Commercial Services.

The most common contaminant found in HVAC systems is dust—made up of fibers from clothing and soft surfaces, dead skin, hair, dead insect particles, soil, pollen, bacteria, and dust mites. YUCK!! We routinely dust and clean the visible surfaces in our environment to remove the dust—but what about all the surfaces we can’t see? The average home has anywhere from 150 to 500 linear feet of ductwork, all hidden from view! Take a look at some of the benefits of HVAC system and duct cleaning and tips on how to know when it’s time!

While this may sound appealing, be cautious of companies making sweeping claims about “sanitizing” or “disinfecting” all ductwork as part of their service. Any chemicals used inside HVAC systems should be EPA registered for the specific purpose and application for which they are being used. To date, the EPA has not registered any products for sanitizing or disinfecting ductwork, nor have any fungicides been registered for use inside ductwork. This means that any company using these types of chemicals inside ductwork is doing so in a manner that’s inconsistent with the product’s labeling and intended use. Not only is this a violation of federal law, but it can also be harmful to your HVAC system and the occupants of the building. See more in NADCA’s White Paper on Chemical Applications. These types of claims are often an indicator that you are dealing with a company that does not adhere to best practices and industry standards. Proceed with caution!

NADCA stands for the National Air Duct Cleaners Association, the global trade association for HVAC inspection, cleaning, and restoration. NADCA members must meet and maintain strict guidelines for certification, training, cleaning standards, and adhering to the Code of Ethics. Vetting an air duct cleaning company through NADCA helps you ensure that you’re dealing with a reputable company—not just a “blow-and-go”.

Both types of units are extremely common among reputable companies, and NADCA does not recommend one type of system over the other. At Air Quality Systems, all our vacuum systems are portable—either gas-powered units designed to be staged outdoors, or electric units that can safely and effectively be operated indoors. We have found that this combination of units allows us the maximum amount of versatility to tackle any type of job.

Regular cleaning of your HVAC system and air ducts can produce benefits for your health as well as your wallet! Contaminants such as mold, fungi, bacteria, and fine dust particles all accumulate in HVAC systems over time. Removing the source of contamination (known as “source removal” – the most effective method for air duct cleaning) is the first step to improving indoor air quality and mitigating related impacts to your overall health. Additionally, removing this buildup of contaminants from delicate components may also improve the system’s efficiency. Clean, efficient systems are less likely to consume excess energy, show premature wear, require repairs, or break down, generally lasting longer and performing more effectively than dirty systems.

In some cases, it is possible to get the desired results by cleaning just one area of a large space or to clean the space in phases. For example, if there was damage to the system in just one area, or if there is one area or system that gets dirty much faster than the others, (i.e. the system serving the kennel area of a veterinarian’s office) the whole space may not need cleaning at the same time. Depending on the cause for concern, previous cleanings, and the layout of the systems serving the space, it may be possible to accomplish your goals by cleaning the HVAC systems and air ducts serving only a fraction of the space. Give us a call to see how we can help!

One of the most overlooked components of a thorough maintenance program is routine deep cleaning of coils. We get numerous calls from facilities hoping to restore the performance of coils that have become severely impacted with years of buildup. Many times, with repeated deep cleanings, we’re able to save these coils, but maintenance is the key to prevention—which is always better than the cure. If you’re looking for ways to minimize repairs, downtime, energy consumption, and premature wear on large systems, ask us about preventative coil cleaning as part of your maintenance program!

Replacement of commercial HVAC units is an expensive endeavor, indeed. While every unit will eventually reach the end of its useful life, measures can be taken to extend the lifespan. Many times, replacing or applying a coating to the insulation inside the unit and associated ductwork, deep cleaning the coil, and / or refurbishing the drain pan along with routine cleaning can bring a unit back to life, pushing the timeline on replacement further out. If you have a unit being considered for replacement, call us first!