Archive for the ‘Cleaning Services’ Category
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25
Aug
2010
25
Aug
2010
25
Aug
2010
Duct cleaning ads found to deceive consumers
Duct cleaning services, frequently advertised by direct mail, are often tools to deceive consumers, a yearlong investigation by the Better Business Bureau found.
The services frequently are advertised well below $100 — an unrealistic price for the type of work that is supposed to be done. The ads often suggest how dirty ducts can make you sick and that the service being offered will resolve the situation.
“It is our opinion that thorough and effective cleaning can take several hours to complete at a cost of $300-$500,” Barry Goggin, president of the BBB serving northeast California, said in a statement.
The group shopped with six different companies and reviewed more than two dozen complaints lodged by consumers against the companies.The BBB investigation concluded that in 26 instances the cleaning was no more than superficial. In 32 cases, the companies aggressively tried to sell a host of costly upgrades and equipments including chemical sanitizing, extended warranties, filters and Ultra Violet lights.
Sales people targeted risks to health, from asthma to headaches, and frequently cited mold as problem.
The BBB also noted a tool used by one company that the group then purchased online was the “10 Minute Mold Test.” Described as the size of a large pen, the test actually was one intended to quickly determine if food processing equipment was properly cleaned.
“In our opinion, there is no practical way that this tester can be used on the spot to legitimately determine specifically whether or not mold exists,” said Goggin. “This ‘mold test’ can yield a positive or false-positive result regardless of the existence of mold. It will also test positive for mold spores that are virtually everywhere. To determine whether or not mold exists, and to determine if the mold or mold spores pose a health hazard, you need a laboratory to test it.”
After a “positive” test, the BBB took a swab of the duct and sent it to a laboratory that determined no mold existed. The BBB said the supposed tests were used to scare homeowners into paying for additional services.
See full article from WalletPop: http://srph.it/9m0VHg
9
Jun
2010
26
Apr
2010
Clean HVAC System Coils Save Energy
Dirty coils force compressors to run longer and work harder than required, increasing energy usage and utility costs
Dirty coils force compressors to run longer and work harder than required, increasing energy usage and utility costs
COURTESY OF NADCA
One of the easiest, most cost-effective green things you can do for your building’s energy efficiency is to have your HVAC system’s condenser and evaporator coils inspected yearly and cleaned as necessary. Dirty coils force compressors to run longer and work harder than required, increasing energy usage and utility costs while decreasing component life and occupant comfort.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), major utilities, and other experts, dirty condenser and evaporator coils can significantly increase HVAC energy usage and associated utility costs. The U.S. DOE says that “a dirty condenser coil can increase compressor energy consumption by 30 percent.” A dirty evaporator coil decreases airflow, resulting in reduced heat transfer and a degradation of the dehumidification process. These can cause overall air quality to decline and systems to fail, and decrease the life expectancy of motors due to increased heat while running.
NADCA Standards
The ACR 2006 Standard for HVAC Assessment, Cleaning and Restoration includes details regarding methodologies for coil cleaning and occupant protection strategies. It also helps building owners and managers quantify HVAC-system performance before and after cleaning, calling for HVAC systems to operate within 10 percent of their nominal and/or design volumetric flow after coil cleaning (other factors aside). Using NADCA-certified air-system cleaning specialists ensures that the systems are properly cleaned and maintained for increased energy efficiency and reduced energy consumption.
Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) suggests an annual coil cleaning to its commercial customers as part of its ongoing efforts to promote energy-efficient HVAC-system operations. “Once the system has been properly charged with refrigerant and has good airflow across the indoor coil, and assuming there is no damage to the duct system, only basic service, such as changing filters and cleaning the outdoor unit annually, should be needed to maintain the system operation at peak performance levels,” says PG&E.
With the HVAC system running in “cool” mode, there are two places where heat exchange occurs: 1) condensing unit coils, and 2) evaporator coils. Foreign materials on these coils act as unintended insulators and inhibit the free flow of air through the coils, decreasing the rate of heat transfer between coil and air that is the basis of most HVAC systems. Further, experience shows that servicing dirty systems can lead to misdiagnosing problems and/or faulty or unnecessary repairs. Typically, this results in overcharging of systems and premature failure.
It’s not just old systems that need cleaning. In fact, the newer and more efficient your HVAC system is, the more likely it is to benefit from regular coil inspection and cleaning. These newer systems operate at greatly increased pressures and are less tolerant of increases in static pressure. While clean coils have always been important, today’s higher-efficiency units require more efficient heat transfer across larger coils to function at their highest capacity. New units with high SEER ratings often have variable-speed fan motors that adjust fan speed based on demand; however, these units lose much of their effectiveness when forced to run harder than necessary due to fouled condenser vanes.
An effective coil inspection and cleaning requires more than hosing down the vanes on an exterior compressor coil. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association’s (NADCA) ACR 2006 Standard for HVAC Assessment, Cleaning and Restoration sets minimum best practices for coil cleaning.
Building Use Air-Handling Unit Supply Ductwork Return Ductwork/Exhaust
Industrial 1 year 1 year 1 year
Residential 1 year 2 years 2 years
Light Commercial 1 year 2 years 2 years
Commercial 1 year 2 years 2 years
Healthcare 1 year 1 year 1 year
Marine 1 year 2 years 2 years
Robert “Buck” Sheppard is president of the Washington, D.C.-based National Air Duct Cleaners Association.
17
Apr
2010
Clean Ducts Offer Benefits Beyond Improved Air Quality – From Goodway.Com Blog
Wednesday, April 14th, 2010 | HVAC Maintenance and Efficiency
We’ve used this space a few times to talk about possible health consequences of dirty air ducts. The resulting reduced indoor air quality may make people ill, especially those with allergies or other sensitivities, leading to higher health care costs, increased days off, reduced productivity and other challenges.
It is possible for dust, dirt, mold and other biological agents to accumulate in – and be spread through the air by – your HVAC system. According to National Air Duct Cleaning Association (NADCA) cleaning out that accumulation can improve indoor air quality and reduce the possibility of your HVAC system contributing to asthma and allergies among employees.
But the benefits of cleaner ductwork may extend beyond improved air quality:
•Longer equipment life – Less dust and debris in the air means less dust and air circulating through your sensitive electronic equipment such as computers and printers
•Less Cleaning – It also mean less dust and dirt settling on room surfaces such as desks, shelves and, honestly, everything else in your offices and shops
•Reduced Energy Costs – We’ve explained this one many, many times – dirty HVAC systems use more energy than clean ones
Consider taking a closer look at your indoor air quality. If it has been a long time since your ducts have been cleaned, or if you’ve never cleaned them, the benefits may more than cover the costs. And whether you do your duct cleaning in-house or hire an outside contractor, keep in mind the additional benefits beyond just improved indoor air quality.
Rich Silverman
Goodway Blogging Team
26
Mar
2010
Great Article from the AARP.org – Scam Alert: Spring Cleaning, Dirty Tactics
Low estimates are often a way for scammers to get a foot in your door
Mailbox-filling handbills proliferate in the spring, promising low-ball prices to clean your carpets, air ducts and chimney. But will the people who send them deliver a bona fide spruce-up, or is their real intention to clean you out? What you should know:
Carpet cleaning
The advertisements may tout carpet cleaning for $10 a room or less, or an entire house for about $60. But that price is often just the “bait” to get inside your door. The “switch” comes in the form of an explanation that soap, preconditioners or stain removal cost more—raising the total price 10 times or more. Expect a legitimate contractor to charge in the neighborhood of $25 per room, cleaning products included.
Another warning sign of a scam is a technician’s offer to “brighten” carpets at an additional cost—sometimes performing a “demo” on a small portion of your carpet that makes the treated area stand out starkly. Also watch out for added charges to travel to your home, and price quotes for additional rooms without taking their measurements. Whenever you call a carpet cleaner, provide room dimensions and ask for the price for everything, which should be less than 30 cents a square foot.
Duct cleaning
Those $99 deals may be tempting, but are they necessary? There’s no proof that air duct cleaning prevents health problems, says the Environmental Protection Agency. But such cleaning may be a good idea if mold is visible in your ducts (just unscrew the vent covers to see), or if someone in your household suddenly begins suffering from unexplained allergies or respiratory problems.
Expect a reputable company to charge up to $1,000 for a typical single-family home, and a quality job should take two technicians with specialized tools at least eight hours to complete, says Consumer Reports.
Workers who arrive with nothing more than a household wet-dry vacuum cleaner are out to fleece you. Instead, get referrals from the company that services your furnace or the National Air Duct Cleaners Association. Then check reputations with the Better Business Bureau.
Chimney sweeping and repair
These scams often start with mailer offers of $25 to $50 to clean a chimney. But when workers arrive, they find structural damage, the need for a new liner, or an alleged leak of carbon monoxide—all requiring immediate action.
Beware of such scare tactics. Carbon monoxide leakage in chimneys is rare, and should be confirmed with a detector available at any hardware store before work is authorized. New liners are expensive and need to be well-fitted, so get multiple bids. And if your chimney is crumbling, expect to see evidence in your firebox or outside in the form of brick, stone or mortar fragments.
A legitimate chimney sweeping—recommended every two to three years for those using a fireplace at least weekly, or if soot rains down when the damper is opened—should cost between $150 and $200. Ask your local fire department or the Chimney Safety Institute of America for referrals.
Sid Kirchheimer is the author of Scam-Proof Your Life (AARP Books/Sterling).
25
Mar
2010
18
Mar
2010
7
Jul
2009
Is Air Duct Cleaning Worth It?
by Paul F. P. Pogue
Linda Wetzel of Shaker Heights, Ohio, says she was skeptical about air duct cleaning until a friend told her it had improved her allergies. “I figured common sense said, if there’s dust on the table, there has to be dust in the vents,” Wetzel says.
After hiring a highly rated cleaner she found on Angie’s List, Wetzel was very pleased with the results. She says she noticed an immediate improvement in air quality – everyone in the house suffered fewer allergies afterward – and the entire HVAC system worked more efficiently.
“We used our air conditioner less in the summer because it had so much more airflow,” she says. “And we used the heater less during an incredibly cold winter.”
Despite such anecdotal experiences, there’s no scientific evidence that regular duct cleaning improves air quality, according to a 1997 brochure published by the Environmental Protection Agency. Laureen Burton, senior scientist in the EPA Indoor Environments Division, says that while the document is more than a decade old, the science hasn’t changed and the agency stands by its recommendations.
“Checking and changing filters, keeping systems maintained, having regular inspections, and ensuring moisture doesn’t get in are more important,” she says.
However, both EPA and the National Air Duct Cleaners Association – which represents more than 1,000 cleaning companies nationwide – agree that there’s some value in the work.
Buck Sheppard, NADCA president and duct cleaner in Portland, Ore., says the association consulted on the EPA pamphlet and agrees with all but one of its findings. “Where we differ is on how often it should be done,” he says.
The EPA does not recommend that air ducts be cleaned routinely, but only as needed – such as when mold, pests or excessive debris clutter the system. According to a recent online poll, 13 percent of Angie’s List members have their ducts cleaned routinely, but 60 percent do so only if serious problems develop.
NADCA experts argue the need for cleaning depends on a variety of factors, including pets, smoking, recent renovations, local weather conditions and overall home cleanliness. Sheppard recommends cleaning them every three to five years. He says a good contractor will offer to do an inspection beforehand for a nominal charge, if any, to see if a cleaning is necessary.
NADCA executive director John Schulte says the organization’s standards dictate that a cleaning doesn’t just sweep the ducts, but addresses every component air passes over, including coils and the central system. The task involves at least a couple of workers, several hours and costly equipment, which is why it generally costs $400 or more, according to EPA and NADCA.
A thorough cleaning can yield long-term energy savings. Bob Baker and Ross Montgomery, who study air quality and energy efficiency for the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, say their research shows dirty coils and blowers in commercial buildings can cut efficiency by as much as 40 percent.
NADCA expects to complete its first residential energy efficiency study within the year. Sheppard calls duct cleaning an essential part of home maintenance, akin to mopping and vacuuming. “Because it’s out of sight, people don’t think about cleaning the system that delivers the air they breathe,” he says.
EPA and NADCA agree that if you do hire someone to clean your air ducts, make sure they know what they’re doing – a poor job is worse than no cleaning at all, as it can kick up particles or even break portions of the HVAC system. EPA recommends all duct cleaners follow NADCA standards.
Customers can look up NADCA members at nadca.com. Member companies must keep at least one technician on staff who has passed a NADCA test.
Tom Bergendahl of Wakefield, Mass., wishes he’d hired a reputable service to clean his air ducts instead of a local company that has since gone out of business. “Duct cleaning is a fragile operation, and if you don’t do it right, you can damage the system,” he says. “They completely wrecked the motor.”
The company eventually paid to repair the damage, but Bergendahl still doesn’t feel the work improved air quality or energy efficiency. “Why did I even bother?” he asks.
Despite Bergendahl’s experience, Sheppard says NADCA’s certification standards, developed in 1992, have improved the situation. “A lot of [service companies] weren’t going about it the correct way,” he says.
Other organizations have also established guidelines. The EPA’s brochure available online provides a post-cleaning checklist, and in 2007, the Air Conditioning Contractors of America published criteria for HVAC service providers.
While none of the groups claim health benefits from clean ducts, many Angie’s List members report an improvement. “I haven’t woken up stuffy or congested since,” says Margaret Hopkins of Glen Ellyn, Ill. “After the cleaning, my home smelled better and there was less dust on my furniture.”
Experts say research on the health benefits of residential duct cleaning is still in its infancy. Glenn Fellman, the Indoor Air Quality Association’s executive director, says that despite the lack of scientific data, he’s seen and heard much common-sense evidence of improved air quality.
“This is the heart and circulatory system of your house,” Fellman says. “If any of it is gunked up with dust or mold, the core system isn’t going to function correctly.”
Ultimately, the decision to clean air ducts comes down to a homeowner’s own judgment. “Get a screwdriver, open up the register and look in there yourself,” Schulte says. “Most can make up their mind at that point.”
This article appeared on Angie’s List. It can be viewed at http://magazine.angieslist.com/Articles/2009/June/NATIONAL/air-duct-cleaning.aspx