Month: May 2010

Ventilation System Mold Remediator

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Local HVAC System Cleaning Contractor Achieves Prestigious Certification

WASHINGTON, DC – Local contractors Edward Frisk, and Jason Erb of Ductworks, Inc. have successfully completed the training and examination process to be certified as a Ventilation System Mold Remediator. The certification, which is administered by NADCA – The HVAC Inspection, Maintenance and Restoration Association, is recognized worldwide as the hallmark of the HVAC industry’s most qualified and reliable mold remediation professionals.

“While achieving the VSMR certification takes commitment on the part of an HVAC professional, the certification itself is a commitment to consumers of reliable, best-in-class service,” explained NADCA Executive Director John Schulte. “NADCA membership and the VSMR certification mean that a professional is dedicated to providing state-of-the-art service to their customers.”

Edward Frisk, and Jason Erb are now one of roughly 250 VSMR-certified professionals in the world.

HVAC system cleaning is the process by which heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems are cleaned to remove excessive accumulations of dust, debris, and biological contaminants. Ventilation system mold remediation specifically addresses cleaning and removing biological contaminants within an HVAC system. With heightened public awareness of the dangers of indoor air pollution and the need for home energy efficiency, the demand for professional HVAC system inspection and cleaning has increased dramatically. The NADCA Certification Program helps to ensure that members of the association possess the required knowledge and expertise to perform these services in a competent and professional manner.

NADCA recommends that homeowners and building managers have their HVAC systems inspected annually and cleaned as needed. For more information regarding the benefits of professionally performed HVAC inspection and maintenance, contact Edward Frisk, and Jason Erb of Ductworks, Inc.

About Ductworks, Your Air Duct Cleaning Expert

Ductworks, Inc. “Your Air Duct Cleaning Expert” is a Denver-based company founded in 1990 to improve indoor air quality for homes and businesses. Their patented system of scraping and vacuuming is the most effective process for air duct cleaning. They have more technicians certified by the NADCA than any company in Colorado and provide customers with before and after photos to insure top quality performance.

About NADCA:

NADCA – The HVAC Inspection, Maintenance and Restoration Association was formed in 1989 as the National Air Duct Cleaners Association, and has since expanded its mission to become a trusted advocate for consumers and the industry on environmental and health issues surrounding heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. NADCA was the first organization to develop industry-standard best practices and its standard for “Assessment, Cleaning & Restoration of HVAC Systems” is in use in more than 30 countries worldwide as a best practice and/or basis for national law. NADCA has more than 1,000 corporate members and more than 1,500 individuals certified as Air System Cleaning Specialists, Ventilation Inspectors or Ventilation System Mold Remediators. For more information or to find a NADCA-certified contractor near you, visit www.NADCA.com.

How Do Air Ducts Get Dirty

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Compared to years ago when we heated our homes with wood or coal, a modern day heating system is a marvel of efficiency, reliability and convenience, but just like the old time systems these new systems get dirty and need to be cleaned and maintained.

How does an HVAC system Work?

Now you might be thinking “We keep a really clean home, shouldn’t out ducting heating and cooling system be clean to?”   To answer that question we have to start by looking at how you’re heating and cooling system works.  Think of your homes heating and cooling system as the lungs of your home.  The system pulls air from the rooms of your home through the return ductwork, and then the air passes through the filter before reaching the air handler or furnace where it is heated or cooled depending on the season.  Once the air is heated or cooled, it is blown through the supply ductwork and back into your home.  Some of the components of the furnace are used only during heating, others only during cooling, and others operate all the time.  Although the air is filtered, the fact is that filters cannot remove all the contaminants from the air, the system will get dirty through normal use.

HVAC components that get dirty:

  • Return air ducts
  • Filters
  • Blower
  • Heat Exchanger
  • Cooling coils
  • Supply ductwork

Where Does Dust Come From?

So where does dust come from?  Consider that up to forty pounds of dust is created each year from in the average six room home, this normal household dust is unavoidable as it is created by everyday living.  Every time we open the door, walk across carpeting, scratch out dry skin, or unroll paper towels we contribute to airborne dust.  Of course pets and dust emitting activities such as remodeling make the problem worse.  In fact, it’s not uncommon to find construction dust in a homes heating and cooling system years after the house was built.  On average, this contaminated air recirculates throughout your home five to seven times per day.  Why does it matter? This can develop into a serious problem.  The build up of these contaminants on components such as blowers and cooling coils can lead not only to unhealthy air for your family to breathe, but also to higher energy bills.  These contaminants can cause your system to work harder and run longer shortening the life of your equipment.  Perhaps most importantly the heating and air conditioning system needs to be cleaned to provide the thermal comfort you expect.

How Do You Inspect the Heating and Cooling System?

So how clean is the heating and cooling system in your home?  Here is a quick way to check.  Remove a vent cover and use a mirror and flashlight to look inside.  Or use a small digital camera to take a picture of the inside of your duct.  If your ducts are dirty it is time to have your air ducts cleaned.  Periodic air duct cleaning keeps your homes heating and cooling system clean and operating at peak efficiency.

Certified Ventilation Inspector

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Local HVAC System Inspector Achieves Prestigious Certification

WASHINGTON, DC –  Local contractors Donald Kaufman, Paul Frisk, Edward Frisk, and Jason Erb of Ductworks, Inc has successfully completed the examination process to be named a Certified Ventilation System Inspector (CVI). The certification, which is administered by NADCA – The HVAC Inspection, Maintenance and Restoration Association, is recognized worldwide as the hallmark of the HVAC industry’s most qualified and reliable inspection professionals.

“While achieving the CVI certification takes commitment on the part of an HVAC professional, the certification itself is a commitment to consumers of reliable, best-in-class service,” explained NADCA Executive Director John Schulte. “NADCA membership and the CVI certification mean that a professional is dedicated to providing state-of-the-art service to their customers.”

The CVI designation recognizes the knowledge and understanding of various HVAC components and systems and the proper methodology for conducting a comprehensive inspection that meets the intent of NADCA’s Standard for Assessment, Cleaning & Restoration of HVAC Systems (ACR).

Donald Kaufman, Paul Frisk, Edward Frisk, and Jason Erb are now four of roughly 250 CVI-certified professionals in the world.

HVAC system cleaning is the process by which heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems are cleaned to remove excessive accumulations of dust, debris, and biological contaminants.  With heightened public awareness of the dangers of indoor air pollution and the need for home energy efficiency, the demand for professional HVAC system cleaning has increased dramatically.  The NADCA Certification Program helps to ensure that members of the association possess the required knowledge and expertise to perform these services in a competent and professional manner.

NADCA recommends that homeowners and building managers have their HVAC systems inspected annually and cleaned as needed. For more information regarding the benefits of professionally performed HVAC inspection and maintenance, contact Donald Kaufman, Paul Frisk, Edward Frisk, and Jason Erb at Ductworks, Inc.

About Ductworks, Your Air Duct Cleaning Expert
Ductworks, Inc. “Your Air Duct Cleaning Expert” is a Denver-based company founded in 1990 to improve indoor air quality for homes and businesses. Their patented system of scraping and vacuuming is the most effective process for air duct cleaning. They have more technicians certified by the NADCA than any company in Colorado and provide customers with before and after photos to insure top quality performance.

About NADCA:
NADCA – The HVAC Inspection, Maintenance and Restoration Association was formed in 1989 as the National Air Duct Cleaners Association, and has since expanded its mission to become a trusted advocate for consumers and the industry on environmental and health issues surrounding heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.  NADCA was the first organization to develop industry-standard best practices and its standard for “Assessment, Cleaning & Restoration of HVAC Systems” is in use in more than 30 countries worldwide as a best practice and/or basis for national law. NADCA has more than 1,000 corporate members and more than 1,500 individuals certified as Air System Cleaning Specialists, Ventilation Inspectors or Ventilation System Mold Remediators. For more information or to find a NADCA-certified contractor near you, visit www.Nadca.com.

Planning for Air Conditioning Installation

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If you are planning on installing an air conditioner before the weather heats up, it is important to have the air ducts cleaned before the air conditioner is installed.  Having the air ducts cleaned before the air conditioning is installed will prevent numerous avoidable problems from occurring.

Prevent a Dust Out

When central air conditioners are installed, numerous modifications are made to the furnace cabinet and supply trunk line.  Trunk lines are the main intake and distribution lines of an HVAC system.  Because of the volume of air that is circulated through trunk lines, they are often the dirtiest points of a ventilation system.  Modifications to the trunk lines disrupt and loosen debris on the walls of the trunk lines.  If the air duct are not cleaned prior to installation there is a high probability of drawing debris into your newly installed HVAC components or blowing the loosened dust and debris within your home.

Prevent Fouled Air Conditioning Coils

Home central air conditioning systems draw air from the return air vents; and blow the air through evaporative coils located above the furnace to chill the air.  To a large degree, the energy efficiency of an air conditioner is dependent on the cleanliness of the evaporative coil. When evaporative coils become fouled, they cause a number of problems:

  • Decrease heat transfer: Evaporative coils are made of tiny fins designed to absorb the heat from the air, when dirt or debris enters the coil fins, it acts as an insulator preventing efficient heat transfer.
  • Decrease airflow: Debris can build within the coil face preventing air to freely flow through the coil.  Fouled air conditioning coils negatively affect your HVAC system during the heating season as well.
  • Clogged drain pans: As evaporative air conditioner coils absorb heat from the air, they condensate moisture which flows from the air conditioning system through a drain pan.  Moisture and debris clogs the drain of the air conditioner.
  • Coil Freeze: Loosened debris within the air ducts causes air filters to load prematurely, and fouls evaporative air conditioner coils. Coils typically freeze and fail due to low air flow.

Plan and Prepare

When planning your air conditioner installation, budget air duct cleaning in your installation cost.  Coordinate the air duct cleaning to be performed before the installation of the air conditioner.  Clean air ducts will provide numerous long term benefits.