Assessing, Cleaning and Restoring your HVAC System
Maintaining clean heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems is an important part of sustaining acceptable indoor air quality (IAQ). When an HVAC system is a source of contaminants introduced into occupied spaces, properly performed system cleaning services should take place to reduce or eliminate contaminant introduction.
Contaminants in HVAC systems may take many forms. Common contaminants include dust particles, active bacterial or fungal growth, debris from rusted HVAC components, man-made vitreous fibers, mold spores, and other items.
Experience has shown that very few (if any) HVAC systems are free of all particulate. In fact, particle deposition on component surfaces starts before the HVAC system is even installed. Airborne particles in factory settings and assembly areas are likely to settle on air-handling components and fibre glass insulation, as well as adhere to the surface of metal components.
The original installation process will subject the HVAC system to even more contamination. Construction sites contain a significant amount of airborne concrete dust, drywall dust, sand particles, biological particulate aerosols and many other airborne contaminants in the ambient air. These particles often settle on or within the HVAC system during construction.
After the HVAC system is installed and its operation begins, the particulate accumulation process continues throughout the life of the system. Poor design, installation and maintenance practices, low-efficiency air filtration, air flow bypass, inadequate or infrequent preventative maintenance practices, humid conditions, and many other factors will result in contaminated HVAC systems. HVAC systems may also serve to transport and redistribute unwanted particles from other sources in the building.
HVAC cleaning services have been available since the early 1900’s. However, it was not until the 1970’s that growing public concern for better Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) led to an understanding of the importance of cleaning HVAC system components. Public awareness has increased ever since. Greater demand for HVAC cleaning resulted in dramatic growth for the HVAC system cleaning industry both for firms offering service, as well as those providing research and knowledge of HVAC system cleaning and its impact on indoor air quality and system performance. This ultimately led to the creation of industry standards, training and certification programs for HVAC system cleaning professionals.