Did you ever wonder how often you should take care of certain home maintenance items? In this guide, we'll give you the answers from experts in each field.
How Often Should I Have My Ducts Cleaned?
Do you have a forced air HVAC system? How often should you clean your air ducts? Less than you might think. Maybe never! According the the EPA:
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. It is important to keep in mind that dirty air ducts are only one of many possible sources of particles that are present in homes. Pollutants that enter the home both from outdoors and indoor activities such as cooking, cleaning, smoking, or just moving around can cause greater exposure to contaminants than dirty air ducts. Moreover, there is no evidence that a light amount of household dust or other particulate matter in air ducts poses any risk to your health.
Source: epa.gov
The EPA does recommend you consider having your ducts cleaned if there is visible mold, the ducts are infested with vermin (e.g. insects or rodents), or the ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debri.
If you're interested in having your ducts cleaned, some companies like Stanley Steemer can perform a free air duct inspection to see if service is actually needed.
How Often Should I Clean My Dryer Vent?
According to the U.S. Fire administration, here are the guidelines for cleaning your dryer vent:
- Clean the lint filter before and after each load of laundry. Don’t forget to clean the back of the dryer where lint can build up. In addition, clean the lint filter with a nylon brush at least every six months or more often if it becomes clogged.
- Clean lint out of the vent pipe every three months.
- Have your dryer cleaned regularly by a professional, especially if it is taking longer than normal for clothes to dry.
Source: U.S. Fire administration
How Often Should I Change My Furnace Filter?
To keep your furnace working optimally, the filter should be changed periodically. Standard 1" filters should be changed at least every three months. Need to know how to change the filter. See this article.
How Often Should I Have My Furnace Serviced?
Whether you have a gas or electric furnace, major manufactures generally recommend that you have your furnace serviced once a year by a trained service technician. Having the service done in the fall before the coldest season is ideal. The technician can clean and tune-up the system. In addition, they can check for worn items that should be replaced before they fail and leave you in the cold. For example, for a gas furnace, the flame sensor and ignitor have a limited life usually around 3-5 years. If either of these fail, your furnace will not work. They both can be checked by the technician to see if they need replacement. The sensor and ignitor are relatively low-cost parts and are well worth replacement before they break.
Remember, you can help keep your system running efficiently by periodically changing your filter between service visits. See this article.
How Often Should I Have My Central Air Serviced?
Major manufacturers generally recommend that you have your central air serviced at least once a year by a trained service technician. Having the service done in the spring before the warmest season and in the fall after the cooling season is over. The technician will clean and check the system for any worn or broken components. In addition, they may check and adjust refrigerant levels if needed.
Remember, you can help keep your system running efficiently by periodically changing your filter between service visits. See this article.
How Often Should I Have My Chimney Swept?
According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, who follow the guidelines of The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 211:
“Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs shall be done if necessary.”
You can find more information on this topic here.
How Often Should I Have My Septic Tank Pumped?
According to the EPA, residential septic tanks should be pumped every three to five years. How often the tank is pump depends on several factors such as the number of people in the household and if a garbage disposal is used.
How Can I Remember All These Maintenance Schedules?
Need help remembering when to tackle any of these maintenance services? Try setting a recurring reminder on your smartphone.
