How Often Should Furnace Ducts Be Cleaned? A Guide for Calgary Homeowners

By Benner Plumbing Staff | November 28, 2025

In the dry, dusty climate of Southern Alberta, maintaining indoor air quality is a constant battle. Dust, pet dander, pollen, and debris settle into your home daily, and eventually, they make their way into your HVAC system. This leads many homeowners in Calgary, Cochrane, and Airdrie to ask the same important question: “How often should furnace ducts be cleaned?”

At Benner Heating Services, we believe that clean air is just as important as warm air. Here is our expert guide on duct maintenance schedules and the signs that it’s time to call the professionals.

The Short Answer: The General Rule of Thumb

 

While there is no “one-size-fits-all” expiration date on clean ducts, industry standards and the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) generally recommend having your air ducts inspected and cleaned every 3 to 5 years.

This interval is usually sufficient for a standard household to prevent excessive buildup that could hamper your furnace’s efficiency or your home’s air quality.

Factors That Require More Frequent Cleaning

 

However, asking “how often should furnace ducts be cleaned” requires looking at your specific lifestyle. You may need to schedule service every 2 to 3 years if any of the following apply to you:

  • Pets: Furry friends are wonderful, but their hair and dander are the number one contributors to clogged vents.

  • Recent Renovations: If you have recently remodeled your home in Okotoks or Chestermere, drywall dust and sawdust have almost certainly settled in your ducts.

  • Allergies or Asthma: For households with respiratory sensitivities, cleaner ducts mean fewer airborne irritants circulating through the rooms.

  • Smokers in the Household: Smoke residue clings to the inside of ductwork and can be recirculated constantly.

  • New Home Ownership: If you just bought a new home, you are inheriting the previous owner’s dust (or construction debris from the builder). A fresh start is always recommended.

5 Signs It’s Time to Clean Your Ducts Now

 

Don’t just wait for the calendar to turn. Your home will often tell you when it’s time. Watch for these indicators:

  1. Visible Mold Growth: If you see mold growing inside hard surface ducts or on other components of your heating system.

  2. Vermin Infestation: If you hear scratching or see evidence of mice or insects, cleaning and sanitizing are mandatory.

  3. Dusty Vents: If you see “poofs” of dust releasing from supply registers when the furnace turns on, or if the vent covers are coated in fuzz.

  4. Excessive Dusting: If you find you need to sweep and dust your furniture more often than usual, your HVAC system might be the culprit.

  5. Rising Energy Bills: When ducts are clogged, airflow is restricted. Your furnace has to work harder to push air through, costing you more money.

The Benner Heating Difference

 

When you decide it’s time to clean your system, you need a team that does more than just scratch the surface. At Benner Heating Services, we provide comprehensive furnace and vent cleaning for both residential and commercial properties.

We serve the entire area—from Calgary to Cochrane, Airdrie, Okotoks, and Chestermere. Our fully stocked vans and experienced technicians ensure that your system is cleaned thoroughly, improving your air quality and extending the life of your furnace.

Is it time to clear the air? If you are still wondering “how often should furnace ducts be cleaned” based on your specific home environment, give us a call.

Contact Benner Heating Services today to schedule your furnace and duct cleaning!

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