more often than normal, excess dust in the ductwork may be the cause.
Our Duct Cleaning Process
At NexGen Comfort Services, we follow the guidelines established by NADCA (the National Air Duct Cleaners Association) to ensure a thorough, effective cleaning. Here's what our process looks like:
1. Inspection
Before we start, we inspect your duct system to assess the level of contamination, check for any damage, leaks, or mold, and determine the best cleaning approach. We'll show you what we find so you can see the condition of your ductwork firsthand.
2. Source Removal Cleaning
We use professional-grade equipment to physically remove contaminants from inside your ductwork. This includes specialized brushes and agitation tools that loosen debris from the duct walls, combined with powerful vacuum equipment that creates negative pressure to capture and contain everything that's dislodged. No debris re-enters your living space.
3. Supply and Return Ducts
We clean both the supply ducts (which deliver conditioned air to your rooms) and the return ducts (which pull air back to the system). Both sides accumulate contaminants and both need to be cleaned for a complete job. We also clean the register boots and grilles.
4. System Components
A proper duct cleaning also includes cleaning the components connected to the ductwork — the evaporator coil, blower motor housing, and drip pan. These areas collect moisture and debris that can become a breeding ground for mold and bacteria if left uncleaned.
5. Final Inspection
After cleaning, we perform a final inspection to make sure everything has been properly cleaned and all access points are sealed. We'll also check for any duct damage or leak points that should be addressed. You'll see the difference — clean ducts mean cleaner air.
How Often Should You Clean Your Ducts?
The general recommendation is to have your ducts professionally cleaned every 3–5 years. However, you may want to clean them more frequently if:
- You have pets that shed
- Anyone in your household has allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions
- You've had recent construction or renovation work in or near the home
- You've had a mold issue or water damage
- You smoke or previously had a smoker in the home
- You live in a particularly dusty area or on a dirt road
Duct Cleaning and Overall System Health
Clean ductwork isn't just about air quality — it directly affects how well your HVAC system performs. Here's how:
- Better airflow: Debris buildup restricts airflow, which forces your system to work harder and use more energy. Clean ducts allow air to flow freely.
- Lower energy bills: When your system doesn't have to fight through restricted ductwork, it operates more efficiently and costs less to run.
- Longer equipment life: A system that runs under less strain lasts longer. Clean ducts reduce wear on your blower motor, compressor, and other components.
- Fewer repairs: Dust and debris that get past your filter can accumulate on your evaporator coil, blower wheel, and other components, causing problems that require service calls.
Think of duct cleaning as part of a complete approach to HVAC care. Combined with regular maintenance tune-ups and timely repairs, clean ductwork helps ensure your entire system runs efficiently and your family breathes cleaner air.
Why Choose NexGen for Duct Cleaning?
- NADCA-guided process — We follow industry-standard source removal methods for thorough, effective cleaning.
- Complete system cleaning — We clean supply ducts, return ducts, registers, coils, blower housing, and drip pans — not just the easy-to-reach parts.
- Veteran-owned and operated — Honest work, fair pricing, no upselling or scare tactics.
- 25+ years of HVAC experience — We understand how your ductwork connects to the rest of your system.
- 4.8 stars from 197 Google reviews — Our customers consistently rate us as trustworthy and thorough.
