Prepare Your OK Home for Cooler Weather With These Fall Home Maintenance Tips

With the days rapidly growing cooler and shorter in Broken Arrow, now is the perfect time to get some work done around the house while it is still warm enough to let the fresh air in. The following fall home maintenance tips can help you get a good start on this year's preparations before the bitter cold of winter sets in:

Fall Home Maintenance Tips

• Have the heating system checked: The fall is the perfect time to have your heating system inspected and maintained by a certified HVAC technician, which will help keep the system running efficiently throughout the winter and allow the technician to find and prevent serious problems before they happen. Regular maintenance helps extend the life of your HVAC system and reduce your heating bills.

• Replace the air filter: Check the heating system's air filter in the fall and winter once a month, and replace it when necessary. This will help keep your system running efficiently and prevent excess wear and tear.

• Seal air leaks: Use weather stripping around doors and windows to prevent drafts, and use caulk or sprayed-foam insulation to fill gaps around pipes, electric wires, exhaust vents and other openings in the exterior walls. Make sure that your ceilings, walls, floors and attic have the proper amount of insulation, and that it is properly installed and in good condition.

• Get rid of dust: Use a vacuum to eliminate as much dust as possible while you can still keep the windows open. Pay special attention to the heating registers, cold air returns, filter housings, fans, stove hoods and exhaust vents. If you have any tasks that generate heavy chemical fumes, such as painting, oven cleaning or carpet cleaning, do them now before it is too cold to open the windows.

• Replace batteries: Replace the batteries in your thermostat, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, and verify that they are working correctly.

For other convenient fall home maintenance tips, talk to our home heating experts at Air Assurance Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing today. We serve Broken Arrow, the Tulsa metropolitan area and the surrounding communities.

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). 

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CO Poisoning: It Can Be a Year-Round Concern

CO Poisoning: It Can Be a Year-Round Concern

We tend to think that CO poisoning is a hazard only in the cooler months when the house is closed up tightly and the fireplace and furnace are running. Nothing could be further from the truth, however, because carbon monoxide (CO) knows no season. If you enjoy boating, camping, barbecuing, or have an attached garage, you could be at risk. Carbon monoxide occurs as the result of incomplete combustion of fuels. It's invisible and has no odor. CO replaces oxygen in the blood stream and in high enough quantities, it can be fatal. Since it's undetectable without CO alarms, it's important to avoid situations where it could be present, like:

• At the back of an idling boat. When your boat motor runs, it emits CO. If you're trolling or idling, take care to avoid sitting too long near the motor.

• Barbecuing in the garage. Regardless of the weather, it's never a good idea to barbecue in the garage.

• Using gas-powered lawn equipment like lawn mowers or leaf blowers close to open windows can spew CO into your home.

• Running gas-powered equipment in your garage for any length of time. If your garage is attached to your home, CO poisoning can be a hazard year-round. Unless the connecting door has a tight seal, it can seep into your home. Check the common wall between the garage, as well, and caulk around any pipes, wires or cables entering your home. Inspecting the base and top of the common wall will also reveal small cracks that can bring in CO and other fumes from chemicals you store inside the garage.

• Using tent heaters excessively to stay warm while camping or sitting too close to a campfire.

• Using a gas or propane appliance indoors, without having them inspected periodically by a professional. Ideally, your furnace should be professionally maintained annually.

We at Air Assurance are here to help you avoid CO poisoning. If you'd like to improve your heating system's energy efficiency and safety, please contact us. We've provided trusted HVAC services for the Broken Arrow area for more than 30 years.Normal0falsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONE/* Style Definitions */table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow:yes;mso-style-priority:99;mso-style-parent:"";mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;mso-para-margin:0in;mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}

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).

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All Carbon Monoxide Detectors Are Not Created Equal

Each year, approximately 200 people are killed from carbon monoxide poisoning. There are thousands of injuries suffered as well. For this reason, everyone should have carbon monoxide detectors in their home.There are two different types of carbon monoxide detectors available for home use. One type of carbon monoxide detector is powered by your home current. These types of detectors are simply plugged into a household wall socket. Other types of carbon monoxide detectors are powered by batteries. Either type of detector should be tested often to ensure that they are working properly. Carbon monoxide detectors that run on batteries will need to have their batteries changed a couple of times each year.A carbon monoxide detector that plugs in to a wall socket is comparable in price to the unit that runs on batteries. The home-powered detectors require less upkeep and will be effective for up to 5 years. The downside, is that they don't work when there is no power.  Often, this is when they are best utilized, when the power is out, and people are using generators, fireplaces, or other appliances to get heat.A carbon monoxide detector that runs on batteries is able to be more conveniently located, as it is an independent unit. They do not give up-to-date information as frequently as the home-powered detector. These types of detectors generally require a manual reset. However, when the power is out, they are ready for the challenge.Many "store-bought" detectors are better than no detector at all.  However,  most of them do not alert you of high levels of CO until 70 PPM after 30-45 minutes of contamination.  This is an acceptable range, however, many children and seniors can't accept these levels of CO for that long without strong affects.Then, there are "advanced" detectors.  These are more of an investment up front, but can detect much lower levels of CO, and even have displays that read the actual PPM levels, so that you can always be sure if you have a potential problem or not, before it gets to an emergency level.Remember, the sensors that detect CO can only be good for so long.  Read your owner's manuals to see when they recommend you to change the detectors.  Some sensors are only recommended to remain in use for 3 years to remain accurate.When choosing which carbon monoxide detector is best for your home you will want to be sure that they are approved by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. You will also want to be sure that you buy a detector for every level of your home.Air Assurance can assist you in your decision on which type of carbon monoxide detector to use, as well as where to place them in your home. Serving Broken Arrow and the Tulsa area, we are here when you need us. For more information and expert advice,  contact us today!Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Don't Risk An Uninvited Guest -- Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Carbon monoxide is an extremely dangerous gas that can accumulate in buildings. The most dangerous attribute of this gas is that it is undetectable to human senses. Without a carbon monoxide detector, the only way to know that carbon monoxide levels are too high is after the onset of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Not only can carbon monoxide detectors save your family from an invisible threat, but they are inexpensive and easy to install.What makes carbon monoxide so dangerous is its similarity in structure to oxygen. This similarity enables the carbon monoxide to bond with the hemoglobin in blood cells. After bonding with the blood cell, carbon monoxide eliminates that blood cell's ability to transport oxygen to other cells. The effects of carbon monoxide are cumulative.Fortunately, carbon monoxide detectors are affordable and reliable. As a bonus, these detectors often require little maintenance and some can provide regular readouts on the carbon monoxide levels in the room. These detectors generally come in one of two styles. The most affordable style is the battery operated detector. Due to the power limitations of the battery, these detectors utilize a passive sensing system to monitor carbon monoxide levels. The other type of detector utilizes an electrical current from the building. This increases the available power and allows the detector to use a more advanced detection system (however, if the power is out, so are these detectors). Regardless of style, all detectors are required by law to conform to certain minimum standards of sensitivity.  And while having a detector that passes these standards is better than not having one at all, these standards are very minimal.  There are other detectors on the market that read lower levels, alert you at those lower levels, and still do not require actual electric power to maintain it's sophistication.It is generally recommended to have at least one detector per floor and a detector in each room where people sleep. Most people killed or seriously injured from carbon monoxide poisoning were exposed to the gas while asleep. A principle symptom of carbon monoxide poisoning is fatigue. As a result, most people exposed to dangerous levels of the gas while asleep will not regain consciousness until they have been treated with oxygen.For more information on carbon monoxide detectors, please feel free to contact the professionals at Air Assurance. Air Assurance proudly serves the Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area.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!      

Carbon-Monoxide Detectors: How They Work And Why You Need Them

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a dangerous gas, so in order to avoid serious health problems, it's critical to be prepared for situations that require a fast response. CO is a gas produced by combustion appliances, such as gas ovens, fireplaces and cars. It's not possible for a homeowner to track CO levels without a carbon-monoxide detector, because it's scentless and not visible to the naked eye. That’s why carbon-monoxide detectors are so important.Carbon-monoxide exposure is dangerous at both high levels of quick exposure and low levels of prolonged exposure. At low levels (200 parts per million, or PPM), headaches and nausea occur within two hours. At 400 PPM, exposure becomes life-threatening within a mere three hours. At 800 PPM, death can occur within two hours. A carbon-monoxide detector can mean the difference between life and death, particularly if the carbon monoxide is released while people are asleep.Carbon-monoxide detectors use technology to gauge the carbon-monoxide levels in a home’s air. There are various types of sensors; look for models approved by the Underwriters Laboratory, marked with a "UL" symbol to indicate that the product meets their safety guidelines. For under $100, you can generally get a good carbon-monoxide detector with several features. Consider those models that feature a carbon-monoxide measure: Because even low levels of prolonged exposure can cause serious problems, you might want a detector with a carbon-monoxide level read-out.  These typically cost more, but give you much better peace of mind and lower level alarming.The type of power source is another issue to consider, because both battery-powered and hard-wired models have their advantages:

• Battery-operated units can be installed almost anywhere, but they require more maintenance because you have to change the batteries regularly.

• Hard-wired models are maintenance-free and last up to ten years. However, to install them you’ll need to locate electrical access.

It’s crucial to install carbon-monoxide detectors where they’ll work to your advantage. Install one near the bedrooms, so you can hear the alarm go off even if you're sleeping. If you have a multi-level home, install a detector on each floor. Additionally, to avoid false alarms, don’t install them near combustible appliances (such as the stove) or humid areas (a bathroom).Stay safe with carbon-monoxide detectors. And remember, it's not just the winter time that CO can be a threat!!  It’s a small cost for a big payback: your life. The professionals at Air Assurance are available to help with your carbon-monoxide detector needs. Call us anytime with your questions.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.

Water Alarm: One Of Several Devices That Can Help You Keep Your Home Safe And Sound

With owning a home comes a great deal of responsibility. Not only do you have to worry about the safety of your family and possessions in the case of a theft or accident, you also have to worry about the possibility of failing systems, such as a stove or air conditioner, wreaking havoc on your household.Luckily, there are a number of devices designed to reduce the likelihood of such occurrences in the home, including:

• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

• Fire extinguishers

• Security cameras and motion-sensitive alarm systems

• Dusk-to-dawn and other motion-sensitive lighting systems

• Whole-house surge protection

These are just a few of the more common home detection and accident prevention devices being used by Broken Arrow/Tulsa area homeowners today. Unfortunately, when it comes to home detection and prevention devices, the water alarm is often overlooked.A device capable of detecting moisture produced by leaky pipes, washing machines, or other water-related items, the water alarm provides a means of early detection designed to prevent such issues as household mold and water damage. It can also help alert you to more sudden issues such as a broken pipe or a weather-related basement flooding. Long-lasting and simple to operate, a water alarm can be used wherever moisture-related problems are likely to occur.Whether you’re dealing with a known moisture issue or simply playing it safe, the key to prevention is early detection. For more information on how a water alarm can benefit your household, contact Air Assurance today for 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.

Which CO Detector Should I Buy? Is There A Difference?

Carbon monoxide is very hard to detect. It is colorless and orderless, yet even in small concentrations can be very dangerous to you and your loved ones. This toxic gas can be produced by many things in your home, including a gas stove, furnace, fireplace, water heater or a car that is started in an attached closed garage. Carbon monoxide detectors must be installed in your home to alert you to a rise in this dangerous gas in your environment.There are various manufacturers of carbon monoxide detectors, so you may be wondering if they are all the same, and if one is recommended over another. The answer is, yes, there are vast differences in the models available on the market today. It is critical to understand the differences, so we will review those shortly. First, we want to share with you some basic facts relating to the critical life saving benefits of superior carbon monoxide detectors.Most carbon monoxide detectors available are just not sensitive enough to detect lower levels of the dangerous gas. The majority of these detectors only sound an alarm after they have detected carbon monoxide at a level of 70ppm, for two hours or more. Studies show that a person can begin to feel sick, even experiencing flu-like symptoms, when they have been exposed to levels in the 35ppm range! Additionally, the elderly, the very young or those who have certain health challenges can be adversely affected by even lower levels of carbon monoxide.Let's go over those critical differences between the model that we recommend, the NSI 3000 Low Level Monitor, as compared to the typical units widely available. The features listed below are benefits of the NSI 3000.

• Initial visual, within 30 seconds, at 5ppm

• Low audible alert, after 5 minutes, at 15ppm

• High audible alert, after 5 minutes, at 35ppm

• Crisis level alert, after 30 seconds, at 70ppm

• Continuous on-screen digital display

• Display range of 5ppm - 999ppm

• Converts to convenient tabletop use

• Response instructions printed on unit

• Maximum protection for all ages

If you have a CO detector already, that's great, you are in the minority and you should be complimented!  Here's a few other tips that might help in keeping you safe with the units you already have.1.  Mount the unit close to eye level.  CO is unlike smoke, it doesn't rise, so mounting the unit at where you're most likely to breathe is a good idea.2.  Mount the unit at least on every level of the home, or if it's a larger ranch style home, mount them at each end of the home, or close to often used bedrooms.3.  Do not use the plug in style.  Most CO contamination happens when the power is out (generators, fireplaces, other gas heating appliances).  Not only is this style mounted near the floor (where most outlets are located), but they can't operate when the power is out, therefore not giving you the alarm when it might be most needed.4.  Replace your CO detectors once ever 3-5 years.  The sensors on CO detectors are very sensitive, and loose their sensitivity over time.5.  If your CO detector alarm sounds, get out of the house, leave the door open to provide some fresh air and call the gas company or emergency responders.We provide indoor air quality solutions for our customers that help keep them safe from threats like CO.  Contact us today for a home evaluation.Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about CO detectors and other HVAC topics, click here. Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas.  To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.

How To Improve Your Home's Indoor Air Quality

Low indoor air quality can lead to a host of health problems, and is cited again and again as one of the top preventable threats to your good health. Indoor air contaminants include dust, mold and fungi, bacteria, viruses and even carbon monoxide, posing health risks that include everything from allergies and asthma to chronic respiratory problems. Undetected buildups of carbon monoxide can even be fatal. Making an effort to maintain good indoor air quality is essential to your health and the health of your family.One of the easiest and least expensive things you can do to improve your indoor air quality is to purchase a whole home air cleaner for your comfort system. This literally removes the contaminants out of your air and, when properly used, can greatly reduce the presence of microorganisms, contaminants, smoke, dust and other unhealthy particles.  Of course, sealing the duct system to ensure no other contaminants navigate into the system on a regular basis is also necessary for the ultimate in clean air.Carbon monoxide, the "silent killer," is extremely dangerous. With increasing awareness of the dangers it poses, carbon monoxide detectors are now seen as essential to home safety as smoke detectors. Mount your carbon monoxide detector in a high place, away from heat-generating appliances like furnaces and ovens, and away from humid areas like your bathroom or laundry room to ensure you get accurate readings.If you have an HVAC system, you should get it inspected, cleaned and serviced regularly to ensure it's circulating clean air and not blowing contaminants and particles into the rooms of your home. In some cases, poor HVAC system design or installation can lead to problems with indoor air quality, in which case a major redesign may be necessary to correct the issue and prevent major health problems.You should have your indoor air quality tested regularly by a qualified professional, who can also suggest causes for air contamination and offer solutions tailored to your specific situation. If you need to service, repair or redesign your HVAC system, be sure to find a local contractor with a good reputation for quality service and workmanship so you find a permanent solution to the problem.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 the Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas.  To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.