• Significantly fewer dryer repair problems
• Delinting will pay for itself in electricity savings
• Reduced potential for dryer fire

1. Why should air ducts be cleaned?

Studies have shown that indoor air can be 2 to 5 times MORE polluted than outside air. Most disposable filters remove about 10% of these pollutants allowing 90% to enter the air system, even during the construction of a new home. The pollutants contain dust, pollen, mold spores, animal dander and much more. These materials collect in the furnace, air conditioner and duct surfaces, just as they do on the furniture and floor surfaces. The furniture and floor are cleaned regularly but the duct surfaces are hidden from view and can only be reached by specialized duct cleaning equipment. These pollutants can migrate out into the room again, or become a food source for mold and bacteria, which can thrive in this dark comfortable environment from high humidity or moisture from the air conditioner or humidifiers. Biological growth can release mold spores or toxins into the air system.

2. How can mold grow in a duct system and what problems can it cause?

Mold spores require a stable temperature, a food source and moisture to live and reproduce. Dust and dirt that go through the filter are a good food source. The furnace/air conditioner is designed to maintain a comfortable temperature, and moisture is available from humid conditions in the environment, the humidifier in the furnace or the cooling coils in an air conditioner. Live molds can release spores that will trigger allergic or asthmatic reactions, sometimes severe, in about 10% of the population. Mold both living and dead can produce toxins that may cause short term allergic reactions. Long term exposures to low levels of some mold toxins can result in permanent chemical sensitivity to common compounds in the environment.

3. Will a dirty air system result in higher energy costs?

Depending on the amount of contamination and its location, energy consumption could be increased. If the fan blades, evaporator coil or other control components of the system are heavily contaminated, the system may have to run much longer to cool or heat the occupied space, wasing a lot of energy.

4. Which parts of the air system should be cleaned?

There are 3 major parts to an air system: 1. The supply and return grills; 2. The interior surfaces of the supply and return vents; and 3. The furnace/air conditioner air handler. All 3 components must be cleaned. If only one or two of the components are cleaned, the contaminates from the 3rd component will rapidly contaminate the ones that were cleaned.

5. How often should I have my air ducts cleaned?

Once an air system is thoroughly cleaned, it should remain clean for 3 to 7 years if properly maintained and a high arrestance filter is installed. A standard disposable filter only stops about 10% of the airborne contaminates, allowing 90% of the dust in the room to flow back into the air system. To maintain protection against biological growth, an EPA registered biocide should be applied every 6 to 12 months by a qualified Duct Cleaning Professional.

6. What are the sources of air duct contamination?

All inside air was once outside air, so all of the dust, chemicals, pollen, insects and mold spores in the ouside air can be pulled into the air system. People shed millions of tiny dead skin cells every hour. Cooking smoke, household insect sprays, personal care products are also a source of pollutants. Many construction materials, carpets, wood products and plastics give off pollutants as well. During construction or remodeling activities, many types of dust are produced and find their way into the duct work. If the duct components were stored outside prior to construction, they may have collected dust, rain water and even mold before they were installed in a system.

7. What does it cost to have a whole air system cleaned?

This can depend on a lot of factors, such as the size of the home, the number of supply ducts, how long since the ducts were cleaned, etc. The whole system should be cleaned and a more efficient filter installed to keep the system clean longer. A competent duct cleaning company would not be able to do this for less than $300 for a small home or $800 for a large home.

Four important steps to properly clean an air system!

DRYFAST'S has trained technicians that will carefully clean your air-conditioning - heating unit and air-duct system to remove dust, dirt, pollen and other airborne pollutants. This series of steps and pictures is designed to give a general overview of the major steps required to clean and decontaminate a residential Furnace/Air Conditioner and its associated duct system.

Click on an image below to view the process of each step.

Step 1	Step 2
Step 3	Step 4

Activated Carbon Odor Control Pad - This activated Carbon Odor Control Pad was originally designed for use in the space program to eliminate airborne pollutants on manned space flights.Air-Care brings this technology to the home heating and air-conditioning industry for your benefit. Each pad is individually wrapped to keep the material active until installation. One size fits virtually all filters.

The Activated Carbon Odor Control Pad can be installed in three quick and easy steps	ELIMINATES: Household Odors Fire/Smoke Odor Cooking Odors Pet Odor Paint Odor Musty Odor Cigar/Smoking Odor

• Introduction and distribution of adequate ventilation air.
• Control of airborne contaminants.
• Maintenance of acceptable temperature and relative humidity.

Poor indoor air quality can cause problems and have serious consequences such as:

• Increasing health problems such as cough, eye irritation, headache, and allergic reactions.
• Reduced productivity due to discomfort & stress and increased absenteeism.
• Accelerated deterioration of furnishings and equipment.
• Strained relations between employees and employers or household inhabitants.

The IAQ Phase I Investigation is designed to examine and identify problems within the indoor environment, draw conclusions based on the findings and provide a list of recommendations for an effective solution.

The IAQ Investigation encompasses a far greater scope than just measurements of indoor pollutants. It is accomplished by performing a detailed inspection and evaluation of the building systems and includes:

• Visual inspections of the internal components and chambers of the air handling units.
• Assessment of the filtration systems.
• Examination of a representative sampling of the ductwork systems visually or with a high resolution optical duct-camera and video tape system.
• Collection of microbial surface and air samples from relevant areas.
• Air samples for the following in representative areas of the building: carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, formaldehyde and hydrocarbons.
• External factors are also examined to determine to what extent they contribute to problems within the building's environment.
• Photo documentation may include: the roof of building showing AC units, the front of building, the rear of building (loading dock), office areas, shop areas, and janitorial closets. Problem areas such as water stains on ceiling tiles, any blocked or deflected air supplies, any dirt radiating from the air supplies or ducts, dirty air returns with filters removed and any other areas that could effect the indoor air quality or comfort level, temperature, drafts, noise or odors.

The environmental readings are recorded and the samples collected are evaluated in our laboratory. The results are compared to regulatory and industry standards and guidelines.

Upon completion of the IAQ Phase I Investigation a comprehensive, confidential report will be provided that includes inspection data, observations of the systems along with photographic evidence as to the condition of the systems. Where necessary, the report includes recommendations for corrective measures that will have a positive affect on the air quality within the building.

When grouped together in a poorly ventilated area, office machines, furnishings and even the seemingly innocent supplies in your desk drawer can emit a combination of pollutants strong enough to make your head ache, eyes water and throat itch. Here are some prime office offenders and their possible effects:

• Copying machines and electrical equipment
• Cleaning supplies such as floor wax, carpet deodorizers and air fresheners
• Cigarette smoke, new carpeting & furnishings, insulation and window coverings
• Poorly maintained heating and cooling systems
• Microbes such as mold and fungi

Prolonged exposure to dirty air can needlessly plague workers with skin irritations, respiratory problems and other chronic ailments. Radon or asbestos entering through cracked foundations or broken ceiling tiles can lead to cancer and other life threatening diseases. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that people who live in modern buildings come down with respiratory infections 45 percent more often than people in older structures.

Is my building making me sick?

The extent of sick-building syndrome and the degree to which offices are affected can be difficult to pin down. Doctors haven't determined what concentration of office pollutants is necessary to cause illness or exactly how they make people sick. Symptoms such as headaches, weariness, nausea, malaise, sneezing, wheezing and rashes may be brought on by chemicals in cleaning supplies, insecticides, and even high concentrations of molds & bacteria caused by standing water or they could simply be signs of flu, allergies or depression.
More frequently the victims make the connection between workplace illnesses themselves, following a gradual accumulation of evidence and doctor bills. Once workers establish a possible link it may take several months of complaining before administrators acknowledge that there may indeed be a problem. Many workers worry that they will be branded troublemakers for pushing the clean air issue and feel that company management will think it's just a lot of hysterics.

What can I do?

In most cases where indoor air quality is suspected of causing worker's health related problems management is often turned around by hard evidence. The Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health in Boston suggests polling your colleagues to get an idea of how many have similar complaints. Naturally, there will always be a few people unhappy about their work environment. But if you start getting 30, 40 or 50 percent of the people who work in the same area having problems, then you have an unusual situation. A doctor's diagnosis will bolster your case, as will daily logs kept by everyone who has symptoms.
Indoor air quality in a large building is the product of multiple influences, and attempts to bring problems under control do not always produce the expected result. Some indoor air quality problems are complex and may require the assistance of outside professionals. In-house investigations by non-professionals are not recommended in most cases.

Need some help?

DRYFAST'S IAQ "Phase I Investigation" is designed to conduct indoor air quality monitoring and testing using standard scientific protocols and procedures with an emphasis placed on finding practical cost effective solutions.