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Cardinal Carpet and Air Duct Cleaning | Special Sections

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Mark Mueller

Is the air your family breathes really clean?

Indoor air quality has always been a concern, but it’s even more important since COVID-19 entered our lives. Whether your home is new or new to you, its carpet and air-duct system have a story to tell.

“Your air duct system is very much like a time capsule,” said Mark Mueller, owner of Cardinal Carpet and Air Duct Cleaning in Wildwood. “If you move into a home that was owned by someone else, you’re basically breathing their air. Dead skin cells, dander, pet hair, human hair – all those get trapped in a house’s carpets and HVAC system, unless you get them cleaned.”

Even new homes have challenges in air quality, Mueller said.

“A lot of stuff gets into the ductwork during the construction process, when the vents are just openings in the floor,” he said. “Construction debris, soda cans, lunch bags – all kinds of stuff – gets dropped down into the ductwork before those openings are covered, and that can obstruct the airflow.”

In addition to health issues, cleaning carpets and ductwork can save money, Mueller said.

“You’re heating or cooling air that you’re then trying to push past obstructions,” he said. “So that debris is costing you significant amounts of money, because your HVAC system is running much longer than necessary to reach the desired temperature setting on your thermostat.” 

Cardinal Carpet has been in business since 1975. The father-son team of Mueller and his son, Nick, are fully certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration and have experience with cleaning carpets, upholstery, mattresses, car and RV upholstery and air ducts.

“We are one of the highest-rated carpet cleaning companies in St. Louis, with 159 five-star Google reviews,” Mueller said.

The company offers free, in-home evaluations. Call 636-288-8910 or visit cardinalcarpetcleaner.com or the company’s Facebook page.

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EPA helms White House indoor air plan to help fight Covid-19

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EPA is leading the Biden administration’s latest initiative to stop the spread of Covid-19.

The agency wrote new ventilation and air quality guidelines for schools, colleges and other building owners and operators released by the White House yesterday.

The guidance, dubbed the “Clean Air in Buildings Challenge,” is the latest step in the administration’s National Covid-19 Preparedness Plan meant to get Americans safely back to their normal routines. EPA’s guidance was written in conjunction with the Department of Energy and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It recommends that building owners and operators create indoor air action plans to assess indoor air quality; optimize fresh air ventilation by bringing outdoor air indoors; enhance air filtration through heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems; and communicate with building occupants to increase awareness of air quality and ventilation issues.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan tweeted about the initiative, saying the agency “is following through on @POTUS’ plan to move our nation forward in a healthy, sustainable way in the fight against COVID-19.”

The White House is also working with partners to create a new building certification program, similar to the LEED program that recognizes green buildings, that would recognize buildings that meet certain levels of air quality and filtration. Other parts of the National Covid-19 Preparedness Plan include increasing the supply of Covid-19 tests and launching an effort to vaccinate America’s toddlers once the Food and Drug Administration approves vaccines for 2- to 4-year-olds.

EPA has long advised schools on ways to improve indoor air quality. Stuffy classrooms with poor ventilation have been shown to contribute to lower test scores (Greenwire, Sept. 13, 2021).

Prior to the pandemic, however, the issue was often neglected as schools with tight operating and maintenance budgets faced hard choices about what improvements to fund, often deciding money was better spent on school security or academics than on HVAC repairs.

That changed in just the past year and a half as the pandemic erupted and scientists determined that Covid-19 is spread through the air. As states and schools dropped their indoor mask mandates this winter, ventilation again has become front and center.

That hasn’t been lost on EPA (Greenwire, Feb. 11). Last month, the agency hosted a webinar with indoor air experts about ventilation and filtration where the EPA Indoor Environments Division’s Tracy Washington Enger said, “The pandemic has provided us with a defining moment on indoor air quality for schools.”

“Here we are two years into the pandemic, and what we are starting to hear is a shift in how we are thinking about coronavirus in this nation,” she told the webinar, saying the nation is now facing a question of “how we as individuals and institutions will make the shift from a crisis response to a pandemic to living with an endemic disease.”

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Criminal Enforcement/Clean Air Act: U.S. Department of Justice News Release States Louisiana Company/Owner Plead Guilty to Tampering with Diesel Truck Emission Control Monitoring Devices | Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, P.L.L.C.

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Download PDF

The United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced in a March 15th news release that Power Performance Enterprises Inc. (“PPEI”) and its owner (Kory B. Willis) pleaded guilty to :

  • Conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act
  • Violating the Clean Air Act

The alleged violations are stated to have involved tampering with the monitoring devices of emissions control systems of diesel trucks.

United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert for the Eastern District of California is quoted in the news release as stating that:

. . . The defendants sold products nationwide that allowed drivers to illegally tamper with emissions controls in a manner that caused dramatic increases in emissions.

DOJ cites court documents stating that PPEI and its owner were:

. . . among the nation’s most prominent developers of custom software known as “tunes,” and in particular, “delete tunes.”

Tunes are stated to have the ability to alter a diesel truck’s fuel delivery, power parameters and emissions.

The news release states that PPEI and its owner have agreed to pay a total of $3.1 million in criminal fines and civil penalties.

Defendants are stated to be scheduled to be sentenced in the criminal case by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez on August 23rd . The news release further states:

Willis faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years of incarceration on the conspiracy count, two years of incarceration on the tampering count, and for each count a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross pecuniary gain derived from the offense. PPEI faces for each count a maximum fine of $500,000 or twice the gross pecuniary gain derived from the offense. Under the plea agreements, the defendants agree to jointly and severally pay a $1,550,000 criminal fine. The sentences will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of all applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

A copy of the news release can be downloaded here.

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The A-B-C-D of HVAC for Indoor Cannabis Growing Facilities | 2022-03-18

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The A-B-C-D of HVAC for Indoor Cannabis Growing Facilities | 2022-03-18 | ACHR News

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TSA Extends Face Mask Requirement For Public Transit Through April 18 – CBS Dallas / Fort Worth

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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – The TSA announced on Mar. 18 that the face mask requirement for anyone using public transit systems – including DART – would be extended through April 18.

The requirement applies to people at airports, onboard commercial aircraft, on buses, and on rail systems.

READ MORE: Make Your Own Darn Bed: Hotels Ditching Housekeeping Services

In compliance with the order, DART will continue to require a CDC-approved face mask be worn over the mouth and nose by passengers, operators, and contractors at all times while using DART vehicles, including buses, trains and paratransit vehicles, Trinity Railway Express trains, in buildings, and on the Dallas Streetcar.

DART warns that refusing to wear a mask without a CDC exemption is a violation of federal law and could be costly. Violators can be denied boarding or removed and may be subject to fines ranging from $500 to $3,000.

READ MORE: Reginald Kimbro, North Texas Serial Killer/Rapist, Sentenced To Life Without Parole

Passengers concerned about someone not wearing a mask can contact DART Customer Service at (214) 979-1111, or use the “DART Say Something” app, which can be downloaded from the Apple Store or Google Play for free.

Face masks and hand sanitizer will continue to be provided to all passengers on DART vehicles, and officials said they will continue thorough nightly cleanings and periodic deep cleans using hydrogen peroxide to sanitize and disinfect each vehicle.

DART also continues to recommend social distancing, stating that passengers should maintain a six-foot difference between other riders and operators, leaving open seats when able, avoiding large groups, and staying home if sick.

MORE NEWS: Volkswagen Recalls 245K+ Atlas SUVs Due To Unexpected Braking Issue

More information about DART’s health policies can be found on their website.

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Air Ref Condenser Cleaning Corporation Specializes in HVAC Cleaning in Newark and New York City

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When it comes to HVAC cleaning in Newark and New York City, Air Ref Condenser Cleaning Corporation is the right choice.

This press release was orginally distributed by ReleaseWire

Moonachie, NJ — (ReleaseWire) — 03/18/2022 — The HVAC system plays a vital role in controlling indoor temperature. The indoor environment is the key to good health. Poor indoor air quality causes health hazards, making one’s home uninhabitable.

One of the key factors contributing to health hazards is contaminants, including allergens, dust mites, animal dander, and more. Getting frequent cough and cold, sneezing, and other bronchial discomforts is the wake-up call that something is wrong with the environment. Before the conditions worsen, an inspection of the existing HVAC system is highly recommended. A host of studies show that improving air quality reduces these health risks.

One of the great ways to avoid all such health issues is cleaning the furnace and air conditioning system. Keeping contaminants from entering the space through a furnace and cooling unit keeps the home pollution free and contributes to improved system efficiency.

Air Ref Condenser Cleaning Corporation has provided HVAC cleaning services for commercial and residential units throughout Moonachie, New York City, Weehawken, Newark, Jersey City, and surrounding communities.

Together with the biggest contractors in the industry, Air Ref Condenser Cleaning Corporation strives to deliver unmatched HVAC cleaning in Newark and New York City. Over the years, the company has earned a stellar reputation for reliability and customer satisfaction.

Certified by the NADCA, Air Ref Condenser Cleaning Corporation has technicians that undergo a 30-hour OSHA safety training course. They use their industry knowledge and hands-on experience to provide the latest, most effective HVAC cleaning services available.

Commitment to integrity is their specialty. The technicians keep their clients in the loop throughout the servicing process, providing necessary videos and progress reports. From start to finish, they walk the clients through every step.

For more information on portable air conditioning units in Manhattan and Newark, visit: https://www.airrefcorp.com/portable-a-c-rental-new-york-city-jersey-city-weehawken-moonachie-newark-nj/.

Call NY: (212) 594-0300or NJ (201) 866-8500

About Air Ref Condenser Cleaning Corporation
Air Ref Condenser Cleaning Corporation has provided quality HVAC System Cleaning to clients in Moonachie, New York City, Weehawken, Newark, and Jersey City for over 50 years. Air Ref is the company customers turn to when they require portable cooling or heating equipment. They are aware that they give direct-to-site delivery and, if necessary, installation. They’re open every day of the week, at all hours of the day.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/air-ref-condenser-cleaning-corporation-specializes-in-hvac-cleaning-in-newark-and-new-york-city-1354536.htm

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Houlton trailer park has relied on bottled water for 4 years after finding PFAS in its well

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HOULTON, Maine — Mobile home park residents in Houlton whose water has been contaminated for four years with high levels of per- and-polyfluoroalkyl substances known as PFAS could get relief sometime next year at the earliest.

Houlton Town Council has authorized an application for up to $1 million with Maine’s Community Development Block Grant program to help fund new water and sewer lines into the Houlton Mobile Home Park.

Mobile home park residents have been using bottled drinking water for the past four years after a February 2018 sample from the park’s well confirmed that the amount of PFAS was above the health advisory level of 20 parts per trillion set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. People are using the well water for bathing and laundry. 

Located off Old Woodstock Road, near Houlton International Airport, the park has about 55 lots on roughly 19 acres. It is owned by Tony Brettkelly of TBK Maine Properties, according to the town office.

“This has been an ongoing issue since my arrival,” said Houlton Town Manager Marian Anderson, who came on board in January 2019. 

The application, being filed on behalf of Houlton Water Co., would fund a new sewer line that would service not only the mobile home park, but also upgrade the sewer line for the town’s industrial park at an estimated cost of $756,850.

In addition, Houlton Water Co. would create a new water main for this area, thanks to a grant from the Maine Safe Drinking Water program. The estimated cost is $1.8 million.

“The Houlton Mobile Home Park has PFAS levels above the current interim standard of 20 parts per trillion in their drinking water, and the owner is providing bottled water to the residents while working toward a solution,” said Amy Lachance, drinking water program manager.

The Drinking Water Program would provide $3.87 million of state revolving funds to the Houlton Water Co. to extend its service area, allowing the mobile home park and other area users to access municipal water, Lachance said.

One of the stipulations for the state money is that the mobile home park owner must spend $494,000 to replace the park’s water distribution system, which would eliminate approximately 80,000 gallons per day in leaks and other problems, Lachance said.  

If the owner does not agree to fund the 25 percent, the work will not move forward, according to Greg Sherman, the general manager of the Houlton Water Co. Once the water main is created, the water company will take over ownership and management of that line. 

Assuming the town is successful in receiving the funding, the best-case scenario for the new water and sewer lines to be installed is sometime in 2023, Sherman said.

“This grant would facilitate work on the sewer and to put in a new [water] main at the end of the Old Woodstock Road where there have been some issues,” said Nancy Ketch, the economic and community development director for Houlton. “This project would help alleviate some of the health and safety issues that have been experienced by what tends to be an underserved population.”

The project is really two separate issues — water and sewer — but both are interconnected, Sherman said. The company cannot simply install a new sewer line without also addressing the contaminated water problem.

“The Maine Drinking Water Program approached us to try and solve the water issue,” Sherman said. “The project would invest upward of $2 million into the Houlton Water Co.’s system by replacing an outdated 10-inch main with a new 12-inch main.”

The Mobile Home Park was once connected to Houlton Water Co. for its water supply, but discontinued that service, partly because the water line had numerous leaks that were too costly for the owner to repair and it was too expensive for residents to continue paying high water bills, Sherman said.

The mobile home park is a customer of Houlton Water Co. for its sewer. Sherman said that means the contaminated water coming from the park’s sewer is creating a higher than normal amount of PFAS in its sludge, which is disposed of at Casella’s landfill in Old Town.

“This new line would alleviate all of the problems and also provide safe drinking water for those folks at the Houlton Mobile Home Park,” Sherman said. “It would also replace infrastructure that was built back during World War II.”

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Daikin Subsidiary Agrees to Acquire CCOM Group, Inc.

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Daikin Subsidiary Agrees to Acquire CCOM Group, Inc. | ACHR News

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Air Cleaner Vs. Air Purifier – Which Should You Choose?

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So what is the difference between an air cleaner and an air purifier? If you want to improve the indoor air quality of your home, this is a dilemma you need to resolve. Both allow you to breathe easier by making the air healthier. But how are they different and which should you install?

Most companies use the terms “air purifier” and “air cleaner” interchangeably. They serve the same purchase – trapping or removing particles or contaminants from the air – but work a little differently. Different brands and different solve different issues.

Air cleaners filter the air (HEPA air cleaners for instance) while air purifiers sanitize the air by emitting negative ions, ozone, utilizing heat or with UV or UVC lamps. Other technologies are constantly being tested and introduced.

In short: Air Cleaners test for things that make us sneeze. Air Purifiers test for things that make us sick.

Air Cleaner benefits: They remove mold, dirt and microscopic pollutants (especially larger dust, such as dead skin) by using filters. An air filter is a sort of mesh that screens out particles. You can use an air filter in your furnace or HVAC system to prevent hair and dust particles from getting into your furnace.

Air Cleaner Weaknesses: Most air cleaners feature a fan that on high can make a lot of noise pollution. Expensive replacement filters, expensive to purchase.

Air Purifier Benefits:  Purifiers also remove contaminants from the air but are less reliant on filters or screens. Instead, their focus is to “zap” (sanitize) the pollutants, not just filter them out. Air purifiers eliminate airborne pathogens that cause allergies and sickness. Many air purifiers offer silent operation. They are often less expensive to operate than air cleaners.

Air Purifier Weaknesses: Depending on the model, they may offer little or no dust removal capabilities. Unless there is really good air circulation in the house, air purifying machines can only purify the air in a portion of one room.

Air cleaners are often measured and rated by a CADR (clean air delivery rate) number or by the number of air exchanges per hour. There are limitations to the CADR system though. It only tests for larger particles (pollen, dust, anything over .3 micron in size) and not for viruses, mold, mildew, bacteria, VOC’s, chemicals, or cigarette smoke.

(To clarify here – particle pollution, or particulate matter – refers to tiny pieces of solids or liquids that are in the air. Particles can include dust, smoke, dirt and even tiny droplets of liquid. Some are big enough to see, others are not.)
See: https://www.cdc.gov/air/particulate_matter.html

Air Purifiers on the other hand have a different purpose. Their job is to purify or sanitize the air of things that not only cause odors but can even make us ill.

A note about Ozone Generators. They are often sold as air purifiers, but they are of dubious benefit and can be harmful. No, ozone isn’t a toxic gas, but it’s a very strong oxidizer and harsh on the lungs in large quantities. It’s true that ozone is naturally generated, but low concentrations of ozone outdoors is not the same as high concentrations of ozone inside your home. Avoid them.

How do UV air purifiers purify the air? They utilize hydrol radicals and super oxide ions or high intensity UV lamps (UVC induct units) to fry the DNA of microorganisms passing by.

The overall best air purification machines use air cleaning and air purifying technologies together to address a myriad of indoor air quality issues.

The technology from ActivePure, for example, uses HEPA and carbon filters to reduce particulate matter by 99.97%. It also reduces VOCs (mold and pathogens too) significantly.

Quality air purifiers can also reduce the virus that causes COVID-19, on surfaces and in the air. (See this video to learn more: https://allhealthyinfo.com/free-video-reveals/)

As described on the ActivePure website, “Units with ActivePure Technology pull free oxygen and water molecules in the air through ActivePure’s patented honeycomb matrix. The technology creates oxidizers, which we call ActivePure Molecules, that are then released back into the room, where they quickly reduce DNA and RNA viruses including SARS-CoV-2 (novel coronavirus), Swine Flu (H1N1), Avian Bird Flu (H5N8), Hepatitis A (HAV) and MS2 bacteriophage, on surfaces and in the air.”

Both air cleaners and air purifiers help you stay more comfortable in your home and reduce the likelihood of catch many common illnesses. You can certainly use both if you’d like; install a quality air filter in your HVAC unit and use a portable air purifier for the living room or bedroom in your home.

AprilAire Partners with Two Healthy Living Influencers to Amplify the Message that AprilAire is Healthy Living

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“By installing our AprilAire Healthy Air System™ in their homes, Tamara and Kelly have the opportunity to incorporate Healthy Air into family life at the most personal level, allowing them to speak with authentic voices out of personal experience. We’re thrilled to establish this partnership.”

MADISON, Wis. (PRWEB)

AprilAire, the nationwide leader in professional-grade healthy indoor air quality (IAQ) solutions for the home, has partnered with two influencers in the home design, renovation, décor, and self-care space, dubbing them AprilAire Healthy Air Ambassadors and amplifying its message that AprilAire is healthy living. AprilAire installed its signature IAQ solution, the AprilAire Healthy Air System™, in the homes of Tamara Day, host of the Magnolia Network and HGTV show “Bargain Mansions,” and of Kelly Hartley, of Hartley Home, tailoring the system for each individual home’s needs with regard to fresh air ventilation, air filtration, and humidity control as well as for the climates in which they each live.

Tamara Day, who lives in Kansas and, in addition to her work with Magnolia Network and HGTV, is a home design and renovation expert also concerned with self-care and family life, as a mom of four. AprilAire’s professional partner in her area, Mike Bryant Heating & Cooling, installed an AprilAire Healthy Air System™ tailored to Tamara’s home and the needs of her family. Through a series of content and posts on her Instagram page and other social media properties, Tamara will share her family’s journey to healthier indoor air with AprilAire. See a video of Tamara’s install here.

Kelly Hartley, who lives in Florida, is also an AprilAire Healthy Air Ambassador. As the lead Instagram influencer of Hartley Home, Kelly focuses on home décor and styling, often with a DIY home improvement component and, as a mom of two girls, is committed to healthy indoor air for her family. The AprilAire professional partner who installed Kelly’s AprilAire Healthy Air System™ is Coastal Cooling, Inc. Kelly will blog and post about her family’s experience with their system installed in her humid Florida locale.

“We couldn’t be happier to partner with influencers like Tamara and Kelly and tap them to be AprilAire Healthy Air Ambassadors,” said David Carlson, AprilAire’s Director of Marketing. “By installing our AprilAire Healthy Air System™ in their homes, these two influential home and healthy living experts have the opportunity to incorporate Healthy Air into family life at the most personal level. This will allow them to speak with authentic voices out of personal experience. We’re absolutely thrilled to bring them on board in this creative partnership.”

AprilAire’s flagship whole-home solution is for all types of homes and all types of HVAC systems in all climates and regions. The AprilAire Healthy Air System™ can be installed on existing HVAC systems and features automated, touchless, and programmable controls. The smart, all-in-one solution introduces healthy, fresh air, helping to remove airborne dust, allergens, bacteria and viruses, and reduce asthma triggers while simultaneously maintaining the humidity level that helps prevent the proliferation of viruses.

About AprilAire

AprilAire is on a mission to make homes healthy. We believe everyone deserves Healthy Air and envision a future with Healthy Air in every home. We value healthy living, customer inspired innovation, simplicity of design, straight talk and delivering real results as promised, and most importantly making a positive difference in the lives of our customers, families, and communities. Headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin since 1954, AprilAire has been creating and delivering Healthy Air solutions to manage air purity, humidity, fresh air supply, radon mitigation, and temperature for all types of homes, in all environments. We have an unparalleled reputation as the brand of choice among tens of thousands of professional contractors and make a Healthy Air difference in the lives of the millions of families who rely on our products every day. To learn how to turn your house into a Healthy Home with the AprilAire Healthy Air System™ and learn about other solutions, visit http://www.aprilaire.com.

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