|
LACO Mechanical Services
1461 Lunt Ave, Unit F Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
- 866-690-7400
847-358-3300
FAX: 847-290-8070
General Information:
info@LACOmech.com
We Accept...
| |
Mold & Bacteria
In This Section: [ What Is The Problem? ] [ Filters ] [ UV Units ]
[ ERV Units ] [ Humidifiers ] [ Duct Cleaning
] [ Carbon Monoxide ]
[ Carbon Monoxide: Silent Killer ] [ Breathe Easier ]
We are frequently asked “What is all the concern about mold and bacteria”? “Why is it a problem now?” “Should I be concerned?”
The Environmental Protection Agency and the American Lung Association are telling us that indoor air pollution is a growing health hazard.
The easiest way to explain the growing problem is to compare homes and life styles from the 1950’s and life NOW.
In the 1950’s houses were not fully insulated. Few families showered everyday. Weekly baths were far more common. Washing hair was
something done at night, so no one would go outdoors with a wet head. After the husband and kids left in the morning, Mom would open windows
and let fresh air in to remove stale odors. She did this even in the winter. The kids would rush in at lunch time and after school. So,
doors were opening and closing frequently every day of the week. In the hot summer months, windows were open, shades were lower and portable
fans were used through the home. Maybe the home had one window air conditioner that cooled one room.
In 2004, just about everyone takes a morning shower and dries their hair immediately. Then, all members rush out the door, closing the
home and all the moisture within the home. The majority of homes have central air conditioning so opening windows is only done when
temperatures are “just right”. To save on heating and cooling costs homes are made “air
tight” So, storm doors, fully insulated windows, insulated attics and walls keep out cold (fresh) air from seeping into the home
uninvited. Walls are no longer made of plaster, but dry wall with an outside paper finish.
[ TOP ]
Both winter and summer moisture need to be kept at the proper levels throughout the home. Bacteria and mold (fungi) thrive in places with
reduced air flow and high moisture. Bathrooms, basements and crawl spaces are often just the right places for mold and bacteria growth.
The air tight homes create problems for both heating and cooling. The furnace needs fresh “combustion” air to use. When you blow on a
campfire, you are giving it more combustion air and the flames become brighter. Same principle for your furnace. If you have one or more
fireplaces, those also need combustion air. Where does this air come from?
Some very high efficiency furnaces have a double flue pipe, one to exhaust and one to bring in the fresh combustion air. Some homes
have special ventilating units to specifically bring in the fresh air: read down for more information on these units. And, most rely on the
simple opening and closing of doors and windows.
When that air flow isn’t enough, the air and moisture, trapped within the walls, are actually sucked in the home through the walls.
An extreme example of this is when a restaurant’s door is very difficult to open. The kitchen’s exhaust fans are pulling all the fresh
air out of the restaurant. This easily happens in a home when the kitchen exhaust and a bathroom exhaust are both running and no windows are
open.
Besides having air flow problems; carbon dioxide levels are also rising within the home. People, furnaces, stoves and
fireplaces all use oxygen and give off carbon dioxide. Opening one or two windows can make a
difference when the house is full of people cooking dinner and enjoying the warmth of a fireplace.
What are some clues that your home is causing potential health problems? Frequent headaches, allergic reactions, kids
and adults going from one cold to another, feeling tired all the time: all of these can be caused by indoor air problems. House signs would
be a damp and musty basement, premature structural deterioration, paint discoloration and actual mold growing on walls, ceilings, in
basement corners or in bathrooms.
[ TOP ]
Websites for more information include:
Environmental Protection Agency – www.epg.gov
Consumer Reports— www.ConsumerReports.org
Center for Disease Control – www.cdc.gov
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology – www.aaaai.org
American Lung Association – www.lungsa.org
For more information
http://www.ultravation.com
The first sep to control bacteria and fungi in the home is using the filter system on your furnace. The January, 2000
issue of Consumer Reports has an excellent explanation and we will gladly send you a copy of that article. A short summary would be that an
electronic air cleaner works the best and the cheap 1 inch filters are the worse.
[ TOP ]
Helps stop the cold and flu cycles that often mean weeks of illness for the household. Plus:
ü The lights help reduce
asthmatic and allergic symptoms.
ü Helps prevent infections for those with compromised
immune systems.
ü Reduces risks of Avian Flu
ü Reduces the risks of infection for those receiving
chemotherapy or with chronic heart or lung disease
ü Reduces unpleasant odors of mold and other
persistent smells
Each system needs its own UV light. Some existing system set-ups may limit selection or
brand. Please ask for our volume discount for two or more units. If you have a portable unit: ask
for the Sharper Image settlement information. Consumer Reports found those portable units completely unsatisfactory.
For more information go to
www.sanuvox.com
and
www.ultravation.com
Bringing fresh air into the house automatically without drastically altering the desired temperature and humidity of
the home is the purpose of an Energy Recovery Ventilation Unit (ERV). This unit brings in
fresh air while expelling stale air. It helps solve the problem of lack of fresh air within the home and is energy efficient.
Unfortunately, not every home can have an ERV. The requirements of the unit demand that it sits close to the furnace at an outside wall. So,
homes with common walls or where the furnace sits in a closet often don’t have the space for an ERV.
The wrong amount of humidity in the home is a large part of the problems of indoor air pollution. Not having enough humidity in
the home during winter actually can increase allergy problems. So, using a humidifier during winter months is a great idea. However, using
an old humidifier that allows water to accumulate within the unit is a bad idea. That humidifier needs to be replaced NOW!
Further, all humidifier evaporator pads need to be changed yearly. Soaking them with a cleaning solution does not adequately resolve the
problem.
[ TOP ]
 |
Check out the Publication from the US Environmental Protecton Agency regarding Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). |
|
Is The Air You Breathe
In Your Home
Making You Sick? |
Important Facts About
Indoor Air Quality
And Your Family's Health |
| Your duct system
functions as the respiratory system of your home. When it becomes contaminated and congested, it should be cleaned so it can
'breathe' normally and efficiently.
If you answer
yes to any of the following questions, it may be time to have your air duct system professionally cleaned. |
The quality of the air we breathe indoors has become an increasingly important
environmental concern.
Following are facts that have been determined by recognized authorities in the fields of health
and air quality:
|
|
Does anyone in the house have allergies, asthma, or other respiratory problems?
|
|
FACT:
Most people spend 60% to 90% of their time indoors (AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION) |
|
Does anyone in your family suffer from headaches, nasal congestion, or other sinus problems at
night or in the morning?
|
|
FACT:
50% of all illnesses are either caused by, or aggravated by, polluted indoor air. (AMERICAN COLLEGE OF ALLERGISTS) |
|
Is there a smoker in the house?
|
|
FACT:
The levels of some hazardous pollutants in indoor air has been found to be up to 70 times greater than in outdoor air (USEPA) |
|
Do you have dogs, cats or other pets?
|
|
FACT:
Studies have shown that two out of three indoor air quality problems involve the HVAC System. |
|
Do you notice "musty" or "stale" odors when the furnace or air conditioner runs?
|
|
FACT:
More than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies. |
|
Do you notice dust on your furniture shortly after cleaning?
|
|
FACT:
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) |
|
Does it seem like there is not enough air flow coming from your vents?
|
|
FACT:
10-12 million Americans suffer from Asthma. (AMERICAN COLLEGE OF ALLERGISTS) |
|
Is your furnace equipped only with a standard throw-away fiberglass filter?
|
|
FACT:
Children and the elderly are especially affected by polluted indoor air. (DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS) |
| |
FACT:
Most commercially available fiberglass furnace filters are less than 7% efficient. (ASHRAE) |
[ TOP ]
Dirty Duct
Systems Are
A Major Source Of
Indoor Air Pollution. |
Our HEPA-AIRE Duct Cleaning System Performs
State-Of-The-Art Source Removal Duct Cleaning. |
| Dust, dirt, pollen, animal dander and other airborne
contaminants are pulled into your duct system every time the furnace or air conditioner runs.
These contaminants build up inside the ductwork over time and can help make your duct system an ideal breeding
ground for mold spores, bacteria, fungus, mildew and other microbes.
Each time the furnace or air conditioner is turned on, contaminants are spewed out and circulated throughout your
home and affect the health and comfort of your family.
Family members who suffer from allergies, asthma or other respiratory ailments as well as children and the elderly
are especially vulnerable to the effects of indoor air pollutants.
The removal of contaminants
recognizedIn addition to the
obvious health benefits, duct cleaning
can help you maintain a cleaner home.
 It also helps restore
HVAC
|
The HEPA-AIRE method used by our company assures you that your ducts are being cleaned with the most advanced source
removal equipment available. This high tech, state-of-the-art system is used by leading professional duct cleaners throughout
North America
, and is widely recognized as the most significant breakthrough in duct cleaning equipment technology in the past
30 years.
The key components of this system are the patented HEPA-AIRE portable power vacuum and the AIRE-SWEEP"
compressor. This system enables our technicians to reach and thoroughly clean your entire duct system with minimal noise and
disruption.
First, the HEPA-AIRE power vacuum is connected to the duct system near the furnace. • Next, 1 inch access holes
are drilled into the air ducts. • Long lengths of air hose with special 360° high velocity nozzles are connected to the
compressor and `snaked' through the entire duct system, dislodging debris that has accumulated on inner duct surfaces. • The
HEPA-AIRE unit creates a powerful vacuum, pulling dislodged contaminants into its filtration system. This filtration system is so
efficient that it captures contaminants 1/300th the diameter of a human hair and returns filtered "hospital grade" air to
your home. And, it's so quiet you'll hardly know it's running.
Once your duct system has been cleaned, we reseal all access holes and your ducts are returned to "like new" condition.
°HEPA-AIPE and AIRE-SWEEP are registered trademarks ol Abatement Technologies, Inc. of Lawrenceville,
Georgia
.
|
[ TOP ]
|
Carbon Monoxide the Silent Killer |
|
What is Carbon
Monoxide?
Ø
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a toxic gas
that can be present in homes & buildings.
Ø
CO is a poison and can be deadly at
high levels
Ø
At low levels, CO can go undetected
and contribute to nagging illnesses
Ø
CO can complicate pre-existing health
conditions
Ø
Elderly and very young are more
susceptible to lower levels of CO
 |
Carbon Monoxide
Is… |
|
| |
Toxic |
Colorless |
| |
Tasteless |
Often Odorless |
| |
Non-irritating |
Cumulative poison |
| |
Slightly lighter
than air |
Explosive |
Best Prevention
Is…
ü
CO detectors that have a digital read-out of low
levels of CO
ü
Change detectors as per manufacturer’s recommendations
ü
Yearly check of furnace and flues
ü
Yearly check of fireplace flues
ü
Do NOT
start up a car in an attached garage, and then drive off
closing the garage door. The trapped CO can poison those still in the house.
Remember, CO detectors will alarm only at
70 ppm; OSHA limits are 50 ppm!
[ TOP ]
|
Breathe
Easier -
Indoor Air Quality becoming a Major Concern.
|
|
Did you know that indoor air is
two to five times as polluted as air on the other side of the window,
reported by the EPA? The American Lung Association claims even higher
levels and calls indoor pollution a health hazard for millions of
Americans with asthma or allergies.
To determine if your house or apartment has a problem , consider
obvious signs such as dust, a coating of pollen on furniture, or the
presence of smokers. Check for obvious reactions such as itchy eyes,
sneezing and scratchy throats.
So, if you are having a problem with dust or air flow, let our
technicians know and they can make some suggestions.
Visit our page: Indoor Air Quality
|
Two common sense approaches
recommended by the EPA: ventilation and source control. If conditions
permit, open windows. If dust is a problem, consider substituting bare
floors or area rugs for wall-to-wall carpeting. Vacuuming more frequently
may help, though some vacuum cleaners stir up dust. An exhaust fan in the
bathroom can rid mold, mildew and odors. A ducted range hood can rid
kitchen air of smoke and odors. Using a central humidifier will help keep
dust from flying in the winter months.
Using a better filtering system can be a benefit. Be careful,
sometimes, a pleated filter can cause air flow problems.
The basic filters are less than 20% effective in catching dust &
particles. Pleated filters are more effective, but restrict air flow more.
The ultimate filter is an electronic air cleaner with duct cleaning.
|
[ TOP ]
Call LACO
Mechanical Services today at
866-690-7400 -or- 847-358-3300 Fax: 847-290-8070
Email any
questions or concerns to
Info@LACOmech.com
|
