Author: MaintenX

In the 21st century, air pollution is at an all-time high. In a world where over 90% of the population lives in areas with low air quality (according to the World Health Organization), it is imperative for businesses to take action in offering a safe work environment for their staff. You may believe that the majority of air pollution is outdoors, caused by car exhaust and factory fumes. However, some of the most dangerous air pollutions is found inside offices and buildings. 

The Environmental Protection Agency has listed indoor air pollution as one of the top environmental health risks to Americans. In fact, the EPA believes that indoor air can be up to 100 times more dangerous than outdoor air. Indoor air pollution comes with a long list of health risks including:

• Cancer 
• Cardiovascular disease 
• Lung disease
• Neuroinflammation 
• Kidney damage 
• Birth defects and lower birth weight

Decreased life expectancy

Indoor air pollution is a serious problem that could affect you and your staff. However, there are several steps you can take to prevent air pollution from invading your facility. Here are the top indoor air pollutants in commercial buildings, and what you can do to keep them away:

Benzene 

Benzene is a known carcinogen and air pollutant found in gasoline, plastics, synthetic fibers, car exhaust, paint, glue, and even some pesticides. While it is not particularly common, it can pose some serious health risks. Avoid products that contain benzene, and if your facility is close to a gas station, have employees limit exposure to the fumes. 

Radon

Radon is a natural gas that rises from the earth. Natural doesn’t mean safe though; it is a very dangerous air pollutant and the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. Some areas of the country are more prone to radon exposure than others, but all facilities should take steps to prevent staff exposure. Radon can pollute indoor air through lack of ventilation, cracks in walls and flooring, openings in piping, and joints in concrete. Protect your facility by performing regular maintenance inspections and maintain healthy ventilation throughout your building. 

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) 

VOCs are chemical compounds that vaporize at low temperatures. They are typically aromatic and can be found in paints, cleaning products, fabrics, pesticides, and upholstery. Not all are dangerous, but synthetic VOCs can cause damage to health after long-term exposure. The best way to prevent exposure is by limiting your staff’s exposure to cleaning products and other synthetics with known VOCs. A high-quality ventilation system will also limit exposure. 

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a common VOC with a very distinct odor. It is used in flooring materials, paints, and fabrics. While formaldehyde is very common, it can cause respiratory problems after prolonged exposure. By eliminating common sources of formaldehyde in your facility, as well as installing a quality ventilation system, you can ensure excellent indoor air quality for your employees and customers.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide (CO) is the most well-known indoor air pollutant, for it can be deadly. Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and incredibly dangerous, which is why you need a CO detector in your facility. Install a detector in every office building and staffed area of your facility. 

Biologicals

While many pollutants are man-made, our environment also causes a substantial number of health risks. The EPA lists several biological indoor air pollutants common in commercial buildings including:

• Viruses
• Bacteria
• Molds
• Dried rodent urine
• Mildew spores and hyphae

Avoid these pollutants with proper ventilation and regular cleaning of your facility. 

If you have questions about the risks and prevention method for indoor air pollution, contact MaintenX today. 

We may be past Labor Day, but in many parts of the country the summer heat is still beating down. With temperatures in the 80s and 90s every day, it can be difficult for facility managers to keep energy costs down. While you don’t want your employees to suffer from the heat, the summer power bill can make your head spin. Luckily, there are many ways in which you can lower your summer energy costs without sacrificing comfort. 

MaintenX technicians don’t like the summer heat any more than our clients do. HVAC units typically break down in the summer from overuse; not the time when our technicians want to be working on the rooftops all day. We recommend preventative maintenance services to clients throughout the year to avoid costly HVAC breakdowns and elevated power costs. In addition to taking care of your equipment and appliances, you can implement these changes to reduce your power bill until autumn:

Research solar energy alternatives.

The days may be getting shorter in late summer, but the sun is still out past closing time for most businesses. If you haven’t looked into solar energy alternatives, now is the time to do so. Solar energy installations can be expensive, but the cost-savings in comparison to conventional energy are unparalleled. Plus, many states and municipalities offer incentive programs for small businesses that incorporate solar energy into their building design. 

Install a smart thermostat for your office space.

A great deal of energy is wasted in office spaces due to inefficient heating and cooling. Some offices don’t touch their thermostat at all, letting the cold air blast through the night. Others will constantly change it, making their HVAC units work harder to adjust to the ever-changing temperature. The most efficient way to manage your office’s temperature is with a smart thermostat. These thermostats can be programmed to change according to your office’s needs and preferences. They are a “set it and forget it” solution that can help cut down your power bill in both summer and winter. 

Replace your outdated air conditioning unit.

If your power bill is through the roof, your outdated AC could be to blame. Most facilities don’t replace AC units frequently, meaning that your unit could be overworked and inefficient. Maintenance experts recommend replacing your AC unit every 15 to 20 years. However, if you live in a hot climate that expiration date may be sooner. The next time a MaintenX technician visits your facility, request an HVAC inspection to see if your unit needs an upgrade. 

Schedule regular AC maintenance. 

Even if your AC isn’t in need of an upgrade, it could very well need maintenance in the late summer. If you’re experiencing problems at this time of year, call your MaintenX technician for a maintenance checkup. The technician will check and replace the filters, examine pipes and connections to prevent leaks, and alert you of any major repairs required. Basic preventative maintenance can extend the life of your unit and help to lower energy consumption due to an overworking unit. 

If you have questions about how MaintenX preventative maintenance services can help you, contact us today for a consultation. 

In almost every scenario, it’s better to prevent a problem than react to it. In the workplace, it’s better to work with a struggling employee than react to a mistake. It’s better to communicate with a client on mutual expectations than react to their complaints. And, in the maintenance world, it’s better to prevent an equipment failure than work hard to fix it. 

Equipment and appliance repair can be costly, but can lead to even more costly replacement if not handled in a timely manner. Most manufacturers offer recommendations for regular maintenance, though not all equipment failures can be predicted. This is why it’s imperative to implement preventative maintenance into your facility’s regular maintenance schedule. 

Preventative maintenance should be a routine that adapts to your equipment’s needs over time. A preventative maintenance checklist includes tasks such as cleaning, routine part replacement, and inspection, but it evolves to meet the specific needs of your facility. Preventative maintenance provides the roadmap for performance optimization of all your facility’s equipment, from factory machines to office appliances. 

Preventative maintenance not only extends the life of your facility equipment, but it can also prevent workplace injuries. Well-running machines are less likely to fail on the job, which in a high-risk environment is imperative to employee safety. Even if you work in a low-risk environment, preventative maintenance can keep your staff safe and offer them a better working environment throughout the day. 

While MaintenX recommends preventative maintenance services for all our clients, we understand that some issues cannot be prevented. All equipment eventually starts to break down, and accidents will undoubtedly occur. In these instances, reactive maintenance is required.

Experienced maintenance staff will help recommend preventative maintenance measures that increase equipment performance while minimizing unnecessary repairs to keep your costs down. 

Preventative and reactive maintenance both have their place and time. However, by learning more about the maintenance processes of your facility, you can better budget time and resources allocated to equipment tuneups and inspections. With MaintenX technicians to help, you can easily increase efficiency throughout the building. Preventative maintenance will keep energy costs down, improve staff working conditions, and help you avoid downtime due to unexpected equipment repairs. 

Talk to the MaintenX team today to learn more about your preventative maintenance options. We are here to help facility managers improve every day with affordable services and a five-star nationwide contractor network.

Managing facility maintenance is a balancing act. While the upkeep of building machinery and equipment is necessary to maintain peak performance, maintenance labor costs can weigh down your budget. Understanding the difference between routine requirements and emergency maintenance can help you optimize your maintenance operations and budget for the future. 

Routine maintenance includes the regularly scheduled repairs and inspections required for facility machinery, appliances, and equipment. These maintenance tasks can be scheduled throughout the week during normal business hours. Examples of routine maintenance may include: fixing a small faucet leak, replacing refrigerant and air filters in an AC unit, and pressure washing the exterior. 

Working with the maintenance staff to create a regular schedule for these tasks is called preventative maintenance. Scheduling ahead is more cost- and time-efficient than addressing maintenance as it comes, making costs predictable while increasing equipment lifespan and reliability.

However, even if you keep up with your routine maintenance, emergencies will happen. Major leaks (ones causing flooding or water damage), factory equipment failure, or a lack of power, heating, or air conditioning during the work day can all surprise a business. Any maintenance issue that impedes the work environment is considered an emergency. You should have the emergency maintenance number posted in your office, as emergency requests should never be submitted online. 

Always call your MaintenX team if you notice an emergency maintenance situation. If you don’t, you may have to deal with costly repairs later. Or, you may be able to use a quick fix on your own until the regular maintenance team can assist you. In either situation, you are preventing unnecessary costs by making that call ASAP.

By understanding the differences between routine and emergency maintenance, you can make sound, cost-effective decisions for your facility. MaintenX technicians are always available to answer your maintenance questions. If you find yourself in an emergency situation, we are just a call away from finding a solution for your facility. 

Call MaintenX today to learn about our preventative maintenance solutions.

Managing multiple facilities can get overwhelming. Without proper organization, problems can come at you and build up fast. How does a maintenance manager keep up with calls across multiple facilities?

If maintenance is not being performed as it should, it affects the entire business. Unnecessary downtime costs the business money. A maintenance manager needs a system where everything can be logged in one place. In 2019 there is much opportunity to use technology to make management easier and more streamlined. Many maintenance managers are turning to a CMMS to help them keep track of tasks.

A CMMS allows multiple facilities to use the same operating system and stay connected. Everything the maintenance manager needs as far as communication is all in one place. This makes organization a breeze and leaves more time to actually carry out tasks.

Any system can be improved. As a maintenance manager, you should always ask for the input of the maintenance technicians in perfecting lines of communication and systems. They are on the front lines of this system and experience its efficiency firsthand. Over time your maintenance managing can become a very well-oiled machine.

HVAC maintenance is top of mind during the sweltering summer months; there’s nothing worse than a 98-degree day with no A/C. We have a few tips to keep your system running smoothly and your facility cool and dry.

Change your A/C filter

Many people underestimate the importance of having a nice clean filter. The cleaner the filter, the cleaner the air. A clogged A/C filter can also cause your system to have to work harder. In this case the A/C may not keep up with demands; this makes your space feel warmer while raising the energy bills as well. These filters should be changed every 3-9 months depending on the quality of the filter and how much dirt/dust/hair is in your facility – spaces with pets require frequent filter changes. Mark it on the calendar to check the filter and buy a multi pack. This makes changing the filter a breeze and ensures you won’t forget. 

Yearly Inspection

Spring is a good time to get your A/C unit inspected. You want to make sure that it’s working efficiently and not posing any threats to the building or anyone’s health. If the unit is not functioning at its finest, it could end up costing much more than an inspection would. Better safe than sorry – calling in an expert to take a look can keep you out of the weeds at the peak of the hot season. 

Have your ducts cleaned

If it has been a while, typically three to five years, since your ducts have been cleaned, then it’s probably time. People often overlook the importance of cleaning the ducts, but dirty ones are a breeding ground for pests, mold and bacteria. The ducts lead to everywhere in your home or office and the air is recirculated. Polluted air is the cause for most respiratory infections as well as allergens. 

For all your HVAC needs, MaintenX is here to help.

Energy efficiency is on everyone’s minds. People are becoming more conscious of humanity’s environmental impact, and more and more businesses are becoming greener. Coffee shops are cutting down on plastic; grocery stores are encouraging reusable bags. People are biking more or carpooling, recycling, and repurposing things they once may have thrown out. We as a people are evolving.

How can this help you in business? Being environmentally friendly and energy efficient can draw in customers who are looking to spend their money with companies who make efforts to be sustainable. You could be losing out on an entire population of people simply because your competitor is more energy and environmentally friendly. Small changes can make a big impact, and everyone has to start somewhere.

For all of your energy efficient and green needs for your business, contact MaintenX today! We are here to help. 

You may be wondering if it is really necessary to clean your HVAC air ducts. Some people don’t even consider cleaning parts of their house or business that they can’t see. Cleaning your HVAC ducts every three to five years is a lot more important than you think. 

Cleaning your HVAC ducts keeps your entire HVAC system working optimally, but it may have a big impact on your health as well. Not cleaning your ducts can lead to increased amounts of dust, mold, and bacteria on surfaces and in the air, and can also lead to costly repairs if debris buildup causes the system to malfunction. Extra particulates can wreak havoc on your respiratory system. Increased illness in the workplace can have people out of work and hinder productivity. Extra trips to the doctor for air pollution-related illness means more medical costs. People who have allergies or asthma are at an even higher risk of becoming ill due to toxins in the air or on surfaces.

Never underestimate the importance of clean air for one’s health. Air inside the office is recirculated over and over, so without clean ducts the irritants are always there waiting to attack. For all of your HVAC needs, contact MaintenX today. We are here to help. 

You may be asking yourself what “Whole building design” means and how can it save you money. The Whole Building Design approach looks at all major attributes of a building and optimizes them to be efficient, sustainable, durable, and safe, which saves money for the consumer as well. In order to achieve a design like this, many different disciplines come together. Your Facility, with a build like this, will be almost self-sufficient when it comes to energy.

Energy-efficient facilities are less expensive to operate as well as environmentally friendly. If you aren’t ready to go the Whole Building Design route, there are many ways to upgrade the build you already have. Insulation is a key component to heating and cooling – you can upgrade to energy-efficient windows and doors as well as HVAC systems and water heaters, and thermostats that can sense when specific rooms are empty or if the building is empty and adjust the temperature accordingly.

There are many ways to start small and turn your facility into a money-saving environmentally friendly green machine.

For all of your energy efficiency upgrades, contact MaintenX today. We are here to help.

If you are looking to upgrade your electrical system at your home or business, now is certainly the time. Federal tax credits for both solar panel systems and solar hot water systems have been extended to the end of 2019. At the end of the year, the credit starts to be reduced. If you upgrade now, you will be eligible for a 30% subsidy of the cost of buying and installation. At the close of 2019, the percentage points begin to dwindle each year until they disappear in 2022 for homeowners, remaining at 10% for businesses.

There are other ways to get tax credits and rebates other than going solar. Things you might not think of, like compact fluorescent light bulbs that can save you about $10 in rebates. There are also larger rebates available for upgrading your appliances, not just those in the kitchen or laundry room but also pool pumps, HVAC systems, fans and water heaters. 

If you are looking at being energy efficient to reduce your utility bills, there are many ways to save and although you will pay more up front in installing and buying equipment, making changes like this will save you for years to come, and the perk of getting a little money back through tax breaks and rebates is just an added bonus.