Frequently Asked Questions?

Why are my energy bills so high?

• About 60% of a building's energy usage goes towards conditioning the indoor environment. There are many reasons for your utilities to be high. The No. 1 reason is duct leakage. Please see www.energystar.gov and search Duct Sealing Brochure.

Is mold commonly found in heating and air conditioning systems?

• Yes! Your heating and air conditioning system can be either a friend or foe in the constant battle against biological contamination of the indoor environment. Your system can be a microbe distribution system or a microbe killing machine. Please see Center for Disease Control flyer-HVACs.

Should I have my heating and air conditioning ducts cleaned?

• The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) suggests every 3-5 years. We, along with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), EnergyStar, the American Lung Association and many others suggest on an as-needed basis. If there is buildup of debris or microbial contamination, then it is time. One sign is dirty or moldy supply vents. For more info, please see Energystar.gov search: Should I Get My Ducts Cleaned?

I get sick every time I go back to work or school, and get better every time I leave home. Why?

• This situation is more common than you would think. There are even terms for it - Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) and Building-Related Illness (BRI). However, it is not such an easily answered question. There are too many variables to give one simple answer. This should be a sign of some kind of allergen or contaminate in the indoor environment. Everyone's body chemistry is a little different, so what may bother you may not affect me at all and vice versa. The best way to find out what is going on in the building is to perform an investigation. After we get a better idea about the indoor environment, then you may need to take our findings to your doctor to let him advise you on your health situation. Please see http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldresources.html for more info.

Can anything be done about dust mites?

• Dust mite debris can cause severe reactions in some people, especially in people or children that have asthma. Avoid feather pillows and down comforters, wash bedding weekly at a hot temperature (at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit), use allergen-resistant covers on items that cannot be washed (such as pillows and mattresses) and maintain a relative humidity of 50%. We can also eradicate dust mites with a simple treatment.