home comfort

Furnaces

Furnace Not heating Up?

furnace not heating - tulsa, ok

If your furnace isn't warming your home as it should, there may be a simple solution that doesn't require the assistance of an HVAC pro. The following tips can help you troubleshoot the problem.

  • Make sure that the thermostat is set correctly. It should be in "heat" mode, and the temperature called for must be above the room temperature that's displayed. Also check that the fan is in the "auto" position so that it only operates when the furnace is running.

  • Check the thermostat itself. If you have a digital thermostat, replacing the batteries may solve the problem. With an older, manual unit, remove the cover and clean the contacts.

  • Examine the furnace filter. If the filter's clogged with dirt, it can adversely affect the flow of warm air that arrives at your registers. To maximize your furnace's efficiency during the heating season, clean or replace the filter once a month.

  • Check the gas shutoff position. The shutoff is located along the gas line that runs from your furnace, and the handle must be set parallel to the pipe so that fuel reaches the burner.

  • Look inside your breaker box. Is the furnace not warming your home at all? A tripped breaker could be the reason why. If everything looks fine inside your main electrical service box, check for a blown fuse and/or flipped breaker in the furnace's blower compartment.

  • Check your pilot light. If the pilot light has gone out on your older furnace, look for instructions on how to relight it right on the unit, next to the pilot light opening. Alternately, they should be in your owner's manual.

If the above tips don't help, or if you have a newer heating system with an intermittent or hot surface ignition, give your HVAC professional a call. He or she may diagnose another common problem such as inadequate airflow to the combustion chamber, or a dirty gas burner.

Is your furnace not warming your home and you need expert help? Contact us today at Air Assurance. We've provided outstanding service to Broken Arrow area homeowners 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). 

Insulation

Does Your Home Have Enough Attic Insulation?

Attic Insulation Installation Tulsa

When it comes to improving your home's efficiency, don't forget about the attic. Experts calculate that leaks in the attic floor can drain away 30 to 50 percent of your heating or cooling.Heat rises upward and migrates through cracks into the unconditioned attic space, eventually escaping through the roof or vents. In the summer, a hot attic and uninsulated attic floor can make it more difficult for you to cool your home, as heat moves through conductivity into the living space.What's the solution? In most cases, more attic insulation will do the trick.

Adding Insulation

Start your attic sealing project by identifying the various areas where energy is being lost. Lay wooden planks across joists to walk on before you start moving around.

1. Check for gaps around fixtures, pipes, wires, ducts and anything else that enters the attic space from the living space. Roll back existing insulation batts to get at all the holes; if you have loose-fill insulation, it might be better to get a professional to locate the leaks. Fix all the smaller leaks you find with caulk. For holes up to an inch wide, use expanding urethane foam. For still larger holes, use a piece of drywall to plug it, sealing edges with foam. You can also use fiberglass insulation.

2. Seal gaps around stove flues and chimneys with a sheet metal collar and heat-resistant caulk, separating these structures from insulation.

3. Put extra insulation on top of the attic hatch door. Place weather stripping around the edges of the hatch.

4. Next, check to see if the insulation on your attic floor reaches the top of the joists. If not, add more to the top or over the joists. Make sure it is evenly distributed, and reaches the sides of the attic.

5. Insulate behind knee walls.

6. Build airtight boxes with rigid foam insulation to cover recessed lighting canisters. Get professional advice about how any insulation you are considering might overheat when used in proximity to the lighting canisters.

To learn more about attic insulation, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.

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 attic insulation and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “travellight/Shutterstock”

Zoning Systems

How an HVAC Zone Control System Can Save You Money This Summer

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Does your family fight the Thermostat Wars? One side thinks it's too hot and turns down the thermostat. The other thinks it's too cold and turns it up again. It's a long, drawn-out battle that can last all summer — and drive your energy bills up in the process. Fortunately, HVAC zone control lets everyone in the house have their ideal temperature without disturbing anyone else or wasting energy.

What Is HVAC Zone Control?

There are several reasons for Thermostat Wars. The first is biology. On average, women prefer temperatures around 77 degrees, while men prefer temperatures around 71 degrees. The other reason is physics. Heat rises, so if you have multiple stories, the top floors will be hotter than the ground level. Likewise, if one side of the house gets direct sunlight, there will be a significant temperature difference.

HVAC zone control splits the house into zones according to their individual temperature needs. Then, each zone gets its own thermostat that the occupant of that zone can set to his or her preference. If one zone is warmer, the system sends more air there. If another is cooler, air is diverted from that zone. This way, everybody's happy and comfortable.

How HVAC Zone Control Saves Money

While a regular HVAC unit blows full blast all the time, your HVAC zone control system uses a variable-speed air handlerto control the amount of air each room gets. Only giving each area what it needs ensures no air or energy is wasted.

You can also set which rooms are occupied at any given time. If the whole family is downstairs, you can turn off the upstairs zones, saving air and money. You can even program the thermostat according to your sleep schedule. The living room gets more air during the day, but at night, that zone turns off and the bedrooms get the air instead, thus saving money and bringing a peaceful end to the Thermostat Wars once and for all.

To install an HVAC zone control system in your home, contact us at Air Assurance. We provide energy-efficient home-comfort solutions to the Broken Arrow area.

Humidifiers

What is a Humidifier's Role in Curing a Cough?

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Many people instinctively plug in humidifiers to soothe and cure coughs. That may lead you to wonder if science agrees. So what does a humidifier do for a cough? Find out below.

Reason for Using Humidifiers for Respiratory Conditions

So, what does a humidifier do for a cough? Expert opinions vary on how exactly humidifiers ease coughs and cold symptoms. It is well known that dry air isn't good for coughing. Inhaling dry air may cause or worsen coughing. By adding moisture to your home's air, a humidifier can help relieve dry coughing during sleep.

Pediatricians often recommend using a humidifier at night to help children with an upper respiratory infection, which causes difficulty breathing, nasal congestion, and coughing that tend to worsen at night. While you may find a warm-mist humidifier to be the most soothing, it is safer to choose cool-mist humidifiers for kids to prevent them from sustaining burns if they get too close to the hot steam.

Dry air makes mucus more difficult to cough up or blow out. Humidifiers help moisturize your lung, throat, and nasal passages. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) suggests that by helping loosen mucus, a cool-mist humidifier can soothe coughs.

Humidification can help relieve coughs linked to bronchitis. However, it's not recommended for people with asthma-related coughs.

Tips for Using a Humidifier Effectively

For you to use a humidifier effectively and get the expected benefits when it comes to what does a humidifier do for a cough, you'll need to follow the manufacturer's instructions and the following tips:

  • Use distilled water. Avoid essential oils and vaporubs, as they can release chemicals that can irritate the respiratory tract.

  • Clean your humidifier regularly. A humidifier that's cleaned inappropriately can cause microbes to grow in the unit and be dispersed into your home's air. Clean your unit thoroughly every one to three days, and replace the filter every week.

  • Monitor the humidity levels. Your home's humidity levels shouldn't exceed 50% to avoid mold and condensation problems.

Be sure to use your humidifier properly to help you breathe easier indoors. For top-quality humidifiers or other indoor air-quality products in the Broken Arrow area, and to learn more about what does a humidifier do for a cough, get in touch with the trusted professionals at Air Assurance.

Humidity

What Level of Humidity Should Exist in Your Home?

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Improper indoor humidity levels not only downgrade your comfort but also increase your chances of contracting diseases. Therefore, it's important to maintain the normal humidity level in a home.

What Level of Humidity Is Ideal for Your Home?

Generally, the ideal home humidity level for comfort and health should be between 30% and 50%. When your home's humidity level exceeds 50%, you'll feel uncomfortable. What's more, the increased moisture could lead to:

  • Mold growth

  • Condensation on toilet tanks and windows

  • The decay of flooring, structural materials, and other surfaces in your home

A percentage below 30% is dry and can lead to:

  • Sinus issues

  • Dry skin

  • Static electricity

At 5% or less, the air is excessively dry. It can cause:

  • The peeling away of wallpaper

  • Cracking or warping of building materials and wood furniture

The weather and seasons heavily influence the ideal amount of home humidity. Air can hold more moisture at high temperatures than at low temperatures. In the summer, a humidity range between 30% and 45% is ideal. During the winter, it's best to have your indoor humidity below 40%. Higher humidity levels in the winter can lead to condensation issues.

How Do You Maintain a Normal Humidity Level in a Home?

The best way to maintain a normal humidity level in a home throughout the year is by using a whole-home humidifierand dehumidifier. The systems work automatically with your HVAC system.

Use a humidifier in the winter when indoor humidity tends to linger around 15%. In the summer months, utilize a dehumidifier, as air naturally holds more water.

The normal humidity level in a home will have a significant effect on your health and comfort, as well as your energy bills, by decreasing your usage of your HVAC system. To learn more about the normal humidity level in a home, contact Air Assurance. Residents in the Broken Arrow area know they can count on us to help control indoor humidity and keep their heating and cooling systems running correctly.

Heating

What Are the Pros and Cons of an Electric Fireplace?

Is an electric fireplace a worthwhile home addition? Just more than 40% of recent new houses come with a fireplace, and a substantially higher percentage of homes built in the decades since the 1970s incorporate at least one fireplace.

Though not all standard fireplaces get the regular use they once did, many people still miss the appearance and comfort of a warming fire inside the house. An electric fireplace may provide a simpler, less labor-intensive alternative to the real thing. Here are some pros and cons of having an electric fireplace in your home. 

Pros

  • Convenience. No need to obtain and/or store firewood and lug it into the house to build a fire. An electric fire starts with the flip of a switch, eliminating the sometimes difficult process of lighting a real fire. After enjoying the fire, just turn it off. No cleanup and disposal of ashes.

  • Safety. Because there’s no combustion nor flames, certain safety issues are eliminated, such as possible carbon monoxide gas, chimney fires, and sparks or embers from the fireplace triggering an indoor fire.

  • Less heat loss; higher efficiency. A wood fireplace loses substantial heat up the chimney. An electric unit, conversely, requires no venting or chimney, so all generated heat goes into warming the room. While the process of burning wood is considered an inefficient method for home heating by the Environmental Protection Agency, electricity produces heat with a 99% efficiency rating.

Cons

  • Less ambiance. Few persons would claim that electric fireplaces produce the same classic, charming indoor atmosphere on a winter evening as a crackling, natural wood fire.

  • Modest heating performance. While electric fireplaces are efficient in terms of energy consumption, perceptible heat these units produce is about the same as a standard electric space heater.

  • No boost to the home's value. While a wood fireplace may increase home value up to 8%, most realtors agree that an electric fireplace adds no value to the home.

  • Higher electrical demands. Household circuits must be adequate to handle the fireplace’s considerable electrical load.

For more pros and cons of having an electric fireplace, contact the pros at Air Assurance.

Safety

How to Keep the Most Vulnerable Members of Your Household Comfortable

A variety of factors can cause some of us to feel the heat or the cold more acutely than others. Sometimes it's age; other times it's illness. For still others, it's just how we are. We each tend to have an internal thermometer that tells us our optimum temperature.

But for some vulnerable household members, their health may depend on maintaining a certain temperature. Fortunately, there are ways to do this without sacrificing efficiency or comfort for other members of the household.

Why Too Cold or Too Hot?

Vulnerable household members may suffer from being too hot or too cold for a variety of reasons. When people are too cold, it might be because of:

  • Poor circulation. This is often due to age.

  • Low body fat. Fat insulates.

  • Low muscle tone. Muscles also help insulate the body.

  • Tall people are often colder because circulating blood has more area to cover.

  • Dehydration can make us feel colder. 

  • Gender can have an effect, with women feeling colder (in general) than men because of genetic factors that make it harder to regulate body temperatures.

  • Illnesses including thyroid problems, diabetes, and iron deficiency may make people feel cold.

Vulnerable household members who feel too hot may experience these conditions: being overweight; hyperthyroidism; and taking medications such as certain antidepressants, hormonal medications, antibiotics, pain relievers, and/or heart and blood pressure drugs. They might also suffer from diabetes or fibromyalgia.

How to Regulate the Temperature for Vulnerable Household Members

Any home may have hot or cold spots, inspiring requests to raise or lower the thermostat. One way to help vulnerable household members is to install a zoned system so that these individuals can control the temperature in the area of the home they live in. Other solutions include:

  • Repairing faulty ductwork.

  • Inspecting vents to make sure they work properly.

  • Insulating rooms to help hold in the heat or AC.

  • Adding window treatments to block sun in rooms that are too hot.

  • Fixing leaks around windows with caulk and weatherstripping. 

For more on helping vulnerable household members feel more comfortable without sacrificing HVAC efficiency, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.

Heating

Keep Everyone — and Every Pet — In Your House Comfortable

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In most households, we're continuously adjusting the thermostat to accommodate a wide variety of temperature needs. But while we tend to think mostly of our own human comfort, what about the needs of our pets?

Whether they are covered with fur, scales or feathers, animals often have different temperature needs than we do. Forced to endure conditions that are too hot or too cold, pets may sicken and die. Read on for some wisdom regarding home comfort for pets.

Wintertime Comfort

If you have indoor pets, be aware that they may find your heating a bit excessive. The fact that they have fur coats — particularly dogs — can mean they need to cool off a bit when you crank up the heat. If your dog is panting and the rest of your household is toasty at between 72 and 78 degrees, you may want to provide the dog with a fan to cool off.

Elderly and sick animals are a different story. Make sure they have a warm place to sleep when you turn the thermostat down to save energy when you're away from home or sleeping. Sometimes, pets may require a heated bed or a space heater to be comfortable.

Adjust the thermostat in a fish tank in line with recommendations for the species of fish you have.

Make sure birds are not too close to heat sources and that they are not stuck in sunlight or in a draft. Low-voltage heaters are available for bird cages. Don't give birds fibrous material to shred, as they might eat it.

For other types of caged animals, such as rabbits and rodents, give them shavings or recycled cardboard bedding, and provide them with a nesting box.

Summertime Comfort

During cooling season, you may want to provide a fan to ensure dogs and cats are comfortable, especially if you tend to keep the house on the warm side.

Be sure that pets have access to water in both summer and winter. Drinking water helps many mammals cool off.

For more on home comfort for pets, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.

Heating

The Best Ways to Keep Outside Pets Warm in the Winter Season

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Winter has arrived, and that's great news for millions of people across the country, but sometimes our pets need a little extra care to make sure they stay warm. Here are a few quick tips that will make keeping pets warm in the winter an easy task:

Don't Turn Off the Thermostat When You Leave

If you were home during the day, you most likely wouldn't turn your thermostat off, so don't do this to your pets either. That being said, since their acceptable range for temperatures is wider than people, you can lower the temperature down to 60 to 70 degrees while you're away and they will be fine.

Supply a Shelter and a Feeding Station

If you have an outdoor dog or cat, he or she may want to stay indoors more often, but there's still a good chance that they'll go outside too. Make sure that you've set up a shelter outside to help them stay warm, along with a feeding station so they don't get hungry.

Pick Up Some Pet Clothing

You may think that pet clothing, such as sweaters, looks a little silly, but it keeps them quite warm. In addition to the standard pet sweater, you may also want to consider some doggie booties so that ice doesn't collect on the bottoms of their paws.

Use Caution with De-Icing Chemicals

If you're planning on using antifreeze or another type of de-icing chemical, then be very wary about using them where pets might have access to the toxic substance. Also, keep the container in a place that your pets can't get to, and if a spill occurs, wipe it up immediately.

Pay Special Attention to Older Pets

Elderly animals can suffer from arthritic aches and pains just like we do. If your older pets seem to be uncomfortable, consider contacting your vet and getting him or her some pain medication.

If you'd like more expert advice on keeping pets warm in winter or have other HVAC issues that you need to discuss, please reach out to the friendly professionals at Air Assurance. We've been serving Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas for more than 35 years.

HVAC System

The Right Home Temperature for Elderly Adults

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Taking care of yourself as you get older becomes more difficult every year. There are a thousand different things you have to think about when it comes to your health and general well-being. The last thing on your mind is your home temperature. However, it's a more important issue than you think. Here's what you need to know:

Aging and Hypothermia

As you get older, you're more prone to a variety of different health issues, including some you might not realize, such as hypothermia. If you're over 65 and your internal body temperature drops below 95 degrees, it can cause problems with your heart, liver, kidneys, and more.

It's important to understand the signs of hypothermia. If you see someone is constantly shivering, their breathing is shallow, they have a weak pulse, their coordination is poor, they're slurring their speech, or they seem confused, disoriented, or low on energy, there could very well be a problem with their internal body temperature.

Avoiding Hypothermia

The best way to prevent hypothermia when you get older is to make sure your environment stays warm enough. Keep your home temperature at around 68 to 70 degrees. Then, seal all air leaks to make sure that heat isn't escaping. Consider a home energy audit to find out where in your home air is leaking out and then hire an HVAC contractor to seal them up. Common places for leaks include around windows, under doors, along your baseboards, and behind outlets and light switches.

You could use a space heater to warm up your bedroom, but be careful. Heaters can be a fire hazard if they're not used properly. If you're going to use one, be sure you do it safely. If you're not comfortable using a heater in your home, a better option is to add another blanket or two to the bed when it gets cold and dress in a couple more layers. Not only is it safer, it uses less energy.

For more help achieving your ideal home temperature, contact us at Air Assurance. We provide top-quality heating and cooling solutions to Broken Arrow.

Humidity

Getting the Right Humidity Levels for Your Home

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Most of us don't realize we can control the humidity levels in our homes for greater comfort. Too often, our homes are too damp in summer, or too dry in winter. Read on for ways to control home humidity.

Best Relative Humidity

The best humidity levels are usually between 35 and 55 percent. In summer it's best if the humidity is lower — around 35-40 percent — because warm air holds moisture, which can make us feel even more uncomfortable on a hot day. Relative humidity higher than 50-55 percent prevents perspiration from evaporating on our skin, so that we feel sticky and can't cool off.

In winter, it's best to keep the humidity a little closer to the 50-55 percent range so that the air retains some moisture. This helps prevent skin and respiratory tract irritations that result from too-dry air.

How to Control Humidity

To monitor humidity in the home, you will need an inexpensive humidistat.

When you want your air to be drier, do the following:

1. Install exhaust ventilation to the outdoors in wet areas such as bathroom and kitchen.

2. Make sure you change the air filter in the HVAC system, and have the evaporator coils cleaned. The HVAC won't dehumidify your home effectively with a dirty filter and coils.

3. Sequester plants to one room so they don't give off moisture throughout the home.

4. Limit shower time, as well as the boiling of water.

5. Fix plumbing and ceiling leaks.

6. Air seal your home and fix your ductwork to prevent the intrusion of moist air.

7. You may even need to install a dehumidifier if your home is excessively damp.

For more on controlling home humidity, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.

Dehumidifiers

5 Home Dehumidifier Benefits

The air in your Broken Arrow home can get awfully sticky in times of high rainfall, particularly in the summertime when it's warm. Whenever the humidity climbs above 50-55 percent you may find yourself wishing there was a way to keep it under control.

It's always a good idea to check your home for moisture leaks in the roof and in the plumbing, and to make sure your air filter is regularly changed so that the HVAC system does a good job of removing moisture from the air. But what if your home remains too humid? A dehumidifier can be the answer.

Read on to find out more about dehumidifier benefits.

1. Prevents mold, mildew and fungus.

Whenever relative humidity is more than 50 percent, you have a greater chance of developing mold, mildew and fungus in your home. These organisms reproduce by means of spores and can spread rapidly, destroying drywall, wood and fabrics. Mold, mildew and fungus are also the source of unpleasant odors.

2. Makes home's occupants feel more comfortable.

Warmer air holds more moisture than cool air, so that in the summer, a home's occupants may feel uncomfortable as the relative humidity climbs. A dehumidifier can dry the air out sufficiently that the occupants feel cooler.

3. Saves money on air conditioning utility bills.

The dryer the air, the cooler a home's occupants will feel, and the less likely they will be to turn down the air conditioner thermostat to a cooler temperature. By using a dehumidifier, you keep the humidity levels down and the home's occupants are more content at higher temperatures. Also, the wetter the air, the harder the A/C has to work to dehumidify the return air. A dehumidifier helps the A/C do its job, so that you use less energy.

4. Reduces the presence of dust mites.

Dust mites flourish in humid settings. By reducing humidity, you can make conditions less hospitable for these microscopic creatures, which are the source of allergic reactions.

To start reaping dehumidifier benefits in your home, contact Air Assurance. We serve Broken Arrow and the surrounding area.

HVAC System

HVAC for Luxury Living

HVAC systems for luxury homes are important for more than just maximizing comfort. They're crucial for proper maintenance of furnishings, finishes, artwork, and everything else in the houses. By failing to choose a quality unit, you could end up with devastating consequences for your expensive decor. Let's take a closer look at what HVAC for luxury living entails.

Zoned System

It's not easy to keep everything and everyone in a large home comfortable. Elevated temperatures can dry out and crack your irreplaceable wooden furnishings. The room containing your paintings and art collection may need a temperature of around 70 degrees. And let's not forget you'll need more cooling for your home gym and heat for an elderly family member or baby in a different room.

Fortunately, you can heat and cool your luxury property simultaneously with a zoned HVAC system.

Humidity Control

Excess moisture makes moldings and woodwork warp. It also leads to mold growth, which can destroy your photographs, paintings, wallpaper, upholstery, rugs, and draperies. Excessively low humidity can cause materials like ivory, paper, papyrus, and wood to dry out, contract, and become more fragile.

Consider whole-home dehumidification in the summer and humidification in the winter.

Smart Home Technology

Having to adjust numerous TVs, audio zones, lights, and climate zones spread across different rooms or buildings on your property every day is a daunting task. That's why smart home technology is a lifesaver.

You need an HVAC system with smart controls to let you adjust the temperature and even track energy usage from your phone or tablet on the go.

Air Purification

Your luxury property needs an upscale living atmosphere. Air purification systems like germicidal lights and whole-home air purifiers remove airborne contaminants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and mold spores, which can cause health problems to your family and guests and damage your property.

By installing an advanced HVAC for luxury living, you'll have a truly luxurious experience in your home. If you want to modernize your HVAC system to suit your upscale living needs in the Broken Arrow area, contact us at Air Assurance.

HVAC system

Throw a Birthday Bash with These Party Considerations in Mind

Throw a Birthday Bash with These Party Considerations in Mind

When you think about hosting a birthday party, what do you consider? Providing food, music, decorations, etc. for your guests. But there are other party considerations that people tend to overlook, particularly when it comes to your HVAC system.If your guests are too cold, or too hot, it can ruin an otherwise joyous occasion. So if you're hosting a party, here are a few preparations you should make first, to make sure your house is comfortable and inviting, and that the birthday is a happy one.

Get an Inspection

It would be a a disaster if your HVAC system suddenly stopped working in the middle of your party. That's why important to have an HVAC technician inspect your system annually, to make sure your home is being heated and cooled as it should be.If you haven't done it yet this season, schedule an inspection for a few days before the party. Your HVAC technician will fix or replace any parts that are causing problems, oil your motor, check your thermostat settings, and make sure everything is in good working order when your guests arrive.

Other Party Considerations

Check and see what the humidity is scheduled to be like around the time of the event. If it's high, try running the HVAC system for a day or two beforehand, to dehumidify your home. On the other hand, if humidity is already low, running your system could make things too dry, giving your guests cracked skin and fostering viruses and bacteria - which, in a house full of people, could lead to a whole lot of illness spreading quickly. In fact, you might even consider getting a small humidifier, to counteract your HVAC's dehumidifying effects.On the day of the party, be sure to turn on your HVAC system a few hours before everyone arrives. Set the thermostat to a comfortable temperature and give the system time to condition the whole house, so it's pleasant and comfortable when the first guests arrive.

For more HVAC party considerations, contact us at Air Assurance today. We provide quality HVAC solutions to Broken Arrow.

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.

Heating

Emergency Heat During Winter Storms

Emergency Heat During Winter Storms

Having a source of emergency heat in the winter can make the difference between staying safe and healthy or having to leave your home to wait out a bad storm or a prolonged power outage. Each of these suggestions is a sound way to supply enough heat to wait out an emergency. Always make sure your CO detector is working before using any of these heaters.

Emergency Heating Equipment

  • Tent heaters. You can find these at sporting goods and big box stores, as well as online. They’re small heaters that use propane canisters and are capable of heating small spaces. They’re safe as long as you crack a window open and use them as the manufacturer intends.

  • Ventless heaters. These heaters are available from specialty stores and online. They burn clean, which means they produce few toxic gases, including carbon monoxide (CO). Each heater, whether a ventless fireplace or heater, has an oxygen depletion sensor that turns the unit off when the oxygen in the room gets too low. Whenever you use a ventless heater, be sure that there’s a window open or a door cracked to bring in fresh air.

  • Fireplaces. If you’re lucky enough to have a gas or wood-burning fireplace in your home, it will provide reliable heat during the outage. If it’s gas and lights electronically, it may start if you hold a lighter near the gas orifice inside the firebox. If it’s wood burning, keep a supply of seasoned firewood to use in the event of emergencies.

Retaining Heat

  • Be sure you have at least three days of food on hand. Eating enough calories gives you plenty of energy to keep yourself warm.

  • Dress in layers. Instead of wearing a one layer of heavy clothing, wear a few layers. They trap your body heat better so that you won’t feel as chilled.

  • Plug as many air leaks as possible to prevent drafts throughout your home.

If you’d like more information about using emergency heat because of power outages or a furnace breakdown, contact Air Assurance, providing HVAC services for Broken Arrow homeowners.

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.

Heating

Do Fireplaces Efficiently Warm Your Home?

Do Fireplaces Efficiently Warm Your Home?

Fireplaces are much beloved for the coziness they bring to a room on a blustery winter night. However, they are also much reviled on several fronts. Fireplaces are inefficient, allowing most of the energy they produce to go up the chimney. Fireplaces can be unsafe, leading to fires in the chimney or from smoldering embers. Wood burning gives off smoke, and with it, unhealthful particles that can compromise your indoor air quality. Wood burning gives off massive amounts of carbon emissions, and is actually banned in some cities.Add to the list of disadvantages the fact you've got to store firewood, which can harbor rodents and termites.So should you buy a house with a fireplace? If you have a fireplace in your home, should you stop using it and replace it with a more efficient type of heating?Our best answer: It depends on how much any of the above disadvantages bother you. Read on for further considerations on fireplace warmth.

Fireplaces as Backup, and Other Options

One of the best reasons to have a fireplace is it can be a backup source of heating in an all-electric house when the power goes out and your furnace won't come on. The fireplace will keep you from freezing, albeit inefficiently.Why else have a wood-burning fireplace? They're great for roasting marshmallows.Seriously, you may want to look into using that fireplace space for a catalytic wood stove. These stoves trap smoke and other combustion byproducts. A chemical coating on the catalyst interacts with smoke and ignites it at a lower temperature than the 1100-degree F temperature normally required, thus making it burn more efficiently. These wood stoves also release fewer carbon emissions and burn wood slower than non-catalytic models. The downside is they are more expensive than non-catalytic types, and the catalysts generally break down after 10 years or so.You might also look into a pellet stove. These are more efficient than a traditional wood stove or fireplace.

For more on fireplace warmth, and whether it's worth the trouble, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.

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.

HVAC system

Why You Shouldn’t Use Registers for Temperature Control

Why You Shouldn’t Use Registers for Temperature Control

Even though you may read online articles about controlling the indoor temperature in a room by adjusting the register, it’s not a good idea in most situations. Doing so can harm your HVAC system, which will eventually cause a problem requiring professional attention.

What It Does

When you close off the vent in a room, the amount of air pressure in the ductwork increases. Ductwork is designed to carry a certain amount of air pressure and closing even one register, especially if it’s not far from the air handler, raises it beyond its capacity. Over time, the extra pressure will weaken the seams and joints in the ductwork, creating leaks.Leaking ductwork drives up energy bills because conditioned air is lost before it reaches your rooms. The leaks pull in dust from the areas through which they run. In homes with vented gas appliances like water heaters and furnaces, the leaks create backdrafts that can pull carbon monoxide into your rooms.It may seem like a contradiction, but the higher airflow pressure inside the ductwork will reduce the amount of air going through air handler, which stresses the heating and cooling components inside the air handler. In the summer, lower airflow contributes to a frozen evaporator coil that may contribute to compressor failure, the system’s most expensive part. In the winter, reduced airflow causes the furnace to run hotter, which harms all its parts.

Better Options

The best way to control the indoor temperature in a room is by using a zoning system, which uses automatic dampers in the ducts to control the airflow. Each zone has its own thermostat and when it needs conditioned air, it sends a signal to a control panel. This part turns the HVAC system on, opens the damper and the air flows to that zone.In lieu of zoning your home to control the indoor temperature, it’s a good idea to leave the registers open. In the long run, the energy costs will be lower than the repairs. For more information, contact Air Assurance, providing HVAC services for Broken Arrow homeowners.

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.

Furnaces

Then vs. Now: Furnaces

Then vs. Now: Furnaces

Since prehistoric days, when people gathered around a fire in the dead of winter, humans have sought ways to keep warm. How have those ways evolved over the centuries? How have they led to the technologies that heat our homes today? Let's take a look at the history of furnaces.

History of Furnaces

Among the first to develop central heating were the ancient Romans. They introduced radiant floor heating by building a fire in the basement, which would heat the stone floor above it. And since hot air rises, the heat from the floor would soon spread to the rest of the house.The first heating sources used wood for fuel. This included the Franklin Stove, invented by Benjamin Franklin in 1741. Made of cast iron, it was designed to produce more heat than a regular fireplace, with less exhaust.Then in 1885, a new furnace was developed, which burned coal, which replaced wood as the standard. It produced more heat and used a system of ducts in the basement to transport that heat to the rest of the home. Then in 1919, Alice Parker invented the first modern central heating system. It replaced coal with natural gas, and distributed heat evenly throughout the home using a system of pipes.

Today's Furnaces

Today's furnace designs have come a long way since then. Top furnaces can operate with over 98% efficiency, providing more heat for less energy. Zoning systems now allow you to heat each part of the house according to its individual needs. Some can even sense whether or not a space is occupied, so you don't pay to heat empty rooms. And smart thermostats let you adjust your home's temperature from anywhere, via your mobile device.There are a variety of amazing features available on today's furnaces. When buying a new system, make a list of your home's heating needs and talk to an HVAC expert to find the furnace that's right for you.

To learn more about the history of furnaces, and tips for furnace buying, contact us at Air Assurance. We proudly serve Broken Arrow's HVAC needs.

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.

IAQ – Indoor Air Quality

Fall Indoor Air Concerns and How to Counter Them

Fall Indoor Air Concerns and How to Counter Them

As the weather gets cooler and you start spending more time indoors, you should think about how healthy the air in your home is. Fall allergens and other particles can lower your indoor air quality, which can put you and your loved ones at risk of developing health issues. Find out more about these concerns and how to deal with them.

Outdoor Allergens

Ragweed and other outdoor allergens can make their way into your home during fall. You might bring these in on the clothes you’re wearing, or you might spread them around if you walk around your home with your shoes on. These allergens can also get inside if you open your windows to let fresh air in. You can keep these allergens out of your home by changing clothes after coming in, taking off your shoes and keeping your windows closed during fall.

Dust

Dust can build up inside your home’s ductwork and on your HVAC system’s air filter over time. When you start using your heating system in fall, all of that dust can be blown into your home through your ducts and vents. You can lower your risk of having to deal with a lot of dust by having your ductwork cleaned and changing your air filter on a regular basis. You should also vacuum and dust your home frequently.

Pollutants

Pollutants are found in some household items, such as cleaning products and certain kinds of finishes. When you’re inside more during fall, you risk being exposed to these pollutants more often, which can result in respiratory problems and other health issues. Having an air purification system installed or making changes to your home’s ventilation can help reduce your risk of exposure to these particles. Working with an HVAC technician can also provide you with more ways to boost your indoor air quality by eliminating pollutants.

If you need additional information on improving your indoor air quality, please contact Air Assurance. We offer dependable HVAC services that can help make the air in your home healthier.

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.

Air Conditioning

What Are High-End Air Conditioners?

What Are High-End Air Conditioners?

When you’re looking for a way to combat the summer heat without having high cooling costs, look for a high-end air conditioner. Its upgraded standard features increase its energy efficiency and your comfort.The U.S. Department of Energy requires all HVAC equipment to be evaluated for energy efficiency. They measure the efficiency of central air conditioners by testing them over a simulated cooling season and measure the amount of electricity they use.The minimum stands energy efficiency rating stands at 14 SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) for air conditioners in Oklahoma. A high-end A/C will have a 15 SEER rating and higher. It may also carry the familiar Energy Star logo. High-end HVAC systems do cost more initially but make up for their high price in lower energy bills and reduced maintenance costs.The features to look for in high-end air conditioners and heat pumps to look for that that increase the SEER include:

Dual-speed compressor.

Such a compressor can adjust its running speed from low to high, depending on how much cooling your home needs. The compressor uses the most electricity of any other air conditioner part. When it runs on low, it uses less power, which saves you money.

Variable-speed air handler.

A variable-speed motor in the air handler will blow the air throughout your home at different speeds based on its need for cooling. They also ramp up and slow down slowly. The longer running time distributes all the cooled air from the ductwork that would otherwise be wasted.

Zoning systems.

A zoning system lets you control the temperatures individually in each room of your home. They use dampers in the ductwork and individual thermostats so that each area of your home will be a comfortable temperature, instead of having a single thermostat setting for the entire home. Zoning eliminates hot and cold spots throughout the house.Because summers are hot and fairly long in this region, a high-end air conditioner will pay for itself in lower energy costs and greater comfort. For more information, contact Air Assurance, providing HVAC services for Broken Arrow homeowners.

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.