A conflict of interest is defined as a situation that has the potential to affect the impartiality of a person. This most commonly occurs in a business setting when an individual is involved in multiple interests, one or more of which has the potential to corrupt the motivation for performance in the other.
You have heard the old parables of the fox guarding the hen house or the wolf watching the sheep. The basic lesson in both is "Don't assign a job to someone who will then be in a position to exploit it for his own ends”.
There are regulations in place throughout the lead and asbestos industries to address the potential conflict of interest associated with confirming the presence of these contaminants, and then being in charge of the proper removal and disposal of them.
However, a review of mold remediation companies on any search engine or in the yellow pages shows that many of them also perform mold assessments or mold testing. Is this a conflict of interest? It would seem that at least two states think so.
Currently, Texas and Florida both require licensing throughout the mold industry. The legislation in both TX and FL clearly states that “A licensee shall not perform both mold assessment and mold remediation on the same project, or have an ownership interest in an entity that performs mold assessment services and mold remediation services on the same project.”
An Orlando FL contractor was recently arrested and now faces charges of grand theft and insurance fraud for collecting samples that were never analyzed. In addition, he provided fake lab data to support the need for extensive mold remediation - which he then also performed.
Another popular scam is to offer FREE mold inspections and sampling. Done properly, mold assessment and testing requires an investment of time, equipment, testing media and professional knowledge.
The only way a company can afford to continue to offer this assessment and testing service for free is to make a larger profit from remediating any mold problems that are found.
In no way does Air Matters LLC feel that these two examples are the norm. Many mold remediation companies are owned by hard working, ethical people who are hoping to keep some services in house to increase their profit margin and streamline the project.
However, more and more consumers are questioning the potential for conflict of interest, leading many remediation contractors to partner with third party providers.
Air Matters LLC has specialized in confirming the presence and identity of fungal species in homes and businesses since 2002. We do not perform any remediation work, “So you can breathe easy” knowing that you are getting an unbiased evaluation each and every time.
Air Matters LLC has performed mold testing services in the Raleigh NC area since 2002. The owner, Renee D. Ward, has over 25 years of safety and environmental experience and holds both her Bachelors and Masters degrees in engineering. Renee is also a member of the American Industrial Hygiene Association and the Indoor Air Quality Association. You may contact Air Matters at (919) 961-2221 or info@AirMattersMoldTesting.com.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
How Does Your Home "Stack" Up?
There is constant air movement through your home. There are generally three types of forces that move air through a house: HVAC equipment, wind, and the "stack effect".
The stack effect is when warm air moves upwards in a house. Since we can't create a vacuum in our homes, new air has to come into the home to replace the air that has escaped to normalize the pressure.
Although the stack effect occurs in both the summer and the winter, the effect is usually greater in the winter due to the temperature differential. In the winter, cracks and openings throughout the building shell allow the pressure difference between indoor and outdoor spaces to drive air out of the top floor and to suck air in through the first floor.
In the summer, when indoor air is cooled, the reverse occurs; however, because the temperature difference between inside and outside typically isn't as great as it is in winter, the stack effect isn't as great either.
Whatever the season, the best way to remedy the stack effect in most houses is by minimizing gaps between indoor and outdoor spaces. Think about the places where new air is able to enter the house.
According to the US Department of Energy, the following areas are responsible for a large majority of air leakage that occurs in the average American home:
Ceiling, Walls and Floors – 31%
Ducts – 15%
Fireplace – 14%
Plumbing Penetrations – 13%
Doors – 11%
Windows – 10%
Fans and Vents – 4%
Electrical Outlets – 2%
These figures provide you with the most important areas to target for air sealing. However, a home energy audit will pinpoint the exact locations of air loss and assess your entire home’s energy consumption and waste, and recommend ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency.
Air Matters LLC has performed mold testing services in the Raleigh NC area since 2002. The owner, Renee D. Ward, has over 25 years of safety and environmental experience and holds both her Bachelors and Masters degrees in engineering. Renee is also a member of the American Industrial Hygiene Association and the Indoor Air Quality Association. You may contact Air Matters at (919) 961-2221 or info@AirMattersMoldTesting.com.
The stack effect is when warm air moves upwards in a house. Since we can't create a vacuum in our homes, new air has to come into the home to replace the air that has escaped to normalize the pressure.
Although the stack effect occurs in both the summer and the winter, the effect is usually greater in the winter due to the temperature differential. In the winter, cracks and openings throughout the building shell allow the pressure difference between indoor and outdoor spaces to drive air out of the top floor and to suck air in through the first floor.
In the summer, when indoor air is cooled, the reverse occurs; however, because the temperature difference between inside and outside typically isn't as great as it is in winter, the stack effect isn't as great either.
Whatever the season, the best way to remedy the stack effect in most houses is by minimizing gaps between indoor and outdoor spaces. Think about the places where new air is able to enter the house.
According to the US Department of Energy, the following areas are responsible for a large majority of air leakage that occurs in the average American home:
Ceiling, Walls and Floors – 31%
Ducts – 15%
Fireplace – 14%
Plumbing Penetrations – 13%
Doors – 11%
Windows – 10%
Fans and Vents – 4%
Electrical Outlets – 2%
These figures provide you with the most important areas to target for air sealing. However, a home energy audit will pinpoint the exact locations of air loss and assess your entire home’s energy consumption and waste, and recommend ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency.
Air Matters LLC has performed mold testing services in the Raleigh NC area since 2002. The owner, Renee D. Ward, has over 25 years of safety and environmental experience and holds both her Bachelors and Masters degrees in engineering. Renee is also a member of the American Industrial Hygiene Association and the Indoor Air Quality Association. You may contact Air Matters at (919) 961-2221 or info@AirMattersMoldTesting.com.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
I’ve done a whole lot of research on sealed crawlspaces the past few weeks. I have read everything from product literature provided by contractors who install the systems, to building science articles, to ASHRAE standards and studies. Here are a few of the highlights of what I have learned:
What is a Sealed Crawlspace?
A sealed crawlspace is also referred to as closed, conditioned, or semi-conditioned. The basic design has no vents, insulated foundation walls, a heavy plastic and/or concrete liner on the floor, and an insulated and weather-stripped access door.
A small amount of conditioned air is delivered to the crawlspace area from the HVAC system creating positive pressure in the crawlspace. The positive pressure prevents air from the crawlspace being drawn into the duct work and delivered to the living space. Crawlspace air remains in the crawl not in the living areas.
What are Some of the Benefits Claimed?
Sealed crawl space systems are said to reduce or eliminate many common problems, such as:
• Mold or moisture damage in the crawl space or living area
• Musty odors
• Condensation (“sweating”) on air conditioning ductwork or equipment
• Condensation on insulation, water pipes, or truss plates in the crawl space
• Buckled hardwood floors
• High humidity throughout the house
• Insect infestations
• Rotting of wooden framing
• Increased load on air conditioning and dehumidification systems
Many studies I read documented average energy savings from 15-18%. Another resource also pointed out that many of the crawlspace upgrades qualify for the 15% federal tax credit energy program.
The two most common disadvantages I came across were the cost and the ability to retrofit existing crawlspaces.
Are Vented Crawlspaces Really a Problem?
There was a study performed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) involving fungal sampling indoors, outdoors, and in the crawlspaces of 45 homes with traditionally designed vented crawlspace. Air leakage testing determined the connections between the house, crawlspace, and HVAC systems located in the crawlspace.
Results indicated that most of the crawlspaces contained liquid water, moisture vapor, and fungal spores. The houses also contained measurable holes between the crawlspace and the living space, with both natural and mechanical air movements across these openings.
This led to a measured transmission of fungal spores from the crawlspace to the living area. High moisture levels in vented crawlspaces in the Southeastern United States were linked to higher mold counts inside the living space.
There are also a number of excellent scientific articles available on www.BuildingScience.com that explain why traditional vented crawlspace designs may not be the best option for humid climates.
Want More Information?
Advanced Energy is an independent non-profit corporation that is governed by a Board of Directors appointed by the governor of North Carolina and the member utilities. The company was set up and still operates to work with member utilities on energy efficiency and conservation projects. There is a lot of useful information regarding crawlspaces and other topics in the knowledge library of their website at:
http://www.crawlspaces.org/
Air Matters LLC has performed mold testing services in the Raleigh NC area since 2002. The owner, Renee D. Ward, has over 25 years of safety and environmental experience and holds both her Bachelors and Masters degrees in engineering. Renee is also a member of the American Industrial Hygiene Association and the Indoor Air Quality Association. You may contact Air Matters at (919) 961-2221 or info@AirMattersMoldTesting.com.
What is a Sealed Crawlspace?
A sealed crawlspace is also referred to as closed, conditioned, or semi-conditioned. The basic design has no vents, insulated foundation walls, a heavy plastic and/or concrete liner on the floor, and an insulated and weather-stripped access door.
A small amount of conditioned air is delivered to the crawlspace area from the HVAC system creating positive pressure in the crawlspace. The positive pressure prevents air from the crawlspace being drawn into the duct work and delivered to the living space. Crawlspace air remains in the crawl not in the living areas.
What are Some of the Benefits Claimed?
Sealed crawl space systems are said to reduce or eliminate many common problems, such as:
• Mold or moisture damage in the crawl space or living area
• Musty odors
• Condensation (“sweating”) on air conditioning ductwork or equipment
• Condensation on insulation, water pipes, or truss plates in the crawl space
• Buckled hardwood floors
• High humidity throughout the house
• Insect infestations
• Rotting of wooden framing
• Increased load on air conditioning and dehumidification systems
Many studies I read documented average energy savings from 15-18%. Another resource also pointed out that many of the crawlspace upgrades qualify for the 15% federal tax credit energy program.
The two most common disadvantages I came across were the cost and the ability to retrofit existing crawlspaces.
Are Vented Crawlspaces Really a Problem?
There was a study performed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) involving fungal sampling indoors, outdoors, and in the crawlspaces of 45 homes with traditionally designed vented crawlspace. Air leakage testing determined the connections between the house, crawlspace, and HVAC systems located in the crawlspace.
Results indicated that most of the crawlspaces contained liquid water, moisture vapor, and fungal spores. The houses also contained measurable holes between the crawlspace and the living space, with both natural and mechanical air movements across these openings.
This led to a measured transmission of fungal spores from the crawlspace to the living area. High moisture levels in vented crawlspaces in the Southeastern United States were linked to higher mold counts inside the living space.
There are also a number of excellent scientific articles available on www.BuildingScience.com that explain why traditional vented crawlspace designs may not be the best option for humid climates.
Want More Information?
Advanced Energy is an independent non-profit corporation that is governed by a Board of Directors appointed by the governor of North Carolina and the member utilities. The company was set up and still operates to work with member utilities on energy efficiency and conservation projects. There is a lot of useful information regarding crawlspaces and other topics in the knowledge library of their website at:
http://www.crawlspaces.org/
Air Matters LLC has performed mold testing services in the Raleigh NC area since 2002. The owner, Renee D. Ward, has over 25 years of safety and environmental experience and holds both her Bachelors and Masters degrees in engineering. Renee is also a member of the American Industrial Hygiene Association and the Indoor Air Quality Association. You may contact Air Matters at (919) 961-2221 or info@AirMattersMoldTesting.com.
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