Safe Air Pros

    HVACIndoor Air Quality ConsultantHVAC & Duct CleaningBuilding Envelope EvaluationAir Filtration (MERV 13/16 / HEPA)Humidity ControlChemical-Free Cleaning Protocols
    Safe Air Pros

    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.

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    About

    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.

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    Key Features

    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

    Why Choose Us

    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.

    Awards & Recognition

    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

    Services List

    Evaluation & Testing

    • HVAC System Evaluation
    • Ductwork & Airflow Evaluation
    • Building Envelope Evaluation
    • Duct Leakage Testing
    • Whole-Home IAQ Assessment
    • CIRS-Aware Consultation
    • Water-Damaged Building Inspection
    • Humidity & Moisture Assessment

    Cleaning, Ventilation & Filtration

    • Chemical-Free Duct Cleaning
    • AC Coil Cleaning
    • Furnace Cleaning
    • Humidifier / Dehumidifier Cleaning
    • Mini-Split Cleaning
    • Sealing & Duct Repair
    • ERV Installation
    • Bath Exhaust Ventilation
    • Kitchen Exhaust Make-Up Air (MUA)
    • MERV 13 / MERV 16 Filtration
    • HEPA Filtration
    • Fresh Air Prefilter (ERV)
    • Humidity Control Systems

    From Instagram

    Follow safeairpros for Chicago-based indoor air quality — two specialists, one healthier home. Chemical-free cleaning, ventilation-forward.

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    Darren Eckes

    Darren Eckes

    Founder & Business Manager — 30+ years construction · HVAC & envelope inspection · Chicagoland

    Service Area

    Office

    2045 West Grand Avenue Chicago, IL 60612

    Service Area

    Chicago, ILChicagolandCook County, ILDuPage County, ILLake County, ILWill County, ILNorth Shore, ILRound Lake, ILIllinoisTravel — CIRS & Chemical Sensitivity Clients

    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.

    Platinum Member

    Healthy Building Alliance

    Professional ·