Indoor Air Quality Solutions, IAQS

Florida Releases Energy Star Residential HVAC Rebate Form Encourages Florida residents to upgrade to energy-efficient air conditioning system.

Governor Charlie Crist today encouraged Floridians to learn how to receive a Florida ENERGY STAR® Residential HVAC rebate by visiting http://www.rebates.com/floridahvac.

Beginning Monday, August 30, 2010, Florida homeowners who upgrade their air conditioning systems can qualify to receive a $1,500 rebate.

The program will end on Friday, December 31, 2010, or when the $15 million in rebate funds are depleted.

These purchases are expected to increase employment in the air conditioning industry and to create new green jobs for home energy efficiency raters.

“I encourage Floridians to learn about the state and federal financial rebate incentives and consider upgrading their residential air conditioning system beginning August 30,” Governor Crist said. “This investment will benefit consumers, businesses and our entire state economy, as well as increase energy savings and improve the value of many Florida homes.”

Due to the limited amount of rebate funds, rebates will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Governor Crist encourages Florida residents to visit the Web site to learn details that will increase consumers’ likelihood of receiving a rebate.

Beginning on Monday, August 30, consumers who purchase and install a new central air conditioner, air source heat pump or geothermal heat pump that meets Federal Energy Tax Credits standards can begin taking the first steps towards qualifying for a rebate.

Consumers can receive rebates of up to $1,500 per household on central air conditioners, air source heat pumps or geothermal heat pumps when, concurrently with installation, they also have their home duct systems tested, and the test results indicate no more than 15 percent leakage to the outside.

Participants must meet all the requirements of the Florida ENERGY STAR® Residential HVAC Rebate Program.

Rebates will be given in the form of an American Express Prepaid Card, which has no fees for monthly servicing or card replacement, and the funds on the card never expire.

The prepaid card can be exchanged for a check or an electronic funds transfer. The rebate program is for Florida household residents only.

Administered by the Florida Energy and Climate Commission and the Governor’s Energy Office, the rebate program is made possible by a grant from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and Florida legislation signed by Governor Crist in 2009.

•John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
•Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
•Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
•www.Microshield-ES.com www.CFL-IAQ.com

The 2011 National Healthy Homes Conference is a federally-sponsored event bringing together a wide range of sectors to better coordinate efforts in making housing healthy, safe, and environmentally sustainable.

This Conference is hosted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control, in partnership with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Together the agencies are working to help America create and sustain healthy homes and communities for everyone. The event takes place June 20-23, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. IAQA is one of 18 prestigious organizations chosen to serve on the Conference Advisory Committee.

•John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
•Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
•Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
•www.Microshield-ES.com www.CFL-IAQ.com

Chapter 468, Part XVI, Florida Statutes, provides for licensure and regulation of mold remediators. The law became effective July 1, 2010, and provides that the mold related services licensing program will be administered by Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).

The Florida DBPR has chosen ACAC to provide the license examinations required by Chapter 468, and has approved 2 ACAC Mold Remediation certification exams for this purpose:

ACAC Mold Remediator Exams

All of the following tests are approved by DBPR for the Florida mold remediator license. License applicants may register for the exam of their choosing:

Council-certified Microbial Remediator (CMR)
100 question exam on proper techniques for microbial remediation in the indoor environment.

Council-certified Microbial Remediation Supervisor (CMRS)
120 question exam on proper techniques for microbial remediation in the indoor environment.

•John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
•Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
•Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
•www.Microshield-ES.com www.CFL-IAQ.com

Florida Mold Law

Effective July 1, 2010 Your Mold Inspector must have a Valid Florida State Mold Assessor License and Insurance.

A mold assessor shall maintain general liability and errors and omissions insurance coverage in an amount of not less than $1,000,000.

A mold remediator shall maintain a general liability insurance policy in an amount of not less than $1,000,000 that includes specific coverage for mold-related claims.

•John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
•Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
•Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
•www.Microshield-ES.com www.CFL-IAQ.com

Is there really a “Free Mold Inspection?”

Usually not! This maybe a Mold Remediation Company looking to find more mold remediation business.

The word “FREE” – As most of us have learned in this life, little or nothing is FREE. Many mold remediators offer “free” mold inspections. Think about it…unless they are providing a charity, or a giveaway, they would not be in business long if they truly did free inspections. 100% of the time they will find a mold problem, whether one exists or not, and many times the unknowing individual will go along with whatever they are told out of fear and lack of knowledge.

The legitimate and knowledgeable Florida State Licensed and Insured Mold Inspectors will conduct a client interview asking a number of questions on your first call to them to qualify the situation. Many, many times we have taken calls from those who think they have a mold problem but we determined on the phone that they do not.

•John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
•Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
•Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
•www.Microshield-ES.com www.CFL-IAQ.com

Never hire a mold inspection company who is also in the mold repair or in the “mold remediation” business!

The company who performs the inspection and testing should be independent of any other interest in the remediation or reconstruction. This is currently the mold industry’s #1 conflict of interest, as recognized by the more respected powers in this old, but now re-born, and rapidly evolving industry. More states are finding it necessary to step in and protect their citizens by establishing Laws and licensing to prevent this serious conflict of interest.

The Florida State Mold Law Legislative purpose.–The Legislature finds it necessary in the interest of the public safety and welfare, to prevent damage to real and personal property, to avert economic injury to the residents of this state, and to regulate persons and companies that hold themselves out to the public as qualified to perform mold-related services.

As of July 1, 2010 the state of Florida Prohibits anyone from performing or offering to perform any mold remediation to a structure on which the mold assessor or the mold assessor’s company provided a mold assessment within the last 12 months. Perform or offer to perform any mold remediation unless the remediator has documented training in water, mold, and respiratory protection under s. 468.8414(2). Accept any compensation, inducement, or reward from a mold assessor or mold assessor’s company for the referral of any business from the mold assessor or the mold assessor’s company. Offer any compensation, inducement, or reward to a mold assessor or mold assessor’s company for the referral of any business from the mold assessor or the mold assessor’s company. A mold remediator shall maintain a general liability insurance policy in an amount of not less than $1,000,000 that includes specific coverage for mold-related claims.

Remember this Extremely Important Fact – There are a lot of companies out there who simply want to play on your fears and separate you from your money. Keep this in mind…a true mold problem is handled in 3 steps. These 3 steps will produce 3 separate documents that are necessary to document everything so that if in the future there is a need to disclose or defend how the mold problem was remedied.

1. An independent mold inspection by a Florida State Licensed and insured mold inspection company. This documents the problem in a written Mold Remediation Protocol that serves as a guide for the necessary repairs so you can effectively proceed to step 2. The mold remediation protocol should be written in accordance with the ANSI Approved IICRC S-520 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation.

2. Professional mold remediation by a Florida State Licensed Mold Remediation Company following the Written Mold Remediation Protocol (provided by the Florida State Licensed and insured mold inspection company) IICRC standards of practice.

3. Re-inspection to determine that the repairs were properly and effectively completed. The purpose of a Post Remediation Verification Inspection (PRVI) or Mold Clearance Test is to assure that the mold cleanup has been done correctly and effectively in the work area and to confirm that the cleanup did not accidentally distribute high levels of moldy dust and debris into other building areas or into its mechanical systems such as heating or air conditioning systems.

Your Florida Licensed Mold inspection company will act as your guide during the process. After this 3 step process is complete, you will end up with the 3 documents previously mentioned representing –

1) The establishment of the problem (Mold Assessment and Mold Remediation Protocol)
2) The repair of the problem. The Mold Remediation
3) The verification that all repairs were successful. The Post remediation Verification Inspection or Clearance Test.

By adhering to the 3-step process, not only will you be comfortable that your indoor environment is safe once again, but you will also be protected from real estate devaluation.

In today’s real estate world, nobody wants to buy a mold problem. It is required by law to disclose the conditions of your home before you sell. If you have had water intrusions or leaks that have resulted in mold, by producing the three documents to the buyer and/or buyers agent, you immunize yourself from their attempt at negotiating a lower price due to a mold problem.

•John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
•Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
•Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
•www.Microshield-ES.com www.CFL-IAQ.com