Innovative Tips That Make Home Comfort And Savings A Priority

Home comfort and energy savings should be a priority in every Tulsa area household. To help you get optimal performance from your cooling system this summer, we’ve compiled this list of innovative energy-saving tips.

• Raising temperature settings at the thermostat is a surefire way to reduce monthly cooling bills. To maximize savings without sacrificing home comfort, try keeping your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re in the home and raising thermostat settings as high as 85 degrees while you’re away. But don't do this when it's over 95 degrees outside. That can actually cause energy bills to rise while the unit tries to catch up.

• One way to take advantage of higher temperature settings without sacrificing home comfort is to utilize household ceiling fans. While ceiling fans don’t actually cool your home, running them while you're in the room can create a wind chill effect that will help you remain comfortable, even when thermostat settings are increased by as little as four degrees. Just remember to turn ceiling fans off when you’re not in the room.

• Clogged air filters are notorious for restricting airflow and putting unnecessary strain on your air conditioner. Inspect filters monthly, cleaning and replacing as necessary.

• Another cost-effective means of improving household energy efficiency is to address air leaks using caulking, seal and weather stripping. Common leakage points include areas around doors and windows, and gaps around lights, wiring, ductwork and plumbing.

• Inadequate attic insulation can be a major drain on monthly energy costs. For an additional 10 percent savings, try boosting attic insulation to a minimum R-value of 30. If you can see your attic rafters, you are wasting lots of money on energy.

• It also pays to properly seal ductwork. If your ducts leak, you could be losing as much as 20 percent of the air you pay to condition. While accessible ductwork can be addressed using metal tape or duct mastic, a professional can ensure that your entire duct system is sealed properly.

• If your air conditioner is over ten years old, upgrading to a high-efficiency Energy Star-qualified model could save you as much as 10 percent.

• In fact, Energy Star-qualified products are an ideal means of long-term energy savings. Look for products ranging from water heaters to light bulbs.

For a more customized assessment of your household energy efficiency, consult our NATE-certified technicians. Contact Air Assurance today!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.

Air-Conditioning Factors That Determine Correct Sizing Procedures

If you want optimal performance from your new high-efficiency air conditioning system over the long-term, ask a comfort consultant to perform a proper load calculation. If your system is improperly sized, your household comfort and annual energy costs are bound to suffer.Indications of improper sizing include:

• Inconsistent temperatures.

• Humidity fluctuations due to improper system cycling.

• Spiking energy costs.

To ensure that your cooling system is properly sized, insist that your comfort consultant do more than simply look at the nameplate of your existing air conditioner. In most cases, older systems are oversized for your current home because its cooling demands have been reduced by improvements in household energy efficiency such as weatherproofing, duct sealing and insulation upgrades. Plus, these days a smaller A/C can cool more efficiently than a comparably sized unit a decade ago. Thus, attempting to size a new air conditioning system based on the old model in your home can be highly inaccurate.TulsaorBroken Arrowarea residents should ask their comfort consultant to perform a load calculation based on a nationally recognized sizing method such as the Air Conditioning Contractors of America’s Manual J. Using this method, your comfort consultant will consider unique sizing factors such as:

• The climate of this part of Oklahoma.

• The size, layout, and orientation of your household.

• The adequacy of your insulation.

• Window location, type and size.

• Potential air leaks.

• Efficiency of ductwork design and installation.

• Duct sealing.

• Household occupancy.

• Family routine and comfort preferences.

• Efficiency ratings of light fixtures and major appliances.

These are just some of the factors your technician should consider when performing a proper load calculation.With every household being unique, checking the nameplate simply won’t cut it when it comes to the proper sizing of your new air conditioning system. If you’re in the market for a new air conditioner, let our trained comfort consultants personally assess the appropriate sizing needs of your household. For expert consultation, contact Air Assurance today.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.