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Lantz_HVAC System Cleaning 101

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IAQA 18th Annual Meeting & Indoor Environment and Energy Expo (IE3) The views and opinions herein are those of the volunteer authors and may not reflect the views and opinions of IAQA. The information is offered in good faith and believed to be reliable but it is provided without warranty, expressed or implied, as to the merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or any other matter. HVAC System Cleaning 101 Presenter: Richard Lantz, ASCS, CVI Abstract Introduction Proper HVAC system cleaning in accordance with ACR, the NADCA Standard along with regular system maintenance can help achieve optimal efficiency for existing HVAC systems. ACR, the NADCA Standard outlines several cleaning requirements that are important to follow to ensure HVAC cleaning is done properly and with high quality results. Today's session will review the benefits that can be achieved through proper HVAC system cleaning, general cleaning requirements as specified in ACR, the NADCA Standard and guidance on proper cleaning procedures. Benefits of Proper HVAC System Cleaning HVAC systems account for approximately half of the energy use in a typical home. When those systems begin to wear, they begin to operate less efficiently. Even in new buildings, HVAC systems can be dirty, and will become more heavily fouled through everyday use. Contaminated heating and cooling systems can be problematic for occupants, contributing to poor indoor air quality, system failure, and increased energy use. A. Energy Savings According to the United States Department of Energy (DOE), heating and cooling accounts for almost half of the average home's utility costs.The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that 25 to 40 percent of the energy used for heating or cooling is wasted. Contaminants in the heating and cooling system cause it to work harder and shorten the life of your system. Although filters are used, the heating and cooling system still gets dirty through normal use. When an HVAC system is clean, it doesn't have to work as hard to maintain the temperature you desire. As a result, less energy is used, leading to improved cost-effectiveness. Several industry standards & studies reference the relationship between clean HVAC systems and optimal efficiency, including ACCA Standard 6, the NADCA Energy Research Project and the Federal Energy Management Program.The ACCA Standard 6 (Appendix A-1 Maintenance Awareness) states that failure to maintain proper conditions of cleanliness in HVAC systems can result in: • Increased likelihood of HVAC system failure • Reduced life expectancy of the equipment • Impacting indoor air quality of areas being serviced by the equipment • Impacting the energy efficiency of the HVAC systems The Federal Energy Management Program's Actions You Can Take to Reduce Cooling CostsFact Sheet states that a dirty condenser coil that raises condensing temperature from 95°F to 105°F cuts cooling capacity by 7 percent and increases power consumption by 10 percent, with a net (compressor) efficiency reduction of 16 percent. In a 10-ton unit operating 2,000 hours a year, this wastes about $250 per year in operating costs. A technician can clean the condenser coil in about 1 hour, which typically costs about $50. In this example, the payback takes just over 2 months and delivers a net annual savings of $200. Additionally,NADCA's Energy Research project conducted in 2008 showed that cleaning even lightly-fouled systems can produce substantial energy savings. These findings are based on complete cleaning of heating and air conditioning systems in accordance with NADCA's ACR Standard, which includes cleaning ductwork, coils, blower, other air-side system components, and changing the filter. Based on the initial research, cleaning a

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