When you think of preparing your home for winter, you’re probably not thinking about Amelia Island, FL.
That being said, cold fronts can come in off the ocean and winter lows can dip into the mid-40s Fahrenheit. It may not be the freezing temperatures that northern states get, but north Florida homeowners still need to prepare their homes for the cooler weather.
One of the things that people tend to overlook is their dirty ducts. In today’s post, we’re going to tell you some of the common winter cleaning mistakes that you’ll want to avoid this winter.
Your ducts are an essential part of a functioning HVAC system. The last thing you want on one of the cooler nights is to turn on your heating, only for it not to work properly because your ducts are dirty. Keep reading and we’ll help you prevent any issues this winter.
Not Cleaning Your Ducts at All
As a Floridian, you should know how important heating and cooling maintenance is. If you fail to clean your ducts at least once every two years, you will end up with enough dirt and debris in the air. All of these contaminants can ruin your indoor air quality.
Americans spend roughly 90% of their time indoors, much of that being in our homes. If you have dirty ducts, each time you turn your heating on, you’re pushing harmful allergens and contaminants into your air for everyone to breathe.
The other thing to consider is the effect that dirty ducts have on the rest of your HVAC system. When you’ve got dust and debris clogging up your vents, your HVAC system will have to push harder to get the air through to warm your home. Eventually, you’ll need furnace repair.
Not Being Thorough Enough
Many homeowners make the mistake of cleaning one part of the duct system and thinking that’s enough. Whether you’re attempting to clean your ducts on your own or you type “heating and cooling near me” into Google to find a professional, thorough cleaning is how you protect your ducts.
You need to clean all aspects of the duct system. This includes the supply and return air ducts, diffusers, grilles, heat exchangers, cooling coils, condensate drain pans, fan motors, and air handling units.
If you don’t know what all of these components are, you probably shouldn’t be attempting to DIY your duct cleaning. An insufficient job will lead to a variety of problems, from the air conditioner leaking or AC pan leaking to malfunctioning furnace components.
Too Much Duct Cleaning
As we’ve made clear, you need regular duct cleaning for your HVAC system to function properly. At the same time, however, you shouldn’t over-clean the duct system.
Cleaning every 1-2 years is sufficient to keep things running smoothly. Perform cleanings any more frequently and you could end up damaging the ducts. It’s advised to have them inspected by a furnace repair professional if you have concerns about how the unit is functioning.
Should they find anything wrong with your system, you’ll get a free furnace estimate for the repairs. From there, you can make the necessary repairs and have your system functioning like new again.
Using Harsh Chemicals
Your duct system isn’t something to play around with. It’s of paramount importance that you keep it clean, but you should never use harsh chemicals while cleaning your ducts. Again, this is the air that you’ll be breathing in your home, so don’t add potentially toxic chemicals to the mix.
Cleaning chemicals can also cause damage to the HVAC system itself. If you’re trying to avoid paying for another AC and heating tune-up, entrust your duct cleaning to professionals who know what cleaning products to use.
At Whitleys Air, our main tool for cleaning your ducts is our industrial vacuums. We don’t need to use harmful chemicals to make sure your HVAC system is thoroughly cleaned. Instead, we offer eco-friendly solutions that have your health and the health of your HVAC system in mind.
Doing It Yourself
We’ve touched on this already, but it can’t be understated how bad of an idea it is to clean the ducts yourself. This is especially true if you aren’t overly familiar with the various components of the duct system or how to properly clean them.
It’s an intricate process that requires specific tools that you most likely don’t have lying around. Typing, “AC repair near me” into Google will give you a list of the top duct cleaning options in Amelia Island.
Getting your ducts serviced once per year is a small price to pay for good indoor air quality. Right before winter is a great time to do it because you’ll surely be running your furnace when the temperatures dip at night.
Hiring the First or Cheapest Company
You now know why it’s so important to hire a professional to clean your ducts. Not all HVAC companies are created equal, however, so it’s also important to know how to choose the right one for the job.
The first thing is to look at ratings and reviews. Former customers can tell you a great deal about how an HVAC company operates, their rates, and the quality of service.
You should also look at their qualifications, certifications, and experience. Anytime you’re letting a professional work on something so important as your HVAC system, you need to ensure they’ve got the training and experience to back it up.
Always check to see if your company has insurance. If they damage your HVAC system, general liability insurance will make sure you aren’t on the hook for any costs.
Speaking of costs, always get an estimate so you can compare different duct cleaning costs. Good AC companies will provide free estimates for all of their services. Choose the one that fits your budget, but affordability should never outweigh reputation.
Deal With Your Dirty Ducts in Amelia Island, FL
Now that you know how to avoid mistakes when cleaning your dirty ducts, you can make sure your HVAC system stays healthy. Hiring the right HVAC repair company to do the job plays the biggest role, which is why we’re here to help.
Whitleys Heating and Air is one of the top HVAC companies in the Jacksonville area. To get a quote for your Amelia Island duct cleaning, contact us today.