How Often Should You Get Your Air Ducts Cleaned?

October 16, 2020

A clean HVAC system is just one part of a healthy home. One aspect of keeping your HVAC system clean is making sure you stay on top of regular furnace maintenance. Your HVAC technician will clean out your furnace and make sure it’s working as efficiently as possible.

But the furnace is only one element of your HVAC system—you also have to consider the ductwork. If you have a lot of dust, debris or mold trapped within your ductwork, it will be pushed throughout your home by the air coming from the furnace, even if the furnace itself is completely clean. This makes it important for you to schedule occasional air duct cleaning in Chalmette, LA, in addition to your standard furnace maintenance.

What you should know about air duct cleaning

As a general rule, you should try to clean your ducts every three to five years. This is based on a recommendation from the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA).

Of course, this is just a general recommendation—there isn’t any kind of formula to give you an exact time period you should follow in between cleanings. You can have professionals examine your air duct system and determine the frequency that might be appropriate based on the amount of debris buildup you get within a given year.

However, if you find you need to clean out your HVAC system more than once a year, this likely indicates a problem with your furnace or another component of the system, as too much dirt is being allowed to pass through the components and into the ducts.

There are a variety of factors that might lead you to schedule an air duct cleaning appointment in New Orleans, LA. Here are just a few of the most obvious signs you’re likely to notice that could indicate a need for professional cleaning:

  • Extremely thick buildup of dirt in ducts that must be forcibly removed
  • Visible dirt or debris exiting the air supply registers in rooms when the air is blowing
  • A dusty buildup around the outside of your vent registers that’s more than just superficial buildup
  • Excessive debris located around the filter area of your air system
  • Strange smells coming from the vents, such as the smell of mold
  • Signs of a rodent or other vermin infestation somewhere within the system
  • Pets in your home that frequently shed and have their hair get trapped within the system

There are other circumstances in which you might consider getting a duct cleaning just to be on the safe side. Examples include if you have recently moved into or built a new home, have recently performed some remodeling on your home (and caused a lot of debris and mess in the process), have had chemicals sprayed in your home that could cause respiratory irritation and if you’ve had anyone in your home experience severe or worsening allergies or asthma.

For more information about air duct maintenance in New Orleans, LA, contact the team at JMB A/C & Heating LLC today.

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