Archive for December, 2013

New Year’s Traditions Explained

Tuesday, December 31st, 2013 by Lisa Pixley

2014 is almost upon us, and with the coming of the New Year, we thought we’d take a brief look at some of the more popular traditions associated with this holiday. It’s been around for at least 4,000 years: as long as we’ve figured out how long it takes for the seasons to come and go. Here’s a quick discussion about some of our more modern traditions and where they started:

  • Auld Lang Syne. The famous song began in Scotland, where it was published by Robert Burns in 1796.  He claims he initially heard it sung by an elderly resident of his hometown, which suggests it has traditional folk origins even before that. It became even more popular when big band leader, Guy Lombardo, started playing it every New Year’s Eve, starting in 1929 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City.
  • The Dropping of the Ball in Times Square. The tradition of dropping the ball in Times Square started in 1907. It was made out of iron and wood with light bulbs located on the surface, and the ball originally “dropped” over the offices of the New York Times at One Times Square. Dick Clark famously broadcast the event every year from 1972, until his death in 2012.
  • The Rose Parade. The Tournament of Roses Parade has been held in Pasadena every year since 1890; taking advantage of California’s warm weather to present a parade of floats, bands and horses. A football game was eventually added to the festivities in 1902, when Michigan dominated Stanford’s team by a score of 49-0
  • Baby New Year. The use of a baby to signify the New Year dates back to Ancient Greece, where it symbolized the rebirth of Dionysus (the god of wine and parties). Early Christians initially resisted the pagan elements of the story, but soon came to adopt it since it matched the traditional Christmas symbol of baby Jesus in the manger. Today, people of all faiths and traditions refer to the New Year as a baby, representing new beginnings.

Whatever traditions you choose to celebrate, we here at Alpha Air Corporation wish you the very safest and happiest of New Years. May 2014 bring you nothing but the best!

Wishing You a Happy and Safe Holiday Season!

Wednesday, December 25th, 2013 by Lisa Pixley

It’s the holiday season once again, and everyone at Alpha Air Corporation wishes the very best for you, your family, and your friends. We hope that whatever brings you joy fills these last days of the year.

We’d like to thank all of our customers for giving us the opportunity to provide you with services that improve your lives and help you better enjoy this time with your loved ones. You are the reason that we exist as a company, and that’s something we always keep that in mind. We are eager to work with you in the coming year.

Here’s something to remember for the season: many companies in our industry are very busy on service calls during December—it’s one of the most crowded times of the year. If you need service, make sure you schedule it as soon as possible so you can continue to enjoy the pleasures of this time of year.

Lastly, we at Alpha Air Corporation want to conclude with a thought from the late Earl Nightingale to help remind us all that we do not need to wait for a holiday to have a reason to enjoy or celebrate ourselves, our lives or our family:

Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don’t wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it’s at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored.

What Can I Expect to Find in My Ductwork?

Sunday, December 15th, 2013 by Lisa Pixley

The ducts connected to your air conditioning (and your heater, if you use a furnace) are not only important for delivering comfort to your home; they are vital for maintaining your indoor air quality. If they stay clean, you should have few troubles with the quality of your air. But as the ducts gradually pick up contaminations—which they will—it will lead to pollutants infiltrating your home, not only threatening the air you breathe, but making your house dirtier. You should schedule regular air duct cleaning in Minneapolis, MN so you have the healthiest and cleanest house possible.

Alpha Air Corporation handles duct cleaning jobs both large and small, from major corporate buildings to your cozy home.

If you have contaminants in your ducts, we can get rid of them and give you pristine, safe ductwork again.

Pollutants you might find in your ducts

  • Dust and dirt: It’s almost impossible to avoid having dust settle inside ducts. It will enter through the vents, and without any other escape along the sealed ductwork, it starts to gather and build up. If the filter on your AC becomes clogged (you should change it once a month) the infestation of dirt will worsen. Almost all ducts benefit from a yearly cleaning just to eliminate dirt.
  • Mold and other microbacteria: When humid weather strikes in Minnesota, mold and other biological growths can turn into a problem inside hidden, dark places like ducts. Professionals use special sanitizers to safely remediate mold and prevent its return.
  • Other allergens: Pollen, dander, and animal hair are among the many other contaminants that can enter your ducts and cause allergic reactions in people inside the house. Sawdust from other construction projects are often trapped inside ducts as well.
  • Animals and animal byproducts: Small animals sometimes enter ducts and use them as nests and lairs. They can leave behind carcasses, leaves and sticks, and waste products. This can create terrible odors inside your home and lead to health problems. Because you have limited access to your ducts, it requires professionals to get rid of these pests and anything they may have left behind.

Duct cleaning specialists have you covered

Professionals like those at Alpha Air Corporation use numerous tools to give you the cleanest ducts possible: camera inspections, sanitizers, deodorizers, power vacuums, rotary brushes. These will clean your ducts without damaging them—and without leaving harmful chemicals behind. Our technicians are NADCA-certified to assure you of their skill and training. We promise 100% satisfaction with our residential air duct cleaning in Minneapolis.