Duct Cleaning In Your Home: Is It Really A Necessity?

June 1st, 2013 by Lisa Pixley

This is a guest blog post courtesy of Wine Cellar Innovations.

We see lots of companies offering professional air duct cleaning and HVAC inspection services these days. But we also find ourselves asking if these services are really necessary. Some homeowners claim that duct cleaning hasn’t really been solidly shown to prevent health problems. There are also those who claim that this can be done through DIY steps, without the need for professional assistance. However these views should be properly considered in the light of home maintenance and care.

Indeed, much of the dirt in air ducts adheres to duct surfaces and do not necessarily enter the living space. Nonetheless, this also means that the growth of mold will also accelerate in your ducts, vents, and other metal components of your heating and cooling system. Mold growth will corrode your ducts and develop into a huge problem later on. Try envisioning the total breakdown of your expensive heating and cooling units. Worse if this would happen during times when heating or cooling facilities in the home are most needed, like say the winter season.

That’s not all. There is also a good chance that these ducts and vents can be infested by vermin. You may not be able to spot these pesky little critters with the naked eye. But they will surely leave a trail of destruction which will literally eat away at your systems. You cannot just remedy the problem using basic repair and maintenance methods which you probably picked up from the internet or the manual of some repair product or tool. Inexperience and lack of professional skills will most likely result in bigger maintenance problems in the future. That’s because in these cases, temporary stopgap solutions are never recommended. It’s especially true if you have special constructions in your home, like a wine cellar.

Wine cellars won’t be like any other room in your home. It’s imperative that the ideal storage conditions have to be maintained therein, 24/7. Fluctuations in temperature and humidity levels, particularly abrupt ones, will be deadly to the wine in your bottles. You will notice this when you pop one open and the wine comes out tasting extremely bitter. That’s because it has aged prematurely due to the accelerated breathing process in case of high temperatures or its uber slowness in case of low ones. This is why the most practical move you can make as a responsible homeowner is to solicit the right professional duct cleaning and HVAC inspection services. You may have to spend a little extra, but you are actually saving yourself a bundle in the long run!

Author: Cynette Montoya is a blogger for Wine Cellar Innovations, a wine storage manufacturer out of Cincinnati, Ohio. They create DIY wine racks along with custom wine cellar solutions. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Dryer Vent Cleaning is No Small Task

May 31st, 2013 by Lisa Pixley

Did you know that routine dryer vent cleanings can help reduce your risk of house fires? Clearing dryer vents of debris helps the efficiency and lifespan of your dryer, but is also helpful for keeping your home safe. The certified technicians at Alpha Air serviced a 4-story apartment complex, snaking out dryer ducts for 81 individual dryer exhaust ducts ranging 20-40 feet in length. Check out our video below to see one of our technicians in action. Alpha Air provides exceptional customer service and is committed to your comfort and safety. For any of your dryer vent cleaning needs in the Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN area, call us or schedule service online today!

How Your Business Can Benefit from Air Duct Cleaning

May 23rd, 2013 by Lisa Pixley

Owning a business is hard work and keeping your customers, clients and employees comfortable is a top priority. If you have a forced-air heating or cooling system in your business then you likely have a series of air duct that carry the heated or cooled air through your business. Over time, debris, contaminants and other pollutants can start to get build up inside your ducts. Getting Minneapolis commercial air duct cleaning could potentially have tremendous benefits for your business. Here at Alpha Air we offer complete commercial air duct cleaning and thought it would be a good idea to put together some of the benefits of regular cleaning.

Benefits of Minneapolis Commercial Air Duct Cleaning

If you’ve never had your business’ commercial air ducts cleaned make sure that you call Alpha Air. We’ve helped countless businesses improve the operation of their commercial HVAC system by getting the ducts cleaned. These are a few of the potential benefits of getting Minneapolis commercial air duct cleaning.

  • Improved efficiency – If your business’ ductwork is clogged with debris, it could be restricting the flow of air throughout your business. This is a huge benefit for business owners because it could reduce the amount of energy that you use to heat and cooling your business.
  • Improved comfort – If your business’ ductwork has a lot of debris in it, it could be reducing the amount of air moving into your business. This reduces efficiency and the comfort of your clients, tenants or customers.
  • Improved air quality –  As air moves through the ducts in your business it can pick up and carry any contaminants that might be there. When you get Minneapolis commercial air duct cleaning it could remove those contaminants from the air supply and improve air quality.

For all your Minneapolis commercial air duct cleaning make sure that you call the friendly specialists at Alpha Air.

St. Paul, MN Dryer Vent Cleaning Tip: How Do Dryer Fires Start?

May 6th, 2013 by Lisa Pixley

One of the most overlooked fire prevention tasks is having your dryer vent cleaned on a routine basis. Dryer fires occur about 15,000 times per year throughout the US, and this is often due to neglecting regular maintenance tasks. The combination of your dryer’s high temperatures and the production of lint during the drying cycle can produce a potentially dangerous situation. In this post, we’d like to address how dryer fires start. For excellent St. Paul, MN dryer vent cleaning service, call Alpha Air Corporation today!

When lint begins to accumulate on lint trap and lint trap screen, it results in airflow blockage and overheating. But lint isn’t the only danger. Your dryer vent system should be entirely inspect and cleaned on a regular basis. A significant amount of lint and debris can find its way into the ventilation ducts and this can force your dryer to operate at temperatures well outside the range it has been designed for. Also, check your manufacturer’s instructions or with your local professional about what you can put in your dryer. Certain items like athletic shoes and materials containing foam may pose an additional fire risk.

Fortunately, keeping your dryer in good shape requires only diligence and a little bit of professional help. Make sure you clean the lint screen after every drying cycle. The next step is hiring a professional to clean out your dryer vent system on a regular basis. This will not only prevent the risk of accidental fires, but also increase energy efficiency and drying performance. If you notice that your dryer becomes ineffective or it takes much longer to dry your clothes than it used to, those are both signs that you need professional care.

For St. Paul, MN dryer vent cleaning service, call the experts at Alpha Air Corporation today! 

Accessing Ducts for Proper Cleaning

May 3rd, 2013 by Lisa Pixley

Commercial duct cleaning is important for the air quality in your building. Serving the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN, Alpha Air’s certified technicians have years of experience to ensure that your ducts are cleaned properly and effectively. Whether the air ducts in your building need decontamination, mold remediation, or sanitizing, you can trust Alpha Air to provide outstanding customer service and workmanship. Request an estimate online or give us a call today!

How is Minneapolis Air Duct Cleaning Done?

April 22nd, 2013 by Lisa Pixley

Forced air distribution systems are one of the most common options for circulating conditioned air throughout a home. When they are properly installed and professionally maintained, ductwork systems can be quite efficient and effective. There are, though, some problems that air ducts are susceptible to. If you have a buildup of dirt, debris or other pollutants within your air ducts, you may need to schedule professional Minneapolis air duct cleaning service. Contact Alpha Air Corporation today if you have any reason to believe that your air ducts are compromised in such a way. Only a skilled duct cleaning professional can ensure that your service is completed properly.

Using a household vacuum or trying to sweep out your air ducts is simply not enough if you need duct cleaning service. Only a qualified duct cleaning technician has the tools and training necessary to thoroughly clean your air ducts. First, any ports or doors must be opened in order to gain access to the entirety of your air duct system. Prior to the actual duct cleaning service, a thorough inspection of your ductwork should be completed. This will rule out the presence of any asbestos, the removal of which requires specialized services.

Next, a special vacuum should be used to clean out your air ducts. This vacuum should vent particles out of your home. If it vents inside your home, a HEPA filter should be used to protect your indoor air quality. You should always feel comfortable asking your duct cleaning technician any questions that you may have.

Specialized tools, brushes and agitators will be used to free and loosen any buildup of dirt and debris on the inner surfaces of your ductwork. In conjunction with vacuuming, this will ensure a thorough cleaning performance. Once the cleaning is completed, your duct cleaning technician should seal or re-insulate any holes in your air ducts to keep them as airtight and efficient as possible.

To learn more about the benefits of Minneapolis duct cleaning service and proper procedures, call the pros at Alpha Air Corporation. We can answer any questions you may have. You deserve to breathe the cleanest, purest air possible in your home.

Investigate Before You Invest: Hiring Certified Technicians

April 12th, 2013 by Lisa Pixley

We understand the importance of doing research before you invest in your duct cleaning services. Hiring technicians without extensive background and knowledge can be both dangerous and costly. You can have peace of mind knowing that Alpha Air’s certified technicians will complete the work with quality in mind.

Alpha Air has specialized in commercial, industrial and residential duct cleaning services for more than 30 years in the Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN area. We are members of the Better Business Bureau and our technicians are certified by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA). Our services are performed to the highest standards, and we offer custom service plans to fit your situation and budget. Call us today to schedule service!

Alpha Air - affiliations

St. Paul Air Duct Cleaning: What Are The Most Common Air Contaminants In My Home?

April 8th, 2013 by Lisa Pixley

We tend to use our heating and cooling systems a lot in St. Paul, MN. We depend on their operation on a daily basis for comfort. If we have a forced air distribution system, then we also depend upon the integrity of our ductwork to deliver heated or cooled air into our living space, effectively and efficiently. Even the most well maintained system will begin to develop dust and debris buildup over time and this can result in the airborne transmission of allergenic particles throughout our home. Clients often want to know what the most common air contaminants in their homes. We’d like to address this question here. For comprehensive St. Paul, MN air duct cleaning, call the experts at Alpha Air Corporation today!

  • Mold. While our modern homes ensure that our homes are well insulated to protect from heating and cooling losses, they also sacrifice ventilation in the process. Stuffy and uncomfortable air can quickly take over during the heating and cooling seasons, and the reason for this is often excessive levels of humidity. Mold thrives in dark, high-moisture conditions, and they are particularly prone to ductwork. Routine air duct cleaning is a great way to reduce the presence of mold in your home.
  • Dust. While the EPA maintains that dust alone does not produce any harm, for homeowners with allergies, asthma, or some other respiratory condition, dust can be highly irritating. You wouldn’t allow your kitchen table to accumulate dust and your ductwork is no different. If you see dust and other debris in the duct vents or registers, it’s probably a good time to get in touch with a professional duct cleaning service.
  • Dander. If you have a dog or a cat, then dander can quickly accumulate in your ductwork, along with dust and other debris. When air flows throughout your air ducts, dander can become airborne and circulate throughout your living space, causing respiratory discomfort.

If you have concerns or questions about your ductwork, make sure you get in touch with a professional duct specialist. For more information, or to schedule a St. Paul, MN air duct cleaning, call the pros at Alpha Air Corporation today!

Have you had your HVAC system inspected lately?

April 5th, 2013 by Lisa Pixley

Have you had your HVAC system inspected lately? Alpha Air goes above and beyond to ensure a thorough job. Using small, robotic cameras, our technicians can see hard-to-reach spots and identify if the ducts have any corrosion, leaks or cracks.

Identifying problems early will help increase the life of your ducts and keep them running efficiently. We’ll even show you before and after pictures of your ducts to give you peace of mind that the job was done properly.

Alpha Air has over 30 years of experience in duct cleaning and inspection in the Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN area. Call us or schedule service online today!

 

HVAC system inspections

Duct Cleaning Done Right

March 29th, 2013 by Lisa Pixley

Watch as Alpha Air technicians take you inside an air duct during a commercial duct cleaning. Our technicians are certified by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association so you know the job will be done right! We offer a variety of air duct cleaning service plans to fit your needs. Call us today to get an estimate or schedule an appointment.