Quality Repair vs. Replace in Tulsa?

Quality Heating & Cooling services in Tulsa

At Air Assurance, we undestand it's one of the most difficult decisions a homeowner will have to make — whether to have a quality repair on an old HVAC system or bite the bullet and replace it. But how do you decide the quality repair vs. replace dilemma, in the Tulsa Oklahoma market? Ask the following questions to determine whether to repair that old A/C or furnace one more time, or replace it entirely.

How old is your system?

Experts tend to agree that a combustion furnace reaches the end of its service life between 15–20 years, while an A/C or heat pump is closer to 10–15.

Are other factors affecting the longevity of your HVAC system?

Where you live and its climate will have a big effect on how many years you get out of a furnace or A/C. A furnace, for instance, will last longer in a Southern climate, while an A/C will last longer in a Northern climate where it's not running 24/7). Professional maintenance is another important factor. A well-maintained HVAC system can be expected to last longer than one that has been neglected. A system with proper air filter maintenance also will last longer.

Is your older system breaking down a lot?

This is usually a good sign that an "experienced" HVAC system is nearing the end of its service life. At a certain point, you'll have to decide whether it's time to quit throwing good money after bad, and go ahead and invest in a new high-efficiency furnace, A/C, or heat pump.

Are you energy bills going up?

If your utility bills are rising and there's no obvious reason, such as a more severe winter, utility rate increases, or some other household use that's consuming power, the culprit might be an older HVAC system that no longer operates as efficiently as it used to. Investing in a new high-efficiency furnace, A/C, or heat pump system, fortunately, can start a new era of lower energy costs, eventually reimbursing you for much of the cost of that new HVAC system.

To discuss the repair vs. replace question in your Broken Arrow home, please contact us at Air Assurance.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Geralt/Pixabay”

How to Tell If Your HVAC Unit Isn't Working at Peak Level

A complete HVAC breakdown is a frustrating experience. What's worse, it tends to happen when the weather is extreme. Fortunately, you can tell when you have an HVAC unit that's working inefficiently and make the necessary fixes before an expensive breakdown occurs. Be on the lookout for the following signs.

Low Airflow

Insufficient airflow indicates that your HVAC system isn't working properly or that there's a blockage preventing air from flowing through your ductwork. Clogged air filters are a common culprit. If the airflow problem persists after you've changed your filter, you may have a broken motor or a more serious problem.

Ineffective Cooling

If you're not getting cool air from your AC vents in the summer, you should check your thermostat. Confirm if you switched it to cooling mode. Try setting the temperature lower than the level your home is currently at. If the air blowing from the vents still isn't cool, a compressor problem or limited airflow could be responsible.

Frequent Cycling

Is your system constantly cycling on and off? Having a professional perform a quick tuneup could rectify the issue. Frequent cycles could also signal your HVAC system is on its last legs.

Leaks

If there seems to be water leaking around your AC unit, that's a clear sign of your system not working correctly. It could be leaking refrigerant or the condensation that's produced during normal operation.

Strange Sounds

It's normal for your HVAC system to produce a low-level sound when it's starting up and shutting down. Unusual sounds — such as whistling, grinding, buzzing, and rattling — during operation can be indicators of a problem with one or more system components.

Unpleasant Smells

Foul odors from your HVAC system could be a sign of mold growth inside your ducts or your unit, or an indicator of burned-out wiring.

The sooner you have repairs performed after discovering any of the signs above, the more money you'll save by avoiding bigger repairs and having to make a complete system replacement. Your HVAC system is complex, so it's best to leave repairs to professionals. If you need to get your HVAC working at peak performance and efficiency in the Broken Arrow area, contact the heating and cooling professionals at Air Assurance.

Indoor Air Quality Testing - Tulsa, OK

Indoor Air Quality Testing - Tulsa, OK

We spend a great deal of time in our indoor environment, whether it’s at home or at work in our place of business. Air Assurance provides many air quality services including air duct cleaning, air duct sealing, and indoor air quality testing. The professional at Air Assurance can also help correct and improve your indoor environment with a number of options. Call on Air Assurance when you need air quality testing - We service all of Greater Tulsa, including Jenks, Broken Arrow, Owasso, Sapulpa and more.

Way to Improve Indoor Air Quality

Maintaining indoor comfort involves more than keeping your home's living spaces warm or cool. Indoor air quality is also a major factor that affects how comfortable your home will be. When particulates and contaminants such as dust, pollen, mold, and related materials get into your home's air, you can have problems such as allergy and asthma attacks, worsening of respiratory conditions, and the onset of physical discomforts such as irritated eyes and scratchy throats. Here are some suggestions for improving the indoor air quality in your home this fall and year-round.

• Change HVAC system filters: The air filters in your furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump help remove particulates from your indoor air. They capture these materials as air from your home circulates through the system to be heated or cooled. Make sure these filters are kept clean and fresh. They should be checked at least once a month and changed when they get dirty.

• Maintain your HVAC equipment: Regular preventive maintenance will improve the function of your HVAC system and boost its ability to remove particulates, reduce humidity, and keep your indoor air cleaner.

• Clean, dust, and vacuum regularly: Keeping your indoor environment clean and free of dust, mold, and other contaminants can significantly improve indoor air quality. Dust and vacuum at least weekly.

• Increase ventilation: Ventilation keeps a steady flow of air moving through your home, which helps remove particulates and send them outside. When weather and outdoor conditions permit, open windows and doors to let breezes move through your indoor spaces. Install a whole-house ventilation system that provides effective airflow for your entire home. Turn your window air conditioner to fan-only to provide extra ventilation.

• Install air filtration and cleaning systems: Install high-efficiency air cleaning and filtration equipment that provides additional removal of particulates and indoor pollution. Use the highest-quality filters possible in these devices.

Air Assurance is a premier source for professional HVAC services in Tulsa and the surrounding Oklahoma communities. Contact us today for more information on indoor air quality and how to keep your home's air cleaner and fresher throughout the year.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Zurijeta/Shutterstock”

Understanding Airflow in Your Home

Understanding Airflow in Your Home

Most of us don’t give airflow much thought, but it’s a physical phenomenon surrounding us every moment. Inside our homes, the movement of air, or lack thereof, drives its air quality and the costs for keeping it comfortable. Even though it’s largely intangible, air has some of the same physical qualities as water. Air moves just as easily as water does, but instead of being affected by gravity, it’s affected by pressure that’s always trying to equalize itself. Where positive pressure exists, it moves into a negative space and vice versa. 

Why It Matters

A home’s energy efficiency depends on a few important factors. Insulation in the attic and walls makes a big difference, as does its degree of air infiltration. A leaky home will be hard to heat and cool because air is either moving in or out. You’ve probably experienced how a drafty room feels on a cold day. The draft probably came from a window, exterior door, or around the floor. Another way to encourage the movement of air from positive to negative is to close off a room in a home that has a forced-air HVAC system. Closing off the duct without stopping the return airflow will create a negative pressure gradient that will pull unconditioned outdoor air inside. 

Air Infiltration and Quality

While homes with low air infiltration rates cost less to condition, they may have air quality issues. The U.S. EPA reports that the air quality in many homes is among the worst that people encounter. Pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from products made from hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and radon, dust, pollen and dander. All homes need some fresh air ventilation. The most energy efficient way to introduce fresh air without driving up energy costs is with a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) that uses technology to capture the energy in the outgoing air and put it into the incoming air. If your home isn’t as comfortable as you’d like or your air quality is low, you may have airflow issues.

To learn more, contact Air Assurance, providing HVAC services for Broken Arrow homeowners. 

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics,download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 918-217-8273.

When Renting HVAC Equipment Makes Sense

When Renting HVAC Equipment Makes Sense

These days you can rent just about anything, including HVAC equipment. While renting HVAC equipment has been more common in industry than in residential settings, in recent years, the practice has grown.Here are some of the advantages of renting as opposed to purchasing HVAC equipment outright.

Renting Your Next HVAC System

Purchase of HVAC equipment is a major outlay. You will be deciding whether to plop down the cost of the system outright, or finance it. Financing will ease the pain of purchasing the system, but comes with interest payments. And it's not only the cost of the equipment you have to factor in. Choosing the right system can be daunting, as is the homeowner's responsibility to get it all right, from choosing the unit with the correct cooling and heating capacity, to making sure the warranty will provide you with comprehensive coverage. Plus, when you buy an HVAC system, you will be responsible for repairs and maintenance. You will not be able to choose just any HVAC contractor, but will be obligated to hire a company that will not invalidate the warranty.

When Renting HVAC Equipment Makes Sense

It can make sense to consider renting air conditioning and/or heating equipment, particularly if you plan to occupy the home for just a short time or if your budget simply won't stretch to cover another major purchase. After all, it's not just the cost of the equipment you're faced with, but also the installation costs, and down the line, maintenance and repairs. Generally when you rent a unit, the costs of installation, maintenance and repairs, replacement filters and the option to renew with perks are all included in the rental agreement. As a renter of HVAC equipment, you should have a clear understanding of what your rental fee includes. Also, what if you must get out of your contract early (perhaps you will have to move for a job)? Is there an early termination penalty? 

Talk to your HVAC consultant about the pros and cons of renting HVAC equipment. Call Air Assurance. We serve Broken Arrow and the surrounding area. 

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

Do You Need Climate Control in Your Garage?

It’s possible to make your garage usable year-round by installing climate control equipment for winter heating and summer cooling. Plenty of workable options are available that provide the comfort you want in the garage, whether it’s a hobby space or you use it as additional livable space.

Heaters

Ductless mini split heat pump.

This system tops the list because it provides both heating and cooling in one easy to maintain, affordable and energy efficient appliance. Unless the weather is exceptionally cold, a heat pump provides adequate warmth in the winter. Ductless systems are similar to central HVAC systems except they blow the air directly from an air handler and don’t need ductwork.

Electric heaters.

Whether they’re space or baseboard heaters, these kinds are better at spot heating than overall garage heating since they’re the most expensive kinds to use on an ongoing basis.

Vented gas heaters.

A gas heater that hangs from the ceiling and vents to the outdoors will provide comfortable heat for cool-season use. Your HVAC contractor will securely hang it and extend a gas line to the heater. Unvented heaters are available, as well, but aren’t considered completely safe. If you do use such a system for climate control, keep a window or door slightly open to pull in fresh air and don’t use it more than a few hours at a time.

Cooling Systems

If you opt for a ductless heat pump, you will have a high-efficiency cooling system. These appliances are also available as air conditioners that provide cooling only.

Portable, window and wall air conditioners will also provide cooled air for the garage. The size you need depends on the cubic footage in the garage and its insulation levels, along with the amount of air infiltration. These re the same factors that will impact the size of heating system you need as well.

Adding climate control equipment to the garage helps you enjoy your time with hobbies, lucrative work, or in an alternative living space. To learn more about any of these systems, contact Air Assurance, providing HVAC services for Broken Arrow homeowners.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

Pros and Cons of Skylights on Energy Efficiency

When most people think of skylights, they may not be focusing on energy efficiency. The most notable feature of a skylight is simply natural light. Technology still hasn’t provided an artificial equivalent for the aesthetic and mood-lifting benefits of sunlight streaming downward into living spaces from above. While windows allow indirect light into the house laterally, an overhead skylight provides the most direct way to gain the beneficial exposure to real sunlight indoors.When it comes to efficiency issues, however, a residential skylight presents both good news as well as downsides. Here are some skylight pros and cons:

Energy Efficiency Benefits

• Extra heat in winter. Sunlight passing through glass carries heat energy along with it that warms rooms and helps reduce furnace expenses during daylight hours. Energy costs can be reduced during the heating season.

• Free lighting. During daylight hours, a skylight reduces dependence on other electrical light sources.

• Passive ventilation in summer. Skylights that are openable permit enhanced cross-ventilation by letting out rising warm air that naturally accumulates at the ceiling. This upward flow of air creates a “stack effect” in a room that continuously exhausts heat through the open skylight while pulling in fresh air through open windows.

Energy Efficiency Drawbacks

• Heat gain on summer days. Solar heat entering through a skylight in summer may cause your air conditioner to run longer to compensate and increase energy costs. Placement of a skylight—such as selecting the north-facing side of the roof with less solar exposure—can reduce heat gain.

• Nighttime heat loss. Once the sun goes down, glass in a skylight may allow indoor heat to radiate out of the house into the colder outdoors. In winter, this may require more heat from your furnace to compensate and energy consumption may rise. Skylights that utilize glass with low-emissivity coating can help reduce heat loss in winter.

If you're considering installing a skylight, ask the professionals at Air Assurance for more information about the potential energy efficiency pros and cons.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

HVAC Considerations for Home Renovations

If your home renovations involve creating new spaces that need to be heated and cooled, it’s a good idea to bring your HVAC contractor in early on to help you choose the best HVAC option for your comfort and budget.

Extend the existing system.

If your HVAC system has the capacity to condition the new space, you might be able to run the ductwork to it. Your HVAC professional will run a sizing calculation first. Improving home energy efficiency throughout, including the new space, might make it possible to use your current equipment.

Replace your old equipment.

Even if your existing equipment has enough capacity, if it’s old or has had frequent breakdowns, you would probably be better off replacing it. If you choose one with high energy efficiency and meet the criteria, the lender or local government agencies might give you financial incentives to replace the old, inefficient equipment.Your home will have lower heating and cooling costs, greater comfort and you’ll have a warranty that might be transferable to the next owners should you sell your home.

Install a separate system.

Putting independent A/C systems in a new addition is fairly easy, but it provides no heat. You can use electric heaters, but they’re the least efficient kind of heating available. Ductless mini splits have become the go-to heating and cooling system for home renovations that require conditioning.The mini splits that are heat pumps provide comfortable heat without using a combustible fuel by extracting the heat from the air outdoors. Ductless heat pumps offer many advantages. They’re easy to install, each has its own thermostat, and they’re energy efficient. When you’re not using the space, turn the thermostat off for more energy savings.If your considering making home renovations, contact Air Assurance before you get started We can help you make the best decisions regarding home comfort and your budget in your Broken Arrow home.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

How Your Roof Affects Your HVAC System

Running the HVAC system accounts for about half of the total energy used in an average home. If you're looking for ways to reduce your household energy consumption and save money, one vital factor to consider is how your home's roof affects the HVAC system.

The HVAC System – Roof Relationship

The amount of energy needed to maintain comfort in your home is directly affected by the sun beating down on the roof. When there's a lot of heat getting absorbed through the roof, and it radiates down into your attic and living space, your HVAC equipment has to work harder to compensate, and you'll pay higher energy bills.

Factors Affecting Rooftop Heat Absorption

Research in recent years has given us a greater understanding of the role roofing material plays in how much solar heat enters homes and other buildings. This has led to the development of roofing with two key qualities that help it stay cooler and more energy efficient:

• High solar reflectance. This allows a material to reflect sunlight better, so there's less solar heat absorbed into the roof system.

• High thermal emittance. These materials release a high percentage of solar radiation that does get absorbed, which reduces how much heat can be transferred into an attic and conditioned living space.

Roofing Options That Improve Efficiency

If you want to increase your home's efficiency and you're planning to have new roofing installed in the near future, here's are some materials to consider:

• Cool asphalt shingles. Regular asphalt roofing is a poor solar reflector, so it tends to soak up heat. New cool shingles are topped with specially-treated granules to reflect the sun's rays.

• Coated metal. Bare metal can reflect sunlight, but it doesn't emit heat well. More efficient versions feature painted or granular-coated surfaces that provide both qualities.

• Clay or concrete tile. While some types of tile roofing naturally reflect sunlight and shed heat, there are also products available with treated surfaces to provide better solar reflectivity and heat emittance.

To learn more about improving HVAC system efficiency in your Broken Arrow home, contact us at Air Assurance.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

Throw a Birthday Bash with These Party Considerations in Mind

When you think about hosting a birthday party, what do you consider? Providing food, music, decorations, etc. for your guests. But there are other party considerations that people tend to overlook, particularly when it comes to your HVAC system.If your guests are too cold, or too hot, it can ruin an otherwise joyous occasion. So if you're hosting a party, here are a few preparations you should make first, to make sure your house is comfortable and inviting, and that the birthday is a happy one.

Get an Inspection

It would be a a disaster if your HVAC system suddenly stopped working in the middle of your party. That's why important to have an HVAC technician inspect your system annually, to make sure your home is being heated and cooled as it should be.If you haven't done it yet this season, schedule an inspection for a few days before the party. Your HVAC technician will fix or replace any parts that are causing problems, oil your motor, check your thermostat settings, and make sure everything is in good working order when your guests arrive.

Other Party Considerations

Check and see what the humidity is scheduled to be like around the time of the event. If it's high, try running the HVAC system for a day or two beforehand, to dehumidify your home. On the other hand, if humidity is already low, running your system could make things too dry, giving your guests cracked skin and fostering viruses and bacteria - which, in a house full of people, could lead to a whole lot of illness spreading quickly. In fact, you might even consider getting a small humidifier, to counteract your HVAC's dehumidifying effects.On the day of the party, be sure to turn on your HVAC system a few hours before everyone arrives. Set the thermostat to a comfortable temperature and give the system time to condition the whole house, so it's pleasant and comfortable when the first guests arrive.

For more HVAC party considerations, contact us at Air Assurance today. We provide quality HVAC solutions to Broken Arrow.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

Celebrate High-Tech Month with These HVAC Products

Why not add some HVAC products embedded with high-technology to honor the month of January. They’ll bring a new level of function to your home that will be as useful as it is interesting.

Wi-Fi and Smart Thermostats

By their nature, thermostats that you can control from anywhere have to be among the smartest products to use in your home to control its energy use. These thermostats let you monitor your home from anywhere you can get a Wi-Fi signal.Some thermostats track room occupancy to adjust the temperatures. Others have features that tell you when the unit needs servicing or when a part is malfunctioning. Overall, smart and Wi-Fi thermostats save considerable amounts of energy for people who aren’t home 24/7 or travel a lot. They’re also useful to control temperatures remotely.

Air Purifiers

Considering the high volume of air that you breathe daily, installing a central air purifier will clean the air and reduce the symptoms of allergies or asthma. You can choose from UV (ultraviolet) air purifiers and the advanced systems that eradicate the pollutants in the air without using filtration.

Air Quality Monitors

If you’re not sure you need an air purifier, start smaller with an air quality monitor. If your garage is attached and someone in your home has a hobby that uses chemicals, an air purifier will alert you when the air isn’t necessarily safe to breathe. Harmful but all too common airborne chemicals include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that cause a variety of complaints and serious illnesses will show up on the monitor, as well as. Other dangerous gases include carbon monoxide and dioxide and radon.

Advanced Heat Pumps

If you need a new heating and cooling system, consider an advanced heat pump with variable-speed operation. These kinds save tremendous energy and ensure your comfort using high-tech sensors to monitor indoor and outdoor temperatures and adjust their running speeds accordingly.

If you’d like more information about any of these HVAC products and others, talk to a pro at Air Assurance, providing HVAC services for Broken Arrow homeowners.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

Early Winter Issues Your HVAC Might Encounter

If you want your home to stay warm during the colder months of the year, it's imperative that you pay attention to your heating system. To help you out, here are a few early winter problems that you'll want to nip in the bud.

Malfunctioning Furnace

If there's one thing you certainly don't want to deal with during the colder months of the year, it's a broken furnace. The good news is that a reputable HVAC technician can take care of any problems that arise and get your heating system working effectively again.

Frozen Pipes

Falling victim to a frozen pipe during the winter is one of the most horrendous events that a homeowner can experience. If your pipes are in danger of being frozen because they are exposed or otherwise unprotected, be sure to insulate them from the elements.

Clogged Air Filter

Once an air filter has become clogged up with dirt and debris, your heating system won't function as efficiently and more contaminants will make it into the air you breathe. Before winter is in full swing, take a look at the filter and see if it needs to be replaced or cleaned, and then continue doing this every month.

Bad Indoor Air Quality

Winter season typically coincides with an increase in illnesses. This is why it's so important to ensure that you have good quality air in your home. There are several steps that you can take, such as purchasing an air cleaner, using microfiber cloths for dusting, and, as mentioned above, keeping your air filter clean.

Restricted Airflow

A lack of airflow throughout your home can occur all year round, but it can be especially problematic when you're trying to stay warm. Making sure your registers aren't obstructed by anything and checking your ductwork for any damage will go a long way to fixing this problem.

If you need assistance dealing with your early winter problems or have other home comfort concerns, please contact the professionals at Air Assurance. We've been serving the HVAC needs of Broken Arrow and the surrounding area since 1985.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

Housewarming Gifts that Actually Warm

When you’re searching for the right housewarming gifts for someone who just bought a home, give some thought to their comfort. They might enjoy and find something that complements the heating system useful like:

Blankets

Having enough warm blankets lets the new homeowners turn the heat down at night. Not only will they save energy by keeping the house cooler, but they may also sleep better as well. Scientific studies have found that sleeping in cooler rooms enhances the quality of sleep. Lower nighttime temperatures also drop heating costs. Select blankets, quilts, or comforters that are easy to wash and dry.

Fireplace kits

If the home your friends or family members are buying has a fireplace, a fireplace kit will give them the tools they need to enjoy the fire and manage it too.Besides fireplace tools, you can give them a fireplace liner or a fireplace grate, both of which make the fireplace more energy efficient. They’re designed to act as heat exchangers and instead of sending most of the heat up the chimney, they let much of it radiate into the room.

A space heater

If the new homeowner finds that the bathroom is cold compared to the rest of the house, a space heater could be one of the best housewarming gifts. It doesn’t make sense to heat the whole house for such a small room. As long as the heater has an anti-tip mechanism, is grounded and UL certified, it should be safe to use in the bathroom.

A programmable thermostat

If the home didn’t come equipped, why not make it a gift? It will help the new owners save money on heating and cooling bills and save them time. It’s too easy to forget to turn down the thermostat when racing for the door in the morning or going to bed at night. With a programmable unit, they’ll have convenience and practicality in one simple gift.

If you’d like more ideas related to housewarming gifts, give Air Assurance a call. We provide HVAC services for Broken Arrow homeowners.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

Why You Shouldn’t Use Registers for Temperature Control

Even though you may read online articles about controlling the indoor temperature in a room by adjusting the register, it’s not a good idea in most situations. Doing so can harm your HVAC system, which will eventually cause a problem requiring professional attention.

What It Does

When you close off the vent in a room, the amount of air pressure in the ductwork increases. Ductwork is designed to carry a certain amount of air pressure and closing even one register, especially if it’s not far from the air handler, raises it beyond its capacity. Over time, the extra pressure will weaken the seams and joints in the ductwork, creating leaks.Leaking ductwork drives up energy bills because conditioned air is lost before it reaches your rooms. The leaks pull in dust from the areas through which they run. In homes with vented gas appliances like water heaters and furnaces, the leaks create backdrafts that can pull carbon monoxide into your rooms.It may seem like a contradiction, but the higher airflow pressure inside the ductwork will reduce the amount of air going through air handler, which stresses the heating and cooling components inside the air handler. In the summer, lower airflow contributes to a frozen evaporator coil that may contribute to compressor failure, the system’s most expensive part. In the winter, reduced airflow causes the furnace to run hotter, which harms all its parts.

Better Options

The best way to control the indoor temperature in a room is by using a zoning system, which uses automatic dampers in the ducts to control the airflow. Each zone has its own thermostat and when it needs conditioned air, it sends a signal to a control panel. This part turns the HVAC system on, opens the damper and the air flows to that zone.In lieu of zoning your home to control the indoor temperature, it’s a good idea to leave the registers open. In the long run, the energy costs will be lower than the repairs. For more information, contact Air Assurance, providing HVAC services for Broken Arrow homeowners.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

HVAC During Mild Weather

Setting the thermostat for fall, when the weather is still mild, can be rather perplexing. Since it may be still a bit too warm in the daytime to turn off the air conditioner altogether, or not yet chilly enough at night to turn on the heating, you may have to do some adjusting with your fall HVAC settings.

Let the Fresh Air In

If the weather allows, by all means, turn the system off in fall and fling open the windows so you can enjoy some fresh air before winter arrives. Be sure you turn the system to "off" so that it doesn't come on while the windows are open.

Setting the Thermostat

If you've created an energy-efficient schedule with your air conditioner by raising or lowering the thermostat for periods throughout the day depending on when people are home, sleeping or inactive, you will probably need to adjust the schedule as the weather cools, and for time changes.For the fall, it may be you will want to change that schedule to turn the air conditioner on for just a couple of brief periods each day, and leave it off for the rest of the day so you can open windows. Or, as the season advances and it gets chillier, you will want to turn on the heating just for brief times in the morning, when people are getting ready for work, and in the evening, when you're dining or getting ready for bed.To save money, you can use ceiling fans, portable fans and even an occasional space heater to cool off or warm up those who aren't comfortable with your thermostat settings. If they are chilly, they can add layers of clothing or an extra blanket at night. That way, you may even be able to turn the system off altogether at night.

Obviously, the chances for a serious cold front to make its way into our region will mount as fall advances, so be ready to reset the thermostat as needed.Need more advice on fall HVAC settings? Contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

How Fog Machines and Halloween Decorations Affect Your Home's HVAC Efficiency

Halloween celebrations might make a dent in your home’s HVAC efficiency if you use some kinds of candles and lamp oil or use a fog machine indoors. The sheer number of times you open the door may cool your home, but if you’re having a party, count on plenty of body heat.

Steps to Take:

• Keep your front door closed between trick-or-treaters if it’s a cold night. Make it more fun by decorating the outside so that the kids see it as they walk to the door.

• Nobody would argue that fog machines create an authentically scary ambience, but they’ll also cool the air off if you use the misting types. The other kinds that use “fog juice” create heat indoors. You may want to change your HVAC filter to get rid of any particulates that collect on the filter after Halloween is over.

• Burning candles creates a good deal of ambience but they also emit a lot of heat and soot if they’re made from paraffin wax. If the party is large enough or there are enough candles, it’s conceivable that you’d need to turn on the air conditioner to cool the air.

• Soot from candles and even lamp oil will also collect in your home’s air and could harm your air filters, The particles can quickly clog the filters and coat the inside of the air handler, reducing HVAC efficiency. If you must use candles, opt for clean burning beeswax or soy products. Look for smoke-free lamp oil. Adjust the wicks so that they don’t smoke.

• Parties create heat. If you’re hosting a party, it won’t take long to notice that your home is warming up from all the body and cooking heat. If your party will be crowded, prepare ahead by turning down the furnace ahead of time. You may need to switch from heating to cooling if it gets too warm or open the windows.

Having your HVAC efficiency checked before the celebrations start will help you maintain comfort regardless of the weather or party size. For more information, contact Air Assurance, providing HVAC services for Broken Arrow homeowners.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

Yard Maintenance: Outdoor Unit Safety

You probably know that the outdoor component of your air conditioner, the condenser/compressor, is built to be sturdy and withstand the elements. More than likely, you give it little thought, expecting that the strong metal housing that surrounds it is sufficient protection against anything that can happen. Under most circumstances, this would be true. But condensers are damaged more often than you might think -- principally from careless practice during yard maintenance.Read on and learn how to improve your HVAC outdoor unit safety.

Tips for Maintaining Condenser Safety

Maintain a 2-foot clearing around the condenser.

Remove all grass, weeds and shrubbery within a 2-foot area so that the condenser can maintain good air flow. Trim back any overhanging limbs that might fall on the unit during a storm.

Create a weed-free layer of pebble rocks or stones around the concrete base of the condenser.

Add a plastic layer under the rocks or stones to inhibit weed growth. If weeds do take root, don't use a weed whacker to remove them, as these appliances can throw rocks into the fins hard enough to make a hole and even damage the coils. The purpose of the rock or stone bed is to inhibit the growth of weeds or grass around the condenser so that you don't have to mow or whack them, and so that the clippings don't end up in the fins or coils.

Point the mower away from the condenser.

Make sure that grass clippings are blown away from the condenser, as they can clog the fins or coils and affect air flow.

Don't cover the condenser.

Some homeowners cover the condensers to protect them from storms or flying debris, but sometimes, these covers cause more problems than they solve. A covered condenser can make a comfy home for vermin, and also may promote the growth of mold. If you're concerned about hail, it's best to erect a sturdy box or barrier around the unit that allows adequate air flow.

For more on HVAC outdoor unit safety, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

What To Do Before Turning on Your Heater

Turning on your heater is an annual event marking the start of a new season. With the hot summer behind, you’re looking forward to staying comfortable in cold weather to come. Making sure a few start-up essentials are done first can help ensure a smooth transition into the heating season. Here are some suggestions for turning on your heater in an organized procedure to make sure all parts of the system are working together.

Inspect the vent duct

Verify that the furnace connection to the vent duct is secure and the duct is intact. Go outside and look up at the vent cap where the vent duct terminates on the roof. Verify that the cap is in place and look for any signs of bird’s nests, leaves or other obstructions.

Ensure adequate clearance

Make sure no items are placed within three feet of the furnace on all sides. Flammable liquids, paints, solvents, etc, should never be stored in the same room as the furnace at all.

Install a new filter

Don’t start the heating season with a dirty filter left over from the cooling season. From now on, continue to change the furnace filter at least every other month.

Check the vents

Check supply vents in each room to verify that they're fully open. Check return vents (or there central return if there’s only one) and make sure they’re not obstructed by furniture, drapes or other objects.

Start the furnace

Follow manufacturer’s instructions for starting up the furnace.

Feel for airflow

Check for warm airflow at every supply vent. If you don’t feel warmth from one or more vents, shut down the furnace and call for professional HVAC service.

Schedule an annual tune-up

Get professional preventive maintenance performed by a qualified HVAC technician. The service includes manufacturer-recommended maintenance procedures to ensure maximum furnace efficiency, lowest cost and reduced wear and tear. It also includes an up-close inspection of furnace components to detect and resolve any incipient problems now, before they become a major issue later.

For qualified service when it's time for turning on your heater, contact Air Assurance.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

How New Steel and Aluminum Tariffs Affect the U.S. HVAC Industry

Tariffs on the steel industry have been all over the news. One side claims they're great, the other side says they're disastrous. You don't work in the steel industry, though. Do the tariffs still affect you? Yes. For one thing, steel tariffs are causing HVAC industry changes that affect homeowners everywhere.

Examining the Tariffs

The current administration has imposed a 25 percent tariff on steel from other countries and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum. Both materials are significant elements in the manufacture of HVAC systems, from furnaces to heat pumps to air conditioners.With steel and aluminum more expensive to obtain, the cost of manufacturing HVAC equipment is going up. If the manufacturers want to make money, they'll have to raise their prices. Many already have. That not only means that purchasing an HVAC system will become more expensive, but likely having yours repaired as well. If your unit needs a replacement part made of steel, the cost will be higher.The increases in price don't just apply to steel and aluminum products, either. Some HVAC manufacturers are raising their prices on all their products, regardless of their materials, simply to compensate for the volatility of the industry and the impact it's had on them across the board.

What Can You Do?

If the steel tariffs are making life more expensive for you, you can always contact your congressperson and/or senators to let them know how you feel about the situation. Aside from that, though, the best thing to do amid these HVAC industry changes is what you've always done: shop around for the best prices and the best value.Find a system that will last you a long time. Look for one with good energy efficiency, so that the money you save on power bills can offset the extra that you're paying to buy the unit. And keep it well-maintained, to avoid needing lots of repairs and replacement parts.

To learn more about HVAC industry changes from steel tariffs and other factors, contact us at Air Assurance. We're Broken Arrow's trusted source for quality heating and cooling solutions.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

Protect Your Outdoor Unit from Falling Leaves

It’s easy to forget about the air conditioner when it’s not running daily to keep you comfortable. During the offseason, consider outdoor HVAC unit protection to keep it in good shape so it’s ready to go next spring. Heat pump users, especially, need to stay on top of the outdoor condenser to get the most efficient and effective heating from their units.

Why It Matters

The outdoor condenser contains the compressor and the condensing coil, both vital parts of any air conditioner or heat pump. The compressor changes the pressure of the refrigerant to make it cold enough to remove the excess heat from your home’s air. The refrigerant moves from the indoor air handler into the condensing coil, where a large fan blows away the heat it collected indoors.

When leaves or any other kind of vegetation block the air amount of air going through the condenser, it takes longer for the refrigerant to cool. It drives up energy bills and increases the time it takes to cool your home. Longer running times create excessive wear on the compressor, your system’s most expensive part.

Condenser Upkeep

Rake leaves away. Keep an eye on the amount of leaves building around the condenser and rake them away as they collect. Bag them, along with other landscaping debris, to keep them from blowing back.

Trim overhanging tree branches. Remove any branches that hang over the condenser or nearby by as part of outdoor HVAC unit protection. Throw a tarp over the condenser as you work to prevent sawdust and leaves from falling inside it.

Cover it. If you don’t plan to use the A/C or heat pump all winter, cover it for the season. You can find covers at home improvement centers or hardware stores. Be sure you check it periodically to make sure rodents aren’t living inside.

It’s important to provide outdoor HVAC unit protection from leaves even in the off-season to keep this appliance clean and unobstructed. To learn more, contact Air Assurance, providing HVAC services for Broken Arrow homeowners.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.