I don't normally like to sell our duct cleaning services, "with a policeman's hat on", but sometimes it is unavoidalbe. Especially in a highly regulated area like industrial occupational hygiene.
Here's an example of what I call "selling with a truncheon in your hand"
But the points are well made. Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV, provided typically in the industrial workplace to remove hazardous airborne contaminants ranging from sawdust, through to gases and fumes) extract ductwork can get dangerously dirty. They fall, in the UK, under the Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations, and regular functional testing should be carried out to prove that they continue to provide the 'control measure', i.e. reliably pull out the contaminant. Similar Regulations whereby effective control measures should be in place for control of workplace contaminants exist in most countries.
Often the engineer responsible for the systems wants to clean the LEV system, because he knows that's the right thing to do, but he needs 'The Law' to convince his superiors that something should be done.
Of course LEV sytems should be designed so that the contaminant stays airborne and does not settle out on the duct surfaces..but it doesn't always work out like that. Not by a long chalk!
You can see deposits build up which will impede airflow (and so stop the system properly pulling workplace contaminants away from the worker's breathing zone). Often enough air velocity can be slowed down by a gradual accumulation of dusts, or by a larger item like a paper wrapper, piece of packaging, beer can (no really! where's a better place to hide the evidence of illicit drinking?), which then allows finer dirt to build up.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
Top Class Air Duct Cleaning Presents Coil Cleaning:
Top Class Air Duct Cleaning Presents Coil Cleaning:
* Home
* About Duct Cleaning
* Special: $99 Duct Cleaning
Evaporator Coil Cleaning
Evaporator Coil Cleaning (A-Coil Cleaning)
An evaporator coil, also known as an a-coil, is an integral part of your cooling systems that is often neglected while you are cleaning the system. Commonly it is thought that if the filters are clean there is no need to check the coil. It is a wrong perception that may be a root cause of many problems your system may have to face if you neglect the issue of evaporator coil cleaning. Even if the filters are clean the evaporator coil can still be dirty and be polluting the air you breathe.
A dirty a-coil can be root cause of many problems; here are four main reasons for which you should consider cleaning evaporator coil on regular basis:
1. Increased Efficiency: With a dirty evaporator coil efficiency of the system declines and you feel it is not cooling same way as before.
2. Shorter Run-times: It takes more than usual to start.
3. Low Electricity Bills: Longer runtimes and burden on the system caused it to consume more electricity which is the reason for huge electricity bills. A clean evaporator coil may save you up to 15% of energy your cooling system consumes with dirty coil.
4. Good Air Quality: If the evaporator coil is dirty and air flow is reduced it causes same air to circulate in the house again and again with many pollutants putting your health at stake. Air indoors is polluted with many visible and invisible pollutants including dust, dirt mites, pollens, pet dander, molds, bacteria and viruses. While air is circulated the evaporator coil accumulates these particles as the coil fins are densely located.
Dirt and debris on the evaporation coil hinder the air flow thus blocking it and causing your heating and cooling system to work much harder. A reduced air flow means cooling capacity of the system has decreased which causes extra burden on the system. The system starts consuming huge energy to cool the room or building posing a burden on your pocket. If you still neglect the situation it causes the air to cool to such a low temperature that it condenses over the coil and leads to what is known as evaporation coil frost thereby completely blocking the coil.
www.topclassair.com is providing professional air duct cleaning, furnace cleaning services in ajax, richmond hill, markham, brampton and toronto.
Usually your air conditioning system gives clear indications when the evaporation coil is dirty. Following is the checklist that clearly states that now is the time to clean the evaporation coil:
* Efficiency of the system is decreased
* Less air is coming out of vents
* Head and suction pressure rises
* Electricity bill increases with same usage of cooling system
The issue of evaporator coil cleaning is of great importance when you are having pets at home or living in an area where construction is taking place. An annual evaporation coil cleaning can keep you and your family safe!
* Home
* About Duct Cleaning
* Special: $99 Duct Cleaning
Evaporator Coil Cleaning
Evaporator Coil Cleaning (A-Coil Cleaning)
An evaporator coil, also known as an a-coil, is an integral part of your cooling systems that is often neglected while you are cleaning the system. Commonly it is thought that if the filters are clean there is no need to check the coil. It is a wrong perception that may be a root cause of many problems your system may have to face if you neglect the issue of evaporator coil cleaning. Even if the filters are clean the evaporator coil can still be dirty and be polluting the air you breathe.
A dirty a-coil can be root cause of many problems; here are four main reasons for which you should consider cleaning evaporator coil on regular basis:
1. Increased Efficiency: With a dirty evaporator coil efficiency of the system declines and you feel it is not cooling same way as before.
2. Shorter Run-times: It takes more than usual to start.
3. Low Electricity Bills: Longer runtimes and burden on the system caused it to consume more electricity which is the reason for huge electricity bills. A clean evaporator coil may save you up to 15% of energy your cooling system consumes with dirty coil.
4. Good Air Quality: If the evaporator coil is dirty and air flow is reduced it causes same air to circulate in the house again and again with many pollutants putting your health at stake. Air indoors is polluted with many visible and invisible pollutants including dust, dirt mites, pollens, pet dander, molds, bacteria and viruses. While air is circulated the evaporator coil accumulates these particles as the coil fins are densely located.
Dirt and debris on the evaporation coil hinder the air flow thus blocking it and causing your heating and cooling system to work much harder. A reduced air flow means cooling capacity of the system has decreased which causes extra burden on the system. The system starts consuming huge energy to cool the room or building posing a burden on your pocket. If you still neglect the situation it causes the air to cool to such a low temperature that it condenses over the coil and leads to what is known as evaporation coil frost thereby completely blocking the coil.
www.topclassair.com is providing professional air duct cleaning, furnace cleaning services in ajax, richmond hill, markham, brampton and toronto.
Usually your air conditioning system gives clear indications when the evaporation coil is dirty. Following is the checklist that clearly states that now is the time to clean the evaporation coil:
* Efficiency of the system is decreased
* Less air is coming out of vents
* Head and suction pressure rises
* Electricity bill increases with same usage of cooling system
The issue of evaporator coil cleaning is of great importance when you are having pets at home or living in an area where construction is taking place. An annual evaporation coil cleaning can keep you and your family safe!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
How Humid Climates Affect Indoor Air Quality and Comfort
Regional climate plays a large role in Indoor Air Quality and comfort. Regional climate characteristics are determined by geographic location and long term weather conditions. Two of the most important factors that affect an areas climate are temperature and precipitation.
What makes Humid Climates Uncomfortable?
Humid climates have a high amount of water vapor in the air. When it’s hot, high humidity makes people feel hotter because it reduces the ability to evaporate moisture from the skin. In humid climates, becoming comfortable means going into a conditioned space.
Potential for Mold Growth
While mold spores are in every region and every climate, mold growth is highly dependent on the amount of humidity. Mold growth typically occurs when an environment reaches a relative humidity of 60 percent or greater in a 72 hour span. If mold is found within your home or workplace remediate the problem immediately, mold spores can be distributed throughout the home or building through the HVAC system impacting indoor air quality.
Air Conditioning in Humid Climates
Air conditioning coils serve a very important role in regulating temperature and humidity in humid climates. As air passes through the evaporative coil of the air conditioner, heat and moisture are removed from the air. To a degree, the lower the humidity level, the more comfortable you will feel at a given temperature.
Air Duct Cleaning and HVAC Maintenance
Overtime foreign debris is drawn into the evaporative coils and fan blower of the air conditioning system, gradually decreasing air flow and energy efficiency. Maintaining HVAC system, will keep your cooling and heating components operation at peak energy efficiency, and prevent potential indoor air quality problems. Yearly air conditioner inspections and routine air duct cleaning with assure maximum efficiency.
What makes Humid Climates Uncomfortable?
Humid climates have a high amount of water vapor in the air. When it’s hot, high humidity makes people feel hotter because it reduces the ability to evaporate moisture from the skin. In humid climates, becoming comfortable means going into a conditioned space.
Potential for Mold Growth
While mold spores are in every region and every climate, mold growth is highly dependent on the amount of humidity. Mold growth typically occurs when an environment reaches a relative humidity of 60 percent or greater in a 72 hour span. If mold is found within your home or workplace remediate the problem immediately, mold spores can be distributed throughout the home or building through the HVAC system impacting indoor air quality.
Air Conditioning in Humid Climates
Air conditioning coils serve a very important role in regulating temperature and humidity in humid climates. As air passes through the evaporative coil of the air conditioner, heat and moisture are removed from the air. To a degree, the lower the humidity level, the more comfortable you will feel at a given temperature.
Air Duct Cleaning and HVAC Maintenance
Overtime foreign debris is drawn into the evaporative coils and fan blower of the air conditioning system, gradually decreasing air flow and energy efficiency. Maintaining HVAC system, will keep your cooling and heating components operation at peak energy efficiency, and prevent potential indoor air quality problems. Yearly air conditioner inspections and routine air duct cleaning with assure maximum efficiency.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
My Favourite Links
Here are Some of my Favourite Links
Top Class Air Duct Cleaning
Offshore marketing services The Call Experts
Information aritcles general tips. The Articles Direct
Top Class air Duct Cleaning Brampton
Top Class air Duct Cleaning Ajax
Top Class air Duct Cleaning mississauga
Top Class air Duct Cleaning Toronto
Top Class air Duct Cleaning oakville
creeper1122 blogs
telemarketing how to
wonderful getaways
Latest movies and dramas blog
khan.vicky blogs
Mobile Phones club
Call Center Softwares
Mortgage and Property Blog
creeper0101 blog
O Desk for all information articles
Top Class Air Duct Cleaning
Offshore marketing services The Call Experts
Information aritcles general tips. The Articles Direct
Top Class air Duct Cleaning Brampton
Top Class air Duct Cleaning Ajax
Top Class air Duct Cleaning mississauga
Top Class air Duct Cleaning Toronto
Top Class air Duct Cleaning oakville
creeper1122 blogs
telemarketing how to
wonderful getaways
Latest movies and dramas blog
khan.vicky blogs
Mobile Phones club
Call Center Softwares
Mortgage and Property Blog
creeper0101 blog
O Desk for all information articles
Monday, June 21, 2010
What Does the EPA say about Indoor Air Quality?
What Does the EPA say about Indoor Air Quality?
The US Environmental Protection Agency states that poor indoor air quality is one of the top five environmental threats to our country. So why does the EPA feel so strongly about indoor air in homes and workplaces? Well, according to the EPA, indoor air is on average a staggering three to five times more contaminated than outdoor air and in some instances as high as seventy times.
So why is indoor air so much worse in our home than outdoor air?
The answer is in modern day construction practices. Homes are being built more air tight in an effort to be more energy efficient and environmentally conscious. Older homes are being re-insulated and getting air tight window upgrades. The result is less drafty homes that no longer have natural ventilation to bring in fresh air.
Normal everyday living provides an ongoing source of airborne contaminants like dust, dander, chemicals and other allergens. These pollutants become trapped in your home due to this poor ventilation and then are re-circulated by your heating and cooling system.
So what does this mean for you?
The average American family now spends ninety percent of their time indoors. That means that the bulk of our days is spent breathing in these irritants and pollutants and the health effects are significant. Dust, pollen, household chemicals and smoke can create an unhealthy situation in your home for everyone, but especially for people with compromised respiratory systems such as children, the elderly, and people with asthma and allergy sufferers.
So what can you as a homeowner do to improve your air quality?
Today doctors agree that one of the healthiest things to do is to minimize your exposure to these indoor pollutants, allergens and irritants in your home. One of the most logical places to address indoor pollutants is in your heating and cooling system. Think of this system as the lungs of your home. It takes in air and breathes it out; it circulates all the air and everything in the air throughout your home. In fact, on average all the air in your home passes through your heating and cooling system five to seven times each day.
Begin by making sure that you regularly change furnace filter. While these filters do not eliminate airborne contaminants they can help reduce pollutants from entering your furnace and circulating through the house. Most experts recommend replacing your filter every two months.
Another important step to take to improve the quality of the air in your home, and one that many overlook is having your heating and cooling system thoroughly cleaned. As polluted air is re-circulated through your heating and cooling system dust, dirt, and contaminants are deposited throughout the system overtime. These subtle particles are then picked up by the airstream and are then pushed back out into the living areas of the house to be breathed in by family members. In a large number of homes the heating and cooling system has never been cleaned. Even in newer homes or homes undergoing renovation contaminants such as sawdust and drywall dust left over from construction process are deposited in your ducts.
So how clean is the heating and cooling system in your home? Here is a quick way to check. Remove a vent cover and use a mirror and flashlight to look inside. Or use a small digital camera to take a picture of the inside of your duct. If your ducts are dirty it is time to have your air ducts cleaned.
The US Environmental Protection Agency states that poor indoor air quality is one of the top five environmental threats to our country. So why does the EPA feel so strongly about indoor air in homes and workplaces? Well, according to the EPA, indoor air is on average a staggering three to five times more contaminated than outdoor air and in some instances as high as seventy times.
So why is indoor air so much worse in our home than outdoor air?
The answer is in modern day construction practices. Homes are being built more air tight in an effort to be more energy efficient and environmentally conscious. Older homes are being re-insulated and getting air tight window upgrades. The result is less drafty homes that no longer have natural ventilation to bring in fresh air.
Normal everyday living provides an ongoing source of airborne contaminants like dust, dander, chemicals and other allergens. These pollutants become trapped in your home due to this poor ventilation and then are re-circulated by your heating and cooling system.
So what does this mean for you?
The average American family now spends ninety percent of their time indoors. That means that the bulk of our days is spent breathing in these irritants and pollutants and the health effects are significant. Dust, pollen, household chemicals and smoke can create an unhealthy situation in your home for everyone, but especially for people with compromised respiratory systems such as children, the elderly, and people with asthma and allergy sufferers.
So what can you as a homeowner do to improve your air quality?
Today doctors agree that one of the healthiest things to do is to minimize your exposure to these indoor pollutants, allergens and irritants in your home. One of the most logical places to address indoor pollutants is in your heating and cooling system. Think of this system as the lungs of your home. It takes in air and breathes it out; it circulates all the air and everything in the air throughout your home. In fact, on average all the air in your home passes through your heating and cooling system five to seven times each day.
Begin by making sure that you regularly change furnace filter. While these filters do not eliminate airborne contaminants they can help reduce pollutants from entering your furnace and circulating through the house. Most experts recommend replacing your filter every two months.
Another important step to take to improve the quality of the air in your home, and one that many overlook is having your heating and cooling system thoroughly cleaned. As polluted air is re-circulated through your heating and cooling system dust, dirt, and contaminants are deposited throughout the system overtime. These subtle particles are then picked up by the airstream and are then pushed back out into the living areas of the house to be breathed in by family members. In a large number of homes the heating and cooling system has never been cleaned. Even in newer homes or homes undergoing renovation contaminants such as sawdust and drywall dust left over from construction process are deposited in your ducts.
So how clean is the heating and cooling system in your home? Here is a quick way to check. Remove a vent cover and use a mirror and flashlight to look inside. Or use a small digital camera to take a picture of the inside of your duct. If your ducts are dirty it is time to have your air ducts cleaned.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Solar Heating Boilers are getting popular.
Hot water heated by the sun is used in many ways. While perhaps best known in a residential setting to provide hot domestic water, solar hot water also has industrial applications, e.g. to generate electricity [1]. Designs suitable for hot climates can be much simpler and cheaper, and can be considered an appropriate technology for these places. The global solar thermal market is dominated by China, Europe, Japan and India.
A solar hot water heater installed on a house in Belgium
In order to heat water using solar energy, a collector, often fastened to a roof or a wall facing the sun, heats working fluid that is either pumped (active system) or driven by natural convection (passive system) through it. The collector could be made of a simple glass topped insulated box with a flat solar absorber made of sheet metal attached to copper pipes and painted black, or a set of metal tubes surrounded by an evacuated (near vacuum) glass cylinder. In industrial cases a parabolic mirror can concentrate sunlight on the tube. Heat is stored in a hot water storage tank. The volume of this tank needs to be larger with solar heating systems in order to allow for bad weather, and because the optimum final temperature for the solar collector is lower than a typical immersion or combustion heater. The heat transfer fluid (HTF) for the absorber may be the hot water from the tank, but more commonly (at least in active systems) is a separate loop of fluid containing anti-freeze and a corrosion inhibitor which delivers heat to the tank through a heat exchanger (commonly a coil of copper tubing within the tank). Another lower-maintenance concept is the 'drain-back': no anti-freeze is required; instead all the piping is sloped to cause water to drain back to the tank. The tank is not pressurized and is open to atmospheric pressure. As soon as the pump shuts off, flow reverses and the pipes are empty before freezing could occur.
Residential solar thermal installations fall into two groups: passive (sometimes called "compact") and active (sometimes called "pumped") systems. Both typically include an auxiliary energy source (electric heating element or connection to a gas or fuel oil central heating system) that is activated when the water in the tank falls below a minimum temperature setting such as 55°C. Hence, hot water is always available. The combination of solar water heating and using the back-up heat from a wood stove chimney to heat water[2] can enable a hot water system to work all year round in cooler climates, without the supplemental heat requirement of a solar water heating system being met with fossil fuels or electricity.
When a solar water heating and hot-water central heating system are used in conjunction, solar heat will either be concentrated in a pre-heating tank that feeds into the tank heated by the central heating, or the solar heat exchanger will replace the lower heating element and the upper element will remain in place to provide for any heating that solar cannot provide. However, the primary need for central heating is at night and in winter when solar gain is lower. Therefore, solar water heating for washing and bathing is often a better application than central heating because supply and demand are better matched.In many climates, a solar hot water system can provide up to 85% of domestic hot water energy. This can include domestic non-electric concentrating solar thermal systems. In many northern European countries, combined hot water and space heating systems .
Top Class Air Duct Cleaning provides other useful information about air duct system in your house.
Another source of useful information is Classic Air Duct Cleaning inc.
Other helpful information can be found on here.
If you can like information about the latest mobile phone you can visit mobilephonesclub.blogspot.com.
To get useful property related information visit mortgageandproperty.blogspot.com
If you would like to read useful articles on various topics visit The Articles Direct.
If you are looking to outsource you marketing campaign visit The Call Experts.
Also visit cheervideos.blogspot.com
mobilephonescity.blogspot.com
A solar hot water heater installed on a house in Belgium
In order to heat water using solar energy, a collector, often fastened to a roof or a wall facing the sun, heats working fluid that is either pumped (active system) or driven by natural convection (passive system) through it. The collector could be made of a simple glass topped insulated box with a flat solar absorber made of sheet metal attached to copper pipes and painted black, or a set of metal tubes surrounded by an evacuated (near vacuum) glass cylinder. In industrial cases a parabolic mirror can concentrate sunlight on the tube. Heat is stored in a hot water storage tank. The volume of this tank needs to be larger with solar heating systems in order to allow for bad weather, and because the optimum final temperature for the solar collector is lower than a typical immersion or combustion heater. The heat transfer fluid (HTF) for the absorber may be the hot water from the tank, but more commonly (at least in active systems) is a separate loop of fluid containing anti-freeze and a corrosion inhibitor which delivers heat to the tank through a heat exchanger (commonly a coil of copper tubing within the tank). Another lower-maintenance concept is the 'drain-back': no anti-freeze is required; instead all the piping is sloped to cause water to drain back to the tank. The tank is not pressurized and is open to atmospheric pressure. As soon as the pump shuts off, flow reverses and the pipes are empty before freezing could occur.
Residential solar thermal installations fall into two groups: passive (sometimes called "compact") and active (sometimes called "pumped") systems. Both typically include an auxiliary energy source (electric heating element or connection to a gas or fuel oil central heating system) that is activated when the water in the tank falls below a minimum temperature setting such as 55°C. Hence, hot water is always available. The combination of solar water heating and using the back-up heat from a wood stove chimney to heat water[2] can enable a hot water system to work all year round in cooler climates, without the supplemental heat requirement of a solar water heating system being met with fossil fuels or electricity.
When a solar water heating and hot-water central heating system are used in conjunction, solar heat will either be concentrated in a pre-heating tank that feeds into the tank heated by the central heating, or the solar heat exchanger will replace the lower heating element and the upper element will remain in place to provide for any heating that solar cannot provide. However, the primary need for central heating is at night and in winter when solar gain is lower. Therefore, solar water heating for washing and bathing is often a better application than central heating because supply and demand are better matched.In many climates, a solar hot water system can provide up to 85% of domestic hot water energy. This can include domestic non-electric concentrating solar thermal systems. In many northern European countries, combined hot water and space heating systems .
Top Class Air Duct Cleaning provides other useful information about air duct system in your house.
Another source of useful information is Classic Air Duct Cleaning inc.
Other helpful information can be found on here.
If you can like information about the latest mobile phone you can visit mobilephonesclub.blogspot.com.
To get useful property related information visit mortgageandproperty.blogspot.com
If you would like to read useful articles on various topics visit The Articles Direct.
If you are looking to outsource you marketing campaign visit The Call Experts.
Also visit cheervideos.blogspot.com
mobilephonescity.blogspot.com
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Heating Tips
Heating Tips
# Set your thermostat as low as it is comfortable.
# Clean or replace filters on furnaces once a month.
# Clean warm-air registers, baseboard heaters and radiators as needed; make sure they're not blocked by furniture, carpeting or drapes.
# Use kitchen, bath and other ventilating fans wisely; in just one hour, these fans can pull out a houseful of warmed or cooled air. Turn fans off as soon as they have done the job.
# Keep draperies and shades open on south-facing windows during the heating season to allow sunlight to enter your home; close them at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.
# Close an unoccupied room that is isolated from the rest of the house such as in a corner and turn down the thermostat or turn off the heating for that room or zone. Do not, however, turn the heating off if it adversely affects the rest of your system.
# Consider installing a programmable thermostat. You can save as much as 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills by simply turning your thermostat back 10% to 15% for 8 hours with an automatic setback or programmable thermostat. A progammable thermostat will pay for itself in only one heating season. After that, it's money in your pocket.
Top Class Air Duct Cleaning provides other useful information about air duct system in your house.
Another source of useful information is Classic Air Duct Cleaning inc.
Other helpful information can be found on here.
If you can like information about the latest mobile phone you can visit mobilephonesclub.blogspot.com.
To get useful property related information visit mortgageandproperty.blogspot.com
If you would like to read useful articles on various topics visit The Articles Direct.
If you are looking to outsource you marketing campaign visit The Call Experts.
# Set your thermostat as low as it is comfortable.
# Clean or replace filters on furnaces once a month.
# Clean warm-air registers, baseboard heaters and radiators as needed; make sure they're not blocked by furniture, carpeting or drapes.
# Use kitchen, bath and other ventilating fans wisely; in just one hour, these fans can pull out a houseful of warmed or cooled air. Turn fans off as soon as they have done the job.
# Keep draperies and shades open on south-facing windows during the heating season to allow sunlight to enter your home; close them at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.
# Close an unoccupied room that is isolated from the rest of the house such as in a corner and turn down the thermostat or turn off the heating for that room or zone. Do not, however, turn the heating off if it adversely affects the rest of your system.
# Consider installing a programmable thermostat. You can save as much as 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills by simply turning your thermostat back 10% to 15% for 8 hours with an automatic setback or programmable thermostat. A progammable thermostat will pay for itself in only one heating season. After that, it's money in your pocket.
Top Class Air Duct Cleaning provides other useful information about air duct system in your house.
Another source of useful information is Classic Air Duct Cleaning inc.
Other helpful information can be found on here.
If you can like information about the latest mobile phone you can visit mobilephonesclub.blogspot.com.
To get useful property related information visit mortgageandproperty.blogspot.com
If you would like to read useful articles on various topics visit The Articles Direct.
If you are looking to outsource you marketing campaign visit The Call Experts.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Troubleshooting heating system
Now this is a typical heating system, it's part of a central HBAC system that you find in homes these days. Now the first thing that you want to do that I will say in working with your system, it's important to have it properly maintained, so the first thing I would say in troubleshooting it is make sure that you have inspections by a professional company at least once a year. With that said, there are some things that you can do as a homeowner to make sure that your HBAC unit is working properly. Now the first thing this is actually a gas fired system. So in this case, I have a valve down here and to make sure it's operating properly I want to make sure that this valve is on. Typically with these valves, if they're in line with the pipe, that means they're on, and if it's ninety degrees out from the pipe, that is off. So if your heat is not coming on, that's a good thing to check first. Next, we can access this unit by pulling this up. Now this particular unit here has electronic ignition, which means it does not have a pilot light. Now if it happened to be a unit that does have a pilot light, then you would have some kind of box here with a glass window on it. And you would simply look in that window to make sure the pilot light. This particular unit whenever it actually comes on, it has an electronic igniter that starts firing, and until the actual gas flames and the gas engine ignites. Now a common thing that you'll run into on these units if it's not running at all, and particularly if the air handler will not come on. There is a safety switch, this is called a maintenance switch and it's always located on the side of the unit. So if your unit is not working at all, it could be that this switch has been bumped. It's like a light switch, it's an on and off switch, so you want to make sure that it is in the on position. Many times when you find your unit is not operating it's because this switch has been has been bumped into the off position or perhaps when they performed maintenance on it last, they may have left that off by mistake
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Allergy free bedding products can be a lifesaver for adults and children who suffer with nighttime allergies. Dust collects all over a house and bedroom. Particles can be seen on the top of a dresser and mirror. For some people, it can cause itchy eyes, sneezing and coughing. They are actually having an allergic reaction to tiny parts of dead dust mites and their feces. Not a pleasant thought. That is just another reason why many people opt for allergy free bedding products. Just the thought of these nasty, microscopic critters living in a mattress makes people want to clean house. The use of these products help prevent the presence of dust mites as well as indoor mold, fungi spores, tobacco smoke and pet dander inside of our box springs, comforters, blankets, pillows and mattresses. The cotton or synthetic fabric and the special weave of allergy free material will keep these irritants out. Young children and people with asthma benefit because they can breathe easier through the night.
Among the many products that consumers can purchase, there are some primary items that can be found just about anywhere. Individuals can buy a mattress protector or cover which keeps allergens out of the mattress. They can also buy pillow shams to keep dust mites out of pillows. Some companies even make actual allergy free pillows. Some of these products are called organic. This really means that the allergy free bedding products are made of one hundred percent, all-natural unbleached and untreated cotton cloth. They contain no biocide or flame retardant chemicals and are free of 21 specific allergens. Others are made of a synthetic fabric called Dacron, which is commonly recommended for allergy free bedding by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Online sites and local stores provide information and items that can be useful for anyone suffering from allergies. All of the major department stores and chains carry allergy free bedding. Consumers can also purchase these items at bedding and linen stores. These stores may also offer a larger selection compared to department stores or chains. Online, individuals can buy allergy free bedding products on major auction sites as well as online stores. There are items that are sold only online through the distributor. These products may cost a little more than other brands. Seeking a money back guarantee is a great idea, no matter where items are purchased. In a matter of days, the individual should suffer fewer allergy symptoms. If buying allergy free bedding for cleaner air, consumers should see less dust in a matter of weeks. With these products blocking the dust mites from their source of nutrients, it's only a matter of time before they all die off.
There are other things that can be done to cut back on dust and allergies in the bedroom. For one, individuals should never eat in the bedroom. Dust mites will eat crumbs. Also, keeping skin exfoliated with creams and lotions will limit the amount of dead skin cells on a mattress or bed. Staying away from fuzzy wool blankets or feather- or wool-stuffed comforters and mattress pads which collect dust mites is another important tip. Silk sheets can be a great alternative. These are naturally hypoallergenic. Consumers should wash bedding at least once a month. Sheets, blankets, and other bedclothes must be washed in water that is at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit. A well ventilated home with open windows will keep the occurrence of allergies to a minimum. Dust mites love humidity and an undisturbed room. Keeping pets out of the bedroom is a must to keep fleas, ticks, and outside dirt from making the way onto bedroom furniture. Consumers can also try using an air filter or dehumidifier to fight dust. Finally, steam cleaning carpets regularly will help to kill off dust mites. If at all possible, do away with carpeting and stick with hardwood. Dust mites live in carpet. As these steps are taken, it is important to understand that a home will never be completely free of dust mites. They will still be carried in from other environments. They are, unfortunately, a natural tenant in every home. Yet, consumers will see a difference in allergies if the effort is put forth. "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word" (Psalm 119:9).
It is important to seek quality products when trying to get rid of allergens. Allergy free bedding products can fit into a wide range of prices. Consumers should not necessarily equate the highest price with the highest quality. Looking for the most recommended brands is useful. Seeking information from doctors or other allergy sufferers on brands to use can provide some insight into this topic. Online ratings and reviews of specific brands of allergy free bedding can also be of assistance. No matter what product is chosen, it is important to verify it can be returned for a full refund should it not live up to standards. If special products do not work, it may be necessary to consult a doctor for medical treatment options. The individual made need an inhaler or some prescription allergy medicine. Taking the time to research this topic and find products that will help fight against allergens is vital.
air duct cleaning saving tips provides helpful information about dust and duct allergy problems and how to avoid it.
Among the many products that consumers can purchase, there are some primary items that can be found just about anywhere. Individuals can buy a mattress protector or cover which keeps allergens out of the mattress. They can also buy pillow shams to keep dust mites out of pillows. Some companies even make actual allergy free pillows. Some of these products are called organic. This really means that the allergy free bedding products are made of one hundred percent, all-natural unbleached and untreated cotton cloth. They contain no biocide or flame retardant chemicals and are free of 21 specific allergens. Others are made of a synthetic fabric called Dacron, which is commonly recommended for allergy free bedding by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Online sites and local stores provide information and items that can be useful for anyone suffering from allergies. All of the major department stores and chains carry allergy free bedding. Consumers can also purchase these items at bedding and linen stores. These stores may also offer a larger selection compared to department stores or chains. Online, individuals can buy allergy free bedding products on major auction sites as well as online stores. There are items that are sold only online through the distributor. These products may cost a little more than other brands. Seeking a money back guarantee is a great idea, no matter where items are purchased. In a matter of days, the individual should suffer fewer allergy symptoms. If buying allergy free bedding for cleaner air, consumers should see less dust in a matter of weeks. With these products blocking the dust mites from their source of nutrients, it's only a matter of time before they all die off.
There are other things that can be done to cut back on dust and allergies in the bedroom. For one, individuals should never eat in the bedroom. Dust mites will eat crumbs. Also, keeping skin exfoliated with creams and lotions will limit the amount of dead skin cells on a mattress or bed. Staying away from fuzzy wool blankets or feather- or wool-stuffed comforters and mattress pads which collect dust mites is another important tip. Silk sheets can be a great alternative. These are naturally hypoallergenic. Consumers should wash bedding at least once a month. Sheets, blankets, and other bedclothes must be washed in water that is at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit. A well ventilated home with open windows will keep the occurrence of allergies to a minimum. Dust mites love humidity and an undisturbed room. Keeping pets out of the bedroom is a must to keep fleas, ticks, and outside dirt from making the way onto bedroom furniture. Consumers can also try using an air filter or dehumidifier to fight dust. Finally, steam cleaning carpets regularly will help to kill off dust mites. If at all possible, do away with carpeting and stick with hardwood. Dust mites live in carpet. As these steps are taken, it is important to understand that a home will never be completely free of dust mites. They will still be carried in from other environments. They are, unfortunately, a natural tenant in every home. Yet, consumers will see a difference in allergies if the effort is put forth. "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word" (Psalm 119:9).
It is important to seek quality products when trying to get rid of allergens. Allergy free bedding products can fit into a wide range of prices. Consumers should not necessarily equate the highest price with the highest quality. Looking for the most recommended brands is useful. Seeking information from doctors or other allergy sufferers on brands to use can provide some insight into this topic. Online ratings and reviews of specific brands of allergy free bedding can also be of assistance. No matter what product is chosen, it is important to verify it can be returned for a full refund should it not live up to standards. If special products do not work, it may be necessary to consult a doctor for medical treatment options. The individual made need an inhaler or some prescription allergy medicine. Taking the time to research this topic and find products that will help fight against allergens is vital.
air duct cleaning saving tips provides helpful information about dust and duct allergy problems and how to avoid it.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Furnace and Duct Cleaning
Evaporator Coil Cleaning (A-Coil Cleaning)
An evaporator coil, also known as an a-coil, is an integral part of your cooling systems that is often neglected while you are cleaning the system. Commonly it is thought that if the filters are clean there is no need to check the coil. It is a wrong perception that may be a root cause of many problems your system may have to face if you neglect the issue of evaporator coil cleaning. Even if the filters are clean the evaporator coil can still be dirty and be polluting the air you breathe.
A dirty a-coil can be root cause of many problems; here are four main reasons for which you should consider cleaning evaporator coil on regular basis:
1. Increased Efficiency: With a dirty evaporator coil efficiency of the system declines and you feel it is not cooling same way as before.
2. Shorter Run-times: It takes more than usual to start.
3. Low Electricity Bills: Longer runtimes and burden on the system caused it to consume more electricity which is the reason for huge electricity bills. A clean evaporator coil may save you up to 15% of energy your cooling system consumes with dirty coil.
4. Good Air Quality: If the evaporator coil is dirty and air flow is reduced it causes same air to circulate in the house again and again with many pollutants putting your health at stake. Air indoors is polluted with many visible and invisible pollutants including dust, dirt mites, pollens, pet dander, molds, bacteria and viruses. While air is circulated the evaporator coil accumulates these particles as the coil fins are densely located.
Dirt and debris on the evaporation coil hinder the air flow thus blocking it and causing your heating and cooling system to work much harder. A reduced air flow means cooling capacity of the system has decreased which causes extra burden on the system. The system starts consuming huge energy to cool the room or building posing a burden on your pocket. If you still neglect the situation it causes the air to cool to such a low temperature that it condenses over the coil and leads to what is known as evaporation coil frost thereby completely blocking the coil.
Usually your air conditioning system gives clear indications when the evaporation coil is dirty. Following is the checklist that clearly states that now is the time to clean the evaporation coil:
* Efficiency of the system is decreased
* Less air is coming out of vents
* Head and suction pressure rises
* Electricity bill increases with same usage of cooling system
The issue of evaporator coil cleaning is of great importance when you are having pets at home or living in an area where construction is taking place. An annual evaporation coil cleaning can keep you and your family safe!
An evaporator coil, also known as an a-coil, is an integral part of your cooling systems that is often neglected while you are cleaning the system. Commonly it is thought that if the filters are clean there is no need to check the coil. It is a wrong perception that may be a root cause of many problems your system may have to face if you neglect the issue of evaporator coil cleaning. Even if the filters are clean the evaporator coil can still be dirty and be polluting the air you breathe.
A dirty a-coil can be root cause of many problems; here are four main reasons for which you should consider cleaning evaporator coil on regular basis:
1. Increased Efficiency: With a dirty evaporator coil efficiency of the system declines and you feel it is not cooling same way as before.
2. Shorter Run-times: It takes more than usual to start.
3. Low Electricity Bills: Longer runtimes and burden on the system caused it to consume more electricity which is the reason for huge electricity bills. A clean evaporator coil may save you up to 15% of energy your cooling system consumes with dirty coil.
4. Good Air Quality: If the evaporator coil is dirty and air flow is reduced it causes same air to circulate in the house again and again with many pollutants putting your health at stake. Air indoors is polluted with many visible and invisible pollutants including dust, dirt mites, pollens, pet dander, molds, bacteria and viruses. While air is circulated the evaporator coil accumulates these particles as the coil fins are densely located.
Dirt and debris on the evaporation coil hinder the air flow thus blocking it and causing your heating and cooling system to work much harder. A reduced air flow means cooling capacity of the system has decreased which causes extra burden on the system. The system starts consuming huge energy to cool the room or building posing a burden on your pocket. If you still neglect the situation it causes the air to cool to such a low temperature that it condenses over the coil and leads to what is known as evaporation coil frost thereby completely blocking the coil.
Usually your air conditioning system gives clear indications when the evaporation coil is dirty. Following is the checklist that clearly states that now is the time to clean the evaporation coil:
* Efficiency of the system is decreased
* Less air is coming out of vents
* Head and suction pressure rises
* Electricity bill increases with same usage of cooling system
The issue of evaporator coil cleaning is of great importance when you are having pets at home or living in an area where construction is taking place. An annual evaporation coil cleaning can keep you and your family safe!
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Is air duct cleaning worth it
Is Air Duct Cleaning Really Worth It?
Many people are still wondering if they should have their air ducts cleaned. Well, let me try to paint a picture of why it is necessary. First of all, imagine if you never had them cleaned, say 20 years. Personally, I have seen air duct systems that have never been cleaned, and let me tell you it is not a pretty site.
First of all, cold air (or intake) registers will be caked with dust whereas your furnace will have to work extremely hard because of the restricted air flow from the registers and the air duct leading to the furnace filter.
Second, you will have to replace the furnace filter more often obviously as well.
Third, your flower fan will get so caked with dust that your blower motor will probably burn out after about 10 years, maybe less.
Fourth, all this dust is getting inside the heating elements of the furnace causing it to clog up, which reduces the efficiency and will need to be replaced long before it should if it were cleaned out along with the air ducts.
Fifth, if you have central air, you have air conditioning coils located above the furnace. These will get dusty as well costing you extra money on your electricity bills.
Sixth, you will have billions of dust mites in your air ducts along with a variety of other contaminants which can cause allergies, asthma and other illnesses.
So, in conclusion... If you don't want to save money on your gas and electric bills, extend the life of your furnace, and breathe cleaner air, by all means, never have your air ducts cleaned out.
Top Class air duct cleaning provides professional air duct cleaning and furnace cleaning service. You can visit the website www.topclassair.com or call at 416-628-1070 for more information.
Many people are still wondering if they should have their air ducts cleaned. Well, let me try to paint a picture of why it is necessary. First of all, imagine if you never had them cleaned, say 20 years. Personally, I have seen air duct systems that have never been cleaned, and let me tell you it is not a pretty site.
First of all, cold air (or intake) registers will be caked with dust whereas your furnace will have to work extremely hard because of the restricted air flow from the registers and the air duct leading to the furnace filter.
Second, you will have to replace the furnace filter more often obviously as well.
Third, your flower fan will get so caked with dust that your blower motor will probably burn out after about 10 years, maybe less.
Fourth, all this dust is getting inside the heating elements of the furnace causing it to clog up, which reduces the efficiency and will need to be replaced long before it should if it were cleaned out along with the air ducts.
Fifth, if you have central air, you have air conditioning coils located above the furnace. These will get dusty as well costing you extra money on your electricity bills.
Sixth, you will have billions of dust mites in your air ducts along with a variety of other contaminants which can cause allergies, asthma and other illnesses.
So, in conclusion... If you don't want to save money on your gas and electric bills, extend the life of your furnace, and breathe cleaner air, by all means, never have your air ducts cleaned out.
Top Class air duct cleaning provides professional air duct cleaning and furnace cleaning service. You can visit the website www.topclassair.com or call at 416-628-1070 for more information.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Information on different air duct cleaning methods
Power Vacuum/Air Sweep method:
Average equipment value being used to perform an air duct cleaning: $50,000.00-$150,000.00 worth of machinery and equipment
According to NAIMA this method of cleaning is the most thorough form of cleaning a ventilation or HVAC system to deliver the lowest particulate count exiting an HVAC system. Actual air studies by a reputable international organization, such as NAIMA has conclusively proven that this in fact occurs in a ventilation system, which of coarse should be a no-brainer because if particulate matter was merely stuck to the sidewalls of ductwork and did not in fact circulate, then mechanical engineers would have never invented a furnace filter. How many HVAC service technicians have instructed you to never use a furnace filter? Probably, not too many, right? That is because it has been known for several decades that dirt, dust and debris will always circulate in a forced air ventilation system. Fortunately, most people are not completely unaware of this problem and have realized that occasional HVAC system cleaning can produce very good indoor air quality results when performed thoroughly and correctly.
Now that we logically know that forced air systems which moves air in a ventilation system not only moves the air inside of the ductwork, but the fine micron particulate matter that science had previously proven existed floating around with that same air, we can get on to the various cleaning methods that tries to tackle the build up problem that time will cause in a forced air ventilation system.
Top Class Air Duct Cleaning using heavy vacuum and compressor equipment for clean out your air duct system. www.topclassair.com
Power Vacuum/Air Sweep method:
Average equipment value being used to perform an air duct cleaning: $50,000.00-$150,000.00 worth of machinery and equipment
According to NAIMA this method of cleaning is the most thorough form of cleaning a ventilation or HVAC system to deliver the lowest particulate count exiting an HVAC system. Actual air studies by a reputable international organization, such as NAIMA has conclusively proven that this in fact occurs in a ventilation system, which of coarse should be a no-brainer because if particulate matter was merely stuck to the sidewalls of ductwork and did not in fact circulate, then mechanical engineers would have never invented a furnace filter. How many HVAC service technicians have instructed you to never use a furnace filter? Probably, not too many, right? That is because it has been known for several decades that dirt, dust and debris will always circulate in a forced air ventilation system. Fortunately, most people are not completely unaware of this problem and have realized that occasional HVAC system cleaning can produce very good indoor air quality results when performed thoroughly and correctly.
Now that we logically know that forced air systems which moves air in a ventilation system not only moves the air inside of the ductwork, but the fine micron particulate matter that science had previously proven existed floating around with that same air, we can get on to the various cleaning methods that tries to tackle the build up problem that time will cause in a forced air ventilation system.
Top Class Air Duct Cleaning using heavy vacuum and compressor equipment for clean out your air duct system. www.topclassair.com
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
It is important to have tightly sealed ductwork in your house. This will prevent air leakage and also will prevent contaminants from entering the ductwork and circulating through the home. This is achieved by carefully air sealing all duct seams. This also helps to balance the pressure of airflow through the ducts.
Cleaning
Debris often ends up in your home's ducts through the registers. Unless removed, fine particles from the debris, which can be respiratory irritants, can circulate within the ducts and enter a room through the registers. Ducts should be cleaned and vacuumed to remove any particles that may have entered during construction or over time.
Here are answers to some common questions about duct cleaning.
Q: A company that gave me a quote for duct cleaning said that for an extra fee, they would apply some anti-microbial spray to keep fungus and mold from growing inside the ducts. Is this a good idea?
A: Ask any company who offers the treatment to explain what risks, if any, are associated with their recommended treatment. Ultimately, the choice is yours.
Q: Duct cleaning seems expensive. Can I do it myself for less?
A: The duct cleaning companies use very specialized equipment not normally available to consumers. However, much of the dirt in ducts accumulates near the vents or registers. You can remove the vents with a screwdriver and vacuum as far as you can reach. (Many people have lost vacuum cleaning accessories in their ducts this way, so you might want to tape the vacuum cleaner accessories together before you start sticking them into the ducts!)
Q: Will changing the filters in my system prevent the ducts from getting dirty in the first place?
A: Not only will changing your filters regularly help keep your ducts and air cleaner, it also will save you money on your utility bills and extend the life of your system. Depending on conditions in your home, replace the filters every month or two.
Q: I've seen some fancy filters at the hardware store that claim to clean out much more dirt than regular filters. Do they work?
A: The good news is that the "high-tech" filters are indeed effective at removing dirt from the air. The bad news is that they may cause your furnace to overheat because the furnace counts on a certain amount of airflow to cool itself. Less air gets through the high-tech filters. You can try one of the filters and see what happens. If the furnace keeps cutting on and off every few minutes, it is probably not getting enough air and the safety switch is cutting it off. If this happens to you, go back to your regular filters.
Q: My doctor suggested I get an electronic air cleaner to reduce dust and mold in the air. Where do I get one?
A: These units come in both portable and central units. Portable units can be purchased at many home centers, hardware stores and department stores. To treat the entire house, have a professional heating and air-conditioning company install a central unit.
Visit Top Class Air Duct Cleaning to Schedule your duct Cleaning online.
Cleaning
Debris often ends up in your home's ducts through the registers. Unless removed, fine particles from the debris, which can be respiratory irritants, can circulate within the ducts and enter a room through the registers. Ducts should be cleaned and vacuumed to remove any particles that may have entered during construction or over time.
Here are answers to some common questions about duct cleaning.
Q: A company that gave me a quote for duct cleaning said that for an extra fee, they would apply some anti-microbial spray to keep fungus and mold from growing inside the ducts. Is this a good idea?
A: Ask any company who offers the treatment to explain what risks, if any, are associated with their recommended treatment. Ultimately, the choice is yours.
Q: Duct cleaning seems expensive. Can I do it myself for less?
A: The duct cleaning companies use very specialized equipment not normally available to consumers. However, much of the dirt in ducts accumulates near the vents or registers. You can remove the vents with a screwdriver and vacuum as far as you can reach. (Many people have lost vacuum cleaning accessories in their ducts this way, so you might want to tape the vacuum cleaner accessories together before you start sticking them into the ducts!)
Q: Will changing the filters in my system prevent the ducts from getting dirty in the first place?
A: Not only will changing your filters regularly help keep your ducts and air cleaner, it also will save you money on your utility bills and extend the life of your system. Depending on conditions in your home, replace the filters every month or two.
Q: I've seen some fancy filters at the hardware store that claim to clean out much more dirt than regular filters. Do they work?
A: The good news is that the "high-tech" filters are indeed effective at removing dirt from the air. The bad news is that they may cause your furnace to overheat because the furnace counts on a certain amount of airflow to cool itself. Less air gets through the high-tech filters. You can try one of the filters and see what happens. If the furnace keeps cutting on and off every few minutes, it is probably not getting enough air and the safety switch is cutting it off. If this happens to you, go back to your regular filters.
Q: My doctor suggested I get an electronic air cleaner to reduce dust and mold in the air. Where do I get one?
A: These units come in both portable and central units. Portable units can be purchased at many home centers, hardware stores and department stores. To treat the entire house, have a professional heating and air-conditioning company install a central unit.
Visit Top Class Air Duct Cleaning to Schedule your duct Cleaning online.
Friday, May 21, 2010
What is Included in a Professional Home Inspection
Top Class Air Duct Cleaning provides Professional home inspection.
* The Home Inspection: the inspector will examine (essentially visually) the physical condition of the building and its mechanical systems and at other conditions that may affect the building (such as site drainage) and will provide a written report.
* A Written Home Inspection Report: There is too much information, some of it possibly involving significant cost or important safety findings, for any professional to provide an "oral only" home inspection. The inspection findings must be provided in writing. We use the Home Reference Book which is delivered at the end of the inspection. Other inspectors may provide a typed narrative report or an annotated "checklist" report. Any report form can be acceptable provided it is clear, thorough, and sufficiently detailed.
Watch out: A so called home inspection "report" which is a simple "ok" or "not ok" checklist, or a sort of "inventory" (Asphalt shingle roof, vinyl siding, concrete block foundation) is really just an "inventory" of building material types. As an inspection for costly or dangerous defects such a report is totally inadequate and does not meet the standards of practice for the profession. All home inspection findings will be written in your report. What the inspector tells you orally at the inspection must agree exactly with what's written in your report, and vice versa. If you receive an oral warning of something costly or unsafe, that information should appear clearly in the written report too.
* Ancillary tests which are not required by the home inspection standards of practice may nonetheless be offered by your inspector, such as water or septic testing, or a termite or radon inspection or test. These are discussed below.
* Time and Attention at the Property: You should accompany the inspector (me) and look, listen, and ask questions. Be prepared to spend 3-4 hours at the property. Be sure your real estate agent knows how long you expect to be at the property and that they let the property owners know as well. The time required to inspect a building is not fixed. But if I were inspecting an easy one-family house in good condition, and if I were working alone, with no one to ask questions or chat with, it would still take me at least 2 1/2 hours simply to direct my attention to every item and system on a building that needs my consideration. If I allow for the presence of my client who will have questions or who needs to hear explanations, the process is easily 3 hours or longer for a detailed, thorough, inspection.
The time required to inspect properly depends not only on building size but on the age and complexity of the structure and its mechanical systems as well as the ease or difficulty of access to various systems and components. But if your inspector is scheduling inspections at odd times like "11:15 to 12:10" or if the inspector is spending an hour and a half at a property, unless it's a very small and simple structure, you might wonder what shortcuts are being taken.
* A home inspection fee: Fees for the inspection and any other services are usually payable at the site, usually by personal check. An invoice will be provided. Readers should be sure to see How Much Should You Pay For Professional Services? where we explain the costs of hiring a too-cheap home inspector or any other service.
* Follow-up consulting: In our professional home inspection or environmental inspection and testing practice, there is no fee for follow-up questions in clarification of the inspection report. In fact we like you to call to ask questions - it increases the value of our service, and the feedback makes us better at our job. Some inspectors feel differently and may discourage follow-up conversations or email. An inspector who knows your property and who is committed to protecting your interest should be willing to discuss the report or even future problems that may come up.
* The Home Inspection: the inspector will examine (essentially visually) the physical condition of the building and its mechanical systems and at other conditions that may affect the building (such as site drainage) and will provide a written report.
* A Written Home Inspection Report: There is too much information, some of it possibly involving significant cost or important safety findings, for any professional to provide an "oral only" home inspection. The inspection findings must be provided in writing. We use the Home Reference Book which is delivered at the end of the inspection. Other inspectors may provide a typed narrative report or an annotated "checklist" report. Any report form can be acceptable provided it is clear, thorough, and sufficiently detailed.
Watch out: A so called home inspection "report" which is a simple "ok" or "not ok" checklist, or a sort of "inventory" (Asphalt shingle roof, vinyl siding, concrete block foundation) is really just an "inventory" of building material types. As an inspection for costly or dangerous defects such a report is totally inadequate and does not meet the standards of practice for the profession. All home inspection findings will be written in your report. What the inspector tells you orally at the inspection must agree exactly with what's written in your report, and vice versa. If you receive an oral warning of something costly or unsafe, that information should appear clearly in the written report too.
* Ancillary tests which are not required by the home inspection standards of practice may nonetheless be offered by your inspector, such as water or septic testing, or a termite or radon inspection or test. These are discussed below.
* Time and Attention at the Property: You should accompany the inspector (me) and look, listen, and ask questions. Be prepared to spend 3-4 hours at the property. Be sure your real estate agent knows how long you expect to be at the property and that they let the property owners know as well. The time required to inspect a building is not fixed. But if I were inspecting an easy one-family house in good condition, and if I were working alone, with no one to ask questions or chat with, it would still take me at least 2 1/2 hours simply to direct my attention to every item and system on a building that needs my consideration. If I allow for the presence of my client who will have questions or who needs to hear explanations, the process is easily 3 hours or longer for a detailed, thorough, inspection.
The time required to inspect properly depends not only on building size but on the age and complexity of the structure and its mechanical systems as well as the ease or difficulty of access to various systems and components. But if your inspector is scheduling inspections at odd times like "11:15 to 12:10" or if the inspector is spending an hour and a half at a property, unless it's a very small and simple structure, you might wonder what shortcuts are being taken.
* A home inspection fee: Fees for the inspection and any other services are usually payable at the site, usually by personal check. An invoice will be provided. Readers should be sure to see How Much Should You Pay For Professional Services? where we explain the costs of hiring a too-cheap home inspector or any other service.
* Follow-up consulting: In our professional home inspection or environmental inspection and testing practice, there is no fee for follow-up questions in clarification of the inspection report. In fact we like you to call to ask questions - it increases the value of our service, and the feedback makes us better at our job. Some inspectors feel differently and may discourage follow-up conversations or email. An inspector who knows your property and who is committed to protecting your interest should be willing to discuss the report or even future problems that may come up.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
nteresting!
A refresher course–who knew?
I had a neighbor who had bought a new pickup. I got up very early
one Sunday morning and saw that someone had spray painted red
all around the sides of this beige truck (for some unknown reason).
I went over, woke him up, and told him the bad news. He was very upset
and was trying to figure out what to do. Another neighbor came out and
told him to get his WD-40 and clean it off. It removed the unwanted paint
beautifully and did not harm his paint job that was on the truck.
I’m mpressed!
WD-40 who knew?
Water Displacement #40.
The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and degreaser to protect missile
parts. WD-40 was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego
Rocket Chemical Company. Its name comes from the project that was to find a
water displacement’ compound.
They were successful with the fortieth formulation, thus WD-40. The Corvair Company bought it
in bulk to protect their atlas missile parts.
Ken East (one of the original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40
that would hurt you… IT IS MADE FROM FISH OIL
When you read the ’shower door’ part, try it.
It’s the first thing that has ever cleaned that spotty shower door. If
yours is plastic, it works just as well as glass. It is a miracle!
Then try it on your stovetop… It is now shinier than it has ever been before.
1) Protects silver from tarnishing.
2) Removes road tar and grime from cars.
3) Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.
4) Gives floors that “just-waxed” sheen without making it slippery.
5) Keeps flies off cows.
6) Restores and cleans chalkboards.
7) Removes lipstick stains
8) Loosens stubborn zippers.
9) Untangles jewelry chains.
10) Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.
11) Removes dir t and grime from the barbecue grill.
12) Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing.
13) Removes tomato stains from clothing.
14) Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots.
15) Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.
16) Keeps scissors working smoothly.
17) Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in omes
18) It removes black scuff marks from the kitchen floor! Open some windows if you have a lot of marks.
19) Bug guts will eat away the finish on your car. Removed quickly, with WD-40!
20)
Gives a children’s play gym slide a shinefor a super fast slide
21) Lubricates gear shift on lawn mowers.
22) Rids kids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises.
23) Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open
24) Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and lose.
25) Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers.
26) Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.
27) Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans.
28) Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy handling.
29) Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly.
30) Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and oher tools.
31) Removes splattered grease on stove.
32) Keeps bthroom mirror from fogging.
33) Lubricates prosthetic limbs.
34) Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).
35) Removes all traces of duct tape.
36) Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to rlieve arthritis pain.
37) Florida ’s favorite use is Cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers.’
38) Protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements.
39) WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a LITTLE on live bait or lures and you will be catching the big one in no time
40) Fire ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately and stops the itch
41) WD-40 is great for removing Crayon from walls. Spray on the mark and wipe with a clean rag
42) If you’ve washed and dried a tube of lipstick with a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick spots with WD40 and rewash Lipstick is gone!
43) If you spray WD-40 on the distributor cap, it will displace the moisture and will allow the car to start
44) Keep a can of WD-40 in my kitchen cabinet over the stove. It is good for oven burns or any other type of burn.
It takes the burned feeling away and heals with NO scarring
Remember, the basic ingredient is FISH OIL
A refresher course–who knew?
I had a neighbor who had bought a new pickup. I got up very early
one Sunday morning and saw that someone had spray painted red
all around the sides of this beige truck (for some unknown reason).
I went over, woke him up, and told him the bad news. He was very upset
and was trying to figure out what to do. Another neighbor came out and
told him to get his WD-40 and clean it off. It removed the unwanted paint
beautifully and did not harm his paint job that was on the truck.
I’m mpressed!
WD-40 who knew?
Water Displacement #40.
The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and degreaser to protect missile
parts. WD-40 was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego
Rocket Chemical Company. Its name comes from the project that was to find a
water displacement’ compound.
They were successful with the fortieth formulation, thus WD-40. The Corvair Company bought it
in bulk to protect their atlas missile parts.
Ken East (one of the original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40
that would hurt you… IT IS MADE FROM FISH OIL
When you read the ’shower door’ part, try it.
It’s the first thing that has ever cleaned that spotty shower door. If
yours is plastic, it works just as well as glass. It is a miracle!
Then try it on your stovetop… It is now shinier than it has ever been before.
1) Protects silver from tarnishing.
2) Removes road tar and grime from cars.
3) Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.
4) Gives floors that “just-waxed” sheen without making it slippery.
5) Keeps flies off cows.
6) Restores and cleans chalkboards.
7) Removes lipstick stains
8) Loosens stubborn zippers.
9) Untangles jewelry chains.
10) Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.
11) Removes dir t and grime from the barbecue grill.
12) Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing.
13) Removes tomato stains from clothing.
14) Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots.
15) Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.
16) Keeps scissors working smoothly.
17) Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in omes
18) It removes black scuff marks from the kitchen floor! Open some windows if you have a lot of marks.
19) Bug guts will eat away the finish on your car. Removed quickly, with WD-40!
20)
Gives a children’s play gym slide a shinefor a super fast slide
21) Lubricates gear shift on lawn mowers.
22) Rids kids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises.
23) Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open
24) Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and lose.
25) Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers.
26) Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.
27) Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans.
28) Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy handling.
29) Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly.
30) Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and oher tools.
31) Removes splattered grease on stove.
32) Keeps bthroom mirror from fogging.
33) Lubricates prosthetic limbs.
34) Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).
35) Removes all traces of duct tape.
36) Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to rlieve arthritis pain.
37) Florida ’s favorite use is Cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers.’
38) Protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements.
39) WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a LITTLE on live bait or lures and you will be catching the big one in no time
40) Fire ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately and stops the itch
41) WD-40 is great for removing Crayon from walls. Spray on the mark and wipe with a clean rag
42) If you’ve washed and dried a tube of lipstick with a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick spots with WD40 and rewash Lipstick is gone!
43) If you spray WD-40 on the distributor cap, it will displace the moisture and will allow the car to start
44) Keep a can of WD-40 in my kitchen cabinet over the stove. It is good for oven burns or any other type of burn.
It takes the burned feeling away and heals with NO scarring
Remember, the basic ingredient is FISH OIL
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
How Do Air Ducts Get Dirty
How Do Air Ducts Get Dirty
Compared to years ago when we heated our homes with wood or coal, a modern day heating system is a marvel of efficiency, reliability and convenience, but just like the old time systems these new systems get dirty and need to be cleaned and maintained.
How does an HVAC system Work?
Now you might be thinking “We keep a really clean home, shouldn’t out ducting heating and cooling system be clean to?” To answer that question we have to start by looking at how you’re heating and cooling system works. Think of your homes heating and cooling system as the lungs of your home. The system pulls air from the rooms of your home through the return ductwork, and then the air passes through the filter before reaching the air handler or furnace where it is heated or cooled depending on the season. Once the air is heated or cooled, it is blown through the supply ductwork and back into your home. Some of the components of the furnace are used only during heating, others only during cooling, and others operate all the time. Although the air is filtered, the fact is that filters cannot remove all the contaminants from the air, the system will get dirty through normal use.
HVAC components that get dirty:
* Return air ducts
* Filters
* Blower
* Heat Exchanger
* Cooling coils
* Supply ductwork
Where Does Dust Come From?
So where does dust come from? Consider that up to forty pounds of dust is created each year from in the average six room home, this normal household dust is unavoidable as it is created by everyday living. Every time we open the door, walk across carpeting, scratch out dry skin, or unroll paper towels we contribute to airborne dust. Of course pets and dust emitting activities such as remodeling make the problem worse. In fact, it’s not uncommon to find construction dust in a homes heating and cooling system years after the house was built. On average, this contaminated air recalculates throughout your home five to seven times per day. Why does it matter? This can develop into a serious problem. The build up of these contaminants on components such as blowers and cooling coils can lead not only to unhealthy air for your family to breathe, but also to higher energy bills. These contaminants can cause your system to work harder and run longer shortening the life of your equipment. Perhaps most importantly the heating and air conditioning system needs to be cleaned to provide the thermal comfort you expect.
How Do You Inspect the Heating and Cooling System?
So how clean is the heating and cooling system in your home? Here is a quick way to check. Remove a vent cover and use a mirror and flashlight to look inside. Or use a small digital camera to take a picture of the inside of your duct. If your ducts are dirty it is time to have your air ducts cleaned. Periodic air duct cleaning keeps your homes heating and cooling system clean and operating at peak efficiency.
Compared to years ago when we heated our homes with wood or coal, a modern day heating system is a marvel of efficiency, reliability and convenience, but just like the old time systems these new systems get dirty and need to be cleaned and maintained.
How does an HVAC system Work?
Now you might be thinking “We keep a really clean home, shouldn’t out ducting heating and cooling system be clean to?” To answer that question we have to start by looking at how you’re heating and cooling system works. Think of your homes heating and cooling system as the lungs of your home. The system pulls air from the rooms of your home through the return ductwork, and then the air passes through the filter before reaching the air handler or furnace where it is heated or cooled depending on the season. Once the air is heated or cooled, it is blown through the supply ductwork and back into your home. Some of the components of the furnace are used only during heating, others only during cooling, and others operate all the time. Although the air is filtered, the fact is that filters cannot remove all the contaminants from the air, the system will get dirty through normal use.
HVAC components that get dirty:
* Return air ducts
* Filters
* Blower
* Heat Exchanger
* Cooling coils
* Supply ductwork
Where Does Dust Come From?
So where does dust come from? Consider that up to forty pounds of dust is created each year from in the average six room home, this normal household dust is unavoidable as it is created by everyday living. Every time we open the door, walk across carpeting, scratch out dry skin, or unroll paper towels we contribute to airborne dust. Of course pets and dust emitting activities such as remodeling make the problem worse. In fact, it’s not uncommon to find construction dust in a homes heating and cooling system years after the house was built. On average, this contaminated air recalculates throughout your home five to seven times per day. Why does it matter? This can develop into a serious problem. The build up of these contaminants on components such as blowers and cooling coils can lead not only to unhealthy air for your family to breathe, but also to higher energy bills. These contaminants can cause your system to work harder and run longer shortening the life of your equipment. Perhaps most importantly the heating and air conditioning system needs to be cleaned to provide the thermal comfort you expect.
How Do You Inspect the Heating and Cooling System?
So how clean is the heating and cooling system in your home? Here is a quick way to check. Remove a vent cover and use a mirror and flashlight to look inside. Or use a small digital camera to take a picture of the inside of your duct. If your ducts are dirty it is time to have your air ducts cleaned. Periodic air duct cleaning keeps your homes heating and cooling system clean and operating at peak efficiency.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
WHO guidelines for indoor HVAC
The World Health Organisation has just published Guidelines on Indoor Air Quality: Dampness and Mould.
It does re-iterate some of the simple virtues of keeping buildings clean and dry, and critically for HVAC systems:
"Several studies have shown that the prevalence of symptoms of sick-building syndrome is often higher in air-conditioned buildings than in buildings with natural ventilation (Mendell, Smith, 1990; Seppanen, Fisk, 2002). One explanation for the association between sick-building syndrome and mechanical heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems is microbial and chemical pollutants, which are emitted by heating, ventilating and air-conditioning components and ductwork".
You can download a copy of the Guidelines from our website here
There is of course also much emphasis on keeping buildings (and HVAC systems) dry, and on dealing properly with condensation where it is unavoidable e.g. at a cooling coil.
As practical experience shows, the majority of 20th century A/C systems (and a pretty large proportion of those installed in the last few years too) do not have properly designed and installed condensate drain trays and so you get trapped water. This is one of the reasons we've been so keen on Triventek BioBlock to stop microbiological growth where stagnant water cannot be avoided.
It does re-iterate some of the simple virtues of keeping buildings clean and dry, and critically for HVAC systems:
"Several studies have shown that the prevalence of symptoms of sick-building syndrome is often higher in air-conditioned buildings than in buildings with natural ventilation (Mendell, Smith, 1990; Seppanen, Fisk, 2002). One explanation for the association between sick-building syndrome and mechanical heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems is microbial and chemical pollutants, which are emitted by heating, ventilating and air-conditioning components and ductwork".
You can download a copy of the Guidelines from our website here
There is of course also much emphasis on keeping buildings (and HVAC systems) dry, and on dealing properly with condensation where it is unavoidable e.g. at a cooling coil.
As practical experience shows, the majority of 20th century A/C systems (and a pretty large proportion of those installed in the last few years too) do not have properly designed and installed condensate drain trays and so you get trapped water. This is one of the reasons we've been so keen on Triventek BioBlock to stop microbiological growth where stagnant water cannot be avoided.
Just because you cannot see it, doesn't mean there isn't anything
Here's a fascinating article "Workers Say Courthouse is Unhealthy" from North Carolina, USA, about a problem building.
It seems it hasn't been a great building for 36 years.
Regarding air hygiene, various tests and investigations have been done, but none have produced results convincing enough for the employer/landlord to do anything concrete about duct cleanliness
A couple of quotes from the article:
"Employees also spoke of black, dustlike particles falling from ceiling vents. County officials said that was a concoction of dust and dead skin and was not a health hazard"
“People start wondering what the test results mean,” he [State Health Dept investigator] said. “Interpretation of the results is difficult. (People) want to link mold in the environment to their health issues, and that’s a problem because we don’t have a benchmark for what is safe and unsafe.”
Now take a look at the state of an HVAC diffuser grille and the nearby ceiling as an office employee takes a tape sample for mould / mold
And yes I know some of that dirt is induced from the served area onto the grille vanes and ceiling tiles, but really - how filthy does a building component have to be before somebody says: 'Hey, let's clean this'?
Think of the time and money that's been spent over the years doing investigations, discussing results etc. Is it really that complicated or difficult to see that it's just not right for a system to be that dirty?
It's the old story: just because it's out of sight, does not mean it should be out of mind.
It seems it hasn't been a great building for 36 years.
Regarding air hygiene, various tests and investigations have been done, but none have produced results convincing enough for the employer/landlord to do anything concrete about duct cleanliness
A couple of quotes from the article:
"Employees also spoke of black, dustlike particles falling from ceiling vents. County officials said that was a concoction of dust and dead skin and was not a health hazard"
“People start wondering what the test results mean,” he [State Health Dept investigator] said. “Interpretation of the results is difficult. (People) want to link mold in the environment to their health issues, and that’s a problem because we don’t have a benchmark for what is safe and unsafe.”
Now take a look at the state of an HVAC diffuser grille and the nearby ceiling as an office employee takes a tape sample for mould / mold
And yes I know some of that dirt is induced from the served area onto the grille vanes and ceiling tiles, but really - how filthy does a building component have to be before somebody says: 'Hey, let's clean this'?
Think of the time and money that's been spent over the years doing investigations, discussing results etc. Is it really that complicated or difficult to see that it's just not right for a system to be that dirty?
It's the old story: just because it's out of sight, does not mean it should be out of mind.
Just because you cannot see it, doesn't mean there isn't anything
Here's a fascinating article "Workers Say Courthouse is Unhealthy" from North Carolina, USA, about a problem building.
It seems it hasn't been a great building for 36 years.
Regarding air hygiene, various tests and investigations have been done, but none have produced results convincing enough for the employer/landlord to do anything concrete about duct cleanliness
A couple of quotes from the article:
"Employees also spoke of black, dustlike particles falling from ceiling vents. County officials said that was a concoction of dust and dead skin and was not a health hazard"
“People start wondering what the test results mean,” he [State Health Dept investigator] said. “Interpretation of the results is difficult. (People) want to link mold in the environment to their health issues, and that’s a problem because we don’t have a benchmark for what is safe and unsafe.”
Now take a look at the state of an HVAC diffuser grille and the nearby ceiling as an office employee takes a tape sample for mould / mold
And yes I know some of that dirt is induced from the served area onto the grille vanes and ceiling tiles, but really - how filthy does a building component have to be before somebody says: 'Hey, let's clean this'?
Think of the time and money that's been spent over the years doing investigations, discussing results etc. Is it really that complicated or difficult to see that it's just not right for a system to be that dirty?
It's the old story: just because it's out of sight, does not mean it should be out of mind.
It seems it hasn't been a great building for 36 years.
Regarding air hygiene, various tests and investigations have been done, but none have produced results convincing enough for the employer/landlord to do anything concrete about duct cleanliness
A couple of quotes from the article:
"Employees also spoke of black, dustlike particles falling from ceiling vents. County officials said that was a concoction of dust and dead skin and was not a health hazard"
“People start wondering what the test results mean,” he [State Health Dept investigator] said. “Interpretation of the results is difficult. (People) want to link mold in the environment to their health issues, and that’s a problem because we don’t have a benchmark for what is safe and unsafe.”
Now take a look at the state of an HVAC diffuser grille and the nearby ceiling as an office employee takes a tape sample for mould / mold
And yes I know some of that dirt is induced from the served area onto the grille vanes and ceiling tiles, but really - how filthy does a building component have to be before somebody says: 'Hey, let's clean this'?
Think of the time and money that's been spent over the years doing investigations, discussing results etc. Is it really that complicated or difficult to see that it's just not right for a system to be that dirty?
It's the old story: just because it's out of sight, does not mean it should be out of mind.
Friday, February 12, 2010
The Importance Of Regular Air Duct Cleaning
By: Jay Richards
Indoor air pollution is a serious health hazard; in fact, it has been shown to be at least partly responsible for the occurrence of a number of health conditions. Many people have reported their allergies are often made worse by the unclean air circulating in their homes. That is why it is essential to be sure your air ducts are cleaned and properly cared for on a regular basis. One important part of maintaining a clean air conditioning and heating system is making sure the filter is regularly changed. This process should take place at least once a year, and even more frequently if necessary. If you do not own your own home, you should make sure your landlord takes care of this important detail. Failure to do so can result in the circulation of unclean air through your home, as well as actually diminishing proper air flow. Regular air duct cleaning has been shown to help prevent some health problems, while easing the stress of others that already exist. While some in the profession will argue that this has not actually been proven, it is strongly believed by others because of the improvement people have experienced after having the ducts cleaned. It is time to consider having your air ducts cleaned if the following occurs.If mold is visible on or around your air duct, it is time to have it cleaned. This will remove the mold that can be potentially dangerous to you and others living in your home. Because of the nature of certain molds, it may be necessary to have this area treated before the cleaning takes place. It is important to remember that though a substance may appear to be mold, it may take an expert in the field to actually determine if this is true.If your air ducts are insolated and they become wet or moldy, it is time to have them cleaned. If this is the case, the insulation should be removed and replaced. This is an important detail because it may be more internal and, therefore, more difficult to see. If you do find there is an occurrence of mold, you should remove the cause. If you fail to do this, the mold will recur. The cleaner your air is overall, the easier it will be to breathe. Cleaner, less polluted air will also result in better health for you and your family. Keyword Articles: http://www.topclassair.co Top Class Air Duct Cleaning. We offer air duct cleaning, furnace cleaning and dryer vent cleaning services in Toronto, Markham, Ajax, Pickering, Oshawa, Oakville, Brampton, Mississauga and surrounding areas. Visit www.topclassair.com for more information.
By: Jay Richards
Indoor air pollution is a serious health hazard; in fact, it has been shown to be at least partly responsible for the occurrence of a number of health conditions. Many people have reported their allergies are often made worse by the unclean air circulating in their homes. That is why it is essential to be sure your air ducts are cleaned and properly cared for on a regular basis. One important part of maintaining a clean air conditioning and heating system is making sure the filter is regularly changed. This process should take place at least once a year, and even more frequently if necessary. If you do not own your own home, you should make sure your landlord takes care of this important detail. Failure to do so can result in the circulation of unclean air through your home, as well as actually diminishing proper air flow. Regular air duct cleaning has been shown to help prevent some health problems, while easing the stress of others that already exist. While some in the profession will argue that this has not actually been proven, it is strongly believed by others because of the improvement people have experienced after having the ducts cleaned. It is time to consider having your air ducts cleaned if the following occurs.If mold is visible on or around your air duct, it is time to have it cleaned. This will remove the mold that can be potentially dangerous to you and others living in your home. Because of the nature of certain molds, it may be necessary to have this area treated before the cleaning takes place. It is important to remember that though a substance may appear to be mold, it may take an expert in the field to actually determine if this is true.If your air ducts are insolated and they become wet or moldy, it is time to have them cleaned. If this is the case, the insulation should be removed and replaced. This is an important detail because it may be more internal and, therefore, more difficult to see. If you do find there is an occurrence of mold, you should remove the cause. If you fail to do this, the mold will recur. The cleaner your air is overall, the easier it will be to breathe. Cleaner, less polluted air will also result in better health for you and your family. Keyword Articles: http://www.topclassair.co Top Class Air Duct Cleaning. We offer air duct cleaning, furnace cleaning and dryer vent cleaning services in Toronto, Markham, Ajax, Pickering, Oshawa, Oakville, Brampton, Mississauga and surrounding areas. Visit www.topclassair.com for more information.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Furnace Tune-up
Furnace Tune up is one of the most necessary preparation before the cold weather sets in for the winter season. It is always best to get your furnace serviced before the winter season sets in to avoid any problems.
A qualified technician usually performs furnace service in the following steps.
Step 1
Turn the circuit breaker off to the forced air system. The home electrical box should have the circuit breaker clearly marked.
Step 2
Locate the access door to the blower compartment area. It is usually located at the front of the forced air heating unit.
Step 3
Lift up on the door panel, and remove it from the unit. Some model may have two screws located at the top of the door panel.
Step 4
Remove the air filter from the unit and if possible cleans it out.
Step 5
Use a vacuum to vacuum out the blower compartment area.
Step 6
Inspect the motor to see if there are two oiling ports. If required, check the oil level.
Step 8
If any, inspect the belt and look for cracks, splits or any other type of excessive wear.
Step 9
Clean out the burners and heat exchanger.
Step 10
Clean up the air conditioning coils on top of the furnace.
Step 9
Insert a air filter. Install the door panel back onto the unit, and secure it with the retaining screws if equipped.
Step 10
Turn the circuit breaker back on to the forced air system.
www.topclassair.com is providing furnace cleaning services for Toronto, ON. As well as we do duct cleaning oakville, duct cleaning ajax, duct cleaning whitby, duct cleaning aurora, duct cleaning mississauga, duct cleaning brampton, duct cleaning GTA and surrounding areas. Call us today at 416-628-1070 to get your air duct cleaning and furnace cleaning.
Furnace Tune up is one of the most necessary preparation before the cold weather sets in for the winter season. It is always best to get your furnace serviced before the winter season sets in to avoid any problems.
A qualified technician usually performs furnace service in the following steps.
Step 1
Turn the circuit breaker off to the forced air system. The home electrical box should have the circuit breaker clearly marked.
Step 2
Locate the access door to the blower compartment area. It is usually located at the front of the forced air heating unit.
Step 3
Lift up on the door panel, and remove it from the unit. Some model may have two screws located at the top of the door panel.
Step 4
Remove the air filter from the unit and if possible cleans it out.
Step 5
Use a vacuum to vacuum out the blower compartment area.
Step 6
Inspect the motor to see if there are two oiling ports. If required, check the oil level.
Step 8
If any, inspect the belt and look for cracks, splits or any other type of excessive wear.
Step 9
Clean out the burners and heat exchanger.
Step 10
Clean up the air conditioning coils on top of the furnace.
Step 9
Insert a air filter. Install the door panel back onto the unit, and secure it with the retaining screws if equipped.
Step 10
Turn the circuit breaker back on to the forced air system.
www.topclassair.com is providing furnace cleaning services for Toronto, ON. As well as we do duct cleaning oakville, duct cleaning ajax, duct cleaning whitby, duct cleaning aurora, duct cleaning mississauga, duct cleaning brampton, duct cleaning GTA and surrounding areas. Call us today at 416-628-1070 to get your air duct cleaning and furnace cleaning.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Duct Cleaning mold prevention.
Dealing with mold can be a scary thing, but it doesn’t have to be. Follow the five steps below to eliminate and prevent mold problems, so you and your family can move on to enjoying a healthy home:
Keep it Dry! Maintain indoor relative humidity between 30 and 50 percent, using dehumidifiers as required. New houses require constant dehumidification, according to the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Monitor humidity levels with a hygrometer: an inexpensive device found at many hardware stores.
Circulate, Circulate, Circulate! Nothing helps moisture breed quicker than stale, dead air. Ensure ventilation of humid areas such as bathrooms and attics, and of moisture-producing appliances, such as clothes dryers. Encourage air exchange by opening doors and windows when possible; indoor mold spore counts are typically higher than outdoor counts. Consider ceiling fans in several areas of your home (and keep them on as much as possible). Air conditioning also helps circulate air in the home.
Seal it Properly. Avoid condensation-related moisture by properly sealing windows and insulating cold water pipes and air conditioning vents.
Investigate Monthly. Monitor mold hotspots such as bathrooms, kitchens, basements and attics for evidence of mold. It might be a good idea to take a look around these areas once a month. Look for surface discoloration and ‘follow your nose’ – that musty, earthy smell could be hidden mold.
Treat it Right Away! If you find mold treat it immediately. However, there are more friendly products than bleach that are available. Treating mold can be something that homeowners can do easily themselves but beware if you have mold that makes up more than a 10ft x 3ft space — you should call in a professional to take a look.
This article has been provided by Concrobium®, makers of an earth friendly method to kill and prevent mold that is approved by Health Canada called Concrobium Mold Control®
visit www.topclassair.com for more duct cleaning information.
Keep it Dry! Maintain indoor relative humidity between 30 and 50 percent, using dehumidifiers as required. New houses require constant dehumidification, according to the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Monitor humidity levels with a hygrometer: an inexpensive device found at many hardware stores.
Circulate, Circulate, Circulate! Nothing helps moisture breed quicker than stale, dead air. Ensure ventilation of humid areas such as bathrooms and attics, and of moisture-producing appliances, such as clothes dryers. Encourage air exchange by opening doors and windows when possible; indoor mold spore counts are typically higher than outdoor counts. Consider ceiling fans in several areas of your home (and keep them on as much as possible). Air conditioning also helps circulate air in the home.
Seal it Properly. Avoid condensation-related moisture by properly sealing windows and insulating cold water pipes and air conditioning vents.
Investigate Monthly. Monitor mold hotspots such as bathrooms, kitchens, basements and attics for evidence of mold. It might be a good idea to take a look around these areas once a month. Look for surface discoloration and ‘follow your nose’ – that musty, earthy smell could be hidden mold.
Treat it Right Away! If you find mold treat it immediately. However, there are more friendly products than bleach that are available. Treating mold can be something that homeowners can do easily themselves but beware if you have mold that makes up more than a 10ft x 3ft space — you should call in a professional to take a look.
This article has been provided by Concrobium®, makers of an earth friendly method to kill and prevent mold that is approved by Health Canada called Concrobium Mold Control®
visit www.topclassair.com for more duct cleaning information.
Furnace Duct Cleaning by Top Class Air Duct Cleaning 416-628-1070
People who choose to have their heating ducts cleaned tend to do so because their children or other family members are suffering from breathing problems. Air and furnace ducts, when uncleaned, breed mold and mildew and lead to poor air quality. Furnace duct cleaning will also improve the efficiency of your furnace.
Duct cleaning requires not only of the ducts themselves, but of the entire furnace system: the blower, heat exchangers, cooling coils, and condensate pan. When these parts are clean, air flows efficiently through the entire system.
If you or someone in your household is experiencing health problems, and you suspect your furnace air ducts might be the problem, call a duct cleaning company. They can inspect your furnace ducts, and will most likely use robotic video equipment to show you how dirty the ducts actually are. If the video surveillance reveals mold anywhere in the duct system, it’s time to clean your furnace ducts.
Dust and mold can appear to be similar on a scan of the ducts. If the furnace cleaning professionals are unsure, touch a piece of tape to the inside of a furnace duct, and have a lab analyze it for you.
Methods of Cleaning Furnace Ducts
There are several ways to clean furnace ducts. One way is to use an extremely powerful vacuum, which remains in a truck outside. A long hose runs to the furnace area and attaches to the furnace ducts. From the rooms, mechanical brushes, air jet brushes or air snakes pull the dust loose within the furnace ducts.
Another way to clean furnace ducts is with a smaller vacuum unit located inside your house, in the vicinity of the furnace. This vacuum should contain a HEPA exhaust filter to ensure that the dust from the furnace ducts does not fill the air in the room.
A third way of cleaning furnace ducts is to run a rotating brush that is attached to a vacuum nozzle through the furnace ducts.
When selecting methods and services for your furnace duct cleaning, look for quality over cost. A poor quality furnace cleaning job can leave you worse off than before, as it can pull the dust off the furnace duct walls without sucking it all in.
Remember, furnace duct cleaning costs money, so before you sign a service contract, ensure that the company has given you sufficient visual evidence that furnace duct cleaning is necessary. Also, make sure your furnace duct cleaning provider can explain to you in detail how he/she will clean the entire system, not just the ducts. If one component of the system is left uncleaned, it may recontaminate the entire system, defeating the purpose of having put out the cash for the cleaning in the first place. Ask that your furnace duct cleaning provider give you a full duct-length visual inspection after the cleaning is complete, preferably with a camera inside the ducts.
www.topclassair.com provides all services for your air ducts furnace , dryer vent, humidifier, and other related hvac things. Call us today at 416-628-1070 to get more information. You can also book your air duct cleaning online.
Duct cleaning requires not only of the ducts themselves, but of the entire furnace system: the blower, heat exchangers, cooling coils, and condensate pan. When these parts are clean, air flows efficiently through the entire system.
If you or someone in your household is experiencing health problems, and you suspect your furnace air ducts might be the problem, call a duct cleaning company. They can inspect your furnace ducts, and will most likely use robotic video equipment to show you how dirty the ducts actually are. If the video surveillance reveals mold anywhere in the duct system, it’s time to clean your furnace ducts.
Dust and mold can appear to be similar on a scan of the ducts. If the furnace cleaning professionals are unsure, touch a piece of tape to the inside of a furnace duct, and have a lab analyze it for you.
Methods of Cleaning Furnace Ducts
There are several ways to clean furnace ducts. One way is to use an extremely powerful vacuum, which remains in a truck outside. A long hose runs to the furnace area and attaches to the furnace ducts. From the rooms, mechanical brushes, air jet brushes or air snakes pull the dust loose within the furnace ducts.
Another way to clean furnace ducts is with a smaller vacuum unit located inside your house, in the vicinity of the furnace. This vacuum should contain a HEPA exhaust filter to ensure that the dust from the furnace ducts does not fill the air in the room.
A third way of cleaning furnace ducts is to run a rotating brush that is attached to a vacuum nozzle through the furnace ducts.
When selecting methods and services for your furnace duct cleaning, look for quality over cost. A poor quality furnace cleaning job can leave you worse off than before, as it can pull the dust off the furnace duct walls without sucking it all in.
Remember, furnace duct cleaning costs money, so before you sign a service contract, ensure that the company has given you sufficient visual evidence that furnace duct cleaning is necessary. Also, make sure your furnace duct cleaning provider can explain to you in detail how he/she will clean the entire system, not just the ducts. If one component of the system is left uncleaned, it may recontaminate the entire system, defeating the purpose of having put out the cash for the cleaning in the first place. Ask that your furnace duct cleaning provider give you a full duct-length visual inspection after the cleaning is complete, preferably with a camera inside the ducts.
www.topclassair.com provides all services for your air ducts furnace , dryer vent, humidifier, and other related hvac things. Call us today at 416-628-1070 to get more information. You can also book your air duct cleaning online.
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