Tulsa Air Quality Concerns?

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Indoor Air Quality Concerns | Tulsa, OK

Because most of the breaths we take each day are inside our own home, unhealthy air in the house can be a real concern. As homes have become more tightly sealed to conserve energy and improve temperature control, airborne irritants and toxins accumulate in this enclosed environment. In fact, the environment inside a home can be more than five times more polluted than outdoor air.

Indoor air pollution may trigger immediate effects, as well as impose long-term health issues. Here are some common contaminants that can contribute to unhealthy air in homes today:

• Airborne dust and lint that cause allergic reactions

• Toxic insecticides and pesticides

• Pet dander

• Carpets, upholstery, and other materials that release formaldehyde fumes

• Volatile organic compounds from paints, glues, solvents, and building materials

• Naturally occurring radon gas

• Biological sources including mold, viruses, bacteria, pollen, and dust mites

• Combustion byproducts from gas-fired appliances, furnaces, and water heaters

Fortunately, you have options to reduce household pollutants and maintain a more healthy home environment. Here's a sampling to clear the unhealthy air:

• Replace the HVAC air filter regularly. The entire air volume inside a home passes through the system air filter multiple times per day.

• Utilize vacuum cleaners with HEPA filtration, capable of removing more than 99% of dust and other particulates, down to a size of 0.3 microns.

• Control indoor humidity. A humid environment breeds biological pollutants such as mold, bacteria, and fungus. Maintain indoor relative humidity between 30% and 50%.

• Schedule annual professional preventive maintenance on gas-fired furnaces and appliances with a qualified HVAC contractor.

• Vent the basement properly to remove accumulating radon gas if it's present in your locale.

• Install exhaust fans in the kitchen and in bathrooms to remove fumes and water vapor.

• Store chemicals including glues, paints, solvents, and pesticides outside the living areas of the home.

• Open windows when weather permits to flush the house with fresh outdoor air.

For more strategies to minimize the consequences of unhealthy air inside your home environment, talk to the air-quality professionals at Air Assurance.

Energy Efficient Home & HVAC Tax Credits

Energy Efficient Home & HVAC Tax Credits - Tulsa Oklahoma

Installing energy-efficient HVAC equipment is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint while saving money and energy. However, this equipment is also often expensive. You can save money, but only if you can afford the system in the first place. Fortunately, there are a number of tax incentives that can help offset those costs. Here's a breakdown of different HVAC tax credits and what they entail.

Federal Energy Tax Credits - 2023

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:

1. Eligible equipment includes:

   • Heat pumps and heat pump water heaters

   • Energy-efficient HVAC systems (including furnaces, boilers, and central AC)

2. 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.

Federal HVAC Tax Credit

The federal government has always made a point of encouraging energy efficiency for homeowners as well as business owners. Switching to high-efficiency HVAC equipment helps reduce pollution and fight global warming.

The most recent HVAC tax credit is called 25C. It covers high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, including A/Cs, furnaces, heat pumps, and mini splits. Originally enacted for equipment purchased in 2018 and 2019, the credit has been extended through 2021.

Therefore, if you're thinking about getting a high-efficiency system, now is the time. Any qualifying system purchased and installed before the end of this year can earn you a credit of 10% of the cost up to $500. There's also a $300 maximum credit available for certain ACs, heat pumps, and mini-splits, or a $150 credit for furnaces and boilers.

Renewable Energy Credits

There are also credits for homeowners who invest in renewable energy, including fuel cells, wind turbines, and geothermal heat pumps. If you installed a qualifying renewable energy system by the end of 2019, you can claim up to 30% of the cost. If you install one by the end of 2022, you can claim up to 26%, or 22% by the end of 2023.

There may also be certain state credits you can claim that are specific to Oklahoma. Whatever tax credits you qualify for, be sure you're taking full advantage of them. Talk to your tax adviser to see how you can benefit from these credits and what you need to do to claim them.

For help making upgrades that you can claim an HVAC tax credit for, contact us at Air Assurance. We help Broken Arrow homes save money and energy.

AC Estimates Tulsa, OK | Repair vs. Replace

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AC Estimates Tulsa, OK | Repair vs. Replace

A time will come when you'll have to choose between repairing and replacing your HVAC unit. Considering the importance and considerable cost of an HVAC system, you'll want to ensure you make the best decision for your house and for your family. So when should you repair or replace? Let's explore the crucial factors you should consider when it comes to repair or replace.

Age

HVAC systems generally last 10 to 15 years. If your furnace has lasted more than 15 years or your air conditioner is more than 10 years old, you should consider replacing them. An aging HVAC system will exhibit certain warning signs. The system may make unusual noises when starting up, your home may be damp or stuffy, or you may have to adjust the thermostat constantly to stay comfortable.

Need for Repairs

If you haven't incurred significant maintenance or repair costs since installing your HVAC unit, it may be better to repair it. However, consider replacing it if it keeps needing repairs. An excellent formula you can use is multiplying the system's age by the repair costs. If the result is more than $5,000, it's better to replace the unit.

How Long You'll Stay in Your House

If you're not planning to stay in your current house for long, the better option may be to repair your unit. A new unit's installation costs will most likely be higher than what you'd get back from the resulting increase in your home's sale price. However, it's best to replace your unit if it's very old, as that could hurt your home's sale price.

Your Current Unit's Efficiency

The older your current system is, the more inefficient it's likely to be when compared to modern units. Today's units have high efficiency ratings in addition to advanced features, such as variable-speed technology, that drastically increase your energy savings. Upgrading your older system allows you to take advantage of home-comfort advancements that deliver improved efficiency and maximize energy savings.

Still don't know whether to repair or replace? An HVAC technician can help you figure out an HVAC unit's lifetime cost analysis and return on investment to help you make a more informed decision. For all your HVAC repair or replace needs in the Broken Arrow area, contact the certified technicians at Air Assurance.

Air Duct Cleaning in Tulsa, Broken Arrow, OK

Looking inside a floor supply air duct by Air Assurance - Tulsa, OK

Duct Cleaning Services - Tulsa, OK

Dust and dirt continually accumulate on the inside surfaces of your ductwork. This environment provides the nutrients for molds, bacteria, allergens and fungi to reproduce and grow. Every time your system’s fan goes on, it forces this contaminated mixture into the air you breathe. When done correctly and duct work problems resolved, air duct cleaning should not be something that is needed every year. At best, with properly sealed ductwork, and filter changed and maintained - you should be able to go many years between cleanings. If you are cleaning your ductwork every year because of excessive dust, then give Air Assurance a call today!

Duct Cleaning Process

The duct cleaning process is called “Source Removal Process” and is the highest standard in the duct cleaning industry. Debris is loosened with special agitation tools inserted into each vent opening. All vent covers and interior surfaces of your ductwork are then “air-washed” utilizing many pounds per square inch of air pressure and special air tools to reach normally inaccessible areas. The large diameter vacuum hose attached to your ductwork assures that loosened debris is auctioned out of your home and not discharged into your living environment. Plus, your ducts will be sanitized.

Duct Cleaning Tulsa, ok

We generate a great deal of dust just through our regular daily activities. While the filters in your heating and air conditioning systems are meant to prevent most of that dust from entering into your ductwork, some of it will get through when ducts are not sealed properly. Other pollutants, like pet dander or chemicals can also enter the ductwork. Help prevent the spread of this dust and mildew throughout your home by having your ducts cleaned professionally. Air Assurance provides heat, air, and plumbing services for all of Greater Tulsa, OK.

Choose Air Assurance

With over 35 years in business, you can count on Air Assurance for heating, air conditioning and plumbing service. We provide everything from maintenance, to HVAC replacement estimates and installations services. When indoor air quality is a concern - Call on Air Assurance day or night. We would be delighted to be your heating and air conditioning company.

Air Conditioning Replacement Costs in Tulsa, OK

Air Conditioning Replacement Costs

So how much does it cost to replace your central heat and air conditioning system? This is a common question and one that is searched frequently online. However, it’s important to understand that most people are not looking for just the price of an air conditioner, but they are looking for a furnace, coil, and air conditioner….in other words…a full system replacement. This can be one of the mis-leading prices you see online. If you look at AC replacement costs…chances are you are only looking at AC prices online. Plus, there’s the duct work too that may need to be sealed, replaced, and repaired as well. Don’t make it more complex than it already is, let the comfort professionals at Air Assurance provide you replacement options with no pressure, and we will always present to you at least 3 affordable heating & air conditioning system options.

What affects air conditioning pricing?

One of the main appliances on residential properties is the HVAC system, which determines the internal temperature in the house each day and makes the environment comfortable for its residents throughout the year. After a decade of use, the HVAC system will need to be replaced as it approaches the end of its lifespan. When it's time to replace the appliance, there are a few tips for choosing the right HVAC system.

1. Consider the Size

When shopping around for a new HVAC system, it's important that the product is large enough to heat or cool the size of your home in Broken Arrow. If you purchase a system that's too small, it will work too hard to heat or cool the interior setting. Oversized systems may work well but will cause you to spend a lot more money to operate it. You can reduce your maintenance costs and utility bills by installing the right-sized product.

2. Look for an Economical System

Purchasing an energy-efficient HVAC system is necessary to ensure that you can keep your operating costs and carbon footprint to a minimum. Look for products that have an Energy Star certification, and check the SEER rating to determine how efficient it is when it operates. Checking the efficiency of the air filters that it uses will also help you to find an economical product.

3. Think Locally

Avoid purchasing an HVAC system that no one in your local area is capable of repairing or servicing. The last thing you want is to have your system break down without having anyone available to repair it quickly. You'll want to own a product that most contractors are experienced working with to prevent it from becoming a headache when it needs to be diagnosed or repaired in the future.

Feel free to reach out to us if you want to learn more about choosing an HVAC system for your home. Call Air Assurance in Broken Arrow, OK, today for more information about the air conditioners we offer to our customers. We provide heating and plumbing services, too.

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.