From the Field: What Affective Communication Can Achieve – ACCA

Posted on March 11, 2013 by crttipster

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At the end of February I had the pleasure of attending the IE3 show in Orlando, Florida. In the three years I have worked at CRT, this was only the second time I’ve attended this show, and one of only a handful of shows I have been to thus far. However, this show was probably the most enjoyable and informative, and may well prove to be our most successful.

The IE3 Show consisted of members of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA), and the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET). These three groups amounted to over 2500 decision makers attending the three day expo. With 220 exhibitors, this amounted to a very favorable 11:1 ratio. Our primary focus this year was reaching more members of ACCA.

While last year’s show seemed to be focused more on how to stop losing business during a struggling economy, this year’s show had a much more positive atmosphere. Even the attendees were in amazing, optimistic moods open to new ideas and products.

Our booth was constantly busy. Of course, Pancrete, our condensate pan resurfacer, grabbed everyone’s attention; but what was surprising was how many people that don’t necessarily work in units, such as raters and consultants, took an interest in what we offered. People were looking at ways to grow business, for new products and application, and to make the business they already have more profitable through customer interaction.

While many of the seminars in the IAQA and RESNET tracks focused on mold and energy services management, ACCA steered more into business growth and client communication. From the show’s opening session, which focused on building relationships with clients to create results, and continuing through to the learning labs, ACCA’s focus was clear. At least 17 of the 42 seminars dealt with communication, whether through managing employees, handling customer questions, or growing social media.

I was able to attend four sessions, dealing with managing sales, customer service communication, and increasing your social media footprint, and all were expertly presented and well received. These classes discussed managing processes, not people; listening, not simply hearing; spheres of influence and what you can and cannot control; and how much and often social media should be used by your company.

Overall, I came away from the conference not with just amazing leads, but new ways to approach both customers and co-workers. I would definitely recommend anyone in the HVAC industry to attend next year’s show, March 17-20 in Nashville, TN. I hope to see you there.

jonJonathan 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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Product Spotlight: Airing Out Your Dirty Laundry (Socks)

Posted on October 11, 2011 by crttipster

Practically all items inside of buildings contribute to indoor air quality. Everything from carpeting to office equipment release gases and particles known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). However, the most referenced cause of indoor air quality concerns by tenant and workforce populations is the HVAC system. These concerns are a result of the strength and frequency of undesirable odors being disseminated by HVAC systems.

Contaminated outside air, bacteria and mold are thought to contribute to many health issues. Unfortunately this is quite common, as the interior of HVAC systems provide the perfect growth environment for spores to become active. Along with providing a dark, temperature-controlled area, HVAC systems remove moisture from the atmosphere providing mold spores with water, and remove dirt and debris providing mold spores with food.

Controlled Release Technologies, Inc. (CRT) has developed the following solutions to help buildings maintain positive indoor air quality, and avoid odor problems originating in the HVAC system. By using these products, air handler units can remain clean and sanitized. Additionally, the time between cleanings and the life of the unit itself can be increased, and the chance of poor indoor air quality can be dramatically decreased.

The Dirty Sox Kit is an annual, three-step application process developed by CRT that rids HVAC air handler units of odors by cleaning, sanitizing and protecting the evaporator coil. It is generally applied in the fall or winter months, and in systems where Dirty Sock Syndrome is thought to be present.

Dirty Sock Syndrome is a term coined by industry experts to describe unidentifiable odors which building occupants equate to the smell of dirty laundry or a gym locker room. Dirty Sock Syndrome is believed to be a result of bacterial growth on HVAC evaporator coils. The problem is generally limited to heat pump systems, but may be noticed in other system interiors.

Dirty Sock Syndrome is prevalent in buildings located in hot, humid climates, where there is a constant supply of moist air exasperating the problem. Because a microbial can grow quite rapidly, the emission of odors increases over time.

Follow these steps when applying Dirty Sox Kit:

  1. Apply Instant Powder Kegs coil cleaner to clean the evaporator coil of deposit buildup.
    Instant Powder Kegs is a concentrated cleaning powder, that is mixed with water at the job site, saving users expensive and unnecessary shipping charges. Instant Powder Kegs removes dirt and odor-producing build up that hinder the efficiency of HVAC systems.
  2. Apply Fast Attack to sanitize the coil, and remove any odor-causing algae, fungus, bacteria or mold.
    Fast Attack is an EPA-registered, concentrated antimicrobial that cleans as it sanitizes. Iodine was chosen as the active ingredient, as its effectiveness is well known and widely used in hospitals and laboratories.
  3. Apply First Strike Micro Coat to the coil surface to protect against future buildup of dirt and contamination.
    First Strike Micro Coat provides a clear molecular barrier (less than one micron), that does not inhibit heat transferability. Because First Strike Micro Coat has been extensively evaluated, it performs without maintenance attention for a year or more. This decreases redundant labor costs and coil cleanings, and keeps coils performing at optimal energy usage.

Controlled Release Technologies, Inc.,is a research, development and manufacturing firm based in Shelby, North Carolina. CRT is 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 (800) 766-9057.

Filed under: Evaporator and Condenser Coils, Product Spotlight | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Product Spotlight: What Lies Beneath? Insulation Contamination

Posted on April 19, 2011 by crttipster

Unwanted deposits can gradually build up on, and even hide inside insulation. Once embedded, they are almost impossible to remove. Regular cleaning is useless, and vacuuming is not only ineffective, but advances the breakdown, or de-lamination of fiberglass insulation. This gradual process allows fiberglass particles to enter the air stream and occupied areas, where they may be inhaled.

At CRT, we have developed the following specifically formulated coatings to solve problems due to contamination, degradation and de-lamination. By using these products, air handler units, ductwork and mechanical room walls can remain safe, improving occupant comfort level, and assisting in future maintenance and cleaning of the HVAC system.

Flex Seal
Flex Seal is a NFPA 90A compliant, mildew-resistant coating that permanently protects surfaces from degradation. Flex Seal can be applied to HVAC ductwork, interior walls, insulation, wood, concrete-masonry and metal surfaces. Downtime is limited, due to low odor emissions and a fast drying time, and future cleanings are made easier because Flex Seal is scrubbable, and can quickly be wiped down.

Bioflex
Bioflex is an EPA registered, fungicidal coating that permanently protects surfaces from mold-related contamination. Bioflex can be applied to interior walls, insulation, wood, concrete-masonry and metal surfaces. Downtime is limited, due to low odor emissions and a fast drying time, and future cleanings are made easier because Bioflex is scrubbable, and can quickly be wiped down.

Ductile
Ductile is a low viscosity coating that permanently protects HVAC ductwork from degradation and insulation de-lamination. Ductile is specifically formulated for use in robotic air duct sprayers, making it easy to apply. Ductile is a complete encapsulate, locking down fiberglass particles that can enter the airstream, and making future cleaning easier as it can quickly be wiped down.

We welcome your comments, so please don’t hesitate to do so. We’d love to hear from you.

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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Fall Sicknesses and their Relationship to Heating and Cooling Systems

Posted on December 9, 2010 by crttipster

A source of biological spores

Many people typically get ill during the Fall season.  Although there are many reasons one might get ill, a seldom thought of culprit may lie within a buildings heating and cooling system.

Out of Sight – Out of Mind

Owners seldom pay attention to the insides of their HVAC system.  If it works, then that is the end of any involvement with the system by owners or maintenance staff.

But HVAC systems get dirty.  Damp and dark interiors are perfect breeding grounds for mold and bacteria.  It is common for fungal and bacterial matter to build up within the HVAC system.  Growth and amplification of fungus and bacteria most often occurs during the summer operating months where humidity are high.   Growth can be so substantial that the condensate or water collection pan within the HVAC unit becomes a reservoir for dirt, and biological matter.  The result is what is sometimes called a “biological broth” comprising fungal (mold) growth and debris that passes around or through air conditioning filters.

Once you have had the occasion to see this unhealthy soup, you probably won’t want to see it again.

Operational Problems Caused by Microbes

This same collection of microbials often causes the drain to stop up in the HVAC unit, with the result of water overflowing onto carpet or sometimes into the floor below.  Either way, the result is a nasty situation.

Microbiological growth occurs in the  summer months where warm temperatures, nutrients and moisture abound.    But is in the  iFall they are particularly troublesome.

It is at this time of year that the cooling system is turned off, and the heating system starts up.  Fungus has already dried up within the water collection pan, coils, and interior surfaces.  When viewed, the water collection pan which a few months previous looked nasty, now looks just dirty with a small amount of debris left.

The average thought is: “Well, thank heavens!   That mess is gone and now I am free from it!”

Nothing could be further from the truth however.

Mold or fungus goes into a dry spore form when there are no nutrients or water to promote its growth.  Microbial spores are very small objects, and individually are below the limits of human visibility in most cases.  What one sees are millions and more spores grouped together.  Some estimates have put the numerical count in the trillions of spores depending upon the extent of the growth.

Spores are  light, and are easily disturbed.  When disturbed they get released into the air flow going to occupied areas.  Often just starting up an air handler or system is enough to shake loose several thousand or more spores.   SIzes of spores are such that they may easily become breathed into ones lungs as well as alight onto room surfaces.

Many of these spores are less than 5 microns (30 microns is the lower limit of human visibility).  Particles of this size easily penetrate into lungs.

Allergic illnesses can develop resulting in some of the following symptoms:  sneezing, fatigue, headaches, asthma and others. The phrase “Sick Building Syndrome” is associated with this type of contamination.

Is there a solution to this?

While there is no broad method of handling all contaminants, there are ways of addressing deposits within the HVAC system.

Essentials of Handling

These involve keeping the microbial contamination out of the condensate water collection pans in the HVAC system continually to avoid build-up in the first place.  Controlled Release Technologies developed the first timed-released solution to handle this problem without constant attention in 1986.  Since then, remarkable technological developments have been made.

You can read about how some of these solutions can help your air handlers  be kept clean without constant maintenance attention in one of our upcoming blogs.   We value your experiences with how dirty air handling units can affect occupant comfort.  Comments are always appreciated.

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