5 HVAC Considerations When Buying a House

When you’re buying a house, it’s only human nature to pay attention to the look and feel of the home. It’s just as important to explore the HVAC system as well, since it’s likely the most expensive appliance in the home and the one that keeps you comfortable year-round.

1. Find out its age. Like all mechanical systems, HVAC systems age over time. As you inspect the home, write down the brand and model number if the homeowner can’t tell you its age. Any system that’s over 12 years old may need replacing sooner rather than later.

2. What kind is it? In our region, homes might have a gas-pack HVAC system, which means it has a gas furnace and an air conditioner. Heat pumps are becoming more common and provide both cooling and heating by means of heat transfer. It’s important to know which type the home has.

3. What’s the configuration and condition of the ductwork? The ductwork for the home may reveal some efficiency aspects of the home. Ductwork configurations that are simple and direct provide better efficiency, as do insulated ducts.Duct leakage is a common energy waster that can be fixed. Look for areas of dust around the registers to spot potential leakage. Have the HVAC system and its ductwork inspected by a licensed HVAC contractor if you’re serious about buying a house in particular.

4. What’s its efficiency? The outdoor condenser’s cabinet may state the SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) of the cooling system, and the air handler indoors should have an AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) rating inside the cabinet if the home has a gas furnace. Higher ratings for both indicate better efficiency.

5. Has it been adequately serviced? Ask the homeowners for their receipts and records of professional HVAC maintenance and repairs. Routine maintenance increases the longevity and efficiency of all HVAC systems.

Paying attention to the HVAC system when buying a house will help you avoid surprises as you go forward, since this system is a crucial home appliance. To learn more, 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 TOPIC and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “geralt/Pixabay”

Understanding Energy Star Guidelines

Understanding what the Energy Star label means and how the program works helps you chose appliances that stand up to rigorous use and cut energy consumption. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) started the program in the 1990s, and it makes it easy to make product choices based on performance and efficiency.The DOE requires EnergyGuide labels on some major appliances like HVAC systems, water heaters, washing machines, refrigerators and dishwashers because they have engineering differences that can improve their efficiency. Those labels tell you how much energy the appliance uses over the course of a year along with its cost based on average use and energy prices.

The products that exceed the standards for energy efficiency in each appliance group receive the Energy Star’s distinctive label found on the EnergyGuide label or the product itself. The DOE’s guidelines for the Energy Star include:

• The product must demonstrate it performs well under a wide variety of operating conditions.

• Consumers need to recoup the extra costs that high efficiency products carry over a reasonable time period.

• The energy consumption of a product can be accurately measured and verified.

• Labeling the product would help consumers differentiate that product from other less efficient models.

Besides major home appliances, you’ll find the Energy Star label on computers and peripherals, light bulbs and televisions. While every bit of energy saved is important, it’s especially important to look for the label on major appliances, especially heating and cooling equipment, because they use the bulk of energy consumed in homes.

The DOE also uses the product’s durability and versatility under varying conditions to award it the designation, another good reason to look for the label on major home appliances. Better quality often translates to increased dependability and a longer lifetime for high-ticket appliances, and those characteristics also save money over the long term.

HVAC systems that earn the Energy Star label pay for themselves in lower operating costs and many have features that enhance comfort. To learn more, contact Air Assurance, providing top-notch 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 Energy Star guidelines and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “PublicDomain/Wikipedia”

Save Water With These Plumbing Fixtures

A plan for residential water efficiency and conservation should include the installation of water-saving plumbing fixtures.The following list includes some of the more common types of these fixtures and what you should look for when choosing water-saving plumbing equipment for your home.

WaterSense Certification

The WaterSense program is administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and exists to help consumers better understand water efficiency and conservation. Any plumbing fixtures with WaterSense certification have been tested and proven to be water efficient. By using these fixtures you'll be able to reduce your monthly household water consumption and, at the same time, trim your water bill.

Hands-free Faucets

Hands-free faucets do not have standard on-off handles. Instead, they contain a sensor that activates the fixture when you place your hands under the faucet. Water continues to run while your hands are in place. When you remove them from the faucet's proximity, the faucet shuts off in just a few seconds. This helps prevent wasted water and ensures the faucet won't be left on by small children or others who may forget to shut the water off.

Dual-flush Toilets

Dual-flush toilets give you two levels of water use for flushing. The low-water option uses less water and is intended primarily for flushing liquid waste. The higher-water option needs more water to effectively remove solid waste. By using the low-water option more frequently, you'll save water by not being required to use the same amount of water each time the toilet is flushed.

High-efficiency and Low-flow Fixtures

Faucets and toilets are available in styles that automatically use less water than standard models. They provide enough water for the task, but use significantly less of it. Low-flow fixtures, such as aerators and showerheads, restrict water flow, reducing the amount of water available for bathing, cleaning, or similar tasks.

Tulsa and Broken Arrow residents can count on Air Assurance for professional heating and cooling services, including sales, installation, maintenance, and repair. Contact us today for more information on how installing water-saving plumbing fixtures can save substantial amounts of water in your home every month.

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 TOPIC and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “OpenClipart-Vectors/Pixabay”

It's Almost Off Season for Your Air Conditioner. Here's How to Get it Ready

When the sweltering Oklahoma summer finally winds down, it is time to start getting the home ready for cooler weather. At the top of your fall home maintenance list, make sure you include preparing your air conditioner for the off-season.Here is how to care for your A/C during fall and winter so it runs well next spring.

Have it Checked

Schedule a maintenance visit from your HVAC technician , who can check for any problems that might have developed over the summer. This gives you extra time to schedule repairs during the cold months when you don’t need to use the air conditioner.

Change the Filters

Leaving dirty filters in the system allows mold growth and potential airflow issues. Don’t forget to change all of the air filters. This is one of the easiest maintenance tasks for the homeowner, but it is also commonly forgotten.

Clean the Coils

Dirty coils can lead to serious problems such as frozen coils, which can cause the air conditioner to stop working. To clean the coils yourself, you will need coil cleaner and a special fin brush. Remember to turn off all power to the A/C system before doing these maintenance tasks. Alternatively, ask a technician to clean the air conditioner for you.

Clean Around the Outdoor Unit

Leaves, dirt and other debris collecting around or on top of the unit attract mold and pests, invite rust, and obstruct airflow. Turn off the air conditioner and brush away all of this debris. You can use your garden hose to rinse off excess dirt and debris as well.Rake the ground around the unit and trim all grass or bushes nearby. Fall leaves will probably continue to collect around the unit, so consider this cleanup as an ongoing task.

Cover the Outdoor Unit

Cover the outside unit with an A/C cover when it is no longer in use. This protects it from winter storms.For more about getting your home’s air conditioning system ready for the off-season, please contact us at Air Assurance today.

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 air conditioners and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Peggy_Marco/Pixabay”

Getting Rid of Energy Vampires in Your Home

Reducing energy usage in your Broken Arrow home helps keep your utility bills down. Many homeowners know about shutting lights off when they’re not in use in order to save energy, but what about other energy sources that aren’t as obvious? Watch out for these energy vampires in your home, and work on getting rid of them.

Phone Chargers

Your cell phone charger doesn’t use up much electricity while you’re charging your phone, but it can end up using a significant amount if you leave it plugged in all the time or if you have multiple chargers plugged in all the time. These chargers keep using up energy while they’re plugged in, even if there’s no device attached to them. Make it a habit to unplug your charger when it’s done charging.

Cable Boxes

Cable boxes become energy vampires when they’re left on all the time. While it might seem inconvenient, turning off your cable box when you’re done watching TV can help you save energy. You should also consider plugging this device into a power strip along with your TV, video game consoles and other electronic devices. Doing so makes it easy for you ensure that all of these are shut off when they’re not being used. All you have to do is flip the switch on the power strip on and off.

Computers and Computer Equipment

Computers, laptops and related devices, such as printers and routers, use energy when they are on. Turning these off when you’re not using them can reduce energy usage by a considerable amount. As with TV equipment, consider plugging computers and computer equipment into a power strip.

Older Appliances and Devices

Older appliances and devices in your home use more energy than newer ones that are designed to be energy-efficient. Replacing these with Energy Star appliances and devices helps you reduce the amount of energy you use in your home.

If you need more information on reducing energy usage in your home, please contact Air Assurance. We offer HVAC services in the Broken Arrow area.

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 energy savings and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “mattysimpson/Pixabay”

Air Cleaner or Air Purifier: What Should You Choose?

Homes today are more airtight than ever before, so the air your family breathes can be significantly more polluted than what's outdoors. You might be thinking about having an air cleaner or an air purifier installed, but you're unsure which option is better. To help you decide, here's some helpful information about both of these methods of improving air quality.

Air Cleaners 101

There are two basic types of air cleaners on the market today:

• Electronic air cleaners that ionize particles to draw them out of the air supply. Ozone is a byproduct of the ionizing process, and it's a known lung irritant that worsens respiratory problems.

• Mechanical air cleaners use a filter medium to trap undesirable particles and allergens floating in the indoor air supply.

Whole-home mechanical air cleaners are installed on the HVAC ductwork so your home's air supply travels through the filter before it's conditioned and distributed. There are a number of makes and models available that offer different degrees of filtration to get rid of particles like:

• Ash, soil and dust.

• Plant pollens.

• Dust mites.

• Pet dander.

• Mold and mildew spores.

• Tobacco smoke.

Air Purifier Basics

Air purifiers also improve air quality, but they work differently than filtered air cleaners. Instead of capturing particles in a replaceable filter, air purifiers rely on ultraviolet (UV) lamps to eradicate airborne pollutants and contaminants. As with air cleaners, there are whole-home purifiers available that are integrated into the ductwork so all of the return air entering the HVAC system gets zapped and purified before it's heated or cooled and distributed through the supply ducts. The unit's UV germicidal lamps remove odors and kill mold, mildew and biological contaminants like viruses and bacteria.

Do You Need An Air Cleaner or Air Purifier?

Before you decide, have your air quality assessed by a knowledgeable professional to learn whether you need an air cleaner, purifier or a system that combines a filter and UV light.If you need expert advice about whether an air cleaner or air purifier is the best choice for your Broken Arrow home, contact us at Air Assurance.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). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Maklay62/Pixabay”

Smart HVAC Systems: What You Should Know

In your busy life, the temperature and comfort level of your home is just one more thing to worry about. How high or low is your thermostat set? Is it heating or cooling your home adequately? Are you sending air to a bunch of empty rooms? And how much energy is all of this costing?Fortunately, there's a way to deal with all of these issues automatically. It's called a smart HVAC system, and it can make your home comfortable without your having to think about it. Here are some features that can help make an HVAC system smart.

• Thermostat. A smart thermostat does more than just read and program the temperature. It measures both temperature and humidity, and can even tell how many people are in a room. The more people, the more heat they generate. Whereas if there's no one in a particular room, it doesn't need air at that moment. Either way, a smart thermostat can adjust accordingly.

• Air and ventilation. Once the thermostat determines each room's comfort needs, the ventilation system sends the appropriate amount of air. If one room is too cold, air can be diverted from that area and sent to another section that's still too hot. This is standard for zoning systems. But a smart system can also tell if any one zone is using more energy than it should. Maybe a vent is blocked, causing the system to work harder to cool that room. Maybe someone adjusted their zone's thermostat significantly lower than the others. A smart HVAC system can detect these things and let you know what's going on.

• Compressor and air handler. These are the two HVAC features that use the most energy. Therefore, a smart system monitors their use and makes sure they run only when they're needed. Additionally, it can adjust their use based on time, monitoring usage during peak hours to reduce energy consumption both for you and your community.

To learn more about how a smart HVAC system can benefit your home, contact us at Air Assurance. We're Broken Arrow's trusted source for quality HVAC solutions.

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). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Ramdlon/Pixabay”

Back to Basics: Air Conditioner Ratings

Air conditioner ratings are an essential tool when you're looking to replace your home's central cooling system. These scientific metrics measure how efficiently an A/C converts electricity into cooling. With HVAC efficiency improving exponentially in recent years, understanding air conditioner ratings is crucial in order to save energy on home cooling over the long run.

For common split-system central air conditioning systems, the most common rating is the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). To calculate the SEER number, the cooling output of a central A/C is divided by the electricity that flows into it. The higher the resulting number, the more efficient the cooling. However, higher cooling efficiency doesn't come cheap. You'll pay upfront for a high-SEER air conditioning, but in the long run you will save money on lower operating costs. Plus, a system that cools your home more efficiently and quickly will be more comfortable. In general, the hotter and longer an area's cooling season, the better sense it makes to invest in a higher-efficiency A/C or heat pump.

The federal government has minimum efficiency ratings for A/Cs and heat pumps (as well as heating systems). For a split-system central air conditioner, the SEER must be at least 13 (with the minimum at SEER 14 for a split-system heat pump). The U.S. Department of Energy and EPA require a minimum SEER of 15 before split-system A/Cs and heat pumps can qualify for the coveted Energy Star.

Only 10 or 15 years ago, a central air conditioner likely only carried a 5 or 6 SEER number. This means if an old A/C is still cooling your home, you likely could save 20-40 percent on cooling costs by upgrading to an Energy Star-qualified A/C or heat pump.

The technology that enables such high cooling efficiency levels includes variable-speed blower and air handlers motors and scroll compressors that modulate the system's level of operation. You can enhance A/C efficiency yourself by weatherproofing your home – sealing air leaks and upgrading insulation.

For help selecting an energy-efficient cooling system for your Broken Arrow-area home, please contact us at Air Assurance.

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). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “OpenClipart-Vectors/Pixabay”

How to Address Condensate Drain Problems

On humid summer days, your air conditioner is doing double duty, not only cooling your home but also removing moisture that would otherwise make you feel sticky. That moisture condenses from vapor and is exhausted through a part of the A/C known as the condensate drain.

As with any other component of the air conditioner, things can go wrong with this drain. Here's some basic information for understanding condensate drain issues.

Leaks

Over time, condensate drains can develop leaks, both in the line and in the drain pan. These parts should be checked regularly and replaced as needed so that you can avoid damaging leaks and even flooding.

The drains can also become plugged up by sludge composed of moisture, mold and dirt. Plugged drains likewise cause leaks and flooding.

Blocked Trap

Your drain has a trap similar to the kitchen or bathroom drain, where a U-shaped section of pipe holds water continuously, blocking gases from the sewer line. If the water supply to this trap becomes blocked and the trap dries out, gases may enter the home.

Mold

Your A/C's condensate drain stays moist most of the time. This sets up perfect conditions for the creation of mold. A malfunctioning blower or a dirty air filter can exacerbate these conditions, and before you know it, mold has colonized your air conditioner, and mold spores are being dispersed through the HVAC ductwork and into the home.

The best way to avoid any of these problems is to schedule regular HVAC maintenance every year. Your service tech should include the condensate drain in the inspection, checking for clogs, leaks and other issues.

Some homeowners with handyman skills feel competent to inspect the drain themselves, and use a wet/dry vacuum to clean out the sludge or blockage. Be sure if you do the work yourself, you're on the lookout for holes or other damage to the drain and the pan and have them replaced.To find out more about condensate drain issues, contact Air Assurance. We specialize in quality service to our customers in Broken Arrow and the surrounding area.

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). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “geralt/Pixabay”