Re: JEFF MAY: Air Conditioner, etc

[Guest guest]

Barb,

It is unlikely that you will find any AC unit (central, wall or window) that

will be usable for you, unless it is new. Not using any central or local

system (and sealing or removing it!) should eliminate it from the list of

mold sources.

I would chose an apartment with baseboard or radiator heat. (But do not

forget to HEPA vacuum and then treat all the heat emitters with steam

vapor!)

Your alternative-using oil-filled radiators-instead of the (sealed) central

system - should also work fine; I had one client who lived like this for

several years rather than use their heat pump. Of course, you then pay for

the heat and depending on where you are, this can be costly.

C. May, M.A., CIAQP

May Indoor Air Investigations LLC

1522 Cambridge Street

Cambridge, MA 02139

617-354-1055

www.mayindoorair.com

www.myhouseiskillingme.com

>JEFF MAY: Air Conditioner, etc

>Posted by: " barb1283 " barb1283@... barb1283

>Date: Mon Oct 23, 2006 3:52 pm (PDT)

>Jeff or others,

You alerted us to the problems with window and through-the-wall a/c

units with inadequate filters. I found that to be a problem in the

hotel I am staying at. I'm looking at apartment now and finding

most have these. I figure in combination with hardwood floors may

not be a problem if I don't use them, but with carpeting, there may

be too much mold infestation in carpet to be good, unless you cover

the with pro-tec or similar soluation. So now I have found

apartment with hardwood floors that has central heat and air, so I

thought this would be great until I asked to look at filter and it

didn't have much of a filter either. It was better than a/c units

I've seen but not very good and whole unit was very dusty. So what

to do? Are there problems with these 'mini/small apartment/cubbard

size air handling systems' TOO??

I'm beginning to think apartments with baseboard heaters and just

take the window a/c unit out of the window might be the solution.

Other possible idea I have is to take this apartment, otherwise is

very good, and not use the air handling system at all, just place my

own oil filled radiators in each room I use.

[Guest guest]

Jeff,

While we are discussing window units. Could you explain to us the proper way to

store them for winter. I have central air myself and check it every

spring/mid-summer. However, we have a room that does not get cool enough. This

summer I purchased a new window unit, to assist. Just took it out a couple

weeks ago, tipped it up hoping to drain it. Probably not the correct way

though. I can't see a way to open it up, everything is sealed. Is there a

proper way to drain it? Or is it better to just get a new one each year. They

are cheap over here, $59.00.

[] Re: JEFF MAY: Air Conditioner, etc

Barb,

It is unlikely that you will find any AC unit (central, wall or window) that

will be usable for you, unless it is new. Not using any central or local

system (and sealing or removing it!) should eliminate it from the list of

mold sources.

I would chose an apartment with baseboard or radiator heat. (But do not

forget to HEPA vacuum and then treat all the heat emitters with steam

vapor!)

Your alternative-using oil-filled radiators-instead of the (sealed) central

system - should also work fine; I had one client who lived like this for

several years rather than use their heat pump. Of course, you then pay for

the heat and depending on where you are, this can be costly.

C. May, M.A., CIAQP

May Indoor Air Investigations LLC

1522 Cambridge Street

Cambridge, MA 02139

617-354-1055

www.mayindoorair.com

www.myhouseiskillingme.com

>JEFF MAY: Air Conditioner, etc

>Posted by: " barb1283 " barb1283@... barb1283

>Date: Mon Oct 23, 2006 3:52 pm (PDT)

>Jeff or others,

You alerted us to the problems with window and through-the-wall a/c

units with inadequate filters. I found that to be a problem in the

hotel I am staying at. I'm looking at apartment now and finding

most have these. I figure in combination with hardwood floors may

not be a problem if I don't use them, but with carpeting, there may

be too much mold infestation in carpet to be good, unless you cover

the with pro-tec or similar soluation. So now I have found

apartment with hardwood floors that has central heat and air, so I

thought this would be great until I asked to look at filter and it

didn't have much of a filter either. It was better than a/c units

I've seen but not very good and whole unit was very dusty. So what

to do? Are there problems with these 'mini/small apartment/cubbard

size air handling systems' TOO??

I'm beginning to think apartments with baseboard heaters and just

take the window a/c unit out of the window might be the solution.

Other possible idea I have is to take this apartment, otherwise is

very good, and not use the air handling system at all, just place my

own oil filled radiators in each room I use.

[Guest guest]

Barb,

If moving into an apartment w/forced air, have you considered just changing the

filter yourself. Most communities in our area have no problem with this. Just

explain you have a health condition that requires better filtration than the

normal filter, and you are willing to purchase it yourself, keep it changed.

When we thought we were going to have to move every community was very

understanding and had no problem with it. Were even willing to allow me do air

quality testing, and have the furnace a/c unit checked and cleaned, and the

ducts cleaned. If they know it is a health condition they will be willing to

assist. I never mention " mold. " Just that I had a very sick daughter, who has

severe asthma, and I needed to control the indoor air quality. Everyone was very

willing to allow me to make sure it was safe. Get yourself a good quality filter

with a MERV rating of 11.

Just trying to give you an alternative. It is very hard to move somewhere when

you know it may not be safe. Someone here gave me some guidance similar to the

above, just thought I'd share.

Just a thought.

[] Re: JEFF MAY: Air Conditioner, etc

Barb,

It is unlikely that you will find any AC unit (central, wall or window) that

will be usable for you, unless it is new. Not using any central or local

system (and sealing or removing it!) should eliminate it from the list of

mold sources.

I would chose an apartment with baseboard or radiator heat. (But do not

forget to HEPA vacuum and then treat all the heat emitters with steam

vapor!)

Your alternative-using oil-filled radiators-instead of the (sealed) central

system - should also work fine; I had one client who lived like this for

several years rather than use their heat pump. Of course, you then pay for

the heat and depending on where you are, this can be costly.

C. May, M.A., CIAQP

May Indoor Air Investigations LLC

1522 Cambridge Street

Cambridge, MA 02139

617-354-1055

www.mayindoorair.com

www.myhouseiskillingme.com

>JEFF MAY: Air Conditioner, etc

>Posted by: " barb1283 " barb1283@... barb1283

>Date: Mon Oct 23, 2006 3:52 pm (PDT)

>Jeff or others,

You alerted us to the problems with window and through-the-wall a/c

units with inadequate filters. I found that to be a problem in the

hotel I am staying at. I'm looking at apartment now and finding

most have these. I figure in combination with hardwood floors may

not be a problem if I don't use them, but with carpeting, there may

be too much mold infestation in carpet to be good, unless you cover

the with pro-tec or similar soluation. So now I have found

apartment with hardwood floors that has central heat and air, so I

thought this would be great until I asked to look at filter and it

didn't have much of a filter either. It was better than a/c units

I've seen but not very good and whole unit was very dusty. So what

to do? Are there problems with these 'mini/small apartment/cubbard

size air handling systems' TOO??

I'm beginning to think apartments with baseboard heaters and just

take the window a/c unit out of the window might be the solution.

Other possible idea I have is to take this apartment, otherwise is

very good, and not use the air handling system at all, just place my

own oil filled radiators in each room I use.

[Guest guest]

On Wed, 25 Oct 2006 20:27:30 -0400, you wrote:

> Tipping it is fine and it will dry entirely that way.

If it's sat on it's side just be sure to let it sit upright for a day

or so before you use it again.

[Guest guest]

Thank you.

[] JEFF MAY: Air Conditioner, etc

,

You could get a new AC every year, though this seems wasteful. I have never

seen an AC which cannot be taken out of its case. (You usuually have to

remove them from the window to do this.) As long as you can clean/disinfect

the entire thing every spring, it does not matter much where you store it,

though keep it in a dry place. Allow the water to evaporate before placing

it in storage. Tipping it is fine and it will dry entirely that way.

C. May, M.A., CIAQP

May Indoor Air Investigations LLC

1522 Cambridge Street

Cambridge, MA 02139

617-354-1055

www.mayindoorair.com

www.myhouseiskillingme.com

JEFF MAY: Air Conditioner, etc

Posted by: " " eaglestone@... vbrk123

Date: Tue Oct 24, 2006 5:26 am (PDT)

Jeff,

While we are discussing window units. Could you explain to us the proper

way

to store them for winter. I have central air myself and check it every

spring/mid-summer. However, we have a room that does not get cool enough.

This summer I purchased a new window unit, to assist. Just took it out a

couple weeks ago, tipped it up hoping to drain it. Probably not the correct

way though. I can't see a way to open it up, everything is sealed. Is

there a

proper way to drain it? Or is it better to just get a new one each year.

They

are cheap over here, $59.00.

[Guest guest]

On Thu, 26 Oct 2006 13:24:45 -0400, you wrote:

>Thank you.

>

Your welcome.

[Guest guest]

I'm not sure why this posted again...please ignore. Thanks

>

> Jeff or others,

> You alerted us to the problems with window and through-the-wall a/c

> units with inadequate filters. I found that to be a problem in the

>