FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

To grow, fungi need a source of nutrients and moisture for more than 24 hours.

Check for musty odors. If you remove the moisture, the fungal spores will be dormant, but they can grow if moisture is present.
Look for discolorations-in general: green, black, white and/or pink.
Check for slimy, turbid or sludgy standing water in the air handling unit.

Use a careful preventative maintenance program to reduce contamination.

Use the highest efficiency air filters recommended by the manufacturer of your heating and cooling system.
Change filters regularly; post a schedule for maintenance crews to observe. If they are clogged on inspection, filters may need more frequent changing. The filter holders must fit correctly so air cannot bypass the filters through gaps.
Heating and cooling system maintenance must include cleaning cooling coils and drain pans.
During building construction or renovation that produces dust, seal off supply and return registers. Do not operate the heating and cooling system until all dust is cleaned up.
Operate humidifying systems strictly as recommended by their manufacturer.

To prevent moisture (and mold contamination):

Repair any leaks or water damage as soon as you find them.
Make sure condensate pan drains properly.
Check any insulation near cooling coils for wet spots.
Make sure ducts are properly sealed and insulated in all non-air-conditioned spaces, such as crawl spaces.

Every two to three years is an average. 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.
Prior to occupancy of a new home.

50% of all illnesses are either caused or aggravated by polluted indoor air. (American College of Allergists)
One out of six people who suffer from allergies do so because of the direct relationship to the fungi and bacteria in air duct systems. (Total Health & Better Health Magazines)
Legionnaire's Disease was spawned in air conditioning ducts. It killed 29 people in 1976. (American Lung Assoc.)
Children are more likely than adults to be affected by polluted indoor air— they breathe faster, inhale more air per unit of body weight and are closer to the ground where concentrations are higher. (Dept. of Consumer Affairs)
The elderly, asthmatics, and people with breathing problems, allergies, and lung diseases are also likely to be more sensitive to pollutants. (Dept. of Consumer Affairs)
Most people spend 60-90% of their time indoors. (American Lung Association)