O3 Chemicals is the only South African chemical manufacturing company, which is
at the forefront of the GOING GREEN campaign. It accepts it has a role
to play in using its many resources to help Property Owners, Facilities
Managers, and Contractors everywhere to achieve GREEN status.
Apart from the new chemicals we have formulated, we have developed
A New Way to Apply the O3 Products.
We reasoned if we could get enough pressure when applying the O3 chemicals
to penetrate right through a coil without damaging it, we could more easily
remove contaminants bearing mould, bacteria and fungi. We tested many compressors,
but always found immediately we started spraying the chemical onto an AHU,
or HVAC, the compressor pressure would drop alarmingly. We finally had
a breakthrough when we discovered the latest Trade Air oil-free, silent
compressors, which, unlike ordinary compressors, maintain their set pressure
throughout the length of a clean.
They have also enabled us to introduce new cleaning techniques, which
are hugely cost-effective, and far more efficient compared to the normal
method of applying the chemicals with a garden pressure pump, and a hosepipe
to rinse off. Instead, they reduce cleaning times dramatically, and enable
the technicians to limit the amount of water required to rinse off a chemical
to a few litres – in the case of HVACs no tap water at all.
An example of an AHU clean:
On a recent clean, where the AHU measured 3m x 2m, we used a 50 litre
Twin-Head Trade Air silent compressor, set at 5-bar pressure. We applied
O3 GREEN in a 1:1 dilution. The constant pressure from the compressor allowed
us to clean right through the coil, without having to clean from the reverse
side as well. Because of this consistency in spreading the chemical onto
the coil, we used just 2½ litres of chemical instead of the normal 10 litres
we would have expected.
We were also able to clean the coil from start to finish in just 2 hours,
including taking before and after airflow readings, as well as before and
after pictures – a huge saving in time. Most importantly of all, we rinsed
off using the compressor instead of the standard 20mm hosepipe. A hosepipe
of that diameter pumps out 80 litres of water per minute.
To rinse off an AHU 3m x 2m would have taken 30-35 minutes, using approximately
2500 litres of water! We carefully measured the quantity we used when rinsing
down with the compressor, and it was less than 20 litres! A massive saving
of that precious commodity. We also achieved a 20% improvement in before
and after air flows. In addition, there was no mess to clean up after the
clean.
HVAC’s
We asked Air Tek Air Conditioning in Cape Town to carry out the trials
for us over a 4 month period. They service many thousands of HVACs. They
used the 24 litre Trade Air silent compressor set at 1 bar. Among their
clients are several Banks, none of which allows servicing of their HVACs
at night. The silent compressors were ideal for cleaning units in the banking
halls during Bank hours, without disturbing their clients.
They applied our new O3 SmartAir and O3 SmartFinish chemicals to clean
the HVACS, without removing the units from the walls. (The only time they
removed a unit was to clean the barrel fan at the back.) Even then, they
didn’t have to remove the fan to clean it. Think about it – no broken clips,
and no broken fans). The HVACs were left in pristine condition in less
than 20 minutes. They only required miniscule quantities of chemicals to
do the job.
And no tap water at all! Air Tek have now equipped all their teams with
the 24 litre Trade Air silent compressors. They are confident they will
see an improvement in their bottom line, and, above all, keep their customers
happy with their new levels of cleaning.
AHU’s: We have always recommended AHUs should be cleaned 4 times
per annum. The first clean should be done using O3 GREEN or O3 Alkaline
D in a 1:1 dilution. Before and after air flow readings are essential to
monitor the effectiveness of the clean. Thereafter a clean should be done
every three months using a 1:15 dilution of either chemical. Again air
flow readings must be taken. We also strongly advocate the taking of before
and after pictures, using a smartphone or tablet.
HVAC’s: In offices with high volume of people traffic, and call
centres, we recommend 4 times per annum. In homes, we recommend a contractor
should service the unit twice per annum – once in Autumn before the onslaught
of Winter, and the second time in Spring. The Owner can carry out a simple
clean monthly, using O3 SmartAir and O3 SmartFinish1-litre spray bottles.
FILTERS: Filters play an important role in reducing mould development
in an AHU or HVAC. They should always be kept in pristine condition.
AHU Filters: We believe filters servicing food outlets in a
shopping mall should be cleaned at least every 8 weeks. Filters in AHUs
servicing line shops should be changed every 12 weeks. Do not wash with
water. Water doesn’t clean, and the residue moisture on the filter after
the clean with water, attracts mould, bacteria, and fungi. Rather use O3
SmartAir and O3 SmartFinish to do the clean.
HVAC’s Filters: High-density areas such as call-centres, and
large open-plan offices should be replaced every month. In homes preferably
every month, but not less than every 2 months.
The Trade Air compressors can be bought at Makro, Takealot, and many other
similar retailers. However, we place so much importance on this method
of cleaning AHUs and HVACs that O3 has decided to offer the compressors
as part of our programme. We believe our prices are lower than the competition.
We are keen for the Contractors to recover the cost of the machines in
a matter of months, while delivering a far higher standard of cleaning
for their clients.
The Trade Air compressors will guarantee Property Owners, and Facilities
Managers will achieve more cost-effective, and more efficient results from
their contracts.
Well why don't you click on the link below, and O3 will walk you through
it. Allow about 30 minutes of your valuable time.
It will be worth it to read more about
Going Green with O3 Chemicals in 2018
To learn more about how to use O3 chemicals more effectively, see our
colour-coded Reference Cards.