
Chicago-based indoor air quality practice founded in Feb 2024 by Darren Eckes (30+ years construction, HVAC) and co-founder Rafael Bibian (water-damaged-building inspector). Organized around a Five Pillars framework — Source Control, Cleaning, Filtration, Ventilation, Humidity — and specialized for asthma, CIRS and biotoxin-related illness. Chemical-free protocols on every job.
Safe Air Pros is a two-founder Chicago-based indoor air quality practice launched in February 2024. Darren Eckes brings 30+ years of hands-on construction — from age fifteen in his father's remodeling business through Chicagoland spec-home builds and HVAC installation. Rafael Bibian brings specialized home inspection focused on water-damaged buildings and years of duct/HVAC cleaning inside the CIRS community.
Every job runs through a Five Pillars framework: Source Control, Cleaning, Air Filtration, Ventilation, Humidity Control — measured and addressed in that order. Chemical-free protocols throughout. The client roster leans heavily toward families managing asthma, CIRS and biotoxin-related illness.
A two-founder Chicago IAQ practice built around a Five Pillars framework, chemical-free cleaning protocols, and ventilation-first thinking. Two years into operation, BBB A-rated and accredited, with a clean review record and specialized fluency in the CIRS and water-damaged-building community.
5 Pillars
Source · Cleaning · Filtration · Ventilation · Humidity
2 Specialists
One inspects · one improves
BBB A / Accredited
Since December 2024 · Zero complaints
Since 2024
Founded — Chicago, IL
30+ Years
Darren Eckes — construction & HVAC
Two specialists cover the whole envelope. Darren handles inspection, HVAC, ductwork, envelope and duct-leakage testing. Rafael handles cleaning, filtration, ERV/exhaust installation and humidity work. Nothing is subcontracted out to a stranger with a truck. Every recommendation is measured against the Five Pillars framework rather than a menu of upsells. Chemical-free protocols are the default, not an add-on. The practice travels for clients with chemical sensitivities and CIRS-related relocation needs.
Two founders, one house — no subcontractor chain
Darren inspects and diagnoses. Rafael cleans, filters and ventilates. Both are on the job. No middle-manager markup and no rotating crew — the two people who quoted the work are the two people executing it.
Five Pillars of IAQ — measured in order
Source Control · Cleaning · Filtration · Ventilation · Humidity. Every assessment moves through the pillars in sequence — filtration and ventilation cannot fix a source problem, and humidity amplifies whatever's already in the air.
Chemical-free cleaning as the default protocol
Duct, coil, blower wheel and humidifier cleaning without industrial biocides, encapsulants or fragrance carriers — safer for CIRS, asthma and chemical-sensitive clients. Chemicals are the exception, invoked only when a specific contamination profile requires them, disclosed in writing beforehand.
CIRS and water-damaged-building fluency (Rafael)
Rafael's inspection background focuses on water-damaged buildings and biotoxin illness. He operates inside the CIRS referral network and understands the precautionary thresholds and chemical-sensitivity accommodations that CIRS-informed physicians expect.
Ventilation-forward, not filter-first
The practice installs ERVs, engineered bath exhausts and kitchen make-up air rather than defaulting to higher-MERV filters as a substitute for fresh air. Filters are chosen after the ventilation math is done, not instead of it.
BBB Accredited Business (A Rating)
Better Business Bureau — Chicago Chapter
2024
Founded — Safe Air Pros LLC
Chicago, Illinois
2024
Zero complaints · four 5-star reviews
BBB customer review record
2024–2026
30+ years construction experience
Darren Eckes — Chicagoland
1990s–present
Evaluation & Testing
Cleaning, Ventilation & Filtration
Follow safeairpros for Chicago-based indoor air quality — two specialists, one healthier home. Chemical-free cleaning, ventilation-forward.
safeairpros
Active on Instagram

Founder & Business Manager — 30+ years construction · HVAC & envelope inspection · Chicagoland
Office
2045 West Grand Avenue Chicago, IL 60612
Service Area
Coverage
Chicagoland-based practice serving the Chicago metropolitan area. Travel available for CIRS, chemical-sensitivity and biotoxin-illness clients elsewhere in the Midwest and beyond. Founded February 2024 in Chicago, IL.
BBB Accredited Business — A Rating (Chicago Chapter)
Safe Air Pros LLC is BBB Accredited (accredited since December 2024) with an A rating, zero complaints on record and four 5-star customer reviews. Darren Eckes is listed as Business Manager on the BBB profile. Verified independently against the BBB Chicago chapter's public directory.
30+ years construction experience — Darren Eckes
Darren Eckes brings three decades of hands-on construction, starting at age fifteen in his father's remodeling business and continuing through Chicagoland spec-home construction and high-efficiency HVAC installations. The site cites electrician and HVAC-installer background; this profile carries that as founder narrative rather than as a verified state or municipal license (see admin notes).
Water-damaged building inspection specialization — Rafael Bibian
Rafael Bibian's inspection practice focuses on water-damaged buildings (WDB) and works inside the CIRS-informed referral community. Prior operator of a duct and HVAC cleaning company. Co-Founder of Safe Air Pros (Feb 2024) and concurrently Owner of BR Quality Services LLC (Nov 2023 – Present).
Platinum Member
Healthy Building Alliance
Professional ·