You might not think too often about the ductwork in your Broken Arrow home, but it could be affecting your indoor air quality (IAQ) and HVAC efficiency. When you have air ducts that are filled with dust or other debris, you could be breathing in these particles when your heating or cooling system is running. Learn more about quality air duct cleaning, including how it’s done, so you can have healthier indoor air and a more efficient HVAC system.
How Quality Air Duct Cleaning Works
Since your air ducts are hard to get to, it’s not a good idea to attempt to clean them on your own. While you can wipe down the outer surfaces of vents and registers on your own, you should have professional duct cleaning done. When you have this type of cleaning done, professional HVAC experts come to your home and use the right tools and equipment to remove debris from your ductwork. In some cases, this might require the removal of mold or other harmful particles. These professionals generally start by using tools to loosen dirt and other debris inside air ducts. Once this debris is loosened, they typically use a high-powered vacuum cleaner to remove it from your air ducts. This helps prevent these particles from contaminating the air inside your home.
The Importance of Quality Air Duct Cleaning
When you have professional air duct cleaning done, it’s important to ensure it’s done properly. Professional HVAC technicians should clean every component that is part of your ductwork, along with any other HVAC components that could be contributing to debris buildup in your ducts. Cleaning all of these components helps lower the risk of having contaminants or pollutants build up inside your air ducts again. This helps keep the air inside your home cleaner when your cooling or heating system is running.
If you need quality air duct cleaning for your Broken Arrow home, contact Air Assurance today. We can thoroughly clean your ductwork to help improve your IAQ.
Looking inside a floor supply air duct by Air Assurance - Tulsa, OK
Duct Cleaning Services - Tulsa, OK
Dust and dirt continually accumulate on the inside surfaces of your ductwork. This environment provides the nutrients for molds, bacteria, allergens and fungi to reproduce and grow. Every time your system’s fan goes on, it forces this contaminated mixture into the air you breathe. When done correctly and duct work problems resolved, air duct cleaning should not be something that is needed every year. At best, with properly sealed ductwork, and filter changed and maintained - you should be able to go many years between cleanings. If you are cleaning your ductwork every year because of excessive dust, then give Air Assurance a call today!
Duct Cleaning Process
The duct cleaning process is called “Source Removal Process” and is the highest standard in the duct cleaning industry. Debris is loosened with special agitation tools inserted into each vent opening. All vent covers and interior surfaces of your ductwork are then “air-washed” utilizing many pounds per square inch of air pressure and special air tools to reach normally inaccessible areas. The large diameter vacuum hose attached to your ductwork assures that loosened debris is auctioned out of your home and not discharged into your living environment. Plus, your ducts will be sanitized.
Duct Cleaning Tulsa, ok
We generate a great deal of dust just through our regular daily activities. While the filters in your heating and air conditioning systems are meant to prevent most of that dust from entering into your ductwork, some of it will get through when ducts are not sealed properly. Other pollutants, like pet dander or chemicals can also enter the ductwork. Help prevent the spread of this dust and mildew throughout your home by having your ducts cleaned professionally. Air Assurance provides heat, air, and plumbing services for all of Greater Tulsa, OK.
Choose Air Assurance
With over 35 years in business, you can count on Air Assurance for heating, air conditioning and plumbing service. We provide everything from maintenance, to HVAC replacement estimates and installations services. When indoor air quality is a concern - Call on Air Assurance day or night. We would be delighted to be your heating and air conditioning company.
At Air Assurance, we provide many indoor air quality solutions. Many homeowners have dealt with allergies, dust, or other problems in their home never realizing that the indoor air quality can be improved. If too little outdoor air enters a home, pollutants such as dust, mold, bacteria, fungi, and other contaminates can accumulate to levels that can pose health and comfort problems. Health concerns, such as allergies, asthma or the hazards of carbon monoxide can often be attributed to a poorly maintained, designed, or installed heating and air conditioning system.
AIR DUCT CLEANING IN TULSA REQUIRED?
Indoor Air Quality is important. Air duct cleaning helps maintain the hygiene of your household. Unclean ducts make the air unfit for breathing. Bad indoor air quality is one of the major causes of many respiratory problems like asthma and allergies. But did you know, you don't always need a duct cleaning? Often times we can help elimnate the source of the duct problem.
The system cleans your air ducts by brushing and removing debris and dirt directly out of your HVAC system and into our hepa filtration silencing box. We can then apply an anti-microbial protectant inside your duct work that kills most germs and microbes on contact for up to an entire year, greatly reducing or eliminating air-borne pathogens.
An HVAC air filter captures only about 7 percent of airborne debris in the average home. That means that roughly 93 percent of the dust in your air keeps circulating through the heat vents and HVAC system. To improve your air quality and protect your costly HVAC equipment from damage, it's wise to have the condition of your ducts checked every two years. When duct cleaning is needed, make sure you hire an experienced professional who adheres to standards established by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) and uses the correct cleaning procedures to safeguard your home and HVAC system.In between checkups, watch for these telltale signs that your ducts need cleaning.
Excessive Amounts of Debris and Dust
If your heating vents are covered with soot, dust or cobwebs and particles are sent floating through the air when the blower is running, there's likely a considerable buildup deep inside the duct system that should be removed. If your home is newly built or you've recently had remodeling done in your older home, you may need the ducts cleaned to clear out any leftover construction debris.
Signs of Pests
When pests invade the ductwork, contaminants like insect parts and rodent droppings can make the air circulating through your home unhealthy to breathe. If you hear to see evidence of insects or vermin in the heating vents, call in an exterminator. Once the infestation has been eradicated, have the duct system professionally sanitized.To learn whether cleaning the heat vents is necessary in 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). For more information about heat vents and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-615-4677. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “matius/Shutterstock”
How's the Indoor Air Quality in Your Tulsa Home? 3 Ways You Can Improve It
AIR DUCT CLEANING - Broken Arrow
At Air Assurance, we provide many indoor air quality solutions. Many homeowners have dealt with allergies, dust, or other problems in their home never realizing that the indoor air quality can be improved. If too little outdoor air enters a home, pollutants such as dust, mold, bacteria, fungi, and other contaminates can accumulate to levels that can pose health and comfort problems. Health concerns, such as allergies, asthma or the hazards of carbon monoxide can often be attributed to a poorly maintained, designed, or installed heating and air conditioning system. We provide duct cleaning service in Broken Arrow, Jenks, Owasso, Coweta, Tulsa and more!
AIR DUCT CLEANING REQUIRED?
Indoor Air Quality is important. Air duct cleaning helps maintain the hygiene of your household. Unclean ducts make the air unfit for breathing. Bad indoor air quality is one of the major causes of many respiratory problems like asthma and allergies. But did you know, you don't always need a duct cleaning? Often times we can help elimnate the source of the duct problem.
The system cleans your air ducts by brushing and removing debris and dirt directly out of your HVAC system and into our hepa filtration silencing box. We can then apply an anti-microbial protectant inside your duct work that kills most germs and microbes on contact for up to an entire year, greatly reducing or eliminating air-borne pathogens.
An HVAC air filter captures only about 7 percent of airborne debris in the average home. That means that roughly 93 percent of the dust in your air keeps circulating through the heat vents and HVAC system. To improve your air quality and protect your costly HVAC equipment from damage, it's wise to have the condition of your ducts checked every two years. When duct cleaning is needed, make sure you hire an experienced professional who adheres to standards established by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) and uses the correct cleaning procedures to safeguard your home and HVAC system.In between checkups, watch for these telltale signs that your ducts need cleaning.
About indoor air quality
Everyone deserves to breathe healthful air, especially at home. Doing so can be a challenge in today’s modern world, however, when homes are well insulated for energy efficiency. Airtight homes have a downside: They trap contaminated air inside. Many products that we use daily at home contribute to bad indoor air quality, too. Cleaning fluids, pesticides, hobby materials, home improvement dust and even wet carpets emit harmful particles, polluting your air supply. Combustion debris and gases from cooking/home heating float through our indoor air along with pet dander, dust and bacteria. Here in the Tulsa area, we have the added challenge of a humid climate, which encourages mold growth.
Safeguarding indoor air quality: the three ways
Source control: Your goal is to eliminate or minimize sources of poor indoor air quality. Limit the use of harmful chemicals in your home and ensure proper storage. When cooking or showering, use your exhaust fans (properly vented to the outdoors) to clear out cooking odors and humid, moist air. Schedule preventive maintenance to ensure your appliances and HVAC system work properly, limiting the possibility of gas leaks. For safety, install CO (carbon monoxide) monitors/detectors near sleeping areas and test regularly.
Ventilation: Proper, balanced airflow throughout the home depends on a properly designed, sized and maintained duct system. Have your ductwork sealed to prevent energy loss and maintain air quality. Duct cleaning is advisable in some cases. Since A/C systems can’t provide adequate ventilation, whole-house mechanical ventilation is recommended.
Air cleaning: No one air sanitizing method is perfect, but using a few specialized tools in combination can provide greatly improved IAQ. Whole-house air cleaning with UV lighting, when incorporated into your home’s air cleaning, heating and cooling system, helps prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. Consider asking your home comfort contractor to apply broad-spectrum antimicrobial microbiocide to further inhibit harmful bacteria. For the best air quality, include a whole-home air cleaner with an advanced filtration system and highly effective air filter.
Concerned about indoor air quality? Contact the experts at Air Assurance. Visit our website to learn more or give us a call.
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).
When northeastern Oklahoma gets mentioned, it's usually the tourist industry's “Green Country Region” label which comes to mind. While heavy industry seems a bit distant from the verdant images conjured up, airborne dust and pollution are a major cause of concern, particularly in the greater Tulsa metropolitan area, of which Broken Arrow is an integral part.Why Sealed Ducts Are ImportantIn one recent study, Tulsa County ranked as one of the “Dirtiest/Worst Counties in the U.S.” in six out of the 12 categories measured. With carbon monoxide levels high outside, it's particularly important that our indoor air quality be kept as pristine as possible.Why Duct Inspections Are ImportantOur HVAC systems do more than simply cool and dehumidify the air circulating through our homes; they also filter the air our families breath. Ductwork is the typically-hidden system of conduits and joints, snaking through your home, that move treated air from the air conditioner – and from the furnace, during the heating season – to our living space. Aside from allowing out the conditioned air we've paid for, breaches in the ductwork can also allow contamination in, undermining the efficiency of even the best air filters.Keeping the ductwork working at its optimum is thus important to both moderating utility bills and to maintaining healthy indoor air quality.What the Homeowner Can DoThere are some things a homeowner can do to inspect the ducts:
External Checks. When the air mover (blower) is running, look at your ducts. If you see dust or cobwebs moving, this is a sign of leakage.
Internal Checks. Remove the registers (vents) where treated air enters your rooms, and look inside. The presence of dust or any sign of mice, bugs or mold suggests problems.
What an HVAC Pro Can DoAs noted, most ductwork is located out of view. This can make visual inspections difficult. Professional contractors have dedicated meters and machinery, and access to technical manuals specific to your installation, that make it possible to inspect the ducts remotely. Contact Air Assurance to learn more, or to schedule a free in-home consultation.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).
While duct cleaning is the most thorough way to remedy contaminated ductwork, you can perform simple duct maintenance to minimize contamination and help ensure that the air you breathe is as clean as possible. Here are the top five ways to maintain your air ducts and prevent dirt from entering the system.
Give the filters some attention. Never go without filters, and ensure that no gaps exist to allow unfiltered air to enter your system. Your heating and cooling systems most likely have a filter efficiency recommendation that you should heed. Change your air conditioning filter regularly throughout the seasons . If your filters become clogged faster due to pets or smoking, change the filters more regularly.
Have your heating and cooling systems maintained by a professional. As an added duct maintenance effort, ask the service provider to clean the cooling coils and drain pans.
Seal off ductwork during renovation projects. Construction within the walls of your home produces a great deal of dust, so it’s important to seal off the ductwork in the areas that the construction is taking place. Also refrain from operating your HVAC system until all the dust has been cleaned up.
Dust and vacuum your home regularly. Vacuum first with a cleaner featuring a HEPA filter. A little while later, after the dust has settled from the activity, clean the horizontal surfaces in your home to help remove dust that could later be sucked into your ductwork.
Run your humidifier as recommended by the manufacturer. Whole-home humidification is useful for maintaining a comfortable interior during the dry winter, but it should be operated correctly for proper duct maintenance.
These five tips are important for maintaining a contaminant-free duct system and keeping the air you breathe in your home as clean as possible. For more duct maintenance tips, please 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 website to see our current promotions and get started today!
Your HVAC system will only work as well as your duct system allows, so it’s important to make sure your ducts are properly sealed and not causing you to lose out to air leaks. Duct sealing strategies can help you stay warm all winter long while helping your heating system operate as efficiently as possible. While much of your ductwork is inaccessible because it is in the walls or flooring of your house, there are still plenty of opportunities for you to improve on the ducts you can reach in your garage, basement or attic. Begin by looking for obviously loose connections between individual ducts. Secure the straps that join the two pieces so air isn’t able to easily leak out. While duct tape isn’t strong enough to hold for long, there are other materials you can use to strengthen these connections. Duct mastic, butyl tape and foil tape are all examples of materials that won’t start to peel off, as duct tape does after being exposed to warm air passing within the ducts.Next you should look for holes in the ducts. Some of these will be obvious and others will require a bit more attention. While the system is on, run your hands along your ducts to feel for air jetting out. Duct mastic is excellent for covering these holes; it is a putty-like material that is spread over the ducts with a trowel. The mastic then hardens and prevents air from escaping.Insulation on your ducts can also help to keep your warm air from transferring out of the ducts as it travels through unconditioned spaces. This can help you save a significant amount of money in the long run.The average home loses more than 35 percent of its conditioned air before it ever reaches the register because of duct leaks. This means that your air system is working much harder than it should to provide comfort to your home. And local utility companies now have programs that will pay for portions of the cost! For professional assistance with duct sealing and insulation, contact the experts at Air Assurancetoday. We proudly serve the Tulsa and Broken Arrow areas.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!
Dust is a problem in every home. In Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, dust is tinged red, which can present an aesthetic problem as well as minor health risks associated with the presence of dust. Too much dust in the home leads to dust mites. The average home has at least 10,000 dust mites per bed. Dust mites can cause serious respiratory issues, especially for those with existing breathing problems. Lower the amount of dust mites in your home by eliminating dust at the source.There are five simple steps you can take to reduce the amount of dust in your home:
Capture dust rather than spreading it around the home. Use a damp rag when dusting to gather the dust on the rag rather than sweeping it back into the air.
Use the right vacuum for the job. Use an upright vacuum for carpets and a canister vacuum for hard floors. Vacuums are more effective at removing dust than brooms, and vacuuming should be done at least once a week. While vacuuming, turn on the fan setting on your air conditioning system. This will gather some of the airborne dust into the ductwork filtration system.
Upgrade the filtration system in your forced-air heating and cooling system. For allergy sufferers, an advanced pleated filter or air cleaning system will provide the maximum benefit. For households with fewer allergy sensitivities, a regular HEPA or disposable accordion-style filtration system will help control dust.
Dust remains in the air in low humidity levels. One way to control dust is to employ the use of humidifiers to keep humidity levels between 50 and 60 percent. You can install a whole-house humidity system or use individual units in bedrooms and the main living areas.
The use of air purification systems, such as electronic air cleaners, can help eliminate dust in your home. For maximum benefit, place one air purifier in each room of the house, or better yet, have a professional whole-home model installed.
For more information on how to control and eliminate dust and dust mites from your home, contact us at Air Assurance. We provide the residents of Broken Arrow Oklahoma with expert HVAC service including air filters, humidifiers and air cleaners.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.
When the air outside in Broken Arrow isn't pleasant enough to open up your home and let the outside air in, you need to be able to rely on healthy indoor air quality to keep your family comfortable. People don't often realize that indoor air can sometimes be more polluted than the air outdoors. Here are three simple steps you can take to improve the indoor air quality of your home:
Ventilate your home for at least 30 minutes each day to remove the stale, polluted air from your home, and to replace it with healthier air. You can open up your windows, or run bathroom or kitchen fans. If you are concerned with pollen levels or air pollution outside, both of these are lowest in the evenings.
Air purification units remove particles and other toxins from the air that can cause allergies, asthma or respiratory illness. A number of different models are on the market, some using electronically charged collection plates, and others utilizing filters (HEPA filters work the most effectively).
Address the source of problems affecting your indoor air to help fix the situation, or at least keep it at a minimum. Make sure things like asbestos are properly removed or sealed off. Alter your gas stove settings to prevent emissions. Some people even switch their flooring to hardwood to remove chemically treated carpets.
Contact Air Assurancefor more information on steps you can take to improve the indoor air quality in your home.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!
While the summer is winding down, humidity levels remain high. As your air conditioner struggles to keep up with the heat and humidity, you may notice your energy costs rising and your household comfort suffering. What’s worse, as excess moisture begins to accumulate in your household, you may experience the growth of mold or even water damage to the structure of your home.Instead of putting your family’s respiratory health at risk, consider the benefits of dehumidification. Whether you choose a portable unit or a whole-house dehumidification system, you can alleviate the burden that excess moisture puts on your home, family and HVAC system.Keeping humidity levels between 35 and 50 percent is easy with a whole-house system. While room dehumidifiers can be successful within their indicated capacity, whole-house systems often provide as much as four times the efficiency. Plus, you have control over the humidity of your entire household, making it easier to keep consistent levels of comfort throughout the home. Other benefits of whole-house systems include:
No wasted space – Integrated into your HVAC system, a whole-house dehumidifier doesn’t impose on your floor space.
Quiet operation – Where room dehumidifiers are hard to miss due to the noise they produce, whole-house units offer quiet, distraction-free operation.
Whatever option you choose, be sure to consult with a professional regarding the proper sizing of your dehumidification unit. As with any HVAC component, dehumidifiers must be matched to the unique needs of your home. Larger rooms need larger capacity dehumidifiers. You can also look at the units EF, or energy factor, to determine the level of efficiency it will provide for the level of energy it will consume. More efficient systems carry a higher EF rating.It’s also important to look at temperature specifications when comparing dehumidification units. Some units are better suited to operation during lower temperatures, while others may be apt to freeze when the temperature drops below 65 degrees. Look for models that feature anti-frost sensors to prevent potential freeze-ups.If you’re having humidity issues in your home, don’t suffer quietly. Contact the experts at 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 website to see our current promotions and get started today!
Ductless mini-splits offer ideal solutions for unique situations. There are times when extending the ductwork of your current air system just won't be a viable solution. Whether you have a new space that needs cooling or an existing room just isn't getting enough air, mini-split systems can provide the comfort you need.Ductless mini-splits are composed of a single outdoor compressor that attaches to up to four indoor air handlers via various conduits. The conditioned air that is generated in the compressor gets sent through the conduit to one of the air handlers inside. Since the air isn't traveling through any ductwork, no air leaks out, making them quite efficient.They also provide more control over how you set temperatures throughout your house. Since each space with its own air handler is set independently, different rooms can be set differently. You can change the temperature in one room without having to worry about disturbing someone else.This also allows for easier energy conservation. When leaving a room that has a handler, simply shut off the whole system. This lets you avoid having to pay to cool an empty space. There are many systems that come with a remote control so that turning it on and off can be as easy as flicking a light switch.Air handlers can be configured in a number of ways. They can be placed on the floor or hung from the ceiling or walls. And because the compressor can be placed up to 50 feet away from your home, a single compressor can distribute air to rooms on the opposite ends of your home.Installation is a quick and easy process that only requires a three-inch hole to be drilled in the wall where the conduit passes through to reach the air handler.For more information about ductless mini-splits, contact Air Assurancetoday. We have been providing comfort solutions to residents of the Broken Arrow area 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 website to see our current promotions and get started today!
With owning a home comes a great deal of responsibility. Not only do you have to worry about the safety of your family and possessions in the case of a theft or accident, you also have to worry about the possibility of failing systems, such as a stove or air conditioner, wreaking havoc on your household.Luckily, there are a number of devices designed to reduce the likelihood of such occurrences in the home, including:
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Fire extinguishers
Security cameras and motion-sensitive alarm systems
Dusk-to-dawn and other motion-sensitive lighting systems
Whole-house surge protection
These are just a few of the more common home detection and accident prevention devices being used by Broken Arrow/Tulsa area homeowners today. Unfortunately, when it comes to home detection and prevention devices, the water alarm is often overlooked.A device capable of detecting moisture produced by leaky pipes, washing machines, or other water-related items, the water alarm provides a means of early detection designed to prevent such issues as household mold and water damage. It can also help alert you to more sudden issues such as a broken pipe or a weather-related basement flooding. Long-lasting and simple to operate, a water alarm can be used wherever moisture-related problems are likely to occur.Whether you’re dealing with a known moisture issue or simply playing it safe, the key to prevention is early detection. For more information on how a water alarm can benefit your household, contact Air Assurance today for expert consultation.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.
As a homeowner, you most likely understand the importance of sealing and insulating your air ducts to reduce energy loss. Did you also know that ductwork design and installation plays just as important a role in your home’s efficiency? Unfortunately, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates, up to 75 percent of homes could be losing as much as $200 annually due to poorly designed ductwork.Ductwork design done right works hand in hand with your heating and air conditioning system. It should be able to distribute the conditioned air evenly throughout the house.Especially when combined with a high-efficiency system, ducts that aren’t correctly sized can compromise performance. If you’ve recently replaced your HVAC system with a higher efficiency unit, but haven’t updated your ductwork, you could be losing energy.Efficient ductwork design should take into account the floor plan of the house, including potential obstructions, roof hips, fire-walls, and the direction of joists. It should also cater to the specific airflow load required for each room. This helps maintain overall comfort and pressure levels throughout the house.Sheet metal is the most efficient material for ductwork, due to its smooth surface, which facilitates airflow. Another design factor contributing to performance are smooth curves as opposed to sharp angles. Sharp angles can cause the air to “wrinkle,” slowing it down in the system. It’s also important to maintain neutral pressure with return supply vents in every room, or at least one vent in a central location on each floor.As conditioned air moves away from the core of your high efficiency HVAC system, it loses energy. Because it has less energy, it needs a more compact space to move through. That’s why ducts should get smaller as they branch through your home. It keeps air flow circulating without becoming sluggish.Don’t compromise the performance of your high efficiency HVAC system with low efficiency ductwork. Call Air Assurance for expert ductwork design. We'll be happy to give you a professional evaluation, update your ducts, or simply to answer your questions.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.
Like most homeowners, Tulsa Metropolitan residents want to increase the energy efficiency of their homes. Sealing leaky ductwork is one of the most cost-effective ways to accomplish this. Doing so allows hot and cold air to move into your home instead of vanishing through your ducts into the attic, crawl space, or other areas you don't want to pay to heat and cool.According to the U.S. Department of Energy, it's been proven that sealing leaky ducts can save you nearly 20 percent on your heating and cooling costs and roughly 10 percent on your yearly energy bills. It also may allow you to downscale to a smaller HVAC system.Not sure if there are leaks in your ductwork? Here are some telltale signs to look for.
High utility bills in the winter and summer
Rooms that are hard to heat and cool
Temperature fluctuations between rooms
Air leaks around the joints where the ductwork and your heating or cooling units meet
Open spaces and cracks in old mastic or metal tape
Dust or lint around leaky spots
“Hidden” ducts in your basement, garage, attic and crawlspaces
Bent or twisted ducts
Holes can be sealed with a variety of materials, including, caulk, weather stripping, spray foam, metal tape, aerosol-based sealant or mastic (a thick paste that comes in a tube). Rub the adhesive around the collars, joints and corners of your HVAC system. Next, extract a wide line of paste around the interior of the larger duct opening prior to sliding the next section inside. Don’t forget to seal any grills or registers securely to the ducts.It’s also a good idea to seal:
Disjointed segments or connections
Links between the air unit and plenum
All seams, returns and boots
Joints separating the duct branches
You may want to seek the help of a contractor or HVAC technician to ensure that your ductwork is sealed properly, as this is a complicated DIY job.If you would like to check out the advantages of sealing leaky ducts in your Oklahoma home, contact the comfort experts at Air Assurance. We are happy to answer any questions or offer our expert advice regarding duct systems or other HVAC equipment. We are always ready to provide the information you need to take better control of your home comfort.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.
The process of selecting air-cleaning equipment is not something that you should have to think about on a daily basis. But that decision impacts your everyday life, so it's important to make the right call. If you spend some time evaluating your home's needs, you'll enjoy peace of mind -- and cleaner air -- year 'round. The first step in improving your home's air quality is to determine which pollutants are present in your home. Indoor air pollutants break down into two categories.
Particulate matter includes dust, animal dander, pollen, tobacco smoke and the presence of small organisms like dust mites, bacteria, molds and viruses.
Gaseous pollutants include fumes from gas stoves, paint, varnishes, tobacco smoke, cleaning products and pesticides.
Once you have a good idea of what pollutants affect your house, the next step is to pick out an air-filtration system that meets your needs.For particulate matter, you'll want a filter system that is either built into your ducts or functions as a portable, standalone unit. Gaseous pollutants can be removed using a gas-phase air filter or a PCO cleaner. The latter relies on UV light and chemical conversion. Remember, portable units are only designed to do the area in which that unit is located, while whole-home cleaners are designed to take care of the entire structure.Since there are so many different pollutants that can affect your home's air quality, a professionally-administered air quality test can help pinpoint a solution. Much like a doctor works backward from a patient's symptoms to find a treatment, a fitting air cleaning solution can be found by correctly identifying the pollutants present in your home.If you have questions or concerns about your home's air quality, the staff at Air Assurance is happy to answer them, and to provide expert advice. We can set you up with the best air-cleaning equipment for your situation and your budget.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.
Much of the air pollution that we are exposed to today doesn't come from external sources. It's inside of our homes. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has determined that poor indoor air quality is one of the top five environmental risks in the country. If you are suffering from allergies or breathing problems, could your old HVAC system be to blame? Here are some things to consider:
Improper Ventilation. A building that isn't properly ventilated won't have enough fresh air coming in to move contaminants out of your home, and your health can be impacted. Make sure that you always use kitchen and bathroom fans. Have your basement, crawl space and attic checked to ensure that each is properly ventilated. When using household cleaners or chemicals, open windows or doors to remove pollutants as quickly as possible. Following these simple steps will make a big difference in your indoor air quality.
Age of Your HVAC System. Over time, dust and debris can collect in air ducts. Heating and cooling coils may become dirty or collect moisture, which encourages mold growth. Having your older HVAC system inspected and maintained annually will ensure that it is operating efficiently and make you aware of any problems that might negatively impact your home's indoor air quality. If you need a more efficient system to help address specific problems, your HVAC technician will be able to point you in the right direction.
Duct Maintenance. When the flow of air coming into or out of air ducts is obstructed, or when moisture begins to collect in the system due to a leak or a damaged duct, the air inside of your home will be affected. An HVAC professional can quickly assess the health of your ducts and identify if any repairs need to be made. Properly sealed and insulated ductwork, especially in non-air conditioned spaces, is a must.
If your HVAC technician discovers a problem, there are great products on the market to help. Get expert advice on heating and cooling systems, as well as indoor air cleaners, from your friends at Air Assurance. We're 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.
A mechanical air filtration system can remove particles of dust, animal dander and dust mites from the air you breathe at home or work, improving your comfort and health. Here's how the filters work:Basic air filtration systems consist of simple panels that cover the intake of furnaces or air vents. The most basic ones are made of fiberglass or polyester and allow air to pass through but trap large particles. Depending on the filter, it is meant to be either replaced or washed periodically.Though these basic filters are effective against dust, smoke and pollen, they don't work to trap harmful molds, bacteria or viruses, which are much smaller and can seep through. This is where High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters can come in. HEPA filters more efficiently capture spores and viruses, filtering out nearly all airborne particulates. Despite one drawback -- motorized fans blow the air through HEPA filters, which can be a bit noisy -- they are the most widely used filters on the market.However, technology is advancing every day, and there are some filtration devices that approach HEPA filtration levels, but allow the filtration to happen without the fans and noise. You can visit www.IQAIR.com to find out more. We are the only IQAIR dealer in Oklahoma! They've been featured on Extreme Makeover, as filtration devices used for people with hyper-sensitivity, allergies, or problematic lung and heart patients.Another option: UV filters, which can be combined with HEPA filters to make them even more efficient. HEPA filters catch the harmful pollutants in the air, but UV filters neutralize them. They release short-wave ultraviolet light that breaks down the particulates on a molecular level, altering their DNA and killing them.Air Assurance has been servicing the Broken Arrow and Tulsa region for over 30 years. Please feel free to contact us to ask about air filtration systems or any other heating and cooling questions.Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.
When deciding what kind of HVAC air filter you want to use, there are a number of factors to consider. Some are designed to be cleaned more frequently than others while some are more efficient. Here are five of the most common types of air filters for use in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow region.Disposable FiltersThese are the most common air filters that are used because of their economical pricing and ease of use. They should be replaced every six to eight weeks for maximum efficiency. They are not designed to be washed. This will only create holes which will make them less efficient. As for efficiency, these are what is described as "boulder catchers". They can only filter the extremely large particles flowing throughout your system, for instance, many can't stop salt when sprinkled on top of them.Permanent FiltersThese come in various sizes to fit your needs and do not need to be replaced. They are easily removable to allow the user to clean them. It is recommended that you clean them every 30 to 60 days to keep them operating at full power. These are normally the most restrictive type air filters due to the long lasting fiber the filter is made out of. This can put a major strain on airflow, causing increased dust, reduced comfort, and potential harm to the system.Hammock FiltersThese come in a 20-foot roll, allowing you to cut the filter to the appropriate size for a your hammock frame. Once cut, you simply place them in the frame and trim any excess. They should be disposed and replaced every 60 days. This is similair to the disposable in efficiency. Most homeowners are bothered by the time it takes to maintain these.Electrostatic Air CleanerThese use electrostatic attraction to trap charged particles in the air and are very efficient at arresting dust, pollen, bacteria and other airborne pollutants. They are permanent and can be easily washed every month. Again, these type of filters are extremely restrictive to air flow.Large Pleated Media FiltersThis type of filter is popular because of the low maintenance required to keep them lasting for at least five years. They tend to have very high efficiency levels and use a media cartridge that has to be replaced only every six months. There are several different "levels" of pleated media. You don't have to get the most expensive! Usually those are very restrictive as well.If you are wondering what type of filtration system is best for your and your family, just ask your technician. And by the way, Air Assurance has designed their own filters. They're called Clean-Climate and we've tested them to make sure you get the optimum value of low resistance, high efficiency cleaning, as well as economic pricing.Air Assurance has been serving Oklahoma residents for more than 30 years. Experts are available to answer any questions you may have and provide any services you may need.Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.
Operating costs for heating and air conditioning systems continue to rise year after year. So, we make sure our homes are sealed and insulated, weatherstripped and caulked, in order to reduce the infiltration of outside air and the loss of our precious, indoor conditioned air. That saves us money; but, it also creates another problem.Indoor air quality in homes is the new problem. The air we use gets circulated and filtered and we think all is well. Filtration is a tremendous help; the problem is that mold, mildew and bacteria can live in our homes with us. As they breed, their presence can cause allergies to flair and can contribute to other, more serious, respiratory conditions. Poor indoor air quality has become the price we pay for keeping our homes tight, more comfortable and for reducing our energy costs.When pollutants and contaminants leave our home to be filtered they travel through the duct system. Not all bacteria and mold spores go to the filter. Many cling to the ducts and other components in our heating and air conditioning system. As they breed, their numbers increase and they become unwelcome guests in our homes. They can live on anything that provides a comfortable, humid environment. The biggest example of where mold growth can occur is in our air conditioning evaportator coils. This is most likely the darkest, wettest, area in the home, which provides an ultimate safe harbor for these culprits to live, eat, and reproduce. A product that can fight mold and mildew in our home air ducts and coils is MicroBiocide.Microbiocide is a harmless chemical thats been approved by the EPA, to help reduce mold and other contaminants in our home comfort system. A treatment with this approved organic chemical can substantially improve the indoor air quality of any home.Reducing microbial irritants in the ducts can reduce duct odors, inhibit the spread and growth of mold colonies and greatly reduce allergens in the indoor air. Not only that, but by reducing these things that attach themselves to the coils, airflow and temperature transfer is less inhibited, therefore allowing your system to cool or heat more efficiently.Get more information on reducing mold and mildew and increasing the healthy level of indoor air quality by going here. For other information regarding the maintenance of quality indoor air for your family, log onto Air Assurance. We want everyone to enjoy both home comfort at the lowest possible cost and clean, healthy indoor air.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 ducts guide warm or cool air through your home from the HVAC system. Many people are aware that duct sealing is important for efficient air flow, but ductwork design also plays a key role. Ducts should keep each room in the home at relatively the same temperature, and keep air cycling through your house with return air flow preventing the build-up of too much pressure in some rooms and not enough in others. Proper air flow takes strain off your HVAC system and increases efficiency, yet the U.S. Department of Energy indicates that many US homes suffer from poor ductwork design, leaving air distribution lagging as low as 60 percent.How do you know if you have air flow or ductwork design issues? Some things to watch out for are unusually high utility bills, ductwork located in places like the attic or garage, and ducts with kinks or tears in them, which inhibit air flow. Other warning signs include rooms that always feel stuffy, and rooms are too warm or cold. If you are able, take a look at where your ducts attach to the furnace distribution box. If you can feel warm or cold air coming from this area, you are paying to cool or heat your attic. Keeping your ducts well-sealed helps, but it won’t do much good if you’re also dealing with poor duct design, in fact sometimes, it can actually cause more harm in the areas of operation, safety, and indoor air quality.Good ductwork design must work hand in hand with your HVAC system, evenly distributing the same amount of air flow your system produces. If you’ve replaced your HVAC system, but not your ductwork, this could be an issue. The ducts should get smaller as they branch out from the core, like streams branching off a river. They naturally get narrower, enabling less water to flow with the same amount of energy. The angles of the duct design should be smooth and curving as opposed to sharp, which can cause air to “wrinkle” instead of flowing smoothly. The return duct system should have a vent in every room, or at least in central areas of the house and the size of that duct or opening is probably most important. Jumper ducts can be installed to increase the efficiency of your return system.Ductwork design and air flow issues in general can be difficult to diagnose and fix yourself. Give Air Assurance a call if you’re concerned about the circulation in your home!Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about ductwork and other HVAC topics, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide. Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.
