Techical Corner: The Science of Loafing Time

Life presents all of us with choices and decisions. When it comes to work responsibilities, machines have been increasingly valuable, giving us more time to accomplish other tasks. In addition to machines, our own ingenuity allows us to modify even our procedures to lessen work and time.

Human ingenuity has provided us with many devices that take away burdensome tasks, for example dishwashers or self-lubricating equipment or “automatic” temperature controls and so on. There is no question that such devices improve our quality of life, freeing us up to accomplishing other tasks or alternately just giving us “loafing” time where we can relax.

There are many jobs that are necessary but we don’t particularly care to do, like washing dishes or cleaning air conditioning coils often are put off until the last minute. Some of us might even like to put up a curtain to cover dirty dishes so we don’t have to look at them until we run out of dishes.

It is easier to put off cleaning with coil cleaning because the coils are already inside an area that we can not see anyway. No curtain is required here!

Tales of wasted energy efficiency from dirty coils and bacteria/fungus buildup (which are true by the way) do not seem to entice the average guy to clean coils more frequently. In this case the out-of-sight and out-of-mind concept applies.

Adding to the reluctance of cleaning coils in general is the rather significant fact that almost all facilities do not have the manpower to do it. So that pretty well seals the deal of only cleaning coils when the pressure drop is so high the air flow has dropped by 30% or even more.

While no one has yet to develop an in-place automatic machine to clean coils at the push of a button, human ingenuity has provided a solution.

It is more than just “nice” thing to do than cleaning coils – the benefits are there, and are proven accurate. Less back pressure on the fan system, less restrictions by fungus or mold and bacteria on the coils make significant differences in not only energy consumption, but air quality from the odors that dead and decaying microorganisms emit. Topping those factors off, wouldn’t it be just great to look inside of the HVAC air handler unit and see a glistening interior free from odors, free of any drain pan deposits along with crystal-clear water? And most importantly, with no extra work on your part?

A dream you say? No, it is simple and economical to have this now.

At CRT, our emphasis over the past 25 years has been in developing advanced products that keep air handlers looking nice where it counts – in the interior.

The development in our in-house R&D lab of these products using the latest technology we develop and manufacture in-house insures that any air handler using CRT solutions will be and continue to be clean. Benefits of increased efficiency, freedom for microbial odors, unexpected overflows and overall cleanliness are real. It has been said you could set up your office inside the air handler it is so clean. Can you say you could do that now with your existing air handler?

Whether you can or not, it will benefit you to look at the many unique products we have created at our website http://www.cleanac.com. Or, for extending the life of your air handler, check out http://www.pancrete.com to see how this simple to use product can give you more than you expected for your HVAC air handler.

lynnLynn Burkhart is the founder and president of Controlled Release Technologies, Inc. located in Shelby, North Carolina. More information about the company, and its products, can be found at http://www.cleanac.com and by calling (800) 766-9057.

Technical Corner: “Economic Changes and Business”

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Changes in overall economics in the US and abroad also change the way purchasers (including you and I) look at product purchases. Over the past decades, purchases were made more in terms of getting something new rather than to repair older equipment. But today repair rather than replacement is the becoming more common among all companies. More home owners are looking to keep their cars running longer rather than put out the substantial funds for a new car. Business owners, especially when looking at HVAC air handler replacement, are attempting to save their equipment rather than purchase new.

Operational efficiencies are also being paid more attention to as companies seek ever more ways to reduce both their operational expenditures and new purchases. Several larger companies for example are looking at obtaining higher performance air conditioning filters.

Paying attention to coil cleaning – ASHRAE states dirty coils can increase building energy costs by as much as 40% – is being given attention by many firms as well. There are many cost-cutting techniques that are actively being looked for by property management firms and building owners.

We offer workable technical solutions to many of these demands, from keeping coils clean for years without maintenance attention to just stopping the building owner from having to purchase expensive new air handlers at a cost of $100,000 or more.

See our web site for more information, or ask one of our representatives how they can help reduce expenses.

Lynn Burkhart is the founder and president of Controlled Release Technologies, Inc. a research, development and manufacturing firm based in Shelby, North Carolina.  CRT is an IFMA CSP, EnergyStar Partner and manufacturer of independently-certified Green products for HVAC maintenance. Since 1986, CRT has been creating leading edge HVAC maintenance products that have become industry standards, used in thousands of commercial buildings world-wide. CRT employees are members of BOMA, ASHRAE, ASHE and the American Chemical Society. www.cleanac.com (800) 766-9057.

Case In Point: Out of Sight, Out of Mind


In our line of business we’ve come across countless HVAC units that have failed prematurely. These failures aren’t necessarily due to manufacturer defects or adverse conditions, but often result from a simple matter of neglect. The saying, “Out of sight, out of mind,” definitely holds true in our industry.

When the economy is hurting and money gets tight, HVAC needs are usually the first ignored by commercial building management. Building square footage remains the same, however maintenance staff is trimmed and/or replaced with cheaper, unskilled labor. The landscape will stay immaculate, windows clean and carpets vacuumed, but as long as the building is kept at a comfortable temperature, not a second thought will be given to the HVAC.

Out of sight, out of mind are the dirty coils and ductwork!
Out of sight, out of mind are the festering smells from the blooming mold!
Out of sight, out of mind are the overflowing pans from clogged drains and leaks!
Out of sight, out of mind are the skyrocketing energy costs and equipment depreciation!

What is the solution? Preventive Maintenance, pure and simple. A preventive maintenance program not only saves energy and extends the life of the unit , it is like having an extra set of hands to help when budgets get tight. How has establishing a preventive maintenance program for your HVAC impacted your job? Comment below!

Rachelle Tinley is the assistant executive director of Controlled Release Technologies, Inc., a research, development and manufacturing firm based in Shelby, North Carolina. CRT is an IFMA CSP, an EnergyStar Partner and manufacturer of independently-certified Green products for HVAC maintenance. Since 1986, CRT has been creating leading edge HVAC maintenance products that have become industry standards, used in thousands of commercial buildings world-wide. CRT employees are members of BOMA, ASHRAE, ASHE and the American Chemical Society. www.cleanac.com

Product Spotlight: The Unseen, Often Ignored HVAC Problem that is Draining Your Wallet

During normal operation of an HVAC system, particles and contaminates enter through the air and build up on the coils. According to the Energy Star Maintenance Checklist, link.

“Dirty coils reduce the system’s ability to cool your home and cause the system to run longer, increasing energy costs and reducing the life of the equipment.” Constant cleaning of coils by personnel is expensive and time-consuming, and often results in a trade off. Either more money must be spent on preventive maintenance, or more will be spent on energy costs and replacement. For this reason, having dirty HVAC coils is seen as unavoidable.

For treatment, there are numerous coil cleaners including non-acidic, non-caustic and foaming. While all clean coils at different levels of effectiveness, they are only momentarily effective. Once the system starts back up, buildup begins until the next cleaning. For this reason, an effective plan includes applying a preventive product that deters contaminate accumulation.

At CRT, we have developed the following products to protect HVAC systems from unnecessary buildup. By using our Micro Coat Product Line, both condensate and evaporator coils can remain clean and buildup free, prolonging the time between cleanings and saving both time and money.

First Strike Micro Coat
First Strike Micro Coat is an independently GREEN certified coating designed to protect against unnecessary labor and costs. First Strike Micro Coat reduces recurrent deposit buildup on HVAC evaporator coils by providing a clear molecular layer, or micro coating, of protection. Once cleaned, evaporator coils remain clean up to one year or more.

Coil Shield
Coil Shield is a coating designed to protect condenser coils from corrosion. In high salt and industrial areas, corrosive elements are pulled into HVAC condensers. This causes the system to run inefficiently, and eventually leads to condenser replacement. Coil Shield provides a clear molecular layer, or micro coating, of protection that lasts up to one year or more.

Jonathan Dunagin, Marketing Director of Controlled Release Technologies, Inc. located in Shelby, North Carolina. More information about the company, and its products, can be found at http://www.cleanac.com and by calling (800) 766-9057.

Product Spotlight: The Unseen, Often Ignored HVAC Problem that is Draining Your Wallet

Dirty coils reduce the system’s ability to cool your home and cause the system to run longer, increasing energy costs and reducing the life of the equipment.” Energy Star Maintenance Checklist http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=heat_cool.pr_maintenance.

During normal operation of an HVAC system, contaminates and particles enter through the air and build up on the coils. This buildup hampers the system’s effectiveness and shortens equipment lifespan. Constant cleaning of coils by personnel is expensive and time-consuming, and often results in a trade off. Either more money must be spent on preventive maintenance, or more money will be spent on energy costs and replacement.

For this reason, having dirty HVAC coils is seen as unavoidable. For treatment, there are numerous coil cleaners including non-acidic, non-caustic and foaming. While all clean the coils at different levels of effectiveness, they essentially are only momentarily effective. Once the system starts back up, buildup begins again until the next cleaning. For this reason, an effective maintenance plan includes applying a preventive product that deters contaminate accumulation.

At CRT, we have developed the following products to protect HVAC systems from unnecessary buildup. By using our Micro Coat Product Line, both condensate and evaporator coils can remain clean and buildup free, prolonging the time between cleanings and saving both time and money.

First Strike Micro Coat

First Strike Micro Coat is an independently GREEN certified coating designed to protect against unnecessary labor and costs. First Strike Micro Coat reduces recurrent deposit buildup on HVAC evaporator coils by providing a clear molecular layer, or micro coating, of protection. Once cleaned, evaporator coils remain clean up to one year or more.

Coil Shield

Coil Shield is a coating designed to protect condenser coils from corrosion. In high salt and industrial areas, corrosive elements are pulled into HVAC condensers. This causes the system to run inefficiently, and eventually leads to condenser replacement. Coil Shield provides a clear molecular layer, or micro coating, of protection that lasts up to one year or more.

Remember, we value your experiences and welcome any comments you may have.

Jonathan Dunagin, Marketing Director of Controlled Release Technologies, Inc. located in Shelby, North Carolina. More information about the company, and its products, can be found at http://www.cleanac.com and by calling (800) 766-9057.

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