Introduction

Introduction In recent years, ventilation duct cleaning has grown into a huge industry, in response to surging public concern about indoor air pollution. The industry claims that cleaning ductwork can improve indoor air quality, control molds and other allergens, enhance heating, ventilating, and air‐ conditioning (HVAC) system performance, and reduce energy costs. Yet there is little scientific evidence to support these claims, and poor duct cleaning practices can actually cause or increase air quality complaints. This fact sheet provides guidance on when duct cleaning may be appropriate, how to protect building occupants during duct cleaning, and how to prevent the conditions that drive facility managers to undertake this costly procedure.    

Installation of Access

Installation of Access Doors in Ventilation Ducting
1  Operatives to check all PPE, cleaning equipment and chemicals required for the task. Refer to COSHH assessments supplied for chemicals being used. Operatives to set out all ‘Caution/Warning’ signage required and cordon off cleaning area prior to work commencing.
2  Only trained operatives are allowed to carry out this task.
3  Operatives to ensure that if a ‘Permit to Work’ system is in place, that it is read, understood and signed by those undertaking the task.
4  Operatives to carry out survey of ducting to determine best area for access panel to be fitted.
5  Operatives to erect the necessary access equipment, step ladders or ladders (note where possible tops of ladders should be placed on to a solid surface).
6  Operatives to mark the cutting edge of access door using the template supplied.
7  Operatives to coat along the cutting edge with lubricant.

Application of cleaning

 Application of cleaning solution onto cloth, brush system or suitable rather than on to blind system its self. General Note: Do not use too much pressure when cleaning as this may damage the surface or cause warping of the framework. Main contaminants are debris made up of skin and lint adhering to surfaces. Do not use any other chemicals other than the chemical stipulated, as this may strip the surface or leave streaky marks. If any blinds are damaged during cleaning immediately inform the Supervisor.
7  Full PPE to be worn including protective gloves to avoid finger cut injuries.
8  On completion of cleaning, operatives to dispose of all waste chemicals and materials on site and remove all cleaning equipment, chemicals and signage to company vehicle.
10  Operatives are not to leave the site until authorised by Superviso

Several national

Several national firms began marketing controversial air duct cleaning/encapsulating techniques in the late 1980's as an alternative to vacuum systems. The idea has been to trap and hold trapped dirt and spores. The use of sometimes questionable materials and the poor effectiveness of the procedure brought several Florida counties to require HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) licenses for contractors performing air duct cleaning services. • The use of sanitizing solutions to kill mold and bacteriological growth opens the question of safety for humans and pets in the air conditioned

from an attic

from an attic, a crawl space, or combustion air from a gas furnace, clothes dryer, stove, or water heater. If the supply duct system is leaking, the building can become depressurized, and air from outside may be drawn in to the ducting and distributed into the building. Either situation may decrease the quality of the indoor air. Research performed in the last 10 to 15 years has established these facts, and steadily increasing numbers of qualified HVAC contractors are learning how to eliminate duct leakage. How do you know if your duct system is in good condition? The most reliable and cost-effective way to find out is to have a duct test performed by a qualified contractor or technician using the proper test equipment. Duct testing is the process of using calibrated mechanical equipment to measure the amount of airflow that is lost through the duct system when it is at normal operating pressure. While some joints or seams may have only small leaks, other sections may be completely disconnected. Duct testing can indicate the relative leakiness of the ducts and help determine whether the duct system should be sealed, repaired, or renovated

In a country like China

In a country like China, with a rapidly developing economy and a mindboggling level of activity in the building sector, conditions are ideal for the development of an emerging heat pump and air-conditioning market. And there are many challenges for metropolitan Beijing, which is at the core of these developments. Beijing has an open eye for a better environment going hand in hand with city expansion and living and working space for its inhabitants and visitors. For the first time in the history of the IEA Heat Pump Programme, the conference was held in a country outside the IEA group of nations. But this may soon change, as China has announced that it plans to join the programme in the near future.
This overview article on the 7th Heat Pump Conference will focus on conference highlights and present some of the material submitted as well as the results of some of the discussions that took place. It consists of two parts: part 1 presents an overview of international market developments per region, with China, France and Sweden being highlighted, as well as a discussion of the energy and environment rationale behind using heat pumps; part 2 discusses various technological and related market developments and ground-source heat pumps in particula

electric utilities

electric utilities. The goal was to boost sales to 400,000 units by 2000. This goal was not achieved, partly because utilities were restructured, resulting in withdrawal of their support and marketing. Nevertheless, under this programme sales nearly doubled from 40,000 in 1994 to 80,000 in 1999, accelerating the growth of the industry.
In late 1998, the Federal Energy Management Programme established its ground-coupled heat pump technology initiative. Shipments in the US increased more than ten-fold from 1999 to 2001. It is the most cost-effective component of the overall DOE groundcoupled heat pumps programme that remains active today.
Ground-coupled heat pumps in the US remain possibly the best technology available today for reducing energy consumption from space heating and cooling, and from water heating: “Managing Btu’s with ground-coupled heat pumps - by moving them from room to room, from air conditioners to water heaters, or storing them in the ground for the winter - is a more prudent use of energy than dumping thermal energy into the air as virtually all conventional air conditioners do today