We should say this at the top, because it shapes everything below: Levano does not sell duct cleaning. We seal, repair and replace duct work. That means we have no cleaning package to push, and it also means you should read this knowing where we stand. What follows is mostly the EPA’s position, plus what we see inside Sacramento attics every week.
What the EPA actually says
The EPA publishes a consumer guide called “Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned?” Its central points are blunt:
- Duct cleaning has never been shown to actually prevent health problems.
- Studies do not conclusively show that dust levels in homes increase because of dirty air ducts.
- Much of the dirt that settles in ducts adheres to the duct surfaces and does not necessarily enter the living space.
That does not mean cleaning is never justified. It means routine cleaning on a schedule, the kind sold with a coupon every spring, is not something the evidence supports.
When the EPA says cleaning can make sense
The EPA lists three situations where you may want to consider it:
- Substantial visible mold growth inside hard surface ducts or on other parts of the system. The EPA adds an important caveat: if the ducts are insulated or made of fiberglass duct board and they are moldy, they usually cannot be effectively cleaned and should be removed and replaced. And if the moisture problem that caused the mold is not fixed, it grows back.
- Vermin in the ducts, such as rodents or insects.
- Ducts clogged with excessive dust and debris, where particles are actually being blown out of the supply registers into the house.
Notice what is missing from that list: “it has been five years,” “you just moved in,” and “your allergies are bad this season.”
Why Sacramento homes get dusty anyway
People usually call about duct cleaning because the house is dusty, the furniture needs wiping every few days, and someone assumes the ducts are the source. In the Sacramento houses we work in, the dust usually comes from somewhere else, and cleaning the ducts does nothing about it.
Leaking return ducts pull attic air into the house
This is the big one. In most homes in Natomas, Elk Grove, Rocklin and newer Roseville, the duct work runs through the attic. The return side of the system is under suction. Every gap at a boot, a torn flex duct or an unsealed joint pulls attic air, with its insulation fibers and dust, straight into the system and out into your rooms. You can clean those ducts on Monday and they are pulling in attic dust again on Tuesday. Sealing them stops it. Our article on duct sealing versus replacement covers what that costs.
The filter is wrong, loose or missing
A filter that does not fit its slot lets air bypass it entirely. A very cheap fiberglass filter catches large debris and little else. Before anything else, check that the filter fits snugly, that it is the right size, and that the date on it is recent.
Old flex duct is breaking down
Flex duct from the 1990s and early 2000s in a 130 degree attic degrades. The inner liner gets brittle and the outer jacket tears. At that point the right answer is replacement, not cleaning, because you cannot clean a duct that is falling apart. That is the kind of job in the photo at the top of this page.
Outdoor dust and smoke
Summer dust from the valley, agricultural particulate and wildfire smoke all come in through doors, windows and leaks in the house itself. A better filter and a sealed house help. Cleaning the ducts does not. Our guide to filters and wildfire smoke explains which ratings help without choking your airflow.
If you do hire a duct cleaner
If one of the EPA’s three situations applies to you, a few precautions are worth taking:
- Ask what equipment they use. Proper cleaning uses high powered vacuum equipment and agitation brushes on every part of the system, including the coil and blower, not just the registers.
- Be wary of very low advertised prices. A cheap whole-house offer is frequently the start of an upsell once the crew is inside.
- Be cautious about chemical treatments. The EPA notes that biocides and sealants applied inside ducts raise unresolved questions, and you should understand exactly what is being applied and why before you agree to it.
- Confirm the moisture problem is fixed first if the reason is mold, or you are paying to clean something that will regrow.
What we would do in your house
If your complaint is dust, we measure duct leakage and static pressure, look at the duct work in the attic, and check the filter setup. That tells us whether sealing, repair or replacement will change how the house feels, or whether the ducts are fine and the dust is coming from elsewhere. If the ducts are fine, we tell you that and charge you only for the visit.
Our duct work services page describes the repair and replacement side, and indoor air quality covers filtration. If the system itself also needs attention, our diagnostic is a flat $69 and it is credited toward the repair.
Frequently asked questions
Is air duct cleaning worth it?
Usually not as routine maintenance. The EPA says duct cleaning has never been shown to prevent health problems. It can make sense when there is substantial visible mold, vermin in the ducts, or excessive debris actually blowing out of the registers.
Does Levano offer duct cleaning?
No. We seal, repair and replace duct work. If your ducts genuinely need cleaning under one of the EPA’s criteria, we will tell you so, and if the real problem is leakage or failing flex duct, we will show you the measurements.
Why is my Sacramento house so dusty?
The most common cause we find is leaking return duct work in the attic, which pulls attic dust and insulation fibers into the system. A poorly fitting or low quality filter and outdoor dust and smoke are the other usual sources. Cleaning the ducts fixes none of these.
How often should air ducts be cleaned?
There is no evidence-based schedule for routine cleaning. The EPA’s guidance is to consider it when there is visible mold, vermin or excessive debris, rather than on a fixed interval.
Can moldy ducts be cleaned?
Hard metal ducts can be. According to the EPA, insulated ducts and fiberglass duct board with mold usually cannot be effectively cleaned and should be removed and replaced, and the moisture source has to be fixed or the mold returns.
Will duct sealing reduce dust?
Often, yes, when the ducts run through the attic. Sealing the return side stops the system from pulling attic air and dust into the house, which is the source of the dust in many homes here.