PowerBees specializes in Air Duct Cleaning, Mold Removal, Flood Damage Repair and the installation of Solar Panels and related products

Air and Water Quality Services

Airborne contaminants are a common cause of headaches, fatigue, and respiratory illnesses e.g., asthma. Dust mites and other chemicals, such as those found in carpeting and furniture, often exasperate allergies. Undetected gasses and vapors within the home have in recent years become a major health concern. According to the publication Congressmen Quarterly, “Indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outside air and up to 1000 times as dirty.”

Air Duct Cleaning – PowerBees technicians will remove air vent covers in the ceiling, walls and floors to insert a Rotobrush into each opening. The process is then repeated in the main HVAC trunks. The Rotobrush equipment agitates contaminants and allows their easy extraction. PowerBees also provides an antibacterial treatment using Microban, which is fogged into the system killing any harmful bacteria that may be present. This service is particularly common in hospitals and doctors’ offices.
Air Filters – PowerBees recommends the bi-annual replacement of air filters to ensure proper flow of air through your HVAC system to ensure efficient disbursement and return of air. Dirty air filters reduce airflow and increase energy costs. PowerBees provide optional Air Filters during our Air Duct Cleaning Services.
Air Purifiers – PowerBees will install Air Purification Systems that reduce dust mites and other allergens from the air.
Duct Work – PowerBees corrects Duct Work issues, and make recommendations for improvements. PowerBees will also install Duct Works from new systems to other areas within your home or office.
Dust Control – Dust Control is an important service that eliminates contaminants from the air in your office and home thereby reducing possible health issues and concerns. Please refer to our Air Duct Cleaning services.
Coil Cleaning – PowerBees will clean HVAC coils to increase efficiency and reduce energy costs. Optionally, we will provide Coil Cleaning when performing our Air Duct Cleaning services.
Mold Removal – Please see our page on Contaminant Services. Mold is a major health concern. PowerBees employs a variety of techniques to detect and remove mold from both the interior and surfaces of walls, ceilings, carpets and floors. Mold is a common and often overlooked cause of health problems. Please refer to our information on mold.
Soft Water Cleaning – PowerBees provides a variety of services and product installations to ensure that your water is contaminant free and safe to drink.
Ventilation – Proper ventilation is essential for heating and cooling efficiency, not to mention the important health aspects. PowerBees provides services to rectify and install proper ventilation systems.

WHAT IS AIR DUCT CLEANING?

Most people are now aware that indoor air pollution is an issue of growing concern and increased visibility. Many companies are marketing products and services intended to improve the quality of your indoor air. These services typically -- but not always -- range in cost from $450 to $1,000 per heating and cooling system, depending on the services offered, the size of the system to be cleaned, system accessibility, climatic region, and level of contamination.

Duct cleaning generally refers to the cleaning of various heating and cooling system components of forced air systems, including the supply and return air ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers, heat exchangers heating and cooling coils, condensate drain pans (drip pans), fan motor and fan housing, and the air handling unit housing.

If not properly installed, maintained, and operated, these components may become contaminated with particles of dust, pollen or other debris. If moisture is present, the potential for microbiological growth (e.g., mold) is increased and spores from such growth may be released into the home's living space. Some of these contaminants may cause allergic reactions or other symptoms in people if they are exposed to them. If you decide to have your heating and cooling system cleaned, it is important to make sure the service provider agrees to clean all components of the system and is qualified to do so. Failure to clean a component of a contaminated system can result in re-contamination of the entire system, thus negating any potential benefits. Methods of duct cleaning vary, although standards have been established by industry associations concerned with air duct cleaning. PowerBees uses specialized tools to dislodge dirt and other debris in ducts, then vacuum them out with a high-powered vacuum cleaner.

CHEMICAL TREATMENTS

In addition to our normal Duct Cleaning services, PowerBees may suggest certain applications of chemical biocides, designed to kill microbiological contaminants, to the inside of the duct work and to other system components. We might also suggest applying chemical treatments (sealants or other encapsulants) to encapsulate or cover the inside surfaces of the air ducts and equipment housings because we believe it will control mold growth or prevent the release of dirt particles or fibers from ducts. We recommend applying chemical biocides and other treatments only after the system has been properly cleaned of all visible dust or debris.

Note: Use of sealants to encapsulate the inside surfaces of ducts is a different practice than sealing duct air leaks. Sealing duct air leaks can help save energy on heating and cooling bills.

PowerBees recommends cleaining your air ducts under the following conditions:

There is substantial visible mold growth inside hard surface (e.g., sheet metal) ducts or on other components of your heating and cooling system.
There are several important points to understand concerning mold detection in heating and cooling systems:
Many sections of your heating and cooling system may not be accessible for a visible inspection, so ask the service provider to show you any mold they say exists.
You should be aware that although a substance may look like mold, a positive determination of whether it is mold or not can be made only by an expert and may require laboratory analysis for final confirmation. For about $50, some microbiology laboratories can tell you whether a sample sent to them on a clear strip of sticky household tape is mold or simply a substance that resembles it. If you have insulated air ducts and the insulation gets wet or moldy it cannot be effectively cleaned and should be removed and replaced.
If the conditions causing the mold growth in the first place are not corrected, mold growth will recur.
Ducts are infested with vermin, e.g. (rodents or insects); or
Ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debris and/or particles are actually released into the home from your supply registers.

If you choose to have your ducts cleaned, PowerBees will:

Open access ports or doors to allow the entire system to be cleaned and inspected.
Inspect the system before cleaning to be sure that there are no asbestos-containing materials (e.g., insulation, register boots, etc.) in the heating and cooling system. Asbestos-containing materials require specialized procedures and should not be disturbed or removed except by specially trained and equipped contractors.
Inspect the system before cleaning to be sure that there are no asbestos-containing materials (e.g., insulation, register boots, etc.) in the heating and cooling system. Asbestos-containing materials require specialized procedures and should not be disturbed or removed except by specially trained and equipped asbestos contractors.
Protect carpet and household furnishings during cleaning.
Use well-controlled brushing of duct surfaces in conjunction with contact vacuum cleaning to dislodge dust and other particles.
Use only soft-bristled brushes for fiberglass duct board and sheet metal ducts internally lined with fiberglass. (Although flex duct can also be cleaned using soft-bristled brushes, it can be more economical to simply replace accessible flex duct.)
Take care to protect the duct work, including sealing and re-insulating any access holes the service provider may have made or used so they are airtight.