The answer to 'air duct cleaning vs' is that air duct cleaning and regular HVAC maintenance each serve important but different purposes for homeowners. Air duct cleaning involves the deep cleaning of the ductwork in your home to remove built-up dust, debris, and potential contaminants. This can help improve indoor air quality and the efficiency of your HVAC system. Regular HVAC maintenance, on the other hand, focuses on inspecting, servicing, and tuning up the components of your heating and cooling system to ensure it's running at peak performance.
While air duct cleaning may be recommended every few years, HVAC maintenance should be done annually by a professional to keep your system in good working order and catch any potential issues before they become major problems. The cost and frequency of each service will depend on the size of your home, the condition of your ductwork and HVAC system, and your specific needs.