Author: MaintenX

How To Prepare Your Retail Store for The Holidays

The holiday shopping season is here, which means your retail store is about to be working overtime. Even with COVID-19 precautions still in place, you can expect to have an overflow of customers from now until January. If you and your staff aren’t prepared, you could lose significant sales and long-term customer relationships.

 

In 2020 holiday sales grew 8.3% even with many states still under COVID-19 restrictions. Therefore it’s important for you to prepare for even bigger sales both online and in-store this year. With the help of MaintenX to prepare your building, you can make this year an even bigger one for revenue growth at your location. Below are a few tips to help your store pull it off: 

 

Prepare your staffing.

With the addition of seasonal staff and increased requests for time off from your most stable teams, you need to prepare in advance for staffing chaos. Many retail outlets undertrain seasonal staff, leading to poor customer interactions and fewer sales than they could achieve with a well-prepared team. To prevent this, plan your holiday hours and approve time off in advance, as well as schedule time for increased training. 

 

Create holiday gift guides for shoppers to use online and in-store.

Many consumers like having gift guides to find unexpected products and ideas for their holiday shopping. By offering catalogs or online gift guides, you can increase sales and make the shopping experience much easier. 

 

Maximize holiday displays.

Holiday product displays and decor can make your inventory really stand out. This makes shopping easier and more fun during December, and will increase sales for you with little effort. If your displays need to be secured to existing infrastructure, however, be sure to contact MaintenX for installation questions. 

 

Prepare for a safe holiday season.

While restrictions across many states have been lifted, many consumers are still hesitant to engage in traditional retail shopping due to COVID-19. Make it as safe for them as possible by preparing hand washing stations, safe checkouts, and protocols for overcapacity. 

 

Get preventative maintenance out of the way.

The one thing you don’t want to happen during the height of your retail sales for the years is a plumbing emergency or heater breakdown. Take care of your preventative maintenance with MaintenX before your big sales to ensure a smooth shopping season for everyone. 

 

MaintenX is happy to help you with preventative checks and tuneups before your big sales. To schedule a consultation, contact us today.

HVAC Myths That Are Costing Your Business Right Now

HVAC maintenance can be a mystery for new facility managers or new tenants in a building. If you’re lucky, your system will only need the occasional cleaning and monthly filter change. However, there are many myths that facility managers are led to believe can cause serious problems within our system. 

 

Don’t believe these HVAC maintenance myths you hear online or from your handyman down the street. MaintenX cares about the quality of preventative care, and we want you to follow the right rules for keeping your HVAC system in check.

 

If your HVAC system is running slow, turn the thermostat lower than you want it to be so it will cool down faster.

This is a common mistake made by both homeowners and commercial facility managers. If your HVAC system cannot cool your building to the temperature you set, it is running inefficiently and needs to be diagnosed for potential issues. 

 

A bigger HVAC system will cool more efficiently. 

Bigger is not better when it comes to your HVAC units. Commercial systems are designed to fit the exact space you’re trying to heat and cool. Going any bigger than what is needed is a waste of time, and may even cause inefficiencies. 

 

Turning off the AC when the office is closed will help you save money. 

While we do recommend changing the temperature for extended closures (such as during holidays or for temporary leave), you don’t need to turn it off completely. Your system will expend more energy changing the temperature dramatically than it would by maintaining a temperature that you can adjust easily. 

 

You should let your HVAC system completely wear out before replacing it. 

This strategy can cost you more on expensive repairs trying to keep a failing system alive. If you replace your HVAC system at the right time, you can save on pricey repairs and upgrade to a more energy-efficient model which will help you recoup the expenses in lower power bills. 

 

You don’t have to schedule preventative care on newer systems.

New systems will run more efficiently and need less care, but problems can arise even with an HVAC unit that was installed within the year. Be diligent about changing filters and scheduling cleanings regardless of the age of the system, so you can keep a high-performance unit working smoothly. 

 

At Maintenx, we pride ourselves in top-notch preventative care for commercial HVAC systems. To learn more about what you can do to better maintain your system, contact us today.

Maintaining Ideal Humidity Levels for Your Facility

In the summertime, keeping humidity under control is a hassle. In Florida, where MaintenX is headquartered, we struggle with 80% and 90% humidity levels throughout the months of June and July. However, in the wintertime, most of our clients are dealing with the opposite problem. They are struggling to create an ideal humidity level to keep guests and employees comfortable. 

 

Some of this balancing act has to do with your HVAC settings, while the rest is about proper maintenance of your system as a whole. Below are just a few tips you can follow to maintain the proper humidity levels for your facility, regardless of the season: 

 

Clean out air ducts and filters.

If the humidity levels in your building are too high, you may notice condensation near your vents, which will eventually lead to water damage and mildew inside the HVAC system. You don’t want this stuff circulating throughout our building, so be sure to clean your ducts and filters in the summer to prevent lower indoor air quality. 

 

Use humidifiers and dehumidifiers in rooms near entrances. 

If you have a small office, a humidifier or dehumidifier may be large enough to control your entire space. However, even if you operate a large building, you can use these to control the humidity in areas near entrances, where outside air is likely to come in. 

 

Monitor drastic changes in humidity levels. 

You can expect humidity levels to change throughout the season, but be on the lookout for drastic changes, especially increases. This could mean your HVAC system is having issues filtering or cooling air, and you may be in need of a check-up. 

 

Humidity can be a game-changer for controlling the comfort levels and health of your building. For more information, contact your HVAC technician at MaintenX today.

Benefits of Installing An Air Scrubber In Your Building

Improving indoor air quality is on everyone’s mind since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cleaner air leads to a reduced likelihood of spreading diseases, and not just COVID. By keeping your air clean and your ventilation system in tip-top shape, you can prevent sick building syndrome (SBS), where colds and other common illnesses spread rapidly within a building because of their presence within the air ducts. 

 

One of the newest ways to improve indoor air quality within a facility is by installing an air scrubber. This addition to your ventilation system can clean out dirt, dust, and other particles and help create cleaner air for your entire building. 

 

What does an air scrubber do?

Unlike a simple air filter, an air scrubber also releases particles in the air that can kill germs, VOCs, dust, and other indoor air contaminants within your facility. Typically, portable air scrubbers are used in office buildings to disinfect and filter the air in addition to the ventilation system. However, for offices in single-unit buildings, a whole-house air scrubber can be installed which reaches not only the air but contaminants on surfaces as well. 

 

Benefits of an air scrubber

 

  • Portability – If you have recently painted or undergone construction within your building, a portable air scrubber can help filter out contaminants in the days afterward when fumes and dust are still in the air.

 

  • Prevents and diminishes the effects of SBS – An air scrubber not only disinfects, but will filter the air within your building to help prevent the spread of dirt, VOCs, dust, bacteria, and viruses. If you’re experiencing sick building syndrome, they can help diminish the problem. 

 

  • Puts employees and customers at ease – If your building has had an outbreak of COVID-19, or even something as simple as the flu, you can put employees at ease by bringing in an air scrubber. This simple addition to your office will help employees and customers feel safer in the midst of cold and flu season. 

 

Air scrubbers are a simple but powerfully effective solution for improving indoor air quality. To learn more about installation and usage, contact your local MaintenX team today.

Everything You Need To Know About Furnace Flame Sensors

As winter rolls around, you’ll be using your heater much more frequently, which means preventative care is essential at your facility. Your furnace is a potentially dangerous component of the HVAC system. Without proper safety checks in place, your furnace can have undetected gas leaks or fires that cause catastrophic damage to your facility. 

 

That is why it is essential to take care of your furnace’s flame sensor before and during the winter months. This guide will help you learn more about this all-too-important component, and how to prevent it from having issues at critical moments. 

 

What is a flame sensor?

 

The flame sensor, located inside the burner assembly, is a sensor that detects flames inside the unit. If a flame is detected, the sensor will signal to shut off the furnace entirely to prevent fires and leaks of carbon monoxide. This is one of the most critical safety components of your entire HVAC system. In older systems, a different type of flame sensor called a thermocouple is present. This serves the same purpose but uses different technology to detect flames and turn off the furnace. 

 

How to tell if your flame sensor is working properly.

 

Flame sensors can eventually stop working, especially if they are from an older system. If you have an older HVAC unit, your HVAC technician will look for these signs that your sensor may not be working anymore: 

 

  • The furnace burners will turn on but shut off immediately after
  • The flame sensor is covered in ash or dust (which signals it’s time for cleaning)
  • The tip of the flame sensor is black
  • The casing is cracked or pieces are falling off

 

Flame sensor maintenance.

 

Luckily, unless the sensor needs to be replaced, this component has a fairly simple maintenance plan. Your HVAC technician may periodically clean and test it, but otherwise, your flame sensor should last 15 to 30 years with minimal maintenance. You may have to replace it once throughout your building ownership or management, but it’s unlikely to cause you too many problems. 

 

If you haven’t had an HVAC maintenance check in a while, call MaintenX for a simple tune-up before firing up the furnace. It could save your facility from a fire or gas leak, and help you save on emergency repairs.

Tips for Saving on Roofing Repairs This Winter

For our clients up North, winter is the most common time for roofing repairs. As your commercial facility’s roof becomes stressed under snow and autumn debris, you can start to notice leaks, cracks, and drafts from outside due to poor roofing insulation. In order to prevent these minor issues from becoming major repairs, preventative maintenance is key. 

 

Below are three tips to help you prevent the more costly roofing repairs at your facility, and keep your building well-insulated throughout the winter: 

 

Clean fallen leaves and gutters before the first snowfall.

The biggest culprit of winter roofing damage is the accumulation of leaves and gutter debris during the autumn. If you don’t clear away fallen leaves before the first snowfall, they will only continue to weigh down on your roof and cause mold problems when the snow begins to melt. Don’t let this happen. Schedule a roof and gutter cleaning service before the first snowfall to prevent mold and mildew problems at your facility. 

 

Trim your trees. 

During the winter, tree branches will go dormant and snow will begin to pile up on larger branches. While this can be pretty, it can also be dangerous. Older branches can snap and fall on your building. By trimming your trees, you prevent this hazard and help your trees grow back fuller in the spring. 

 

Schedule regular snow removal services. 

Snow removal is essential to maintaining a structurally sound roof. If you live in a northern state, you know how high snow can build up over time. By creating a snow removal schedule, it will be easier to get ahead of the problem and prevent water damage when the snow starts to melt. 

Wintertime can be a beautiful time at your facility if you keep ahead of the snow and watch out for any problems with your roofing. To learn more about winterization for your commercial facility, visit our Resource Center.

Three Things You Didn’t Know About Roofers

Finding the right roofer for your commercial facility renovation can be tricky. The market is often oversaturated with inexperienced contractors, while the few that are exceptional are booked for months on end. At MaintenX, we work with only top-notch roofing professionals and dedicate time and resources to their work. We believe that with the right contractors, your roofing project can be a breeze!

 

One of the reasons we delicate time and training to our roofing team is because of their unique skills and expectations. Below are three things you probably didn’t know about the roofing contractor career, and why we appreciate them so much at MaintenX: 

 

Some roofers go to college, while others work under a licensed roofer to gain their education. 

While a two-year technical degree is not required for most roofing jobs, one must obtain significant experience before getting their roofing contractor’s license. This means that some roofers gain their education in the field through subcontractor work with a licensed professional. This is a great career choice for those who are looking for on-the-job training that is engaging and exciting. 

 

Roofing is one of the most dangerous maintenance jobs. 

Many people assume that electrical work is the most dangerous of the maintenance specializations, but roofing is often considered more dangerous. Not only are falls a rare fatality, but many roofers can develop back injuries from carrying heavy materials on slanted surfaces. Roofing is incredibly physically demanding and accidents happen, which is why it’s important to be focused and in shape if you want to be a roofing contractor. 

 

As a roofer, you may be able to specialize in other maintenance fields. 

Because roofing doesn’t require the extensive education that plumbing and electrical work require, many roofers also specialize in flooring, drywall, and other renovations for homes and businesses. You can leverage these skills to start your own business or to simply keep busy with work no matter what the job demands. Roofing will also teach you easily applicable skills such as estimating, design, and other skills that are useful for all contractor positions. 

For the right individual, roofing can be an excellent career. To learn more about how you can advance your work as a roofer, visit our Careers page.

Three Things You Didn’t Know About HVAC Technicians

In Tampa, Florida, where MaintenX is headquartered, we face brutally hot summers and rely on our HVAC systems for most of the year. When one stops working, HVAC technicians are our heroes! They come to the rescue to make our homes and businesses livable despite the intense summer heat, and do so without much recognition. 

 

The life of an HVAC technician is very different from your average office worker. Below are # things you probably didn’t know about your HVAC tech, and why you should be sure to thank them next time you see one: 

 

HVAC technicians are fully dedicated to their jobs. 

Most maintenance work requires technicians to work late, unpredictable hours as opposed to office work. If someone’s heater goes out in the dead of winter, they may be called early in the morning or after dark to fix it. They often work 10-12 hour days in order to earn overtime and get each job done as quickly as possible. These heroes are 100% dedicated to doing a great job with every service call. 

 

They are often in great shape. 

HVAC work is physical work, and often requires technicians to crawl into tight spaces or work outside. This means that most technicians, even as they age, stay in great shape throughout their lives. This is a unique perk that helps many technicians live long and healthy lives because of their jobs instead of in spite of their jobs. 

 

HVAC technicians make an excellent living. 

The average salary for a U.S. HVAC technician is over $75,000, which is great for a career that only requires a two-year education. Plus, technical work cannot be outsourced and isn’t as susceptible to variability during economic downturns. Air conditioning and heating are necessities, which means that even in times of economic struggle, you’ll still have a safe and stable job. 

 

The work of an HVAC repairman is always exciting and is greatly appreciated by everyone they serve. If you’re interested in starting or advancing a career in the HVAC maintenance field, contact us to learn about our open positions!

Five Things You Didn’t Know About Electricians

Electrical work is one of the most dangerous trades in the maintenance field. These humble workers are not only incredibly technically skilled in their craft but are lifesavers to business owners who have lost power after a shutdown or natural disaster. Without hardworking electricians, our entire power grid would go down in a matter of weeks. Their work is often unseen and greatly underappreciated for its importance in our daily lives. 

 

Unless you know an electrician, much of their jobs are likely a mystery. Below are # things you probably didn’t know about the electrical maintenance field, and reasons why we appreciate them so much at MaintenX:

 

Master electricians train as long as doctors. 

Electrical work is a delicate and dangerous process. Not only is electricity inherently dangerous to tamper with, but a master electrician needs to be able to diagnose accurately in order to fix problems in large-scale buildings. For this reason, after technician school and an apprenticeship electricians have to undergo extensive on-the-job training before they can operate independently. 

 

Most electricians specialize in one area.

During technical school, most electricians will be taught the basics of all electrical disciplines. However, during one’s apprenticeship and journeyman years, they often specialize in residential, commercial, industrial, or city lineman work. At MaintenX, we hire commercial electricians who have specialized in working in small businesses and midsize facilities. 

 

Electrical work is a great challenge every day.

One of the biggest perks of electrical work is the challenges you get to tackle on the job. No two jobs are the same for an electrician, so they are always creatively problem-solving and developing new solutions for their clients. Electrical work is also a very active job, which means most electricians are in great shape. 

 

Electricians go green. 

Electrical work is one career option to go into if you are passionate about environmental issues. Because electricians are closely tied to the advancement of renewable electrical energy, this is a great option to get involved in hands-on environmental advancements. 

 

Electricians earn a great living. 

According to Indeed, the average electrician earns around $25/hour and up to $8,000 of overtime in a year. This of course is only the average, however — the more experience you gain in the field, the closer you get to earning six figures or owning your own electrical company. For a career with a low-cost education, this is a great way to earn a living. 

 

At MaintenX, we appreciate all of the hard work our electricians put in every day to keep businesses safe and operational. If you’re interested in advancing your career as an electrician, visit the MaintenX Careers page today!

Four Things You Didn’t Know About Plumbers

At MaintenX, we have a special appreciation for plumbers. They are the backbone of our services and the backbone of businesses around the United States. Without trusted maintenance technicians, our businesses and commercial buildings would fall apart almost instantly. It is because of the hard work of our plumbers that America is still a great place to do business. 

 

However, if you’re not familiar with the plumbing trade, there is plenty to learn and appreciate about these technicians. Here are # things you didn’t know about plumbers that may make you appreciate them even more: 

 

None of our daily routines would be possible without plumbers. 

We often take for granted how well our home and facility’s plumbing systems work. However, you are the beneficiary of their hard work every day when you shower, brush your teeth, clean the dishes, or water your business’ landscaping. Without a trusted plumber by your side, your business would operate entirely differently. 

 

Commercial kitchen waste can be worse than bathroom waste. 

You may think the worst part about being a plumber would be dealing with a backed-up sewage tank. However, many plumbers report working in commercial kitchens — where grease often gets put down the sink drain — is much worse. It not only causes way more long-term problems but can smell just as bad as restroom waste when it’s been sitting in the pipes for weeks at a time. 

 

Plumbing can be dangerous.

Most people recognize electrical and roofing technician work as dangerous, but many don’t realize that plumbing work can be equally risky. Pressurized systems in commercial facilities can exert hundreds of pounds of force, and if a part of the system breaks, plumbers are in that line of fire. They also deal with hazardous substances that go in and out of sewage tanks, which means the utmost care to safety and sanitization is needed. Experience and proper training are critical for any type of plumbing work. 

 

Plumbers make a great living. 

Most people believe that a technical college education isn’t as valuable as a four-year college degree. But, the median base salary for an American plumber is $58,858, with top plumbers making upward of $75,000 annually. This also doesn’t include bonuses, overtime, and potential for highly motivated technicians to open their own business, nor does it include the educational savings of only having to pay for a two-year local education instead of a four-year university degree. If you are looking for a new career path with plenty of room for growth, plumbing may be right for you. 

If you’re interested in advancing your plumbing career with MaintenX, visit our Careers page to find open positions in a city near you.