Clean Your Vents!

It is no question that the Aix La Chapelle boiler system is unique in the way of condo heating units. Each unit has a closet where the lower portion is occupied by a fan wheel whose heating coils is connected to the central boiler. This boiler was put in place in 1964, consequently these units have seen over 45 years of loyal service and build-up.
Being a home owner, I recently contacted a typical air duct cleaning company to do a routine cleaning. I used the conventional methods of finding a "reputable" business (ie. yellowpages.com, classifieds, mailers, etc.) to perform the service. I was enticed by what seemed to be a "deal" for an $89.95 cleaning of 10 vents and a return. I called them and they came to out to clean my vents. They said that they had never seen this type of system before so it would be an extra $20 for the fan wheel. They went on to say they had a sanitizer treatment for $120. I told them I didn't need it and after a "sales pitch" they agreed to give it to me it for 50% off because, after all, it was worthless to have the cleaning done if they didn't sanitize. This would have been $230 but they gave me a HUGE deal at $170 . . . yeah right!
They used what seemed to be nothing more than a truck mounted shop vacuum with an extra long hose that they fished down the vents. This so called "sanitizer" was sprayed in each vent and on the blow unit. The whole process took about 15 minutes and they were gone.
I then got a call from Crystal Clean Vents, Inc. who I had called earlier for a bid. They said that they were here at the complex to come give me a bid. I was too embarrassed at that point to say I already had it done so I let them come up.
He came up and took at look at the fan system and was sort of excited. To my surprise, had seen this kind of system before. He told me although they are rare, they are a great and efficient system to have as long as they are maintained regularly. He actual thinks they are better than the individual furnace systems found in most other complexes. The only downside it that because hot water flows through the coil, condensation can build up and over the years can cause mold and mildew.
This is what gives the "old home smell" found in some of the units!
He then proceeded to pull a rat sized piece of dust and build-up out of the fan unit (yuck.) This is after I just had them cleaned! I felt I just payed almost $200 for something I could done in 15 minutes with a shop vacuum and a can of Lysol. He went on to tell how he use to work for those other companies and left after he realized they were all scams. They are trained to "bait and switch" and have bonuses for every time they can get a customer above a certain price point. He went on to say that the "sanitizer" is nothing more than water and fragrance. As he is talking I am getting madder and madder (remember, he still doesn't know I just had the vents serviced.)
He quoted me $350 which made me feel a little better until he told me what he does. He puts covers on all the vents, including the return, and pressurizes the whole air system. This breaks apart any particle stuck along seams and walls of the vents. Then they use a brush that they feeds down the vents, instead of a shop vacuum hose that only sucks up what is loose. After that, they use a 8" vacuum line, not the 3" line used by the "other guys," to suck it all out. Then, they treat the whole vent system with an environmentally friendly sealant that seals the whole vent system protecting it from rust and moisture which ultimately stops mold and mildew.
At the end he treats the WHOLE air system with a REAL sanitizer, not just the vents. The whole process takes 3-4 hours so plan accordingly.
He admits to his service being a little more than others but actually I don't think its that much more, especially considering everything he does. He told me that the majority of the cost comes from bringing the truck out to the location and setting up the truck. However, if I could find another home owner he would take $25 off of both our units, bringing it down to $325. After bargaining some more, he agreed to continue to do that for each additional unit until the price comes down to $250 for everyone. That's only 4 units! This is almost the same as the original price for the other guys!
I have already been scammed out of my money, plus I don't have an extra $250, but I wanted to pass this on to everyone else who might be thinking of this. I highly recommend having your ducts serviced especially before the pollen spring months and the hot summer months when the A/C is always running. I have even noticed a little difference with the crappy service by the other guys.
HERE IS CRYSTAL CLEAN VENTS' NUMBER;

801-561-0924

Home Owners Meeting - Nov. 29, 2008

Saturday, November 29th 2008 at 10:00am at the Office Area
Well, they have finally scheduled an OPEN Home Owners meeting. Unlike the year-end meeting, this is being held at the ALC offices, so there isn't a worry of being charged extra if we exceed the time limit. In the past, meetings have not been published as "open" to the Home Owners. The meetings were for board members to discuss issues that effected all of us. If a Home Owner that was not on the "board" attended, they were quickly kicked out once the meeting started to get interesting, so the Board could conduct "official business."
This time, we are ALL invited. However, the HOA Board could have picked a time and date that was a little more convenient. It seems that the purpose of Home Owners meetings should be to get as many of the Home Owners as you can to attend. Thus, it would make sense to pick a time and date when you could assume that the majority of Home Owners would not be busy. For the Board, a Saturday morning on a holiday weekend, qualifies as one of those times and dates.? Anyway, at least they were proactive in setting a meeting date. Beggars can't be choosers, right?

During our year-end meeting, at the Holladay Library, there was a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of passion. These are both good things. I know there were many who were fighting against the clock to address all their concerns. This time we don't have that issue. We are still encouraging all of you to bring your passion and enthusiasm, but in a more productive way. We don't want to be viewed as the mob with pitchforks and torches as we storm Frankenstein's castle.
As a suggestion, write down your comments and concerns before coming to the meeting. If it wasn't that important for you to write down beforehand, then it probably isn't an issue that should be brought up once you are in the emotion of the meeting.

Thank you to all that can attend. Please, try to bring your neighboring Home Owners. We look forward to seeing you Saturday at 10:00am and then again at our next meeting on December 31st at 11:59pm.
(That is just a joke:)

2008 ALC DIRECTORY

Whether you like them or don't like them. Whether you agree with them or disagree with them. One thing can be agreed . . . they have definitely put in their work. We often blame them, but the purpose of this post is to take the time to thank them. 2008 was a very difficult year and here are the behind-the scenes people that we paid to get us through it.

Lincoln Hobbs - HOA Attorney
801-519-2555 :Phone 1
801-519-2333 :Phone 2
801-519-2999 :Fax
466 E 500 South
SLC, UT 84111
E-mail: lincoln@hoalaw.com
Website: www.haolaw.com
801-532-3372 :Alternate Phone

Robert Archuleta - HOA Accountant
801-521-7620 :Phone 1
801-521-7641 :Fax
111 E Broadway, #250
SLC, UT 84111
E-mail: boba@khsa.biz
Website: www.khsa.biz
801-942-7953 :Alternate Phone

Bonnie Beckstead - ALC Manager
801-278-3113 :Phone 1
801-792-5449 :Phone 2
801-619-7934 :Alternate Phone

Clara Whitson - ALC Assistant Manager
801-278-3113 :Phone 1
801-792-5449 :Phone 2
801-272-6622 :Alternate Phone

Baird Guin - Maintenance/Landscaping
801-792-5449 :Phone 1
(801) 467-8170 :Alternate Phone

Brandi Burningham - Maintenance/Landscaping
801-792-5449 :Phone 1

Lane Haskay - Snow Removal
801-865-5197 :Phone 1

If you would take the time to thank the people listed above when you see them. Many of them will not be working here in 2009 and they deserve a "thank you" for all they have done. With Earthwork Inc. taking over as property management in 2009, there will not be adequate funds for in-house management, so make sure you thank them before then. Our lawyer and accountant will still continue to work for us, so contact them for any questions in their respective fields.

Now, above are a list of names of people we pay for their services. However, there is a group of dedicated Home Owners who work for free and don't ask for anything from us. Some call them "crazy," but we think they are just good Residents. We wanted to give recognition to the 2008 HOA Board.
Here they are;

Dale Wallberg - Board President
Unit #140
801-277-2756 :Phone 1
801-541-4539 :Phone 2

Sherry Hanson - Board Member
Unit #411
801-278-6437 :Phone 1

John Stables - Board Member
Unit #40
801-272-7845 :Phone 1

Lorianne Bisping - Board Member
Unit #38
801-xxx-xxxx :Phone 1

Lynne Morton - Board Member
Unit #58
801-xxx-xxxx :Phone 1

Everyone show gratitude towards these individuals for the services they provide. It takes a big person to volunteer to be criticized, and they have tried to handle it gracefully.
They will be working closely with Earthwork Inc. and their info is as follows;

Earthwork Inc.

5 Percenter

This year there is another 5% increase in HOA fees. Maybe we should call the board 5 Percenters, but they don't seem to have equality on the agenda. Some could argue that our current board's only policy that is even enforced, is the constant 5% hike. There are two ways to go about managing during times of economic downturn. One is to cutback and wait out the storm; the other is to keep spending more, so as to maintain the current lifestyle. Our HOA fees include; gas, water, waste, and fees for services rendered. There are some things that we need to maintain our current lifestyle; like utilities. Others we don't; like lawyers & accountants.
Since the main utility (natural gas) has actually gone down this year,
http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/dnav/ng/hist/n3010us3a.htm
it makes sense that our "employees" are seeing the extra cash flow. So instead of looking for ways to save, or finding alternate sources of revenue, they just raise HOA fees.
How long would you last at your job, if every year you asked for a 5% increase without performing or without producing? The difference here is (unlike your boss) we don't have the option to say, "no!" Why should our employees have to excel in their performance to get their pay raise ( when the rest of us are seeing pay decreases); when raisng HOA fees is so much easier? It is a guaranteed yearly pay raise, and they don't even have to do anything. What a life that would be!
There has been a lot of worries about the continual raise of the HOA fees each year. The average home owner is paying over $200.00 a month, and with the new 5% increase, it will now be an average of $210.00 a month for each unit. With the 256 units here at Aix La Chapelle, this will create a monthly revenue of over $53,760.00 ! This is raising a lot of questions here at Aix La Chapelle like; "where is all the money going?" and "how come we don't see many changes if the Board is receiving that much a month?" and most important "do we really need another 5% increase!?" This has left many feeling discouraged and hopeless. Some feel they are destined to keep dishing out more money until they are BROKE, and there is nothing they can do. In these times of economic uncertainty, there are literally those who may be forced to sell their house if this trend continues.
We are here to tell you;
You DO have a choice!
You DO have a say!
And you are NOT just a slave!
We are all struggling and you do not have to suffer so others can continue to maintain their lifestyle when EVERYONE is running low on cash.