How do you know if your air conditioning ductwork needs to be inspected?

The average home can lose up to 20% of its heating and cooling energy if the ductwork is improperly sealed or has loose connections.  

According to FPL, 50% of homes in Southwest Florida have leaky Ductwork.

So, how do you know if it is time to call Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. to repair or replace or your ductwork?

For one thing, as a homeowner you can visually inspect your own ductwork.   

Most homes in Florida have flexible ductwork installed.  While Flexible ductwork has many advantages over sheet metal (Less expensive, easier to install), it is still plastic and will deteriorate over time.  After 5 or 6 years it would be a good idea to visually inspect the ductwork at least once every year.  You will want to see if there are tears in the protective coating of the ductwork, kinks, flattened areas, or even exposed insulation. 

If you have a preventive maintenance plan with Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc., let us know if you have any concerns about the condition of your ductwork and we will gladly visually inspect it for you.

Flexible ductwork is also very susceptible to damage from wildlife such as roof rats, squirrels, and raccoons.  If you even suspect you have had any critters in your attic, the ducts should be checked. 

Does your ductwork make strange noises - such as rattling, clanging, or banging sounds?  This can be an indication of loose connections and poor sealing.

Do you notice that some rooms feel warmer or colder than others?  Maybe you notice that some vents seem to have more air pressure at the register than rooms further away from the AC System.

And of course, just look at your utility bill.  Does your cost of electricity seem higher than it should be?

If you need repair or replacement of your ductwork, the best time to do it is during the coolest time of the year.  Attics in Florida get very hot in the summer, so most HVAC companies will give you a much better price so their valued technicians will not have to work in a 130 degree attic. 

If you have any more questions, or you would like to schedule a service or maintenance visit, please call Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc., and let us help keep you cool (and lower your energy bills).

Dirty Air Conditioning Ducts

If low quality AC filters are used, or if your ductwork is not adequately sealed, you may accumulate some dirt and other debris over a period of time.
There are many companies out there who will try to scare you by claiming your home is making you sick. They create advertisements that warn about cancer causing mold, dust mites, and toxic insect parts that cause asthma and allergies. One company claims they can extract up to 15 gallons of debris from your ducts and by doing so, you will save up to 30% on your electric bill.
Unfortunately, most of the information available about duct cleaning originates from people associated with the industry or from firms who market air duct cleaning services.
It seems that the air quality business is very profitable and very easy to get into.
For example, the following is from the www.air-care.com website.
“...The air duct cleaning and decontamination industry is currently experiencing unprecedented growth. …”Gain unlimited earnings, Realize a 50 - 70% net profit, Operate with a low overhead…”
This is one of countless companies that offer equipment and training for those wanting to start a profitable residential duct cleaning business. For a low price (and 0% financing) you can get lightweight one man duct cleaning equipment that will help you rake in the big bucks.
It is very simple to get into the air duct cleaning business, anyone with the slightest bit of interest can do it, and any requirements are minimal. There are also virtually no uniform standards of professional practice, This has caused small companies to spring up that offer questionable and controversial techniques.
What methods are used to “clean” residential ducts, and do they work?
Vacuum equipment: The claim is that dirt can simply be sucked out of the ducts. This is actually very ineffective because it is impossible to vacuum debris from even a few feet of duct work. Just try vacuuming your floor by holding your duct buster 6 inches above the carpet.
Blowers: They only dislodge loose debris from the very end of the ductwork – the first couple feet that anyone can actually see. Only a very small portion of the total ductwork is cleaned.
Brushes on flexible rods and compressed air fed through the ductwork: This method removes only a very small amount of the debris and will damage ducts creating an even larger problem. Using any kind of brush or forced air will also blow all of those contaminants throughout your home. If the ducts are fiberglass – this method will damage insulation and release fiberglass fibers throughout the home.
Bottom line is that if you actually have dirt in your residential air conditioning ducts, it is almost impossible to effectively remove it by any method available without damaging your ducts and making your air quality worse.
Can you sanitize ductwork? Companies often claim they can sanitize residential ductwork. The problem here is that the biocides needed to kill mold and bacteria will also cause a danger to the occupants of the home. Simply spraying Lysol into the ducts does nothing. And believe it or not – some companies have been known to do just that.
Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. will not clean residential ducts because there just is no effective way to do it.
The best way to ensure you have the best air quality is to use a good quality air filter that is changed on a regular basis, and make sure your duck work is in good condition and is not leaking. Installing Ultra Violet Lights will also kill germs, germs, bacteria, viruses, mildew, and mold spores such as stachybotrys and black mold.
If you have any questions, or need a second opinion, please call Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc.

Sarasota Air Conditioning Repair, Service, And Maintenance