Most homes benefit from cleaning every three to five years, but it’s not one-size-fits-all. If you have pets that shed, someone in your home has allergies or asthma, you’re a smoker, or you’ve recently renovated, you might need it more often. The EPA doesn’t recommend routine cleaning just for the sake of it. Instead, focus on signs like visible dust around vents, musty smells, uneven airflow, or if you’ve never had it done and don’t know the history. We’ll tell you honestly whether your ducts need attention or if you can wait.