Company: Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc.

When is it Time for Air Duct Repair or Replacement?

Technician inspecting vehicle underside using headlamp for HVAC maintenance at Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc.

When is Duct Repair or Replacement Necessary?

Air ducts are often overlooked when homeowners have problems with the air conditioner. However, in many cases, ductwork may be to blame for problems with an air conditioner. Issues with inefficiencies and comfort can occasionally be traced back to ductwork.

Instead of ignoring ductwork problems and paying exorbitant cooling bills from inefficiencies, homeowners should give ductwork the attention that it needs. Here are a few ways to recognize problems in ductwork and why duct replacement is important. 

How to Tell That Air Ducts are Damaged?

smellThe purpose of air ducts is to carry cooled or heated air from the HVAC unit to the rooms in a home. The key features of air ducts are that they are insulated to prevent energy losses, and they have low internal resistance to allow the free movement of air. When these features fail in ductwork, the results are: 

  • Higher Bills: When insulation in ductwork is damaged, it allows cool air to leak out of ductwork into attics or crawl spaces. These inefficiencies make the unit work harder to reach the temperature on the thermostat, accounting for higher monthly energy bills. 
  • Uncomfortable Home: Impeded airflow in ductwork prevents cooled air from reaching its destination. The result is that the back pressure causes some rooms to be cooled too much and others not enough. This leads to hot and cold spots around the home and potential humidity issues. 
  • Odors or Allergy Problems: When airflow is reduced in ductwork, dust can build up inside the ductwork. This can be controlled using a duct cleaning service. However, when the dust is allowed to build up, mold and allergens can grow in ductwork and be distributed around the home every time the system comes on. 

Reasons to Look Into Duct Replacement 

save Most air ducts are expected to last about 10 to 15 years. If the ductwork in a home is over 15 years old, the homeowners should consider replacing them, which can save them money on energy bills.

By this time, insulation will be degraded, and rust could be forming inside the ducts. When a new, more efficient air conditioner or ducts are installed, the HVAC system won’t have to work as hard or as long to reach the desired temperature, and monthly utility bills will drop. 

For this reason, air duct replacement is recommended when the air conditioner is upgraded. This allows homeowners to pick ducts that best fit the unit and take advantage of the maximum savings when investing in a new AC system. 

Air Duct Repair 

Repairs are a good option in many cases that don’t involve the age of the air ducts. A professional HVAC contractor can remove sections of damaged air ducts and replace them as necessary in very little time at reasonable prices. 

Sections of ductwork may need to be replaced in instances like:

  • Ducts that have been crushed or bent
  • Ducts that have water damage or rust
  • Insulation that is falling off ductwork
  • Air quality problems that are limited to certain rooms

About Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc.

Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc. has 20 years of experience serving the residents of Daytona Beach, FL, and the surrounding areas. They offer transparent pricing, on-time arrival, financing, and a membership plan. Call them today for heating and air conditioning services in Daytona Beach, FL.

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3 Tips for Cutting Cooling Costs This Summer

How To Stay Cool and Spend Less This Summer

As spring gives way to summer, Florida homeowners are already using their air conditioners around the clock to fight the growing heat and humidity. And since it’s only going to get hotter and muggier over the next few months, most homeowners will likely see their utility bills go up and up until September at the earliest. After all, the AC is generally the single biggest energy consumer in the entire home.

But there are ways to bring down that energy consumption and the monthly bills that go along with it. With simple modifications and eco-friendly habits, homeowners can save on their cooling costs without sacrificing comfort. So keep reading for three of the best hacks for saving money while staying cool and comfy all summer!

Invest in a Programmable or Smart Thermostatthermostat

One great way to cut costs and make life easier is to replace that old analog thermostat with a programmable or “smart” model. With a programmable thermostat, homeowners can create a custom cooling schedule for every day of the week instead of adjusting the temperature manually. This can eliminate the likelihood of forgetting to change the thermostat setting and cooling an empty house while at work or on vacation.

With a smart thermostat, homeowners can make their cooling schedule. The thermostat will track usage patterns and either suggest energy-saving changes or implement them independently, depending on the model. Most smart thermostats can also be controlled remotely via a wireless device or laptop. Some come with advanced energy-saving features such as occupancy sensors, performance alerts, and weekly energy reports. 

Install Weatherstripping

Another trick to help reduce the electric bill every month is to install weatherstripping throughout the home. Weatherstripping is designed to seal the gaps around windows, doors, attic hatchments, or other portals to the outside world (or uninsulated home parts like a garage or crawlspace).

Weatherstripping comes in many forms, like foam tape, rubber gaskets, and flexible metal strips, to name just a few. Different designs and materials are suited for other doors and windows and can range widely in cost and ease of installation. However, most types of weather stripping are inexpensive, easy to install, and can be found in the local hardware store.

Weatherstripping can reduce energy consumption (and utility costs) by reducing the amount of cold air lost to the outdoors. The home will stay cool longer without needing the AC to run constantly. Even better for the electric bill, the same principle applies in the colder months. The home will retain warm air and keep the cold air out, reducing heating costs! 

fan

Utilize Fans To Reduce AC Usage

Last but not least, homeowners can significantly reduce cooling costs by using their ceiling fans (or portable fans) more and their air conditioner less. Most modern fans use very little electricity, while even the most energy-efficient AC uses more than nearly any other home appliance. 

Turning on the ceiling fans (counterclockwise in the summer) will help circulate cool air in the home and produce a pleasant breeze to help lower body temperature. This will allow homeowners to raise the thermostat setting by at least a few degrees, which can lower costs by about 1% per degree (provided that the setting is maintained for 8 hours or more).

With this in mind, homeowners can further reduce their electric bill by setting the thermostat to a higher temperature while away from home or asleep, limiting their air conditioning usage to when needed most. Once these tips are implemented, homeowners may be pleasantly surprised by how much their utility costs have dropped!

About Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc.

Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat has been proudly serving the residents of Daytona Beach, FL, and the surrounding areas since 2002. They provide transparent pricing, knowledgeable technicians, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Call them today for air conditioning services in Daytona Beach, FL.

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Remember the AC Coils During Spring Cleaning

A Clean AC is a Cool AC!

Summertime is on the way, and this means increased cooling costs. With the high heat and humidity of summer, air conditioners have a lot of work to keep homes cool. Thankfully, there are things that homeowners can do to save a little on cooling costs.

The best thing homeowners can do to save on cooling costs and get the AC ready for summer is to schedule maintenance early in the season and make sure coil cleaning is part of the checklist. Don’t know what coil cleaning is? Here is a guide from local AC professionals to get homeowners started. 

Why Do Evaporator Coils Get Dirty?

coils

Clean evaporator coils are essential to the operation of an air conditioner. They supply the cooling power of the entire AC system. During a cooling cycle, all of the air in the home will be passed over this coil multiple times. That means everything in the air has the potential to get stuck on the coils and rob the system of efficiency. 

Air filters are in place on every air conditioner to prevent grime from depositing on the evaporator coil. When filters are replaced regularly, dust buildup on the coils is minimized. When filters are improperly installed or allowed to stay in service for too long, buildup will result, and the way to restore the lost cooling power is by cleaning the evaporator coil and changing the air filter. 

How are Condenser Coils Cared For?

coilThe condenser coil is the other half of the closed loop that provides cooling power for an air conditioner. The condenser coil is part of the outside unit that blows out hot air as the system cycles. Just like the evaporator coil, uninterrupted airflow is what makes it work. Over time, evaporator coils become blocked by dust, vegetation, and pollen. In addition to a buildup on the condenser coil, airflow can also be blocked by bent fins that are part of the coil. 

When condenser coils are cleaned, blockages are removed with powerful cleaners and a hose. The technician will also repair the bent fins that obstruct airflow during the service. The free movement of air in the cleaned and maintained coil will add noticeable cooling power to the unit during the summer. 

Coil Cleaning and Maintenance 

Coil cleaning is recommended every year as part of normal AC maintenance. Even when air filters are regularly changed and condenser coils are protected, normal buildup on the coils can rob efficiency that costs homeowners extra money on cooling bills. Scheduling AC maintenance is as easy as finding a good local AC contractor to give the entire system a tune-up. 

AC maintenance and coil cleaning only takes an hour or two and is often offered as part of a membership program that allows homeowners to pay for the service over the course of the year. The benefits of AC maintenance and coil cleaning are: 

  • Fewer repairs during the summer
  • Decreased energy usage
  • Money savings
  • More comfortable home 
  • Increased longevity of equipment 

About Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc.

Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc. have been dedicated to keeping the residents of Daytona Beach comfortable in their homes since 2002. They provide their clients with personalized solutions and financing options. They also offer a membership program that includes AC maintenance and exclusive discounts. Call them today for air conditioning services in South Daytona, FL.

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Don't Forget Duct Cleaning as Part of Spring Cleaning Checklists

Why is Duct Cleaning So Important? 

April showers bring May flowers, but what do May flowers bring? Allergies. As trees bud, and plants grow, they release huge amounts of pollen that can make spring miserable for those with allergies. 

One of the greatest tips for those with allergies is maintaining good indoor air quality, which starts with a good spring cleaning. This spring, take some advice from air quality professionals and remove the allergens clogging up the air ducts during spring cleaning projects. 

duct cleaning

Reasons to Schedule Air Duct Cleaning

As the air conditioner runs, the air in the home is cycled multiple times through ductwork. Over time, the interior walls of ductwork can become fouled with dust and allergens. When dust and allergens form clumps, they collect moisture to make an environment susceptible to mold growth. 

As air flows through dirty ductwork, it will pick up dust, allergens, and mold spores. When distributed around the home, they will greatly contribute to allergy and respiratory symptoms. During a duct cleaning, the inside of ductwork is scrubbed, and years of buildup are removed. The result is ductwork that safely distributes air around the home that is healthy to breathe. 

dust

Signs That Air Ducts are Dirty

Air duct cleaning isn’t a service that many have done themselves, so most people don’t understand the signs that ductwork is dirty. Luckily, there are plenty of signs that it’s time to clean the air ducts. Signs can include:
  • It’s been more than three years since the last cleaning
  • Occupants of the home suffer from symptoms of poor lung health like asthma, allergies, or chronic sinus problems
  • Low-grade fevers or headaches are common
  • Musty odors are prevalent in multiple places around the house
  • Dust hangs in the air and builds up on flat surfaces around the home
  • Inconsistent airflow to various parts of the house

Getting air ducts cleaned can greatly improve the quality of life for everyone in a home. 

Keeping Ducts Clean All Year Long

Once the air ducts are cleaned, many homeowners want to know what they can do to make their improved air quality last for as long as possible. Since most air duct cleaners only recommend cleanings every 3 to 5 years, homeowners can take several steps to maximize the effectiveness of each duct cleaning. 

The principle behind maintaining clean ducts is cleanliness around the house. That’s why spring cleaning is so important. To maximize duct cleaning and maintain good indoor air quality, do things like:

  • Use high-quality air filters
  • Replace air filters every three months
  • Dust regularly
  • Wash bedding and curtains
  • Vacuum weekly with HEPA filter vacuum cleaners
  • Open windows on days when the wind is low and outdoor air quality high

About Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc.

Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc. has been dedicated to keeping its neighbors in Daytona Beach, FL, comfortable since 2002. They offer transparent pricing, membership plans, and financing. Call them today for indoor air quality services in South Daytona, FL.

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Key Women in the HVAC Industry

Amazing and Spectacular Women Who Changed the World of Heating and Cooling

The heating and cooling industry is mainly male-dominated, but this is significantly changing the more women find interest in engineering and the trades. HVAC is a tough job, but some women understand and are willing to work these jobs and contribute!

As early as 100 years ago, various women were making large strides and inventions that benefit homeowners today. Two wildly popular names are Margaret Ingels and Alice H. Parker. These women were not afraid to show off their intelligence and became female engineers with patents.

The Heating and Cooling Industry Today

Sadly, only about 43% of women in the world are employed. Out of this already small percentage, only a small percentage works in the trades, specifically HVAC. Out of all the people who work in HVAC, about 9% are female. This means that less than 1/10 of all HVAC technicians are women.

Although the percentages are small, it may surprise homeowners to know that the numbers are changing with each year and rising. Various organizations and associations encourage women to go into these fields and provide them with much-needed support! Comparing HVAC over one hundred years, more women are actively taking a role in the industry as engineers or technicians. 

Alice H. Parker and her Gas Furnace

aliceAlice H. Parker is a remarkable woman who rose above adversity and changed the HVAC industry forever. This woman inventor was not only a woman but also an African American woman who struggled to get support and equality.

When neither African Americans nor women were widely respected, she became a female inventor and created an invention everyone could use safely in their own home. The gas furnace was patented and almost immediately produced safely for homes. 

Her design offered a duct that let warm air escape outside instead of in the home. Instead of using extremely flammable objects like wood and coal, her design used gas. At this point, gas was less expensive than wood and coal, which made it easier to purchase for low-income families.

margaret

 

Meet Margaret Ingels: Super Engineer

Another super engineer is Margaret Ingels, born in the late 1800s when women were first accepted into the workplace, but only as help during times of war. She excelled in science and inventions as a young girl and first became interested before her teen years.

Her curiosity for science and inventions did not stop as a kid, as she went on to study engineering at the University of Kentucky. Quickly, she was accepted to a lab where she worked on creating heating and cooling systems that were safe, energy-efficient, and produced good air quality.

Margaret Ingels is a name that many people do not know, which is sad as she is a spectacular woman inventor who created the machine to measure moisture in the air.

About Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc.

Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc. has been serving Daytona Beach, FL, since 2002. They provide homeowners with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, no diagnostic fees, and licensed, knowledgeable technicians. Call them today for heating or cooling services in South Daytona, FL.

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