Learn some of the more common issues that HVAC systems can have during winter, and then discover how your home can benefit from winter HVAC troubleshooting.
Heating
A Humidifier System Can Make You Feel Warmer This Winter
How to Best Conserve Heat Inside Your Home This Winter
What Are Some Natural Heating Methods You Can Use at Home?
There are a couple of reasons for learning about natural heating. The most important reason is that you can heat your home more efficiently and thus save money on your energy bill by employing these heating methods. The second reason is that you might have to endure a power loss — perhaps during a bad ice storm when power lines break and you, with a largely electric home, find yourself without heating. Some of these natural heating methods can contribute to keeping you warmer during a power outage.
Let's have a look at some of the natural heating methods that can come in handy in your Broken Arrow home.
Let the sunshine in. Letting the sun in can help warm up the house. Open drapes, blinds, and shades in the morning on sunny days. This can help augment your heating efforts, warming your house so you don't have to turn up the thermostat. Close window treatments in the evening to keep the cold out. There are motorized window treatments that you can program to open and close automatically.
Add rugs and carpeting. Rugs and carpeting can absorb warmth. Wherever possible, install carpeting or add rugs to create more warmth in your house.
Use outdoor plants strategically to increase warmth in your home. Outdoor plants can help warm up the home. Plant evergreen trees in a row on the north side so that they block harsh winter winds. Also, plant shrubs and trees about a foot from the outer wall of the house so they act as an insulator.
Air-seal the home. Through the years, a home with even the tightest construction will settle and create minute cracks that let the cold air in and the warm air out. You can keep the cold air out and the warm air in by sealing up those cracks. Use weatherstripping, caulk, and insulation around windows and doors, on baseboards, on electric plugs in exterior walls, and in holes for wires, pipes, and cables in exterior walls.
For more on natural heating, contact Air Assurance, serving Broken Arrow and the surrounding area.
Why Is the AFUE Rating Important for Home Heating?
When shopping for a new furnace, one of your chief concerns is efficiency. How much energy will the unit use in making your home comfortable? There are a number of factors that determine this, but the quickest way to find out is to look at the AFUE.
HVAC Heat Production
The Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating is a measurement of how much heat your system produces for the amount of energy it consumes. To determine the rating, the manufacturers divide the total BTUs of heat the unit gives off in a year by the total BTUs of energy it expends in that time. Multiply that figure by 100, and you get a percentage. That's the AFUE.
For example, if a furnace has an AFUE rating of 85, that means 85% of the energy it uses is given off as heat and the other 15% is vented as exhaust. The higher the rating, the more efficient the unit. All gas furnaces sold in the United States must be rated at least 80%, while oil-fired boilers must be at least 84%.
Getting Optimum Efficiency
The most efficient furnaces on the market are rated 98.5%. However, these models tend be prohibitively expensive. On a practical level, anything above 85% is great, particularly if you're upgrading from a less-efficient model.
It also helps to look for features that improve energy efficiency. For instance, modulating furnaces adjust the amount of gas burned as needed based on how cold the house actually is in order to minimize waste. A variable-speed air handler does the same with airflow, regulating the amount of air that circulates as needed, so the system doesn't just run full blast all the time.
Finally, look for the blue Energy Star logo on any furnace model you're considering. This means it's been proven to save money and energy over similar models while still providing the same level of comfort and basic features.
To ensure your HVAC system runs at peak efficiency all year long, contact us at Air Assurance. We provide quality home-comfort solutions to Broken Arrow.
What Are the Most Important Heater Troubleshooting Tips?
It's the middle of winter and your furnace starts acting up. You don't want to call your HVAC technician until you know if it's a major repair or just a quick fix you can do on your own. How can you find out, though? Here are a few tips for heater troubleshooting.
Check the unit. Sometimes, the obvious solutions get overlooked, which is why heater troubleshooting is so important. Make sure your heater is switched on and that the circuit breaker hasn't been tripped. Check the furnace door as well, since the system often won't run if the door is open. Then try resetting the system, as a reboot often gets things working again.
Check the thermostat. Your thermostat batteries should be replaced once a year to ensure that the unit is in proper shape and is responsive. Also make sure the thermostat is set to "Heat" rather than "Cool" or "Fan Only."
Check the gas. Is the gas valve on? Without it, fuel can't flow to the system and heat can't be produced. Follow the gas line to the meter and make sure the handle at the end is parallel to the gas pipe and not perpendicular to check off one of the most crucial heater troubleshooting steps.
Check the ductwork. Even pinhole leaks in your ducts can reduce airflow significantly. Look for tears and other damage, then repair it with metal tape or mastic sealant.
Change the filter. Your air filter clogs more quickly in winter due to an excess of contaminants in the air. A clogged filter in turn restricts airflow, keeping your furnace from working properly. Check the filter, and if it's gray, opaque, and covered in dust and debris, replace it.
Flush drain lines. Your drain line removes several gallons of water from your furnace every day. If there's a clog or sediment buildup, it can keep the water from being drained off and the furnace will stop working. Remove the hose and run water and bleach through it. Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse it out and replace it.
If, after taking these heater troubleshooting steps, your furnace still isn't working, contact us at Air Assurance. We make sure Broken Arrow HVAC systems run smoothly and efficiently.
Some Furnace Upgrades That Can Improve Home Heating
As we get into the winter season, we become much more aware of how important our furnace is to the sanctity of our home. This is the perfect time to think about furnace upgrades that can make your living situation even better. Here we'll discuss some of the most popular furnace upgrades.
Smart Thermostat
Although your thermostat isn't a part of the furnace itself, it's an integral part of your overall heating system. If you haven't already upgraded your thermostat to a smart model, now's the perfect time. Smart thermostats will give you better control over your home's heating, allowing you to set the times at which the equipment is on and off. Changes can be done remotely, which means you can warm up your home before you arrive.
Zoned HVAC System
If you really want to upgrade the way your furnace operates, then you should definitely consider installing a zoned system. A zoned HVAC system allows you to divide your home into designated "zones," each of which can be individually heated or cooled as needed. This saves a lot of energy because you're not being forced to heat up your entire home when only one or two rooms are occupied.
Solar-Powered HVAC System
The future of the world is sustainable energy. There are a few different types of green energy available to homeowners, but the most popular one, by far, is the use of solar power. Upgrading your HVAC system, which would include your furnace, will make your home much more efficient. Plus, you may be eligible for local and federal tax credits.
UV Light System
If you want to improve your indoor air quality you may want to consider installing a UV light system within your HVAC equipment. Of all the furnace upgrades you can arrange, this is great for those who are susceptible to airborne contaminants. By installing UV lights inside the system, usually at the point of the return duct, you'll be able to kill 99.9% of pollutants that may enter your air and endanger your household.
If you have any questions about furnace upgrades or you'd like to schedule service, reach out to the experts at Air Assurance today. Our team has been servicing Broken Arrow and the nearby areas since 1985.
Air Source Heat Pumps Tax Credit - Tulsa, OK
Air Source Heat Pumps Tax Credit - Tulsa OK
Determining the best heating method for your home in this area can be a challenge, since both heat pumps and combustion furnaces are viable choices for this climate. Weather throughout the winter tends to be mild, but there are times when the thermometer dips below freezing, which may influence your choice of the best heating method for your home and family.
These characteristics of each type of heating system might help you decide:
Heat pumps work well in this climate for both heating and cooling. They are an energy-efficient option. Heat pumps warm your home by extracting the heat from the outdoor air. They work well until the temperature falls below freezing. At this point, there is less heat in the air, so the appliance will have to work harder. However, high-efficiency heat pumps are available that work effectively at much colder temperatures. If you require an exceptionally warm house, even during milder weather, you may want to consider a gas or oil furnace as your best heating method.
The typical heat pump uses one unit of energy to provide three units of heat. A gas furnace or oil furnace never reaches such high efficiency, although high-efficiency systems can be 97% efficient, compared to 300% efficiency from a heat pump.
Heat pumps have a high degree of safety compared to a gas or oil furnace. Any time that combustible fuels are used indoors, there is a risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and fuel leaks.
A heat pump contributes to outdoor noise even in the winter. It uses the compressor inside the outdoor condenser to transfer heat in the same way it removes heat from your home in the summer. If you want a quiet yard in the winter, consider a furnace as your preferred heating method.
If you need to replace your air conditioner along with your heating method, it makes financial sense to choose a heat pump.
ENERGY EFFICIENT HOME IMPROVEMENT TAX CREDIT (25C) PROGRAM
The previous Nonbusiness Energy Property credit (25C) for installing high-efficiency equipment was extended through 2022 and provides federal tax credits of up to $500.
The amended Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C) begins in 2023 and extends through 2032. It increases the tax credit limits for high-efficiency equipment as follows:Eligible equipment includes:
Heat pumps and heat pump water heaters
Energy-efficient HVAC systems (including furnaces, boilers, and central AC)
The 25C credit has an annual cap of $1,200 (except heat pump):
Up to $600 each for a qualified air conditioner or gas furnace, with an annual cap of $1,200
Up to $2,000 with a qualified heat pump, heat pump water heater, or boiler
There are no income requirements for this tax credit, and it cannot be combined with other federal programs.
WHO CAN USE THIS CREDIT?
PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE OWNERS
Must be an existing home & your principal residence. New construction and rentals do not apply.
A principal residence is the home where you live most of the time. The home must be in the United States. It can include a house, houseboat, mobile home, cooperative apartment, condominium, and a manufactured home.
For professional advice about the best heating method based on your home and family, contact the pros at Air Assurance. We provide trusted HVAC services to Broken Arrow homeowners.
What Are the Benefits of Baseboard Heating?
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Baseboard heating units are typically zone heaters installed directly on your floor or on an exterior wall a couple of inches above the floor. They're designed to provide warm air to rooms without consuming too much electricity. Here's more on the advantages that baseboard heaters have to offer.
Energy Savings
Baseboard heating units are highly efficient and help you save on energy bills. They're more energy-efficient than radiators and cumbersome heating systems. You can turn your central heating system low and turn on your baseboard heater to heat a room more efficiently on colder evenings. With a baseboard heater, you can heat only the room you're in, thus avoiding wasting energy on unoccupied rooms.
Quiet Operation
Baseboard heating doesn't use fans. As a result, they operate quietly. You can install a heater in your bedroom without worrying about it disrupting your sleep.
Good Secondary Heating Source
You can use a baseboard heater to supplement your furnace in an older home or in a large home space on days when winter is at its most severe. The average unit can create and disperse even heat over up to 150 square feet of space. Baseboard heaters are excellent sources of heating for rooms that are difficult to keep warm, such as your garage and basement.
Easy Installation
Baseboard heaters are easier and cheaper to install than many other heating systems. They don't need ductwork. In fact, some portable models require only that you plug them into an electrical outlet, and some have carry handles that let you pick them up and move them to a different location quickly.
Little Maintenance
Baseboard heaters don't need much maintenance to work optimally. Their heating elements lack moving parts and need minimal cleaning, like wiping lint and dust from the heater's grill.
Remember, you'll need to install a baseboard heater correctly to get maximum benefits. Call a professional if you're uncomfortable or unsure about installing it on your own. For more information on baseboard heating, contact us at Air Assurance. We've provided reliable HVAC installations, repairs, replacements, and maintenance services to homeowners in the Broken Arrow area since 1985.