Setting Your Programmable Thermostat For Ideal Winter Savings

Is this the year you’re intent on cutting back on energy use throughout your home and locking in optimal winter energy savings? Programmable thermostats are a great way to ensure comfort while maximizing savings, but you need to know how to use them.Time matters The length of time that you set the home’s temperature back will basically predict how much energy you save. Ideally, you should try to schedule two setbacks each day for the majority of the week. Most homeowners program the first setback during the day, when the home is unoccupied while family members are either working or at school. The second setback program is scheduled for sleeping hours, when you’re typically snuggled under warm covers and a cooler home won’t inconvenience you or your family.Keep degrees in mindWhat's the general rule of thumb to follow for how much to set back your thermostat’s temperature? Energy Savers estimates that homeowners can save up to one percent on their energy bills if they decrease the home’s temperature by one degree. The idea here, though, is to program a setback for several degrees. If your home’s average temperature is 70 degrees, try setting it back by eight degrees, and keep going until you find a temperature, particularly for the nighttime setback, that you can live with.Avoid getting trigger happyThere will be a few other buttons on your programmable thermostat that you might be tempted to use. However, you should use the “override” and “vacation” setting sparingly. For instance, if you step out of the house for an hour to do some shopping, don’t override the system’s current program to turn the furnace off. This action will actually cause the furnace to consume more energy to overcome the shorter setback than it would if you left it running.To ensure comfort while maximizing energy savings with programmable thermostats, follow these general principles. For help with your thermostat, or to ask our experts a question, contact Air Assurance Heating, Cooling & Air Quality -- serving homeowners in the Greater 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!     

Energy Savings: No-Cost And Low-Cost Tips That Will Keep Your Heating Costs In Line

Want to get a better handle on your heating costs this winter? Oklahoma’s long and often harsh winters can mean much higher energy bills just to maintain home comfort. However, it’s possible to lock in energy savings without investing significant amounts of money by following a few of the tips below. Here’s what you can do:

• If you have a manual thermostat, choose a lower indoor temperature for the day time. Energy Savers estimates that most homeowners can save 1 percent on their energy bills if they lower the home’s temperature by just one degree. Higher setbacks reap higher savings!

• Install a programmable thermostat to guarantee savings from setbacks. Most models allow you to choose several temperatures throughout the day, and pre-programming this type of device ensures that your home temperature stays within an energy savings range at all times.

• If you have exhaust fans, use them sparingly. If left on for just one hour, these fans can draw out a lot of warm air from your home.

• Use a lower temperature on your water heater. You’ll still get comfortably hot water and ensure energy savings by lowering the dial to 115 degrees.

• Check vents regularly. Your home’s duct supply and return vents were designed to distribute the conditioned air that your furnace generates. If these vents are blocked, you’ll inhibit a balanced flow of air, and perhaps cause your furnace to work harder.

• Curtains on windows that face South can be used to your advantage. Open them to let the sun assist daytime heating. During the night, every curtain should be closed to keep as much heated air inside as possible.

Keep your heating bills in check this winter, and ensure energy savings by following these tips. The more tips you implement, the higher your energy savings. If you’d like expert help to assess your home’s overall efficiency, contact Air Assurance Heating, Cooling & Air Qualitytoday! We’ve been serving homeowners in the Greater Broken Arrow area for more than 30 years, and we know how to get the kind of results you want and deserve. Just give us a call!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!     Energy Savings image via Shutterstock 

Proper Use Of A Programmable Thermostat Will Help Reduce Energy Costs

Programmable thermostats are a great upgrade to make to your home that will help reduce your energy costs if used properly. The use of a pre-set schedule can help minimize the use of your heating and cooling equipment, and lower your monthly energy bills.Programmable thermostats come in a number of different styles. The base touch-pad thermostat comes with data already entered, which is designed to save you money right off the bat. You can change the schedule in any way you wish to reflect your own personal lifestyle. If you work during the day, you can keep your temperature set low to minimize usage and when you will be returning home, a more comfortable temperature can kick in.More expensive touch screen models are more attractive by design and also have more functions. You can set a bunch of different schedules on these models and easily switch between them depending on what is going on in your home that day. Different schedules for work, weekends and vacation can all be utilized.  Some utilize a remote control feature so you don't even have to leave your chair during the big game!Contact Air Assurancefor more information on the proper use of a programmable thermostat in your home. If you use the advantages of your programmable thermostat fully, you can reduce your energy costs greatly.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!      

Degree Days: A Handy Way To Get A Better Handle On Your Energy Use

Here in Tulsa, we haven’t had a day with a high below ninety degrees since June 21st! That means that our air conditioners have been on full blast, and cooling costs are rising right along with the mercury in the thermometers outside. But how much is this actually costing homeowners? Are these costs on par with years past? What level of efficiency is your air conditioning unit running at, compared with prior summers?An easy way to answer all these question and more is by calculating heating degree days in your area. Heating degree days are a statistic that helps us identify how many times, and how far the outside temperature has gone over 65 degrees in a given time period.There are very complex, and relatively simple ways to calculate heating degree days. Our experts use many factors in order to get this number exactly right. The simplest way, however, is to take the high and low for each day in your time period, add them together, divide by two, and then subtract the 65. So, for example in Tulsa earlier this week:·      if the high was 107 and the low 83,·      then together they are 190·      then divided by two, they are 95·      And since 95 is exactly 30 degrees above 65 (standard baseline)·      That means yesterday saw 30 degree days.Now, one day of figures isn’t especially exciting, nor is the prospect of calculating a whole month or year. Thankfully, there are convenient websites out there like here, where you can calculate huge time periods. With the total number of heating degree days in 2010, for example, you can compare that number to how much you spent on cooling costs that year. Then, you will know how much you spend cooling your home for every degree that outside temperatures go above 65.Now, compare these numbers with your friends and neighbors, see who has the lowest cost per degree day, and you’ll know who’s saving the most money, and who needs to call in the experts.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!      

Eighteen Ways To Get Your Home Ready For Cool Weather

With fall on the horizon for residents of Tulsa, it's time to start thinking about how to get your home ready for the cold weather.  Here are eighteen different ways to stay warm and energy efficient this winter.

• Stop Drafts: Drafts can waste up to 30 percent of your energy. There are various products that can be used to block drafts under doors and windows.

• Change Furnace Filter: Change, or at least check your filter each month. With heavy dirt, comes less airflow, which means higher bills.

• Run Fans in Reverse: Simply switching your fans to run clockwise will make your air warmer.

• Drain Hoses and Air Conditioner Pipes: This prevents dangerous freezing.

• Turn Down Your Water Heater: Lowering the temperature can reduce your water heating costs by 10 percent.

• Install Storm Windows and Doors: This reduces drafts and can increase energy efficiency by 45 percent. Be careful though, the ROI can take years to pay you back.

• Get a Tuneup: A preventive maintenance tuneup by a contractor will ensure that your heating system stays working efficiently, and most important, safely!

• Program Your Thermostat: Set it intelligently, so you aren't paying to warm an empty house.

• Use Plastic Insulation: Covering your windows adds a buffer against drafts.

• Use An Energy Monitor: These inform you when you have been using more energy than usual.

• Use Weatherstripping: This helps prevent air leaks.

• Add Insulation: This is particularly helpful in the attic and basement.

• Insulate Your Pipes: This will help decrease the chance of freezing pipes.

• Seal Ductwork: Up to 30 percent of your conditioned air can leak out of your ducts before it reaches its destination.

• Use Tax Credits to Your Advantage: These can make energy-efficient upgrades for your home more affordable.

• Be Wise When Selecting a Contractor: Hire an Energy Star home comfort contractor who is certified to help you make the right choices for your home.

• Use Alternative Energy Sources: These are often much more energy efficient than traditional methods.

• Upgrade Your Furnace: Newer models can save you up to 50 percent when compared to older models.

For more information on how to prepare your home for winter, contact Air Assurance. We can help you turn these ideas into concrete action.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!      

Get The Efficiency Of HVAC Systems To Increase With Ceiling Fans

Are you interested in improving the efficiency of your HVAC system? Have you tried running your ceiling fans? While ceiling fans don’t actually cool your home, their wind chill effect does enhance the comfort of household occupants. In fact, running a ceiling fan often allows Oklahoma homeowners to set their thermostats an average of four degrees higher without any noticeable difference in comfort.How does this improve HVAC efficiency? By running ceiling fans when you’re in the room and turning them off when you’re not, you can raise thermostat settings, conserving energy without sacrificing comfort. On cooler days, you may not have to run the air conditioner at all. For every degree you raise the temperature during the cooling season, you experience a significant reduction in cooling costs.If your home doesn’t currently have ceiling fans but you wish to enjoy the added comfort and energy savings they provide, you must first determine whether you have the amount of space necessary for proper installation. Ceiling fans should be installed in rooms with a minimum ceiling height of eight feet, hanging a minimum of:

• Seven feet above the floor

• Eight inches below the ceiling

• 18 inches away from surrounding walls

Other factors to consider when purchasing a new ceiling fan include:

• Noise – Some fans are louder than others. To ensure that the fan you choose will provide the comfort you desire without becoming an auditory distraction, ask to listen to the fan during operation before making a purchase.

• Size – While larger fans are often necessary for larger rooms, they can be an eyesore in smaller areas. If you feel you need additional comfort at lesser velocities, instead try installing a fan with larger blades.

While ceiling fans can certainly complement the efficiency of your cooling system, nothing ensures system efficiency like annual system maintenance. If you've been neglecting your system, a routine professional maintenance checkup can often provide the comfort and efficiency boost that your household needs. For an expert consultation regarding all of your heating and cooling needs, speak to one of our trained technicians. ContactAir Assurance today.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.

Broken Arrow Homeowners In Oklahoma Can Avoid Common Air-Conditioner Problems Using These Tips

It’s not uncommon for homeowners to panic when their air conditioner seems to be malfunctioning, especially in the dead heat of a Tulsa, OKlahoma summer. Luckily, many common issues are easily addressed, with most being the direct result of simple, albeit unintentional, neglect.Perhaps the most common issue is a lack of cooling. Often, the cause of this problem is as simple as an improperly programmed thermostat or a thrown circuit breaker.

• Check the thermostat for desired temperature settings and ensure that the cooling system is actually turned on. If everything is as it should be, the next option is to try resetting the thermostat. If this does not correct the issue, a professional assessment is recommended.

• If the culprit is a thrown circuit breaker, resetting the breaker should correct the problem. Of course, if this is a common occurrence, there is likely an underlying electrical issue that needs to be addressed by a professional.

If lack of airflow is the issue:

• Dirty filters can restrict airflow and put a strain on your system in terms of efficiency. If filter replacement doesn’t seem to correct the problem, consult a trained technician.

• If you suspect a frozen indoor coil, try adjusting the thermostat for a few hours to unfreeze the system. If this doesn’t work, contact your HVAC contractor.

Another common complaint is spiking energy costs. This can be the result of several factors, including:

• New appliances

• Extreme summer heat

• Extreme thermostat settings

• Local utility rate increases

If your energy increases can’t be explained away logically, you may be the victim of improper system cycling or some other system malfunction. Of course, the best way to ensure that your system is running properly when you need it most is to maintain a routine preventive maintenance schedule. This allows your technician to evaluate and adjust every aspect of your cooling system, including:

• Proper system cycling

• Thermostat accuracy

• Electrical safety

• Air filter maintenance

• Cleanliness and efficiency of indoor and outdoor coils

• Condensate drains

Last but not least, during extreme temperatures, your system may not be able to keep the temperature as low as it does normally.  This can be due  to several factors:1. Your system may not be sized properly for your comfort.  A professional is needed to do a load calculation on the house to determine the correct size. Maybe your system cooled better in previous years?  Did something change like the loss of a large shade tree or did you replace wood shingles with asphault shingles?  Has your ductwork or insulation been disturbed by remodeling or other services?  Is the system clean?2. Your attic may have inadequate attic ventilation.  With extreme temps comes extreme attic temperatures.  And if your attic can't properly remove the extreme heat, this puts excess heat gain on your home's interior.3. With extreme temperatures come extreme heat on your duct system.  If your ducts are not properly insulated, this can cause your air to "lose it's cool", therefore making your unit run longer and less efficient.4.  What is the level of attic insulation in your home?  If this is not at least 12" you are putting extreme pressure on your system to cool at levels it was probably not designed for.If you’ve been experiencing problems with your air conditioner, don’t wait until the entire system shuts down. Call the trained technicians of Air Assurance today for an 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.

Make The Most Of Your HVAC Equipment With A Zoning System

One of the greatest advances in home comfort was the introduction of zoning systems. A home can be fitted with separate thermostats to monitor heating and cooling in different "zones," or areas, of a home. These are tied to a central thermostat control that can distribute cool and warm air in a more controlled fashion. Dampers placed in ducts control the temperature for the different areas. For example, if a south-facing area of the home has a bank of windows and needs more cool air in the summer, dampers will open more for that area. North-facing areas with more shading would require less, and dampers would constrict that air flow. Zoning systems thus direct warm and cool air into areas where they are needed most.The floor plans of most homes are not logically designed for optimum air distribution. Hot air rises, cool air falls. Therefore, the same amount of cooling is not needed for downstairs areas as it is for upstairs. Rooms farther away from the HVAC system can also receive less air flow than is required. Zoning systems address that lack of balance and create a more even heating and cooling pattern throughout the home.In addition, rooms or sections of a home that require less heating or cooling due to limited use can get less air flow, thus saving energy. A properly designed zoning system can not only maximize home comfort but also reduce energy costs.  Think of it as like a light switch for different rooms of your home.  Of course we have those, but who would have only one light switch that controlled every room's lights?  Same principle with zoning systems.  You don't have to cool all of your house, just to be comfortable in part of your house.If you would like to investigate the advantages of zoning systems for your Oklahoma home, contact the comfort experts at Air Assurance. We can explain all the benefits and logistics of zoning. We're always ready to give you the information that you need in order 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.

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.

Programmable Thermostat Features

Programmable thermostats are an excellent way to increase the energy efficiency of your home and save money on your monthly utility bills. They work especially well for anyone who is gone from their home for a specific period of time during the week. With a programmable thermostat you can set the temperature of your home and have your heating/cooling system operate only when it's needed.Programmable thermostats possess a temperature-sensitive switch that enables them to maintain the temperature you set. When choosing a programmable thermostat, you should take your weekly schedule into account. There are three different kinds of options that you can choose from:7-Day Model7-day models are the most efficient option if you or your family members have varying schedules throughout the week, therefor allowing the optimum schedule to be set for any day of the week. For example, if you work later than usual on Tuesdays, or have children that arrive home from school earlier than usual on Wednesdays, a 7-day model will allow you to program specific times for your heating/cooling system to kick in.5+2-Day Model5+2-day models are the way to go if you have the same schedule each week and have a separate schedule on the weekends. So, for instance if you arrive home at 5 o'clock each day during the week, you can set your thermostat to start running each day shortly before you return, so the house is comfortable when you arrive. On the weekends, you can set an entirely different schedule that will be the same for both two days.5-1-1 Model5-1-1 models are similar to 5+2-day models, except that they allow you to have a different schedule for each weekend day. So,  you can have the same schedule set during the week, as well as a different schedule for Saturday and a different schedule for Sunday.Some other options that can be found on programmable thermostats, are:

• Touch-pad screen programming

• Voice/phone programming

• Vacation settings

• Dirty air filter alerts

• Equipment malfunction alerts

• I-Phone or smart phone controlled

If a programmable thermostat is used correctly, it can pay for itself within four years. If you are having trouble deciding what thermostat would be best your home, contact the professionals at Air Assurance today. They have been serving Oklahoma's Tulsa and Broken Arrow region for more than 30 years and will be happy to help you with all of your home comfort needs.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.

Heating Or Cooling A New Space? Zoning Systems Can Help

With today’s rising energy costs, everything a homeowner can do to reduce those costs, especially reoccurring costs like environmental control of their home, is worth the extra effort. However, finding the balance between controlling costs and maintaining your family’s comfort can be a challenge.In most families, different parts of the home are used during different parts of the day. During the day the living room and kitchen are the most occupied rooms; while at night those areas are abandoned and everyone is in the bedrooms. Unfortunately, in most homes, heating and cooling is piped throughout the whole house 24 hours a day.  Another common example in our area is homes that have 2 levels, but only one central heating and air conditioning system.  This tends to leave the upstairs hot, and the downstairs cold.Obviously, this is an inefficient way to maintain your family’s comfort. A zoning system, which only heats and cools the areas of the house while they are occupied can help. Early zoning systems were cost prohibitive, requiring a separate HVAC system for each zone of the house. While this type of system would pay off over time, for most people it was not financially feasible.Because most homes today are built with forced air heating and cooling, modern zoning systems take advantage of the centralized HVAC to produce heated and cooled air for the whole house. Motorized ducts are installed in the ductwork, each one connected to a programmable thermostat in its corresponding zone. The ducts are only opened when two conditions are met: firstly, that it is during time periods programmed into the thermostat; and secondly, when the temperature of the room warrants heating or cooling.This type of system is both easy to install and economical. Costs of installing your zoning system will easily be recouped in reduced energy bills. Not only that, but you can apply for an energy tax credit on your 2011 tax returns, which will return a portion of your installation costs to you.When additions are made to an existing home, upgrading your HVAC system to include zoned heating and cooling is a decision you won’t regret. 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.

Download The Air Assurance Free Home Comfort Solutions Guide

We hope you’ve been following our blog each week, and getting your HVAC questions answered right here.  Whether it’s how to change a filter, improve your indoor air quality or size your replacement HVAC equipment, we want to make sure that you get the facts you need to make informed decisions about your home comfort.Another handy resource for homeowners is our Home Comfort Solutions Guide. This free download is available right here on our blog page, so be sure to check it out.  Inside, you’ll find a wealth of information about how to get the most from your heating and cooling equipment.Here’s a sneak peek at some of the topics covered in our Guide:

• Your house as a system- Your HVAC equipment works in conjunction with many other factors in your home to ensure your comfort. Each piece of the puzzle is critical.

• HVAC controls- Programmable thermostats and zoned systems are two ways to gain control over your home comfort and your energy bills.

• Replacement options- Is it time for a replacement? Which system is right for you?

• Hiring an HVAC contractor- What to look for, questions to ask and signs that you’ve found the best contractor for you.

• Equipment installation- The best HVAC equipment available won’t function properly if it’s installed incorrectly. Find out how to tell if your contractor is doing the job right.

• Maintaining your equipment- Regular professional maintenance can prevent equipment failure and early system breakdown. Learn about how your contractor keeps your system running smoothly.

Our Home Comfort Solutions Guide also provides some important resources for homeowners, where you can get more information about maximizing the energy efficiency of your HVAC system to save money on your energy bills.So take advantage of this free download today!  And be sure to ask us how we can help you get more from your heating and cooling system, with products and services designed to give you ideal home comfort, clean, healthy indoor air and greater energy savings.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.  To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.

Tips For Choosing A Programmable Thermostat

Choosing appropriate programmable thermostats is essential to homes' energy efficiency and comfort. The most common choice and the best choice to meet both ends is to choose digital, programmable thermostats. It is important that homeowners understand what type of heating and cooling system is installed in their homes before purchasing a thermostat. Depending on what kind of comfort options your system provides, there may be specific features your thermostat must have to operate those functions appropriately.  Another tip, is to make sure you have a battery backup thermostat.  This way, if your power were to go out, your thermostat can use the batteries to hold the programs you have set.  This way, there is no need to reprogram the thermostat after the power comes back on. There are also several other tips for choosing the right thermostat for your home.We recommend evaluating your schedule to determine whether you need a 7-day thermostat, a 5+2-day thermostat or a 5+1+1 day model. A seven day model affords a homeowner the most flexibility. If your daily schedule changes, then this is the best model for you. Our preferred 7 day, programmable thermostat is the Pro8000.Not only is the Honeywell Vision Pro 8000 a 7-day thermostat, but it comes with innovations that only the pros can provide. The display is easy to use, in fact, it's probably the easiest user friendly thermostat we have ever come across. The back-light on the display makes it very simple to read. This is one of the most energy efficient Programmable Thermostats on the market. It even comes with an Energy Star rating. A programmable thermostat like this can add up to 33% savings on your utilities!Other features that set this thermostat apart from the competition are that it has a programmable fan mode (not just on and off) which can provide better air filtration schedules, precision temperature control, and that it has time-keeping capabilities that take daylight savings into account. Some models have the capability to also control humidity levels without the need of a seperate humidistat. Other variations can give you the outdoor temperature on the inside thermostat display! This is a very low maintenance system and comes with a 5 year standard warranty from Air Assurance.  For more information or to purchase  the Honeywell Vision Pro 8000 for your home, please contact us. We also have information to help you with all your air quality needs.Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about programmable thermostats and other HVAC topics. Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas.  To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.

How To Save On Heating Costs This Year

As we all know, our winters can be damp and miserable.  But, here in Broken Arrow, you can save money on heating while still keeping your home warm and comfortable. You can reduce your heating bill without compromising your family's comfort by taking a few simple steps to use your heating system more efficiently. You can do many things that will cost you little or no money, then you can consider some larger investments that will give you a great return on your money.1. The first thing you can do to save money on heating is to manage your thermostat wisely. If you and your family are out working during the day, set your thermostat down five to eight degrees below where you prefer to keep it when people are home. You can turn up the heat as soon as you get home and your house will heat right back up in short order, but you will have cut your heating bill significantly by letting it cool down during the day.You can cut your heating bill even more by turning your thermostat down at night when everyone is sleeping. Put extra blankets on your beds and you will never notice the difference. Many people prefer sleeping in a slightly cooler room.2. Another good way to save money on heating is to not let the warm air escape from your house. Be sure the weatherstripping is in good shape around all of your windows and doors. Use caulking around window and door trim.  Check for gaps where ducts and piping go from heated areas to unheated spaces and plug them with insulation. If you don't use your fireplace every day, be sure the damper is closed and seals tightly to keep cold air from falling down your chimney.3. Inspect your home's insulation levels.  By simply looking in your attic, if you can see the rafters, you are in need of more insulation, and could be losing as much as 30% of the heat you're paying for.  The Department of Energy recommends at least R-30 to R39 (or up to 19") for the state of Oklahoma.4.  While you're in the attic, inspect your ductwork for damaged areas.  Look for cracks or leaks around where the ductwork connects to your furnace.  There's no sense in heating your attic right?Once you have done all of the free and inexpensive things you can to save money on heating, consider investing in a more efficient furnace or installing a solar or even a geothermal heating system.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 the Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas.  To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.

6 Energy Saving Tips That Will Help Lower Energy Costs

Today, everyone is looking for energy saving tips; the state of the economy has left many people without work and money is tight.  Part of your effort to save money should include making sure that your HVAC system is operating efficiently.If your system is in good working order, there are other steps you can take to make sure that your home is comfortable while still saving a bundle on monthly energy costs.No other system or appliance in your home consumes as much energy as your HVAC system.  At Air Assurance, we want to help homeowners in the Tulsa Metropolitan area put more money in their bank account and spend less on utility costs.  A good place to start is with these 6 energy saving tips:1.  Use your ceiling fans, or have some installed.  During warmer months the circulated air helps cool you; during the colder months, warm air is pushed down and circulated keeping you warmer.2.  Consider the windows.  In warmer months, close curtains or blinds to help block out the hot sun.  In winter months, open up the drapes on the south side of your home to warm the room.  Also, make sure areas around the windows are sealed or caulked to ensure cold/hot air remains outside, not inside.3.  Exhaust fans pull air out of your home.  Turn your exhaust fans off within a few minutes after cooking or showering.4.  Check the thermostat.  Lower it a degree or two in winter, raise it by the same amount in the summer.  Your energy bills will lower dramatically, and you will remain comfortable.5.  Check your air filters and replace on a consistent basis.  Dirty filters create air flow restrictions and make your unit work harder.  This can also make your system pull air from leaky ductwork which can allow cold/hot air into the home, as well as other unwanted pollutants.6.  Have an HVAC certified contractor check out your system on a regular basis. Just like an automobile, a finely tuned piece of machinery works better and more efficiently!Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about energy saving tips and other HVAC topics, click here. Air Assurance services the Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas.  To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.