Archive for September, 2014

Why It’s Important to Schedule HVAC Decontamination

Monday, September 29th, 2014 by Lisa Pixley

The HVAC system in a home or business will begin to collect dust, dirt, and other contaminants—including possibly mold and illness-causing microorganisms—over time. Eventually, the system will require a thorough decontamination to remove these pollutants from the ductwork and air handler. This decontamination will not only protect the HVAC system from inefficient operation and repair issues, but it will also benefit your indoor air quality.

A full HVAC system decontamination in Minneapolis, MN goes beyond basic duct cleaning, and for this job you need trained specialists. Alpha Air Corporation has a staff of NADCA-certified technicians with the best equipment available for the HVAC decontamination that will protect your home or business from poor quality air and an inefficient heating and air conditioning system.

Why HVAC decontamination is important

It’s impossible to avoid the intrusion of some levels of contamination into the ductwork of a home or business, and given enough time, this dust, dirt, and other debris will accumulate to the point that it will affect airflow through the ducts. This places unnecessary strain on the heating and air conditioning system. Debris that enters the cabinets of the heater or AC can also inflict damage that will require repairs. A full cleaning of the ducts, vents, and air handler will eliminate these detriments to efficiency and system operation.

Another reason you should schedule HVAC decontamination is that the pollutants which gather inside the ducts and the air handler of the system will enter the air of the building and the lungs of the people in it. This leads to discomfort and health problems, and it is especially worrying for people who have asthma and allergies. A decontamination of the HVAC system goes further than standard duct cleaning to sanitize the ductwork and the heater and air conditioner so they do not contribute to lowering indoor air quality. During decontamination, technicians clean the air handlers, register vents, bathroom exhausts (a common source for mold), and the exhaust vents in a business that release harmful fumes and chemicals.

Alpha Air Corporation uses special robotic cameras to inspect ductwork when we start on a HVAC decontamination job. We use the data from the cameras to plan out the sort of duct cleaning necessary, as well as any spots that require duct sealing. We also use an EPA-registered sanitizing agent (Category III) to decontaminate the HVAC system without leaving behind chemical residue that can affect health within living- or work-spaces.

For HVAC decontamination in Minneapolis, MN, Call Us Today! 952.476.4144 or 1-866-PIXLEYS.

How Robotic Camera Inspection Benefits Your HVAC System

Monday, September 22nd, 2014 by Lisa Pixley

If your HVAC system does not seem to be running as efficiently as it could, it may be because of your ductwork. Many homeowners in the U.S. spend more than they need to on air conditioning and heating every month because their ductwork is not properly sealed. Ducts may leak due to holes or cracks or if a duct has collapsed. Because there may be so many different kinds of problems with the ducts, technicians want to have a good idea of the problem before they attempt any repairs on your system. This is why some specialists rely on robotic camera inspection to ensure that your forced-air HVAC system runs as efficiently as it should.

Ductwork may collapse because of faulty joints in metal ductwork, but the structure of soft flexible ductwork is also very prone to collapsing and kinks. In fact, the majority of forced air systems have some sort of problem with leaks, leading to increased energy costs of up to 30%. As conditioned air moves out of your ducts, it takes your HVAC system longer to cool or heat your home, drastically reducing efficiency. This means you pay more to cool or heat an unused space, such as the attic or crawlspace. With robotic camera inspection, a technician can see which areas of your ducts may be the most damaged, so they can tackle problem areas first and foremost.

When professionals use robotic cameras to inspect your HVAC system, they can also take before and after pictures so that you can see the difference from before you schedule service. Taking the time to show you the condition of your ducts and ensure that any issues are taken care of is the sign of a contractor who cares about quality service and helping you save money month after month.

At Alpha Air Corporation, we’ll use a robotic camera to thoroughly inspect your HVAC system and check for leaky ductwork, collapsed ducts and even excessive dust and debris.  Schedule commercial HVAC system inspection in St. Cloud with one of our experts today!

Let our experienced technicians help you get more out of your HVAC system and lower your energy bills. Call Us Today! 952.476.4144 or 1-866-PIXLEYS

The History of Labor Day

Monday, September 1st, 2014 by Lisa Pixley

The official end of summer and the beginning of fall lands on September 23rd, which marks the Autumnal Equinox, when the plane of the Earth’s equator passes the center of the sun and the length of day and night are roughly equal. However, for most people in the U.S., the summer really concludes with Labor Day, the first Monday in September. Labor Day and Memorial Day (the last Monday of May) together serve as the bookends of the summer.

The Labor Day Holiday is a time that people in this country associate with a last summer blast: another reason for an outdoor picnic, a chance for a three-day vacation, family trips to amusement parks, and of course, taking advantage of numerous sales that retailers always offer. (Labor Day is often the second largest shopping day of the year after Black Friday in November.) It’s also the point when school traditionally goes back in session, although some schools start a week earlier and some a week later.

Labor Day’s origins lie in the 1880s. In 1882 Matthew Maguire, a machinist in New York City who was secretary of the Central Labor Union (CLU) at the time, and Peter J McGuire of the American Federation of Labor (AFL), first proposed a celebration of the hard working men and women of the United States. However, five years would pass before the first state made it an official holiday, Oregon. Other states quickly followed this example, although not all selected a date in September.

By 1894, thirty states had started Labor Day celebrations. President Grover Cleveland signed the law that made Labor Day a federal holiday only a week after Congress voted unanimously to approve the legislation. The date chosen for the holiday was the same one that Maguire and McGuire had originally proposed.

The U.S.A. is not the only country that celebrate Labor Day on the first Monday of September. Canada observes the holiday as well, although they spell it “Labour” Day. In fact, Canada celebrated the occasion earlier than the U.S., and was an early inspiration in this country for the development of the holiday.

All of us here at Alpha Air Corporation hope you and your family—whether at work or at play—enjoy a relaxing and memorable Labor Day weekend and have a fantastic start to the fall.