Did some emergency cleaning at Antelope Island State Park yesterday.

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

2) UNBELIEVABLY LOW PRICES – To some extent we are all attracted by low price because we are working within a budget. But some carpet cleaners use price as the bait for their false and misleading advertising. They offer a good price, usually between $ 9.95 and $ 16.95 per room, and then, once they are in your house, they push you to buy add-ons. “It’s like buying a car and found that the dealer was an additional burden for you tires and steering wheel. Carpet cleaning is not as cheap as some cleaning of carpets unethical do you think.

3) HOT WATER DAMAGES YOUR CARPET – Years ago, many people believed that hot water damaged carpet. But today, we know that this is incorrect. Thoroughly cleaning your carpet by washing and rinsing it using hot water extraction is a healthy and recommended method of cleaning the carpet. Most of the major carpet manufacturers recommend hot water extraction cleaning with a truck-mounted unit used by firms that are IICRC Certified.

4) THIS CLEANING METHOD IS THE BEST – You may have read this in ads and you will often hear this from carpet cleaners. But remember, you need to choose a method that is best for you and that can help you achieve your goals for your carpet. If you run a business and need the carpet to be dry in 2 hours low moisture cleaning may be best for you. If you are are a residential client and want the cleanest residue-free carpet, then hot water extraction is probably what you want. So before you choose a carpet cleaner, identify your objectives and select the method and company that best fit your needs.

Keep these Rip-Offs in mind when you’re hiring a carpet cleaning company and choose carefully a professional cleaner that will clean your carpet thoroughly, is Certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), can show proof of adequate insurance, and states their Risk-Free Guarantee in writing.

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.

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/

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.

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

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).