What Is the Connection Between Plumbing and HVAC?

The connection between plumbing and your HVAC system may not seem obvious at first. Though your household pipes don’t generate heating or cooling, your HVAC components do produce water — sometimes a lot of it — that requires plumbing to drain it all away properly. 

Two parts of the cooling and/or heating system need plumbing connections to convey water out of the house:

• Central AC. Humidity reduction is an essential part of the cooling process in a central air conditioner. The indoor evaporator coil in the AC can condense many gallons of condensate water every day during operation in hot, humid summer conditions. This condensate drips down into a collection pan beneath the indoor air handler, then flows through a pipe connected to the household drain system.

• High-efficiency furnace. Unlike standard-efficiency furnaces, high-efficiency models incorporate a secondary heat exchanger that extracts extra heat by condensing water vapor that's present in the furnace exhaust airflow. This water collects in a plastic reservoir, then is taken by gravity through a sloped drain tube and is discharged outside the house.

What Can Go Wrong?

A clogged central AC drain pipe, often a result of algae or mold growth inside the condensate collection pan, will rapidly overflow every time the air conditioner cycles on. Because the location of the pan is beneath the air handler, occupants of the house may not notice the ongoing overflow before substantial water damage to the floor and adjoining area has occurred.

A high-efficiency furnace has a safety sensor that detects clogs in the water drain tube. If drainage stops, the sensor will automatically shut down the unit. Heating function cannot be restarted until the clog issue is resolved by an HVAC service technician. 

Prevention Is Preferable

Annual preventative maintenance by a qualified HVAC contractor includes addressing plumbing issues that may affect heating and cooling systems. The service includes an inspection and cleaning to support proper function of both the AC condensate pan and drain pipe, as well as the high-efficiency furnace drain system.

For professional service to prevent or repair plumbing issues associated with your HVAC system, contact Air Assurance.

Furnace Replacement On Your List? High-Efficiency Is The Way To Go

When facing a furnace replacement, homeowners are wise to consider high-efficiency systems. They not only offer higher energy savings, but they also generate a higher return on investment in terms of lower lifetime costs, fewer repairs and a longer life span. Here’s what you need to know about high-efficiency furnaces, along with a rundown of their key benefits.

How is furnace efficiency rated?

The Department of Energy outlines minimum efficiency standards for heating and cooling systems, which begin at 78 percent Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE). AFUE shows a system’s capacity to generate heat based on the fuel it consumes. High-efficiency systems generally begin at 90 percent AFUE, so this particular rating would offer 90 percent heat production for the fuel consumed, while 10 percent is lost.

What are the benefits of choosing a high-efficiency furnace replacement?

Manufacturers generally employ high-tech features to allow furnaces to reach higher efficiencies. Some features also promote improved comfort.

• Multi-stage gas valves regulate the flow of fuel into the furnace, allowing it to consume less fuel when the home’s heating load is lower. It also promotes consistent temperatures in the home.

• Variable-speed air handlers adjust the speed at which heated air is delivered, also responding to the home’s heating load on a minute-by-minute basis. In general, this component is designed to run continuously over the course of the day to boost comfort and save energy.

• Dual heat exchangers in condensing units capture a majority of the heat in combustion gases as they condense, greatly boosting the efficiency of the furnace. In standard systems, energy in combustion gases is simply lost up the flue.

When choosing a high-efficiency system as your furnace replacement, you stand to gain in terms of:

• Higher energy savings

• Improved home comfort

• Fewer repairs and a longer life span, as the components of the furnace are subject to less wear and tear. Furnace wear increases greatly from the demand placed on the unit as it starts and stops.

• Local Utilities often offer rebates for higher efficiency furnaces. Currently, Oklahoma Natural Gas has up to $550 for a 96% AFUE furnace upgrade.

Air Assurance Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing has served homeowners in greater Broken Arrow for more than 30 years, and we're happy to help with your furnace replacement.

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

Think You Need To Replace Your Furnace? Now's The Right Time To Go Shopping

Summer is upon us, and thinking about the best way to keep your home warm is probably one of the last things on your mind.  However, just like getting your holiday shopping done early, summer is the perfect time to look into purchasing a new furnace.  Be prepared when winter returns, and don't be caught in a chilly home.Most furnaces have a lifespan of between 15 and 20 years. However, older models with lower efficiency may be worth replacing before they have reached the end of their operational lifespan.  Ultimately, investing in a new, high-efficiency furnace can save you as much as 40 percent on your energy bills.Many older furnaces can have efficiencies as low as 55percent.  Modern furnaces, on the other hand, reach efficiencies of over 98 percent.  What this means for you is that if you decide to upgrade your current furnace to a new model, less energy will be expended in heating your home.Retrofitting your current furnace is another way of improving the efficiency of your heating system and reducing your energy bill.  This option is ideal for furnaces which haven't reached the end of their lifespan, but are not yet old enough to justify the purchase and installation of an entirely new unit.Air Assurance is committed to helping you make the right choice when making a decision about your furnace purchase. If you're considering purchasing a new furnace, don't hesitate to schedule a visit from one of our technicians, who can give you a free estimate on the price of the unit and installation.Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information, click here. Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.

HVAC Terms Every Oklahoma Homeowner Should Know

HVAC technicians go through years of training because there’s so much knowledge to take in. It’s not practical to expect the average Oklahoma homeowner to have all this information. However, Air Assurance has some terms that can give consumers a great advantage in finding the best equipment, service and savings.AFUE stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. It’s a measurement for a furnace’s efficiency. AFUE percentages rate how much heat the furnace produces compared to how much energy it takes to operate. A high efficiency furnace with an AFUE of 95 percent converts 95 percent of the fuel it consumes into usable heat.  So in simple terms, for every dollar you pay the gas company to heat your home, $.95 cents is actually getting into the home while only $.05 cents is wasted.  A unit that is over 20 years old is typically rated around 60 AFUE.  This means that $.40 cents of every dollar is wasted through flu venting, pilot lights, insulation of the furnace cabinet, or thicker heat exchangers that trap the heat longer.SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. SEER measures the efficiency of air conditioners. It is similar to AFUE in that it measures how much cool air the units produce against how much energy they consume. High efficiency air conditioners with SEERs from around 16 to 23 get great “miles per gallon.”  A system that is 20 years old is typically rated around 6 SEER. The minimum manufactured SEER rating today is 13.  This could equal nearly 40% in cooling savings annually!MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. This measurement applies to air filters. A high MERV rating means the filter traps more particles. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, using a MERV 13 is ideal, as it can trap many airborne particles and allergens.Higher MERV filters are more restrictive, and can inhibit airflow in your system. This can strain your equipment, so before running right out for a high MERV, be sure to get the advice of a qualified technician who can match a filter to your system.  Note: Interesting point, Merv ratings are not governed, therefore each manufacturer can claim different Merv ratings according to different variables such as slower air flow, particle size, etc. Air Assurance has done the testing on all the filters available which is why they recommend the filters they do.  This is also the reason our technicians carry our own Clean-Climate Filters.  Built to our specs according to the most efficient air flow and particulate cleaning possible without harming your system.NATE stands for North American Technician Excellence. NATE is a third-party, non-profit organization providing testing and certification to HVAC technicians nationwide. The tests cover areas of the HVAC field, such as heat pumps, air distribution and air conditioning. When you work with a certified NATE technician you can be sure the service is up to national standards, and that you’re not taking chances with your contractor.  Air Assurance was the first company in the country to offer their customers 100% NATE certified technicians.Understanding these four terms can help you make an educated decision on equipment and contractors, so you’ll be sure to get the most “bang for your buck.” Call Air Assurance if you have more HVAC questions. We’re happy to help!Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide. Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.

Furnace On Its Last Legs? High-Efficiency Furnaces Are More Than Just A New Model

Choosing the right furnace can seem overwhelming.  There are many different types of units and options to choose from.  However, there is one choice that can be easy.  If your furnace has seen better days, replacing it with one of the newer high efficiency furnaces can make a big difference for your energy bills and comfort.High efficiency furnaces help homeowners see significant heating cost savings throughout the life of the furnace.  They are also the best choice for people wishing to be environmentally conscious.  All furnaces now come with an “Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency” rating or AFUE.  This rating tells the consumer how much of the fuel the furnace turns into heat.Beginning in 1992, new furnaces were required to have an AFUE of at least 78 percent.  This means that all new furnaces must turn 78 percent of the fuel they use into heat.  While most manufacturers list their models as “high efficiency,” the U.S. Department of Energy defines high efficiency furnaces as units that utilize at least 90 percent of energy they consume into heat.  AFUE ratings between 78 percent and 90 percent are classified as “mid-efficiency.”  If you have a furnace that is older than that, furnace AFUE ratings could be as low as 55 percent.The simple math to figure out possible energy savings can come by looking at the difference in your gas bills from summer months (when the furnace is not working) and the winter months (when the furnace is).  If you know the AFUE rating of your furnace and the AFUE of the potential new furnace you are choosing between, you can take the percentage difference from those heating bills.  For example, you currently have a 65% AFUE furnace because it was installed around 20 years ago.  A new furnace with a rating of 95% could save you 30% off your winter heating bills.  This is a conservative way to analyze your potential savings.Replacing an outdated unit with a high efficiency furnace can cost between $2,000 and $3,500, but many homeowners recoup those costs in just a few years.  (A high efficiency furnace costs approximately $500 to $1,500 more than a new mid-efficiency furnace.)  The savings a homeowner will see depends on several factors including the price of the system, energy costs in your area, climate, and the difference in efficiency between your old heater and the new heater.There are also options on heating units that include variable speed blowers.  This allows air to move more freely, and "ramp" up and down based upon need.  This can also allow you to leave the fan on during milder temperatures in order to circulate air (without the noise) for better air filtration, as well as evening out temperatures throughout the home to eliminate hot and cold spots.Other options include 2 stage or modulating heating.  This allows the furnaces to use only the BTU heating that is needed to keep you comfortable.  In other words, if you only need a little heat, it only uses a little bit of gas.  But when temperatures drop, the furnace will automatically go into the higher stage of heat.  These functions create a more even temperature, and better comfort levels throughout the home.In addition to the money savings, more efficient units reduce the negative impact of energy consumption on the environment.  By turning more energy into actual heat, theses furnaces use less total energy.  This means that less pollution is released into the atmosphere.  If you are considering replacing your furnace Air Assurance is happy to offer expert advice or answer any questions you might have.Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information, click here. Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas.  To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.