To understand why many of today’s health problems can be caused by the home you live in, you need to look back a few years to see what caused this to happen. You see, during the energy crisis of the early 1970s, highly insulated “tight” homes became popular because of their potential to reduce energy costs.
Within a few years, however, complaints started to arise, due to health, and excessive moisture issues caused by indoor pollution, and associated moisture problems within these homes.
In the late 1980s and early 90s, indoor air quality became a nationally recognized issue. Even today, newer and more energy-efficient homes seemed predisposed to the problem. In addition, they retain more humidity and airborne pollutants, which causes longer life-spans, and more productive cycles of microbial activity within the home, such as mold, germs, bacteria and viruses.
This greater activity and concentration of these airborne contaminants, equates to more allergic reactions, and sickness within families, for longer periods of time.
Why is mold so difficult to control? Mold is at the bottom of the food chain. It thrives on very little, grows rapidly, and produces spores, volatile organic com-pounds, and other toxins. One organism can multiply to trillions in less than three weeks. When given the right conditions, mold can occur anywhere; in homes, schools, workplaces, entertainment centers, vehicles, etc.
The interior of your ductwork and air conditioning equipment, provides an ideal environment for mold growth — especially in the air conditioners inside drain-pan where it is dark, damp, and filled with nutrients. The result can be like blowing air over a swamp or through a sewer and then into your home, vehicle, and workplace.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 60% of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) problems and allergies may be mold-related. Some IAQ diagnosticians and practitioners today say the figure may be as high as 80%. The increased usage of air conditioning systems almost directly parallels the increase of allergies and IAQ problems.
As mold and bacteria grow on coils and in drain pans, they are disseminated through the ducts to occupied spaces. Some mold products (toxins) produce serious and sometimes life-threatening reactions, including allergy, asthma, hypersensitivity, pneumonitis, and in some extreme cases even bleeding lung disease.
Additionally, mold creates a troublesome maintenance problem. Its activity results in dirty coils, a loss of air-flow, loss of heat exchange efficiency, dirty and sometimes plugged drain pans, and excessive energy use.
Our company has found that the most successful way to handle system mold is through Ultraviolet (U.V.) germicidal lights. These U.V. systems are a recent breakthrough in protecting the health of a home.
Ultraviolet light in the “C” band (UVC) has been used for more than 65 years to kill microorganisms in hospitals, barber shops, laboratories, pharmaceutical plants, and at the nation’s Center for Disease Control. Residential ultraviolet units have been independently tested and proved to be effective in the constantly moving air environments of heating and cooling systems, killing mold and bacteria quickly and effectively. The UVC energy attacks the organism’s DNA and either destroys it immediately or prevents it from reproducing.
For most people, the original motivation for installing the lights is to abate IAQ complaints and/or allergies. However, they are also pleased to learn that many hidden odors are also eliminated with U.V. technology.
Ivan came right at the beginning of the 4-6pm window, which I love. He did all of the regular checking and maintenance, and thoroughly went through how our inside and outside units were doing. We have an email already explaining what might need to be done with our A/C unit in the near and distant future!
We called Strittmatter on a Sat afternoon with an error code on our thermostat. Felix was to our house within a couple hours and extremely helpful/flexible with our plans that day. He had our system working again very quickly and provided a very positive experience. Highly Recommend Strittmatter and Felix!!
I'm thankful we chose Strittmatter and so happy with Brandon's service today! He is kind and knowledgeable. He was on time, explained everything he was doing and even caught an issue that I didn't realize I had. I would highly recommend Brandon! His kind personality brightened my day!
JJ came out to check my hot water heater because after the storm the alarm was going off and the pilot light was off. I attempted to light it but I couldn't so I called Strittmatter Plumbing. He was able to get it lit and he checked the alarm as well.
He has excellent customer service skills and is a very nice man.
I will continue to use Strittmatter Plumbing.
Super professional, kind and very friendly service. Very respectful of property, wore boots and masks. Did an amazing job installing handrails in my mother's shower-bath. Highly recommend for your plumbing related needs!
Strittmatter has never let me down. The staff is always polite and quick to reply to my routine maintenance or technician needs. My AC and heat stopped working yesterday, due to the TX winter storm. I called for an appointment this morning, and within 15 minutes, I received a call from Jacob stating he was on his way. Jacob was knowledgeable, courteous, and followed up on any questions I had. Thank you again, Jacob, for all you have done. Thank you, Strittmatter, for hiring the best employees. It means a lot to a valued customer.
TACLB28698E / M38826
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