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Aimee Schmitt, Investor/Realtor

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Rainmaker
1,661,836
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

We have been talking about having it done at our place.  What could it hurt? 

Nov 10, 2015 08:05 PM
Rainmaker
2,781,013
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

I "get" changing the filters but not the duct cleaning aspect

Nov 10, 2015 10:38 PM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I keep all my vents clean and do it every year, including my dryer vent, which can cause fires. I don't know how much it helps, but I figure it can't hurt and the cost is negligible.

Nov 10, 2015 08:09 PM
Rainmaker
2,538,633
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Aimee. We have our system cleaned every two years. Many of the companies that offer the service are sharks, find a reputable company.

Nov 10, 2015 04:21 PM
Rainmaker
7,835,293
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

We change the filters on a regular basis but have never had the ducts cleaned. I, too, am interested in seeing the answers you receive.

Nov 11, 2015 03:31 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Unless the home has metal ductwork and few do, this activity can cause serious issues with the integrity of the ductwork and result in a breach of the insulating barrier and cause condensation to form...then mold. Not worth it!

Nov 10, 2015 11:53 PM
Rainmaker
5,216,284
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Aimee, usually have it done every other year with a company I trust!

Nov 10, 2015 07:22 PM
Rainmaker
2,759,812
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

 Good Wednesday morning Aimee. I would strongly advise it especially if you have a crawlspace system. It makes a huge difference.

Nov 10, 2015 05:49 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I'm not a professional on HVAC, but I do believe that maintaining and cleaning well any appliances is cheaper. 

Nov 10, 2015 03:33 PM
Ambassador
3,164,119
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

my answer is it depends.  In my house it's a true must annually.  We have pets, LOTS of pets and we use a wood burning stove in winter and dust, dander and fur settle in the vents.  We spring clean them.  No pets, no fireplace, maybe every 5 years.

Nov 10, 2015 12:39 PM
Rainmaker
1,771,867
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

It has to be done Aimee. The vents collect dust and you need to do this every decade or so.

Nov 10, 2015 12:19 PM
Rainmaker
617,935
David Gibson CNE, 719-304-4684 ~ Colorado Springs Relocation
Colorado Real Estate Advisers LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Relocation, Luxury & Lifestyle residential

Aimee,
There are a lot of variables in this decision. Climate, duct construction, pets, etc. You need an HVAC pro you can trust.

Nov 11, 2015 02:33 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,372
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

My HVAC dude (also a client) says it is important, so I try and get this done yearly.  Even more important to change the filter.

Nov 11, 2015 02:06 AM
Rainmaker
212,755
Stefan Winter
Real Estate in IL & NV | Owner of Real Estate Web Tech | Daily Vlogger - Las Vegas, NV
Owner - Winter Group & Real Estate Web Tech

I would think every few years it might be a good idea, but not as standard yearly maintenance.

Nov 11, 2015 02:03 AM
Rainmaker
1,239,801
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Aimee Schmitt 

I hose off leaves with water on the radiator.   Inside the duct I have a shop vac that can be inserted inside to get the falling crap out.  I visually inspect the wiring for loose connectors and grounding..... Nothing to it. 

Every so many years, I crawl under my house inside looking for duct integrity, insulation wrapper falling off, coupling leaks with a foiled tape...

Looking for termite, leaves. 

You got a Mr Fix it at your house?

Nov 11, 2015 01:19 AM
Rainmaker
631,962
Vern Eaton
Askov, MN
Realtor 651-674-7449

Anyone with health issues should have it done regularily

Nov 10, 2015 11:24 PM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Useful - but not to excess.

Nov 10, 2015 10:49 PM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

if the ductwork is also used for heating, I'd have it cleaned....I have baseboard forced hot water heat, and my central air systems are separate, so air conditioning is the only thing going through the ducts... and I have the system serviced every season....filters replaced.... 

Nov 10, 2015 10:25 PM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

Ours is done every five years because of the pets.

Nov 10, 2015 10:06 PM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Aimee Schmitt When we first purchased our home, we had it done after a couple of years. You wouldn't believe what they pulled out of the duct work. Everything from wood pieces, sawdust, bread wrappers, etc. I've also heard that accumulated dirt will restrict the air flow of the system. I would say it is a good idea to have it done.

Nov 10, 2015 10:04 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I highly recommend it as you stay on top of your equipment and can make sure they are working most efficiently. We have never had to replace a unit in a house we lived in and only had a couple of minor repairs. It also helps keep your utility bills in check when your units are running as they should be.

Nov 10, 2015 10:01 PM
Rainmaker
1,157,785
FN LN
Toronto, ON

It is a good idea to get the ducting system cleaned when purchasing new and used properties, after renovations are completed and periodically at other times (once every few years).  If you have certain types of pets, it should be done more often.

Nov 10, 2015 09:37 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Thank you for the question. I have been thinking of getting ducst cleaned.

Nov 10, 2015 09:14 PM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

If someone hiree a vent system cleaning company,  they should stand by their side as they complete every task. The consumer will know, at the conclusion whether they got ripped off. 

If the owner keeps a clean house, changes those filters, perhaps has an electrostatic cleaner...the chances are such a service is much to do about nothing.  If you see black streaks by those vents, the onwer is NOT one of those maintainers.

 

Nov 10, 2015 09:01 PM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

It rarely comes up in my area, but I think it would be a good thing to do just as any kind of maintenance is. 

Nov 10, 2015 12:39 PM
Ambassador
6,392,899
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Most important to have your filters replaced often.

Feb 03, 2019 09:17 PM
Rainmaker
1,731,203
Rob Thomas
Prestige Homes of The Tri Cities, Inc. CALL....423-341-6954 - Bristol, TN
Bristol TN-VA & Tri Cities Agent, ABR, GRI, e-Pro

I think it's a good thing Aimee Schmitt ...I have ours cleaned and serviced once a year.

Great question!

Nov 12, 2015 05:26 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Yes, if it is a preowned home, you never know what may be in the dust that keeps circulating

Nov 11, 2015 05:00 AM
Rainmaker
900,008
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Everything should be maintained periodically.

Nov 11, 2015 03:51 AM