Consumer FAQs
1. Do medical experts recognize contamination in home air conditioning units as a health hazard?
Organisations ranging from the World Health Organization to the US Environmental Protection Agency recognize the dangers associated with poor indoor air quality.
In Australia, the CSIRO says that Australia faces a significant air quality challenge largely because of indoor rather than outdoor pollutants.
"For many of us, our main exposure to air pollutants will be when we are indoors, such as at home, in the workplace or in entertainment venues," says Dr Pearman, Chief of CSIRO Atmospheric Research.
Professor Kerryn Phelps, past president of the Australian Medical Association, has stated the following: "Indoor air quality and the health problems created by contaminated air are issues of very significant community health concern. By simply ensuring that your air delivery system remains free of biological contamination, you can go a long way to improving the quality of the air inside your home, and the health of you and your family."
2. What are the human symptoms of a contaminated airconditioner?
While the symptoms vary greatly, the following complaints have all been associated with contaminated air conditioners:
3. What are other symptoms of a contaminated air conditioner?
You may notice that your air conditioner is not working as efficiently as it once did, in other words, it isn't entirely cooling the space it was meant to. There may also be a stale smell coming from the unit. These are both signs of a contaminated air conditioning unit.
4. How do Fungi, mould and bacteria get into my air conditioning unit?
Fungi, mould and bacteria are common throughout all environments on earth. They perform the essential function of breaking down our waste products. However our bodies are not able to cope when we are exposed to high levels of the microorganisms and their breakdown products.
The moist environment of your air conditioner's coils provides an ideal environment for microorganisms to grow. Since air conditioning systems typically rely on a combination of "fresh" air from outside and air that is re-circulated in your home, it's impossible to prevent spores, bacteria and various micro-organisms from entering. However, by treating the air conditioning surfaces with AerisGuard, you can prevent the colonisation of these micro-organisms in your air conditioner for 12 months.
5. How are these micro-organisms dangerous?
There are two dangerous elements to these micro-organisms:
Certain types of Fungi release molecules called mycotoxcins. Mycotoxcins can have serious health implications to humans. They affect many systems in the body including the Respiratory, Nervous, Reproductive and the Immune system.
The breakdown products of mould and bacteria produce tiny fragments of toxins that can have an adverse effect on human health. Endotoxins and Glucans are toxins that have known detrimental effects on humans. The air conditioning system once contaminated with micro-organisms becomes an effective amplifier of these dangerous toxins.
6. Can I get Legionnaires Disease from my home air conditioning?
Legionella is found in the cooling towers of large buildings and can be found in evaporative air conditioners. Legionella is not in refrigerated air conditioners.
7. What is AerisGuard?
AerisGuard
comprises a number of products applied in five steps. The products designed using technology originally developed for medical infection control applications, include a range of specifically formulated cleaners and treatments, which, when used in combination, help to remove the existing harmful microorganisms and then prevent them from returning for 12 months.
8. Are any of the cleaning chemicals toxic or harmful to the environment?
The AerisGuard
cleaning products use unique multi-enzyme formulations that break down biological contamination. These enzyme formulations are non-corrosive and environmentally friendly and are biodegradable. The AerisGuard coil treatment products provide a thin film to all surfaces, protecting them from potential recontamination for 12 months.
9. My Kids have allergies - Will AerisGuard
help?
Removing microbial contamination from your air conditioning system will go a long way to reduce the load of allergens in your home. AerisGuard
is the only system which not only effectively cleans your unit, but also prevents these contaminants from growing back for 12 months.
10. I have my air conditioner cleaned every year - isn't that enough?
Cleaning does provide some short-term protection against dangerous contamination of your system. However, as soon as your system is turned back on, the dangerous micro-organisms begin to re-colonise once more. The water produced as part of the normal operation of your air conditioner provides the ideal environment for these microorganisms to grow.
The protective coating applied to the indoor coils provided by AerisGuard
stops any potential growth from occurring for a year. An annual AerisGuard treatment delivers peace of mind to you and your family.
11. How often should my air conditioner be cleaned?
If your air conditioner is treated with AerisGuard
this simple treatment guarantees no continuous microbiological colonisation for 12 months.
12. If I clean my filters regularly do I still need to use AerisGuard?
Regular cleaning of your filters will help to keep your system clean but will not prevent micro-organisms colonising your air conditioner. The AerisGuard treatment also includes the application of a product to your filters, to reduce the buildup of microorganisms.
13. What is involved in protecting my air conditioner with AerisGuard?
An AerisGuard
Total Air Care treatment consists of the following steps:
- Contact Pre-Cleaning
:
The removal of bulk contaminants.
- Cleaning of indoor coil with AerisGuard
Coil Cleaner:
Removing existing mould and bacteria without damaging coil structure.
- Application of AerisGuard
Coil Treatment:
Protects the indoor coil against re-colonisation of mould and bacteria for 12 months.
- Cleaning of filters and Application of AerisGuard
Filter Treatment:
Provides protection against re-colonisation of mould and bacteria on filters.
- Insert the AerisGuard Condensate Pan Tablet:
Protects drain line from blocking.
14. Do I need to be home while the AerisGuard treatment performed?
Yes, the AerisGuard
applicator will need to access the components of the air conditioner that are inside your house.
15. How long will an AerisGuard
treatment take?
An AerisGuard
treatment is typically complete in an hour or less for the average split system or room air conditioner. A ducted system may take slightly longer depending on the location and access of the indoor unit.
16. Can I apply AerisGuard
myself?
The AerisGuard
Total Air Care System is not available at retail outlets and needs to be applied by a trained technician. All warranties associated with the product will be invalid if not applied by a trained technician.
17. Does AerisGuard
offer any other benefits?
Yes, a build-up of contamination also makes your air conditioner less efficient and work much harder to achieve the desired temperature. Treating your air conditioning system with AerisGuard is completely non-corrosive, and will immediately restore efficiency, reduce energy costs and even extend the life of your unit. Depending on the contamination before cleaning, the decreased energy usage can be significant.
