"It has been extremely successful so far," said Joe Bush, manager of marketing and business development for ADP. "It gives the dealers something to talk about with customers and something that will help them differentiate their business."

The key to the company's Healthy Solutions evaporator coil is the Hydrotec drain pan.

"We wanted to make them unlike any other drain pans in the market," said Bush.

According to Bush, the Hydrotec drain pan holds less than two teaspoons of water, while other common drain pans can hold as much as 36 ounces. With less water in the pan, there is less chance for mold or microbial growth.

To give the pan an added level of defense against microbes, ADP teamed up with Microban Products Company, which develops built-in antimicrobial protection for products.

Microban® antimicrobial product protection is built into the drain pan during the manufacturing process. The company states that when a microbe comes in contact with the product surface, Microban protection penetrates the cell wall of the microorganism and disrupts cell function, which causes the microbe to stop growing and re-producing. According to ADP, since the antimicrobial is built into the pan material, it provides anti-microbial protection that will last for the life of the product.

Both companies are confident that the Microban technology will help dealers provide peace of mind to their customers. To support this product, ADP has de-signed literature for dealers to give to homeowners. The literature not only describes the Healthy Solutions products, but explains why protecting drain pans and coils is important.

"Homeowners may not realize that air circulates through the coil 60 to 80 times a day during the air conditioning season," said Bush.

That is why ADP encourages dealers to talk to their customers and educate them on how vital the air conditioning coil is to indoor air quality. The company states that the technology not only provides peace of mind to the customer, but also the dealer.

According to ADP, its cabinet design also helps to reduce the growth of mold and mildew. The cabinet comes complete with a foil-faced insulation, which the company says makes it easier for cleaning and wiping down surfaces and prevents moisture infiltration.

ADP will add to its Healthy Solutions product line in April with the launch of its new UV light kit, which makes it possible for dealers to install the lights in the delta plate of an A-coil instead of installing it above the coils.

"When the contractor pulls out an A-coil that's 15 years old, the top of the coil usually looks almost like new, but the inside is usually covered with debris. This is a perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew. Therefore, it only makes sense to put the light on the entering air side of the coil, where everything sticks," said Bush.

For more information, visit www.adpnow.com.

Publication date: 03/08/2004