Understanding the Importance of Flushing Sediment from Your Water Heater

In many homes, the water heater is the most frequently replaced major appliance. Average service life can be up to 12 years — or as few as five or six. Two main factors influence the life expectancy of water heaters:

• The hardness (mineral content) of the local water supply.

• Annual maintenance including flushing the tank.

The hardness of water in the Tulsa/Broken Arrow area varies from “moderately hard” to “hard” on the national water hardness scale. While this mineral content is harmless to humans, it can shorten the life of water heaters and raise monthly costs substantially.Heated inside the water heater, dissolved minerals precipitate and sink to the bottom of the tank, forming an increasing layer of sediment. Sediment accumulation absorbs heat from the burner, causing the burner to run longer cycles. Energy consumption spikes and monthly bills increase. In addition, sediment in the tank and extended burner cycles degrade the integrity of the tank and liner, triggering leakage that requires early heater replacement.

Flushing the tank yearly removes sediment while it still can be removed—before it becomes rock hard. The process is doable for most people, or a local plumbing professional can handle it while also verifying safe water temperature, testing the pressure relief valve and looking for signs of leakage. Here's how flushing the tank can be done:

• Turn off the heater at the gas valve and shut the cold water inlet valve on top of the tank.

• Connect one end of a garden hose to the tank drain valve and place the other end outside in the yard.

• Open the drain valve and allow the tank to drain. Holding open the spring-loaded pressure relief valve also admits air into the tank and expedites draining.

• After the tank is empty, turn the cold water valve on and off rapidly several times to flush out remaining sediment.

• Close the drain valve and remove the hose.

• Open the cold water inlet valve and follow manufacturer’s procedures to re-light the heater.

Ask the professionals at Air Assurance about annual service to extend the life of the water heater and ensure optimum efficiency.

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: “Minerva Studio/Shutterstock”

The Annual A/C Inspection: Why You Shouldn't Skip It

HVAC industry experts recommend that air conditioning systems be inspected by a professional prior to Oklahoma’s hot summer weather. While there are some tasks a homeowner can take care of, the A/C inspection includes tasks only a professional is qualified to complete. Providing proper annual maintenance before the air conditioning is actually needed ensures the system will operate properly during the hottest weather. Skipping annual maintenance, on the other hand, puts the air conditioning system at risk for failure when you need it most.

The best time to schedule an annual inspection is while the weather is still cool, as once hot weather settles in scheduling service can be more difficult. The A/C inspection is your best protection against damage to the system from improperly functioning components. Your A/C technician checks the operation of all components, allowing minor problems to be resolved before they evolve into major repair issues.

Proper maintenance, beginning with the annual A/C inspection, saves money throughout the cooling season. First, it ensures the system is operating properly before the hot weather begins. Second, maintenance minimizes the odds of an A/C system failure during the hot weather, eliminating unnecessary emergency service calls. Third, proper service can significantly reduce the daily cost of operating your air conditioning. The Department of Energy reports that simply cleaning or replacing filters can reduce energy use by up to 15 percent. Industry figures suggest that correcting a refrigerant charge saves much more. An extended HVAC service plan can help greatly with controlling costs and minimizing emergency service calls.

To prepare for Oklahoma’s hottest months, contact Air Assurance for a complete A/C inspection. Our qualified technicians will carefully prepare your air conditioning system and provide advice on how to best minimize your air conditioning expenses during our hottest months.

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). 

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Did You Skip Your Furnace Inspection Last Fall? Schedule It Now

If you skipped your annual furnace inspection last fall, you can check two items off your to-do list by scheduling it now and having your technician perform an A/C check-up too. Regular HVAC maintenance can help you:

• Avert dangers such as gas and deadly carbon monoxide (CO) leaks, and the risk of explosions and fires.

• Find and fix small issues before they grow into expensive repairs.

• Prevent undue wear on key system components, which can help you avoid an inconvenient and costly equipment failure.

• Extend the service life of your vital HVAC equipment, and satisfy the requirements of your manufacturer's warranty.

• Improve the energy efficiency of your entire heating and cooling system, which will save you money year round.

The tasks performed during a comprehensive HVAC system tune-up can vary, but typically, a reliable professional will:

• Check that the thermostat is functioning correctly to ensure that you have a comfortable living environment, and that you're saving as much energy as possible.

• Measure the voltage and current on your system's motors, and tighten all the electrical connections.

• Lubricate all the moving parts to reduce friction and prevent excessive energy consumption.

• Inspect and clean the system's condensate drain to prevent a backup and the risk of water damage in your home.

• Test the system's built-in safety controls to ensure proper operation.

• Check the equipment's startup cycle to ensure that it starts, runs, and shuts off as it should.

• Clean the blower components, and make any necessary adjustments to increase your comfort and improve the overall system efficiency by as much as 15 percent.

• Clean the condenser coils to ensure effective and efficient cooling.

• Check the A/C refrigerant level to maximize efficiency, and prolong the equipment's service life.

• Examine the heat exchanger(s) for signs of corrosion or cracks.

• Test for correct gas pressure, and check all fuel connections.

• Check for proper combustion, and clean the furnace burner(s) if necessary.

To learn more about the benefits of scheduling an air conditioning and furnace inspection, contact us at Air Assurance. We've proudly served the HVAC needs of Broken Arrow area homeowners for over 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). 

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Why The Blower Is Such An Important Part Of Your Furnace

When you have a forced-air system, heated air is created at the furnace and blown through a system of ducts, which carry the heated air to vents in each room of your home. The mechanism that actually moves this heated air through your ductwork is called a "blower." Without the blower, your heated air would not reach its intended destination. If your blower is malfunctioning, getting furnace repair is a top priority. Understanding your furnace blowerThe blower motor is usually the part of your furnace that has to work the hardest, since it is responsible for circulating your heated air. Blowers come in several different forms, depending on your furnace technology:

• When you have a single speed blower, your blower is either on or off. When the temperature drops your thermostat setting, the blower kicks on at full capacity, with no option for adjustment.

• With a variable-speed blower motor, you get the added benefit of a "soft start," which means the blower comes on at less than full throttle. After a few minutes of operation, the blower can increase capacity as needed to sufficiently warm your home. That way, the blower motor only runs at full charge when it needs to, instead of running at full capacity all the time.

No matter what type of blower you have, proper maintenance is essential to proper furnace function. Check your system regularly dirt or dust buildup, consult a professional if your blower needs repair, and don't forget to schedule annual maintenance.To learn more about furnace blowers, or if you need assistance with furnace repair, contact Air Assurancetoday.Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. Visit our websiteto see our current promotionsand get started today!      Fan symbol image via Shutterstock