Ventilation System Mold Remediator

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

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

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

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.

11 Ways to Plan Allergy & Asthma Awareness Education in Schools

Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world, affecting more than 300 million people worldwide.  It is characterized by recurrent breathing problems and symptoms such as breathlessness, wheezing, chest tightness, and coughing.  Asthma symptoms vary over time, and also from individual to individual.

Allergy & Asthma Awareness Education in Schools

May is allergy and asthma awareness month.  There is no better place to promote asthma education, especially the management of environmental triggers than in schools. Join EPA to plan an educational event for staff, parents, and students at a local school. To do this, you will need the support of the school or district administration, school nurse, and other key staff.

Planning asthma educational activities at the school:

 

  • Offer asthma education on environmental asthma triggers and management during in-service days for teachers, custodians, and other school staff
  • Offer asthma education for parents at local PTA/PTO meetings or other similar events.
  • Read children’s books on asthma to students, such as Taking Asthma to School, Zoo Allergy, and The ABC’s of Asthma, by Kim Gosselin;
  • Arrange a school-wide assembly with guest speakers, such as kids with asthma, local celebrities, TV personalities, or local doctors or politicians;
  • Organize an asthma poster contest for children;
  • Coordinate with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) to launch a Power Breathing Program for middle and high school students with asthma;
  • Sponsor a staff breakfast or lunch and introduce the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Schools Program;
  • Design asthma awareness bulletin boards or other displays for students and staff.
  • Encourage teachers to incorporate asthma and the environment into appropriate curricula, e.g., science and health.
  • Include asthma awareness information in school newsletters and other packets sent home to parents/guardians.
  • Conduct a walkthrough of your school to determine if asthma triggers exist. If triggers are found a remediation plan should be developed and implemented as soon as possible. See the IAQ Tools for Schools Kit for assistance.

World Asthma Day is an annual event organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) to improve asthma awareness and care around the world. World Asthma Day 2010 will take place on Tuesday, May 4, 2010.

As World Asthma Day gets closer, you’ll find a wide variety of information about World Asthma Day, including advice and resources for activity planning, and a listing of World Asthma Day events in your area and around the world.

Preparing Your Home For Air Duct Cleaning

Site preparation is a key element to every successful air duct cleaning service.  Before a job begins, the home owner an air duct cleaning contractor need to review and evaluate all aspects of the air duct cleaning process.

Clearing Work Areas

Prior to the contractors arrival ask the air duct cleaning contractor the amount of space needed around each air vent register and how much space they will need around the furnace and air conditioner.  It is best to have these areas cleared before the contractor arrives; as it allows the air duct cleaning contractor to devote more time of their time towards cleaning the air vent registers, rather than clearing workspaces.

Walk Through with Air Duct Cleaning Technician

Prior to starting the work, the contractor and homeowner need to perform a walk-through of the home to go over how each component of the HVAC system will be cleaned and accessed.  Discuss where protective coverings such as drop cloths and corner guards will be placed.

Pet Safety

If pets are going to be present ducting the air duct cleaning process be sure to instruct the technician what procedures you would like them to take to ensure their safety.  In some instances, homeowners can have the ventilation lines serving an independent room cleaned, and then secure the pets within that given room.  If you intend to leave the home while the duct cleaning is performed, instruct the technician precautionary measures to keep the pets within the home as well as instruction of what to do if the pet escapes.

Children

Duct cleaning can often be a noisy procedure; children’s ears are very sensitive to loud noises, if possible have children leave the home when the work is performed.  If children will be present during the air duct cleaning process, discuss tool, equipment and jobsite safety procedures with your technician.

Fire Safety

In the case of emergency, be sure to show the technician where the fire extinguisher is located, and give them the best contact number in the case of emergency.

Security

If you plan on leaving the home unattended when the duct cleaning is performed, give your technician a contact number to call when the technician completes your project.   Give the technician lock up procedures to secure your home.

NADCA Safety Award

Ductworks Awarded NADCA 2009 Outstanding Safety Award

(Washington, D.C.) NADCA – The HVAC Inspection, Maintenance and Restoration Association has named Ductworks, Inc. as a recipient of the 2009 Outstanding Safety Award.  Winners of the Outstanding Safety Award have maintained workplaces with little or no instances of employee injuries for three or more consecutive years.

Matt Mongiello, co-chair of NADCA’s Education & Safety Committee, said, “The success of a company depends not only on production and sales, but also how safely each job is performed. There is no job so important – nor any service so urgent – that we cannot make time to work safely.

“Establishment of a safe environment is the shared responsibility between a contractor and its employees at all levels of an organization. Achieving the goal of accident prevention and health preservation is an admirable feat and shows the commitment of a company dedicated to excellence,” added Mongiello, of Interior Maintenance Company in Lansdowne, Pa.

The requirements for NADCA’s Safety Awards are based on standards from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In order to complete the Safety Awards Application, a company must maintain an OSHA #300A Log in accordance with record keeping requirements under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.

The National Air Duct Cleaners Association created the NADCA Safety Awards Program to recognize those companies that have sustained superior employee safety and health program results. The NADCA Safety Awards Program is offered every year.

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.

Air Duct Cleaning Methods Explained

Air duct cleaning services have been available since the 1900’s.  Over the years there have been numerous changes in technologies and industry standards.  Air duct cleaning method advancements have improved the quality and safety of the air duct cleaning process.  Before agreeing to clean your air ducts, you should learn about the different air duct cleaning methods.

Source Removal

Source removal is the recommended air duct cleaning method.  Source Removal, is the mechanical cleaning of system components to remove dirt and debris.  Dust and other particle debris tend to stick or statically cling to the interior of air ducts.  Source removal requires two key elements:

Mechanical agitation:

which loosens the debris from the walls of the air ducts and HVAC components.

Extraction:

which safely removes the debris from the HVAC system to levels that are acceptable to industry standard.

Air Duct Cleaning Methods

Steam Air Duct Cleaning:

Steam Air Duct Cleaning methods utilize a wand that delivers a high temperature & high pressure steam to agitate the debris from the walls of the air ducts as the air ducts are drawn into negative pressure by a vacuum.

Steam cleaning and other methods involving moisture should not be used on any kind of duct work.  Modern HVAC components are highly dependent on electronic components to make them efficient; the introduction of moisture will damage system components.

Truck Mounted Vacuum Cleaning:

Truck mounted vacuum methods utilize a vacuum that is powered through the PTO shaft of an operating vehicle.  Truck mounted vacuum cleaning technology is based on the volume of air being drawn.  The truck mounted vacuum draws a volume of air typically ranging between 10,000 to 15,000 cubic feet of air per minute.  A vacuum hose is attached from the truck to the trunk lines of the ventilation system.  As the ventilation system is drawn into a vacuum, either rotary brushes or air lines are inserted into air vent registers to agitate debris to the collection point.

While once a widely used air duct cleaning method, industry professionals are veering away from a truck mounted and gas powered vacuums because of the high probability of cross contamination.  Truck mounted vacuums draw vehicle exhaust and debris into the ambient air while in operation.

Point of Contact Air Duct Cleaning:

Point of contact methods are currently the safest and most effective air duct cleaning method.  A point of contact air duct cleaning method utilizes a portable HEPA filtered vacuum and an agitation device to simultaneously to clean the air ducts.  Portable HEPA vacuum cleaning technology is based on the velocity of air being drawn.  High velocity of vacuum allows for greater lift of the debris, and the HEPA filter prevents the potential of cross contamination.

Though point of contact air duct cleaning methods are currently the safest and most effective means of cleaning air ducts, new and innovative air duct cleaning technologies are always in development.

Air Duct Cleaning Reviews

Selecting a qualified air duct cleaning contractor can be a daunting task.  Luckily there are several great resources for air duct cleaning reviews that can help you with choosing the right company.

Heating and Air Conditioner Contractor Reviews

Heating and air conditioning contractors are often the best resource for air duct cleaning reviews as they see more heating and air conditioning ventilation systems than any other trade.  If you have a contractor that provides regular service your HVAC system, contact them for a referral.  If you do not have a regular HVAC contractor, utilize the internet or yellow pages to contact several local HVAC contractors for an air duct cleaning review.

Consumer Advocate Reviews

Almost every city has a consumer advocate who protects consumers from being victimized by fraudulent, abusive and predatory business practices.  Often times consumer advocates will have websites that will list air duct cleaning reviews.  Stay clear of companies that have a history of bad reviews for unsatisfactory goods or services.

Internet Reviews

Internet reviews can often provide valuable air duct cleaning reviews.  Reviews are often available through by search engine sites such as Google and Yahoo as well as business social networks such as Merchant Circle, City Search and Insider Pages.  These sites provide candid consumer reviews and rating systems that will detail current customer service and performance levels.

Better Business Bureau Reviews

Local Better Business Bureaus are an excellent free resource for air duct cleaning reviews; they provide reliability reports that include background, licensing, consumer experience and other information that is known to BBB. These reports are provided for businesses that are BBB accredited and also for businesses that are not BBB accredited. Before you buy, check out the business you are thinking of doing business with.

Share Your Review

After you have had your air ducts cleaned, be sure to share your experience with the contractor who performed the work.  If it was a positive experience it will potentially reward the technician who performed the work.  If it was a negative experience, it will offer the opportunity for the contractor to correct the problem and  improve their future services.

NADCA Energy Research Study

For decades the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), has been educating consumers on the process and benefits of air duct cleaning. Currently there is research study underway to measure the correlation between energy pressure drop and energy savings.

NADCA Energy Research Study

In February 2008, NADCA entered into a partnership with the Colorado University to conduct a research project that will provide members with a tool for estimating the energy savings associated with HVAC cleaning and restoration projects. The research project was also commissioned to develop a field-testing protocol for NADCA members that will facilitate collection of data to provide broader support for linking HVAC cleaning and restoration to energy savings.

Current Findings and Test Results

NADCA presented the current results of the test at the 2010 Annual Meeting.  Comparisons were made by testing air flow rates when the filter, furnace, and evaporative air conditioner coil were fouled and again when the components were clean.

It was found that a dirty filter increased the filter pressure drop, system pressure drop and reduced the air flow of the ventilation system.

Surprisingly, a clean furnace and evaporative air conditioner coil increases initial energy consumption, but lessoned the amount of time that the furnace an air conditioner had to operate to achieve the desired room temperature. Though there was initial higher energy consumption, there was a net gain in overall energy efficiency.

While further data and testing is required, the current the findings show that proper exchange rate and selection of the furnace filter, routine cleaning of the evaporative air conditioner coil, and sealing of air ducts offer the greatest benefits to energy savings.

Further Testing Underway

Currently NADCA is receiving further test results from companies engaged in the assessment, cleaning, and restoration of HVAC systems.  These test results are being sent to the University of Colorado for further interpretation.