The standard industry answer is "every 3 to 5 years." For Brevard County, that's a decent starting point but it misses a lot. Here's the realistic version.
Every 3 years if you fit any one of these:
- Anyone in the home has asthma, allergies, or respiratory issues - You have a dog or cat that sheds - You smoke indoors (or did, and the ducts haven't been cleaned since) - Your home has had any renovation work in the last 3 years - You can see visible dust or discoloration around your supply registers - You're noticing more dusting than usual on hard surfaces
Every 5 years is fine if:
- No pets, no smokers, no respiratory issues - No recent renovation work - The ducts look clean when you pop off a register cover
Sooner than 3 years, sometimes:
- After major renovation or new construction. Drywall dust gets everywhere. - After a water intrusion event (hurricane, plumbing leak, AC overflow). - If you bought the home and don't know when (or if) it was ever done. - If a pest got into the ducts and you can confirm it's been removed.
A common Florida-specific reason most articles miss: humidity. Brevard County runs 60% to 80% relative humidity for months at a time. If your AC isn't doing a great job dehumidifying, condensation can form inside the supply ducts and become a breeding ground for biological growth. If your home regularly feels muggy even when the AC is on, that's worth checking earlier.
One myth to ignore: "if you can't see anything wrong, it doesn't need cleaning." Most of what duct cleaning removes — fine dust, pet dander, mold spores, dust mite debris — is invisible to the naked eye but absolutely affects what you're breathing.
If you're not sure where your home falls on the list above, the cheapest answer is to pop off a return-air grille (the big one, usually in a hallway or ceiling) and shine a flashlight 2 to 3 feet into the duct. If you see visible buildup, dust mats, or anything fuzzy, it's time.