The Two-Pronged Approach To Surge Protection

Did you know that each year, the average home or business experiences more than 300 potentialy damaging power surges? Power surges can damage the various electrical devices in your home, and in the worst-case scenario, they can cause computer system failures and the loss of important data because of temporary power outages. Power surges can wreak havoc on your costly appliances such as televisions, stereos, refrigerators, and yes...even your home comfort system.  Power surges can be caused by the ongoing demands of high-energy appliances, particularly when more than one such appliance is drawing power from a single circuit, as well as by power blackouts and lightning storms.Protecting yourself against them requires a two-pronged approach: You need a whole-house suppressor as well as plug-in protectors for the individual circuits within your home. Both types essentially act as valves that relieve electrical pressure.  I'm sure you've been in the Big Box store where you've just purchased hundreds of dollars in audio/video equipment, only to be sold additional surge protection that sometimes seems as though the cost for those is as much as the equipment you're buying them to protect?A whole-house suppressor system is typically fused to your main electrical box or panel. At minimum, you should get a whole-house suppressor capable of withstanding a surge of at least 40,000 amps. You can supplement whole-house systems with individual modules designed to protect telecommunications equipment, such as land line telephones, fax machines and modems. A whole-house system should be installed by a trained and licensed electrician.You may be wondering why you need protection for individual circuits even when you're installed a whole-house suppressor. This is because even whole-house systems can experience so-called, "leaks," in which surging power manages to get past the protections created by the system. Thus, supplementing them with plug-in units for individual rooms or outlets is recommended for the utmost in surge protection. These individual protectors can be installed on your own, without the help of an electrician; they simply plug into the power bars that act as buffers between outlets and appliances.  But how do you buy a plug in protector for your heating or air conditioning system?  That's where we come in, we have surge protection to protect these costly investments!  Some that even have guarantees in which might pay for your deductable should catastrophic failure occur.At Air Assurance, we understand that your home's electrical demands may occasionally cause power surges and the problems associated with them. We're here to give you advice on how to best protect your home and its appliances, and we're happy to answer any and all questions you may have.In addition, we offer a full range of residential and commercial heating, ventilation and air conditioning services to customers throughout northeastern Oklahoma. If you have any questions or would like to arrange service or a consultation, please don't hesitate to contact us.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.

Humidifier Care and Cleaning Tips

Hands down, the benefits of using a humidifier surpass any downside of owning one. Adding moisture to the air through humidification decreases the discomfort you may experience due to dry sinuses or skin. Humidification also decreases the likelihood of static electricity, cracked wood furniture or floors and a host of other problems associated with dry air.There are, however, some hazards to avoid when using a humidifier, whether it’s a portable unit or a whole-house system. Too much moisture is a breeding ground for organisms like mold and dust mites. Therefore, it’s important to maintain a safe, comfortable humidity level (no higher than 50 percent) and to properly care for and clean a humidifier to avoid such conditions.For portable and whole-house units:

• Use water with a low mineral content to avoid buildup in the tank and prevent the release of minerals into the air.

• Owner’s manuals include manufacturer’s directions for cleaning and what products to use. In any case, you can use a mix of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and water. After cleaning, rinse the tank thoroughly with water.

• Use a hygrometer, commonly found at a hardware supply store, to gauge humidity and maintain levels below 50 percent.

• Keep areas around the unit dry. Any dampness that occurs, such as a wet carpet or floor, invites organisms to form.

• Use only approved parts when replacing or cleaning the unit, according to manufacturer suggestions.

• If you won’t be using the humidifier for awhile, clean it before storing it away or turning it off.

For portable units only:

• Clean frequently, at least every three days. Drain water from the tank and use a scrubbing brush to clean around the inside. Be sure to scrape away mineral deposits and build up. Dry the tank.

• Every day, use new water in the tank.

For whole-house systems only:For systems with a holding tank, regular water changes are recommended. Water that collects inside the tank provides conditions for organisms to develop.Questions? Thinking about upgrading to a whole-house humidifier. At Air Assurance, we want you to get the most comfort from your home heating and cooling investment. Call us if we can help.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.