Many HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) units at a California healthcare facility were underperforming, and a consultant was called to evaluate the situation.
Undersized units, faulty mechanical components, deteriorating insulation, the presence of
moisture, rust and low CFM (cubic feet per minute) flow were among the identified problems.
Facing budgetary restrictions, the healthcare facility selected irreparable units for replacement
and conducted a bid process through its capital projects team for additional work.
In collaboration with the facility’s team, Alliance Environmental Group established a costeffective solution to isolate and rehabilitate the remaining units. Each unit was sanitized: Coils
were safely cleaned with a probiotic, PH-neutral surfactant; insulation was replaced, drain pans
were diagnosed and either repaired or replaced; and the exterior of each unit was resurfaced.
After healthcare facility officials raised air quality concerns, Alliance’s experienced and licensed
technicians triaged units that served critical care areas. Photos and CFM readings before and
after the work showed significant improvement.
The client increased its flow rate, decreased energy usage, extended the life of their units and
avoided exorbitant replacement costs. Most importantly, Alliance eliminated the results of an
outdated AHU (air handling unit) design that fostered microbial growth by having deteriorated
porous material in a wet environment.
Alliance Environmental worked to remove the possibility of airborne contaminants in the
airstream of patients, visitors and staff—exactly what the facility needed at a cost it could
afford.
