Can I Put Off A/C Repairs in Heating Season?

Has something seemed amiss with your Broken Arrow HVAC system? Maybe it's not cooling as well as it should, and you suspect a refrigerant leak. Or perhaps the air handler blower motor is working sluggishly and failing to deliver enough cool air. You might even be hearing the telltale drip-drip of a plugged condensate drain. All of these are signs you need an A/C repair.

But you're just about ready to turn the A/C off for the season, and you're thinking there are more urgent things to spend that money on. Before you just ignore that repair and put it off for next year, read on, and let us show you the reasons why you should address it now.

1. Warmer Days in Fall and Winter

Everyone knows unseasonably warm days are becoming the norm in fall and winter. Just when you think it's time to turn on the furnace, you get a hot day in the 90s and you need the A/C again. With that in mind, you don't want to be caught offguard and have the A/C fail during a surprise hot spell this fall because you put off a repair.

It's best to get it done right away, as continuing to use the A/C when something is going wrong could damage other parts, and cost you more in the long run. For instance, a refrigerant leak can lead to a damaged compressor -- and then you're going to be out major bucks.

2. Combine Repairs With Fall Maintenance.

You need to schedule fall maintenance for your furnace anyway, so why not get the A/C looked at while the HVAC tech is at your home? That will eliminate the need for two service calls.

3. Take advantage of unbusy times.

Getting your A/C repair done before there's a rush of service calls in the winter is a good idea. Your HVAC tech won't be so jammed up, so should be able to respond to your call for service in good time.

For more on why not to delay an A/C repair, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.

Why Winter is the Best Time for an A/C Replacement

Having a reliable and efficient air conditioner is essential with our long, hot Oklahoma summers. If your A/C is getting on in years, it has needed repeated repairs in the recent past, or you're afraid it might not survive another cooling season, why wait until next spring to replace it? A winter A/C replacement is a wise choice for a number of good reasons:

Flexible Installation Options

After a hectic cooling season when area HVAC contractors are fully booked maintaining, repairing and replacing air conditioners and heat pumps, winter brings a bit of a slow down. Scheduling an A/C replacement during this period can allow you to avoid a long lead time for your installation. It also gives you the flexibility to book the upgrade at a time that's most convenient for you and your family.

Full-Season Energy Savings

Getting your new A/C installed during the winter means you'll have it in place and ready to switch on when the temperature starts rising in the spring. This means you'll get the energy-saving benefit of operating a more efficient cooling system all season long.

Upfront Cost Savings

The winter slow period is when many area HVAC companies offer discounts and deals to customers who book a new equipment installation, and this can help you save money on the upfront cost of your upgrade.

No Rush Decisions

Making your A/C installation a planned event instead of a mid-season emergency next summer allows you ample time to comparison shop. You can check out advanced options and features, like two-stage compressors, smart thermostats and variable-speed air handlers. You can also compare SEER ratings for equipment at different price points and fully weigh lifetime energy savings versus upfront costs.

Avoiding Stress and Inconvenience

Installing a new air conditioner this winter means you won't have to deal with the inconvenience, discomfort and stress of a mid-summer emergency replacement if your old equipment can't make it through the cooling season and fails unexpectedly.

To learn more reasons why planning a winter A/C replacement for your Broken Arrow home is the best choice, 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 air conditioner replacements and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

How to Compare A/C Replacement Costs

Purchasing new home cooling equipment represents a major investment that goes beyond the initial price, since you'll be paying to maintain and operate your A/C for many years. To make a wise purchasing decision, you need to compare both first and lifetime A/C replacement costs.

First Cost

An air conditioner's first cost is the dollar amount on the price tag, minus any rebates or discounts. The sticker price correlates directly to the equipment's seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) rating. Higher SEER ratings come at a higher cost.

Lifetime Costs

When it comes to air conditioners, a low price tag doesn't necessarily indicate a better buy. To accurately estimate value, you need to consider the various other costs incurred over the equipment's life span, or the lifetime costs. Some of the factors that affect lifetime costs include quality, durability, maintenance, energy efficiency and installation.

Crucial Factors that Impact A/C Replacement Costs

Keeping your budget and equipment first costs in mind as you comparison shop, make sure you also consider the different lifetime cost variables:

• Quality: Pricier A/Cs are generally built to stricter quality standards, and often include components you won't find on lower-quality models. For example, a more expensive A/C may offer a two-stage compressor that helps eliminate short-cycling so it lasts longer and costs less to operate.

• Durability: Higher-quality equipment is typically more durable. While it's not something you'll notice when comparing different models, it can reduce the number of needed repairs over your A/C's service life.

• Maintenance: Equipment that's built of higher-quality parts stands up better to wear and strain, so you'll also save on maintenance expenses.

• Energy efficiency: The use of advanced technologies makes higher SEER A/Cs more efficient. The energy savings you'll see with features like a variable speed air handler or improved coil design can help you recoup the equipment's higher first cost over its lifetime.

• Installation: Regardless of cost, having new equipment installed by an experienced HVAC pro is critical to your A/C's performance, efficiency and longevity.

For help comparing A/C replacement costs, contact the Broken Arrow comfort experts at Air Assurance today.

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: “Tetiana-Yurchenko/Shutterstock”

Phasing Out R-22: Costs Are Rising, Supplies Dwindling

Phasing Out R-22: Costs Are Rising, Supplies Dwindling

Air conditioners use refrigerant to cool indoor air that passes over the cold, refrigerant-filled coils. If your air conditioner was manufactured prior to 2010, there is a good chance it requires R-22 refrigerant, which means you will begin to notice continuing annual increases in maintenance costs because supplies of R-22 are dwindling.R-22 refrigerant is a hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HFC) that emits ozone-depleting chlorine. As such, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set strict limitations on it's production for use in commercial and residential A/Cs through 2020. After that, the only way to recharge equipment requiring R-22 will be to capture and recycle it from phased out units. The extra labor costs, as well as the rising refrigerant costs due to lack of supply, will be transferred directly to the consumer.To give you an idea of how this has affected the HVAC industry:

• As of 2010, manufacturing HVAC equipment requiring the use of R-22 has been prohibited.

• Newer air conditioning systems are being manufactured to be compatible with refrigerants that are less harmful to the ozone, predominantly R410A.

• R-22 production is being increasingly limited. In 2011 the EPA permitted 100 million pounds of virgin R-22 to be brought to the market. In 2013, that number is reduced to 39 millions pounds. By 2020 it will no longer be manufactured.

To prepare for the R-22 phaseout:Verify the type of refrigerant you need. If you haven't scheduled your A/C maintenance yet, now is a good time to make an appointment. Ask the technician whether or not your unit requires the use of R-22. If it does, you will need to begin preparing for increasing refrigerant costs over the next several years.Replacement in coming years. If your unit was made prior to 2010 and it requires R-22, you should begin thinking about an eventual replacement.Beware of alternative refrigerant options. You may have read alternative refrigerants, such as R-407C, R-438A and R-422 are compatible in an R-22 system. Unfortunately, they can seriously compromise your equipment.Contact Air Assurance to learn more about your options during the R-22 phaseout. We're dedicated to helping Tulsa-area residents find cost-effective HVAC 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).  Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Considering an A/C Purchase? 7 Reasons Why It's a Good Idea

Considering an A/C Purchase? 7 Reasons Why It's a Good Idea

If your A/C system is more than 10-12 years old or the cost to have it repaired is approaching near 50 percent of the unit’s value, you may be contemplating replacement. Why should you consider an A/C purchase right now? Consider these seven reasons.

1. It will save you money.Newer, high efficiency units offer substantial savings on your monthly energy bills that add up over the life of the system.

• You can save on your taxes.Tax credits from an A/C purchase could save you up to 30 percent of the cost of your new system.

• You get a warranty.Newer units come with a warranty, which save you on repair costs should you encounter any issues. If your outdoor unit needs replacement but you aren’t able to replace your indoor unit, or air handler, a dry-charged unit may be an option for you. A dry-charged unit uses your system’s existing refrigerant and also comes with a warranty.

• You help save the planet.The U.S. Government has mandated R-22 refrigerant be phased out by 2020 in favor of a newer, more ozone friendly refrigerant, R-410A. An A/C purchase that uses R-410A helps you avoid the rising costs and limited availability of R-22 as this refrigerant is phased out.

• It feels good.Better humidity and temperature control keep your home more comfortable.

• You’ll breathe easier.Newer systems better control temperature and humidity, increasing air quality by reducing mold and mildew growth.

• You won’t get caught with your pants down…Or want to take them off, as the case may be, if you are sitting around waiting for parts for your old A/C system to be serviced.

If you have additional questions as to whether an A/C purchase is right for you, contact Air Assurance. Air Assurance is family-owned and operated and has been serving the Tulsa metropolitan area with exceptional service 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). Image courtesy of Shutterstock