Should You Be Sleeping with the Window Open in Winter?

No doubt you've tried sleeping with your window open when the weather allows, either in spring or fall, when it's not too cold or so hot you need the air conditioning. So have you ever noted during these occasions whether or not you seem to sleep better with the window open than you do when it's closed? Some sleep researchers maintain that sleeping with window a open in winter has some benefits, including getting a better rest. Let's take a look at them.

Benefits of Sleeping With the Window Open in Winter

1. Helps to exhaust CO and CO2. Although your carbon monoxide monitor may not be alarming you, there may be small levels of poisonous CO in your home, given off by gas-burning appliances such as the furnace or pilot lights. Cracking a window can help dispel some of this CO, which, though not significant enough to trip an alarm, might give sensitive individuals a headache. Further, there can be a buildup of CO2 or carbon dioxide which can occur when we close the bedroom door. It seems we give off CO2 when we exhale and our oxygen is converted. CO2 can cause headaches, nausea, and dizziness.
   
   Opening a window can relieve the stuffiness that is likely to occur when our doors and the house in general is all closed up because it's chilly outside.

2. Better sleep with lower temperatures. Sleep researchers in recent years have maintained that we may sleep better when temperatures are lower. It seems we produce more melatonin (the chemical in our brains that helps us sleep) when it's chillier. During cold spells, try cracking the window an inch or so to lower your bedroom temperature.

3. Outside noises may promote sleep. As long as your outdoor noises don't include parties, traffic, and midnight street construction, some nocturnal noises may help you sleep. If by opening your window a bit you can hear crickets and the sighing of gentle winds, you may find the white noise you need to help you sleep.

For more on sleeping with a window open in winter, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow. 

What Is the Best Window Draft Blocker as the Weather Cools Off?

Think back to last winter in your Broken Arrow home. Can you remember areas in your home that had uncomfortably cool drafts? Do any of your windows whistle, howl, or rattle on windy days? Those noisy and drafty windows are telling you something. Those windows are making your home less comfortable and increasing your energy costs.

Losing heating dollars and putting up with drafty spots in your home is probably unacceptable now that you know the source of those problems. Keep reading and you'll find out how a window draft blocker can be your solution to these comfort and efficiency problems just in time for cooler weather.

Understanding Window Draft Blockers

Window draft blockers (also called window draft stoppers) are literally many different devices, features, coverings, and treatments for windows that do exactly what their name implies. They block drafts. If you have drafty windows, discovering draft blockers is a big deal! Consider which draft blockers will work well in your home.

Window Draft Blockers for Your Home

Window draft blockers are available as draperies, solar shades and blinds, caulking, and many more materials and devices. What follows are some popular choices:

• Door sweeps and snakes. Door sweeps use some type of material, such as foam, on both sides of the door. Door snakes are used on one side of the door.

• Removable caulk. Removable caulk is a great solution to stopping air leaks around windows.

• Permanent caulk. Permanent caulk is used to seal cracks at the juncture of window frames and exterior walls. Use a water-resistant caulk that can take paint.

• Thermal drapes. Thermal drapes use multiple layers and thickness to block drafts and also to block light.

• Weatherstripping. V-strips work great for sealing long gaps in window sills and between doors and door jams. Do you have an attic hatch or door? Stop drafts and air leaks using foam tape.

Could a plan to install a window draft blocker at each drafty window and door make a difference for the better in your Broken Arrow area home? Contact the HVAC and indoor-air quality pros at Air Assurance to find out.

What is the Two Way Pipe System for High Efficiency Services?

When it comes to heating and cooling your home, there are all sorts of ways to save energy. One of the best ways is to invest in a high-efficiency HVAC system. For high-efficiency furnaces, one method worth considering is the two way pipe system. It not only heats your home using less energy, it also improves indoor air quality and saves wear and tear on the unit. Here's what you need to know.

What Is a Two Way Pipe System?

Most ordinary furnaces draw air from inside your home. They heat that air and recirculate it back into your home. Exhaust is then vented out of the chimney.

A two way pipe system has a pipe connected to the outdoors, which leads directly to the furnace. That pipe draws in fresh, outdoor air, which is heated and circulated through your home. Then another pipe takes the exhaust and vents it back to the outside.

Benefits of a Two Way Pipe System

When air is drawn from inside your home, it creates extra pressure within your system. This makes it easier for cold air to get drawn into the house through cracks, gaps, and leaks. A two-pipe system creates a better pressure balance, which helps keep cold air from getting in, thus saving energy. The pressure relief also keeps your furnace from working as hard so it can last longer and not break down as often.

Finally, a two-pipe system provides better indoor air quality. In winter, the same, stale air tends to circulate through your HVAC system over and over again, becoming more polluted over time. By drawing air in from the outside, then exhausting it out of the house again, you can break the cycle and ensure you always have clean, fresh air in your home. (Remember that outdoor air tends to be much cleaner than the air in your home.) This way, you can eliminate those contaminants and breathe easier all season.

If you're considering a two way pipe system for your heating needs, contact us at Air Assurance. We provide quality home-comfort solutions to the Broken Arrow area.

If You Find Your AC Not Blowing Air, What Do You Do?

It's the middle of a hot, Oklahoma summer when suddenly your air conditioner breaks down. You find the AC not blowing air. What could the problem be and what can you do about it? Here are a few possible reasons for your AC not blowing air and a few actions you can take to fix it.

• Thermostat Settings. Check the obvious things first. Is your thermostat set to the wrong temperature? If it's too high, it won't kick in right away and your AC won't blow. Try lowering it a few degrees to see if that helps.

• Circuit Breaker. The power used by your AC may have overloaded the circuit and tripped the circuit breaker. Go to your breaker box, find the circuit that controls your HVAC system, check to see if it's off, and if so, turn it back on. However, if your AC trips the circuit breaker repeatedly, it's indicative of a larger problem, and you should call your HVAC technician.

• Power Outage. Power outages in summer aren't uncommon, with everyone running their HVAC systems at the same time. If there was recently a power outage in your area, it may have wreaked havoc on your thermostat's clock/timer, preventing it from turning on, resulting in the AC not blowing air. Check the timer and reset it if necessary.

• Filter. If it's been awhile since you changed your HVAC filter, accumulated dirt and debris may be blocking the airflow. Change your air filter and see if that helps fix the problem.

• Condenser. Over time, dirt builds up on your condenser coils. If it's not cleaned properly, it can cause airflow problems and even ice buildup. Clean the coils, then run the system with just the fan to get rid of the ice to see if that fixes the issue.

• Refrigerant. If your AC is blowing air but it's not cold, you could be having refrigerant problems. Call your HVAC technician to check your refrigerant levels and recharge it.

If you're experiencing problems with your AC not blowing air, contact us at Air Assurance. We help keep Broken Arrow homes cool in the summer and comfortable all year long.

Are Individual Room AC Units the Best Way to Go This Summer?

If you’re curious about using an individual room AC to cool all or part of your home, you’ll find that these units offer advantages and disadvantages when it comes to comfort. While a central AC or heat pump is the ideal option, sometimes it makes sense to consider smaller options for home cooling. 

When Individual Room ACs Make Sense

• Someone may need it to be much cooler in the house than other family members. A problem sleeper, for example, is more likely to rest better when the room is cooler than what others may prefer.

• You’re adding on to your home and your current HVAC system isn’t large enough to cool the new space.

• You have a room that is consistently warmer than others. It might make financial sense to use an individual room AC. Before committing to the installation, check the room for air infiltration from the outside and adequate wall and roof insulation. You may be able to seal air leaks, shade windows, and add insulation to improve the room’s comfort level.

• You don’t want to make a large financial commitment for your comfort for the short time you have left in your present home. Room air conditioners are the least-expensive cooling solution for this climate. If you’re counting your energy dollars, avoid portable air conditioners. These units are the easiest to install but have the highest operational costs of all cooling systems.

Downsides of Individual Room ACs

• These units are noisy. Most have decibel ratings in the high 50s and low 60s. If the constant drone of the fan annoys you, consider a central system.

• Airflow from a room AC won’t be as strong or as widespread as the air distribution from a central cooling system. Your room will have hot spots and, conversely, cold spots.

• They’re not allowed. Whether wedged into a wall or a window, some homeowners’ associations won’t let you have them because of their appearance from the street.

If you’re considering using an individual room AC, contact the pros at Air Assurance. We provide trusted HVAC services for Broken Arrow homeowners, and we would be happy to answer your questions about individual room ACs.

How to Prevent Your AC Freezing Up in Summer

An HVAC freezing up in summer is a unit that needs prompt attention. While air conditioners are supposed to produce cold air, ice formation is definitely not part of this process. No component in a properly functioning central AC should generate temperatures that drop below freezing. 

Most everything about an HVAC freezing up in summer is bad news:

• First, a frozen air conditioner will not produce cool comfort anymore. Often, the unit may shut down entirely. Because freeze-ups often happen when outdoor temperatures are excessively high, this can mean very uncomfortable living conditions until the problem is resolved.

• Ice forming inside indoor evaporator coil passages gradually obstructs system airflow. This, in turn, causes the system to run longer cycles. As airflow becomes increasingly obstructed, the system runs nearly nonstop. By that time, severe, permanent damage to the compressor — the most costly component in a typical central AC — may have occurred.

What Causes AC Freeze-Ups?

• Low system airflow. When airflow through the indoor evaporator coil drops below specifications, the temperature of refrigerant circulating through the coil may plunge below freezing. Condensation naturally forming on the coil then freezes, eventually obstructing the coil. The best insurance to support optimum HVAC airflow is replacing the system air filter every month all summer long. This is an effective, affordable measure to help avoid an HVAC freezing up in summer.

• Refrigerant leaks. When the AC refrigerant charge drops too low, coil icing is a common early symptom. Air conditioners don’t consume refrigerant, so if the amount circulating through the system is insufficient, that usually indicates a leak somewhere. A qualified HVAC technician has the equipment to track down and repair these small refrigerant leaks. Then, the system's refrigerant charge can be restored to proper specifications.

If your HVAC freezing up in summer threatens your indoor comfort, ask the cooling professionals at Air Assurance about qualified HVAC service to resolve the problem. 

How the Type of Vents You Have Affect Airflow

Good airflow is essential to an efficient HVAC system. Airflow is affected by a number of things, from possible leaks in your ductwork to how often you replace your filter and other factors. One possibility that tends to get overlooked is vent types. The kind of vents you have impact how air flows through your home. Here's what you need to know about vent types and airflow.

Vent Designs

Most vents look similar. They're square or rectangular, with horizontal slats. However, there are also decorative vents, with patterns and designs. The problem with these vent types is that they're designed for aesthetics, not functionality.

Your home's airflow depends on your vents being relatively unobstructed. As a rule, an effective vent should be at least 75% open space. The slats are there to direct the air. Decorative patterns are not.

Patterns mainly get in the way of the air as it flows into your home. If your system was designed specifically for decorative air vents, they'll likely be OK. However, if you're replacing your existing vents with decorative ones, be careful and keep functionality in mind.

Vent Materials

Some vents are made of alternate materials, such as wood or plastic, to fit with your home decor. Be careful of these vent types, since wood and plastic aren't as sturdy as metal. To make them strong enough to replace metal vents, they need to be significantly thicker — especially for floor vents that get walked on. That thickness often means less open space on your vent, which restricts your airflow. Stick to metal vents.

They also make magnetic vent types, so you can close the vents in little-used rooms and create a seal, so air can't leak out. This is a bad idea. Even if you don't use a room often, keep the vents open. Closing a vent increases air pressure throughout the rest of your home. The added stress wastes energy and leads to air leaks.

To learn more about vent types and other factors that affect your home's airflow, contact us at Air Assurance. We provide quality HVAC solutions to Broken Arrow homeowners.

How the Size of a Room Can Work For and Against Good Airflow

Good airflow is essential for keeping your house comfortable. However, depending on the size of a room, it can be difficult to achieve. How does room size affect airflow? How do you ensure the correct airflow for your room size? Here's what you need to know.

The Right Airflow

How much air does your HVAC system produce, and is it enough to heat or cool your home? Airflow is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). How many CFM need to circulate through a room in order to make it comfortable? Larger rooms will need more CFM, while smaller rooms will need less. Therefore, if you have uniform airflow throughout your home, it can cause problems.

In a larger room, you might not have enough CFM to heat or cool the room properly. As a result, your system can become overworked, requiring too much energy to meet the room's needs. On the other hand, if your CFM is too high for your room size, it can cause ventilation problems. Too much air results in too little ventilation, which in turn causes high humidity. The excess moisture in the air can then lead to mold and mildew, as well as other problems.

Getting the Right CFM for Your Room Size

How much airflow do you need for a given room in your house? Your HVAC technician can help you measure your CFM and determine if it's too much, too little, or just right for your room size. Particularly if you have drastically different airflow needs across different rooms, you might consider investing in a zoning system.

A zoning system outfits each room with its own thermostat and provides air according to a room's individual heating and cooling needs. With a variable-speed air handler, it can simultaneously provide a higher CFM for larger rooms and a lower CFM for smaller ones, reducing humidity problems and saving energy. Talk to your HVAC technician about HVAC zoning in your home.

To learn more about how room size affects airflow, contact us at Air Assurance. We help make Broken Arrow homes efficient and comfortable.