How to Avoid a Frozen HVAC This Winter

Your HVAC system’s outdoor unit is made to be durable. However, exposure to snow, ice, and freezing temperatures can cause it to freeze up during winter. A frozen HVAC system can end up with damage that stops it from working properly, so it’s important to take steps to reduce this risk. The following tips can help prevent your HVAC system from freezing up this season.

Remove Snow and Ice

Snow and ice can accumulate on your HVAC system and cause it to become frozen. Clearing snow off your outdoor unit as soon as possible can help lower this risk. To prevent buildup, you should make sure your HVAC system has enough empty space on all sides before a snowstorm hits. You should also get rid of icicles that are hanging over your HVAC system so that they don’t fall onto it and cause damage. If your outdoor unit has ice on it, don’t scrape at it with sharp tools or objects, since these tools could damage it.

Change the Air Filter

Having a dirty or clogged air filter in your HVAC system could cause it to freeze. Dirty HVAC filters reduce airflow, which leads to a greater amount of precipitation on the coils. If you haven’t changed your air filter recently, put in a new one to lower the risk of ending up with a frozen HVAC system.

Have Ductwork Inspected

Debris inside your ducts could lead to airflow problems that affect your HVAC system and turn it into a frozen HVAC. You should have HVAC technicians check your ducts to see if they need professional ductwork cleaning.

Schedule Routine HVAC Maintenance

Making sure your HVAC system is in good condition is one of the best ways to lower the risk of problems, such as having it freeze up in winter. Have professional HVAC technicians perform routine maintenance on your HVAC system this season.

If you need help with a frozen HVAC at your Broken Arrow home this winter, contact Air Assurance. We can repair your HVAC system to prevent damage from occurring.

What Are the Most Important Summer HVAC Tips?

Summer is an extremely enjoyable time of year, but the heat can quickly make your home unbearable if you don't take care of your air conditioner. If you want to maintain a comfortable atmosphere, we suggest that you begin with these simple summer HVAC tips:

Clean/Replace the Air Filter

When your air filter gets dirty, it impedes airflow and lowers your air conditioner's efficiency. To keep the system running smoothly, be sure to inspect the filter once per month to see if it’s clogged with debris. Keep in mind that some filters can be cleaned while others must be replaced. 

Check Your Thermostat Settings

The optimal setting for a thermostat during the summer is 78 degrees Fahrenheit. This will keep most people comfortable and is best for controlling energy usage. If you leave the house for a short period of time, dial up the thermostat to match the temperature outside. This will prevent energy waste, and you won’t return to an extremely hot home, making it one of the most important summer HVAC tips.

Have the Air Ducts Inspected

Dust and other debris in your air ducts will harm your indoor air quality, while areas that have been damaged will decrease your HVAC system's efficiency. Look for damage, repair holes, or rips in the ducts, and then thoroughly wipe them down to remove any dust or debris.

Refill the AC’s Refrigerant

When your air conditioner’s refrigerant level runs low, the system won’t effectively keep you cool. Low refrigerant levels can also cause leakage. One of the most important summer HVAC tips is to be sure to take a look at the refrigerant level periodically and top it off whenever it’s starting to run low.

Open and Clean Your Vents

Your vents are essential in delivering conditioned air throughout your home. You may have closed them during previous seasons, so give each of them a quick look to make sure they’re all open. Dust and debris may have collected on them, as well, so wipe each one down with a microfiber cloth.

By following the summer HVAC tips that we've listed above, you'll be able to enjoy the season indoors too. If you have other home-comfort questions, contact the professionals at Air Assurance. We've been serving the HVAC needs of Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas since 1985.

How You Can Maintain Good Airflow in Your Home

Taking a few steps to maintain airflow in your HVAC system supports improved heating and cooling performance, higher energy efficiency and lower costs. Conditioned air circulates through your HVAC system via two separate duct networks: supply ducts and return ducts. As the names imply, supply ducts deliver heated or cooled air to individual rooms while return ducts convey air back to the furnace or air conditioner.

Airflow may be thought of as the lifeblood of your HVAC system. Keeping all system components in good repair, including taking proper steps to maintain airflow, ensures consistent indoor comfort and affordable operation, and it reduces wear and tear on critical parts. Here are some suggestions to regularly maintain airflow and reap the benefits:

Replace the air filter.

Nothing disrupts proper HVAC airflow like a dirty, clogged air filter. During winter heating season, inspect the filter monthly and don’t go longer than two months without replacing it. In summer air-conditioning season, change the filter every month to maintain airflow.

Open all vents.

Don’t close or obstruct HVAC vents in individual rooms. The system generates the same conditioned air volume whether vents in rooms are open or not. Therefore, any savings will be insignificant. Meanwhile, wear and tear on system components as well as monthly operating costs will rise. Also, closing vents unbalances airflow volume to rooms throughout the entire house, resulting in cold spots and overly warm areas.

Schedule a duct inspection.

All the airflow to rooms in your home passes through the system supply and return ductwork. Leakage from ductwork joints and deteriorating duct segments allow conditioned air to escape into unconditioned zones like the crawl space and attic. Maintain airflow by scheduling a duct-leakage test plus a full inspection to accurately determine the rate of leakage and identify needed sealing repairs.

For qualified service to maintain airflow and keep your HVAC system functioning at optimum performance, contact the professionals at Air Assurance.

Does Winter Require Specific HVAC Checks That You Don't Need in Warm Weather?

As temperatures drop in Broken Arrow, you'll want to turn the heat higher and higher. But how sure are you that your furnace will be ready to face the significant challenges that winter poses? Be sure to carry out these winter HVAC checks to keep your heating system in tiptop condition all through the winter.

Check the Thermostat

Your thermostat and HVAC system work as a team. One can't operate effectively if the other is slacking. Your thermostat should have fresh batteries and be set appropriately to meet your comfort needs. Save energy by setting it to a lower temperature when you're at work or asleep.

Ensure There's Adequate Insulation

Without enough insulation, your home will suffer heat loss. As a result, your furnace will run overtime to keep your home at a comfortable temperature, wasting energy and money. Check for adequate insulation in your attic and around your ducts. If you're unsure of your home's insulation needs, contact an HVAC technician for assistance with winter HVAC checks.

Replace Your Air Filter

If you haven't changed a dirty filter in a while, your furnace will be forced to run harder than necessary. This will increase your energy bills. Clean or change your filter at least once a month to prevent it from being clogged with dust and debris.

Schedule a Heating-System Tuneup

Your furnace won't be able to handle whatever winter brings if it's not working correctly. For that reason, you should schedule an inspection of your heating system as part of your winter HVAC checks. During the tuneup, your technician will inspect your system and uncover any potential issues that need to be addressed. He or she will also clean and optimize your system.

Performing these winter HVAC checks will get your system ready for the colder months and help cut your heating costs. If you need to schedule furnace repair or maintenance in the Broken Arrow area, contact us at Air Assurance. We've served the heating and cooling needs of our satisfied residential and commercial clients since 1985.

With Fall on the Way, Here Are the Top Heater Issues to Double-Check

Broken Arrow's winters can be chilly and windy, so it's always a good idea to have your heating equipment in top form before the cold weather arrives. Maybe you're wondering what are the top heater issues that homeowners in this area have to deal with. Read on to learn about the heating problems you should be aware of as you schedule fall maintenance on your HVAC system.

Issues with the Pilot Light or Ignition Control

Most heating systems have either a pilot light or a hot-surface ignition control. The failure of either may cause intermittent heat or a lack of heat. Maintenance is key to keeping them working. Newer furnaces usually have electronic ignition systems rather than pilot lights.

A Dirty Air Filter

This is one of the most common causes of heating systems not heating adequately. When the filter is too dirty, the system runs sluggishly and struggles to heat properly. Change the filter whenever it's dirty. You may need to change filters more often if you have pets, burn candles, or you have a dusty house.

Air Leaks

Air leaks will make your heating system work harder, costing you money on energy and repairs. Although it's one of the top heater issues afflicting most homeowners, it's easily solved by checking your home's most vulnerable areas for leaks: window and door frames, baseboards, corners where walls meet the ceiling or floor, and holes in exterior walls that are used for cables, pipes, or wires. Seal all these leaks with insulation, caulk, or weatherstripping. Also, have your HVAC tech check ducts for air leaks. 

A Malfunctioning Heat Exchanger

This is one of the most important parts of your furnace, and it can be among the top heater issues homeowners must deal with. Over time, a heat exchanger can develop minute cracks as the metal expands and contracts with continuous heating and cooling. Have the heat exchanger checked regularly as part of your furnace inspection. 

A Faulty Thermostat

This is one of the top heater issues a homeowner may experience, but fixing or replacing a faulty thermostat isn't difficult.

For more about top heater issues, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow. 

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.

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Keep Guests Cool at Summer Parties

Summer parties are the best, but when guests are uncomfortable because of the sweltering heat, they can turn into a disaster. We'd hate to see that happen, so we've compiled some of our favorite tips to help you keep your guests cool:

Get a Checkup for Your HVAC System

Like clockwork, you should be scheduling a yearly inspection of your cooling system by an HVAC professional. This will keep your system running more efficiently for your guests (and you, of course) while prolonging its lifespan.

Change the Air Filter

If you want to keep your guests cool, then you need to make sure that your HVAC system is as efficient as possible. If the air filter is dirty, then that's not happening. Replace it at the beginning of the summer season and then get it replaced every 30 days or so after that, as needed.

Consider an Evening Party

Everyone loves a good BBQ in the middle of the day, but the heat might bother some guests. A great way to keep them cool during summer parties is by taking away the sun. No, they don't have an app for that, so your best bet is to schedule your party in the evening.

Serve Plenty of Liquids

Guests who become dehydrated are not only unhappy, but could be in serious danger. You can solve this problem by providing plenty of water and other refreshing drinks. This is essential if you're serving alcohol since those will add to the dehydration.

Provide Tons of Shade

If you prefer to have an outdoor party during the day, then you should ensure that your guests have plenty of shade to shield themselves from the summer sun. If your backyard is lacking, there are plenty of shading choices that can be set up and taken down for each get-together.

To schedule services to ensure your guests stay cool at summer parties, reach out to the professionals at Air Assurance. We've been serving the HVAC needs of Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas for more than 30 years.

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.

Tips To Manage Home Heating Load

If you're heard the phrase “heating load” but you're not sure what it means, it's simply the amount of energy consumed by your heat pump or furnace to maintain a comfortable temperature inside your home. If you'd like to save energy and reduce your utility bills, you can use these tips to better manage your home heating load:

Seal Air Leakage Sources

Heated air losses make your heating system work harder and waste energy. To curb these losses, use weatherstripping, expandable foam and caulk to seal gaps and leaks around your exterior doors, windows, and where wiring, pipes and vents penetrate the exterior shell. Seal spots where air leakage occurs between the attic and your finished living areas and the access hatch too, and have your accessible HVAC ducting runs sealed and insulated as well.

Maintain Your Heating Equipment

Well-maintained equipment consumes less energy, so get yours professionally serviced every year. To keep your equipment running efficiently throughout the heating season, check the system's air filter once a month, and put in a fresh one when you see any dirt accumulation.

Install Sufficient Attic Insulation

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), you should have a total of R-30 to R-49 installed between your attic floor joists to limit energy losses that add to your heating load. When you're insulating the attic, don't forget to do the access hatch too.

Keep Heating Vents Open and Unobstructed

When some vents are closed or blocked, it puts extra strain on your heating equipment and increases its energy consumption. You can avoid this by keeping your vent louvers open and checking periodically that they're unobstructed by household items like furniture, rugs or long window treatments.

Switch to a Programmable Thermostat

If you still have an older manual or digital thermostat, install a programmable model that allows you to automate energy-saving temperature setbacks. Ideally, these should be daily eight-hour periods, such as when everyone's away all day, or at night when your family is sleeping.

For personalized advice about managing your home heating load, contact the Broken Arrow HVAC pros 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 heating loads and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “geralt/Pixabay”

Oklahoma Allergy Season Tips

From ragweed to cotton, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma has its share of allergies. When allergy season hits, the itching eyes, stuffy nose, and tickly throat can be almost unbearable. Here are some allergy tips to help you reduce your suffering.

1. Upgrade Your Air Filter

The air filter in your HVAC system traps allergens to keep them from circulating in your home. Filter effectiveness is measured in Minimum Efficiency Recording Value, or MERVs, which range from 1 to 20. If you upgrade your existing filter to a high efficiency one with a MERV rating between 14 and 16, you will have fewer allergens in your home.

2. Remove Debris Around the Outdoor Unit

Plants and other debris around your outdoor unit can impact your indoor allergen levels, because the outdoor unit pulls air through that debris and into your home. Keep the area around your outdoor unit clean and clear.

3. Dust the Registers and Vents

Registers and vents that are dusty blow dust and pollen through your home. Dust these first, then dust the remainder of your home, to remove the dust and other indoor allergens that could be making your allergies worse.

4. Check for Mold

If you have never had your HVAC system checked for mold, schedule an inspection. Mold exasperates allergies and can cause other respiratory concerns. If you do have mold, have it professionally removed to ensure your family can breathe safely.

5. Consider Duct Cleaning

If you are using an efficient filter, have cleaned outside your system and have checked for mold, but you are still struggling with allergies, consider duct cleaning. Removing allergens from the ducts will prevent them from being spread around your home.

One of the best allergy tips, however, is to have your HVAC system professionally inspected and serviced at the start of the allergy season. In Broken Arrow, Air Assurance provides comprehensive HVAC service, including inspections. Contact them today to schedule your HVAC system inspection this allergy season.

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Troubleshooting Steps to Follow When Dealing With Frozen Evaporator Coils

Troubleshooting frozen evaporator coils may suggest several causes for the symptom, but the actual cure usually requires the services of a professional HVAC technician. The evaporator coil sealed inside the indoor air handler removes heat from the air and transfers it to the flow of refrigerant circulating through the coil.

While the refrigerant flow is cold—around 40 degrees—it should always remain above freezing. If the refrigerant drops below 32 degrees, condensation produced by the cooling process freezes on the coil surfaces instead of draining away. As the ice formation expands, airflow through the coil is increasingly obstructed, the system begins running non-stop instead of cycling on and off, and severe A/C component damage may result.Here are some potential causes to aid in troubleshooting frozen evaporator coils:

Insufficient Airflow

Air volume through the coil affects the amount of heat energy absorbed by refrigerant. When the airflow is low, heat transfer is diminished and the refrigerant temperature may drift into the freezing range. The most common cause of low airflow is a dirty or clogged air filter. Try replacing the air filter and see if coil freezing problems resolve. If not, contact your HVAC contractor about professional service.

Lack of Refrigerant

Another reason refrigerant may drop below freezing is because there’s not enough of it in the system. A low refrigerant charge is almost always the result of a leak somewhere, and it can't be adequately resolved by simply adding more refrigerant. A qualified HVAC technician can use leak detection methods to pinpoint the leakage and make a permanent fix.

Dirt or Dust Accumulation

Continuously exposed to system airflow, an evaporator coil often becomes coated with airborne dust or dirt. This residue on coil surfaces inhibits heat transfer into the refrigerant and triggers sub-freezing temperatures. Ice forms as condensation freezes. The sealed evaporator coil is not accessible for DIY cleaning. However, coil inspection and cleaning are a standard part of an annual A/C preventive maintenance service provided by your HVAC contractor.

For more about troubleshooting frozen evaporator coils, as well as professional service to resolve the cause, contact Air Assurance.

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5 Facts About Air Conditioning All Homeowners Need to Know

If you're like a lot of folks, you take for granted the hard work your central air conditioner does in your home. The fact is, the more you know about its workings, the better equipped you'll be to properly maintain your A/C and troubleshoot problems that may arise. Here are five facts about air conditioning that should pay long-term dividends in comfort and energy savings.

How It Works

In a split-system central A/C, the condenser/compressor component located outside your home works in tandem with the indoor evaporator/air handler unit to cool and dehumidify the home. A chemical solution called refrigerant boils at a very low temperature and allows heat exchange to occur inside and out. As refrigerant flows through the evaporator coil, it's allowed to expand and boil, a physical process that extracts heat and moisture from the indoor air. That results in cool air, which is circulated in the home via a powerful fan, ductwork and registers. Outside, the hot refrigerant is compressed into a liquid, which releases heat energy into the outside air. Then the process starts over.

The Importance of the Air Filter

An air filter located in the return ductwork removes dust and other particulates from the air before it's drawn into the A/C. This protects sensitive components, enhances the efficiency of the cooling process and improves indoor air quality.

Maintenance Is Essential

Schedule annual professional maintenance on your central cooling system for optimum efficiency and comfort. Basic homeowner maintenance is also important, such as regular air filter replacement.

Help Your Air Conditioner Out

If you lower your home's cooling load, you'll give your air conditioner an easier workload. This will improve its performance and extend its service life. Seal air leaks in your home's outer perimeter and make sure insulation meets standards. Seal duct leaks, too.

Don't Forget Ventilation

You should have an effective exchange of inside and outside air several times a day, using both passive and mechanical ventilation.

For more information on the central air conditioning that's cooling your Broken Arrow area home, please contact the HVAC experts at Air Assurance.

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Get the Facts About Indoor Air Pollution and How to Improve It

Most people are aware that poor air quality is detrimental to health. However, a recent survey showed that many Americans are unaware that indoor air can be more polluted than outdoor air and that many common products and behaviors contribute to indoor air pollution. The following tips will help you improve your home’s air and safeguard your family against many pollutants.

Change Your Air Filter

At minimum, you should change your HVAC air filter every three months, whether it appears soiled or not. More than half of the people surveyed did not follow this recommendation. Consider your air filter as one of the most important lines of defense against dust, pollen and other common pollutants. In dusty environments or during times of increased system operation, such as winter and summer, it is often best to check air filters every month and replace if needed, especially if someone in the home suffers from allergies.

Maintain Good Ventilation

Proper ventilation in the home helps remove harmful gasses and other pollutants. Keep features such as gas stoves and fireplaces properly maintained and have all ventilation professionally assessed. Many homes benefit from whole house ventilation systems. Also, remember the importance of having carbon monoxide (CO) detectors installed in your home. CO is odorless and any fuel-burning device or appliance can emit it.

Avoid Adding Pollutants

You might be adding to indoor pollution in ways you do not expect. Fifty-two percent of those surveyed said they burned scented candles in the home. While this seems harmless, burning scented candles puts particles of soot into the air. Other ways you could be contributing to indoor pollution include using a lot of household cleaners and deodorizers or storing paint and other chemicals indoors.

Keep Things Clean

Clean the home often to keep dust levels down. Use high quality vacuum cleaners with great suction and HEPA filtration, damp mop floors and use dusting cloths that trap dust.

For more advice about indoor air pollution and keeping a healthy home environment, please contact us at Air Assurance.

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How Can You Make Your Home a Healthier Environment?

The agricultural production and manufacturing around Broken Arrow can make maintaining a healthy home environment difficult at times, but there's still plenty you can do to keep your home clean.

Keep the Contaminants Out

Because chemicals such as paint, pesticides and harsh cleaners give off harmful fumes, these products should be stored outside your home. Choosing paint, carpeting and other household materials labeled low-VOC can also reduce chemical fumes in your home.High humidity encourages the spread of dust mites, mold and bacteria. Aim to keep your indoor humidity level between 40 and 50 percent. Run your exhaust fans after showering or cooking, and repair leaks in your plumbing, roof or basement. Regularly disinfecting your sponges, mops and other cleaning supplies also cuts down on the bacteria and mold spores floating around your home.Using an HVAC air filter with a MERV rating between 5 and 10 and replacing it on schedule will reduce the level of dust, pollen, mold spores and pet dander in your air.

Good ventilation helps remove contaminants from your air and controls your humidity, doing double duty to support a healthy home environment. If you live in a modern airtight home or an older one that's been air sealed for energy efficiency, you'll benefit from a whole-house ventilation system.

Stay on Top of Health Risks

Any fuel-burning appliance, such as a gas stove or fireplace, can release carbon monoxide. Even trace amounts can cause headaches and fatigue. To protect your health, install CO detectors on every floor and within 15 feet of every sleeping area.Around one in 16 homes has a dangerously high level of radon, a natural yet cancer-causing gas that enters through the foundation or water lines. The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality's Radon Program offers test kits for this gas.Investing in professional air quality testing is another way to find out what harmful contaminants are in your home's air so you can take steps toward getting rid of them.

For more information on maintaining a healthy home environment, contact Air Assurance. We've been serving Broken Arrow since 1985.

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Find Out Why Preventative HVAC Maintenance Is So Important

The equipment and systems that heat and cool your home are just like any other mechanical devices. If they aren't properly maintained, they won't operate with optimum efficiency, they'll malfunction more often and they won't last as long. While cooling and heating systems need annual professional maintenance, they also need TLC from the homeowner in the form of preventative HVAC maintenance. Following are some steps you can take to help your HVAC systems keep your home comfortable while using energy efficiently.

Preventative HVAC Maintenance Steps

• Check the air filter. The air filter for your furnace, heat pump or A/C plays an essential role in delivering cooled and heated air throughout your home. If the filter is clogged or dirty, the HVAC equipment will have to work harder to push air through the system. This will waste energy and stress system components. A dirty air filter also will result in dust coating sensitive parts, causing friction and wasting energy. Finally, when a filter gets clogged, eventually your blower will start pushing particulates around the filter and into your indoor air. Inspect the filter monthly and when it looks dirty, change or clean it (depending on the filter).

• Keep vents and registers clear. Rugs, furniture, toys and other objects can block heating and cooling registers. This impedes airflow and reduces HVAC performance.

• Similarly, keep yard debris such as leaves, sticks and grass cuttings away from the outside unit of a split-system A/C or heat pump. Anything that restricts airflow to the condenser coil will erode efficiency and performance.

With today's complex heating and cooling systems, most homeowners are better off letting a professional technician handle any but the simplest preventative HVAC maintenance. During an annual or semi-annual maintenance tune-up, a trained technician will run through a lengthy checklist of tasks and checks to make sure your heating or cooling systems will operate efficiently and safely till the next regularly scheduled visit.

To schedule a preventative HVAC maintenance visit, or to discuss an extended service protection plan, please contact us at Air Assurance. We provide quality HVAC services to the greater Tulsa metro area.

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Should You Leave These Heating Equipment Tasks to a Pro?

Taking care of your home's heating system is essential if you want to provide your home with reliable, comfortable heating throughout the winter. This is true whether you use a gas furnace, an electric heat pump or a combustion boiler. As with all HVAC systems, heating equipment maintenance involves a mixture of do-it-yourself steps and professional tasks.

So, how to you know which heating equipment tasks should be left to a professional? Here's a basic explanation:

Do-It-Yourself

• Inspect and change air filters when they get dirty. Make sure to check your filter at least once a month. A clean filter allows for a smooth airflow through your system, keeping damaging dust and debris out of sensitive components. As a result, you'll save money on energy and reduce the chance of breakdowns.

• Seal leaky ducts. If you find loose connections or actual holes or cracks, seal them with duct mastic and metal-backed tape. Then, insulate ducts that run through unconditioned areas, such as your crawlspace or basement.

• Remove obstructions from heating vents and registers. You'll be surprised by how many household objects get shoved atop vents, including rugs, furniture and drapes.

Call a Professional 

• Check ignition and combustion components for fuel-burning furnaces and boilers. All components should be clean, and moving parts should be lubricated.

• With combustion heating systems, your technician should make sure the venting, exhaust and chimney set-up is safe and up to code. Otherwise, you're risking carbon-monoxide poisoning and/or fire.

• Electric wiring and terminals should be assessed for proper connections and operation in heat pumps, furnaces and boiler systems.

• Heat pump systems should be inspected for correct refrigerant level, while indoor and outdoor coils should be cleaned. Airflow should also be checked and adjusted.

• In both furnaces and heat pumps, the condensate drain should be inspected for blockages and cleaned.

For more advice on helpful heating equipment tasks to complete this season, please contact Air Assurance. We serve the Greater Tulsa area.

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What's the Easiest Way to Make Your HVAC System More Efficient?

Keeping your HVAC system's air filter clean may not seem like it would make much of a difference in terms of performance. In reality, it's the most important thing you can do to keep your system running both efficiently and durably. Dust found on your filter and inside your air handler can significantly reduce your system's overall performance. 

Importance of Airflow

Engineers design forced-air HVAC systems to pull a specific amount of air through the air handler for peak efficiency. A dirty filter slows airflow, reducing the volume of air that passes through the ductwork. As a result, it will take longer to heat or cool your home, driving up energy consumption.Air handlers also house the components that exchange heat in both the heating and cooling mode. A gas furnace has a heat exchanger, while a heat pump has an evaporator coil that can both heat and cool. When your heat exchanger and coil are dust-free, the heat exchange process is faster and more efficient.

Reducing Dust

Air filters trap airborne particulates of varying sizes, depending on the quality of the filter. Running your system with a dirty filter will eventually cover the parts inside it with dust. A heat exchanger that's covered with dust holds onto heat longer, which can cause it to crack. When the cracks go all the way through, carbon monoxide can escape into your home's air. An HVAC system with a cracked heat exchanger needs to be repaired or completely replaced.When too much dust covers the evaporator coil, the refrigerant inside it will stay cold long enough to freeze the condensation coming off the coil. Unless your system shuts off to give the coil a chance to thaw, the exceptionally cold refrigerant can burn out the compressor inside the outdoor condenser. Keeping your filter clean reduces the likelihood of compressor failure or water damage from a frozen coil.

To learn more about keeping your HVAC system running as efficiently as possible, contact Air Assurance. We've been providing top-notch HVAC services for Broken Arrow homeowners 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). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Fulop-Zsolt/Shutterstock”

How is Dust Buildup Dangerous for Your Health?

Every home has a little dust floating around, but when dust starts to build up it can negatively affect your health. Most people feel the effects of dust to some extent and may experience symptoms like sneezing, coughing and fatigue. This is because dust contains a variety of pollutants, including soil, sawdust, carpet fibers, pollen, skin cells, pet fur, chemical emissions, mold particles and bacteria.

The dangers of dust buildup include:

• Attracting dust mites. Dust mites have been associated with the occurrence of nasal polyps, which are tiny, uncomfortable, swollen lumps in the nasal cavity that can affect your immune system over time.

• Prolonging and circulating illness. If someone in your house is sick, bacteria can linger in the air and be recirculated through your home, passing the illness on to others.

• Uncomfortable symptoms that may turn serious. Headaches and other effects of dust are uncomfortable to the average person. Dust buildup is more dangerous for vulnerable people, including the elderly and individuals with lung ailments, such as asthma, emphysema or weakened immune systems. Eczema symptoms, for example, are aggravated by dust and may progress into chronic dermatitis (skin inflammation). Children are more affected by dust partly because they play on the floor and touch dusty items more often.

Fortunately, you can minimize dust buildup in your house by:

• Eliminating or reducing the amount of fabric furniture, drapes and carpets in your home. These items attract dust and shed particles, creating more dust.

• Keeping your home clutter-free.

• Eating in the kitchen or dining room and keeping food debris contained.

• Cleaning and dusting surfaces and vacuuming floors, carpets and cushioned furniture regularly.

• Replacing HVAC air filters monthly.

• Using an indoor air purifier or installing a whole house air purification and humidity control system.

Are you concerned about the amount of dust accumulating in your home? You can count on Air Assurance to help keep your Broken Arrow home healthy and comfortable.

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: “Alfonso-de-Tomas/Shutterstock”

Extend HVAC System Life and Get the Most Out of Your Home Comfort Investment

One of the most expensive issues that you'll have to deal with as a homeowner is the replacement of your HVAC system. But don't worry -- there are ways to extend HVAC system life. You can start with these tips:

• Get it serviced -- As you might imagine, the more you use your HVAC system, the faster its performance will deteriorate. To keep it running efficiently and prolong its operating life, hire a technician to give it a little tune-up.

• Change the filters -- When your system's air filter gets dirty, it won't work as efficiently. Start each season with a fresh filter and then change it every 1-2 months, as needed.

• Install a programmable thermostat -- These devices are more accurate and flexible than manual thermostats, which means your HVAC system won't be in operation when it doesn't need to be, thereby decreasing the strain placed upon it.

• Clean the outdoor unit -- If your system uses an outdoor condensing unit, which most do, you'll want to clear off any debris that has accumulated on it. This can be done by simply spraying it off with a water hose.

• Keep the air flowing -- Even if you don't spend any time in a particular room, it's important to keep the air flowing by leaving the vents open. The same goes for rooms that aren't occupied -- keep the doors open to maintain good air flow.

• Clean duct grills -- Each year at this time, you should clean the vents and grills of the duct in each room. To clean them, simply put it out and wipe it down with a microfiber cloth or vacuum it.

• Leave discharge pipes open -- A clogged-up discharge pipe, the one that runs outdoors from your HVAC system, can lead to costly repairs. To prevent this, be sure to keep it clean and free of debris.

For more expert advice on ways to extend HVAC system life, or if you have any other home comfort concerns, get in touch with the knowledgeable technicians at Air Assurance. We've been serving the HVAC needs of the Greater Tulsa Metropolitan 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). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “bitt24/Shutterstock”

Save Every Cent You Can With These Summertime A/C Tips

If you treat your air conditioner well, it will return the favor. Use these summertime A/C tips and save those pennies to use to water your yard instead.

Proper Size

Bigger is not always better. Larger systems may cool your home faster, but at what cost? They require extra energy to serve the same purpose. And quick cooling isn't the only end goal. Your air conditioner also works to remove humidity in your home, but it needs to run a certain amount of time in order to do so. Larger systems that cool faster will shut off before the humidity issue is addressed. Do some research to determine if the air conditioner you have is the right size for your home.

Proper Maintenance

Dirt, dust, hair, lint and pet fur can cover coils and impede the efficiency of your A/C. Simply put: clean systems run less. Proper maintenance keeps the inside and outside coils clean, changes the air filter regularly and manages the refrigerant charge. These minor tune-ups save you money on energy and repairs, extending the life of your A/C along the way.

Proper Duct Sealing

Before conditioned air flows through the vents in your home, it must first travel through a system of ducts. Ideally those ducts will transport the air without losing any along the way. Gaps and cracks in your ductwork allow conditioned air to escape into your attic. Seal gaps and replace damaged ducts to ensure that the air you've paid to cool keeps you and your family comfortable. Insulated ductwork prevents the radiant heat of your attic in the summertime from altering the coolness of the air inside the ducts.

Proper Help

These summertime A/C tips, along with a programmable thermostat, keep your A/C running as efficiently as possible. If the maintenance, installation, sizing or repairs are too far outside your DIY comfort zone, don't hesitate to give the professionals at Air Assurance a call. We've been serving the Tulsa 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).  Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Why a Better Quality Air Filter Is Worth the Price

The phrase “you get what you pay for” rings true for just about any purchase, especially when it comes to heating and cooling equipment. In most cases, buying the best equipment possible gives you the best results. When you look for your next air filter, you’ll want one that offers the best defense against common airborne pollutants including dust, pet dander and various bacteria.

Finding the best air filter isn’t easy, but it’s a task made easier by looking at its minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV). MERV ratings allow consumers to compare air filters based on their overall efficiency in removing airborne particles from an HVAC system’s air stream. These ratings range from as low as 1 to a high of 16 for standard filters and 20 for true HEPA filters.

The higher the MERV rating for a filter, the more airborne particles it’s capable of capturing. Here’s a brief rundown of what air filtration media are capable of at their specific MERV ratings:

MERV 1 to 4 – Common flat or panel air filters for residential heating and cooling systems. These filters can capture pollen, dust mites and other airborne pollutants more than 10 microns in particle size.

MERV 5 to 13 – Medium efficiency filters capable of capturing mold spores, pet dander, most bacteria and other airborne pollutants as small 1 micron in particle size.

MERV 14 to 16 – Higher efficiency filters capable of trapping viruses, bacteria and a broad range of other airborne pollutants as small as 0.3 microns.

MERV 17 to 20 – True HEPA filters capable of trapping 99.997 percent of airborne particles smaller than 0.3 microns.

A cheap air filter may have a lower MERV rating than your climate system was designed for, which can cause a noticeable drop in indoor air quality. Don’t hesitate to get your money’s worth by choosing a high quality filter with a MERV rating matched for your unit.

To understand more about your home’s air filtration options in the Broken Arrow area, contact the professionals 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). 

Image courtesy of Shutterstock