To help prevent the spread of influenza’s including H1N1 in your home A-1 Ductworks is offering for a limited time a  free fogging of “Benefect” with every booking of our furnace and duct cleaning service or the install of any of our Indoor Air Quality Products. Benefect’s groundbreaking botanical technology is proven to kill over 99.99% of bacteria & surpasses Health Canada’s efficacy requirements for broad spectrum hospital disinfectants.

Have you ever worried about the antimicrobial products that you use? Sure they do the job but are they toxic? Are they suitable for use around children, pets, the chemically-sensitive or the elderly?  Are they environmentally responsible & sustainable? Benefect is a disinfectant and is effective against Swine Flu and all other influenza A viruses, HIV, Herpes, Staph, Salmonella, Mold, etc. and is completely safe for use in any environment.

Tips for preventing the spread of influenza’s in your home, school or office.

What Systems are Available to Sterilize, Capture and or Kill Airborne Flu Viruses?

1. MERV Rated Filters, H.E.P.A.

The Lifebreath Turbulent Flow Precipitator (TFP) In-home Air Cleaner gives the kind of performance needed to maintain excellent Indoor Air Quality.

It removes close to 99.97% (MERV Rating of 17 The Highest)of particles such as pollen, fungus spores, dust, animal dander and dirt; removes some bacteria;
and even removes a large proportion of particles as small as one tenth of a micron – only visible in an electron microscope.
And it does this continuously, day after day, year after year.

2. Germicidal UV Lights

Sanuvox Ultraviolet Air Purifiers will destroy biological & chemical contaminants such as mold, bacteria, spores, viruses, allergens, cigarette smoke,
cooking & pet odors, diesel fumes, VOCs and thousands of other airborne contaminants. Sanuvox UV Purifiers showed:

99% reduction of microbial and endotoxin concentrations
40% reduction in respiratory symptoms

3. Benefect HVAC Fogging

Benefect’s groundbreaking botanical technology is proven to kill over 99.99% of bacteria & surpasses Health Canada’s efficacy requirements for broad spectrum hospital disinfectants.
A simple fogging of your HVAC system will eliminate 99.99% of all bacteria and viruses your HVAC system.

A-1 Ductworks is your local Furnace Duct Cleaning and Indoor Air Quality experts call 780-598-5966 for a free estimate on furnace and duct cleaning or Indoor Air Quality Product installation.  For a Limited time A-1 Ductworks is offering a free Fogging of your HVAC system with every booking of Furnace and Duct Cleaning or the install of a Air Quality Product.

House Dust Mite

Dust Mites are a reality, they live with and feed off the human species. Are dust mites dangerous? well the short answer is yes. Dust mites themselves are not dangerous and do not drink blood like the bed bug but they can cause breathing problems and bring on allergy attacks through there fecal matter. Dust mites do not have stomachs, but the enzymes left behind after feeding are a common cause of asthma and allergic symptoms worldwide.

A typical house dust mite measures only 420 micrometers in length and 250 to 320 micrometers in width. Well not large in size they are large in numbers, a typical mattress can have as many as two million dust mites occupying it’s warm and well nourished frame. The human body losses as much as 1.5 grams of skin per day which enough to feed over a million dust mites.

Male dust mites only live an average of 19 days well the female dust mite can live up to 70 days well laying as many as 200 eggs in the last five weeks of it’s life. Dust mites like the warm and humid area’s, if exposed to temperatures below 20 degrees celsius for any length of time will prove fatal to the dust mite, a relative humidity of 50 or less usually proves fatal also. A quick run through the washer will remove any fecal matter left by the dust mite and a tumble through the dryer for more than ten minutes at greater than 60 degrees celsius will kill any remaining mites.

House dust mite allergens are among the most common triggers of asthma, symptoms include itchiness, sneezing, inflamed eczema, watery eyes, running noses and clogged lungs.

As far as eliminating dust mites by furnace duct cleaning your heating system is concerned, there is no evidence that performing this service will help remove the mites from your home. Yes some dust mites will exsist in the return air system after being blown from room to room by the powerful furnace fan but the real problems lyes in your bedding and furniture.

Using a service like “Bed Doctors” would be a better option at removing the dust mites from the source of the problem, regular cleaning of the bedding and using a powerful vacuum to clean your mattress, furniture and draps would go a long way in eliminating the problems. Companies such as the “Bed Doctors” use ultraviolet light to kill all remaining dust mites after a vacuuming has removed the main population. UV light given enough time will kill 100% of bacteria, molds and other micro-organisms.

You can look at our products page and view the Sanuvox systems that we offer that can be used in the duct system or as a stand alone product placed in any room of the home.

Hope that this helps clear any misconceptions that you have concerning dust mites and Air Duct Cleaning.

A-1 Ductworks is a Furnace Duct Cleaning company located in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada you can contact us at 780-598-5966 for free estimates on improving your indoor air quality.

Usually the systems of SBS are sensory irritation of the eyes, nose, throat; neurotoxic or general health problems; skin irritation; nonspecific hypersensitivity reactions; and odor and taste sensations.

SBS is one of the leading casues of employee’s missing work in North America and costs businesses hundereds of millions per year. Great lengths have been taken to prevent and correct the causes of SBS. What can you do to identify and correct the problems associated with SBS?

1. Pollutant source removal or proper storage of chemicals in your building. Storage of harsh chemicals in the mechical rooms can lead to unwanted fumes and vapors finding their way into the HVAC system.

2. Remove carpeting that has been damaged with water. Carpet that has been through a flood can be filled with molds and should be replaced as soon as possiable.

3. Use paints, adhesives, solvents, and pesticides in well-ventilated areas, and use of these pollutant sources during periods of non-occupancy.

4. Increase the amount of air exchanges in the building. A minimum of 8.4 complete air exchanges per 24 hour period is the reccommended amount by the engineers of The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning.

5. Proper and regular maintence of the HVAC system.

6. Proper cleaning and disenfecting of the air handling system and the attached ducting.

With building getting tighter and not allowing leaks to naturally occur we have to be sure to follow the proper installation of HVAC systems and consider installing air exchangers. Be sure to maintain your HVAC system and periodically clean the entire system.

Contact A-1 Ductworks of Alberta Canada at 780-598-5966 to recieve a free estimate on your Furnace Duct Cleaning http://www.furnacecleaning.info

Can You Find The Furnace Filter?

Your furnace system is the lungs of your home; the air that you breathe is first passed through the furnace system where it can be cleaned, humidified, heated or cooled.

Having a good furnace filter should be a high priority for your furnace system and your health. Furnace filters were originally designed to protect your furnace fans and other components. With increased knowledge of Indoor Air Quality filters were developed to both protect the furnace system and the residents of the home.

Your home is full of airborne contaminants such as:

· Dust on the floors and surfaces that are disturbed by activity in the home.

· Smoking, burning candles lint from laundry and cooking are just a few duct sources

· Hair and skin flakes from humans or pets. Did you know that humans shed an estimated 1.5 pounds per year.

· Pollens and dust that leak into the home through open windows or air intakes.

Dust particles can be so small that they are inhaled and exhaled from your lungs without getting trapped. Some particles are too large to get be inhaled but the dangerous particles are those that are breathed into your lungs and get trapped there. These particles are the ones that can cause respiratory illnesses.

I am sure that you would like to improve your filtration just to keep the visible dust from building up of the surfaces of your home but good filtration is much more important than that. The real risks are health related and come from respirable particles, which include tobacco smoke, spores, bacteria, and viruses.

So the question is what type of filter should you buy? How do you know what is a good filter and what is marketing? Well the answer is simple, ask for the MERV rating.

Most filters are labelled with a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating value, that measure the filters ability to trap air borne particles from a micron size 3.0 – 10.0.

The MERV rating was created by the testing methods of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning (ASHRAE). Residential filters have a MERV rating that ranges between 1-11. The higher the number in the MERV rating the better and more efficient the filters is.

Here are the ratings:

* A MERV rating of 6 means the filter is 35% to 50% minimum efficient at capturing particles, sized 3.0-10.0 microns.

* A MERV rating of 8 means the filter is 70% to 85% minimum efficient at capturing particles, sized 3.0-10.0 microns.

* A MERV rating of 11 means the filter is 85% to 95% minimum efficient at capturing particles, sized 3.0-10.0 microns.

1.

Standard Fibreglass Furnace Filter

The standard fibreglass furnace filter is very inefficient and only has a MERV rating of 1. This filter is not designed to remove much of the airborne particulates but only to protect the furnace fan and components. Smaller particles such as pollen and mold will pass right through.

This filter is very cheap, must be replaced every month during the heating season and every month if you have air conditioning. This filter is very inefficient and if not maintained can cause series damage to your furnace system.

2.

3M pleated Filter

3M has developed a better throw away filter with their pleated disposable. The MERV rating is also much higher with the 3M Filtrete Ultra Allergen filter is rated MERV 11, which is extremely good in any comparison. This high quality comes at a cost of about $25.00 to $30.00 per filter and still has to be replaced every other month.

This filter on a long term basis is very expensive due to the fact that it must be replaced at least every other month during the heating season and cooling season if you have air conditioning. On the plus side this filter is very efficient at removing airborne particles protecting your family from allergy attacks.

3.

Electrostatic Air Filter

Washable “Electrostatic” Filters produce a static charge and better filter media to attract more dust and other airborne particulates. The Electrostic filters are a larger investment initially than buying standard fibreglass filters or the 3M brand pleated media filter but they are washable so the investment will pay off in time. An electrostatic filter is a permanent, cost effective way to significantly improve the quality of your indoor air.

On a long term basis this is the best investment due to the onetime cost of purchasing this filter. No changes to the duct work need to be made for installing this filter type. This filter type like the others can cause damage to your furnace system if not maintained properly. The Electrostatic filter needs to be cleaned every other month in order to stay within proper air resistance ranges. Simply take your filter out and vacuum off the loose dust that is on the surface, next soak the filter in hot soapy water allowing time for the grease and other caked particles to be removed. Rinse the filter with hot clean water and leave out over night to dry.

4.

Pleated Thick Media Filter

Next is the pleated thick media filter. This filter type is excellent and has a high MERV rating of 8 or more. This filter uses a much denser mesh media to trap the airborne particles. The pleats increase the filtering area so that the filter only needs to be replaced one per year. These filters cost anywhere from $300 – $600 installed and you still have to replace the media every year.

This filter type requires changes to the duct work to allow for a six inch spacer between the furnace and the cold air return. This filter type only needs to be replaced once per year and are very efficient. This filter type is not cheap with a large investment during the install and a smaller investment every year with the filter replacement.

As you can see there are many filter choices for the consumer when battling dust and other airborne contaminants. Choosing the right filter comes down to budget, needs and your ability to maintain the filter choice that you make.

A-1 ductworks is a furnace duct cleaning company that specializes in Indoor air Quality in the Fort McMurray, Alberta Canada. Call 780-598-5966 for a free estimate on improving your Indoor Air Quality.

Indoor Air Quality

We spend up to 90% of our time indoors and more than half of the population in North America suffery for at least one allergy. Spring and Summer are the worst time of the year for people who suffer from any allergies, so this year add these tips to your regular spring cleaning regimen to help eliminate the needless suffering.

1. Before you enter your home brush off your clothes and shoes to remove any pollen spores and debris that you may picked up during the day.

2. During hot Summer days where the humidity levels can rise up over 80% in the home the perfect weapon against both the hot air and the poor indoor air quality due to high humidity levels is the Air Conditioning System. A good Air Conditioning system will keep the home in the 30 – 40% humidity range eliminating molds and forcing the air to run through the furnaces air filters. If your home is not equipped with Air Conditioning then a portable Air Conditioner will still decrease the humidity levels in the home.

3. Running your furnace fan during the Spring and Summer months is a good idea to bring cooler air from the basement to the upper levels of the home and force the air in the home to pass through the furnace filtration system. So if you have a standard furnace filter that operates at about 3% efficiency it’s time to have the system upgraded to a more efficient filter such as the Lifebreath TFP or at least an Electrostatic Air Filter.

4. If the local pollen count is high be sure to close the windows for the day.

5.  Use the Vacuum often, just cause you can’t see the dirt on the surface doesn’t mean its not there. Be sure to use the vacuum not only on the floors but on the blinds, drapes and furniture. Use the attachments and choose a vacuum that has HEPA filters for best results.

6. If you have bad enough allergies it would be a good idea to remove all carpets and replace with hardwood, tile or laminate where you can.

7. Have a UV air purifier installed. UVV / UVC air purifiers remove bacteria, kill molds and remove odors from the home for more information on Air Purifiers check out our Sanuvox Lineup .

8.  Be sure to keep up to date on the AQI “Air Quality Index” for Alberta.  Alberta Environment produces this air quality rating to provide a qualitative measure of outdoor air, rated as Good, Fair, Poor or Very Poor. Check the Index here: AQI Alberta

I hope these tips help you relieve some needless suffering for Spring and Summer allergies.

For a free estimate on improving your indoor air quality call A-1 Ductworks in Fort McMurray at 780-598-5966

Main Furnace Duct Cleaning Site

Lifebreath TFP Air Cleaner

Indoor Air Quality is a major concern for many people who suffer from allergies or asthma. Last week I installed one of our best Indoor Air Quality warriors in the Lifebreath TFP air cleaner.

My customer was faced with breathing problems that caused her to cough constantly when in the comfort of her own home. She called our company to have the furnace duct cleaning service performed and ask what other steps she could take to improve the indoor air quality in her home.

This is a fairly new home but has never had the furnace system cleaned in its five year existence. First we preformed our Viper cleaning method to insure that all the debris would be removed from the system. Next we removed the the drum humidifier that was never cleaned and full of mold and calcium buildup and not providing much humidity to the home, we replaced this with our Generalaire SL-16 Flow Thru Humidifier. After removing the sources of the poor indoor air quality we installed the best air cleaning system available today in the Lifebreath TFP air cleaner.

The Lifebreath TFP  “Turbulent Flow Precipitator” Air Cleaner removes close to 99.97% of particles such as pollen, fungus spores, dust, animal dander and dirt; removes some bacteria; and even removes a large proportion of particles as small as one tenth of a micron.

The features of the Lifebreath TFP are:

• Revolutionizing home air cleaning, combining two particle capture technologies to ensure clean, healthy air throughout your home
• It allows air to circulate freely without putting any extra load on your air distribution system.
• The TFP removes 99.97% of health-threatening particles from the air in your home.
• And has the lowest maintenance requirements of any air cleaner available. Check-up required only once a year.
• The Hepa filter replacement only required every 3 years. Operating continuously at maximum efficiency with minimum maintenance.
• Unlike electronic air cleaners the Lifebreath TFP does not generate any poisonous ozone which can damage your lungs.

I waited a few weeks before writing this article so that the customer would have time to adjust to the new indoor air quality in her home and report back to me how she was feeling, the news was fantastic, she is no longer coughing all day well in her home and is extremely pleased with the results of our service.

For more information about Furnace cleaning or other indoor air quality questions contact us in Fort McMurray at 780-598-5966

Main Furnace Duct Cleaning Site