Archive for the ‘HVAC’ Category

Heating Fort McMurray

Friday, July 3rd, 2009

Here in Fort McMurray, which is located in Northern Alberta Canada heating your home is a major concern as temperatures can drip below -50 in the dead of winter.

Fort McMurray is lucky to have many heating and air conditioning companies that service the local residents as well as our booming oil industry. Here are a few of the local companies and contact numbers:

Fort mcmurray Plumbing & Heating Ltd
www.fmplumbing.ca (780) 743-2181

Adams Heating
(780) 714-5110

Professional Mechanical Ltd
(780) 743-4877

H & H Plumbing & Heating Ltd
(780) 743-8817

AAA Plumbing Heating Gas Fitting Air Conditioning Refrigeration Ltd
(780) 714-9001

B & K Refrigeration Air Conditioning & Heating Ltd
(780) 790-1474

Alberta Industrial Sheet Metal
(780) 743-2819

Action Imperial Plumbing & Heating
(780) 799-7201

JCS Plumbing & Heating Ltd (FMY)
(780) 598-7261

Alcor Management Inc
www.alcorfacilities.com (780) 743-1343

Here at A-1 Ductworks we are cleaning professionals that have proper knowledge for maintaining your heating and air conditioning systems but if you need repairs or replacements please contact one of the reputable companies from above. If you have excessive dust contact us we are a Fort Mcmurray local company and would be very happy to serve you.

I get asked very often, When is it time to replace my heating system?

My answer comes in the form of questions such as:

1. Is your furnace system more than 10 years old?

If your furnace is more than 10 years old you might want to consider a newer unit for the energy savings alone. Installed correctly, high-efficiency units can save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling costs.

2. Some rooms in your home are too hot or too cold.

Improper equipment operation, duct problems or inadequate insulation could be the cause.

3. Your home has humidity problems.

Poor equipment operation, inadequate equipment, and leaky ductwork can cause the air to be too dry in the winter or too humid in the summer.

4. Your home has excessive dust.

Leaky ducts can pull particles and air from attics, crawl spaces and basements and distribute them throughout your house. Sealing your ducts and having the system professionally duct cleaned may be a solution.

5. Your score on the Home Energy Yardstick is below five.

I hope that these tips help you make your decision to replace or just properly maintain your fort mcmurray heating system this year and keep warm during the upcoming heating season.

That means your energy use at home is above average and you’re probably paying more than you need to on energy bills.

What is Sick Building Syndrome?

Saturday, May 16th, 2009

Sick Building Syndrome or (SBS) is a combination of aliments usually associated with the Heating Ventalation And Air Conditioning Systems (HVAC), including molds, volatile organic compounds, improper exhaust ventilation, outgassing of building materials and the by products of chemicals located near the HVAC system.

Usually the systems of SBS are sensory irritation of the eyes, nose, throat; neurotoxic or general health problems; skin irritation; nonspecific hypersensitivity reactions; and odor and taste sensations.

SBS is one of the leading casues of employee’s missing work in North America and costs businesses hundereds of millions per year. Great lengths have been taken to prevent and correct the causes of SBS. What can you do to identify and correct the problems associated with SBS?

1. Pollutant source removal or proper storage of chemicals in your building. Storage of harsh chemicals in the mechical rooms can lead to unwanted fumes and vapors finding their way into the HVAC system.

2. Remove carpeting that has been damaged with water. Carpet that has been through a flood can be filled with molds and should be replaced as soon as possiable.

3. Use paints, adhesives, solvents, and pesticides in well-ventilated areas, and use of these pollutant sources during periods of non-occupancy.

4. Increase the amount of air exchanges in the building. A minimum of 8.4 complete air exchanges per 24 hour period is the reccommended amount by the engineers of The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning.

5. Proper and regular maintence of the HVAC system.

6. Proper cleaning and disenfecting of the air handling system and the attached ducting.

With building getting tighter and not allowing leaks to naturally occur we have to be sure to follow the proper installation of HVAC systems and consider installing air exchangers. Be sure to maintain your HVAC system and periodically clean the entire system.

Contact A-1 Ductworks of Alberta Canada at 780-598-5966 to recieve a free estimate on your Furnace Duct Cleaning http://www.furnacecleaning.info