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Member
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Letter
from Bill
Ahh…summertime!
A time for vacation and relaxation. For cookouts and get-togethers. But for your
HVAC system, it's also a time for cleaning. Along with long days and warm temperatures,
summertime in Houston also brings higher humidity levels, higher mold spore counts,
and an increased amount of dust in the air. Put all of these ingredients together
and you make for quite a dirty air conditioning system.
As you begin
to switch from running the furnace to cooling the air for the summer, you might
begin to notice an unusual odor emanating from your system - dank, musty smells.
This is usually a good sign that your HVAC system has some microbial growth in
it that needs to be removed. And with the summer months bringing more and more
dust and humidity, the time to respond to the problem is NOW!
It's important
to understand that your cooling coil performs two functions in your system: cool
the air when the air conditioning is on, and de-humidify the air all year long.
This dehumidification process increases in summertime, as the air flowing into
the system through the return tends to be higher in humidity. The evaporator coil
works hard to ensure that the air coming out of the supply diffusers is as dry
as possible, and that the humid air is turned to water and taken out through the
drain pan. This increase in moisture can sometimes be the spark needed to make
a microbial problem in the mechanical part of the HVAC system come to fruition.
If you notice
unusual odors coming from your system when the air turns on, it is worthwhile
to have us come take a look and see how we can solve the problem. In most cases,
the situation is a result of mold growing in the supply plenum, on the cooling
coil itself, or in the drain pan. These areas tend to collect the highest amounts
of dust and debris, providing an optimum environment for microbial activity. This
is why it is vitally important that when deciding to have your system or ducts
cleaned, you go with a company who will be able to clean every part of the system
- not just the ductwork. The ductwork is only a small part of the larger equation.
Your indoor air quality problem primarily lies in the mechanical parts of the
system, not the peripheral ductwork.
For more
information, give us a call for a free in-home inspection. Until then, enjoy your
summer!
Best regards,
Bill Bowlin
Managing Partner
Clean Air Solutions
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FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
I
received a coupon in the paper today for a whole house cleaning for $179.00. Your
price is higher. Why the discrepancy?
The air duct cleaning market has segmented itself into two types of companies:
those who only clean ductwork; and those who focus on cleaning the entire mechanical
system, including the ductwork. These latter companies are the ones that carry
a TACL, or Texas Air Conditioning License, and strive to address all parts of
the indoor air quality problem. These licensed companies have the ability to open
up the HVAC system and clean all the areas that have become dirty. Most companies
who only clean ductwork do not carry a TACL license, and are limited to only cleaning
the ductwork as far as their equipment will reach. As we all know, there is only
so much debris and dust that will accumulate in the ductwork. The primary source
for dust and debris lies higher up in the system - beyond the scope of the average
company's cleaning. Once you have the ductwork cleaned, it will probably not take
long until the dust and debris in the plenums will move back down to the ductwork
again.
Like any other service you are having done on your home, make sure you know
what you are receiving by using this coupon. Many times these companies have additional
charges for cleaning the evaporator coil or the furnace or the plenums, items
that are included in the price of our service. Make sure that the "$179.00
deal" isn't just addressing part of your problem. You might find yourself
spending $179.00 today only to have to call us next year because the dust and
debris problem is back. This company might do a fine job cleaning the ductwork,
but might miss the source of the problem higher up in the HVAC system.
How much of
the dirt, debris, and microbial growth do you get out of my system?
We would
love to say that we got 100% of the material out of the mechanical
system during our cleaning, but we would be stretching the truth
a good bit. Our goal is to get 90 to 95% of the material out
of the system during our cleaning. In most cases, our technicians
cannot reach 100% of the entire mechanical system, and so we
are not able to clean every inch. But through our years of experience,
we know where the problem areas are, and our goal is to make
sure those spots that we do have access to are 100% cleaned.
These areas include the supply plenum, the evaporator coil,
the drain pan, the blower motor, and the ductwork. The spots
that our equipment cannot reach aren't the true problem spots
and so the ramifications of not cleaning these thoroughly are
limited.
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What
should I expect after you are finished cleaning my HVAC system?
 
Because
we use no perfumes, chlorine bleaches, or masking chemicals while cleaning your
mechanical systems, there is not a definitive smell that comes out of the system
letting you know that it's clean. In all cases the air should smell much fresher
than before, with a dramatic decrease in the amount of dust and debris dispersed
in the home. In cases where the microbial growth was severe, customers who were
sensitive to molds notice a decreased amount of allergic response while inside
their homes. For those with severe dust problems, the amount of dust is significantly
reduced. The cleaning also provides the peace of mind that your HVAC system has
been professionally and thoroughly cleaned, and that the air you are now breathing
inside is much cleaner and healthier.
Call CLEAN
AIR SOLUTIONS and let us help you get your ducts back to their original look
and improve your indoor air quality.
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What
Causes Indoor Air Quality Problems
Indoor pollution
sources release gases or particles into the air and are the primary cause of indoor
air quality problems in homes. Inadequate ventilation can increase indoor pollutant
levels by not brining in sufficient outside air to dilute emissions from indoor
sources and by not carrying indoor air pollutants out of the home. High temperature
and humidity levels can also increase concentrations of some pollutants. (full
article)
Mold
and The Contractor
By
Bill Bowlin,
Clean Air Solutions
The subject
of mold continues to be a touchy subject. But the vast varieties of molds we know
today have been with us since the beginning of the world, making it a subject
not likely to go away anytime soon. (full article)
Mold On Air Damper
Clean
Air Solutions
Featured Speaker at
ACCA MOLD CONFERENCE
Clean Air
Solutions was asked to be one of the featured speakers at the May 2002 Houston-area
ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors Association) meeting on mold. (full
article)
Ready to provide a solution.
The Clean Air Solutions team
Gap in Duct Work
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CLEAN
AIR SOLUTIONS FEATURED SPEAKER
AT ACCA MOLD CONFERENCE
Clean Air Solutions was
asked to be one of the featured speakers at the May 2002 Houston-area ACCA (Air
Conditioning Contractors Association) meeting on mold. President Bill Bowlin and
General Manager Steve Burzinski presented materials on mold and its relationship
to an HVAC system to local air conditioning contractors. As the new insurance
laws affect the payment of mold claims, it is becoming more important that contractors
who could have a role in the proliferation of mold become more aware of how to
protect themselves from the liability.
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Bill Bowlin and Steve Burzinski open the floor to questions. |
Bill and Steve spoke on
the role the HVAC system plays in moving mold spores throughout the home, along
with providing the right conditions to facilitate mold growth. Questions from
the crowd varied from how mold can damage the inside of the air conditioning unit
to how contractors can protect themselves when faced with a moldy air conditioning
unit. ACCA Texas Executive Director Todd B. McAlister has invited Clean Air Solutions
to present in the statewide conference in Austin this coming October.
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Steve Burzinski fields questions. |
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