seer rating

Air Conditioning, Featured

Tips: Buying a New Air Conditioner

Tips: Buying a New Air Conditioner

When summer weather is coming, homeowners turn to thoughts of air conditioner maintenance. If this is the year you'll be buying a new air conditioner, make sure you enter the process wisely. Here are some tips to help you find the right air conditioner.

Purchase the Proper Size

Sizing the air conditioner properly for your home is going to be crucial as you seek to properly and efficiently cool your home. If the new air conditioner is too large for your space, you will struggle with high humidity levels. If it is too small, it will work too hard and struggle to keep up on extremely hot days.

Check Efficiency Ratings

If your air conditioner is 10 or more years old, chances are it is less efficient than newer options. Purchasing a highly efficient air conditioner will help lower energy bills. To find an efficient air conditioner, look for labels from the federal Energy Star program and SEER ratings. The higher the SEER rating on the air conditioner, the more efficient it is. Currently, a 13 SEER rating is the minimum requirement, and 16 or above is considered highly efficient.

Properly Match the Indoor and Outdoor Unit

If you are only replacing one part of your air conditioning system, you will need to ensure that the indoor unit and outdoor compressor are properly matched. Recent refrigeration changes mean that not all systems will match properly. Your HVAC professional will be able to help with this.

Remember to Check for Rebates

Rebates for high efficiency air conditioners are common, on both the federal and state levels. Find out what rebates are available, and take advantage of them. Keep in mind that you may be able to offset the cost of a new air conditioner with a higher efficiency rating using a rebate, so research rebates before you buy.

If you are looking for more advice about choosing the ideal air conditioner for your Broken Arrow home, consider consulting with an HVAC professional. Air Assurance has a team of dedicated professionals who are ready to help you. Contact them 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: “GSPhotography/Shutterstock”

Air Conditioning, Featured

Central A/C Features to Keep in Mind When Looking for a New System

Central A/C Features to Keep in Mind When Looking for a New System

Central air conditioners tend to have long life spans of 10 to 15 years on average, but sooner or later, the time comes for A/C replacement. If your cooling system is nearing the end of its days, the following advice can help you understand what central A/C features to look for when you're shopping for a new system.

The Right Size

A system sized too large for a home's cooling load will short cycle, running inefficiently and failing to remove moisture. The home's occupants will feel clammy and need to turn the thermostat down to keep comfortable. A system sized too small will run continuously, straining to meet thermostat settings.Both situations overwork parts and can lead to breakdowns and potential system failures. Get the right size by insisting your contractor use Manual J software to determine cooling load, Manual D software for ductwork, and Manual S to determine the size of the cooling system.

SEER

SEER is an acronym for seasonal energy efficiency ratio. The minimum SEER mandated for air conditioners by the Environmental Protection Agency is currently 14 for systems manufactured after Jan. 1, 2015, and 13 for systems manufactured prior. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the equipment, as long as it's sized and installed properly. Use SEER to guide you when comparing similar models.

Quiet Operation

Noisy air conditioners that cycle on with a rumble and a bang are annoying and can interfere with sleep and entertainment. Look for brands and models known for quiet operation, and use consumer ratings and reviews to guide you or ask your contractor for recommendations.

Desirable Features

Modern air conditioners offer a number of convenient and efficient features. Some have a thermal expansion valve to modulate refrigerant flow for greater efficiency, or a variable speed air handler. A fan-only switch allows homeowners to turn on ventilation and reduce A/C use.

For more on central A/C features, contact Air Assurance. We've been providing our Broken Arrow customers quality HVAC service 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: “James J. Flanigan/Shutterstock”

Air Conditioning, Featured

How to Compare A/C Replacement Costs

How to Compare A/C Replacement Costs

Purchasing new home cooling equipment represents a major investment that goes beyond the initial price, since you'll be paying to maintain and operate your A/C for many years. To make a wise purchasing decision, you need to compare both first and lifetime A/C replacement costs.

First Cost

An air conditioner's first cost is the dollar amount on the price tag, minus any rebates or discounts. The sticker price correlates directly to the equipment's seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) rating. Higher SEER ratings come at a higher cost.

Lifetime Costs

When it comes to air conditioners, a low price tag doesn't necessarily indicate a better buy. To accurately estimate value, you need to consider the various other costs incurred over the equipment's life span, or the lifetime costs. Some of the factors that affect lifetime costs include quality, durability, maintenance, energy efficiency and installation.

Crucial Factors that Impact A/C Replacement Costs

Keeping your budget and equipment first costs in mind as you comparison shop, make sure you also consider the different lifetime cost variables:

  • Quality: Pricier A/Cs are generally built to stricter quality standards, and often include components you won't find on lower-quality models. For example, a more expensive A/C may offer a two-stage compressor that helps eliminate short-cycling so it lasts longer and costs less to operate.

  • Durability: Higher-quality equipment is typically more durable. While it's not something you'll notice when comparing different models, it can reduce the number of needed repairs over your A/C's service life.

  • Maintenance: Equipment that's built of higher-quality parts stands up better to wear and strain, so you'll also save on maintenance expenses.

  • Energy efficiency: The use of advanced technologies makes higher SEER A/Cs more efficient. The energy savings you'll see with features like a variable speed air handler or improved coil design can help you recoup the equipment's higher first cost over its lifetime.

  • Installation: Regardless of cost, having new equipment installed by an experienced HVAC pro is critical to your A/C's performance, efficiency and longevity.

For help comparing A/C replacement costs, contact the Broken Arrow comfort experts at Air Assurance today.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Tetiana-Yurchenko/Shutterstock”

Air Conditioning, High Efficiency

Yes, High-Efficiency A/C Saves You Money, But There Are Other Benefits Too

Yes, High-Efficiency A/C Saves You Money, But There Are Other Benefits Too

Yes, High-Efficiency A/C Saves You Money, But There Are Other Benefits Too

High-efficiency A/C upgrades are becoming more popular every day in the Tulsa area, with more and more homeowners taking advantage of not only the energy savings these new systems provide but also the other benefits they bring. According to government data, today's high-efficiency A/C systems, with SEER ratings that eclipse those of just a decade ago, could save you as much as 40 percent in operational costs compared to what you're now using to cool your northeastern Oklahoma home.

SEER, which stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, is a measurement of cooling capacity. It represents the amount of heat that's removed by a specific A/C system while consuming one watt of electrical energy. Higher numbers equate to higher efficiency, with many experts considering a high-efficiency A/C as having a SEER rating of at least 16.

The enhancements available on today's A/C systems are a big part of what contributes to their increased efficiency, while simultaneously adding benefits that promote a higher level of indoor air comfort for you and your family. They include:

  • Variable-speed air handler – this allows your system to run at a lower speed when cooling demand is lower, causing an even, steady cooling effect with fewer temperature fluctuations.

  • Thermal expansion valve – regulates refrigerant flow to the indoor coils, responding to changing cooling requirements. This valve promotes an even cooling environment, regardless of changing demands, and also protects your equipment from damage if the refrigerant level falls below the recommended level.

  • Higher-quality manufacturing of today's equipment translates to longer life expectancy, fewer breakdowns and less need for repairs.

  • Fan-only mode - lets you provide nighttime ventilation without air cooling, increasing comfort while lowering energy consumption.

  • Two-stage compressor - allows the system to run at reduced power when cooling demand is reduced, providing for quieter operation.

  • Automatic fan-delay – keeps the fan running for several minutes after compressor shutdown, allowing for continued cooling at reduced cost.

  • Remember, this is just part of the "system" and ductwork that is designed, sealed, and sized correctly makes these benefits work the way they were designed!

Since 1985, Air Assurance has proudly served the entire Tulsa Metro and surrounding areas, providing custom comfort indoor air solutions. For expert advice or information regarding heating, cooling or air quality topics, please contact us 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). Image courtesy of Shutterstock

HVAC system

11 HVAC Terms Every Tulsa Area Homeowner Should Know

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When it comes to heating and cooling a Tulsa-area home, homeowners are at a disadvantage. Why? HVAC terms require time to understand them, and heating and cooling is generally not an area of expertise for the average homeowner. With just a little knowledge under your belt, however, you can use these HVAC terms to effectively communicate with your HVAC technician the next time your equipment requires service or repair, or you’re ready to upgrade. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER), the cooling efficiency rating that reveals a unit’s performance capacity. This rating is used with central air conditioning and heat pumps

  • Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE), the rating used to show the efficiency potential for furnaces (and boilers)

  • Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF), the heating term used to show a heat pump’s potential for heating efficiency

  • Air handler, the unit that’s located indoors. Consisting of a motor and a fan, the air handler pushes conditioned air into the home

  • Condenser, or the heat exchanger, employed in air conditioning and heat pump systems to condense refrigerant into a liquid, which facilities heat transfer

  • Heat exchanger, a separate component of the furnace that helps to transfer heat that’s generated by the burners

  • Ductwork, the system of interconnected pipes that snake throughout your home to supply conditioned air to the living spaces

  • Ventilation system, a mechanical device that encourages air circulation in the home, and facilitates the equal exchange of outgoing and incoming air

  • Air filter, the device that filters out impurities from the air before that air supply moves into the heating/cooling system

  • Load calculation, a method for calculating the home’s unique heating and cooling load, which is used to help the contractor select the right-sized system

  • Manual D, the methodology employed when sizing ductwork

  • Manual S, the method used to size the heating or cooling system, used in conjunction with the load calculation

With a few HVAC terms under your belt, contact Air Assurance Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for more information about installing, repairing or maintaining your home’s heating and cooling systems. We've served homeowners in greater Broken Arrow for nearly 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). Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Energy Evaluations, IAQ – Indoor Air Quality, Planned Maintenance, Rebates, Service & Maintenance, Solar, Tax Credits

HVAC Terms Every Oklahoma Homeowner Should Know

HVAC technicians go through years of training because there’s so much knowledge to take in. It’s not practical to expect the average Oklahoma homeowner to have all this information. However, Air Assurance has some terms that can give consumers a great advantage in finding the best equipment, service and savings.AFUE stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. It’s a measurement for a furnace’s efficiency. AFUE percentages rate how much heat the furnace produces compared to how much energy it takes to operate. A high efficiency furnace with an AFUE of 95 percent converts 95 percent of the fuel it consumes into usable heat.  So in simple terms, for every dollar you pay the gas company to heat your home, $.95 cents is actually getting into the home while only $.05 cents is wasted.  A unit that is over 20 years old is typically rated around 60 AFUE.  This means that $.40 cents of every dollar is wasted through flu venting, pilot lights, insulation of the furnace cabinet, or thicker heat exchangers that trap the heat longer.SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. SEER measures the efficiency of air conditioners. It is similar to AFUE in that it measures how much cool air the units produce against how much energy they consume. High efficiency air conditioners with SEERs from around 16 to 23 get great “miles per gallon.”  A system that is 20 years old is typically rated around 6 SEER. The minimum manufactured SEER rating today is 13.  This could equal nearly 40% in cooling savings annually!MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. This measurement applies to air filters. A high MERV rating means the filter traps more particles. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, using a MERV 13 is ideal, as it can trap many airborne particles and allergens.Higher MERV filters are more restrictive, and can inhibit airflow in your system. This can strain your equipment, so before running right out for a high MERV, be sure to get the advice of a qualified technician who can match a filter to your system.  Note: Interesting point, Merv ratings are not governed, therefore each manufacturer can claim different Merv ratings according to different variables such as slower air flow, particle size, etc. Air Assurance has done the testing on all the filters available which is why they recommend the filters they do.  This is also the reason our technicians carry our own Clean-Climate Filters.  Built to our specs according to the most efficient air flow and particulate cleaning possible without harming your system.NATE stands for North American Technician Excellence. NATE is a third-party, non-profit organization providing testing and certification to HVAC technicians nationwide. The tests cover areas of the HVAC field, such as heat pumps, air distribution and air conditioning. When you work with a certified NATE technician you can be sure the service is up to national standards, and that you’re not taking chances with your contractor.  Air Assurance was the first company in the country to offer their customers 100% NATE certified technicians.Understanding these four terms can help you make an educated decision on equipment and contractors, so you’ll be sure to get the most “bang for your buck.” Call Air Assurance if you have more HVAC questions. 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 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.

Air Conditioning, Central, Energy Evaluations, IAQ – Indoor Air Quality, Planned Maintenance, Rebates, Service & Maintenance, Tax Credits, Thermostats

Get Efficient A/C Systems With SEER

No matter whether you live in Broken Arrow, Tulsa or any other town or city across the state of Oklahoma, when you’re A/C system isn’t operating at top capacity, you certainly feel it. And when your equipment has passed the 10-year mark in age, it’s time to seriously look at replacing the system you have now with a high-efficiency air conditioning unit.When embarking on this adventure, you should be aware of the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating of the unit you will purchase. Cost-efficiency is important in these days of rising energy costs.What is SEER?The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is the rating of an air conditioning unit, measuring the cooling output against the amount of energy (watt-hours) used over the course of a season of cooling. But what you really need to know is this: it measures how effectively a unit will cool your home. Think of it as Miles Per Gallon on a car.The higher the rating, the more energy efficient it is, and the less you will pay in cooling costs. Remember:

  • Older air conditioners usually have a lower SEER rating of perhaps 5 or 6.

  • More efficient models have a rating of at least 14 and can extend to 21+. Geothermal units can go as high as 27!

Save Money with Efficient Energy UseResidential air conditioners are currently required to be manufactured with a minimum rating of 13. But when you decide to replace your A/C system, you should look at getting a SEER rating of 14 on your unit, which qualifies it as an Energy Star air conditioner. Energy Star labels tell you you're getting energy-efficient equipment. Typically, these units also qualify for additional utility company rebates which can often offset the cost of the upgrade.When you have a long cooling season and high electricity costs, it is quite justified to spend a little more upfront for a high-efficiency A/C unit because you'll save more over time.To review your options thoroughly, it’s best to get a professional HVAC contractor to go over them with you. At Air Assurance, we are happy to answer any questions and give you our expert advice.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.