Tackling Cold and Flu Season With Your HVAC

Cold and flu season always coincides with winter, when you're running your HVAC system to keep your home toasty warm. Since the HVAC is operating anyway, why not use it to create a healthier winter living environment? By making some targeted system upgrades, you can tackle the contagions responsible for the flu, colds and other such illnesses. Here are four kinds of HVAC upgrades to consider:

1. Whole-Home Humidifier

It's been proven that the viruses and bacteria sent airborne with a sneeze or cough stay suspended longer when the air doesn't contain much moisture. This means that low humidity directly affects the spread of germs inside your home and increases your likelihood of coming down with common winter illnesses. Having a whole-home humidifier installed on the HVAC system can reduce your family's risk of exposure by adding much-needed moisture to the air.

2. Ultraviolet Light

Ultraviolet (UV) light is used to eradicate bacteria and viruses in many different settings, and it can help sanitize your home's air supply too. An HVAC technician can install a germicidal UV lamp on your heating system's air handler to zap contagions so they don't get recirculated every time the blower fan cycles on.

3. Energy Recovery Ventilator

Controlled ventilation is a great way to exchange stale, unhealthy indoor air with fresher air from outdoors. An energy recovery ventilator (ERV) can do this effectively, and because it also exchanges heat and moisture between the airflow streams, it conserves energy and helps maintain vital humidity as well.

4. Air Purifier

If your HVAC system has standard filtering capabilities, it can only trap larger particles to protect sensitive components from potential damage. Having your HVAC pro install an air purifier on the heating system can boost its air cleaning capabilities, so it tackles illness-inducing viruses and bacteria and improves your indoor air quality. The most effective of these devices can eliminate up to 99.7 percent of microscopic bio-contaminants down to 0.3 microns in size.

To learn more about HVAC system upgrades to combat cold and flu season in your Broken Arrow home, 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). For more information about TOPIC and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

Painting Effects on Air Quality

Unless you choose a paint that’s low on VOCs (volatile organic compounds) for your next hobby or home improvement project, it could have long-lasting effects on air quality indoors. Many paints and finishes contain harmful compounds that evaporate as they dry. The paint may dry, but the compounds will hang in the air for a year and longer.VOCs are a class of chemicals used in paints that are known carcinogens, and kidney, liver and nervous system disrupters. At their least harmful, they irritate the respiratory system and are eye irritants. Besides paints and finishes, VOCs are found in many other common products, including anything perfumed, makeup and most cleaning supplies.

Reducing VOCs When Painting

Even if you use a paint that’s low in VOCs, make sure you have plenty of fresh air ventilation in your home when you paint. Fall and spring are the best times to complete home improvement projects, including painting. The windows and doors can be open and extreme temperatures won’t interfere with curing or drying of any materials you use.Turn on the kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans and open several windows to pull the air out of your home. You can also boost the ventilation by putting a fan in an open window when the exhaust fans are running.

What to Look For

When choosing paints and finishes, check the can’s label. It should state the volume of VOCs in it, or that it’s low in VOCs. Look for products with less than 250 grams per liter. Better yet, look for products that have no VOCs at all.The products with which you prep the walls may also have VOCs, like acrylic caulk, primer and adhesives. Flooring products also emit VOCs, including carpeting, laminates and vinyl flooring. Before making your selections, look for the low VOC designation.

Avoiding the bad effects on air quality paints is possible by choosing low VOC products and using adequate ventilation. For more information about improving your home’s air quality, contact Air Assurance, providing HVAC services for Broken Arrow homeowners.

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 indoor air quality and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

How to Assess Your Broken Arrow Home's HVAC Needs

Buying a new HVAC system for your Broken Arrow home is a significant investment. Apart from the initial costs, you'll need to consider additional costs such as the monthly energy bills, repairs, and maintenance. You'll want to invest in a system that best meets your home's HVAC needs.When it comes to heating and cooling systems, size matters a lot. An HVAC unit that's too big for your home will keep short-cycling and never achieve peak efficiency. It will drive up your energy bills. An undersized unit will run more frequently than needed, wasting energy in the process.So how do you know the right size for your HVAC needs? Here's what you should consider:

Square Footage

Determining your home's square footage is crucial to correct HVAC system sizing. You or an HVAC contractor can get it by measuring each room with a tape measure.

BTU Rating

To enjoy maximum efficiency, you should purchase a system with a suitable BTU (British Thermal Unit) rating. Follow the guidelines below to find out the BTUs you'll need for a room:

• Under 150 feet – 5,000 BTUs

• 150-249 feet – 6,000 BTUs

• 250-299 feet – 7,000 BTUs

• 300-349 feet – 8,000 BTUs

• 350-399 feet – 9,000 BTUs

• 400-499 feet – 10,000 BTUs

• 450-549 feet – 12,000 BTUs

• 550-699 feet – 14,000 BTUs

• 700-999 feet – 18,000 BTUs

• 1,000-1,199 feet – 21,000 BTUs

• 1,200-1,399 feet – 23,000 BTUs

• 1,400-1,499 feet – 24,000 BTUs

• 1,500-2,000 feet – 30,000 BTUs

• Over 2,000 feet – 34,000 BTUs

If an HVAC unit is to be used in your kitchen, increase its capacity by 4,000 BTUs. If a room is often occupied by more than two people, you should add 600 BTUs for each extra person. Increase the unit's capacity by 10 percent if a room is very sunny. Reduce the capacity by 10 percent for a heavily shaded room.

By purchasing an HVAC system that's properly sized and efficient, you'll enjoy maximum comfort as well as energy savings. For the best solutions to your HVAC needs in the Broken Arrow area, 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). For more information about HVAC needs and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “geralt/Pixabay”

When Should You Upgrade Your HVAC System?

An HVAC upgrade is a major expense, so it's an investment you want to make only when it's really necessary. With regular preventive maintenance, you can expect your equipment to last for 10-15 years, so advancing age is often the first indicator that it needs replacement. Other signs that it's time to upgrade your HVAC include:

• Frequent repair bills. Mechanical equipment tends to break down more often as it ages, so if your HVAC system is getting older, you're likely to see more repair bills. In this situation, you should get the input of a trusted HVAC pro to decide when upgrading is more cost-effective than making repairs.

• Inefficient operation. If your HVAC system runs for extended periods, but it never seems to get your home comfortably warm or cool, it may not be properly sized for your home. The capacity for older systems were often sized using a rule of thumb instead of a detailed load calculation, and the result is inefficient operation, a lack of comfort, and higher-than-necessary energy bills.

• Rising energy bills. If your usage habits haven't changed, but your energy bills are rising, it may be due to a decline in your HVAC equipment's efficiency. If you have older equipment, upgrading might bring you significant energy savings since today's systems are much more efficient.

Do You Need to Replace Your Entire System?

It's always best to upgrade both halves of a split-system air conditioner or heat pump because mismatched equipment can cause a host of problems. However, you may not need to upgrade your furnace at the same time if it's in good working condition, or replace all the ductwork if it's properly sized and well-maintained.Before you decide to upgrade, it's also wise to schedule a home energy audit. You might discover that by making efficiency improvements like air sealing the exterior or adding more insulation, you can postpone an HVAC upgrade or that a smaller, less expensive system can keep your home comfortable.

For expert advice about whether it's time to upgrade the HVAC in your Broken Arrow home, 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). For more information about upgrading your HVAC system and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “geralt/Pixabay”

Summer Sump Pump Maintenance

When you have a sump pump installed in your home's basement or crawlspace, you might mistakenly think that you're automatically protected against water intrusions. In reality, periodic sump pump maintenance is crucial if you want to keep your home safe from:

• Costly water damage. Whether you experience minor groundwater seepage or significant flooding from a summer storm, your sump pump needs to be in good working order to handle it. If your home's basement is finished, this protects the drywall, flooring, the furnishings and stored items from damage.

• Mold-related problems. Having a well-functioning sump pump that keeps the crawlspace or basement dry can also minimize mold growth and musty odors and preserve your home's indoor air quality.

• Fire hazards. When your sump pump is well-maintained and on guard against water intrusions into your basement or crawlspace, you may not realize that it also reduces the danger of electrical fires. If a flood occurs and electrical wiring situated in the space gets saturated, there a risk that it can short circuit and cause a fire.

Essential Sump Pump Maintenance

It's vital to have a functional sump pump during a power outage, so invest in a battery backup if you don't already have one. To ensure that your pump is always in working condition, maintain it semi-annually by following these steps:

• Clear any debris from the sump pit so it can't clog the pump.

• Check the condition of the power cord and for safety, make sure it's plugged into a ground fault circuit interruptor (GFCI) receptacle.

• To test the pump's functionality, fill up the pit with water and check that it starts up and empties the pit efficiently.

• Unplug the power cord and repeat the above-mentioned test to check that the backup battery is working properly.

• When the pump is running, verify that it stays upright and level, and that the drain hose stays attached.

• If your pump is unresponsive or quits working, have it repaired or replace it immediately.

To learn more about sump pump maintenance and how it can help protect your Broken Arrow home, 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). For more information about sump pumps and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Westfrisco/Pixabay”

Common Mistakes People Make When Buying HVAC Equipment

Of all the home improvements you make, selecting new HVAC equipment may be the most challenging. These systems are complicated and expensive, and if you’re like most homeowners, something you don’t deal with often. Before you start the process, it’s helpful to avoid the most crucial, albeit common, mistakes made when replacing an old system.

Not Checking Contractor Credentials

In Oklahoma, all HVAC contractors must be licensed, bonded and insured. If you use an unlicensed contractor, you may not have any financial protections, and the HVAC system’s manufacturer may not honor the warranty.As you search for a contractor, look for NATE (North American Technician Excellence) certification. NATE is a non-profit organization that only certifies the most knowledgeable and capable technicians in the industry. When you work with a NATE-certified company, you’re much more likely to have a high level of satisfaction from start to finish.

The Wrong Size

Going by the size of your existing HVAC system when replacing it could be a mistake that haunts you for a long time. Before you purchase a new system, make sure your contractor conducts a load calculation using Manual J software.Any reputable HVAC contractor will use this software to find the best size for your home based on a variety of factors that include home size, its overall energy efficiency, your cooling and heating preferences, and the home’s orientation to the sun. Selecting a system that’s too large or small compromises your comfort, the system’s energy efficiency and its durability.

Basing Decisions on Price Only

It’s short sighted to base your decision about HVAC equipment based on its price alone. Your contractor should show you the lifetime costs of the system you select based on the money you’ll save with a more energy efficient system. It will cost you more initially, but it will pay for itself in lower operating costs from the start.

Choosing new HVAC equipment isn’t a do-it-yourself project but a reputable contractor can help you through the choices you’ll need to make. To learn more, contact Air Assurance, providing NATE-certified HVAC services for Broken Arrow homeowners.

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 buying HVAC equipment and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

Benefits of Summer Drain Cleaning

Your home's plumbing system likely gets a lot more use in the summertime, so clean drains are crucial to ensure that everything stays working properly. Having the drains professionally cleaned can give you the assurance that there's no cause for concern about plumbing clogs, blockages and backups. Drain cleaning also offers these additional benefits:

Keeping Your Home Smelling Fresh

Built up grease, deteriorating food particles, hair and soap scum in the drains can send unpleasant odors throughout the house. In the heat of summer, you can expect everything trapped in the drains to smell even worse.

Preventing Costly Water Damage

If your drains get completely blocked, they can back up and overflow and cause considerable damage to your floors. If the backup occurs in a second-story bathroom, it can also saturate the ceilings and/or walls in the rooms down below. When the drains are cleaned out, you won't have a mess to clean up, or face the cost of repairing water damage.

Avoiding Potential Health Problems

Accumulated debris in the drain lines also creates an environment where bacteria can thrive. When you have the drains cleaned out, there's less risk of a blockage that results in a backup that can contaminate your living areas with germ-laden water and waste that poses a heath hazard.

Helping the Plumbing System Last Longer

When water gets trapped in a blocked drain, it puts pressure on the pipes, which can start to leak. Using chemical products to dissolve clogs can erode the drains lines and cause them to burst. You can avoid the stress and expense of these types of plumbing system problems hiring a professional who has the tools and skills to tackle drain cleaning without causing further harm.

Eliminating Unnecessary Headaches and Stress

Dealing with sluggish drains, overflowing toilets and kitchen sink clogs can make your summer more stressful and less enjoyable. Once the drains are cleaned professionally, you can relax and enjoy the nice weather without worrying when a plumbing disaster might occur.

To learn more benefits of summer drain cleaning for your Broken Arrow home, 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). For more information about drain cleaning and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “PublicDomainPictures/Pixabay”

What Affects Your Home's HVAC Costs?

If you're thinking about upgrading the HVAC equipment in your Broken Arrow home, you're probably wondering what might affect the price you'll pay for a replacement. Here's some helpful insight into the main factors that typically affect HVAC costs:

Equipment Capacity

Generally, the capacity or size of new HVAC equipment directly affects its cost, so it's vital to determine the size needed to properly heat or cool your home. To avoid purchasing oversized, more costly equipment unnecessarily, you should have an experienced HVAC contractor perform a detailed load calculation to learn the correct capacity required.

Efficiency Ratings

The equipment's energy efficiency rating is another key factor in the cost of a new HVAC system. Higher-rated equipment costs more up front, but it uses less energy so it can save you money on heating or cooling. To help you make an informed choice, ask your HVAC pro about potential energy savings versus upfront cost for all the models within your budget.

Equipment Options and System Add-Ons

Specific equipment features and system add-ons can also affect the HVAC costs you pay. Advanced options like a variable-speed air handler, two-stage compressor or ECM motor will raise the system's price tag, but they'll also reduce your operating costs. System extras like UV lamps, or an air cleaner, dehumidifier or smart thermostat will increase the overall cost as well, but the benefits they offer can outweigh the added expense.

Duct System Changes

If the current ducting design won't work well with new, more efficient equipment or the ductwork has deteriorated, there'll be an additional expense to alter or replace it. How much this adds to the total price depends on the extent of the alterations, or how much it costs to fabricate/install new ductwork.

Installation Labor Charges

Labor charges for an HVAC installation can differ dramatically, but don't base your decision on who to hire on price alone. It's wiser to consider reputation, years of experience and workmanship quality and make price a secondary consideration.

Contact us today at Air Assurance to learn more about what can affect HVAC costs in your Broken Arrow home.

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 HVAC costs and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “3dman_eu/Pixabay”

These are the Most Common Furnace Troubleshooting Situations

In the midst of cool winter weather, the last thing you need is for your furnace to give you problems. If and when that happens, you’ll need to rely on your furnace troubleshooting expertise until you can get your HVAC technician to take a look at the problem. If you’re not getting enough heat or any heat at all, here are a few furnace troubleshooting tips to consider:

Not getting enough heat?

First, check your thermostat and make sure it’s set to your desired temperature. Also make sure the furnace filter isn’t clogged with debris. An undersized furnace can also fail to produce enough heat for your home’s space.

Not getting any heat at all?

Check the circuit breaker or fuse box for any tripped breakers or blown fuses. Afterwards, make sure your thermostat is set to “heat” and the desired temperature is set above the current indoor temperature. Also make sure your pilot light is on or your electric ignition is working properly.

Blower running continuously?

Have your HVAC technician check and, if necessary, replace the limit switch on the blower motor.

Not getting enough airflow?

Make sure the furnace filter isn’t clogged with debris. Also check the ducts for any breaks, holes or other damage that could accidentally reroute airflow.

Furnace too noisy?

Make sure there aren’t any loose components on your furnace. Some noises, including rumbling or squeaking sounds, could indicate a mechanical problem that your HVAC technician should deal with.

Furnace frequently cycling?

It could be a bad thermostat, clogged furnace filter or poor airflow at play. Oversized furnaces can also cycle frequently, resulting in increased wear and tear.

Can’t see your pilot light?

Try relighting the pilot. If it won’t stay lit, there may be a problem with the thermocouple or the gas supply. Don’t forget to check the surrounding area for drafts.

For more furnace troubleshooting tips and other advice, turn to the professionals at Air Assurance. We proudly offer the best in heating and cooling service and installation for homeowners 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 troubleshooting and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “geralt/Pixabay”

Find the Right Heat/Humidity Balance

People complain about humidity in the summer months, but many don't know that it can also be a problem in the winter. However, in the winter, the issue lies with having too little moisture in the air instead of too much.

Who Needs Humidity Anyway?

Even though it may not feel like it during the summer, moisture in the air does serve a useful purpose. It helps prevent:

1. Cold and allergy symptoms feeling worse as dry air can irritate your throat and mucous membranes.

2. Leather clothes, shoes, or furniture drying and cracking.

3. Skin, especially the sensitive skin on your lips, getting dry and chapped.

4. Wood furniture and floors drying out, leading to cracks and other structural problems.

Can Humidity Save Money?

Perhaps one of the best reasons to control the moisture in your home is your energy bill. The higher you set your thermostat in the winter, the more energy you pay for. Obviously, you'd like to keep your home temperature reasonably low for cost reasons. You may find that you're sacrificing your family's comfort when you lower the thermostat, though.The solution may just be to raise the humidity in your home. If your air is dry, it will wick away the moisture on your skin more quickly. This has the same effect as a cool breeze when you are sweating on a hot day - it leaves you feeling cooler.Keeping your home's relative humidity at 45-55% in the winter means that the air has enough moisture not to dry out your skin. In turn, this leaves you feeling warmer. You can lower your thermostat a few degrees without noticing a drop in comfort.

How Do You Maintain Consistent Humidity?

Even though plug-in humidifiers will add humidity to your home, they are unable to adjust the amount of moisture they put out to keep the moisture in your air at a consistent level. A whole-home humidifier works through your HVAC system to deliver the right levels of moisture and adapt to changing air conditions.

For more information about controlling humidity in your Broken Arrow home, 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). For more information about heat and humidity balance and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “clker-free-vector-images/Pixabay”

Areas of Your Home That Need the Most Ventilation

When it comes to home comfort and energy efficiency, ventilation – aka effective air exchange – plays a crucial role. Without adequate fresh air in a home, indoor air quality will suffer, with the environment becoming stale, stuffy and unhealthy.Learn what areas of your home will benefit from effective ventilating strategies, along with why whole-house mechanical air exchange may be necessary as well.

Nowadays, with energy efficiency increasingly stressed in building construction, working mechanical ventilation has become more important than ever. In the past, much of a home’s air-exchange needs were satisfied incidentally, with abundant air exchange through cracks and gaps in the home’s exterior envelope. That’s not the case any longer with the tight home construction of today.

The most common type of mechanical ventilation in a home is the bathroom exhaust fan. Most bathrooms are equipped with this fan, which not only de-fogs the room but also carries away unpleasant and noxious odors and contaminants.Next on the list is the kitchen, which almost always has a stovetop fan that carries away smells from cooking and food preparation, keeping them from spreading through the rest of the house.

One area where many homeowners neglect ventilation is the attic. Yet, effective air exchange is essential in the attic. Without it, during the summer, an attic can get superheated, and that heat eventually will transfer into the living spaces below. During the heating season, an attic without proper venting may help cause ice dams on the roof that can lead to extensive structural damage in a home.

In many homes, mechanical air exchange is necessary on a whole-house basis. Increasingly popular are balanced and supply-only systems, with the most common balanced system being Energy Recovery and Heat Recovery ventilating systems (ERV and HRV, respectively). Using parallel air streams, one blowing out and one blowing in, these systems ensure fresh air while also transferring heat and moisture (in ERVs) to help with home heating and cooling and humidity control.

We can help devise an effective ventilation strategy for 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). For more information about ventilation and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “clker-free-vector-images/Pixabay”

Controlling Dust in Your Home

Winter is a season when dust problems are amplified as homes are closed up for the cold. Controlling dust can feel like a full-time job in your Broken Arrow home, but there are some steps you can take to make it a little easier to keep the space clean. Here are some tips for controlling dust in your home.

Change the Air Filter

When was the last time you changed the air filter in your HVAC system? One of the air filter's main jobs is controlling dust, so take some time now to swap it out with a clean one. If you've changed it recently and are still having troubles with dust, consider installing a more efficient model. Check with an HVAC professional to see which models are recommended for your home.

Clean the Ducts

If your ductwork is lined with dust, it's going to get circulated through your home. Consider having it professionally cleaned to remove that dust, then trust the air filter to do the job of keeping further dust at bay.

Install an Air Cleaner

In high-dust households or in families where dust allergies cause significant problems, an air purifier is a great asset. These clean the air in a specific room, or they can be installed in the HVAC system directly for whole-house purification. Air cleaners trap dust particles and other allergens to help your family breathe freely.

Clean up Clutter

Clutter, including piles of toys or clothes on the floor, is a breeding ground for dust. Cleaning them up will help keep dust from settling in or on them, so you will have less dust circulating through your home.

Dust Smart

Don't rely on a feather duster to eliminate dust. Instead, use a microfiber cloth, which will trap dust better than a feather duster. Also, consider dampening the cloth slightly before dusting most surfaces.

Are you looking for more ideas for controlling dust in your Broken Arrow home? Contact the Air Assurance team for expert tips to help you keep your home's air less dusty.

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 controlling dust and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “hans_pixabay”

Winter Season Home Safety Precautions

Winter is coming to Oklahoma, and that means practicing winter home safety. Some types of heating systems represent greater hazards than others, so be sure to be up on how to operate yours safely.

Furnace Checkup

At the start of the heating season, perform a few basic tasks, such as checking the furnace filter. A clean filter will help the furnace run more efficiently, promoting good airflow. Also make sure that there are no obstructions around the vents so that heated air can flow without hindrance and warm the room properly.It's always recommended to schedule a furnace checkup by a professional as you start the heating season. Your technician should perform several critical tasks, including these:

• Check thermostat and controls, adjusting if needed.

• Clean and adjust burners and pilot assembly.

• Clean and adjust burners for most efficient operation.

• Check for gas leaks.

• Adjust tension in belts if needed.

• Lubricate moving parts, particularly in the blower.

• Inspect draft pipe and draft diverter.

• Test manifold pressure.

• Inspect the heat exchanger for cracks that might emit carbon monoxide, an odorless, tasteless, invisible byproduct of the combustion process.

Electrical Heating

With all types of electrical heating systems, make sure electrical connections are tight and frayed wires replaced. With heat pumps, make sure refrigerant levels are properly charged and that there are no obstructions on the outdoor compressor.

Fireplace

Check fireplace flues and chimneys, ensuring they are clean and clear of obstructions. Keep flammable objects well away from the fireplace. Place a screen cover in front of the flame so that no sparks fly out and start a fire in the living space.

Space Heaters

Keep space heaters a safe distance from furniture, bedding or any other objects that might catch fire. Make sure electrical connections are tight and that cords are not frayed.

Carbon Monoxide Monitors

Install carbon monoxide monitors in your home if you have any combustion-powered appliances. Install them on every floor at least 5 feet from the ground.To learn more about winter home safety, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow and Tulsa at 918-894-5760.

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 winter home safety and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “openclipart-vectors/Pixabay”

The Most Important Places to Insulate in Your Home

Blown In Attic Insulation in Tulsa

Many homeowners take for granted the insulation that's hidden in the walls, floors and attic of their house, yet insulation plays a crucial role in both energy efficiency and comfort. While all houses have some level of insulation, many don't have enough, or else have it in the wrong places. Areas to insulate include the basement and attic and everywhere in between.

How Does Insulation Work?

Insulation, in whatever form, provides a barrier to slow down the movement of heat energy between the inside and outside of a building. Heat energy is always striving to move from warm to cold, which means in the summer, the outside heat is trying to infiltrate the inside of your house. During the winter, heat inside your home is seeking to escape. Insulation slows down that movement of heat energy (not the same as air movement). While insulation will stop some movement of air, a house also should be tightly sealed against air leaks. Insulation without air sealing doesn't work any better than air sealing without insulation.Without sufficient insulation, your house will suffer from heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter. This will force your HVAC equipment to work harder than necessary to keep the house comfortable, which means energy is being wasted, equipment is being stressed, and your comfort is compromised.

Areas to Insulate

The walls of a house form the greatest amount of square footage exposed to the outside. Consequently, it's vitally important to have adequate insulation in your home's walls. The basement or crawl space are also areas that are prone to heat loss/gain, which means they also need insulation.Your home's attic is probably the area where the greatest amount of heat movement occurs — coming in through the roof down into the living spaces in summer, and stealing heat from those living spaces in the winter.A properly weatherized home should have an energy-efficiency strategy that combines insulation and air sealing with energy-efficient HVAC equipment.For help determining what areas to insulate 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). For more information about insulation and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “io-images/Pixabay”

Winter Vacation: Maintenance Checklist

Whether you’re going to visit family for the holidays or planning on heading to a warmer place to get a break from the cold, it’s important to make sure your HVAC system is prepared. Your heating system should continue running when you’re gone to lower the risk of having your pipes freeze and burst. Ensuring that it’s in good condition is essential in order for it to run properly and safely. Use the following vacation maintenance tips to help you get your HVAC system ready.

Adjust the Thermostat

Turn your thermostat down at least a few degrees before leaving for vacation. You’ll save a bit of money on heating costs while also making sure your home doesn’t get too cold when you’re gone.

Open Air Vents

You might be tempted to close the air vents in certain area in order to save money, but this makes your HVAC system heat your home less efficiently. Go around your home and open every air vent before heading out the door for your trip.

Check the Air Filter

Your HVAC system’s air filter traps pollutants, which helps it run more efficiently and improves your home’s indoor air quality. If your air filter looks dusty or dirty, replace it with a new one before you leave.

Clean Your HVAC System

Your HVAC system should be free of debris, dust and dirt, so it can function properly. When parts of your system are dirty, it can end up breaking down and needing repairs. Your heating system will also have a harder time running efficiently when it has debris inside. Check the burners, pilot and other parts of your HVAC system for debris, and clean them as needed.

Schedule Maintenance

For peace of mind, having a technician come by to perform vacation maintenance on your heating system. A technician can do a thoroughly cleaning and check for problems that might occur and take steps to prevent them from happening when you’re gone.If you need HVAC maintenance or repairs done, please contact Air Assurance. We provide reliable HVAC services for Broken Arrow homeowners.

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 maintenance and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “clker-free-vector-images/Pixabay”

Programming Your Thermostat for Colder Weather

Bravo if you know how to correctly set your home's programmable thermostat for maximum energy savings. But it's important to remember that the temperature settings need to be changed once the weather shifts from summer to fall and winter. A programmable thermostat with improper settings is no better than an old-school manual thermostat.

A properly set programmable thermostat allows you to program temperature changes (sometimes called "setbacks") to fit your lifestyle and schedule, or those of family members. It turns down the heating or cooling when nobody's home or when everybody's sleeping. A manual thermostat can save money, too, though it requires a vigilant human being to monitor the settings and adjust them constantly. It also doesn't allow for temperature changes when nobody's around to adjust the thermostat.

Resetting the programmable thermostat is necessary when cooling season changes to heating season, since the setbacks need to be adjusted to account for the shift from a cooling system to a heating system. Here's a sample schedule for resetting the programmable thermostat for the heating season:

• Program the temperature several degrees — as many as 10 or 12 — lower for times when you're going to be gone for more than several hours, such as at work or school.

• Set it to return to your comfort level shortly before you expect to arrive home. Leave it that temperature throughout the evening.

• Lower the temperature several degrees for overnight, since most people prefer it several degrees cooler while they're sleeping and are covered with blankets.

• Program the thermostat to return to your daytime comfort level shortly before you expect to awaken in the morning. You might decide to skip this temperature change if you're planning to go right out the door after a quick breakfast. It may strain your heating system to crank up the temperature several degrees, for a half hour or so, then reduce it again for the day.

For more advice on resetting the programmable thermostat for the heating season, please contact us at Air Assurance. We provide superior HVAC services to 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 thermostats and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “sashkin/Shutterstock”

Garbage Disposal 101

Your garbage disposal can break down, clog your drains, and cause other problems if not operated and maintained properly. Repairing it and the plumbing mishaps that result can be a costly affair. Follow these tips to use and maintain your garbage disposal correctly.

Operation

Allow enough time for food particles to get ground thoroughly and flushed. Leftovers can cause odors.

Cleaning

Clean your disposal at least once a week. Use a bottle brush to scrub the inside. You can clean the grinding elements and eliminate odors by filling the disposal with ice cubes and one cup of rock salt, and running it for a few seconds. They will grind up against the interior components and scrape sludge and debris away. Alternatively, you can use vinegar ice cubes or pieces of fresh citrus fruits.

Repairs

When your disposal malfunctions unexpectedly, turn off the power switch before doing any repair work. Use tongs or pliers to dislodge any objects that may be stuck inside. Never insert your fingers.

What to Put In

• Cold water — Run cold water whenever your disposal is on. It solidifies grease and oils that can get into the unit.

• Small food scraps — Your disposal is intended for small bits of food. Avoid putting in large chunks.

• Cooked vegetables and meat — These are soft enough to be ground with ease.

What Not to Put In

• Rice and pasta — They expand inside your pipes when mixed with water and can cause clogs.

• Grease, fats, oil and fat-based foods — They harden when cooled and can gum up blades and cause clogs.

• Stringy vegetables — Vegetables like asparagus and celery can twist around the blades and impede their functioning.

• Anything that's not food — Although the name is deceptive, your garbage disposal shouldn't be used as a trash can. Non-food items can damage the motor and blades.

Your disposal will give you many years of excellent service if you properly care for it. If you have any questions about your garbage disposal, please contact us at Air Assurance. We've served the Broken Arrow 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 garbage disposals and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Brett_Hondow/Pixabay”

Does Your Thermostat Need to Be Replaced?

When your HVAC system suddenly stops working, it's easy to fear the worst and think that something is wrong with one of your costly components. There's another possible culprit that's easy to rule out: a failed thermostat. By following these steps, you can learn whether a thermostat replacement can get the system up and running again:

Change the Temperature Setting

Before doing anything else, try changing the thermostat's temperature setting by five degrees to see if this triggers the HVAC equipment. For the furnace, turn it up, and for the A/C, dial it down.

Check Whether the Thermostat is Receiving Power

Head to the main electrical panel and find the breaker that controls the thermostat. Even if it appears fine, shut it off and then on. If there are batteries in your thermostat, replace them.

Verify the Function Setting

Check the function button on the thermostat to make sure it's set appropriately for the season on either "heat" or "cool."

Check/Clean the Interior

Turn off the breaker again, then remove the thermostat's cover to inspect the interior. Make sure that all the electrical wires are tightly attached to the mounting screws. If any are loose, fix them. With a soft brush, gently clean any dust built up on the interior. Use a cotton swab dampened with electrical contact cleaner to clean the metal contacts. Then, turn the breaker back on and test if the thermostat is working now by making temperature adjustments again.

Bypass the Thermostat's Control

If these steps haven't helped, turn off the breaker again. Remove the thermostat from its wall mounting bracket and disconnect the electrical wires from the back. Find the red and white wires and gently twist the ends together. Turn the breaker on again and check whether the furnace cycles on. Using the red and green wires, repeat this process to test the cooling equipment. If the heating or cooling equipment cycles on when the wires are twisted together, you'll know the thermostat needs to be replaced.For expert help with a thermostat replacement in your Broken Arrow home, 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: “cdz/Pixabay”

Air Cleaner or Air Purifier: What Should You Choose?

Homes today are more airtight than ever before, so the air your family breathes can be significantly more polluted than what's outdoors. You might be thinking about having an air cleaner or an air purifier installed, but you're unsure which option is better. To help you decide, here's some helpful information about both of these methods of improving air quality.

Air Cleaners 101

There are two basic types of air cleaners on the market today:

• Electronic air cleaners that ionize particles to draw them out of the air supply. Ozone is a byproduct of the ionizing process, and it's a known lung irritant that worsens respiratory problems.

• Mechanical air cleaners use a filter medium to trap undesirable particles and allergens floating in the indoor air supply.

Whole-home mechanical air cleaners are installed on the HVAC ductwork so your home's air supply travels through the filter before it's conditioned and distributed. There are a number of makes and models available that offer different degrees of filtration to get rid of particles like:

• Ash, soil and dust.

• Plant pollens.

• Dust mites.

• Pet dander.

• Mold and mildew spores.

• Tobacco smoke.

Air Purifier Basics

Air purifiers also improve air quality, but they work differently than filtered air cleaners. Instead of capturing particles in a replaceable filter, air purifiers rely on ultraviolet (UV) lamps to eradicate airborne pollutants and contaminants. As with air cleaners, there are whole-home purifiers available that are integrated into the ductwork so all of the return air entering the HVAC system gets zapped and purified before it's heated or cooled and distributed through the supply ducts. The unit's UV germicidal lamps remove odors and kill mold, mildew and biological contaminants like viruses and bacteria.

Do You Need An Air Cleaner or Air Purifier?

Before you decide, have your air quality assessed by a knowledgeable professional to learn whether you need an air cleaner, purifier or a system that combines a filter and UV light.If you need expert advice about whether an air cleaner or air purifier is the best choice for your Broken Arrow home, 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: “Maklay62/Pixabay”

Smart HVAC Systems: What You Should Know

In your busy life, the temperature and comfort level of your home is just one more thing to worry about. How high or low is your thermostat set? Is it heating or cooling your home adequately? Are you sending air to a bunch of empty rooms? And how much energy is all of this costing?Fortunately, there's a way to deal with all of these issues automatically. It's called a smart HVAC system, and it can make your home comfortable without your having to think about it. Here are some features that can help make an HVAC system smart.

• Thermostat. A smart thermostat does more than just read and program the temperature. It measures both temperature and humidity, and can even tell how many people are in a room. The more people, the more heat they generate. Whereas if there's no one in a particular room, it doesn't need air at that moment. Either way, a smart thermostat can adjust accordingly.

• Air and ventilation. Once the thermostat determines each room's comfort needs, the ventilation system sends the appropriate amount of air. If one room is too cold, air can be diverted from that area and sent to another section that's still too hot. This is standard for zoning systems. But a smart system can also tell if any one zone is using more energy than it should. Maybe a vent is blocked, causing the system to work harder to cool that room. Maybe someone adjusted their zone's thermostat significantly lower than the others. A smart HVAC system can detect these things and let you know what's going on.

• Compressor and air handler. These are the two HVAC features that use the most energy. Therefore, a smart system monitors their use and makes sure they run only when they're needed. Additionally, it can adjust their use based on time, monitoring usage during peak hours to reduce energy consumption both for you and your community.

To learn more about how a smart HVAC system can benefit your home, contact us at Air Assurance. We're Broken Arrow's trusted source for quality HVAC solutions.

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: “Ramdlon/Pixabay”