IS YOUR HVAC SYSTEM
WREAKING HAVOC
ON THEIR SYSTEMS?
While a rarity just 50 years ago, today HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems are generally considered basic, required components of every building. Yet, despite their importance, and the serious impact one can have on the wellbeing of everyone and everything within the building it serves, so long as they continue to produce cold air and heat, many of us tend to ignore them … a dangerous habit that can lead to some truly frightening consequences.
HVAC systems have always been notoriously effective at collecting, breeding and spreading bacteria, viruses, mold and other harmful microorganisms, as well as odors and allergens. But recently this fact has become much more troubling, now gaining the attention of scientists and health experts worldwide.
HVAC SYSTEM FUNDAMENTALS AND FACTS
Before exploring the role HVAC systems play in the transmission of harmful microorganisms, it's important to review a few essential HVAC system facts:
  • HVAC system filters are designed to protect HVAC equipment, NOT people. Their chief purpose is to trap dust and debris that's in the system's incoming air supply, to keep it from interfering with any internal components.
  • Most HVAC systems are equipped with only one,
    single air filter Larger systems with multiple return ducts will have one air filter per return duct.
    , typically located behind the grill or vent assembly that covers its "
    Return Air Duct A Return Duct is a large grill-covered inlet located inside the building through which the air that is to be cooled or heated and then returned to the building's various rooms and spaces, is drawn into the system.

    For identification purposes, it's good to know that Return Ducts are typically larger in size than the system's multiple "Supply Ducts," which are the ducts the resulting cooled or heated air ultimately flows through. Also, unlike Supply Ducts, the grills or vents on Return Ducts typically do not have adjustable louvers.

    You can also identify a Return Duct by turning the system's fan on and holding your hand or a piece of paper in front of it. If the paper is pulled toward the vent or you feel suction, it's a Return Duct.

    Conversely, Supply Ducts are the ducts that blow the conditioned air into a building's indoor spaces. Supply Ducts are typically smaller than Return Ducts. Most Return Ducts are equipped with adjustable vents/grills that have louvers or slats (located behind the grill), allowing you to direct the airflow.

    You can also identify a Supply Duct by turning the system's fan on and holding a piece of paper or your hand in front of the duct vent. If air blows out of the duct, it's a Supply Duct.
    ."
  • While it's important to protect an HVAC system from incoming dirt and debris, positioning its sole filter at its "entrance" ignores, and provides no protection from the components that actually generate and spread microbes.
  • HVAC systems DO NOT produce clean, freshly conditioned air, because instead of drawing in new outdoor air to heat or cool, they mostly condition the same old, stagnant air that's already in a building, recycling it over and over until the chosen temperature is achieved.
  • Virtually all of the air you breath in any air conditioned or heated space, has been through its HVAC system … numerous times.
MAN'S MIGHTY MICROBE BREEDING AND BROADCASTING MACHINE
With the possible exception of a laboratory Petri Dish, there may be no environment more perfectly suited for growing and spreading microorganisms than a conventional HVAC system.
Designed to be self-contained and hidden from view, HVAC systems are comprised of enclosed equipment cabinets and ductwork that rarely see daylight and components that naturally produce condensation … all blanketed in a continuous stream of microbe, dust and other contaminate laden, recycled interior air. In other words, exactly the dark, damp, nutrient-rich environment in which mold, bacteria and other microbes thrive.

Even the latest, most advanced and best maintained HVAC systems are subject to microbial contamination. All it takes to start producing bacteria is a little of the water that's ever-present in all HVAC systems, and some dust, another ingredient that's never in short supply, to start producing bacteria.
Or, maybe your microbial misfortunes start when an infected person coughs, sneezes or laughs, sending microbe containing droplets airborne to then be picked up by your HVAC system, recycled, and blown throughout the entire building through its ductwork.

On the other hand, microbial infestation can result from nothing more than mold spores, bacteria or other microbes drifting into a building through an open door, window or vent, or brought indoors on someone's clothing, shoes or baggage.
HOW GREAT A PROBLEM IS INDOOR AIR POLLUTION?
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (the EPA), Indoor Air Pollution is one of the world's top five environmental health threats. Every year thousands of people in the U.S. become sick from airborne microbes, many of them fatally so. And even more suffer from airborne allergens and other ailments related to HVAC system generated pollutants. In fact, recent studies indicate that HVAC related pollution is responsible for an incredible 75% of all reported poor indoor air quality, or "Indoor Air Pollution" problems.
  • The average American now spends approximately 90% of their time indoors.
  • Indoor air is, on average, 5 - 10 times, or 500% - 1000% more polluted than outdoor air.
  • 50% of all diseases in the US are caused or aggravated by indoor air pollution.
  • Poor quality indoor air is now a primary cause of lung cancer and asthma. Read More.
VALUABLE PROTECTION … PRICELESS PEACE OF MIND
PERMASAFE'S PROFESSIONALLY APPLIED
LONG-TERM ANTIMICROBIAL HVAC SYSTEM & DUCTWORK TREATMENT
  • Eliminates up to 99.999% of bacteria and viruses, mold, mildew, fungi, algae and other microbes, as well as odors and allergens.
  • Creates an invisible barrier on surfaces that continuously inhibits the growth and spread of microorganisms, including bacteria, mold, mildew, fungi and algae for 3 months.
  • Makes treated HVAC system surfaces antimicrobial, including evaporators, piping, condensate drain pans and even system air filters, grills, vents and thermostats.
  • Reduces HVAC system energy consumption, as well as maintenance and other operating costs.
  • Restores/Maintains peak HVAC system performance and indoor air quality, while extending component life.
  • Benefits every person and pet that lives, works or breathes in an environment serviced by a PermaSafe treated HVAC system.
  • A single application keeps treated HVAC system and ductwork surfaces antimicrobially protected and free from mold, mildew, fungi, algae, bacteria, other microbial contamination, and odors for 3 months.