HVAC company ramps up business

Alexander Heating & Air, a Sparks-based company, has moved into a new facility that’s nearly double the size of its former business location.

Based in Sparks and serving a wide array of industrial, commercial and residential customers, the owners of Alexander Heating sensed that with economic activity picking up in the region, this was a crucial time to ramp up their business.

“We knew we wanted a new piece of property to move the business into, and we decided that it was either now or never,” said Linda White, secretary-treasurer of Alexander Heating. “According to our research, property values were still a little low, but everything was starting to churn again. You could see the wheels beginning to turn,” said White, who runs the business with her husband, Victor.

With help from Nevada State Development Corporation, the state’s largest provider of U.S. Small Business Administration 504 Loans, the Whites secured a loan to move into a new building at 537 Vista Blvd. that covers 8,500 square feet, significantly larger than its previous home of 5,000 square feet.

“It was almost like a condominium building, totally empty at first but we did a full build-out on it,” Linda said. “It’s truly amazing how we filled it up. This has been instrumental in keeping our team of employees working and in allowing our business to grow.”

The company borrowed $578,000 from two sources. Heritage Bank’s loan is $293,500 and the SBA loan was in the amount of $236,000.

Roger Kadz, Nevada State Development Corporation Business Development officer, said Alexander Heating’s experience reflects a larger trend throughout the state.

“The pace of economic activity throughout Nevada is continuing to accelerate,” Kadz said. “We’re confident that Alexander Heating’s new, expanded headquarters will make an immense contribution to the success of the business as it moves forward.”

A family-owned and operated business serving Reno, Sparks and surrounding areas including parts of Northern California, Alexander Heating designs, installs and services HVAC systems for the industrial, commercial and residential market. Its highly trained employees have expertise in computer room units, rooftop equipment, furnaces, air conditioners, duct work, sheet metal, gas lines and water lines, among other customer needs. The loan and new building enabled Alexander Heating to launch its plumbing division, White said. The business carries brand name products including Rheem, Honeywell, Bryant, Carrier and activTek.

Weathering the recession was a challenge, said Linda, who added the commercial side of the company is “going crazy right now.”

“We’ve increased our employee base to 19 people,” said Linda.