Royalty Services Group Utah's #1 Cleaner

THE DIRTY BUSINESS OF HOME CLEANING SCAMS – AIR DUCT CLEANERS

Posted by Scamraider on April 20, 2010 at 2:50pm

Homes with centralized air conditioning or heating are prime targets for shady cleaning companies offering exceptional deals on air duct cleaning. With spring having arrived and spring cleaning on the minds of many, the past few weeks we have explored several different types of professional cleaning services and the types of scams consumers should try and avoid. Air conditioners will be getting turned back on soon and so the hard sell has begun on getting those air ducts cleaned beforehand.

Air ducts are the passages in your home through which the stale air is removed and then replaced with fresh air ensuring consistent quality of your indoor air. Knowing what kind of air ducts are in the home is essential to making sure you are getting a quality cleaning. An air duct made of fiberglass requires a soft bristle brush, not the harder type used for metal air ducts, and ducts that are insulated require more man hours to clean. This type of awareness can help in spotting potential scam cleaners before they even get started.

How necessary is the cleaning of air ducts? There is some disagreement between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) on this issue. The NADCA recommends cleaning air ducts every three to five years, while the EPA Indoor Environments Division suggests only cleaning as needed. Both agree that there is value to having air ducts cleaned, especially when:

– There is mold visible inside the ducts or any of the other components of your heating and cooling system.

– There is debris coming out of the supply registers (vents).

– Insects or vermin have infested the ducts.

– There is a noticeable change of the indoor air quality.

Cleaning air ducts is a labor intensive, highly specialized job when done correctly. According to an article from Consumer Reports, legitimate air duct cleaning jobs from reputable companies will cost at least $400 and can even cost well over $1,000 for a 2,000 square foot home.

If you have gotten a flier in the mail offering to clean your air ducts for a ridiculously cheap price, or if the company shows up and quotes you a price that is well below the industry standard – You are being scammed.

An inspection should happen before the job is begun and a price quoted. That inspection should be of the entire heating and cooling system, all of which should be included when cleaning. That system is made up of the supply and return ducts (vents), fan motor, heat exchangers, cooling/heating coils condensate drip pans or insulators. When inspecting the ducts, the covers should be removed and the interior length will be examined as well. Many of the top companies have special equipment that will provide video and/or remote photography of the longer sections of the venting, and will also provide before and after pictures to the customer’s satisfaction.

If you are quoted a price without an inspection, or the inspection is just a cursory glance of the visible air vents – You are being scammed. If the company recommends additional cleaning other than the heating and cooling system, such as carpet cleaning or mold remediation – You are being scammed.

Sometimes during an inspection evidence of mold might be discovered. This will require a much more thorough cleaning job and significantly raise the price. Most reputable companies will be able to provide visual evidence of this mold. If the homeowner still isn’t convinced, there are affordable lab tests for dangerous molds in the air which can be conducted before signing a contract and any legitimate cleaning service will reschedule to accommodate if necessary.

If the contractor tells you there is mold and looks to raise the price, but can’t provide any evidence –You are being scammed. If you ask for further testing and the cleaner uses scare tactics about the dangers of the air while you are waiting and pushes to complete the job immediately – You are being scammed.

A quality cleaning job is labor intensive. Reputable companies will send a two man crew and the actual cleaning for a mid-sized house will take anywhere from four to eight hours depending on how bad the buildup is and the complexity of the system. Special tools will be used when cleaning, including specialized vacuum units and an assortment of brushes.

If one guy shows up at your house and is done in an hour – You are being scammed. If his equipment looks like something you could pull out of your utility closet – You are being scammed.

Proper cleaning of the air ducts not only improves the quality of indoor air, but can also provide long term energy savings. In an article on Angie’s List, an online review site of all types of service industry professionals, presented research from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers that showed dirty coils and blowers could cut energy efficiency by up to 40%.

The same article also noted that both the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Air Duct Cleaners Association think that a poor air duct cleaning job is much more dangerous than having no cleaning done at all. Particles that were not a problem can be kicked up and left to spread throughout the system and there are even instances of HVAC systems being broken or damaged. Duct cleaners should follow the standards set forth by the NADCA, the EPA recommends. To become a member of the NADCA, a company must keep at least one technician on staff who has passed the Association’s testing requirements. A list of NADCA members can be viewed at their website which is provided at the end of this article.

Spring is here and summer is coming. If you want to have your air ducts cleaned, do the research first. Get quotes from several companies and keep you eyes open for any signs of a scam. After you’ve gotten a thorough cleaning from a reputable company and avoided being scammed, take the time to sit back and take a deep breath of crisp, clean air.

LINKS:

To look for a NADCA member:

http://www.nadca.com/

Eight Indications That Tell You It Is Time For Air Duct Cleaning

02.12.2007 | Author: anutt | Posted in Home Improvement

When it comes to knowing when it’s time to have your air ventilation system inspected and cleaned, many people may not be able to recognize the signs of a dirty system. Generally speaking, if you have no memory of the last time your system was cleaned, it’s probably been too long. A good rule of thumb is to have your home or office air ducts inspected and cleaned every two years.

If you or someone else in your family has allergies, this period should be shortened to once a year or more often, if you feel that air problems in your home may be contributing to health problems for you or your family. Over 60 million people in North America suffer from some form of allergy, with children and the elderly being most affected by respiratory problems. Many forms of mold, mildew and other bacteria can easily form in the dirt and dusty pollutants that form within the air ducts of your ventilation system. You also may start to notice that many people around you start to have headaches more often due to the poor air quality of an unclean air system.

Some indications that you may have a problem with your air duct system can include: – The air return grilles in your walls have a black fuzz of dust along the vanes – A layer of dust returns a few hours after you’ve dusted your home thoroughly – The filters in your air system have black dust on them – Dry and stuffy air throughout your home or office – Higher than normal utility bills due to poor heated air transfer – Heat registers on the floor have dirt and dust in them – Sneezing more frequently, especially after air starts to flow – More frequent cases of attacks in anyone with asthma in your home or office If you do any sort of renovation work throughout your home, this can also have an effect on the way that your air ventilation and heating system works. If you are doing demolition work, the dust that becomes airborne will travel straight through your air duct system and may end up clogging your filter. It’s important that you are aware of the damage and health concerns that any renovation work can have on your air system. Even the simple act of painting can stir up a lot of dust that can have an effect on the way that your air system functions.

One of the first things you should do when you buy a new home is to have someone come in and inspect the air ventilation ducts for dust and other airborne contaminants. Because we spend an average of 75% of our lives indoors, the quality of the air we breathe should be of the utmost importance. Dirt, dust, animal dander and other airborne pollutants can have a marked effect on our health and the health of those around us. There have been some studies that have proven that levels of hazardous pollutants inside our homes and offices are sometimes 70 times higher than in the air outside.

Selecting an air duct cleaning company in Utah.

There is some debate over whether or not cleaning the air ducts in your home is necessary. Most people don t run into problems with their air ducts, but if there is a malfunction in your duct system or someone in your home has allergies, it can be a good idea to get them cleaned. It is extremely difficult for a person without the proper training to clean their own air ducts. As such, most people decide to hire a professional service for the job. As with any major repair job, it is important to choose a company that is reliable, knowledgeable and affordable.

The first step in your search for a good air duct cleaning company is simply to identify air duct cleaning companies in your local area. Depending on where you live, there may not be any nearby, so you may need to find one that is willing to make a trip. If you are lucky enough to have multiple companies that can do the job nearby, then it s time to start looking at prices.

It s wise to get an idea about what sort of costs you should expect to pay to have your ductwork cleaned before you make any calls. The average amount for a duct cleaning will vary depending on the amount of ductwork to be cleaned and the level of service provided by the company. The average cost for cleaning your air ducts is between $500 and $1,000, though it can go higher or lower. You can call the various companies in your area and get rough estimates for how much they will charge. Some companies may also have websites that can provide estimates.

It is recommended that you get an on site, written estimate by having the company visit your home before they start working. Then, you can ask them to show you the trouble spots in your air ducts that really need cleaning. If they can t identify these spots and justify the cost of the cleaning, then you probably want to try another company or reconsider the cleaning entirely.

Now that you have gotten a better idea of what an air duct cleaning can do for you, it s important to establish whether or not they can actually deliver on their promises. You may be able to ask the company for references from previous jobs that they ve completed successfully. You might also be able to find reviews or testimonials online that can give you a better idea if the company does a good job and does it quickly.

Once you have checked out the duct cleaning companies credentials and reliability, then it is time to make your final choice. If the company charges by the hour, make sure that you get a written contract with them stating how long the job should take. You don t want the cleaners to be able to stall to try and get more money. Once you ve drawn up an agreement that works for both party, your work is done and it s up to the cleaners to do their job.

Duct Cleaning Toronto Company servicing residential, commercial and industrial customers. Visit one of our locations at: Duct Cleaning North York, Scarborough, Stouffville, Aurora. http://www.ontarioductcleaning.ca/

Here in Utah Royalty Services Group will clean your air duct at a reasonable price and you get the most thorough cleaning. We are a ASCS with NADCA.

Air Duct Cleaning Air Quality Quiz

By: eliz

How is the air in your home? If you are like most people you probably think it is fine but chances are you are sadly mistaken. According to the United States government, air quality in most homes is worse than many factories or crowded city streets. Find out if your home would benefit from professional SLC air duct cleaning services with this quick air quality quiz.

Answer True or False for each of the following questions. Any single “yes” response indicates your home may have air quality issues. Three or more “yes” answers indicate the potential for serious air quality issues.

1. My local area has experienced fires or other severe weather related problems including dust storms since the last air duct cleaning.

2. I know the local ozone levels for Fort Worth and have taken precautions to prevent ozone related problems in my home.

3. I can often see particles floating around the house – for example “dust” in the air.

4. Someone in the house smokes cigarettes, cigars or other forms of tobacco.

5. I have pets including dogs, cats, birds or even reptiles.

6. I live in an area with a lot of pollen.

7. I live in a high traffic area with many cars in the vicinity.

8. I live near manufacturing or other industrial plants.

9. I live near farming or agricultural concerns.

10. home is new and used traditional paint, carpeting, cabinets or other building materials that give off noxious fumes and
volatile chemicals.

11. home has experienced flood or water related damage in the past.

12. I use chemical air fresheners and deodorizers on a regular basis.

13. I use chemical cleaning products for carpeting, floors, bathrooms and kitchen cleaning.

14. I live in an area with high levels of humidity or moisture.

15. I have hobbies that require the use of chemicals or metals.

Remember, this is just a small quiz to determine if your home could benefit from professional SLC Utah air duct cleaning to restore the air quality in your home. According to research, most homes would benefit from cleaner air especially if a family member suffers from headaches, allergies, Asthma or other respiratory related problems. Always use a licensed, bonded and insured provider like Royalty Services who is committed to using only environmentally friendly products that eliminate bacteria, dust and other pollutants rather than add to the problem.

Article Source: http://www.wisdomextract.com

How to Create and Promote a Healthy Workplace Environment?

Studies have shown that, for offices, 1 percent improved productivity would be equivalent to the whole energy cost of a building or, nationally, $2 billion annually.

Tampa, FL 5/11/2009 08:25 PM GMT (TransWorldNews)

It’s one thing to work in a well-kept building, but is it also a healthy workplace? While your office may look sparkling clean to the eye, there are a number of invisible factors that can seriously affect the health of your workplace. Chief among them is the quality of the air your building occupants breathe while indoors.

What’s the problem?

Up to 72 trillion microscopic irritants, or allergens, find their way into your offices every day. They include dust, pollen, dander, dust mites, insect biodetritus, lint, mold, mycotoxins, and bacteria. Many of these particles are so small that your nose and throat can’t filter them out and they can get deep into your lungs.

Indoor air quality is a major concern to businesses, building managers, tenants, and employees because it can impact the health, comfort, well being, and productivity of building occupants.

Most Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors and many spend most of their working hours in an office environment. Studies conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and others show that indoor environments sometimes can have levels of pollutants that are actually higher than levels found outside.

Pollutants in our indoor environment can increase the risk of illness. Several studies by EPA, states, and independent scientific panels have consistently ranked indoor air pollution as an important environmental health problem. While most buildings do not have severe indoor air quality problems, even well-run buildings can sometimes experience episodes of poor indoor air quality.

Twenty years ago, EPA Report to Congress concluded that improved indoor air quality can result in higher productivity and fewer lost work days. Today, the EPA estimates that poor indoor air may cost the nation tens of billions of dollars each year in lost productivity and medical care.

What are the costs associated with poor IAQ?

The costs associated with IAQ problems are indisputable but are often extremely broad with the total cost to a particular facility being difficult to quantify. From an energy cost vs. worker productivity prospective, the benefit for providing comfortable work environments is clear. With the estimated energy cost to operate the building of $2 – $8/square foot/year and a worker salary cost of up to $300/square foot/year it is obvious that worker productivity is the dominant economic factor.

What are the benefits of good IAQ?

According to the US Department of Energy (DOE) the “HVAC system accounts for 40 to 60 percent of the energy used in U.S. commercial and residential buildings. This represents an opportunity for energy savings using proven technologies and design concepts”. Studies have shown that, for offices, 1 percent improved productivity would be equivalent to the whole energy cost of a building or, nationally, $2 billion annually.

What’s the solution?

1.) Perform routine/periodic Building Health Checks to identify baseline IAQ conditions

2.) Fix building breaches, leaks in duct work, HVAC tune-ups, etc…

3.) Improve regular housekeeping with modernize protocols

4.) Environmentally clean and treat the HVAC system

5.) Perform an annual environmental topical cleaning with a bound antimicrobial solution to assure the sanitization of all surfaces

6.) Perform post remediation clearance to provide certification that the facility is environmentally clean

About Pure Air Control Services:

Alan Wozniak founded Pure Air Control Services, Inc. in 1984 as a small mechanical contracting firm. Today, the work distributed from its offices in Tampa, Atlanta, West Palm Beach, Houston and Washington D.C. sets the industry standard for indoor environmental quality diagnosis and remediation.

Pure Air Control Services is a national provider of the following IAQ services: Building Sciences Evaluation; Building Health Check (USP 797 monitoring compliance); Environmental Diagnostic Laboratory (EDLab) an AIHA accredited micro laboratory (USP 797 Lab analysis); DIY IAQ Green Check test kits, Environmental Project Management; HVAC System Cleaning and Mold Remediation Services, among other indoor environmental services.

The company’s expanding valued client roster includes the General Services Administration (GSA); Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Allstate Insurance; Carrier Air Conditioning; Naval Air Warfare Center, Orlando; and Naval Air Station – King’s Bay, Georgia, and many other Fortune 500 companies, school boards, and city, state, and county governments, making Pure Air Control Services the reliable industry leader in IAQ.

For more information on Pure Air Control Services, Inc. please contact Ed Ziegler, VP at (800) 422-7873 x 804, or visit www.pureaircontrols.com.
In Utah for indoor air quality experts call 8669717801