The National Air Duct Cleaners Association launches a consumer campaign to protect homeowners from scams

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J (PRWEB) August 10, 2017

The Federal Trade Commission estimates that Americans lost more than $4 billion to fraud and scams during the last five years. To combat scammers and fraudulent companies taking advantage of unsuspecting homeowners within the growing air duct cleaning industry, NADCA developed an anti-fraud task force, which established the Breathing Clean initiative.

The goals of the Breathing Clean campaign are to:

Educate homeowners about the benefits of air duct cleaning and the importance of hiring a NADCA member company to perform the services.

Be a resource to homeowners, providing helpful information including tips for hiring a reputable air duct cleaning company and easy-to-understand instructions for making sure the job is done right.

Provide NADCA members with tools that will help with communicating to current and potential customers.

"Cheaper isn't always better and if deals seem too good to be true, they probably are," said Mark Zarzeczny, Certified Air Systems Cleaning Specialist (ASCS) and Chair of NADCA's Anti-Fraud Task Force. "NADCA members follow a higher standard and when done correctly, HVAC cleaning can be very beneficial."

As the leading authority in the field, NADCA developed a standardthe ACRfor the assessment, cleaning and restoration of HVAC systems, consisting of practical, industry-backed information for guiding the cleaning and restoration of HVAC systems to a specific level of cleanliness and evaluating and verifying the cleanliness of system components.

"By hiring a NADCA member to perform air duct cleaning and HVAC system cleaning services, you know you're hiring someone who pledges to follow the ACR and NADCA's Code of Ethics," added Zarzeczny.

To get started, NADCA encourages homeowners to visit breathingclean.com to watch videos and browse resources such as the homeowner's guide for proper cleaning methods. You can also find a NADCA-certified professional near you at nadca.com/find-a-professional.

About Breathing Clean:Breathing Clean is an initiative developed by NADCA, the National Air Duct Cleaners Association, created as an extension of the association's Anti-Fraud Task Force. For helpful tools and tips for hiring an air duct cleaning company, visit breathingclean.com and follow Breathing Clean on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About NADCA: The HVAC Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Association, otherwise known as the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) was formed in 1989 as a non-profit association of companies engaged in the cleaning of HVAC systems. NADCA's mission is to represent qualified companies engaged in the inspection, maintenance and restoration of HVAC systems, promote source removal as the only acceptable method of cleaning, establish industry standards for the association, and assist NADCA members in providing high quality service to their customers. With over 1,200 members, NADCA is made up of a diverse group of HVAC industry professionals, including air systems cleaning specialists, mold remediators, and HVAC inspectors. To learn more, visit http://www.nadca.com

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Media Contact: Caitlin McWilliamsMarketing & Communications Manager856-642-4218cmcwilliams(at)AHredchair(dot)com

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NADCA Reminds Homeowners That Cheaper Isn't Always Better ... - Benzinga

By Tim RobbFrom the August 2017 Issue

You likely hear the term indoor air quality (IAQ) frequently when it comes to facility management, but do you recognize exactly what this means for building occupants and the overall bottom line? IAQ refers to air quality within and around buildings and structures, commonly as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 90% of our time is spent indoors. Now think about the occupants in your buildings and imagine invisible pollutants, debris, and bacteria in the air and how those can impact their health.

Facility managers face a lot of pressure when it comes to maintaining IAQ and implementing proper practices and prevention measuresand for good reason. The impact of poor IAQ hits on many factors important to facility management. Two to focus on include the health and safety of occupants and a buildings energy efficiency.

There are immediate and long-term health effects from poor IAQ. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) states these can range from minor irritations, such as headaches and dizziness, to serious issues such as respiratory diseases, heart disease, and cancer.

A big contributor to the increased pressure on facility managers is the recent deadly outbreaks of Legionnaires disease throughout the country and the approval of ASHRAE Standard 188-2015. The disease is caused by Legionella bacteria that can grow within a buildings water system and spread via droplets of water in the air. Cooling towers are one of the more common sources of Legionella. And while cooling towers are primarily located outside, the CPSC says the contaminants can enter a building through ventilation systems, door openings, windows, and other similar areas. The ASHRAE standard puts a greater amount of responsibility on facility management to take proper steps to inspect and maintain systems to minimize the risk of Legionnaires disease.

Bjarne Olesen, chairperson for the International Center for Indoor Environment and Energy in Denmark and 2017-18 ASHRAE president, conducted a study that indicated that limiting pollution sources and making improvements to air quality can increase employee performance by 5% to 10%. A study by William Fisk with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that reducing Sick Building Syndrome (allergies, asthma, and respiratory issues) by 20% to 50% could result in savings between $10 billion and $100 billion nationwide through prevention of productivity loss, sick days, and costs for medical care.

Many things influence the quality of indoor air including deteriorating building materials and outdoor sources, but one common cause (and one more easily maintained) is a buildings central heating and cooling system. Proper maintenance and upkeep of HVAC systems can go a long way to improving IAQ. The good news is, by performing routine maintenance and cleaning on heating and cooling systems, you can reduce the risk of indoor air pollution from certain sources, while also keeping equipment running efficiently.

Here are some best practices for maintenance teams to use to take steps toward improved indoor air quality.

Coil cleaning: Dirty coils waste energy and money. Without proper cleaning, air conditioning coils in the air handlers can become breeding grounds for mold and mildew growthboth of which are large contributors to poor IAQ.

Air duct cleaning: Dirty ducts can be a common cause of indoor air pollutants. Because duct surfaces are hidden from view, these are easily forgotten and can accumulate dust, pollen, mold, and more. These in turn can collect on coils and recirculate. Much like dirty coils, dirty ducts can cause the system to run longer which raises energy costs. A thorough duct cleaning every three to five years will keep your system in great working condition. There are several tools for duct cleaning including vacuums, agitation devices, and duct isolation equipment.

Cooling tower cleaning: Cooling towers are used to cool water in air conditioning systems, but they are also a breeding ground for Legionella and other bacteria. Infected towers can spread bacteria into facilities through ventilation and entrances. Many facilities dont equate the direct connection between IAQ and tower maintenance, and the importance of keeping a cooling tower maintained regarding the energy efficiency of a buildings cooling system. Inspecting cooling towers monthly helps prevent sediment, scale, and slime buildup; if these residues are found during inspection, they can be easily cleaned with tower vacuums to avoid shutting down or draining the system.

Cooling tower water treatments: When it comes to cooling towers, water treatment is very important in supporting system efficiency and good indoor air quality. Simply put, cooling towers are big air scrubbers. Outside air that is drawn into the tower is contaminated with pollutants, which then build up causing conditions for bacterial growth. Throughout the cooling system, the pollutants are precipitated out of the water and are dispersed into the air, or adhere to chiller tube walls, leaving a breeding ground for organisms and bacteria if not properly controlled. Chemical water treatments can protect against these issues helping manage scale, corrosion, and controlling growth of harmful bacteria that can, in advanced cases, cause serious health implications such as Legionnaires disease.

Filter replacement and selection: Air filters are often the first line of defense in protecting indoor air from outside pollutants. Its important to select the appropriate air filter for the system. Most filters have a MERV rating, which stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. This rating is measured from 1 (the lowest) to 16 (the highest) and can be a great indication to the quality of the filter you choose. Filters with MERV ratings between 14 and 16 are recommended.

Chemicals review: It is important to follow EPA and OSHA guidelines and restrictions when using chemical treatments for cooling towers, as well as referring to SDS sheets and following all safety procedures. Make sure the chemicals used have been scientifically tested and are labeled for the specific cleaning process being performed. It is also important to check that these chemicals work effectively to protect the indoor air from contamination. Simple chemical disinfectants like chlorine are insufficient to fight against bacteria and pollutants.

When it comes down to it, facility executives and their teams are at the forefront of costs savings and occupant safety. Through proactive maintenance of HVAC systems, occupant health and productivity along with energy efficiency can be expected to benefit.

Robb is vice president of marketing and strategic business development for Goodway Technologies, a Stamford, CT-based manufacturer and global distributor of maintenance solutions for systems, plants, and facilities.

Do you have a comment? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below or send an e-mail to the Editor at [emailprotected]

A BOMI-accredited session onNext Gen FMwill be held at the inaugural Facility Executive Live!, a new one-day conference presented by Facility Executive magazine on October 3rd in Chicago.Click here to learn more.

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Concerned With Poor IAQ? - Facility Executive Magazine

With the upcoming closure of Sears and Roebuck Co. at Crossroads Mall in Beckley, a husband and wife duo want to get word out that their business, Sears Carpet and Air Duct Cleaning Services is still open, will remain open and will continue to serve all throughout the state.

Kenny and Maria Fry, owners of the service, have been serving the state with their cleaning services for the past 35 years, and have no intention of shutting their business down any time soon.

It is really stressful when you have worked so hard to maintain a business and keep it alive, and something like this keeps happening, Maria said.

She said this is the fourth occurrence where the public believes their business is closing because Sears and Roebuck Co. has decided to close some of their retail stores.

It first happened in Ashland, Kentucky, then Bluefield, then Charleston Sears closed, and now here in Beckley, Maria said. We just want people to know we love our business, and dont want them to think we have stopped serving all of our areas.

Again, we want to say that this does not affect our store, she said. We will continue to clean carpets, air ducts, wood flooring and tiles for as long as we can ...

Maria said the experts working for Sears Carpet and Air Duct Cleaning Services do a great job, and they want to apologize to their customers for any confusion being caused throughout the closures of the Sears stores.

We are delighted to still be serving the state after all of these years.

For more information, visit http://www.searsclean.com or call 304-253-5021.

Email: jnelson@register-herald.com; follow on Twitter @jnelsonRH

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Sears Carpet Cleaning will remain open amid same name confusion - Beckley Register-Herald

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What are the biggest wasteful buys that you "probably" don't need? Kevin Brasler, Chicago Consumers' Checkbook's executive editor, broke it all down WGN Morning News Tuesday.

First on the list --air-duct cleaning. Brasler admits that air-duct cleaning is actually unnecessary unless you have a more serious problem, like mold.

"It's nonsense. The little independent research that has been done on air-duct cleaning shows that actually stirring up that dust can worsen your home," he said. "Most of us just don't need to do it."

Amazon Prime, dry-cleaning, and fitness trackers were also a part of the tally. According to Brasler, most people pay for Amazon Prime for the free 2-day shipping benefit. However, since anything over $25 qualifies for free 2-day shipping, the annual $99 membership cost might not be worth spending.

Dry-cleaning is equally as wasteful. Unless your clothing specifies "dry-clean only," other garments can likely be hand-washed or machine-washed, he said.

As for fitness trackers, Brassler recommends just using your smartphone, as the two devices often do the same exact thing.

"I found that when I'm hiking, my iPhone does just as good a job as any other fitness tracker in terms of keeping track of miles," said Brasler.

The next one might be a shocker... it certainly was for WGN's Robin Baumgarten! According to Brasler, certain medical tests and procedures are actually unneeded.

"Not all of them, but experts are finding that about 30 percent of the medical tests and procedures that we buy these days are wasteful," he said. "There's actually a fairly new initiative called 'Choosing Wisely...they're trying to educate people about how you know a lot of these tests are just unnecessary."

To check out Brasler's "50 Things You (Probably) Shouldnt Pay For," go to theChicago Consumers' Checkbook website!

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5 things you (probably) shouldn't pay money for - WGN-TV

Knowledge about air duct cleaning is in its early stages, so a blanket recommendation cannot be offered as to whether you should have your air ducts in your home cleaned. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urges you to read this document in it entirety as it provides important information on the subject.

Duct cleaning has never been shown to actually prevent health problems. Neither do studies conclusively demonstrate that particle (e.g., dust) levels in homes increase because of dirty air ducts. This is because much of the dirt in air ducts adheres to duct surfaces and does not necessarily enter the living space. It is important to keep in mind that dirty air ducts are only one of many possible sources of particles that are present in homes. Pollutants that enter the home both from outdoors and indoor activities such as cooking, cleaning, smoking, or just moving around can cause greater exposure to contaminants than dirty air ducts. Moreover, there is no evidence that a light amount of household dust or other particulate matter in air ducts poses any risk to your health.

If any of the conditions identified above exists, it usually suggests one or more underlying causes. Prior to any cleaning, retrofitting, or replacing of your ducts, the cause or causes must be corrected or else the problem will likely recur.

Some research suggests that cleaning heating and cooling system components (e.g., cooling coils, fans and heat exchangers) may improve the efficiency of your system, resulting in a longer operating life, as well as some energy and maintenance cost savings. However, little evidence exists that cleaning only the ducts will improve the efficiency of the system.

You may consider having your air ducts cleaned simply because it seems logical that air ducts will get dirty over time and should be occasionally cleaned. Provided that the cleaning is done properly, no evidence suggests that such cleaning would be detrimental. EPA does not recommend that the air ducts be cleaned routinely, but only as needed. EPA does, however, recommend that if you have a fuel burning furnace, stove or fireplace, they be inspected for proper functioning and serviced before each heating season to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning.

If you do decide to have your air ducts cleaned, take the same consumer precautions you normally would in assessing the service provider's competence and reliability.

Air duct cleaning service providers may tell you that they need to apply chemical biocide to the inside of your ducts as a means to kill bacteria (germs) and fungi (mold) and prevent future biological growth. They may also propose the application of a "sealant" to prevent dust and dirt particles from being released into the air or to seal air leaks. You should fully understand the pros and cons of permitting application of chemical biocides or sealants. While the targeted use of chemical biocides and sealants may be appropriate under specific circumstances, research has not demonstrated their effectiveness in duct cleaning or their potential adverse health effects. No chemical biocides are currently registered by EPA for use in internally-insulated air duct systems (see Should chemical biocides be applied to the inside of air ducts?).

Whether or not you decide to have the air ducts in your home cleaned, preventing water and dirt from entering the system is the most effective way to prevent contamination (see How to Prevent Duct Contamination).

Most people are now aware that indoor air pollution is an issue of growing concern and increased visibility. Many companies are marketing products and services intended to improve the quality of your indoor air. You have probably seen an advertisement, received a coupon in the mail, or been approached directly by a company offering to clean your air ducts as a means of improving your home's indoor air quality. These services typically but not always range in cost from $450 to $1,000 per heating and cooling system, depending on: the services offered

Duct cleaning generally refers to the cleaning of various heating and cooling system components of forced air systems, including the supply and return air ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers, heat exchangers heating and cooling coils, condensate drain pans (drip pans), fan motor and fan housing, and the air handling unit housing (See diagram).

If not properly installed, maintained and operated, these components may become contaminated with particles of dust, pollen or other debris. If moisture is present, the potential for microbiological growth (e.g., mold) is increased and spores from such growth may be released into the home's living space. Some of these contaminants may cause allergic reactions or other symptoms in people if they are exposed to them. If you decide to have your heating and cooling system cleaned, it is important to make sure the service provider agrees to clean all components of the system and is qualified to do so. Failure to clean a component of a contaminated system can result in re-contamination of the entire system, thus negating any potential benefits. Methods of duct cleaning vary, although standards have been established by industry associations concerned with air duct cleaning. Typically, a service provider will use specialized tools to dislodge dirt and other debris in ducts, then vacuum them out with a high-powered vacuum cleaner.

In addition, the service provider may propose applying chemical biocides, designed to kill microbiological contaminants, to the inside of the duct work and to other system components. Some service providers may also suggest applying chemical treatments (sealants or other encapsulants) to encapsulate or cover the inside surfaces of the air ducts and equipment housings because they believe it will control mold growth or prevent the release of dirt particles or fibers from ducts. These practices have yet to be fully researched and you should be fully informed before deciding to permit the use of biocides or chemical treatments in your air ducts. They should only be applied, if at all, after the system has been properly cleaned of all visible dust or debris.

Note: Use of sealants to encapsulate the inside surfaces of ducts is a different practice than sealing duct air leaks. Sealing duct air leaks can help save energy on heating and cooling bills. For more information, see EPA's Energy Star website.

Knowledge about the potential benefits and possible problems of air duct cleaning is limited. Since conditions in every home are different, it is impossible to generalize about whether or not air duct cleaning in your home would be beneficial.

If no one in your household suffers from allergies or unexplained symptoms or illnesses and if, after a visual inspection of the inside of the ducts, you see no indication that your air ducts are contaminated with large deposits of dust or mold (no musty odor or visible mold growth), having your air ducts cleaned is probably unnecessary. It is normal for the return registers to get dusty as dust-laden air is pulled through the grate. This does not indicate that your air ducts are contaminated with heavy deposits of dust or debris; the registers can be easily vacuumed or removed and cleaned.

On the other hand, if family members are experiencing unusual or unexplained symptoms or illnesses that you think might be related to your home environment, you should discuss the situation with your doctor. EPA has published the following publicationsfor guidance on identifying possible indoor air quality problems and ways to prevent or fix them.

You may consider having your air ducts cleaned simply because it seems logical that air ducts will get dirty over time and should occasionally be cleaned. While the debate about the value of periodic duct cleaning continues, no evidence suggests that such cleaning would be detrimental, provided that it is done properly.

On the other hand, if a service provider fails to follow proper duct cleaning procedures, duct cleaning can cause indoor air problems. For example, an inadequate vacuum collection system can release more dust, dirt and other contaminants than if you had left the ducts alone. A careless or inadequately trained service provider can damage your ducts or heating and cooling system, possibly increasing your heating and air conditioning costs or forcing you to undertake difficult and costly repairs or replacements.

There is substantial visible mold growth inside hard surface (e.g., sheet metal) ducts or on other components of your heating and cooling system. There are several important points to understand concerning mold detection in heating and cooling systems:

Ducts are infested with vermin, e.g. (rodents or insects)

Ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debris and/or particles are actually released into the home from your supply registers.

Duct cleaning has never been shown to actually prevent health problems. Neither do studies conclusively demonstrate that particle (e.g., dust) levels in homes increase because of dirty air ducts or go down after cleaning. This is because much of the dirt that may accumulate inside air ducts adheres to duct surfaces and does not necessarily enter the living space. It is important to keep in mind that dirty air ducts are only one of many possible sources of particles that are present in homes. Pollutants that enter the home both from outdoors and indoor activities such as cooking, cleaning, smoking, or just moving around can cause greater exposure to contaminants than dirty air ducts. Moreover, there is no evidence that a light amount of household dust or other particulate matter in air ducts poses any risk to health.

EPA does not recommend that air ducts be cleaned except on an as-needed basis because of the continuing uncertainty about the benefits of duct cleaning under most circumstances. EPA does, however, recommend that if you have a fuel burning furnace, stove, or fireplace, they be inspected for proper functioning and serviced before each heating season to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning. Some research also suggests that cleaning dirty cooling coils, fans and heat exchangers can improve the efficiency of heating and cooling systems. However, little evidence exists to indicate that simply cleaning the duct system will increase your system's efficiency.

If you think duct cleaning might be a good idea for your home, but you are not sure, talk to a professional. The company that services your heating and cooling system may be a good source of advice. You may also want to contact professional duct cleaning service providers and ask them about the services they provide. Remember, they are trying to sell you a service, so ask questions and insist on complete and knowledgeable answers.

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To find companies that provide duct cleaning services, check your Yellow Pages under "duct cleaning" or contact the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) at the address and phone number in the information section located at the end of this guidance. Do not assume that all duct cleaning service providers are equally knowledgeable and responsible. Talk to at least three different service providers and get written estimates before deciding whether to have your ducts cleaned. When the service providers come to your home, ask them to show you the contamination that would justify having your ducts cleaned.

Do not hire duct cleaners who make sweeping claims about the health benefits of duct cleaning such claims are unsubstantiated. Do not hire duct cleaners who recommend duct cleaning as a routine part of your heating and cooling system maintenance. You should also be wary of duct cleaners who claim to be certified by EPA. Note: EPA neither establishes duct cleaning standards nor certifies, endorses, or approves duct cleaning companies.

Check references to be sure other customers were satisfied and did not experience any problems with their heating and cooling system after cleaning.

Contact your county or city office of consumer affairs or local Better Business Bureau to determine if complaints have been lodged against any of the companies you are considering.

Interview potential service providers to ensure:

Ask the service provider whether they hold any relevant state licenses. As of 1996, the following states require air duct cleaners to hold special licenses: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan and Texas. Other states may require them as well.

If the service provider charges by the hour, request an estimate of the number of hours or days the job will take, and find out whether there will be interruptions in the work. Make sure the duct cleaner you choose will provide a written agreement outlining the total cost and scope of the job before work begins.

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If you choose to have your ducts cleaned, the service provider should:

Open access ports or doors to allow the entire system to be cleaned and inspected.

Inspect the system before cleaning to be sure that there are no asbestos-containing materials (e.g., insulation, register boots, etc.) in the heating and cooling system. Asbestos-containing materials require specialized procedures and should not be disturbed or removed except by specially trained and equipped contractors.

Use vacuum equipment that exhausts particles outside of the home or use only high-efficiency particle air (HEPA) vacuuming equipment if the vacuum exhausts inside the home.

Protect carpet and household furnishings during cleaning.

Use well-controlled brushing of duct surfaces in conjunction with contact vacuum cleaning to dislodge dust and other particles.

Use only soft-bristled brushes for fiberglass duct board and sheet metal ducts internally lined with fiberglass. (Although flex duct can also be cleaned using soft-bristled brushes, it can be more economical to simply replace accessible flex duct.)

Take care to protect the duct work, including sealing and re-insulating any access holes the service provider may have made or used so they are airtight.

Follow NADCA's standards for air duct cleaning and NAIMA's recommended practice for ducts containing fiber glass lining or constructed of fiber glass duct board.

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A thorough visual inspection is the best way to verify the cleanliness of your heating and cooling system. Some service providers use remote photography to document conditions inside ducts. All portions of the system should be visibly clean; you should not be able to detect any debris with the naked eye. Show the Post-Cleaning Consumer Checklist to the service provider before the work begins. After completing the job, ask the service provider to show you each component of your system to verify that the job was performed satisfactorily.

If you answer "No" to any of the questions on the checklist, this may indicate a problem with the job. Ask your service provider to correct any deficiencies until you can answer "yes" to all the questions on the checklist.

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Whether or not you decide to have the air ducts in your home cleaned, committing to a good preventive maintenance program is essential to minimize duct contamination.

To prevent dirt from entering the system:

Use the highest efficiency air filter recommended by the manufacturer of your heating and cooling system.

Change filters regularly.

If your filters become clogged, change them more frequently.

Be sure you do not have any missing filters and that air cannot bypass filters through gaps around the filter holder.

When having your heating and cooling system maintained or checked for other reasons, be sure to ask the service provider to clean cooling coils and drain pans.

During construction or renovation work that produces dust in your home, seal off supply and return registers and do not operate the heating and cooling system until after cleaning up the dust.

Remove dust and vacuum your home regularly. (Use a high efficiency vacuum (HEPA) cleaner or the highest efficiency filter bags your vacuum cleaner can take. Vacuuming can increase the amount of dust in the air during and after vacuuming as well as in your ducts).

If your heating system includes in-duct humidification equipment, be sure to operate and maintain the humidifier strictly as recommended by the manufacturer.

Whether of not you decide to have the air ducts in your home cleaned, committing to a good preventive maintenance program is essential to minimize duct contamination.

To prevent ducts from becoming wet:

Moisture should not be present in ducts. Controlling moisture is the most effective way to prevent biological growth in air ducts.

Moisture can enter the duct system through leaks or if the system has been improperly installed or serviced. Research suggests that condensation (which occurs when a surface temperature is lower than the dew point temperature of the surrounding air) on or near cooling coils of air conditioning units is a major factor in moisture contamination of the system. The presence of condensation or high relative humidity is an important indicator of the potential for mold growth on any type of duct. Controlling moisture can often be difficult, but here are some steps you can take:

Promptly and properly repair any leaks or water damage.

Pay particular attention to cooling coils, which are designed to remove water from the air and can be a major source of moisture contamination of the system that can lead to mold growth. Make sure the condensate pan drains properly. The presence of substantial standing water and/or debris indicates a problem requiring immediate attention. Check any insulation near cooling coils for wet spots.

Make sure ducts are properly sealed and insulated in all non-air-conditioned spaces (e.g., attics and crawl spaces). This will help to prevent moisture due to condensation from entering the system and is important to make the system work as intended. To prevent water condensation, the heating and cooling system must be properly insulated.

If you are replacing your air conditioning system, make sure that the unit is the proper size for your needs and that all ducts are sealed at the joints. A unit that is too big will cycle on and off frequently, resulting in poor moisture removal, particularly in areas with high humidity. Also make sure that your new system is designed to manage condensation effectively.

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The bottom line is: no one knows. There are examples of ducts that have become badly contaminated with a variety of materials that may pose risks to your health. The duct system can serve as a means to distribute these contaminants throughout a home. In these cases, duct cleaning may make sense. However, a light amount of household dust in your air ducts is normal. Duct cleaning is not considered to be a necessary part of yearly maintenance of your heating and cooling system, which consists of regular cleaning of drain pans and heating and cooling coils, regular filter changes and yearly inspections of heating equipment. Research continues in an effort to evaluate the potential benefits of air duct cleaning.

Educate yourself about duct cleaning by contacting some or all of the sources of information listed at the end of this publication and asking questions of potential service providers.

You may be familiar with air ducts that are constructed of sheet metal. However, many modern residential air duct systems are constructed of fiber glass duct board or sheet metal ducts that are lined on the inside with fiber glass duct liner. Since the early 1970's, a significant increase in the use of flexible duct, which generally is internally lined with plastic or some other type of material, has occurred.

The use of insulated duct material has increased due:

Internal insulation provides better acoustical (noise) control. Flexible duct is very low cost. These products are engineered specifically for use in ducts or as ducts themselves, and are tested in accordance with standards established by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Many insulated duct systems have operated for years without supporting significant mold growth. Keeping them reasonably clean and dry is generally adequate. However, there is substantial debate about whether porous insulation materials (e.g., fiber glass) are more prone to microbial contamination than bare sheet metal ducts. If enough dirt and moisture are permitted to enter the duct system, there may be no significant difference in the rate or extent of microbial growth in internally lined or bare sheet metal ducts. However, treatment of mold contamination on bare sheet metal is much easier. Cleaning and treatment with an EPA-registered biocide are possible. Once fiberglass duct liner is contaminated with mold, cleaning is not sufficient to prevent re-growth and there are no EPA-registered biocides for the treatment of porous duct materials. EPA, NADCA and NAIMA all recommend the replacement of wet or moldy fiber glass duct material.

Experts do agree that moisture should not be present in ducts and if moisture and dirt are present, the potential exists for biological contaminants to grow and be distributed throughout the home. Controlling moisture is the most effective way to prevent biological growth in all types of air ducts.

Correct any water leaks or standing water.

Remove standing water under cooling coils of air handling units by making sure that drain pans slope toward the drain.

If humidifiers are used, they must be properly maintained.

Air handling units should be constructed so that maintenance personnel have easy, direct access to heat exchange components and drain pans for proper cleaning and maintenance.

Fiber glass, or any other insulation material that is wet or visibly moldy (or if an unacceptable odor is present) should be removed and replaced by a qualified heating and cooling system contractor.

Steam cleaning and other methods involving moisture should not be used on any kind of duct work.

Air duct cleaning service providers may tell you that they need to apply a chemical biocide to the inside of your ducts to kill bacteria (germs) and fungi (mold), and prevent future biological growth. Some duct cleaning service providers may propose to introduce ozone to kill biological contaminants. Ozone is a highly reactive gas that is regulated in the outside air as a lung irritant. However, there remains considerable controversy over the necessity and wisdom of introducing chemical biocides or ozone into the duct work.

Among the possible problems with biocide and ozone application in air ducts:

Chemical biocides are regulated by EPA under Federal pesticide law. A product must be registered by EPA for a specific use before it can be legally used for that purpose. The specific use(s) must appear on the pesticide (e.g., biocide) label, along with other important information. It is a violation of federal law to use a pesticide product in any manner inconsistent with the label directions.

A small number of products are currently registered by EPA specifically for use on the inside of bare sheet metal air ducts. A number of products are also registered for use as sanitizers on hard surfaces, which could include the interior of bare sheet metal ducts. While many such products may be used legally inside of unlined ducts if all label directions are followed, some of the directions on the label may be inappropriate for use in ducts. For example, if the directions indicate "rinse with water", the added moisture could stimulate mold growth.

All of the products discussed above are registered solely for the purpose of sanitizing the smooth surfaces of unlined (bare) sheet metal ducts. No products are currently registered as biocides for use on fiber glass duct board or fiber glass lined ducts, so it is important to determine if sections of your system contain these materials before permitting the application of any biocide.

Before allowing a service provider to use a chemical biocide in your duct work, the service provider should:

Demonstrate visible evidence of microbial growth in your duct work. Some service providers may attempt to convince you that your air ducts are contaminated by demonstrating that the microorganisms found in your home grow on a settling plate (i.e., petri dish). This is inappropriate. Some microorganisms are always present in the air, and some growth on a settling plate is normal. As noted earlier, only an expert can positively identify a substance as biological growth and lab analysis may be required for final confirmation. Other testing methods are not reliable.

Explain why biological growth cannot be removed by physical means, such as brushing, and further growth prevented by controlling moisture.

If you decide to permit the use of a biocide, the service provider should:

Show you the biocide label, which will describe its range of approved uses.

Apply the biocide only to un-insulated areas of the duct system after proper cleaning, if necessary to reduce the chances for re-growth of mold.

Always use the product strictly according to its label instructions.

While some low toxicity products may be legally applied while occupants of the home are present, you may wish to consider leaving the premises while the biocide is being applied as an added precaution.

Manufacturers of products marketed to coat and encapsulate duct surfaces claim that these sealants prevent dust and dirt particles inside air ducts from being released into the air. As with biocides, a sealant is often applied by spraying it into the operating duct system. Laboratory tests indicate that materials introduced in this manner tend not to completely coat the duct surface. Application of sealants may also affect the acoustical (noise) and fire retarding characteristics of fiber glass lined or constructed ducts and may invalidate the manufacturer's warranty.

Questions about the safety, effectiveness and overall desirability of sealants remain. For example, little is known about the potential toxicity of these products under typical use conditions or in the event they catch fire.

In addition, sealants have yet to be evaluated for their resistance to deterioration over time which could add particles to the duct air.

Most organizations concerned with duct cleaning, including EPA, NADCA, NAIMA and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA) do not currently recommend the routine use of sealants to encapsulate contaminants in any type of duct. Instances when the use of sealants to encapsulate the duct surfaces may be appropriate include the repair of damaged fiber glass insulation or when combating fire damage within ducts. Sealants should never be used on wet duct liner, to cover actively growing mold, or to cover debris in the ducts, and should only be applied after cleaning according to NADCA or other appropriate guidelines or standards.

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Office of Radiation and Indoor Air Indoor Environments Division (6609J) 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20460

The following EPA publications are available on this web site, some can be ordered from NSCEP. (see also: Publications and Resources)

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1120 Route 73, Suite 200 Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 Phone: (855) GO-NADCA (856) 380-6810 E-mail: info@nadca.com Website: NADCAExit

Find a NADCA professional duct cleaner near you.Exit

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Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned ...

AC service and air conditioning repairs are provided by many companies in Florida. What sets Direct Air Conditioning apart from the rest is their zeal to go out of the way and help their clients. They are one of the companies that customers can approach for a quick air duct cleaning job if that is what is needed.

This press release was orginally distributed by ReleaseWire

Miami, FL -- (ReleaseWire) -- 07/05/2017 -- Time is money, and the technicians at Direct Air Conditioning are aware of that. They are thoroughly professional and for more than 20 years in the industry has taught them just as how to handle all the issues related to air conditioning units. Whether it is ac service in Coral Gables and Doral FL or AC repair in Kendall and Miami FL, they will be able to handle it all and within a short time as they have their emergency repair line open around the clock. With so many years of experience in the field of ac repair, service, maintenance and installation, this does not come as a surprise that they will resolve the problems with the wink of an eye. The technicians have industry experience working with all the leading air conditioning brands that include Trane, Lennox, York, Bryant, Carrier and more. The technicians undergo technical training from time to time so that they are on par with the ongoing changes in the industry.

As part of their extensive services, Direct Air Conditioning offers air duct cleaning for Florida homes. According to the experts, air duct cleaning is necessary if one would like to keep their family healthy. The indoor air quality depends on how clean the air ducts are. Getting them cleaned at regular intervals will ensure that the family members are hearty and healthy and the medical bills are less.

If the AC ducts have not been cleaned in years, now is the time to take action to protect one's family. The air duct cleaning specialists at Direct Air Conditioning are available round the clock, and one can call them right now at305-858-9632to schedule an initial air duct evaluation.

Call at 305-858-9632 or visit http://www.airconditioningmiami.com/ for details.

About Direct Air Conditioning Direct Air Conditioning is a recognized company that offers same day ac repair in Kendall and Miami FL. They also offer ac service, air duct cleaning, HVAC maintenance and more.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/direct-air-conditioning-includes-air-duct-cleaning-in-their-list-of-services-apart-from-ac-service-in-coral-gables-and-doral-fl-827674.htm

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Direct Air Conditioning Includes Air Duct Cleaning in Their List of Services Apart from AC Service in Coral Gables ... - Digital Journal (press...

Jordan Cartwright has joined John Henry's Plumbing, Heating, & Air Conditioning Co. as a project manager and estimator. While working for a local fire and water restoration company, Cartwright developed a working relationship with John Henry's. He admired John Henry's company culture and decided to join their team.

John Henry's was founded in 1996 by Deb and Jack Zohner and has 65 employees. John Henry's continues to increase its concentration on plumbing, heating, and air conditioning service, along with an emphasis on remodels and excavation. They also do duct cleaning.

According to Jack Zohner many consumers have decided to stay in their homes or improve the image of their businesses. The remodeling side of John Henry's locally owned business continues to grow. Jordan Cartwright can provide you a free estimate on completing your remodels.

John Henry's is a corporate sponsor of the United Way and is involved in 16 organizations in the community. John Henrys received the 2004 and 2014 Better Business Bureau Integrity Awards, the Lincoln Journal Star's Lincoln's Choice Award for Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, Angie's List Super Service Award, KFOR's Best of Lincoln Award, and were voted by their team as one of Lincoln's best places to work.

"Those awards are a direct reflection of our team and the relationships they build with our 35K customers," said Jack Zohner. "John Henry's primary focus will always be providing good customer service and being a good neighbor in our community. It's our way of thanking those that believe in quality service".

John Henry's can be reached for a free estimate on your remodel at http://www.jhlincoln.com or 402-435-5555. They work regular schedules, as time frames allow, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., 7 days week, to accommodate your needs, plus provide 24 hour service 365 days a year!

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Jordan Cartwright joins the John Henry's Team! - Lincoln Journal Star

My central air- conditioning system doesn't seem to be moving much air. What's the problem?Laura I., Boise, Idaho

Of the things that can contribute to lack of air movement, some are simple enough for you to check. For others, you'll need a contractor.

If the system seems to have slowly and gradually lost air movement, that could be a dirty evaporator coil or air filter. It takes a lot of neglect and a lot of airborne dirt to cause an air-blocking buildup, but it can happen. For example, if your home went through a long phase of remodeling and the contractors didn't do much to keep flying dust under control, that could be the cause. Have a look at the filter, and, if you know where to find it, check the evaporator coil, too. Another source of slow loss of air movement is a fan that's not operating properly. Normally fans and blowers either work or they don't, but one that runs intermittently or is turning slowly (and perhaps even overheating) could cause the problem.

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If the problem occurs suddenly, it could be the ducts. A flex duct (essentially, a large insulated hose) that has detached or been pinched could suddenly prevent air flow. A quick look in the attic is all it takes to spot this. Similarly, if a duct-cleaning company didn't send its A-team, they might have damaged the system or knocked loose a piece of rigid insulation inside a steel duct. This would have the same result.

If the problem appeared soon after having a new system installed, you need to get the contractor back. The problem might be obvious, like a closed damper, or it might take some sophisticated pressure testing to reveal whether there is improper duct sizing or an air filter that's just too restrictive.

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Why Your Central AC Isn't Moving Enough Air - Popular Mechanics

Dallas, TX It is that time of year again summer. With one of the hottest summers on record, households are becoming increasingly reliant on their central air conditioning to provide reprieve from the unforgiving heat. Dallas and Fort Worth are consistently hitting mid-to-high 90s in the forecast for the conceivable future.

The company Pure Airways has been making news online in the Dallas/Fort Worth area about their air duct cleaning and duct insulation repair services. According to Direct Energy, dirty air ducts are a leading cause of allergies caused by pet hair, dander, and dust mites. Direct Energy recommends that homeowners regularly have HVAC duct cleaning performed by a professional cleaning service.

With exacting heat and humidity, HVAC systems will be utilized now more than ever and their chances of being taxed by clogged air ducts is ever increasing. Summer is a typical time for HVAC systems to be burdened by heat and frequent use, ultimately failingand needing tobe repaired.

Many different things can cause the house to be filled with dust and other particles. Dead skin cells and cooking that is accompanied with smoke will cause some of the largest buildup of dust in the vents and ducts. Dust particles from smoke are often oil based and can easily pass through the air filters on HVAC systems.

Fuel operated furnaces will also lead to health issues overtime. Carbo Monoxide can be absorbed into the air duct material overtime and those chemicals can then be dispersed into the living space to cause breathing problems, lethargy, and headaches.

The Dallas/Fort Worth area is one of the most humid in the country. This humidity will cause a buildup of mold and mildew in the HVAC ducts. Based on information from the Environmental Protection Agency, air vent cleaning should be done when dust and mold is present in the home. Professional cleaning services like Pure Airways are usually called in to perform thorough cleanings of the HVAC system when mold is present.

With summer fully underway and families spending more time at home, household health is increasingly important. Homeowners dealing with allergies will be looking to HVAC cleaning services like Pure Airways to trade a costly utility bill for a clean bill of health.

Media Contact Company Name: Pure Airways Contact Person: Media Relations Email: pureairways@gmail.com Phone: (888) 717-3224 Address:13333 N.Central Expy City: Dallas State: TX. 75243 Country: United States Website: http://www.pureairways.com/

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Why Air Duct Cleaning is Important for Family Health - Press ... - Press Release Rocket (press release)

We offer a number of services, but only one main goal-make every home safe, clean and beautiful!

Our combined expertise in water damage restoration and home remodeling allows us to take a holistic approach to our work. We have the technical knowledge and the renovation experience to safely and effectively eliminate water and mold and restore your home to a new condition.

We also offer superior air duct and carpet cleaning services and professional carpentry work. Throughout all of our work in D.C., Maryland and Virginia we are dedicated to delivering quality work with our technical expertise, reliable equipment and personalized customer care.

The Services We Offer

Water Damage Restoration: Using three-step procedure our expert technicians can effectively minimize the damage caused to your home.. Click here to read more

Home Renovation: Our skilled craftsmen have experience in millwork, built-in cabinetry and a variety of home improvement projectsClick here to read more

Air Duct Cleaning: We eliminate dust and allergens that quickly accumulate in your HVAC system and threaten the quality of your air.. click here to read more

Carpet Cleaning: Using a deep cleaning method we effectively rid stains, refresh your home and guarantee 100% satisfaction click here to read more

Mold Remediation: We identify, eliminate and remediate mold so that your not at risk for allergens, repository problems or other health concerns, click here to learn more

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AirDuct - AirDuct Cleaning Services in the Washington DC ...