Importance of an HVAC Water Filter

Everyone knows the importance of air filters in their HVAC system. They keep airborne contaminants from entering the unit and reducing the components' efficiency. But water flows through your system too. Here's why an HVAC water filter is also essential, for commercial and residential systems alike.

The Necessity of Water Filters

There are all sorts of contaminants that can come from your water and build up in your HVAC system. If you have hard water, it can cause scale: a layer of mineral deposits, such as calcium and magnesium, inside your system.

There can also be algae growth on and around the water, as well as just regular dirt. However, the calcium and magnesium cause a chemical reaction when the unit is warm, leading the other contaminants to bond with the surface and stick there. As this debris accumulates, it creates a barrier in your system that reduces heat transfer, forcing the system to use more and more energy.

A water filter eliminates these contaminants, improving energy efficiency. It also prevents corrosion and other problems that can necessitate more maintenance and ultimately shorten the lifespan of your system. Much like your air filter, a good water filter will improve efficiency, reduce overall maintenance, and help your system last longer.

Types of Water Filters

There are several different HVAC water filter types that can help keep your system clean. For a residential system, the best option is most likely a screen filter. Water passes through a screen similar to the way an air filter works. The screen captures debris, while letting clean water flow through.

For commercial or industrial systems, there are more efficient options. A centrifugal separator spins the water, so that debris sinks down to the bottom. And a microsand filter can filter out contaminants up to 50 times smaller than an ordinary screen filter. By choosing the right water filtration system for you, your system will stay healthy and efficient for years to come.

For help buying an HVAC water filter for your system, contact us at Air Assurance. We're Broken Arrow's trusted source for quality HVAC solutions.

How to Remember to Change Your Air Filter

Changing your air filter is one of the simplest things you can do to maintain your heating and cooling system. Unfortunately, it’s also the one thing that many homeowners forget to do. Forgetting about this small yet important task can have a negative impact on your HVAC system’s performance and your home’s overall indoor air quality.If you find yourself forgetting to change your air filter time and again, you can use these tips to give yourself a reminder when the time comes:

• Put it on your chore list - One of the best ways to remember to change your HVAC air filter is to include it in your list of household chores. The chore list itself should be placed in a highly visible and commonly visited spot in your home. Your refrigerator door makes a perfect spot for a chore list.

• Use your phone or computer to set a reminder - you can also use technology to help remind you of those all-important filter changes, along with other HVAC maintenance items. The vast majority of phones, tablets and computers have calendars with built-in alerts and notifications. All you’ll have to do is pick a date when you want to change your HVAC filter, add a brief message and set your audio or visual alert.

• Keep spare filters in an obvious spot - Another thing you can do is place a brand-new air filter in a location where you’re bound to see it on a daily basis. This way, you’ll always have a reminder to change your filter. You can even slap a bright sticky note on the filter with the intended date of your next change.

• Have someone else remind you - You can even have a friend, roommate, family member or other loved one reminds you of when it’s time to change your HVAC filter.

To learn more about air filters and other HVAC accessories, contact the professionals at Air Assurance, addressing the heating and cooling needs of Broken Arrow residents 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). For more information about air filters and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “3402423/Pixabay”

Is Your Home the Culprit for Your Allergies?

Spring allergies can leave you with a runny nose, itchy eyes, and other unpleasant symptoms, but it’s not just the outdoors you have to worry about. Pollen and other outdoor allergens can make their way into your home through windows and on your clothes. You can also have dust and other indoor allergens in your house all year round. Use the following information to reduce allergens in your home if you have allergies.

Get Rid of Dust

Dust mites are the main reason why you might sneeze when you’re exposed to dust. These tiny critters feed on dust particles and trigger allergic reactions. You can reduce the amount of dust in your home by vacuuming and dusting on a regular basis. You should also place dust mite covers on your pillow and mattress to protect you while you’re sleeping.

Change Your HVAC Filter

If your HVAC filter hasn’t been changed in awhile, it’s most likely covered in dust and debris. This filter helps keep the air in your home clean while your HVAC system is in use. Replace your old filter with a new one to reduce the amount of allergens in your home.

Place Doormats at Each Entrance

Putting doormats at each entrance in your home helps prevent you and other family members, as well as guests, from bringing allergens in on your shoes. Put one doormat outside each entrance and another doormat just inside each entrance. You should also have anyone who comes into your home take off their shoes to avoid spreading allergens around.

Invest in an Air Filter

Air filters can boost the indoor air quality in your home throughout the year. You can get filters that are used in one room only or invest in a whole-house filter that covers your entire home. These filters can help cut down on the amount of allergens that are in your home.

If you need help reducing the amount of dust and other allergens in your home, please contact Air Assurance. We offer indoor air quality services for customers 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 spring allergies and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

Reduce Household Dust to Improve Your Home's Indoor Air Quality

Asthma and allergies are no laughing matter, and excess dust can severely exacerbate the suffering. If you've been looking for ways to reduce household dust in your greater Tulsa area home, we suggest that you start with these tips:

• Upgrade your vacuum. Good suction won't remove all the dust from your carpet. For the best results, you need to find a vacuum with a strong agitator (the brush that sweeps the carpet) and a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter.

• Remove your carpet. Carpets hold a great deal of dust, and when you walk across them, that dust is sent back into the air. Switching to alternate flooring such as laminate, wood or tile will cut down on hidden dust and allow for easier cleaning, which is best accomplished with the use of a canister vacuum.

• Use a micro-fiber cloth. Feather dusters spread around more dust than they collect. When you dust your home, you should be using a micro-fiber cloth or, at the very least, a damp rag. This will capture the dust instead of stirring it up, where it can irritate your respiratory system.

• Get a new filter. Not all HVAC filters are designed to catch dust and other contaminants, so you may want to upgrade to one that does. The best kind to use is an electrostatic filter attached to your ductwork, but those are expensive. If in doubt, contact an industry professional for help in deciding the best type of filter.

• Clean the air. If you have carpets, the vacuum you're using—no matter how powerful or expensive—will whip up dust and send it into the air, before settling on a new surface. You can filter out some of this dust by turning your thermostat to its "fan" position. For maximum effect, leave the fan on for 15 minutes after you've finished cleaning.

For more advice on ways to reduce household dust, or if you have any other concerns related to home comfort, please contact the friendly professionals at Air Assurance. We've been serving the HVAC needs of Broken Arrow and the surrounding 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). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Craig Wactor/Shutterstock”

Essential Spring Maintenance Tips for Your Broken Arrow Home

With spring almost here, it's time to perform some standard maintenance procedures around your home again. Preventative maintenance isn't something you want to skip, as taking a few proactive steps can result in energy savings and a more comfortable and attractive home. Here are a few spring maintenance tips to get you started:

Spring MaintenanceCheck your roof and gutters.

During the winter months, it's not uncommon for your roof and rain gutters to take a beating. Visually inspect your roof for lost or damaged shingles, and eyeball your gutters for damage. While you can make some repairs yourself, you're probably better off contacting a professional. Whatever you do, you'll want to prevent water from leaking into your walls and foundation.

Change your HVAC filter.

With the heating season soon coming to a close, now's a good time to inspect your forced-air system's air filter. A clogged filter can restrict system airflow and allow dirt and dust to get into sensitive machinery and coils, leading to an overworked A/C or heat pump, higher energy bills and eventual equipment breakdowns. Inspect your filter monthly and change it when it looks dirty.

Vacuum refrigerator coils.

This is an easy job that will improve refrigerator performance. Don't forget to clean debris away from your A/C's outside compressor/condenser. Accumulated leaves, sticks and other debris can restrict essential airflow.

Schedule a spring maintenance tune-up for your air conditioning system.

Your A/C has been sitting dormant since last fall and should be cleaned, lubricated and adjusted for the new season. A professional technician can complete these tasks by checking your refrigerant level, adjusting airflow, checking all wiring connections and cleaning both inside and outside coils, among other things.

We've barely scratched the surface with these spring maintenance tips. For more information, or to schedule a spring tune-up for your Broken Arrow or Tulsa home's HVAC system, please contact 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). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Mert-Toker/Shutterstock”