Michigan’s High Mountain Cannabis Co. mold and fungus prevention efforts lead to rich harvests

Mold and fungus is one of the most pressing issues facing the North American cannabis growing industry.

Fungus and molds, such as Botrytis, are leading causes of infections that can result in entire crop destruction and sometimes even force cannabis grow-op closure for weeks of remediation.

However, cannabis growers are fighting back by combating mold, fungus and other microorganisms with ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI). Cannabis grow-ops are specifically using the UV-C wavelength, which is lethal for mold, bacteria, viruses and other biological contaminants.

UV isn’t new as it has been used for more than a century to sanitize water. More recently, the HVAC industry has developed UV lamp kits for HVAC systems to prevent mold and biofilm growth inside air handler units and to neutralize airborne microorganisms as they circulate through the ventilation system.

Consequently, cannabis growers have increasingly installed UV-C germicidal lamp systems in their facilities’ air handlers. One example is High Mountain LLC, Vassar, MI, an 8,500-square-foot facility that relies on UV-C lamps in its HVAC air handlers to prevent mold and fungus contamination.

The UV-C systems, combined with tight HVAC humidity/temperature control, help grow rooms operate at sanitary levels similar to cleanrooms. High Mountain’s impressive harvests are typically three-lbs/1,000 watt light (or a minimum 100-lbs/50-light room), which is considered the high end of the productivity scale in Michigan.

Based on previous mold suppression efforts, COO/co-founder Brandon Schmitzer, plans UV-C lights for an upcoming 10,000-square-foot expansion in the wake of the facility’s addition of recreational use certification to its original 2020 medical marijuana certificate from Michigan’s Marijuana Regulatory Agency (MRA).

“Mold is a constant battle in the medical marijuana growing industry, because it’s critical to keep (microbial) colony-forming units under the strict government standards we must meet during test processes,” said Schmitzer. “UV-C is an important part of the puzzle in keeping a facility sanitary.”

Consequently, High Mountain hasn’t encountered the mold challenges other Michigan grow-ops have faced, such as remediation, harvest delaying re-testing/inspection and, in some extreme cases, crop destruction.

Schmitzer and his HVAC contractor, Martin Proctor, president, Proctor Plumbing LLC, Vassar, chose APCO-X, a combination of UV-C disinfection technology and activated EverCarbon™ media catalyst air treatment for HVAC systems. Manufactured by Fresh-Aire UV, Jupiter, Fla., the APCO-X units were strategically placed in air handler return ductwork between the air filter and coil to prevent mold and biofilm growth on both. The UV-C light also neutralizes airborne mold and microorganisms in the airstream. While UV-C addresses biological contaminants, the APCO-X V-Twin EverCarbon Matrix is infused with lifetime warrantied activated carbon media to adsorb volatile organic compounds (VOC). VOCs, such as material off-gassing, solvents and glues, cleaning chemicals, and general nuisance odors are removed from the airstream before grow room HVAC distribution. The EverCarbon Matrix includes an antimicrobial-coating. The APCO-X process does not introduce any additives or oxidizers into the air that may pose issues to occupants or plants.

The facility operates 22 HVAC split systems ranging from 2 tons to 5-ton, 2,000-CFM units manufactured by Goodman Air Conditioning and Heating, Waller, Texas. The three flower rooms operate six 5-ton units each with air distributed through fabric ductwork manufactured by FabricAir, Suwanee, GA. The, Combi 70 fabric duct employs an anti-microbial agent that also helps prevent surface biological growth.

“We’ve been manufacturing coil and duct mount UV disinfection systems for more than 20 years for all types of building applications,” said Aaron Engel, vice-president of business development, Fresh-Aire UV. “For example, healthcare facilities employ UVC disinfection to address hospital associated infections (HAIs). Grow facilities are no different, except they’re mitigating cross-infection of plants within the facility as well as disinfecting the HVAC equipment which can introduce mold and fungus into the facility. Germs are germs. What’s important is applying the right strategy and product for the application.”

High Mountain’s five-year plan includes a goal of 10 more buildings, dependent on power availability. Regardless of the number of buildings, all HVAC systems will definitely be using UV-C to prevent mold and mildew growth on and around the cannabis plants, according to Schmitzer.

Source: Mechanical Hub

Ron Saunders of Fresh-Aire UV was featured on the HVAC Jerks podcast in the summer of 2020.

About the Jerks

Rich, Kevin and Anonymous Joe discuss everything in the HVAC industry from news and technical stuff, right down to stupid customer stories and how “not to do it”. If you work in the heating, air conditioning, plumbing or electrical trades, or hope to in the future, spend some time with us; you’ll have a lot of fun, and you might even learn something.

Fresh-Aire UV was featured on the HVAC Jerks podcast.

About the Jerks

Rich, Kevin and Anonymous Joe discuss everything in the HVAC industry from news and technical stuff, right down to stupid customer stories and how “not to do it”. If you work in the heating, air conditioning, plumbing or electrical trades, or hope to in the future, spend some time with us; you’ll have a lot of fun, and you might even learn something.

Congrats to F.H. Furr Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical for being Fresh-Aire UV’s “IAQ Success Partner of the Week”!

We are grateful for your business and partnership throughout the years and look forward to more to come!

About F.H. FURR from the words of their COO Darius Lyvers:

• We are celebrating our 40th anniversary this year. It has been an honor to be a part of the company growth as well as so many personal success stories by teammates. Over the past 20 years we have grown from 45 employees to well over 430, and it has been an amazing journey!
• Our people set us apart from others in the industry. We are committed to personal and professional development through training and coaching. We have built this commitment into our core values, and as a result we try to strive for personal and professional development for our employees every single day. We believe that investing in our people is the key to an engaged culture and ultimately the future success of the organization.
• My favorite thing about the HVAC industry is providing comfort and safety. Everyone wants to be comfortable and safe, and we have the privilege of providing both. We get to help people in a very tangible way and earn a living while doing it!
• Providing indoor air quality solutions is at the heart of our company. The opportunity to give our customers a cleaner and healthier indoor environment just makes sense and has so many benefits for our customers, especially those who suffer from asthma and allergies. To be able to provide a more comfortable environment for people with these conditions really lets us know that we are making a difference. At F.H. Furr we believe a healthier home is a happier home!
• Over the past few decades, the fundamentals of air conditioning have not changed. However, technology has improved how air conditioning systems operate, how one controls their indoor environment, and the cost of operation. For example, the introduction of smart thermostats that help control temperatures and the operation of UV lamps, humidifiers and other indoor air quality products has only enhanced the customer experience. Homeowners can control their indoor environment from anywhere in the home or from anywhere a WiFi is available. My future outlook on air conditioning is good.
• My favorite quote: “If the rate of change on the outside exceeds the rate of change on the inside, the end is near” – Jack Welch

Thank you to Darius for your business and sharing your words of wisdom!

If your company – or an HVAC company you know – would like to be featured as an IAQ Success Partner, please nominate them here: https://www.freshaireuv.com/nomination/

Check out Red Fern Pet Lodge @refernpetlodge and our customer Air Design Heating & A/C Inc. who did this incredible custom IAQ install in Ocala, Florida! Custom installations are always cool, but this one is super cool!

Our very own Chad House @uvchad helped design this creative application of our commercial series UVC light system utilizing custom ductwork, a variable speed blower and a MERV 11 filter media. It was designed to constantly recirculate and purify the air throughout this facility and dramatically improve indoor air quality.

Their primary concern was sterilizing airborne viruses such as kennel cough, providing a much safer environment for our furry friends. This was also an excellent investment to help prevent the potential spread of COVID-19 amongst the employees and customers, helping to keep everyone safe and healthy.

If you are interested in learning about our IAQ products and have a custom situation – please reach out, we’d love to collaborate and come up with solutions that work!

Fresh-Aire UV is proud to Donate $5,000 to The Treasure Coast Bonito Blast (TCBB) Fishing Tournament on behalf of our customers. TCBB is the largest one-day tournament on the Treasure Coast. Since the start of the TCBB they have raised over $300,000 for Wounded Veterans Relief Fund (WVRF), which provides assistance to many veterans throughout South Florida. We are thrilled to participate in this worthy cause.

We are proud to donate a portion of our proceeds to various military charities who are doing important work across the United States. In 2019/2020 Fresh-Aire UV donated over $100K to military charities. We continue to support our troops. This is our way of giving back to those who give so much!

Read or download helpful CARES Act funding information.

CARES ACT Available Funds Per State

CARES ACT Eligible Counties

CARES ACT FUNDS -Guidance-Federal-Register 2021