Disease at Playboy Mansion Transmitted by AC System?

L.A. County health officials are investigating a possible respiratory infection outbreak after dozens of illnesses are reported by people who attended a recent fundraiser at the Playboy Mansion.

A Feb. 3 fundraiser was held at Hugh Hefner's Holmby Hills home. Many attendees have reported falling ill after the event and suspect that their symptoms are related to legionellosis, or Pontiac fever. Legionellosis is caused by a bacterium that grows in warm water and can take root in hot tubs or parts of air-conditioning systems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The bacteria are not spread from person to person, according to the CDC, but are instead inhaled in water vapor.

How is Legionellosis spread?

Outbreaks of legionellosis have occurred after people have inhaled aerosols that come air-conditioning cooling towers contaminated with Legionella bacteria. Bacteria can thrive in a variety of conditions and, like mold, can be easily spread throughout your home by the heating and cooling system.
 
What is the Solution?
 
Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation has been used by hospitals and restaurants for years to help disinfect and prevent the spread of germs. I install an excellent home ultraviolet treatment system which applies UV technology to your heating and cooling system to zap and kill airborne and surface contaminants to create a better home environment for your family.
 
What is UV-C light and how does it kill bacteria?
 
UV-C is the invisible, ultraviolet, C-band radiation that makes up part of the sun's light spectrum. UV-C light prevents growth and germination of microorganisms by altering the DNA and RNA and effectively sterilizing the organisms. Once sterilized, they cannot reproduce and with their short life cycles, they are effectively killed.
 
Since 1936, UV has been used to sterilize air. It was first used to purify air in a surgical operating room. UV has been used in schools to decrease the growth of epidemics such as measles and tuberculosis. Other applications include: churches, beauty salons, restaurants, incubation rooms, veterinary clinics, and hospitals.
 
You can effectively combat airborne germs and bacteria by having a UV system installed in your home. Call to find out more.

Burbank Gets Extra Energy Efficiency Rebates

CONGRATULATONS! Burbank heating and air conditioning customers get extra rebates and incentives, for energy efficiency, that the rest of Los Angeles doesn't qualify for. That is because BWP, Burbank Water and Power, is offering residents and business owners FREE money to make energy efficient rennovations to their homes and bussinesses. Check out the programs on their website at BurbankWaterandPower.com

Home owner AC - Get up to $110 for having your central heating and air conditioning system tuned up.

Revieve up to 50% of the cost of the job back when you install Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System

BWP provides most Burbank businesses with a free energy survey of their facility. Then you can get up to 25% of the cost of the job back in rebates when you replace your heating or air conditioning equipment with energy efficient an HVAC system.

Replacing Your Air Conditioning Equipment

In Los Angeles, home heating and air conditioning most likely represents the biggest portion of your energy bill. In the past 10 years development of new technology has drastically improved the energy efficiency of heating and air conditioning equipment. Today’s High Efficiency heating and cooling systems cost up to 60% less to operate. In fact today's HVAC equipment has become so much more efficient that it can actually pay for itself in energy savings!

This chart made by the California Energy Commission shows the savings available when you install energy efficient air conditioning.  If your existing home cooling system is old, in need of repair, or simply inefficient, purchasing a new unit, can be a long term benefit. Instead of continually paying for repairs and costly utility bills, invest in a new AC system today that will save you money for years to come.

There are many air conditioning systems available and many factors to consider when choosing your equipment. The size and age of your home, number of rooms, the climate in Los Angeles, utility costs and rebate programs are all considered when determining the system that best fits your specific needs.

There are also many financing options, rebates, tax credits and manufacturers incentives available to home owners as part of the economic stimulus.