Have Questions?
We Have Answers About Clean Air In Your Home
We know you have many questions about air duct cleaning, air purification and the many choices that are out there. We hope that this FAQ area will help clear up some of those questions and provide answers. If you can’t find a particular answer to a question you may have, please contact us anytime!
Ultraviolet output intensity diminishes over time. Therefore, it is important that air health bulbs be replaced annually. Studies indicate that after 12 months, ultraviolet output will fall below minimum requirements for protection. Even though a bulb may appear to be operating satisfactorily, output intensity may be significantly reduced.
No. This is not necessary. During normal operation of the heating or air conditioning, the blower will circulate the air over the UV bulb from 50-75 times a day, which is sufficient. During moderate weather, when neither the A/C or heat is on, it is recommended to open the windows to allow for fresh air infiltration and/or to operate the blower continuously (turn on the fan) to circulate air over the UV light.
Yes! air health and other UV products have been installed in all types of buildings including: homes, hospitals, offices, public buildings, food preparation plants, electric utilities companies, and more. Consumers constantly report improvements in air quality and reduced respiratory illnesses.
Yes. The bulb may need to be cleaned every 3 to 6 months depending on its functioning environment. Dirt and oil on the surface of the bulb reduce output intensity. Upon installation, the bulb should be wiped down with the alcohol swab provided. Simply remove the bulb and clean with alcohol. Avoid touching the bulb with bare hands. The oils in your hands can reduce UV output.
The two primary benefits to using UV light are disinfecting air and preventing growth of mold. The UV light radiates a surface to keep mold from growing in that area and disinfects the air stream as it passes through the HVAC system. In one pass over the UV bulb, a high disinfection rate is not normally accomplished in the air stream. With repeated circulation of air through the system, a major disinfection rate is accomplished, making use of UV light very positive.
It is suggested to regularly inspect air health’s operation through the view port to make certain the bulb is on. It is also essential to change the UV bulb yearly, as the intensity of the bulb’s output diminishes over time. The changing of the UV bulb should be done during yearly furnace or A/C Inspection.
UV energy has been successfully used for many applications including water treatment, hospitals, etc. air health was designed specifically for use in HVAC systems. It creates a consistent, high output of UV energy. air health’s intensity output maximizes microorganism disinfection and guarantees cleaner indoor air.
The warranty of air health is one year from the date of purchase for the unit and 30 days for the bulb.
There are a number of reasons why you should clean your air ducts . Heating and Air Conditioning Systems have been shown to be a source of a variety of contaminants that have the potential to affect your health. These contaminants include such things as mold, fungi, bacteria, pet dander and dust, all of which accumulate in your HVAC System over time. The removal of these contaminants from your homes heating and cooling system should be considered a major part of your overall plan to improve indoor air quality and ensure the safety of your family, employees, or customers.
To maintain peak performance, the inexpensive first stage pre-filter should be replaced monthly and the intermediate filters when the amber ‘change filter’ lamp illuminates. UV and UV Plus lamps should be replaced annually, and the HEPA filter every 3 to 4 years. Contact your installing dealer for an annual replacement filter and lamp kit.
These low energy-consumption blowers overcome the resistance of the CAP filter media and ensure that the HVAC system airflow remains at normal levels.
Electronic air cleaners start off with lower efficiency and their efficiency drops way off as the collection plates get dirty. Most models require frequent, ongoing maintenance. The efficiency of HEPA filter media remains at or above 99.97% throughout the filter loading cycle.
Studies have shown that air cleaners attached to the main ventilation system are generally much more effective. Plus you would need to buy a number of these devices and put them throughout your home. That would be costly, noisy and intrusive.
According to the EPA: “Of primary concern from a health standpoint are invisible, respirable particles, which have a higher probability of penetrating deep into the lung and causing acute or chronic effects.” The ability of HEPA filter media to capture at least 9,997 out of every 10,000 0.3 micron particles makes them far superior to other types of filters.
No. air health should be used in conjunction with standard and high-end filters. HVAC filters trap airborne particles based on their size, allowing most microorganisms to pass through undeterred. The UV light attacks microorganisms. It is recommended to install air health downstream of the air filter.
After 375 days of operation, 9,000 hours, the bulb starts to become “solarized”. The UV-C output is condensed to around 80% of its original intensity, which steadily weakens thereafter. The bulb will still be illuminated, producing visible light, however, the UV-C light will diminish reducing effectiveness.
Install air health in either the supply or return plenum of the warm air heating system. With A/C systems, the best location is over the air conditioning coil.
Microorganisms collect in moist, dark places. When the light remains on, the reproduction of these organisms may be reduced. The method also simplifies the installation. Complex wiring into the fan circuit is eliminated. Isolation relays, sail switches, and pressure switches are not required for installation. The unit plugs into a standard 120-VAC outlet. It is also more energy efficient to leave the bulb on constantly. Similar to fluorescent lights, the energy necessary to switch on the UV bulb is high, while functioning energy is low.
Yes. By reducing airborne contamination, air health can offer relief to many allergy and asthma sufferers. The device is not solely for people with respiratory disorders. Your whole household can benefit from breathing healthified air™.
The two primary benefits to using UV light are disinfecting air and preventing growth of mold. The UV light radiates a surface to keep mold from growing in that area and disinfects the air stream as it passes through the HVAC system. In one pass over the UV bulb, a high disinfection rate is not normally accomplished in the air stream. With repeated circulation of air through the system, a major disinfection rate is accomplished, making use of UV light very positive.
Over 90% of people’s time is spent indoors. Concentrations of microorganisms will increase indoors, with little or no ventilation. With a larger number of death cases being caused by various bacteria, controlling the development and spread of pathogens is of chief concern in indoor environments. According to indoor air quality experts, controlling airborne microorganisms is the next major challenge of the HVAC industry.
UV has been used to purify air since 1936. It was first used to sanitize air in a surgical operating room. UV has been used in schools to reduce the development of epidemics. Restaurants, veterinary clinics, barber shops, incubation rooms, and hospitals also use ultraviolet light applications.
If properly installed inside the duct, air health is a safe and practical product. However, direct exposure to UV light is not recommended, as it may cause damage to skin and eyes. UV light does not pass through solid materials such as plastic, glass or metal ductwork.
Yes. air health uses powerful UV light to help reduce and kill mold, bacteria, viruses, dustmites and other airborne invaders.
Air health installs inside the plenum of a forced air heating or air conditioning system. The powerful UV-C rays reduce airborne contamination, as air passes the bulb.
Air health will work on all types of warm air furnaces and split unit heat pumps. air health is designed for indoor mounting only.
The amount of time it takes to clean a residential HVAC system depends on many variables such as the size of the home, the number of systems, the extent of the contamination and the number of HVAC cleaners performing the job.
Sanitizers are anti-microbial chemicals applied to the interior surface of the air ducts, designed to control microbial contamination. Before any sanitizers are used, the system should be thoroughly cleaned. It is critical that any anti-microbial treatment used in your system be EPA registered for the intended use in HVAC systems.
Frequency of cleaning depends on several factors, not the least of which is the preference of the home owner. Some of the things that may lead a home owner to consider more frequent cleaning include:
- Smokers in the household.
- Pets that shed high amounts of hair and dander.
- Water contamination or damage to the home or HVAC system.
- Residents with allergies or asthma who might benefit from a reduction in the amount of indoor air pollutants in the home’s HVAC system.
- After home renovations or remodeling.
- Prior to occupancy of a new home.
What is the normal price range for the air duct cleaning service? The Environmental Protection Agency says that “duct cleaning services typically – but not always – range in cost from $450 to $1000 per heating and cooling system, depending on the services offered, the size of the system to be cleaned, system accessibility, climactic region, and level of contamination” and type of duct material. Consumers should beware of air duct cleaning companies that making sweeping claims about the health benefits of duct cleaning – such claims are unsubstantiated. Consumers should also beware of “blow-and-go” air duct cleaning companies. These companies often charge a nominal fee and do a poor job of cleaning the heating and cooling system. Most of them will not use the right equipment or will use poor cleaning techniques.
The most effective way to clean air ducts and ventilation systems is to employ Source Removal methods of cleaning. This requires a contractor to place the system under negative pressure, through the use of a specialized, powerful vacuum. While the vacuum draws air through the system, devices are inserted into the ducts to dislodge any debris that might be stuck to interior surfaces. The debris can then travel down the ducts to the vacuum, which removes it from the system and the home. What kind of equipment is best for cleaning-truck mounted vacuums or portable vacuums?
There are two main types of vacuum collection devices: (1) those mounted on trucks and trailers, and (2) portable units. Truck/trailer mounted gas motor equipment is generally more powerful than portable equipment. However, portable equipment can often be brought directly into a facility, allowing the vacuum source to be located closer to the ductwork. Both types of equipment will clean to NADCA standards. All vacuum units should be attached to a collection device for safe containment prior to disposal. Any vacuum collection device which exhausts indoors must be HEPA (high efficiency particulate arrestance) filtered.
A vacuum collection device alone will not get an HVAC system clean. The use of methods and tools designed to agitate debris adhered to the surfaces within the system, in conjunction with the use of the vacuum collection device(s), is required to clean HVAC systems. (For example: brushes, air whips, and “skipper balls.”)
Research by the U.S. EPA has demonstrated that HVAC system cleaning may allow systems to run more efficiently by removing debris from sensitive mechanical components. Clean, efficient systems are less likely to break down, have a longer life span, and generally operate more effectively than dirty systems.
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems have been shown to act as a collection source for a variety of contaminants that have the potential to affect health, such as mold, fungi, bacteria, and very small particles of dust. The removal of such contaminants from the HVAC system and home should be considered as one component in an overall plan to improve indoor air quality.
We use gas Power Vacuums and HEPA Negative Air Vacuum Machines. These vacuums place the system under negative air pressure. We then use dislodging equipment to knock loose the dust, dirt, and debris from the duct walls. Once the debris is airborne, the vacuum is able to remove it. Our cleaning includes the entire Air Handling System. View our steps to professional air duct cleaning.
Did You Know?
- Most people spend 60% to 90% of their time indoors. (American Lung Association & EPA)
- 20% of all illnesses are either caused by, or aggravated by, polluted indoor air. (American College of Allergists)
- The average 6-room house collects 40 pounds of dust each year. (Discover Magazine)
- The levels of some hazardous pollutants in indoor air has been found to be up to 70 times greater than in outdoor air. (USEPA)
- Studies have shown that two out of three indoor air quality problems involve the HVAC/Air Duct System.
- More than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies.
- One out of six people who suffer from allergies do so because of the direct relationship to fungi and bacteria in air duct systems. (Total Health and Better Health Magazines)
- 10-12 million Americans suffer from Asthma. (American College of Allergists)
- Children and the elderly are especially affected by polluted indoor air. (Department of Consumer Affairs)
- Most commercially available fiberglass furnace filters are less than 7% efficient. (ASHRAE)