Have you heard the term “sick building syndrome?” This is a condition in which the people in a given building experience health issues that seem to be directly related to their time spent in the space. Although this is occasionally a short-term problem (resulting from nearby construction, for example), some building owners and managers must take aggressive steps toward keeping the air cleaner in the building and protecting the health of their employees. (more…)
Archive for the ‘Duct Cleaning’ Category
How to Keep the Air Clean in Your Workplace
Monday, May 11th, 2015 by Lisa Pixley4 Reasons to Schedule Air Duct Cleaning Today
Monday, April 27th, 2015 by Lisa PixleyWhen you do your annual spring cleaning, there is one place that you may never be able to reach: the ducts. Ducts are home to a number of contaminants such as bacteria, mold, and dust. But duct cleaning is a job best left to the professionals. The inside of the ducts is difficult to reach, and typical methods of cleaning would involve taking ductwork apart, which could result in leaks and damages. Professionals use only the safest methods to clean the ducts and ensure contaminants are completely cleared. Here’s why you should schedule professional air duct cleaning today. (more…)
What Types of Contaminants Are in Your Ducts?
Monday, April 20th, 2015 by Lisa PixleyThe benefits of running your air conditioner or heating system usually outweigh the negatives. Of course, turning on the heat or AC reflects negatively on your energy bills, but this is just another cost of homeownership. However, there’s one more issue that could lead to some hesitation when operating your heating and AC system—indoor air contamination. (more…)
3 Reasons to Leave Residential Duct Cleaning to the Pros
Friday, March 20th, 2015 by Lisa PixleyIf you, like countless other homeowners, distribute heated and cooled air throughout your home via a system of air ducts, then it is undoubtedly in your best interest to keep those air ducts in fine working condition. This means more than just preventing air loss via leaks and poor sealing, though. It also means that you must keep your air ducts clean within. In order to do so, you absolutely must schedule your residential duct cleaning services in Twin Cities with a professional technician. Fortunately, that is as simple as picking up the phone and call upon the pros here at Alpha Air Corporation.
The first reason as to why you must schedule professional duct cleaning services is a simple matter of accessibility. As you well know, your air ducts are largely hidden from view. You cannot hope to access them on your own, at least not without risking damage to your system. Our technicians know how to get into your ductwork properly so that they can go about cleaning your system effectively.
Additionally, you must keep in mind the fact that specialized equipment must be used in the duct cleaning process. You cannot just pull the grill off a vent and stick a vaccuum nozzle therein: at least, not if you want to clean your air ducts with any sort of thoroughness or quality. Our team has the tools necessasry to free up any debris stuck on the surfaces of your air ducts and to remove it effectively. That way, you can know for certain that the only thing flowing through your system is clean, pure air.
Finally, our technicians know that different types of problems may develop within your ductwork. While dust and other debris can simply be removed, it may be necessary to sanitize your air ducts in order to protect you from the threat of biological pollutants. Our staff will clean up your ductwork effectively and meticulously, addressing whatever issues may be at hand. Different situations call for different solutions, after all.
When it comes to cleaning residential ductwork in the Twin Cities, Alpha Air Corporation is the company to call. We have the tools and training that we need to ensure that your ductwork is cleaned properly every step of the way. Don’t trust amateurs with a job that only skilled, trained professionals can handle.
Call Us Today! 952.476.4144 or 1-866-PIXLEYS
3 Benefits of Professional Commercial Duct Cleaning
Friday, February 27th, 2015 by Lisa PixleyMost commercial HVAC systems use air ducts in order to distribute both heated and cooled air throughout the property. This is all well and good, and ductwork is a great way of doing so, provided that the ductwork in question is in fine working condition. The sad fact of the matter is that this is not always the case. Ductwork can be compromised in a number of different ways. One of the most prevalent problems with ductwork is the buildup of pollutants, including dust, dirt, and dander, therein. Professional commercial duct cleaning in St. Cloud, MN is the best way in which to address any such problems. If you are concerned about the performance of your commercial HVAC, or if you have reason to believe that your ductwork is excessively dirty within, call Alpha Air Corporation today. We can right the situation effectively.
One of the main benefits of scheduling professional commercial duct cleaning is the fact that it can help your commercial HVAC system to function in a more effective manner. It is unlikely that enough pollutants will build up block off a section of ductwork, increasing airflow resistance. However, those pollutants can certainly clog up air filters considerably, which can make it harder for your commercial HVAC system to do its job. The harder the your system works, the more energy it will consume.
Additionally, the buildup of pollutants in your ductwork can lead to those pollutants building up on sensitive components within your HVAC system itself. This too can cause efficiency to drop, as well as forcing your system to work harder. Even worse, though, it can lead to operational problems and even damages to your equipment. By eliminating the problem, professional commercial duct cleaning can help to protect the condition of your HVAC equipment itself.
Of course, there is also the fact that air ducts, when dirty within, can help to distribute airborne pollutants throughout your commercial property. This can seriously and adversely impact your commercial indoor air quality. If you hope to maintain indoor air quality of the highest level in your commercial property, then routine commercial air duct cleaning in St. Cloud, MN is an absolute necessity.
Contact Alpha Air Corporation today for more details. Call Us Today! 952.476.4144 or 1-866-PIXLEYS
Valentine’s Day: Pagan Revelry, Clandestine Marriage, and 14th Century Poetry
Saturday, February 14th, 2015 by Lisa PixleyWhat do you think of when you think of Valentine’s Day? Perhaps rushing off to the stationary store after work to choose the perfect card with which to express your feelings towards a loved one? Dinner reservations at a fancy restaurant? Roses, dark chocolates, and other gifts and confections? Whatever Valentine’s Day may look like to you, chances are that it is a far cry from the history surrounding this holiday – or at least we hope so. Here are a few interesting facts about this most romantic of holidays, from your friends here at Alpha Air Corporation.
The fact of the matter is that there is no definitive history as to how Valentine’s Day came to be. There are a few different saints with variations of the name Valentine, for example. One of the most prevalent legends, and one certainly in keeping with the romantic nature of the holiday as we know it today, pertains to a priest serving during the 3rd century in Rome. Under the rule of Emperor Claudius II, who believed that young men made for better soldiers if unfettered by marriage, it was illegal for young men to marry. A true believer in love, Valentine would marry young couples in secret. Until, at least, he was found out, and met a very unpleasant end for his crimes.
Like many of our modern holidays, Valentine’s Day can also be traced back to pagan ritual. Lupercalia, as the pagan festival is known, was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, a god of agriculture. As is often the case with Roman celebrations, the details of this celebration are unfit to detail here. Suffice to say that, while there is certainly a touch of the amorous in the proceedings, the festival was a far cry from what we associate with Valentine’s Day today.
How, then, did our modern version of Valentine’s Day come to be? The answer may lie in, of all places, 14th century poetry; particularly, in the writings of Geoffrey Chaucer. Famed for his Canterbury Tales, Chaucer may well be the very first writer to associate Valentine’s Day with romantic love, in the manner of which we are familiar with it today. His The Parliament of Fowls details the dream-vision of a narrator consumed with the idea of romantic love and the natural order of finding a mate. Valentine’s Day is mentioned by name a number of times, as the narrator witnesses a parliament of eagles vying for the hand – or, perhaps more aptly, the wing – of a mate.
Whatever you may think of the holiday’s sordid and convoluted history, we here at Alpha Air Corporation hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day with the special someone in your life.
What Causes Mold Growth and What Can I Do about It?
Thursday, January 22nd, 2015 by Lisa PixleyUnfortunately, mold can grow in any area of your home, but only under the right conditions. Mold is common in areas of high moisture because mold needs moisture to survive. Mold spores are invisible to the naked eye, and tend to float through the air, but cannot grow unless they happen to land upon an area with a source of water. And mold can be very hazardous, aggravating any existing respiratory disorders when inhaled and irritating the sinuses. Some molds even produce additional toxins (called mycotoxins) that could cause severe reactions.
Any sign of mold growth in the home calls for immediate services, and mold remediation experts may be your best option for total elimination. But a good contractor will also help you figure out the source of the mold problem, which could be any of the following.
- Leaky Pipes: Your pipes are hidden from view for aesthetic purposes and for their protection, but that makes it difficult to detect when there is a leak in the water line. A leak behind the walls or in the ceiling may not be detected until it is too late and water has already damaged the drywall. Call a mold removal specialist if this happens, and pay attention to common signs of leaking like low water pressure.
- Flooding: After a flood, immediate cleanup is necessary to keep mold from building up in the carpets or in the basement and posing a health hazard.
- High Humidity: Your home may have a humidity problem if there is poor ventilation or if you have no form of humidity control in the home already. Moisture can collect in the ducts, on the indoor air handler of your HVAC system, or anywhere in the home if humidity levels are your problem.
Finding a Contractor for Mold Remediation
When searching for a contractor to get rid of mold, you should find a professional who lists mold remediation as part of their services. Mold remediation goes beyond cleaning and disposing of damaged materials. A specialist will help you to find ways to prevent the mold problem from reoccurring my assessing the source of the mold.
Talk to the experts at Alpha Air Corporation and we’ll do everything we can to make sure the mold is eliminated and cannot return. Call Us Today! 952.476.4144 or 1-866-PIXLEYS
What Can Go Wrong if You Don’t Schedule Duct Cleaning in the Heating Season
Thursday, December 18th, 2014 by Lisa Pixley“Can’t I just clean my ducts on my own?” This is a question we get asked often around the heating season, after we let homeowners know about the importance of cleaning the ducts. Ductwork can contain hidden contaminants which you cannot see with the naked eye, so it may be difficult to eliminate every single type of contaminant with a D-I-Y duct cleaning. Besides, professionals simply have a wider array of tools at their disposal, including high-pressure vacuums, soft brushes, and safe cleaning solutions.
If you don’t schedule regular heat duct cleaning in St. Paul, you risk a few different problems that can continue to occur throughout the heating season. Here’s what can go wrong if you don’t choose professionals for the job this year.
- Family members with asthma or allergies can suffer. If you have family members that suffer from allergies or asthma, you’re not making the situation any better by delaying duct cleaning. Most ductwork contains some contaminants like dust, pollen, or pet dander, as well as living organisms like bacteria and viruses.
- Mold growth may develop. Without thorough duct cleaning, you could subject your home to potential mold growth. Air conditioning and heating equipment can develop condensation, which can cause the air in the ducts to be even more humid than the air in your home. This means moisture can build up in the ductwork, allowing mold to develop and spores to spread into the air, leading to potential illness.
- You may notice limited heating performance. The performance of your forced-air heater is contingent upon having a working set of ducts. Dirty ductwork can create friction which makes it harder for your heating equipment to operate properly.
- You may spend more on your heating. Because your heater could have limited capabilities, the parts may begin to wear down fairly quickly, causing reduced efficiency/
If you’ve recently made renovations to your home, if family members suffer from allergies, or if you simply haven’t had anyone inspect your ducts in a while, call Alpha Air Corporation.
We’ll get your ducts back into top condition with our quality heat duct cleaning in St. Paul. Contact Us Today! 952.476.4144 or 1-866-PIXLEYS
Can I Clean the Air Ducts on My Own?
Monday, November 17th, 2014 by Lisa PixleyCleaning your air ducts requires a lot more than pulling out your vacuum and removing the dust from the registers. Your ductwork is a long, complex system that can reach to the deepest parts of your home, and dust and dirt can settle in these parts as easily as any other. Being able to remove the contaminants from your entire system takes knowledge and expertise, which is one of the reasons why it’s important to hire trained and certified professionals for residential duct cleaning in Duluth. If it’s time for you to clean your ducts, call a company you can count on to do it correctly and efficiently: Alpha Air Corporation.
Reasons to Call a Professional
- Specialized tools – there are a number of specialized tools that a trained technician uses to clean your ducts. These can include truck-mounted vacuums, pneumatic tools, visual aid equipment, professional brushes and access tools. It is likely that you don’t have these kinds of tools, which can put you at a great disadvantage when trying to clean your ductwork yourself.
- Training – certified technicians not only know what to look for, they know what to do. For instance, part of a professional duct cleaning involves the safe and clean removal of all contaminants. This ensures that your home won’t be re-contaminated when things like dust and dirt are removed from your ductwork. Are you able to guarantee that for yourself?
- Efficiency – trained technicians clean ductwork every day. This means they not only have the knowledge, expertise and experience, they will also be efficient and expedient when they clean your ductwork.
- Good results – when you hire a trained professional to clean your ductwork, you can be assured that your ductwork is truly being cleaned and that dust, dirt and any other contaminants are removed from your system.
Your ductwork is an integral part of your HVAC system. Having it professionally cleaned helps you and your system for the long-term.
If it’s been more than 3 years since your last cleaning appointment, schedule residential air duct cleaning today with Alpha Air Corporation today!
Tools Used During Commercial Duct Cleaning
Monday, October 20th, 2014 by Lisa PixleyThe employees, clients, customers, and/or tenants in your commercial building deserve to breathe clean air every day. That’s why the air filter in the return register of your ducts works with your commercial HVAC system, trapping particles so that you do not have to breathe them in every day. However, this filter may not be enough to give you the level of protection you need, failing to filter out every pollutant so that some dangerous particles may continue to circulate around your business.
If you own a commercial heating and air conditioning system, it’s vital to keep it maintained, not only for the comfort of the people in your building but for their health. Bacteria or mold may thrive in the ductwork of some buildings, and as spores circulate through the air your employees breathe those in, which could aggravate respiratory issues—and lead them to call in sick. Scheduling air duct cleaning with a technician experienced with commercial duct cleaning is one of the best ways to improve the conditions within your building. Let’s take a look at some of the tools used for commercial duct cleaning in St. Cloud.
First, technicians use a robotic camera to inspect your ducts. This helps them to detect any problem areas, but it can also let them know whether any areas of the ducts need to be sealed due to leaks and cracks. Once they have a good idea of the conditions within the ducts, they use professional-grade vacuums which create negative pressure within the ducts, thus knocking loose any dust clinging to the insides of the main air plenums and sucking it up through the vacuum hose. They also use brushes to safely and gently scrub off any remaining dirt and debris. They’ll target the register vents as well as any exhaust vents your property uses.
At Alpha Air Corporation, we’ll finish the job with an EPA-certified non-toxic sanitizing agent that will help us make sure your ducts are sanitized and ready for use. There is no chemical residue left behind and it can kill some remaining bacteria and stop mold growth.
Call Alpha Air Corporation for commercial duct cleaning in St. Cloud. We have over 30 years of experience serving our customers. Call Us Today! 952.476.4144 or 1-866-PIXLEYS.
Join Us Online