The Best Window Sealants You Can Use During the Spring

Window sealants can play a major role in holding heat indoors in winter and keeping heat outdoors in summer. According to the Department of Energy, fully 25% of heat loss in a home is due to air leaks around windows and doors. Most window air leakage occurs due to small gaps in individual window panes, as well as around the main frame around the window. Over time, common putty and other materials frequently used in the original construction of a house dries out and shrinks, allowing air infiltration into the structure.

Newer window sealants have improved measurably over the years. Basic types of window sealants include:

• Silicone caulk. This is the standard today, and the best types of this variety are 100% silicone, with no other additives. Silicone caulk resists mold and mildew and is very dimensionally stable over the years, meaning it does not shrink like putty or other materials. It not only stops air leaks, it prevents water damage.

• Polyurethane caulk. Polyurethane is similar to silicone but usually only applied to exterior surfaces of the window frame (not indoors). The sealing properties of polyurethane are also similar. However, unlike silicone, polyurethane caulk can be painted.

• Acrylic latex caulk. This is a water-based caulk and not appropriately durable against the effects of exterior weather. However, it’s suitable for many interior applications, including the indoor side of window frames. Acrylic can be painted any color and, once it has dried, it can be cleaned with water.

• Polyurethane foam. Provided in a can, this expanding foam can be injected into gaps and small voids around the main frame of the window to prevent intrusion of outdoor air and moisture, as well as to reduce energy loss from the interior of the home. Foam air seals better than other insulating materials and is a permanent substance that does not deteriorate. After the foam dries, it can be trimmed, sanded, or painted.

For more about the varieties of window sealants to help reduce heat and cooling loss in your home, contact the professionals at Air Assurance.

How to Remedy Heat Loss in Your Home

Heat loss in your home can put unnecessary strain on your heating system and cause your heating bills to skyrocket. Therefore, as you look for ways to make your home comfortable during the cooler months, don't forget these simple ways to prevent your home from losing heat.

Insulate Your Attic

Your home can lose a significant amount of heat through the attic because hot air tends to rise. Insulating the attic helps trap your home's heated air. Inspect your attic and evaluate the quality, amount and condition of its insulation. Replace the insulation if it is moldy or mildewed. Ensure the attic floor has the recommended amount of insulation. An HVAC contractor can help you evaluate the quality and quantity of your current attic insulation.

Seal Attic Air Leaks

You should also survey the attic for air leaks. Typically, air leaks occur around attic hatches, stairs, stairwells, fans, ceiling junction boxes and holes that accommodate ductwork, pipes and vents. Seal these leaks with caulk, weatherstripping or foam spray.

Caulk Ceiling Trouble Spots

Your home can lose heat through ceiling fixtures and wall-ceiling junctures. Make sure you caulk any gaps and cracks in these trouble spots.

Get Energy-Efficient Windows

Windows are major sources of heat loss. If you have single-pane windows, consider adding storm panels to reduce the amount of heat lost through them. Alternatively, replace them with energy-efficient double-pane windows.

Seal Up Window and Door Frames

Interior heat can escape your home through gaps found on your window and door frames. Check for gaps between exterior frames and your home's siding. Check the condition of the weatherstripping around all your windows and doors. Seal any cracks or gaps with caulk. Replace any damaged weatherstripping.

Seal Electrical Outlets

Heat loss can also occur through electrical outlets. Install pre-sized foam gaskets behind them to prevent that.

By preventing your house from losing heat, you'll maximize the efficiency of your heating system and save money. For more information on heat loss, contact us at Air Assurance. We serve 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).Credit/Copyright Attribution: “tassel78/Shutterstock”

Air Seal Your Home Against Allergens and Energy Loss

Air Seal Your Home Against Allergens and Energy Loss

If you’ve purchased an efficient air conditioner and installed new, efficient home insulation, you may think that you’ve done enough to prevent energy loss and boost air quality. However, it’s generally necessary for homeowners to air seal the perimeter of the building to keep heated air outside during the summer, which would otherwise compromise energy savings, as well as to prevent pollutants from moving into the home and degrading indoor air quality. To air seal your home and maximize energy savings and air quality, follow this easy guide.

Step one: Find leaks

Aside from a professional energy audit, which employs specialized tools to measure air leakage and find leaks, homeowners can use this comprehensive list of locations that commonly leak to root out problematic areas. Check around:

• An air barrier, generally installed in the attic

• Kneewalls and soffits in the attic

• Protrusions in the attic's building materials to accommodate plumbing, ducts or wiring

• Dropped ceilings

• The chimney or flue

• The access hatch or door to the attic

• Recessed lights

• A whole-house fan

• Protrusions through the building--other than the attic--made to accommodate plumbing, wiring or ducting

• Wall joints

• Basement rim joints and the foundation

• Window frames

• Door frames

• Connections where ceilings and walls meet

Step two: Air seal leaks

A DIY job, sealing air leaks involves choosing the right materials and then correctly applying them. You can seal most air leaks with standard caulk purchased from a home-improvement store. Apply the caulk by following these tips:

• Clean the area first and let it dry.

• Apply the caulk by pulling on the caulking gun’s trigger, holding the gun at a 45-degree angle.

• Force the caulk into the crack or gap, using one continuous motion, and releasing the trigger just before you reach the end of the crack, as the caulk will continue to stream out of the cartridge for a second or two.

• Run a wet finger or rag over the gap to force the caulk deeper, and wipe away any excess.

At Air Assurance Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, we’re happy to help our neighbors in greater Broken Arrow with air sealing, upgrading insulation or boosting HVAC efficiency. Give us a call today or visit our website for more information.

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). Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Improperly Sealed Garage May Leak Carbon Monoxide Into Your Tulsa-Area Home

When you have an attached garage, there's always a risk of carbon monoxide (CO) entering your home through the door that connects your home to the garage. Another less visible source of CO coming into your home lies at the wall that connects the garage and the house or an attic hatch in your garage. A study conducted by the Canadian government found that homes with attached garages had traces of benzene inside them, a byproduct of gasoline. Parking your car or other fuel-burning appliances like a lawn mower or snow blower can bring CO into your home. Besides the hazards of CO and byproducts from gas or diesel, storing yard chemicals or paints and solvents can also degrade your indoor air quality.In order to avoid having hazardous chemicals from the garage in your indoor air, employ these strategies to cut the risk:

• Check the weatherstripping on the adjoining door and replace it if it's worn. Removing the residue from the old weatherstripping will give you a tighter seal when you apply the fresh product.

• Inspect the sill and joist plates in the garage. Fill any cracks or crevices with caulk. If you have pipes, wires or cables that enter your home from the garage, look closely to be sure that there are no gaps that could bring in carbon monoxide. Anytime your HVAC system turns on, it could pull air through those points. Seal them with caulk or expanding foam if they're larger.

• Look at the seal between the attic hatch and the ceiling in your garage. If your home has a forced air HVAC system and you have leaks in the ductwork, it's possible for the ducts to pull CO out of the garage and into your home. If your attic hatch isn't sealed, apply weatherstripping to tighten the connection or install an attic tent.

If you would like more information about the hazards of CO and an attached garage, or would like your ductwork tested for leaks, contact Air Assurance Heating, Air Conditioning & Geothermal. We've provided HVAC services for the Broken Arrow region since 1985.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). Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Caulking And Weatherstripping Your Home Secures Savings

Caulking And Weatherstripping Your Home Secures Savings

Caulking and weatherstripping your home are easy, inexpensive ways to reduce energy use and lower your utility bills.Money is lost as conditioned air leaks around windows and doors, wasting energy and increasing utility costs. By caulking and weatherstripping those areas, conditioned air remains in your house where it belongs, and cost and energy use is reduced.If you plan to seal your house with caulking and weatherstripping, first access your home's ventilation needs. Some homes have poor indoor air quality, such as mold, dust or other contaminants. These pollutants can become locked in the house if it’s sealed without proper ventilation. A heating and air conditioning professional can assess the ventilation needs of your home, if you're unsure and would like professional advice.

• Weatherstripping: Measure how much weatherstripping you’ll need before cutting by measuring the perimeter of areas to be weatherstripped, and then add five to ten percent. Make sure the area is clean and dry prior to applying. Install around the frame of doors. Under the door apply either reinforced foam weatherstripping, or a door sweep or threshold. For windows, apply along the top and bottom of sash. The weatherstripping should be snug and the window or door should compress when closed.

• Caulking: Caulking is a versatile compound for sealing a variety of air leaks. It also prevents water damage when applied around water pipes, bathtubs, sinks, faucets and more.

Before you begin caulking, make sure the surface is clean and dry and you’ve removed old caulking and paint.Use caulking to seal around windows and doors, baseboards and quarter round moldings. Find areas of air leakage and seal as needed, for instance: around phone or TV wires or cables where air enters the house, entrances for electricity and gas, electrical outlets and switches, are just a few.Money is wasted if your house leaks air, but caulking and weatherstripping provide a simple, money- saving technique to make your house more efficient and reduce costs.For more expert advice about caulking and weatherstripping,  and other issues related to home comfort, please feel free to contact Air Assurance. We’ve been proudly serving the Broken Arrow/Tulsa area since 1985.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). Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Help Your Furnace Work At Peak Efficiency With Duct Maintenance

Unfortunately, many homes have duct systems that lose lots of heat through air leaks and insufficient insulation. Properly designed and maintained ducts help your furnace work at peak efficiency, saving you money on energy bills. If your energy bills seem overly high, duct maintenance could make your home more efficient. Fixing air leaksSealing your ducts will probably increase your home's energy efficiency. Some homes lose as much as 35 percent of heated or air conditioned air due to duct leaks. It's easiest to have a professional find and seal duct leaks, but you may be able to repair some leaks yourself. To seal leaks yourself, use duct mastic, butyl tape or foil tape rather than duct tape. Duct tape breaks down too quickly. Look for areas where your ducts are accessible and check for holes or cracks to repair.Duct insulationDucts tend to lose energy through improper insulation. For example, ducts that run along uninsulated attic walls are not very efficient. If you can see exposed ductwork in your home or know that your ducts sit inside uninsulated walls, it's a good idea to ask a contractor about improving your duct insulation. If your duct system is over 10 years old, it's possible it only started with an R factor of 4.  Today, the new codes require an R factor of double that.Ductwork designProper ductwork design distributes heated or air conditioned air evenly throughout your house. Smoothly curving ductwork and smooth ductwork materials help your ductwork distribute air as efficiently as possible. Check for sharp angles in your ductwork or ducts that are made out of materials other than smooth sheet metal. As part of your routine duct maintenance, have your contractor assess your ductwork design. Make sure your ductwork is the right size, allowing proper air flow to and from the unit.  By not having the correct sized ductwork, capacity and efficiency can be cut by over half.Cost vs. benefit It will likely cost some money to have duct maintenance performed. Luckily, the long-term energy savings from efficient ductwork usually make up for maintenance costs. A licensed and experienced HVAC contractor can help you determine whether sealing, insulating or redesigning your ductwork might save you money in the long run. Currently, PSO even has programs to help you pay for it now!For help with duct maintenance in the Tulsa area, contact the friendly experts at Air Assurance.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!     Duct image via Shutterstock

Ice Dams: Take Preventive Measures To Keep Them From Forming

Ice dams can occur in almost any climate, but they're more likely to happen in colder climates like Oklahoma’s. There are preventive measures homeowners can take to keep ice dams in check and avoid costly damage to roofs.When temperatures rise during the winter, most Broken Arrow residents are happy to strip off cumbersome jackets and enjoy the warmth of the sunshine. But it is often these conditions that lead to dangerous ice dams. So just how do ice dams form?First, temperatures must be cold enough to produce freezing conditions that lead to the formation of ice on the roof. A long or large snowfall could also cause snow to accumulate on the roof. Then two things can happen:

• A warm weather system moves in, and the warm air starts to melt the snow and ice that’s gathered on the roof.

• Warm air from your home rises up into the attic space and warms up the room, which causes the ice and snow to begin melting.

The ice and snow then drains in the form of water, dripping underneath the snow and ice, and down to the overhang where your home’s eaves are located. Since the eaves are still cold, the water refreezes and creates what is known as an "ice dam." As the water builds up around this “dam,” it can seep back into the attic and even extend into the home.There are several steps you can take to prevent ice dams from forming:

• Have a contractor evaluate your roof.

• Seal air leaks in the attic space, especially those that exist between the attic and the home.

• Increase the effectiveness of attic insulation to stop the movement of heat between the attic ceiling and the out of doors.

• Use a ventilation system in the attic to maintain a consistent temperature between the roof and the outside.

If you’d like expert help with ice dam prevention and creating an efficient and durable attic, or if you have other heating and cooling questions, contact Air Assurance today! For over 30 years, we’ve proudly served homeowners in the Greater Broken Arrow area.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 get started today!     Preventative Maintenance image via Shutterstock

Crawl Spaces: To Insulate Or Not To Insulate?

Wondering whether your crawl space needs insulation? While all crawl spaces can benefit from some level of insulation, there are certain factors that determine the priority and level of necessary insulation. Perhaps the most important of these factors is ventilation.With a ventilated crawlspace, insulation is of greater importance. As you have no means of controlling the temperature or humidity of the air exchanged in a ventilated crawl space, insulation is often your first line of defense against the elements. Consider these common trouble spots:

• Ductwork: When ducts are run through unconditioned areas such as the crawl space, they are exposed to ever-changing outdoor temperatures. Under the right circumstances, these temperature fluctuations can affect the temperature of your conditioned air. Adequate insulation prevents or at least limits such an occurrence.

• Plumbing: Like ducts, pipes should be insulated against the elements. With pipes, this priority may be even higher, as frozen pipes can lead to expensive household damage.

• Air leaks: If you have air leaks between you living space and crawl space, you’re going to lose conditioned air, sacrifice comfort and pay more in energy costs. To ensure energy efficiency, seal air leaks in places where pipes, ducts and wiring pass from the home to the crawl space. This should be done before insulating to prevent the unwanted exchange of moisture, which can actually damage insulation and lead to mold growth.

• Moisture control: Speaking of moisture, when insulating your crawl space, be sure to use vapor barriers to help ward off unwanted moisture and the growth of mold.

If your crawl space happens to be sealed, insulation becomes less of a priority. For example, you won’t have to worry quite as much about outdoor temperatures affecting your plumbing or ductwork, and moisture should be less of an issue. Of course, insulation around foundation walls can help create a buffer against outdoor temperatures and improve the comfort of your home.If you're not sure how to handle insulating your crawl space, let one of our trained technicians assess the situation.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!     

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.

Home Advisor's Tips For Oklahoma Homeowners Leads To Energy Savings

How would you like to increase your annual energy savings? By following these tips from Energy Star’s Home Advisor, Oklahoma homeowners in theTulsa area may be able to save an estimated 33 percent in annual energy costs.Suggestions include:

• Sealing air leaks – One of the most cost-effective ways to increase household energy savings is to seal off major air leaks commonly found in attics, basements or crawl spaces. Focus on leaks around wiring, plumbing, and ductwork. For optimal results, consult a professional.

• Duct sealing – With duct leaks responsible for an estimated 20 percent of conditioned air loss, duct sealing should be a priority. While you may be able to seal accessible ducts using mastic or metal tape and use at least R-6 insulation to shield exposed ductwork in unconditioned areas of the home, a professional can access those hard-to-reach areas and ensure that your entire system is properly sealed.

• Insulation – To prevent the unwanted exchange of heat and moisture, adequate insulation should be installed. Generally, residents of theTulsaarea should use R-30 to R-49 insulation for the attic, R-13 to R-19 for the exterior wall frame, and somewhere between R-5 and R-13 for crawlspaces.

• HVAC upgrades – Older heating and cooling components just aren’t as efficient as today’s high-efficiency options. If your HVAC system is nearing ten years old, it may be time for a replacement. To maximize long-term energy savings, look for a minimum 14.5 SEER on air conditioners and a minimum 80 percent AFUE on gas furnaces.

• Programmable thermostats – Take full control of your HVAC energy consumption by pre-programming household temperatures according to your family routine. Conserve energy without sacrificing household comfort.

• Energy Star – Products carrying the Energy Star label are designed to improve household energy savings. Consider over 60 types of Energy Star-qualified products, including water heaters, windows and light bulbs.

Depending on the unique needs of your household, you may be able to significantly increase your annual energy savings by implementing some of the strategies outlined by Energy Star’s Home Advisor. For a more personalized energy assessment, consult one of our trained 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.