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Aardvark Newsletter No. 36

May 17th, 2012 No comments
Aardvark Newsletter No. 36
 
Inside this issue:
  • ·        The Importance of Coil Cleaning

Heating and air conditioning control units, as well as outlet vents require maintenance because their intake vents can get dirty thereby compromising the effectiveness of the homes heating or cooling. When this occurs, the homeowners utility bills can skyrocket.
If they are not maintained, air, laden with contaminates such as mold, dirt, and dust can be breathed regularly by every person that enters the home. Depending on the type of contaminates, adverse health conditions can result. This is the basic reason that many homeowners, hire companies to come out and clean there coils.
 

Why Clean the coils?

-It saves on energy costs because the coils work more efficiently.
-The coils can be maintained at their peak efficiently.
-It prevents expensive equipment breakdowns.
-indoor air quality improves and reduces the potential for any breathing or airway problems.
-The shelf life of your products is increased because the system is working more efficiently.
-Eliminates any indoor odors.

 

 

Dirty coils interfere with the adequate heat transfer which causes higher discharge pressures. Higher discharge pressures mean that it takes more electricity to do the same job. This costs money. Dirty coils cost as much as 37% more to operate as its energy consumption increases. In fact, higher temperatures and system pressures resulting from not being maintained, can result in the breakdown of compressor lubricant.

-Dirty coils reduce cooling
-Dirty coils shorten equipment life span
-Dirty coils affect air quality
-Dirty evaporators spread mold and biological contaminates

 

Hope everyone has a great weekend! Check out our SPECIALS for air duct cleaning this month! They prices are unbeatable!
Sincerely,
Aardvark
 
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Aardvark Newsletter No. 35

May 11th, 2012 No comments
Aardvark Newsletter No. 35
 
Inside this issue:
 
·        Getting your house ready for summer
·        Getting your deck ready for summer
·        Getting your driveways ready for summer
 
Summer is coming on fast. It’s time to start thinking about getting your home, deck and driveways power washed and ready for the heat! Here are a few benefits of power washing!  
Benefits of Power Washing!
Does your deck give the impression like the wood needs to be re-stained? Or how about your sidewalk looks like it's been there for quite a reasonable time now and is in hopeless call for a replacement? These are both signs that your walkway and deck are in need of preservation.
 
A lot of people believe that when the state of whatever thing on their expectation weakens, it's routinely time to change it. However a first-rate pressure washing can be capable of bringing back your deck, footpath or sidewalk to its original state for the reason that the pressure washing removes grime, filth, stain and a lot of other things that can create your deck, siding, or walkway look in a bad condition than it really is.
 
Saving is definitely in the top list. Therefore, the good news is, it’s not as pricey as changing stuffs totally and immediately.
Do you sometimes feel like your home is making you unwell? Well, it could be the cause of a mold building up on the outer part of your house.
Pressure washing is capable to cut all the way through areas where mold and grime build up and eliminate it in a technique that is harmless and will be advantageous to both you and your home.
.
 
Inappropriate home preservation can result in a home that is poorly insulated and will cost a lot more to remain warm. How can pressure washing help a house to have an enhanced insulation and more energy capable?
 
Due to the increasing charge on power consumption, having a suitably insulated home is crucial, and believe it or not, pressure washing can assist in this. That’s because pressure washing free your home of things that have an effect on the insulation of the house, both on the roof and on the walkway.
 
Having said all these, why do you have to hire a professional Pressure Washer?
 
Well, in various occasions, doing things on your own can and will definitely save you some cash and time, but not when it comes to vital home preservation like pressure washing. It's extremely cheaper to employ a professional business to do your home's pressure washing, as you won't require purchasing the particular apparatus they use to get it completed.
 
Save yourself from the hassle and aggravation of doing it over and over again just because you didn’t do it right the first time.
As a final point, the outcome will last much longer than an amateur work would.
 
Hope everyone has a great week~
 
Sincerely, 
Aardvark
 
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Aardvark Newsletter No. 34

May 3rd, 2012 No comments
Aardvark Newsletter No. 34
Inside this issue:
·        Allergies
·        Pollen
·        Benefits of Air Duct Cleaning with allergy suffers
It’s springtime in Missouri, and spring is early this year. Our warmer weather has resulted in increased pollen counts from trees and, soon too, from weeds that are already starting to sprout. With that pollen come allergy problems. Runny noses, red itchy eyes, sneezing, and even worse symptoms are part of every spring, but allergy experts say that warm early spring weather can increase pollen counts and make the problem worse.
What many Missouri  homeowners don’t realize is that pollen, like dust and other contaminants, accumulate in the heating and air conditioning ducts in every home. You’re still running your furnace to take the morning and evening chill off the air, so any pollen that comes into your home is being circulated through your air ducts. Much of that pollen settles on the inside of ductwork and forms part of the layer of debris inside air ducts.
Then, even when the pollen season is over, summer heat kicks in and we turn on our air conditioners. The pollen that collected in air ducts reappears as the flow of air resumes, and we start sneezing and sniffling all over again. Here are some tips for minimizing recurring release of pollen:
  • Keep Doors and Windows Closed – The less pollen you let into your home, the fewer allergy symptoms you’ll experience. Keeping pollen out of your home really cuts down on pollen accumulation in your air ducts, too.
  • Change Furnace Filters Regularly – High quality furnace filters can trap much of the pollen in your home’s air as your furnace and air conditioner circulate the air in your home. Those cheap paper filters from the home supply store, though, just don’t do the job. They let up to half of the pollen and other contaminants bypass the filter.
  • Keep Carpets and Furniture Clean – Carpeting and upholstered furniture traps pollen very effectively, but releases it when you walk on carpeted floors or sit on furniture. Then, it circulates in the air and settles in your air ducts, only to reappear and cause allergic symptoms over and over again. Regular vacuuming can cut down on trapped pollen.
  • Have Your Air Ducts Cleaned – A thorough air duct cleaning by a trusted, professional duct cleaning company like Aardvark Air Duct Cleaning, will remove all the pollen and other debris from your air ducts. If you haven’t had your ducts cleaned for some time, there could be years of pollen lining your ducts and recirculating in your home.
Duct Cleaning Brings Allergy Relief
If allergies are a problem in your home, as they are for so many Missouri  homeowners and their families, the problem is often caused by an accumulation of pollen, dust, dust mites, molds, and fungi in the home’s heating and air conditioning ducts. Pollen from the entire time the ducts have been neglected recirculate any time you run your furnace or air conditioner.
Only a professional duct cleaning, using the correct equipment and high-powered truck-mounted vacuums can remove the layer of allergen-laden debris from inside your ducts. Many Metro families experience amazing relief from allergy symptoms after having their air ducts cleaned.
 
I have included the pollen count from the local news today. Hope everyone takes advantage of the specials we are running on Air Duct Cleaning to get a head start on all these allergies that can sneak up on you. Hope everyone has a awesome week an go check out our SPECIALS!!!!!
 
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Sincerely,
Aardvark

  

Chimney Repair Kansas City, MO 05/02/2012

May 3rd, 2012 No comments

    

Aardvark Newsletter No. 33

April 26th, 2012 No comments
Aardvark Newsletter No. 33       April 30th 2012
 
Inside this Issue:

 

 

  • Kitchen Hood Exhaust Cleaning
 
 
 
 
 
A friendly hello from your neighborhood restaurant hood and exhaust cleaning specialists.

At Aardvark  we take pride in providing outstanding service as the elite hood and exhaust cleaning specialist. We work hand in hand with the Business Owner, Chef, Manager, Fire Marshall, and Health Inspector to ensure all fire safety and health standards are met. Aardvark’s service technicians are trained to employ the latest hood cleaning and grease extraction techniques to ensure that your kitchen exhaust system is as grease free as possible. Cleaning your exhaust hood system free of grease the right way the first time is our priority. Aardvark makes sure you are receiving the kitchen exhaust service/hood cleaning that you deserve.
Did you know that there are over 600 million dollars of property damage every year directly linked to grease exhaust fires?!
60% of those fires were preventable and could have been avoided with proper hood and exhaust cleaning and maintenance
We are proudly family owned and operated, supplying service to the Kansas City Metro Area. .
 
We offer:
24-hour service
Free estimates
Very competitive pricing!
Let us meet all of your pressure washing needs at your convenience! Not only do we supply exhaust system cleaning, but we are also versatile enough to include:

Hood and Duct Cleaning
Pizza Oven Exhaust Cleaning
Chimney Sweeps / Repairs
filters
Mats
Sidewalks
Patios
And Much More
 
 
 Hope everyone has a great week! Don’t forget to LIKE us on facebook
Facebook.com/aardvarkresidentialandcommercial
 
Aardvark Residential and Commercial Services Inc.
 
816-965-9410
www.aardvarkair.com
 
 
 

  

Aardvark Newsletter No. 32

April 20th, 2012 No comments
Clothes dryers are among the most common types of equipment involved in home fires, ranking third behind stoves and fixed area heaters.
The National Fire Protection Association reports there were some 14,300 clothes dryer fires in homes in 1998, the most recent year for which figures are available. The fires resulted in 16 deaths and 309 injuries.
Clothes dryers can be found in 80 percent or 81.5 million homes throughout the United States. Lack of maintenance is the number one cause of dryer fires. Some of these fires occur when lint builds up in the filter or in the exhaust duct. Under certain conditions, when lint blocks the flow of air, excessive heat build-up can cause a fire in some dryers. People aren’t cleaning lint traps as often as they should nor are they checking and cleaning vent systems on a periodic basis.    You should clean the lint trap often, check and clean the vent system periodically.
Reduced airflow resulting from lint buildup in the screen or other areas around the dryer can cause the dryer to perform, poorly, operate at elevated temperatures and possibly overheat. Other problems can also occur if improper items are placed in dryers such as, foam backed rugs or athletic shoes.
Clothes Dryers Can Be
A Fire Hazard
If Not Maintained
 
·         Clean the lint filter before or after each use and also wipe away any lint that accumulates around the drum.
·         Make sure the dryer is plugged into an outlet suitable for its electrical needs.
·         Do not run the dryer without a lint filter.
·         Do not leave the dryer running if you go out, in case it malfunctions.
·         Make sure that the air exhaust vent pipe is unobstructed and the outdoor vent flap opens readily.
·         Keep combustibles, such as boxes and clothing, away from the dryer.
·         Do not dry clothing/fabric that may have flammable substances on it such as, alcohol, cooking oils, gasoline, spot removers, etc. Flammable substances give off vapors that could ignite or explode.
·         Read the manufacturers’ warnings in your manual on the use and care of your clothes dryers. Also, warning markings can usually be found on the inside of the dryer’s lid.
·         If clothing is still damp at the end of a normal cycle or requires longer dryer time, this may be a sign that the exhaust or lint screen is blocked. 
Make sure to get to your dryer vent professionally cleaned and inspected once a year!
 
I have included some pictures of an unmaintained dryer vent that we serviced 4/20/2012 this is such a fire hazard. Please remember to get these cleaned and inspected every year.
 
Sincerely,
Aardvark
 
 
 

Aardvark Newsletter No. 31

April 13th, 2012 No comments
Aardvark Newsletter No. 31
 
Inside this issue:
 
  • ·        Benefits of a Chimney Cap
 
 
 
With the spring weather here it brings lots of rain and stormy weather. I just want to touch base with you about the benefits of having a chimney cap.  
 
Many people debate on whether or not to use a chimney cap. Using a cap on your chimney will provide many advantages. This article will discuss some of the advantages of using a chimney cap.
 
Advantages
 
One of the first advantages of using a chimney cap is that it keeps animals from entering. Birds are attracted to the warmth of the chimney and will make nests that can possibly clog up the chimney. Raccoons also frequently cause problems. A chimney cap will keep all animals from setting up a home inside of your chimney.
Another advantage of using a chimney cap is that it protects the chimney from rain. Rain and moisture can build up inside the chimney and lead to damage. A chimney cap will also prevent rain from entering your fireplace and heater or ruin your walls and ceilings.
 
Hope everyone has a wonderful week. Don’t forget to Like us on facebook
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Sincerely,
Aardvark

  

Aardvark Newsletter No. 30

April 5th, 2012 No comments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aardvark Newsletter No. 30
Inside this issue:
  • ·        Spring Cleaning
  • ·        Reasons to get your Air Ducts Cleaned
  • ·        Top 5 Benefits of Air Duct Cleaning
 
It’s about time for spring cleaning here in the Metro area. Here’s a reminder: Don’t forget the air ducts. Dirty air ducts, no matter how clean your home may be, will greatly lower the indoor air quality in your living space.
Dirt, dust, mildew mold and allergens can accumulate throughout the duct-work of your home. If air ducts are not cleaned regularly and properly, the indoor air quality of your home can become worse than the quality of the air outside. In fact, the EPA ranks low indoor air quality as one of the top five environmental risk to public health. Clean air ducts will ensure that you and your family will stay healthy and comfortable in the time you spend in your home.
 
Some reasons you should get you air ducts cleaned are:
  • The air ducts in your home have never been cleaned.
  • Members of your household experience allergy problems during and beyond allergy season.
  • Your home is dusty.
  • There are strange odors and smells throughout your home.
5 benefits of regular cleaning and servicing of your heating and cooling system and your air ducts:
 
·        1. Savings.
 The US Environmental Protection Agency estimates that removing even four-tenths of an inch of dust from cooling system coils will reduce energy usage by up to twenty one percent. This can save you considerable money on your utility bill.
 
·        2. System durability.
 Estimate are that nine out of ten central heating and air conditioning systems fail or breakdown because a proper maintenance routine was not performed. Replacement parts and labor for heating or cooling system can be very expensive and total replacement costs thousands.
·        3. Your home's air quality.
 Many people consider air duct cleaning essential to maintaining healthy indoor air. Dust, allergens (pollen, pet dander) and toxins (mold, mildew, rodent droppings) are commonly found in air ducts. If air vents are not cleaned regularly these particles can be released into your house. Even if family members do not have allergies many of these particles have the potential to cause severe illness.
·        4. Allergies.
 If family members have allergies, air duct cleaning is often required to provide a healthy environment for allergy sufferers. Air vent cleaning can significantly reduce the amount of allergens in a home.
·        5. Remove odors.
 A musty odor in your home can mean that dust, mold or mildew may be present in the air ducts that no amount of air fresheners or candles will eliminate. Air duct cleaning will eliminate the smell almost completely.
 
   
Air Duct Before          Air Duct After
 
 
Air duct cleaning is not a task you should attempt to perform on your own. If you determine that your air ducts need to be cleaned, you will need to seek the help of a professional HVAC technician. With factory technicians, your air ducts will be safely cleaned and sanitized with professional equipment.
The effects of air duct cleaning can be felt for a long period of time that extends far beyond the spring season. Professional duct cleaning can also provide clean, fresh air that will help you reduce the effects of allergy season and turn your home into a more comfortable environment.
 
Hope everyone has a great week! Don’t forget to like us on facebook @ facebook.com/aardvarkresidentialandcommercial
 

            Hope everyone had a      
            
Sincerely,
Aardvark
 

  

Aardvark Newsletter No. 29

March 29th, 2012 No comments
Aardvark Newsletter No. 29
 
Inside this issue :
Facts about Air duct Cleaning
 
 
 
Fox News reports that  allergy season has come earlier in some parts of the country, thanks to the  unseasonable mild weather.
“With the higher concentration of carbon dioxide in the air, plants seem to produce more potent pollen,” said Dr. Stanley Fineman, an allergist and president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
Why the early sniffles? The warmer winter can cause trees to pollinate earlier. In addition, some studies have shown that pollen season is not only getting earlier, but the pollen is getting more potent.
Making things worse for allergy sufferers, a combination of mild weather and  rain can lead to an increase in mold spore counts as well.
What can you do?
  • Allergists recommend that people who know they’re allergic to certain pollens start medication before allergy season starts.
  • Clean your air duct system. Pollen and mold spores can get trapped in your duct work, which means that it’s being continuously circulated throughout the air you breathe at home.
Facts on Air Duct Cleaning:
FACT:
9 out of 10 system failures are caused by dirt and dust. (LCES Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service)
FACT:
Clean systems restore capacity and lesson running time, Translation: Savings on monthly Heating/Cooling bills. (LCES)
FACT:
A buildup of 0.042 inches of dirt on a heating or cooling coil can result in a decrease of efficiency by 21%. (EPA Environmental Protection Agency)
FACT:
Most commercially purchased fiberglass filters are only 7% efficient in stopping dirt, dust pollen, etc …from passing through it. (ASHRAE)
FACT:
50% of all illnesses are either caused or aggravated by polluted indoor air. ( American College of Allergist)
FACT:
1 out of 6 people who suffer from allergies do so because of the direct relationship to the fungi and bacteria in the duct system. ( Total Health and Better Health Magazine)
FACT:
Legionnaire’s disease was spawned in air conditioning ducts. It killed 29 people in 1976. (American Lung Association)
FACT:
In the summer of 1988, at least 8 people dies in Los Angeles are from Legionnaire’s disease ( Modesto Bee 9/22/88)
FACT:
Children are more likely than adults to be affected by polluted indoor air the breathe faster, inhale more air per unit of body weight and are closer to the ground where concentrations are higher. (Dept. of Consumer Affairs)
FACT:
The elderly, asthmatics, people with breathing problems like allergies, and lung disease are also more sensitive to pollutants. ( Dept. of Consumer Affairs)
FACT:
Most people spend 60% to 90% of their time indoors. ( American Lung Association)
FACT:
Indoor air is found to be up to 70 times more polluted than outdoor air. (EPA Environmental Protection Agency)
 
Hope everyone enjoys the newsletter this week. This spring/summer weather has really sneaked up on us. Don’t forget to like us on facebook! Hope everyone has a GREAT week!
 
Sincerely,
Aardvark Services
Facebook.com/aardvarkresidentialandcommercial
 
 

  

Aardvark Newsletter No. 28

March 22nd, 2012 No comments
Aardvark Newsletter No. 28
 
Inside this issue:
IT IS SPRING TIME!!!!
Air Duct Cleaning
 
Wanted to give some facts about air duct cleaning in this issue. Spring has arrived and it feels like summertime already! 80 degree weather in March will make you turn you AC unit on in a flash! So here are a few facts about how to maintain your system and get the best out of it while saving money!
 
BEFORE  AFTER
 
Air Duct cleaning basics:
  • Air-duct cleaning generally includes cleaning all parts of a heating and cooling system, including ducts, registers, grills, diffusers, heat exchangers, coils and drip pans. Services also typically include motor and housing cleaning. Providers use physical cleaning methods such as scrubbing or brushing and chemical methods such as biocides and sealants to clean air duct systems.
Benefits:
  • Air-duct cleaning can provide health and financial benefits to homeowners. Dust and other debris build-up in the heating and cooling system of a home encourages mold and bacteria growth if moisture enters the system. This causes health problems and allergic reactions in some people. Dirty systems also run less efficiently; clean systems usually break down less often and last longer. Cleaner, more efficient systems require less energy to operate and thus lower energy costs for the homeowner, according to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association.
 
When Does Duct Cleaning Make Sense?
There are several situations when duct cleaning could make sense (although there is little research data to support this).
  • If you have a problem with water in your ducts, this may result in mold growth in the duct. In this situation, solve the water problem first, clean and disinfect the ducts where mold growth has occurred, and have the rest of the ducting system cleaned as well. In some cases, it may be necessary or more cost effective to simply replace the affected duct areas.
  • If you are moving into a newly constructed house, and have doubts about the diligence of the construction crew, duct cleaning can be useful. Drywall dust, fiberglass pieces, and sawdust have no place in ducts. Duct cleaning will also catch the odd occurrence where lunch bags or soft drink cans have fallen or been swept into ducting. For similar reasons, duct cleaning may be advisable for older houses following major renovations.
  • If you are having trouble with furnace airflow, a duct cleaning could reveal significant blockages. Have the ducts cleaned before you embark on more expensive duct replacement or rerouting to solve an airflow problem. Cleaning of furnace and air conditioning components (e.g. furnace fan blower, air conditioning coil, humidifier, furnace heat exchanger, etc.) has been shown to make some difference in duct air flow.
  • If you look in the return air registers and see an accumulation of debris in the duct below, you may want to have it removed. CMHC research showed that return air ducts, which are relatively big and have slow moving air, are generally far dirtier than the supply ducts.You should be able to accomplish much of the return air duct cleaning with a household vacuum cleaner after removing the register grill. For example, households with hairy pets or young children may find it necessary to inspect their return air ducts more frequently. Do not expect any difference in airflow or house air quality after this cleaning.
Just wanted to give some information about Air Duct Cleaning this week. Remember we are running the $199.00 Special !!!!! Check out our Chimney and cap special as well on the SPECIAL tab!!!! Like us on FACEBOOK
 
Aardvark Services
 
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