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Tag Archives: Duct Cleaning

It’s Nifty Being Fifty

May 25, 2016News, Power Vac BlogDuct Cleaning, Power Vacdarwyn mcdowell

50 years old or 18,250 days young!

50 years ago Power Vac began an epic journey that would ultimately bring our company to the forefront of the Duct Cleaning Industry.
We are humbled as we look back at the journey we have taken. At the same time, we realize how profoundly indebted we are to our loyal customers and partners . We could not have reached this important milestone without your commitment to the company. So we are honored to celebrate this anniversary with you .

We are grateful for the opportunity to serve and we look forward to serving customers for the next 50 years and beyond.

Thank You

Air Duct Cleaning After Renovations

January 10, 2016Power Vac Blogair duct cleaning, Duct Cleaning, renovation dustdarwyn mcdowell

Should you clean your ductwork after a renovation

Should you invest your money in Air Duct Cleaning after completing your home renovation or home remodeling project? Customers frequently ask this question after a renovation project (bathroom remodel, kitchen remodel, finishing the basement ) or any other extensive remodel project where a lot of dust has been created. Power Vac always recommends it, because it can only help improve the home’s air quality, especially after a large renovation project that can create a lot of construction dust. If you suffer from allergies, it should be strongly considered
If you are moving into a newly constructed house, and have doubts about the diligence of the construction crew, duct cleaning can be useful. Drywall dust, fiberglass pieces, and sawdust have no place in ducts. Duct cleaning will also catch the odd occurrence where lunch bags or soft drink cans have fallen or been swept into the duct system. For similar reasons, duct cleaning may be advisable for older houses following large renovation projects.

It’s always a good idea to have your ducts cleaned after a major renovation . Ripping down cabinets, tearing up old flooring, installing new electrical and drywall…it all creates a lot of nuisance dust and debris. Even when you cover the vents, bits and pieces of construction material can make their way into the ductwork.

Power Vac recommends that the homeowners inspect their air ducts to see if they look dirty. This is just a basic test, but if the air ducts in your home look dirty, you should call a reputable air duct cleaning company like Power Vac . Do your homework when deciding on a duct cleaning contractor. Make sure that that you check out the air duct cleaning company to ensure that they have the right equipment and have a solid reputation in the industry . Look for a NADCA Certified contractor. NADCA members work in accordance with the Association’s ACR Standard, which provides guidance on the proper and safe techniques required during HVAC Inspection, Maintenance and Restoration procedures.

The Benefits of Duct Cleaning after renovations

The first major reason a homeowner should invest in a Professional Duct Cleaning service, is that it improves Indoor air quality the home, which is great for people suffering from allergies and asthma.
The second major benefit of Air Duct Cleaning after a remodel project is that air duct cleaning removes, dust, chemicals and contaminants from the HVAC System.
The third major benefit of Air Duct Cleaning after a remodel project is the impact on energy savings for the home. When your HVAC is clean, the system does not have to work as hard to maintain a room’s temperature, this requires less energy use, resulting in energy cost savings.

“According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 25 to 40 percent of the energy used for heating or cooling a home is wasted. When contaminants are in the heating and cooling system, it can shorten the life of your system by requiring it to work harder, even with using filters”

If you are in the pre planning stages of your renovation project, give us a call . We would be happy to provide you with an estimate that you can carry in your renovation budget. If you are finished your renovation and the dust levels are unmanageable we would be happy to schedule a service call. Remember when dust is a dirty word, you need Power Vac today!!!

The Importance of furnace filter changes

October 15, 2015Power Vac BlogDuct Cleaning, furnace filterdarwyn mcdowell

As we get ready for winter, there are many things to do in the yard as well as in the house. One of the important tasks that is often overlooked is replacing the furnace filter. The main purpose of a furnace filter is to protect the blower fan and equipment from all the dust, hair and other gunk the return duct pulls in.

Why is it so important? Here are five benefits of regularly replacing your air filter:

Extend the life of your forced air system – a big investment was made when you purchased your HVAC equipment. One of the main reasons a HVAC systems fails is because the furnace filter gets plugged up with debris and particulate matter . As dirt accumulates, air can’t pass through the system and the unit overheats. The motor then has to work harder. In a best-case scenario, your HVAC unit will need to be repaired. In the worst case, if your unit is older, not replacing filters could put it over the edge and require you to buy a new one. Replacing the filter is an easy way to lengthen the life of your heating system.
Keeping energy costs under control – lets face it, getting your utility bill is not the highlight of your month. When that air filter is plugged ,little air passes through the filter which makes the HVAC system work harder, more energy is being used. And when it requires more energy to make your heating and air conditioning system work, it causes your energy bill to escalate .
Maintaining healthy air quality in your home – This is particularly important if anyone in your family suffers from allergies or asthma. Dirty air filters worsen the air quality and can worsen symptoms. Replacing your furnace filter is an easy way to help improve the indoor air quality in the home .
Keeping your HVAC system clean – Dirty filters in the furnace can lead to dirt build up on fan which reduces air flow. It can also contribute to the AC coils in the furnace to become plugged up. When this happens the air flow is greatly restricted.
A peace of mind – Replacing your furnace filter is an easy, inexpensive step to take to save money, extend the life of your HVAC equipment and improve your IAQ in your home or business. It also decreases the amount of your energy consumption .

Air Make Up Systems

September 26, 2015Power Vac Blogcommercial duct cleaning winnipeg, Duct Cleaning, duct cleaning winnipegdarwyn mcdowell

Call Power Vac Winnipeg for your Commercial Duct Cleaning Needs

This video will show how a standard make-up air ventilation system works and the benefits of preventive maintenance on this
critical system in your building. You will see a professional tradesperson carry out a typical preventative maintenance call,
as well as some simple tasks that your staff can perform to keep your make up air unit running properly.

Let our HVAC inspectors conduct a comprehensive examinations of components and systems to determine whether they are
contaminated with a significant accumulation of particulate or microbial growth, or if HVAC performance is compromised
due to contamination build-up.

PREVENTION of duct contamination is KEY to avoiding problems.
Follow these recommendations to avoid system contamination:

•Perform routine preventive maintenance on HVAC
systems, by complying with manufacturer schedules
for changing HVAC filters, cleaning coils, and other
components.

•During building renovation, seal ductwork to prevent
construction dust and debris from entering the HVAC
system.

•Maintain good housekeeping in occupied spaces.

•Ensure that air intakes are located away from
contaminant sources.

•Consider routine inspections of ductwork. The National
Air Duct Cleaning Association (NADCA)’s standard,
“Assessment, Cleaning and Restoration of HVAC Systems-
ACR 2013,” recommends that HVAC systems be visually
inspected for cleanliness at regular intervals, depending
on building use. For healthcare facilities, the standard
recommends annual inspections of air handling units
and supply/return ductwork

Power Vac is known as the Winnipeg Duct Cleaning & HVAC remediation experts

Power Vac Tools of the trade

Power Vac commercial duct cleaning services provide HVAC remediation
services in health care facilities. The increased focus on infection
control standards today requires a reliable contamination solution
that can be deployed quickly.

Our EDU portable containment unit provides temporary containment of
airborne particles during normal facility operations. It provides
isolation while allowing the operation of the facility to continue to
operate undisturbed.

As our industry progresses, Power Vac continues to invest in new
technologies and training. We are Canada’s national duct cleaning
company with offices from coast to coast. For additional information
contact the office nearest you

Ultraviolet Lighting

March 21, 2014Power Vac BlogDuct Cleaning, HVAC, Ultraviolet, Ultraviolet lightdarwyn mcdowell

Ultraviolet Lighting in HVAC units

Ultraviolet lighting in HVAC units has increased substantially over the years with the
sudden interested in maintaining a healthy indoor environment. This article will
introduce you to the basics of Ultraviolet Lighting

Definition of Ultraviolet Lighting

A rainbow is made when light shines through droplets of water and breaks into is various
colors. The light just beyond the violet end of the spectrum is not visible to the naked
eye and is called ultraviolet light, also commonly knows as UV Light

There are three types of UV light
The three types of UV light are A, B and C representing a different section of the UV light spectrum.
Type C known as UVC is the form used for germicidal activity, When UVC is used for germicidal purposes, it is known as UVGI.
UVGI “deactivates” or kills microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria, molds and other fungi by disrupting their DNA.

UVC is used for

Surface disinfection

HVAC Air disinfection

Cooling Coil disinfection

Water treatment

Curing plastics and other materials

Printing

Chemical Processing

Application in HVAC Systems

UVGI lamps are categorized by the internal pressure of the gas in the lamp. Low pressure
lamps are the most common types of lamps found in HVAC system.
On hard surfaces like evaporator coils and drain pans the UVGI exposure is constant and the kill rate is up to 99.9%.
Bio aerosols is a more complex activity and affected by different factors such as system install, number of lamps and
lamp placement. Any installation of a UVC lamp in an HVAC system should include a method of visually inspecting it
periodically. Dirty lamps will result in reduced effectiveness. If the lamp becomes dirty, it should be cleaned with a
lint-free cloth and glass cleaner or alcohol. Never clean the lamp while it is turned on.

Hazards of Ultraviolet Lightings

Material decomposition is a concern in HVAC systems. UVGI can seriously degrade organic materials over time in a HVAC system,
including filters, sealants, gaskets and wiring insulation, resulting in air leaks, fire hazards and loss of system performance.
It is best to shield all organic material components within 5 feet of the UV lamp.

Skin and eyes have to be protected when exposed to UVA or UVB Ocular damage can occur 6-12 hours after initial exposure.
skin damage from excess exposure is similar to sunburn. Proper protection must be used when working with lamps.

Mercury Exposure is also a concern. UVC lamps contain a small amount of toxic Mercury, so if a bulb breaks ,
care should be taken to reduce exposure to the Mercury.

Best Practises

It is generally agreed that source removal (Duct Cleaning) of contaminants is the single best method for cleaning and
decontaminating the HVAC system.

If Ultra Violets lights are installed in the HVAC system without proper training, UVC lamps can be ineffective and can
create hazards or material decomposition that can negatively impact the efficiency of the system.

It is recommended that the installers be well educated on the materials from the manufacturer and in the ASHRAE Handbook – HVAC Systems and Equipment Chapter 17: Ultraviolet Lamp Systems

References

Nadca Nadca White paper on Ultraviolet lighting applications in HVAC Systems

Ashae Ashrae website – HVAC systems and equipment

During the Air Conditioning Season we regularly get calls from home owners who are concerned about their AC freezing up and not keeping the home comfortable during the humid periods .

Usually Coils freezing up means low air flow or a slight undercharge of refrigerant. Low air flow is the most common. It could be a result of a dirty filter, dirty ductwork, damaged evaporator coil, restrictions in the ductwork or even a mismatched system where the outside unit is to large for the evaporator coil inside the furnace.

Frequently when Power Vac is cleaning ductwork we do find blockages in the evaporator coils inside the furnace. Blocked coils are a result of the fins of the evaporator coil getting plugged up . The close spacing of the aluminum fins on an evaporator coil makes it easy for dirt, dust and other debris to stick. Lodged debris causes blockages, affecting the overall performance and efficiency of your air conditioning. Air flow across the coil becomes blocked, degrading heat transfer. Blockages come in the form of build-up from skin cells, fabric fibers, pet hair, grass clippings, tobacco smoke, pollen, mud, rust and bacteria.

Regular maintenance of your Furnace and Air Conditioner by a heating contractor, regular filter changes and a regular duct cleaning every 3 years with help to ensure that your heating and cooling system runs efficiently and keeps everyone comfortable when you need it most.

Mickey Mantle Topps Card

April 10, 2013Power Vac BlogDuct Cleaning, Power Vacdarwyn mcdowell

Our Project Manager from Cambridge contributed this. He found this about 15 years ago while cleaning his truck. The card is a 1961 Mickey Mantle Topps Trading card. In 1961 Mickey was a switch hitting power hitter for the New York Yankees. That year Mickey won the most valuable players award. A rare find indeed. The card is actually older than Power Vac Services. Mickey Mantle was 36 when Power Vac started cleaning ductwork in 1966. What Mickey was to baseball , Power Vac is to duct cleaning….a power hitter!!

Power Vac Duct Cleaning Treasures found in ductwork — Mickey Mantle

Can Duct Work be professionally cleaned for $170???

March 27, 2013Power Vac BlogDuct Cleaning, Nadca, Nadca Certifieddarwyn mcdowell

My answer is simple, yes in 1983 you might have gotten the system cleaned for that amount.

We all get the regular over seas call center calls with attractive prices and the “deal of the day” emails in our mail box promoting duct cleaning. We at Power Vac get many inquiries from confused consumers wondering why there is such a price discrepancy in our industry.

As any informed consumer would tell you, price is important, but how the contractor will clean the ductwork , what is included and what is not and the experience and reputation of the contractor should be an important consideration.

In our industry, methods for cleaning duct work will vary from a professional Nadca Certified Contractor using Vacuum Trucks with the required air tools to brush the inside of the ductwork to the contractors who use portable vacuums in the house . An experienced reputable contractor will know the engineering controls and containment strategies required to protect the occupants of the house and prevent cross contamination. An experienced contractor will be educated to ensure that the job is done right.

Before you select a contractor you must determine what is included in the price and what is not and how does the price change. What are the possible add ons when the contractor arrives ? Does the cost include access panels, extra hook ups, vacuuming the fan, coils, plenums etc ?

The experience and reputation of the contractor should be an important consideration. How long has the contractor been cleaning ductwork , Is the contractor Nadca Certified, do they carry liability insurance, are the service technicians covered by WSIB, Is the contractor in good standing with the Better Business Bureau and most importantly does the contractors work come with a warranty.

With a few little bit of knowledge and a few questions asked before you make your important decision on your service provider , you should be set to make a wise consumer choice.

Locally, we are blessed to have some really good service providers who really want to make a difference but bad decisions are made when inexperienced, unqualified, uncertified service providers are mixed with consumers who buy on price.

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Tag Archives: Duct Cleaning