What Is the Traditional AC Unit Motor Cost?

A broken motor is one of the most common AC problems. Your air conditioner has a fan motor and a blower motor. Let's explore the typical AC unit motor costs and the steps you can take to save money when you have to purchase one.

Blower Motor Costs

Your AC blower motor is in the air handler inside your home. It pulls your home's warm air, pushes it over the AC evaporator coil to be cooled, and blows cooled air back into the house. A blower motor replacement typically ranges from $250 to $800.

Fan Motor Costs

Located in your outdoor unit, the fan motor cools the superheated refrigerant down. Replacing it usually costs between $300 and $600.

How to Save on AC Unit Motor Costs

There are several ways to save on AC unit motor costs:

• Routine maintenance. You can avoid having to replace a broken motor by scheduling an AC tuneup every year. A certified technician will check and fine-tune all AC parts during the maintenance appointment. Routine service extends the life span of AC components and prevents expensive repairs in the future.

• Having a warranty. If you already have a motor that needs replacement, you can save on new motor costs if your current one is still under warranty. You can pay just $150 for labor with a warranty. Be sure to check the specifics of your AC warranty.

• Choosing a reputable contractor. The labor costs to install your new motor will depend on the contractor you hire. HVAC contractors charge an hourly or fixed rate for labor. Make sure you work with a reputable contractor who offers written estimates to help you know the expected costs right from the start.

Remember, regular maintenance helps you extend the life of your motors. Taking advantage of your warranty and hiring an experienced contractor with excellent reviews will help you keep AC unit motor costs down. If you need AC repair or maintenance services, contact Air Assurance, an award-winning HVAC company serving the Broken Arrow area.

Learn How to Compare Energy Costs

Heating and cooling systems, such as central air conditioners and furnaces, account for some of the highest energy costs in homes. That’s why it’s so important to compare energy costs when you need to get a new HVAC system. Keep the following tips in mind for comparing energy costs for different kinds of HVAC systems.

Consider the Energy Source

One of the first factors to consider when you compare energy costs is the source of energy an HVAC system uses. For example, some furnaces use natural gas to produce heat, while others use electricity. In this case, you would need to compare energy costs for natural gas vs. electricity as an energy source.

Gas vs. Electricity

Will it cost you less to get an HVAC system that uses natural gas or one that runs on electricity? You’ll need to find out the average costs of these utilities in your area to determine this. While these costs can vary, natural gas usually costs less than electricity overall. This means you’ll likely pay less when you heat your home with a gas furnace compared to an electric one. Keep in mind that both gas and electric costs fluctuate, so the cost of heating your home with either option could go up at times.

HVAC Needs

In addition to considering the cost of natural gas vs. electric, think about how much you normally use your heating and cooling system. This depends on local weather conditions, which can change drastically at times, as well as your individual comfort. If you usually turn your thermostat up quite a bit in winter, going with a lower energy source, such as gas, could save you money compared to running an electric furnace often.

If you need to compare energy costs for a new HVAC system, please contact the experts at Air Assurance. We can assist you with choosing the most cost-efficient HVAC system for your Broken Arrow home.

Hidden Ways Your HVAC Bill Can Cost You

What if you could give yourself a little financial boost every month by cutting down on your electricity bill? It's possible by addressing certain hidden electricity costs around your home. What could be better than avoiding the monthly dread most of us feel when we look at the electricity bill and see how much more energy we've used than we calculated? You can do that by eliminating the hidden costs associated with electricity.

What Are Some Hidden Energy Costs?

Your energy bill can be reduced in many ways. Here are some top suggestions for reducing hidden costs.

1. Run energy-gobbling appliances at off-peak hours. Electricity generally costs more when it's being consumed at peak hours, such as between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Make a point of washing and drying clothes or running the dishwasher at off-peak hours, when demand is less, so that you are paying less for energy. Some homeowners with well-insulated homes make a practice of running the air conditioner at a colder temperature at night so they don't have to turn it up so high during the day while the house is still holding cool air.

2. Eliminate energy vampires. All over your house, you may have appliances and devices that are consuming energy while they are supposedly "off," such as DVD players, VCRs, cable and satellite boxes, digital TV converters, video game consoles, standby coffeemakers, and many other appliances, which may continue to draw energy when you think they are off. Plug all these devices into a power strip and turn the strip off when the appliances are not in use. 

3. Choose more efficient appliances. As your appliances age and wear out, be sure you replace them with models that are more efficient and that use less energy, such as those rated by the government's Energy Star program. 

4. When replacing your HVAC system, make sure the new system is sized correctly. Calculate the right size with industry software rather than going by square footage and guesswork. The wrong-size HVAC system will result in greater hidden costs.

For more on the hidden costs of running your HVAC system, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.

Best Heating Alternatives to Save Energy in the Winter

No one enjoys a freezing home, but heating up your place will typically take a big toll on energy costs. Don't fret - we've taken the time to put together a short list of heating alternatives that will help you save energy and lower costs.Here are some heating alternatives to consider this season:

Install a Solar Energy System

Solar power may very well be the wave of the future. Many homeowners have already discovered the savings they can enjoy by harnessing the power of the sun. If you have any issues with installation, an HVAC technician can assist you.

Install a Geothermal System

Why focus on the energy above when you can draw power from below instead? Our planet is full of energy just below its service and a geothermal system will allow you to harness that energy to heat your entire home at a lower cost than a traditional heating system.

Pick Up a Couple Space Heaters

If only one or two of your rooms are occupied at a time, there may be no reason to run your heating system. Instead, pick up a couple of space heaters and use them instead. These small units can warm you up very quickly and they can be moved from room to room (and person to person) as needed.

Start Using the Fireplace

Many homes use their fireplace for nothing more than decoration. Caring for a fireplace takes a bit of time, but it's totally worth the benefit of warming up a large portion of your home for a lower cost.

Put on a Sweater

While turning on the heat is easy to do, it's also the most costly. If your home isn't too cold, putting on a sweater - or warm clothes, in general - should be more than enough to keep you warm.

If you're looking for more advice on heating alternatives or have any other questions 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). For more information about home alternatives and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “nattanan23/Pixabay”

These Household Appliances Affect Your Energy Bills

Many of the causes behind higher monthly energy bills are obvious suspects. Others, however, may be "under the radar" and not often considered. Here are three household appliances that could be consuming more than their fair share of energy and pushing costs higher:

The Refrigerator

It has a big footprint in your kitchen but often doesn’t loom large as a potential cause of higher energy bills. It was 1997 before refrigerators were included in the Department of Energy’s Energy Star standards. Since then, technology to enhance efficiency has been gradually incorporated in new models. Refrigerators manufactured before that year, or early in the time span since, may be operating well below today’s norm when it comes to electrical consumption. If your refrigerator falls in that category, consider upgrading and start saving now.

The Washing Machine

Most washers last 10 years or so. However, if yours is that old or older it may be much less efficient than units manufactured recently. A new efficient clothes washer today will use about 100,000 gallons less water over the upcoming decade than a new washer sold in 2007. Since most of that water is heated by gas or electricity, the new units will cost their owners an estimated $150 less in energy costs per year. Today’s efficient washers also extract water more efficiently, which reduces time in the dryer and also cuts energy expenses.

The HVAC Blower

If your air conditioner and furnace are up-to-date but the blower motor that circulates air is old-school, you may not be getting the full benefit of more efficient HVAC equipment. When the furnace or A/C is running, an outmoded, single-speed PSC (permanent split capacitor) blower fan can account for fully 10 percent of household electrical usage. New, variable-speed ECM (Electronically Commutated Motor) blowers are programmed to circulate air across a wide range of output and maintain more consistent indoor temperature. In addition, these highly efficient units use up to 75 percent less power than the old, original-equipment motors.

For more about lesser-known causes of high energy bills, in Broken Arrow ask the pros 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 appliances and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “deeptuts/Pixabay”

Showerheads That Save Water

Saving water in your household can be a win-win from two standpoints. You'll save money on your monthly water bill and you'll save a precious natural resource, water.

Saving water is not as difficult as one might think, especially with the help of new technology that allows for reduced flow in showerheads and other water fixtures, while still allowing for what seems like a high-pressure spray. Fortunately, the federal government runs a program that's intended to help American consumers and businesses save water.

Called WaterSense, among other things this program certifies plumbing fixtures that save more than a benchmark minimum of water.Your water-saving efforts can start in the shower. First of all, when deciding between a bath and a shower, go with the shower. That will save substantial water right from the get-go. Then, once you're in the shower, don't stay there any longer than it takes to wash your body. (Again, this isn't only in pursuit of the altruistic goal of conserving water; you're saving money, too.)

Then, replace old-style showerheads with modern WaterSense-certified low-flow showerheads. These fixtures spray under 2 gallons per minute, while still providing plenty of water pressure (as long as your home has sufficient water pressure from outside). That's a big improvement over standard showers that spray 2.5 gallons or more per minute.You can save plenty of water with your home's toilets, too.

WaterSense-certified toilets can save 20 percent or more over industry-standard toilets that consume 1.6 gallons per flush. Plus, they'll remove all the waste, preventing situations where the toilet has to be flushed twice.Bathroom faucets also provide opportunities for saving water. Current federal rules don't allow newly manufactured faucets to deliver more than 2.2 gallons of water per minute. Older faucets sprayed as much as 3-7 gallons per minute. Most low-flow brands will still supply adequate water pressure while delivering much less water.

For more information on water-efficient showerheads and other water-saving strategies for your home, please contact us at Air Assurance, providing superior plumbing and HVAC services 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). For more information about showerheads and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Name of Artist/Shutterstock”

Taking Advantage of HVAC Rebates and Savings

Any opportunity to save money on the next purchase is always welcomed with open arms. Thanks to HVAC rebates, you can get a new HVAC system for much less than the usual retail price. To be eligible for a rebate, your new system must meet certain requirements. Here are some of the HVAC rebate options that are available to Oklahomans.

• The Public Service Company of Oklahoma has a number of rebate programs for efficient HVAC equipment. They offer rebates of up to $900 for a heat pump or air conditioner replacement, $1200 for duct replacement, $700 for duct sealing and $5,000 for whole-house energy efficiency upgrades.

• Oklahoma Natural Gas is offering up to $1950 for conversion from an electric furnace to a natural gas furnace. They also have an $850 rebate for switching from an electric to a natural gas water heater.

• Verdigris Valley Electric Cooperative offers rebates for Energy Star-qualified heat pumps, electric water heaters and room air conditioners. They have a $50 rebate for air conditioners and offer up to $199 for electric water heaters with efficiency ratings of .90 and above, and up to $300 per ton for geothermal heat pumps with an SEER/EER value of 19.1 or greater.

• Manufacturers offer rebates and incentives when you purchase their high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment. Lennox offers up to $1700 for qualifying systems. You can choose cash rebates, extended financing options or extended warranties. Regardless of the rebates you choose, your local dealer will handle all the paperwork for you.

• Air Assurance also offers rebates from time to time. These may include seasonal promotions such as the "Free Air Conditioner Promotion," celebration specials, and Internet-only coupons just to mention a few.

By taking advantage of these great HVAC rebates and incentives, you can make significant savings on your next HVAC equipment purchase to add to the energy savings and lower utility bills you'll enjoy. For more information on the available HVAC rebates and how you can take advantage of them, please contact us at Air Assurance. We've been serving the Broken Arrow area for more than 30 years.

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: “Christos Georghiou/Shutterstock”

Could a Zoning System Save Energy in Your Home?

If you're using just one thermostat to regulate temperatures in your Oklahoma home, you're likely losing energy. Your house also isn't as comfortable throughout its interior as it would be with a zoning system. This is particularly the case with larger homes or those with more than one level.

How Does a Zoning System Work?

First, the house is divided into separate climate zones. This might be as simple as creating a separate zone for each floor of the house. This is usually a good plan, since upper floors tend to heat quicker than the main floor or a finished basement. For example, in the summer, while the basement family room is cool and comfortable, the bedrooms upstairs will likely need extra cooling due to heat rising. On the other hand, in the winter, the finished basement will need more heat than elsewhere in the house, while upper floors will warm up relatively easily. Other good reasons for separate zones include rooms with lots of windows or southern exposure, or rooms added onto a house. It's virtually impossible to effectively heat and cool all parts of a larger or multi-story house with just one thermostat.After the zones are established, a programmable thermostat and controllable duct dampers are installed in each zone, so that if one zone requires heating or cooling, the HVAC system will direct conditioning to that zone without affecting the heating or cooling in any other zone.

Benefits of a Zoning System

You'll save energy with a zoning system, since it guarantees that only parts of the house that need conditioning will receive it. In a single-thermostat house, the whole house receives cooled or heated air, regardless of whether all rooms need it.Comfort and convenience also will be served, since a family member in one room can set the temperature to his or her preference without affecting the temperature in other rooms, where a family member there might have different ideas about comfort.

To discuss adding an energy-saving zoning system in 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: “Angela Waye/Shutterstock”

Tips to Save Money and Increase Energy Efficiency During Cooler Weather

Winter is coming to Broken Arrow, and that means running the furnace nearly constantly to beat the cold. It's why winter also means skyrocketing energy bills. What can you do about it? Is there a way to save money and increase energy efficiency while still maintaining your overall comfort? Here are a few tips.

• Get a programmable thermostat. Rather than having your furnace running full blast while you're not home, a programmable thermostat lets you switch between your general home comfort setting and an energy-saving setting that's a few degrees warmer. Switch to the energy-saving setting automatically during the day while you're at work and at night when you're asleep. Throw a few extra blankets on the bed to make up the difference in heat.

• Seal your ducts. Holes in your ductwork cause air (and heat) to leak out before it reaches your rooms, which requires more energy to make your home comfortable. Inspect your ductwork carefully for tears, holes, gaps and other damage that can allow air to leak out, and seal them up with metal tape or mastic sealant.

• Insulate. Even if your home has insulation, chances are it could use more. Insulation slows the flow of heat so that it stays in your home longer. Since heat rises, the best place to insulate your home is the attic. If the insulation in your attic is at or below your floor joists, then you could use more. Call an HVAC professional to help you add insulation.

• Upgrade. All the energy-efficiency advice in the world won't help if your furnace is wasting energy. That's when it's time to upgrade to one that will run more efficiently and save money. It may cost a bit, but it'll save you in the long run. Look for the blue Energy Star label, which indicates your furnace has been inspected by the federal Energy Star program and is proven to save money and energy over comparable models without sacrificing performance or features.

To learn more about improving your home's energy efficiency, 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: “twobee/Shutterstock”

Condensing Furnaces Raise The Bar For Efficiency

If you're in the market for a new furnace for your Broken Arrow home, consider a high-efficiency condensing furnace. Furnace efficiency is measured by its annual fuel utilization efficiency, or AFUE. Furnaces older than ten years have an AFUE of up to 65 percent, which means that 65 percent of the fuel burned by the furnace is transferred to heat for your home. The remaining 35 percent is vented outside as exhaust. Condensing furnaces have an AFUE of at least 98 percent, making these units highly efficient, saving you money on energy costs.Condensing furnaces have several features that contribute to their high efficiency. Among them are:

• Dual heat exchangers. Unlike a conventional furnace, a condensing furnace has a secondary heat exchanger that recovers the exhaust from the first and uses it to heat more air for your home. The result is that more fuel is transferred to heat and less is sent up the chimney.

• Modulating gas valve. The gas valve in a condensing furnace modulates the flow of fuel to the unit from 40 to 100 percent to meet the real-time heating needs of the home. This means that during warmer periods, less fuel is burned by the unit.

• Variable-speed fan blower. A conventional furnace has two speeds: on and off. The multiple-speed fan in a condensing furnace enables it to slow the blower during warmer periods, using less electricity and keeping your home more comfortable.

• Electronically-commutated motor (ECM). A standard furnace utilizes a split-capacitor motor to run the fan. These motors can use as much electricity as a refrigerator to operate. ECMs, which are sometimes offered on condensing furnaces, are not only quieter, but also use 75 percent less electricity.

Condensing furnaces are more expensive than conventional furnaces, but their efficiency results in considerably lower utility bills. A condensing furnace will more than pay for itself over its lifetime.For more expert information about condensing furnaces, please feel free to contact us at Air Assurance, serving Broken Arrow and the Tulsa metropolitan area since 1985. Our goal is to provide the best possible service to our customers.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