Why it's important to clean ductwork in commercial facilities, especially healthcare occupancies, and industrial. Also when it is important to perform the cleaning.

2. • Specializes in Large Commercial HVAC Systems
Cleaning Projects
• Hospitals
• Schools (K-12, Colleges)
• Office Buildings
• Industrial
• Services the Midwest and Southeastern United States
• Certified Member of National Air Duct
Cleaners Association (NADCA), Indoor
Air Quality Association, NFPA

3. • Cost effective
• Viable alternative to replacing ductwork
• Lessen maintenance costs
• Improve efficiency
• Indoor Air Quality
• Reduce likelihood of hospital acquired infections
• Improve indoor air quality in schools and buildings for
those with respiratory problems
and allergies

4. • Cleaning HVAC Systems is more cost effective than replacing
ductwork, terminal boxes, air handler units
• Outlook for states is not good for upcoming fiscal years
• Less money to work with – more viable options for the
government to clean HVAC Systems

5. CLEANING HVAC SYSTEMS COULD IMPROVE EFFICIENCY
ASHRAE STUDY ON BENEFITS OF CLEANING
 Restoration of the one air handler resulted in improvements that will lead to energy savings of up to
$40,000 this year, in accordance with the results and assumptions of this study.
 Restoring the air handler resulted in a decrease in the pressure drop across the coil, of approximately
14%. This has resulted in a corresponding increase in airflow. The result is that the fan is producing that
much more work in the form of cooling.
 Restoring the air handler increased the thermal efficiency of the cooling coil 25% with respect to its
ability to transfer its energy to its sensible loads.
 Restoring the air handler increased the thermal efficiency of the cooling coil 25% with respect to its
ability to transfer its energy to its sensible loads.
Source: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineering, Inc.
(ASHRAE), Ross D. Montgomery, P.E. and Robert Baker. Study Verifies Coil Cleaning Saves
Energy. ASHRAE Journal (November 2006).

6. Clean coils, heat exchangers and heating coils add an average of
10% to system performance.
National Comfort Institute
A build up of 0.42" of dirt
on a heating or cooling
coil can result in a
decrease of efficiency
of 21%. EPA

7. • Improves indoor air quality for allergy and
asthma suffers.
– Johns Hopkins University Study found
• “Substantial increase in asthma symptoms were associated both with
higher indoor concentrations of fine particles.”
• “4 percent increase in days on which rescue medication was needed.”
• “Improving indoor air quality and lowering indoor particulate matter
concentrations may provide additional means of improving asthma
health, especially for children”
Source: Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health (2009, February 27). Indoor Air Pollution Increases Asthma Symptoms,
Study Suggests. Science Daily.

8. Dirt/Dust
Found in virtually all ventilation systems. Primary causes are
poor filtration, duct leakage and overall lack of preventative
maintenance.
This type of contaminant is the most common food source
fueling microbial growth

9. • Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI) are transmitted in
through three main environmental routes:
AIR, SURFACE CONTACT, and WATER.
• HAIs kill more Americans than AIDS, breast cancer or
automobile accidents
“Airborne infections are spread when dust and pathogens
are released during construction and renovation activities
and contamination and malfunction of the hospital
ventilation system”
Source: The Center for Health Design, “Impact of the Environment on Infections in Healthcare Facilities”

10. Source: CDC

11. How are airborne infections transmitted?
One way is when fungal spores (e.g. Aspergillus) are
released into the air and make their way into the
hospital environment
• Aspergillus is commonly found on
construction debris
• Aspergillus can cause Aspergillosis in
people with weakened immune systems

12. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) warns
that construction raises the risk of aspergillosis
Case Study
Akron Children’s Hospital: 5 Deaths attributed to aspergillosis.
The investigation found that while infection control measures
were taken during the construction project the air handler
systems were the common link between all 5 deaths. The
head of infection control was quoted
“We forgot about the air handler
Systems at the hospital”

13. According to The Center for Health Design
“The importance of good air quality in controlling
and preventing airborne infections in healthcare
facilities cannot be overemphasized. Providing
clean filtered air and effectively controlling indoor
air pollution through ventilation are two key
aspects of maintaining good
air quality.”

15. What should new
ductwork look like
prior to being turned
over to the owner?

16. All Buildings need a clean HVAC System
• All Buildings have individuals with asthma/allergies
• All Buildings need HVAC Systems to run more
efficiently
Schools – Hospitals – Office Buildings – Industrial Plants

17. New and Existing
• Unlined Supply, Return, Exhaust Ductwork
• Lined Supply, Return Ductwork
• Air Handler Units and all components
• Terminal Boxes
• Fan Coil Units / Unit Ventilators
• Return and Exhaust Grilles and Supply Diffusers
• Exhaust Fans and Dedicated Exhaust

18. • Construction debris in ducts
• LEED Prerequisite EQ1
"Ventilation System Start-Up" requires that distribution
systems be clean of dirt and debris*
• Can affect air balance/testing
• IAQ especially critical in hospitals & schools
*LEED Prerequisite EQ1 requires compliance with ASHRAE 62.1-2004, Section 7.2.4

19. Existing unlined return ductwork

20. Unlined Return Ductwork

21. Existing unlined supply

22. Existing supply ductwork

23. New construction

24. Outside air intake

25. Exhaust ductwork

26. Return air chamber

27. AHUs and other HVAC components

28. Coils

29. Lined or insulated ductwork
Insulated ductwork sealed with Fiberlock IAQ 8500

30. Lined or return ductwork

31. Lined supply ductwork

32. Lined supply ductwork

33. Ductboard

35. WWW.HUGHESENV.COM
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