HVAC cleaning, should we clean furnace?

[Guest guest]

This group has been so helpful to me, I am really grateful.

After the mold remediation of my basement, I got three ear infections, sore

throat, and now sore muscle, I really want to be sure my HVAC system is

completely clean. I have tested the fiberglass insulation and the air filter,

both have mold detected. The air sample in the basement near sump pump also has

moderate level of mold.

So, I need to take out the insulation, replace air filter again. Is Honeywell

Merv 16 filter better than the Merv 12 filters? Is electronic filter really

better?

In addition to the coil and air blower, do we need to clean the furnace ( which

sits in between the blower and the coil, from what I can tell )? And, how?

Can we clean the coil and blower in place, by spraying a chemical and cleaning

with a toothbrush ( someone told be this )? Or, we need to take them out to the

backyard and hose it with water and cleaner?

Do I need to re-clean air duct since I am going to clean the blower etc? It was

cleaned a couple of months ago, after remediation. But the three weeks old air

filter was left in place, since it did not " look " very dirty then.

And, how do I know if the HVAC is really clean? Should I add UV to the coil

section?

The people who installed my air conditioner are the best bet for me to clean the

HVAC?

Hope

[Guest guest]

When you spoke about fiberglas wasn't sure if you were referring to your air

ducts or unsualtion in your room. Are your air ducts made of metal or

fiberboard? Question to the professionals? If there is mold detected in

fiberboard insualtion, wouldn't it have to be replaced? I've heard as well that

it isn't a good idea to even clean fiberboard with pressurized air as it can

pull apart fiberglas. Is that true as well?

Thanks, Sam

gs1 <grapeseed1@...> wrote:

I have tested the fiberglass insulation and the air filter, both have mold

detected. The air sample in the basement near sump pump also has moderate level

of mold.

---------------------------------

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

[Guest guest]

Sam,

What you have heard abut compressed air is very true. As for

mold in fiberglass or ductboard in ducting, there are 3 standards,

one of which is ANSI accredited that require removal instead of

cleaning fiberglass and ductboard in forced air systems:

NADCA ACR2006 - lots of free info at www.nadca.com

ANSI-ACCA 6

IICRC S520

Carl Grimes

Healthy Habitats LLC

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> When you spoke about fiberglas wasn't sure if you were referring to your air

ducts or unsualtion in your room. Are your air ducts made of metal or

fiberboard? Question to the professionals? If there is mold detected in

fiberboard insualtion, wouldn't it have to be replaced? I've heard as well that

it isn't a good idea to even clean fiberboard with pressurized air as it can

pull apart fiberglas. Is that true as well?

>

> Thanks, Sam

>

> gs1 <grapeseed1@...> wrote:

> I have tested the fiberglass insulation and the air filter, both have mold

detected. The air sample in the basement near sump pump also has moderate level

of mold.

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it

now.

>

>

[Guest guest]

The insulation is the pink fiberglass, the duct is metal. The fiberglass has

mold growth. Now, the swap sample for the air blower is back, it has mold, and

the swap looks black.

I wonder if the furnace should be cleaned in addition to the air blower and

coil?

hope