During the cold winter months, you depend on your heat pump to be efficient and reliable. That said, it is a wise move to familiarize yourself with the most effective methods of troubleshooting heat pumps for when disaster does strike and your system does not function properly.Here are the primary steps you can take to test and assess your heat pump equipment:
If your heat pump is failing to turn on, try pressing the "Reset" switch located on your unit.
Verify that your thermostat is set specifically on "heat" mode. It should also be noted that if the temperature of your home and the temperature your thermostat is set for are within several degrees of each other your system might not operate; try adjusting your thermostat to a higher setting in this case.
Try turning the fan switch on your thermostat to "on". This allows you to test if your system is receiving power. If activity is not detected, check the fuses and circuit breaker for issues. If power turns out to not be the issue, you could plagued by a bad capacitor or blower motor within your heat pump.
Heat pumps -- as with all HVAC equipment -- are very reliant on clean air filters. If you notice your system is running for a very short time before shutting down, check the air filter for cleanliness. Changing your filter once a month is suggested.
Airflow issues can contribute to the causes of improperly functioning heat pumps. Confirm that furnishings or other objects in your home are not obstructing supply air registers or return air grilles.
Check your outdoor unit for ice buildup; contact a professional for service if any is noticed.
If after performing these checks the problem still has not been isolated, the best solution is to bring in a licensed expert to troubleshoot your system.For expert heat pump service and advice, contact Air Assurance today. We pride ourselves in serving the fine folks of the Broken Arrow/Tulsa area of Oklahoma.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 website to see our current promotions and get started today!
With Oklahoma’s fall and winter months approaching, preventive maintenance and inspection of your home’s heat pump system will help avoid expensive repairs in the cold season ahead. You'll also enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your system is working at optimum efficiency, thereby saving you money. Here are a few do-it-yourself steps you can perform to ensure long-term efficiency:
Begin the inspection and cleaning of your heat pump by switching off power to both your inside and outdoor systems. The inspection and cleaning of your heat pump are the only times power should be shut off.
Set your thermostat to a comfortable temperature; regulating the temperature helps your heat pump perform the most efficiently.
Clean or replace your air filters once every one to three months.
Drain the condensate pan and clean the trap once every one to three months.
If your system’s indoor coils are accessible, check them every month and clean when necessary.
To achieve peak airflow from your air registers, make sure they are not blocked by furniture or other objects.
Check and clean the area in and around your heat pump’s outdoor system, keeping the area clear of leaves, grass clippings and other debris.
If you notice unusual sounds emanating from your heat pump, it isn’t performing to your expectation or you are not confident in performing the above steps, call your heat pump contractor for further inspection. In fact, professional heat pump maintenance should be performed annually. This annual service should include:
Lubrication of motors
Belt check for tension and proper operation
Thermostat testing
Inspection of ducts for leakage and airflow
Change of filters
Cleansing of blower and coils
Inspection of the refrigerant charge
Tightening of electrical terminal connections and the application of non-conductive coatings, if necessary
If you need heat pump maintenance in the Broken Arrow and Tulsa metro area, our NATE-certified technicians are always ready to help. For an expert consultation, 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! Photo courtesy ofShutterstock.
The temperature of the earth is approximately 55 degrees across the globe below the frost line, regardless of climate. Geothermal heat pumps utilize this constant source of heat energy by transferring it from the ground into your HVAC system. Using the constant and free geothermal heat source below your property is a highly energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly way to condition the air inside your home.Geothermal systems consist of two parts: an indoor heat pump unit that adjusts the air temperature, and a ground loop of piping that transfers the heat energy from the earth into the heat pump via a liquid carrier. The system does not have an exterior condensing unit like conventional systems, and therefore runs much more quietly.Geothermal is a ubiquitous heat energy source that does not depend on the variable utilities market. Because heat is transferred rather than generated, a geothermal system does not rely on typical fuel sources such as gas, propane or electricity. The best gas furnaces available on the market provide up to 94 percent efficiency, while a geothermal system provides up to 400 percent efficiency.The initial cost of a geothermal system is higher than with conventional systems because of the need to drill into the ground to install the ground loop. However, because of the gain in energy efficiency, the initial costs are recoverable over the payback period, which will vary depending on your energy usage and system size. Check to see if you qualify for current federal, state and local tax incentives, which are available to help consumers recover higher initial costs and encourage the use of the virtually limitless heat source beneath their feet with geothermal.For more information on how geothermal systems can provide efficient heating and cooling to your home, contact the experts at Air Assurance. We've been providing quality products and services to Broken Arrow residents for more than 30 years.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! Photo courtesy ofShutterstock.
Heat pumps can be one of the most energy-efficient ways to heat and cool your home. Instead of using fuel energy to create heat, they move ("pump") heat from one area to another, a process that requires less energy. There are two main types of heat pumps: air-source and ground-source. An air-source heat pump works by transferring heat to and from the outside air, while a ground-source system transfers heat to and from the ground.Both types are effective, but which one works best for a Tulsa-area home? This depends partly on the size of your property and partly on how much you want to spend in an initial investment versus spending over the long run on utility bills.Ground-source heat pumps usually cost more to install than air-source systems -- up to three times as much. That's because they require digging long trenches in which to bury the extensive pipe loop systems used to exchange heat with the ground. These underground loops can require quite a bit of land area. If a home has a small yard, a ground-source system can usually still be installed by drilling deep (100- to 400-foot) holes in which to install the pipes vertically, but that drilling adds to your costs. However, recent federal tax incentives allow a 30% tax credit off the entire ground source heat pump cost!Air-source heat pumps can save installation costs, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are the better option. That's because air-source systems have a hard time pulling heat from the outside air when the winter temperature dips below 40 degrees, as it often does in Oklahoma. An air-source system can still heat your home on cold days, but it becomes much less efficient. Ground-source systems avoid this problem, and save energy overall, because the temperature below ground remains fairly constant year-round.Should you spend more now to install a ground-source system that will save money on electricity over the long run, or spend less now but face higher utility bills? At Air Assurance, we can help you answer that. Our experts can evaluate your home to estimate installation and operation costs of each type, taking the guesswork out of the decision. Contact us today. We'll be 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. Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.
Over the past few years, the media has made a pretty big deal about government tax credits that have made upgrading to energy-efficient equipment a reality with increased savings. However, you may not have heard as much about other rebates from manufacturers and utility companies that you can access when upgrading to high-efficiency air-conditioning systems. For many homeowners, these combined rebates can often mean the difference between upgrading and maintaining the status quo.The Public Service Company of Oklahoma offers rebates of $100 to $600, depending on the size and Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of your high-efficiency air conditioner or heat pump. Larger systems and higher SEER ratings get bigger incentives and rebates. The guidelines restrict the incentive to a replacement system that uses the same (current) energy source for residential (single or multi-family) homes and small commercial buildings. They also offer incentives of up to $1500 for an entire home performance upgrades which include duct sealing, insulation, radiant barriers, home envelope sealing, etc.Lennox, a manufacturer of heating and cooling equipment, indoor air quality products, and comfort controls, also offers savings on energy-efficient products. High-efficiency air-conditioning or heat-pump systems qualify for up to $1,400 when combined with a thermostat and indoor air quality system.High-efficiency air conditioners make energy savings possible for Oklahoma homeowners. While they often cost more up-front, incentives make them more affordable. High-efficiency systems are rated SEER 16 to 23 and have a low lifetime cost. Lifetime cost takes into account the spending a system requires over the course of its life. This takes into account regular preventive maintenance costs, fuel costs, and repairs. With the energy savings that high-efficiency systems get, you get a relatively quick return on your investment and save on monthly utility bills long after you’ve paid for the system.Why not take advantage of combined rebates from every avenue possible, to drive down the cost and make your new system replacement happen? The experts at Air Assurance can assess your home’s needs, assist you in selecting an A/C, and help you take advantage of manufacturer and utility company incentives to get you the maximum savings possible. Call us 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.
If you live in Broken Arrow, you know that the summer months can get extremely hot and the winters can produce some pretty cold weather. These varying temperatures put your heating and cooling systems to the test, and can often leave you spending too much on your utility bills. Geothermal heat pumps provide a much more effective method of heating and cooling than do standard systems, and can also help you save money.Geothermal heating and cooling units are unlike most heat pumps in that they use the ground to provide your home's heating, air conditioning and hot water. These systems are considered to be 45-75 percent more energy-efficient than standard options. And because of their efficiency, the Federal government offers a 30 percent tax credit to consumers who add new geothermal heat pumps to their homes.The 30 percent tax credit currently being given by the government takes into account the price of the unit, in addition to the price of all of the installation and labor required. This credit is also uncapped, so no matter how large the project, the credit remains 30 percent. Also, the credit can be rolled over into other years up to 2016. A geothermal heating and cooling system must meet the Energy Star requirements that are in effect at the time of purchase.While geothermal systems cost more upfront, they will make up for that cost by saving you money in the long run. The experts at Air Assurance are well-trained to provide you with the assistance you need in choosing the correct heat pump for your home. Please contact us today for more information.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.
