INDUSTRY SPECIALISTS IN AIR CONDITIONING UNIT (ACU), AIR HANDLING UNIT (AHU) AND FAN COIL UNIT (FCU) HYGIENE
HVAC CLEANING & MAINTENANCE
The importance of keeping your HVAC systems clean
Air Conditioning Units (ACU), Air Handling Units (AHU) and Fan Coil Units (FCU) are more than just heating and cooling systems. They are responsible for performing the vital task of moving air through occupied spaces, by bringing in the outside air, moving it through a filter before it then cools, heats or de-humidifies the air before reintroducing it into the interior.
Recent studies have shown that micro-contaminants in the air can flourish and breed in even the cleanest of workplaces with these pollutants often leading to increased occurrences of asthma, bronchitis, headaches, allergies or other breathing problems within an airconditioned space.
Air conditioners with their recirculated air and steady temperatures have proven, through ongoing research, to be an ideal breeding ground for many bacteria and fungi with the dirt and debris that collects in them providing contaminants with the essential nutrients that allow them to grow and multiply.
While all ACU’s, AHU’s and FCU’s are fitted with a filter, most of the contaminants are microscopic meaning they can still be passed through the system and into the airconditioned space. So, filters alone cannot be relied upon alone to maintain the quality of the air.
One of these micro contaminants is the lowly Dust Mite which clings to dust particles, secreting a protein that is highly irritating to human skin and the lining of the lungs. These Dust Mites, while invisible to the human eye, are often rampant in the ductwork of an ACU, AHU or FCU as well as on workplace furnishings, continually being transported throughout a building by the HVAC system.
Then there’s the continual recirculation of humid air through an ACU, AHU or FCU that not only provides the perfect environment for growth of bacterial and fungal organisms but can also leave your system with an intolerable musty odour which can only be removed through proper cleaning methods applied by a professional.
How can we help?
Complete Air Restoration is an industry specialist in Air Conditioning Unit (ACU), Air Handling Unit (AHU) and Fan Coil Unit (FCU) hygiene through the cleaning and remediation of air filters, fans, heating coils and general maintenance of the systems components.
Air Filter Cleaning or Replacement
All HVAC Systems, whether an ACU, ACH or FCU have an air filter or bank of air filters that filter out the dust, dirt and pollen that is brought into the system from outside.
Over time, the filters become overloaded and clogged, often leading them to become deformed, and start to pull away from the frame edges which in turn will result in unfiltered air, dust and dirt being unloaded into the system. Overloaded filters not only cause unhealthy air to circulate through the building, but they also lead to clogged coils, dirty ductwork and can affect the flow capabilities of your HVAC fans drastically reducing the performance and efficiency of your HVAC system.
Complete Air Restoration provides its clients with a range of services when it comes to filter cleaning and replacement. From providing monitoring and maintenance scheduling to filter testing, filter bank upgrades, filter installations, cleaning or restoration as well as filter frame replacements and HVAC filter installation and upgrades – we do it all.
Coil Cleaning
Coils are an assembly of copper tubes covered with aluminium fins through which a cooling medium (water or refrigerant) is transported. The coils transfer heat drawn into an HVAC system across a cooling medium in order to cool the air that is then expelled from the system. The coils are also responsible for transferring heat from the airconditioned space, back through the HVAC system to the outside, making them a vital component of any ACU.
The effect of this heating and cooling process means that the coils are constantly wet as a result of the condensation that results from the changes in air temperature as it passes through the system. And, while the returning air is filtered there is always a small amount of dust & other micro-contaminants that pass through, which when combined with the condensation, creates the ideal environment for mould & bacterial growth.
Failure to keep the coils clean, sanitised and maintained will not only affect the indoor air quality through poor filtration, but will also reduce the efficiency and effectiveness of the HVAC system which in turn will increase the maintenance and running costs. Keeping the coils clean and well-maintained will also prolong the life of your coils which are costly and timely to replace.
Complete Air Restoration applies only the best sanitising and maintenance techniques, using industry leading products and equipment to ensure optimum sanitation and protection of the coils.
Duct Cleaning
Ducts are responsible for carrying air to and from an occupied space, cycling the air through a building. They are generally hidden in the ceiling space, with only a few external components. Ducts can range in shape and be made of a variety of materials, but they all perform the same basic function.
Supply Air Ducts carry cooled or heated air to the airconditioned space are insulated either internally or externally to stop heat transfer and condensation while Return Air Ducts carry air from the space back to the AHU or FCU for filtering and conditioning.
Over time, ducts will build up with dust, rust, debris and other micro-contaminants such as mould.
Complete Air Restoration provides a thorough duct cleaning service that offers site-specific assessments, recommendations and treatment solutions for the safe and hygienic removal of these build ups in order to prevent any contaminants being recirculated through the building.
Regular inspection and cleaning will not only reduce the potential for contaminants but will ensure an improved indoor air quality whilst also optimising the operation and efficiency of the HVAC system which in turn will improve energy efficiency and operating costs as well as prolong the life expectancy of the system.
Duct Lining Re-Surfacing and Replacement
All ducts are lined internally upon installation, to either prevent noise transmission or as a thermal insulator.
And just like the ducts themselves, the duct linings will accumulate dust and debris as air moves through them, as well as being susceptible to damp due to the changing temperatures within the ducts. This combination provides an ideal environment for the production of fungi and bacteria which are then passed through the HVAC system and carried out into the occupied spaces of a building. Duct linings can also become perforated or begin to detach from the ducts if they are left unchecked for long periods of time.
Depending on the severity of the lining contamination or delamination, the lining may require either a remedial solution or replacement.
Duct lining re-surfacing involves the complete removal of the effected lining followed by the installation of new lining to meet your HVAC systems requirements. In some cases, internal linings may only require remedial work to prevent further delamination or contamination.
Complete Air Restoration offers site-specific assessments, recommendations and treatment solutions for the safe and hygienic re-surfacing or replacement of duct linings to ensure improved internal air quality and increase the efficiency of your HVAC system while keeping both ongoing maintenance and general operation costs down.
Fan Painting and Restoration
While being one of the most integral components of an HVAC system, the large fans that are responsible for moving the air through the system are often neglected.
Just like any of the other moving components in an HVAC system, the fans tend to deteriorate over time, losing their initial paint protection and developing surface rust which is then passed through the HVAC system as the air is transported through it and into the building.
Complete Air Restoration provide a fan painting and restoration service that is hassle-free and efficient so that the fan is thoroughly cleaned and prepped before being restored to its former glory. We use only the safest cleaning products and best quality, resilient paint solutions to ensure your fans remain at an optimum working order for longer.
General Maintenance
An HVAC systems' air filters, coils, ducts, duct linings and fans require regular maintenance in order for the system to function effectively and efficiently. Neglecting necessary maintenance will result in the steady decline of indoor air quality, HVAC system performance and a significant increase in operating and energy costs.
The most common maintenance issues are:
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The build-up of dust and debris on system components such as volume control dampers, coils and filtration which lead to poor air quality, air-flow restrictions and increased energy costs
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Corrosion on internal system components such as fans and filter frames etc which contribute to the contamination of a system with corroded particles dropping into and then being recirculated throughout the system
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Obstructed condensate drains drastically increase moisture levels within the system leading to mould and bacterial growth
Complete Air Restoration provides a thorough and comprehensive maintenance service that will keep your HVAC system performing at its optimum, improve air quality and promote healthy indoor environments while also keeping your ongoing operating and energy costs down.
Indoor Air Quality Testing
Poor air quality within a workplace has been proven through recent research to lead to increased occurrences of asthma, bronchitis, headaches, allergies or other breathing problems within an airconditioned space.
The only way you can be confident about the quality of air that your staff and customers are breathing is to test for microscopic traces of chemicals and biological contaminants like mould and bacteria.
There are various Australian Standards including AS/NZS 3666 & AS 1851 which are referenced in various Workplace Health & Safety requirements including the Queensland Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice 2011 that require business to perform regular inspections and reporting on the status of their HVAC systems.
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Testing allows for accurate and recordable data to be collected over time so that any concerns or complaints about indoor environment health can be addressed and resolved as efficiently as possible.
Complete Air Restoration offers a range of Indoor Air Quality testing, from Standard or Advanced IAQ Testing to Temperature, Humidity, Carbon Dioxide (CO2) & Carbon Monoxide (CO) Testing as well as Microbiological Testing, Surface Swab and Air Sampling.
Insulation Repair and Replacement
All ACU’s, AHU’s and FCU’s are installed with insulation to inhibit the transfer of unwanted heat into the circulating air and to prevent condensation from occurring in the system.
Any failure of the insulation within the system can result in fall-out from the loosened insulation fibres being transported through the system as well as allowing condensation to take place, which can potentially lead to mould growth and the circulation of unwanted odours.
Complete Air Restoration are experts in both minor and major insulation failures, providing cost effective and time efficient solutions for the repair and replacement of HVAC insulation.
Mould Remediation
Due to the changing temperatures within an HVAC system, dampness through ongoing condensation means there is always the risk of an HVAC system becoming the ideal environment for mould infestations. If left untreated this can severely impact the health of the staff and employees breathing in the contaminated air being circulated by the system.
Complete Air Restoration are highly trained, qualified and experienced in remediation methods and technologies providing only the most effective and long-lasting mould remediation solutions for its clients.
Photographic Audits
With many of an HVAC systems componentry being difficult to access or inspect visually, Complete Air Restoration offers Photographic Auditing and Reporting so you can rest assured that any issues are identified and resolved quickly and to code.
Complete Air Restoration use a combination of high quality still and video cameras to capture photographic evidence throughout the system in order to provide a visual report of the state of the system so that the best solution can be determined.
Following the completion of a maintenance or repair project, a further photographic audit can be carried out to ensure peace of mind about the work having been carried out to the highest of standards.