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”

Get A Handle On Furnace Efficiency -- Change Your Filters

Replacing your furnace filter is a practical way to efficiently get the most from your furnace. Buildup occurs when your filters accumulate dirt and other particles, resulting in clogs that don't allow for proper airflow. To compensate, your furnace must waste more energy, costing you more money. By replacing your filters on a regular basis, you can improve your home's comfort, reduce fuel use and even reduce wear and tear on the furnace blowers.Some things that you will need to do in order to guarantee your furnace runs at optimum efficiency are:

• Check your furnace filter - You should change your filter at least once every six months, with the actual frequency of changes depending on the dust and dirt conditions of your household.

• Replace your furnace filter - This easy enough that you can do it, but if you are not comfortable doing it, a furnace technician can do it for you. Before you replace the filter, be sure to turn off the power to prevent the possibility of electric shock. Be sure to sweep and vacuum out all of the accumulated dust. Change out the filter, and you are done!

• Check the MERV filter rating - The higher the rating, the more efficient the filter. Always check the owners manual, or ask a technician, before adjusting the MERV filter. If you adjust it too much in one direction, you could reduce airflow to the furnace, damaging equipment that is not capable of handling abrupt changes to the system.

When it comes time to handle all of your furnace filter needs, Air Assurance can help. In fact, Air Assurance has designed their own filter to accomodate the needs of getting the most out of filtering dust, while not sacrificing air flow.  Serving the Broken Arrow area, we offer the best products on the market, special promotions and customer financing. Our goal is to not only provide home comfort and energy savings, but to educate our customers about these issues as well. For more information on how Air Assurance can help you with your furnace and other HVAC needs, contact us, and one of our friendly, professional technicians will assist you.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!      Photo courtesy ofShutterstock.

Fall Landscaping: Plant To Maximize Your Home's Insulation

If you are planning some landscaping work this fall, you might be able to kill the proverbial two birds with one stone, making your yard more beautiful while improving the insulation of your home.That's right: Those shrubs and trees, if placed properly, can serve as insulation for your home. They can even pay for themselves through lower heating and cooling bills. The key is to plant the right foliage in the right places.Here is a brief guide on using landscaping as insulation in different parts of your yard.North of the HouseOklahoma truly is, "where the wind comes sweeping down the plain," and it has the winter wind chills to prove it. You can protect your home from the air's unwelcome cooling effects by planting a windbreak north of the house. You'll want the plants to be evergreen, so they have full foliage during the winter months. It is recommended that windbreaks be planted at a distance from the house equal to 2-5 times the height of the mature evergreens.West of the HouseFor the hot Oklahoma summers, you'll want to strategically plant shade trees to block the sun's heating rays. The most important location for doing so is to the west of the house, where the walls receive direct sunlight during the late afternoon heat. You'll want to use deciduous trees, though, so they will drop their leaves in the winter and allow the sun's warmth to cut down on your heating bills.South of the HouseDeciduous trees can also help on the south side of the house at midday, but these trees should be located closer to the house, and be tall enough to shade the south-facing roof.Near the Air ConditionerShading your outdoor air conditioning unit can improve its energy-efficiency. Just be certain that you don't plant too close to it, where thick foliage could impede air flow.At Air Assurance, we can help you save energy in many ways, from using landscaping as insulation to utilizing the ground itself to heat and cool your Tulsa-area home. Contact us today to learn how we can help you improve your home's energy efficiency -- and 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.

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.

Have Your Air-Conditioning System Checked Out Now To Keep It Humming All Summer Long

Things are beginning to heat up here in Broken Arrow, reminding us that summer will be here before we know it. Before the spring weather gives way to those hot, sweaty dog days, make it a priority to have your air conditioning system checked out. It’ll be comforting to know that you are doing your best to prevent a breakdown on one of those stifling days when you need cool air the most.It’s also a great way to keep a handle on your summer electricity bills, since air conditioners that are running efficiently consume less energy. With regular maintenance, a good A/C system can last a long time, so make sure that you’re getting the most mileage possible out of yours.One simple thing that you can do yourself to reduce your energy costs is to keep your air conditioning unit clean (wash from the inside out). Make sure that the air filter and vents on the inside and outside are dirt- and dust-free; remove any debris and make sure the vents are clear of anything that could obstruct them.A service technician will be able to dig deeper by:

• Checking the refrigerant, air flow and thermostat
• Making sure that the ducts are all properly sealed
• Tightening connections as necessary
• Checking the motors for wear and tear and lubricating them

He or she should also be able to diagnose and resolve other issues your air conditioning system may be experiencing, such as over-frequent cycling on and off, ice buildup, odors or any problems with the breakers. To make sure you’re getting the best advice possible, find someone who is a certified NATE technician (North American Technician Excellence).Don’t take any chances with your comfort or energy bills this summer. Have the expert NATE-certified technicians at Air Assurance service your air conditioning system now, and enjoy smooth sailing all summer long. To ask questions or to get expert advice on this or other HVAC issues, please visit our website.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.

Five Types Of Air Filters You Need To Know

When deciding what kind of HVAC air filter you want to use, there are a number of factors to consider.  Some are designed to be cleaned more frequently than others while some are more efficient.  Here are five of the most common types of air filters for use in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow region.Disposable FiltersThese are the most common air filters that are used because of their economical pricing and ease of use.  They should be replaced every six to eight weeks for maximum efficiency.  They are not designed to be washed.  This will only create holes which will make them less efficient.  As for efficiency, these are what is described as "boulder catchers".  They can only filter the extremely large particles flowing throughout your system, for instance, many can't stop salt when sprinkled on top of them.Permanent FiltersThese come in various sizes to fit your needs and do not need to be replaced.  They are easily removable to allow the user to clean them.  It is recommended that you clean them every 30 to 60 days to keep them operating at full power.  These are normally the most restrictive type air filters due to the long lasting fiber the filter is made out of.  This can put a major strain on airflow, causing increased dust, reduced comfort, and potential harm to the system.Hammock FiltersThese come in a  20-foot roll, allowing you to cut the filter to the appropriate size for a your hammock frame.  Once cut, you simply place them in the frame and trim any excess.  They should be disposed and replaced every 60 days. This is similair to the disposable in efficiency.  Most homeowners are bothered by the time it takes to maintain these.Electrostatic Air CleanerThese use electrostatic attraction to trap charged particles in the air and are very efficient at arresting dust, pollen, bacteria and other airborne pollutants.  They are permanent and can be easily washed every month.  Again, these type of filters are extremely restrictive to air flow.Large Pleated Media FiltersThis type of filter is popular because of the low maintenance required to keep them lasting for at least five years.  They tend to have very high efficiency levels and use a media cartridge that has to be replaced only every six months.  There are several different "levels" of pleated media.  You don't have to get the most expensive!  Usually those are very restrictive as well.If you are wondering what type of filtration system is best for your and your family, just ask your technician.  And by the way, Air Assurance has designed their own filters.  They're called Clean-Climate and we've tested them to make sure you get the optimum value of low resistance, high efficiency cleaning, as well as economic pricing.Air Assurance has been serving Oklahoma residents for more than 30 years. Experts are available to answer any questions you may have and provide any services you may need.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.