ProTeam Vacuums

Schools in. Now what’s in the air?

When school starts, it gets harder to breathe easy. Students and faculty spend 85 to 95 percent of their time indoors (mostly at home and at school), and the concentration of pollutants indoors is typically higher than outdoors by as much as 10 times. The costs of poor indoor environmental and air quality in schools, including higher absenteeism and increased respiratory ailments, have generally been hidden in sick days, lower teacher and staff productivity, lower student motivation, slower learning, lower test scores, increased medical costs, and lowered lifelong achievement and earnings. So what can be done? Think green and think ProTeam, the high-powered solution with Four Level Filtration that effectively removes 99.9 percent of particulates down to one micron in size, including pollen, dust mites, mold, bacteria and more.

Quick fact: Asthma, allergies and absenteeism

EPA data shows that air pollutants that cause asthma and allergies are up to five times higher indoors than outdoors. In all, asthma costs the US $10 billion annually in direct health care costs and lost productivity. So stop the sick-building cycle with our Four Level Filtration that removes 99.9% of particles measuring 1 micron and larger, including dust mites, pollen, pet dander, mold and other ick-factors.

Improve Cleaning Practices

Poor cleaning procedures, equipment and habits can inhibit the effective cleaning of buildings.

Workers thinking big need to think small when it comes to health and cleaning. Cleaning for appearance removes "big" visible soil rather than cleaning for health that removes "small" invisible bacteria, dust and airborne particulates and other micro, bio and chemical contaminates - largely the contributor to unhealthy indoor environments.

ProTeam vacuums capture soil and safely contain harmful particles, as well as prevent them from being reintroduced back into the environment. The improved air quality is the result of ProTeam vacuums' unique Four Level Filtration system. This system captures tiny dust mites, bacteria, and other particles - which can cause unhealthy air.

Raise Your Business Indoor Air Quality With the Right Vacuum

As the concept of green building becomes more defined, business owners are beginning to see the value of clean air. An investment in a quality vacuum can result in LEED-EB points. Sure it’s good PR, but it can also reduce sick days, raise morale and productivity and improve the chances of hiring staff.

How an Office Gets Sick

According to the EPA*, the main reasons for poor indoor air quality in office buildings are:

• Not removing pollutants such as asbestos, tobacco smoke, and mold
• Inadequate design, maintenance or operation of ventilation systems
• Unanticipated uses or poorly planned renovation of the office space that does not conform to the original building designs

Cleaning Tip

Look for claims that give some substance to [an environmentally-safe product claim — the additional information that explains why the product is environmentally friendly or has earned a special seal.

Watching the Bottom Line

Businesses that use quality vacuum cleaners benefit from numerous cost savings from their facilities maintenance budget.

• Backpack vacuums clean more area in less time, reducing the need for large cleaning staff
• Can pay higher wages, which translates to lower employee turnover rates
• Consider a vacuum cleaner with a generous warranty on parts, labor and repairs — better machines mean fewer costly repair bills
• Vacuum should meet LEED-EB guidelines on proper powered cleaning equipment; must be CRI Green Label certified, be ergonomically designed and operate at 70dB or less

The Facts of Four Level® Filtration

What you can’t see can hurt you. That’s why ProTeam is committed to Cleaning for Health using our unique Four Level Filtration process. You may have heard the phrase before, but how does the process work in the real world? Let’s take it from the viewpoint of a microscopic dust particle. A ProTeam vacuum’s high-powered motor creates incredible suction—lifting deep-rooted particles from a carpet or other flooring surface. A dust particle then faces the first line of defense, the Intercept Micro Filter. This is the green disposable filter that’s specially treated to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria. Most particles stop there, for good, but if a lucky dust particle happens to get through, it faces the surrounding Micro Cloth Filter, then the Dome Filter, and finally, the Exhaust Filter. This process traps 99.9% of particles 1 micron or larger, including dust mites, pollen, pet dander and mold. Our HEPA filters and models are efficient at capturing 99.97% of particles .3 microns or larger, including bacteria and yeast. So dust, well, bites the dust better with ProTeam’s Four Level Filtration. Our filters are now available to buy online. 

Get The Most Suction From My Vacuum

Vacuums come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with a range of prices and functions. The only thing they all have in common is that somewhere in all the pieces and parts is a place where the dirt goes. In most of the vacuums on the market, that dirt deposit is located in front of the motor, obstructing the airflow path-and subsequent suction power.

To get the most suction power, you need a vacuum with an unobstructed airflow. Even if your vacuum deposits dirt in front of the motor, there are still ways you can maximize suction. The number-one way is to CHECK THE FILTER OFTEN. A clean filter allows you to maximize the airflow and lift, two measurements that identify how much "pick-up power" your vacuum has.  

Think of it this way: drinking a milkshake with a straw is pretty easy, assuming there is no obstruction in the straw. As soon as that straw gets clogged, your suction power is gone. The same goes for vacuums. A clogged filter is the same as a clogged straw. And most vacuum hoses have some bends or elbows where larger debris, like wood chips or carpet shavings, can get stuck. It is important to check the hose path along with the filter frequently so that your suction path is kept clear and free for maximum efficiency. And in the case of the milkshake, maximum enjoyment.

Tips for Improving Indoor Air Quality for the Coming Season

The changing seasons are a concern for many when it comes to Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and allergens. With temperatures cooling down across the country, IAQ will also decrease. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that indoor air can be two to five times worse than the air outside, and if you are like most Americans, you can spend up to 90% of your time indoors.

Since there is no real cure for allergies, those who suffer must learn to manage with proper prevention. Here are five quick tips on making it through fall and winter until springtime beckons!

1. Vacuum daily, preferably with a cleaner that features a HEPA filtration system that captures 99.97% of dust and allergens down to .03 microns, leaving the air fresher as you vacuum.

2. Regular dusting, vacuuming and surface cleaning can reduce the accumulation of dust mites, pollens and pet dander. Ridding an environment of these triggers can help dramatically improve air quality for all building occupants.

3. Change the furnace filter as recommended by the manufacturer. Purchase filters with pleated electrostatic components that help significantly with IAQ and allergens. While they will control the particles in your air, changing your filter regularly (every 30-60 days) also gives you a strong leg up!

4. Watch the humidity level in your environment. High humidity levels promote the growth of mold and the proliferation of dust mites. Too low and nasal passages become irritated due to the dry air. Strive for a humidity level between 30-50%.

5. Choose cleaning supplies that are environmentally friendly. A good rule of thumb to remember is - if it isn't good for the environment at large, it probably is not good for you to breathe either! Strong chemical smells can irritate sensitive nasal passages.                      

Do you love your ProTeam vacuum? Tell us about it!

We are always thrilled to hear from our customers. Below is a testimonial a member of our customer service department heard while filling an order. If you have a story, or know someone that does, let us know by clicking here.

Mold-Free Showcase Home Owner Uses ProTeam Backpack Vacuum

Charlie Perry is a consultant on mold-free and building practices for the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH). When he decided to make the lakeside house he was building for himself a PATH showcase home for mold-resistant construction techniques, he discovered the Super CoachVac™.

A self proclaimed vacuum freak, Perry is adamantly against dusty conditions because of allergies. At 5,000 square feet, he wondered how he would vacuum two to four times a week without collapsing. He had relied on a well-rated consumer upright to keep his previous home clean - it worked well on carpets, but he resisted using it on hard floors, which there are a lot of in the new home.

“The Super Coach is so efficient for a house of this size and there has been a very noticeable reduction in dust,” he explained. “And it doesn’t bang up the baseboards and the furniture.