Are Ductless HVAC Systems a Good Idea?

Ductless Mini-Split - Tulsa, OK

If you've wondered whether a ductless HVAC system is a good idea for your home, talk to your HVAC consultant and get the lowdown on what is commonly known as the ductless mini-split. Ask your consultant how well this HVAC system is likely to work in our climate. Following are some important facts about this technology so you can better evaluate whether it's for you.

Do Mini Splits Heat and Cool?

Although you can acquire a mini-split that only cools, you might want to look at those with heating capability. A few years ago, mini-splits were not considered as efficient as heating systems in areas where temperatures fell below freezing, but they have been vastly improved in recent years, so they may work well in winter in your home.

Are Mini-Splits Quiet?

Mini splits were once known for being noisy, but no longer. In fact, many homeowners choose them because of the quiet, gentle flow of heated or cooled air that the air handler puts out as compared to the sudden — and noisy — rush of conditioned air from a central system.

Are Ductless HVAC Systems Challenging to Install?

Not really. However, you do need to hire someone with experience and good training in installing mini-splits so yours will work properly and efficiently. In most cases, installing a mini-split is not a DIY job.

Ductless HVAC systems are considered fairly straightforward to install, with an outdoor condenser and a conduit with wires and refrigerant leading to an indoor air handler. The air handlers typically are very versatile when being fitted into the home, with some models designed to be tucked away on a shelf or in a corner. Furthermore, they don't need to be connected to a system of ductwork.

Are Ductless Systems Expensive?

Ductless systems can be considered expensive, costing between $1,500 and $2,000 per ton (12,000 Btu per hour) of cooling capacity. However, they are extremely efficient and can save a homeowner as much as 30% a year on energy bills. 

For more on ductless HVAC, contact Air Assurance. We serve Broken Arrow and the surrounding area.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Ductless Mini-Splits?

You need a new HVAC system. The typical option is an AC or furnace, but that's not right for every home. Maybe you'd be better suited to a ductless mini-split. Here are some of the pros and cons of ductless mini-splits for home comfort.

Pros

The main advantage to mini-splits is their efficiency. They run on electricity, which allows the most efficient models to have SEER ratings up to 30. The most efficient AC, on the other hand, has a SEER rating of around 25.

That efficiency is compounded by the fact that mini-splits don't lose energy through ductwork. Holes and other damage to your ducts can cause energy loss in your home averaging 30%. Ductless systems don't have that problem, and they deliver all the air directly to you with no loss.

Finally, mini-splits provide zone control. While smaller systems are designed for a single room, larger ones include multiple units, which can be placed in rooms around the house. Each unit has its own thermostat and can be adjusted according to that room's needs — and the occupants' preferences — without disturbing the rest of the house.

Cons

While it's true mini-splits are efficient, they're also expensive. They cost much more to purchase and install than traditional HVAC units. You can make that money back over time through energy savings, but it's definitely a long-term investment, and not everyone can afford that initial cost.

Another problem is IAQ. Ductless mini-split air filters aren't as efficient as regular furnace and AC filters, and they won't eliminate as many contaminants. If you have allergy or asthma sufferers in your home, it might be a good idea to supplement your mini-split with an air purifier.

Ductless mini-splits aren't suited to every home. In the right situation, however, they can be a real asset in terms of comfort, savings, and other advantages. Talk to your HVAC contractor to see if a mini-split is the right option for your needs.

To learn more about ductless mini-splits and other heating and cooling options, contact us at Air Assurance. We serve all of Broken Arrow's home-comfort needs.

How to Tell If Your HVAC Insulation Is Working Properly

Attic insulation isn't the only kind of insulation you need. In order to maintain home efficiency, you need HVAC insulation as well. Specifically, insulation for your ductwork. Without proper insulation, hot air will gradually cool down and cold air will heat up as they make the journey through your ducts, losing a significant amount of energy by the time they reach your rooms. How can you tell if your HVAC insulation is working properly? Here are a few things to look for.

The Importance of HVAC Insulation

A significant portion of your ductwork goes through your attic. Your attic retains a lot of heat in summer and gets very cold in the winter. Your ducts need to be insulated against those temperature fluctuations. Without proper insulation, cold air from your AC will absorb the heat as it flows through the ducts in your attic. Likewise in winter, warm furnace air will grow colder.

This is the first major sign that your HVAC insulation isn't working the way it should: If the air flowing into your home isn't as hot or as cold as it should be, this means you're losing energy, and in turn, your system needs to run longer in order to heat or cool your home properly, which drives up your bill.

HVAC Insulation Damage

Another way to tell if your ductwork insulation is adequate is to check it for damage, such as tears in the duct wrapping. In some cases, damaged insulation can also cause blockage in your ductwork, which restricts the airflow. In other cases, damage might include moisture around the ducts or even mold growth.

If the damage is minor, the insulation can probably be fixed using metal or foil tape. If it's more extensive, you may need to have your ducts rewrapped with new insulation. If you have mold, you'll need a ductwork cleaning in addition to any repairs. Whatever the damage, talk to your HVAC technician to see what needs to be done.

For more help maintaining proper HVAC insulation in your home, contact us at Air Assurance. We strive for excellence in meeting Broken Arrow's home-comfort needs.

What Impact Does the Fall Have on Your Home Plumbing?

The fall can give your plumbing system a cold welcome. As temperatures become cooler, there are certain plumbing complications that homeowners tend to encounter. Failure to address the issues could lead to costly repairs during the holidays. Let's go through these fall plumbing problems.

Drain Blockage

If your sink is throwing tantrums in the fall, the leaves in your yard may be to blame. Fallen leaves can enter your drainage system and clog it easily. Traffic, winds, and rains are some of the factors that can play a significant role in piling up those leaves and pushing them into your drainage system. A professional plumber can easily solve this problem by changing your drain cover so that the problem doesn't recur.

Frozen Pipes

Frozen pipes commonly occur in the winter. However, this problem can also occur in the fall as temperatures begin to drop. Water expands when it freezes, which can make your pipes burst.

You can prevent frozen pipes by having a plumber insulate your pipes, for example, with a pipe sleeve. Installing a heat cable or heat tape on exposed pipes will also help.

Water Heater Malfunction

In the fall, the incoming water is colder. When cold water enters your heater, the result could be a temperature drop of around 25 degrees. As you use hot water, cold water gets into the tank. This creates the need for the heater to heat the water constantly.

With the water heater now operating beyond its normal capacity, the chances of it malfunctioning increase. You can save yourself from this issue by having a plumber inspect and insulate all your water heater's pipes.

Fall means the holiday season is approaching. Be sure to take the necessary steps to prevent a plumbing disaster down the line. For more information on avoiding fall plumbing issues, contact Air Assurance. We offer plumbing services such as inspections and emergency repairs to homeowners in the Broken Arrow area.

What Are the Smartest Ways to Cut Costs on Your Heating or Cooling Bill?

The price of energy remains relatively inexpensive, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be cutting costs on electricity and gas whenever you can. There are so many easy ways to cut costs on energy use, and once you're aware of them, you'll want to put them into practice right away. 

Best Practices for Cutting Energy Costs

1. Change the Filter.
   Changing the HVAC filter allows air to flow through the system unimpeded so that the cooling and heating work more efficiently while cutting costs on energy use. Also, keeping the return air clean cuts down on friction caused by dirt entering the unit's parts, which makes the unit run hotter. Furthermore, when the HVAC labors to heat or cool, parts may wear out faster, necessitating repairs or replacements. 

2. Install a Programmable or Smart Thermostat.
   While a programmable thermostat is more complicated than a smart thermostat, you can save money on energy with either type of technology if you set a program and stick to it. Cut back on energy use when you're away from home or sleeping. Even a change of a few degrees will contribute to cutting costs on the energy bill. 

3. Air-Seal Your Home.
   Air-sealing your home isn't that difficult, and the reward in cutting energy costs will be significant. Seal small leaks around door and window frames, baseboards, the attic hatch, and holes in exterior walls where pipes, cables, and wires come through. Use weatherstripping, insulation, and caulk.

4. Replace Inefficient Windows.
   Replace single-pane windows with the efficient, double-pane type.

5. Schedule Preventative Maintenance. 
   Have an HVAC consultant check your equipment regularly to ensure good performance. Ask your consultant to check the ductwork for holes or gaps to prevent air leaks — an important step in cutting costs of energy use. 

The Department of Energy (DOE) has found that heating and cooling accounts for 50% to 75% of energy used in the average American home. For more information on cutting energy costs in your home, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.

The Top Three Links between Plumbing and HVAC

Certain HVAC and plumbing links are built into most homes. While we tend to think of these as distinct, separate systems, cooling and heating may interact with plumbing at several points inside your house. Defects can cause problems in either system, including indoor water damage and potential damage to connected HVAC units. Here are some points where HVAC and plumbing links converge inside your home — and what could go wrong. 

AC Overflow

Humidity reduction is a vital part of air conditioning. As the indoor evaporator coil condenses water vapor, it is collected in a condensate drip pan beneath the indoor air handler. This liquid flows through a line that's connected to the household drain system. Problems that occur with HVAC and plumbing links include algae growth in the condensate drip pan clogging the drain line. If this happens, the drip pan will overflow every time the AC cycles on.

Annual preventive maintenance of HVAC and plumbing links by a qualified professional contractor includes an inspection and cleaning of the drip pan and drain line. Biocide tablets may be added to the drip pan to inhibit algae growth and prevent future clogs.

A High-Efficiency Furnace

Furnaces with high AFUE efficiency ratings condense water vapor present in exhaust gases. This condensate flows through typical HVAC and plumbing links, including a drain line that extends to the outdoors or into the home's drain system. A clog anywhere can cause condensate to back up into the furnace, triggering an automatic safety switch that shuts down the furnace. Professional HVAC service is required to clear the clog and then restart the furnace. 

Home Dehumidifiers

A whole-home dehumidifier that's installed inside home ductwork may produce more than 10 gallons of condensate daily. A blockage anywhere in the common HVAC and plumbing links may cause leakage or overflow and resulting water damage where the dehumidifier is located — usually in the attic. Most manufacturers recommend annual dehumidifier preventative maintenance by a qualified professional to avoid clogs and overflow.

For more about potential problems with HVAC and plumbing links — as well as effective solutions — talk to the professionals at Air Assurance.

Home Ventilation Options to Keep Your Home Cool

While separating your home environment from the great outdoors means that you can control your indoor temperature year-round, it also means that you're not getting the benefits of natural breezes and fresh air. Maintaining indoor air quality is one reason you should pay attention to your home's ventilation, but it's not the only one – you can also use the following home ventilation options to keep your living spaces cool.

Natural Airflow From Windows and Doors

While it might be more appealing during the temperate months, you can easily ventilate your home by opening more than one window. Ideally, you should have windows on upper and lower floors open at the same time, and a clear path for air to flow between them. Warm air will rise and push its way out of the upper windows, drawing in cooler air from down below.

Fans

Moving air cools you down the same way that the wind chills you in winter, so a standing fan can help to keep you cool. However, it's even better if you use a ceiling fan. The downward draft will displace the cool air that's sunk to ground level, making it more available to cool you. That can increase the efficiency of your air conditioner, or remove the need for it altogether on cooler days.

Whole-House Ventilation Solutions

A whole-house fan can bring in fresh outdoor air and circulate it through your home. When air is exhausted through your attic spaces, you're also preventing the heat of the sun from warming your attic and radiating downward into your living areas.

If you're curious about how home ventilation can keep you cool through the Broken Arrow summers, visit us at Air Assurance to learn more!

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: “Thinglass/Shutterstock”

The Ductless Mini Split: All The Advantages Of A Heat Pump, And Then Some

When space for HVAC system installation is at a premium, but you still want all the benefits of a heat pump, consider installing a ductless mini split. These more compact heat pumps are just as powerful as a full-size system, but offer unique benefits all their own.

• Easier installation: Mini splits are easier to install because they don't need a large duct network for air distribution. While the outdoor unit of a ductless mini split is about the same size as that of a regular heat pump, the indoor components are much smaller in size and are not restricted by being connected to a duct system. Up to four indoor air handling units are connected to the outdoor unit via a conduit than runs through the wall. The conduit houses the power cables, refrigerant lines and the drain for the condenser.

• Freedom of placement: The indoor air handlers of the mini split can be placed almost anywhere in your home, limited only by the length of the connections to the outdoor unit. They can be arranged so that they don't interfere with room design or incorporated into a comfortable home environment.

• Flexibility for zoned heating and cooling: Each indoor unit operates independently of the other, providing a separate thermostat for individualized temperature control. This allows mini splits to be used where they are needed and wanted to provide zoned heating and cooling. Combine one or more in a particular area or spread them out as needed.

• Excellent efficiency: The lack of ductwork in a mini split means there is no chance of efficiency loss because of the air and energy leaks that can occur in ducted arrangements. This improves system efficiency and effectiveness, giving homeowners outstanding levels of home comfort at a lower cost--up to 30 percent less than traditional furnaces and air conditioners.

For more than 30 years, Air Assurance has brought expert HVAC sales, installation and service to customers in and around Tulsa and Broken Arrow. Contact us for more information on ductless mini split heat pump systems and how one can work for your northeastern Oklahoma 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). Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Energy-Saving Tips That Help Keep Summer Bills Low

Summertime brings allergies, high temperatures, A/C running on full-blast and, unfortunately, higher energy bills. As you're trying to keep yourself cool, we don't want your summer energy bills burning a hole in your pocket. With a few simple energy-saving tips, you can keep your home cool while saving money.Here are a few inexpensive and easy solutions to stay cool this summer:

• Make sure your HVAC equipment and air filters are well-maintained. Replace or clean your air filters as needed. Don't forget to have your air conditioner unit serviced before the hot weather hits every year to make sure it runs more efficiently.

• Don't let cool air escape. If your A/C is running all day, but your home doesn't feel much cooler, there could be air leaks in your home. You should add weatherstripping to your doors and windows, and caulk any cracks in the walls to keep cool air from escaping.

• Properly insulate your attic. If your home has an attic, you should install modern insulation to help lower cooling costs in the summer. On warm days, temperatures in the attic can rise upwards of 140 degrees. Proper insulation and ventilation can help lower your attic temperatures.

• Unplug electronics and appliances when not in use. Something as simple as turning off your electronics when they're not in use can help lower your energy bills. Keep in mind that electronics such as computers also give off heat, so it's a double-whammy in the summer.

• Buy Energy Star products. From air conditioners to refrigerators, the federal Energy Star program ensures that products meet strict energy-efficiency guidelines that help protect the environment and save you money.

These energy-saving tips are just a start to help keep your home cool and your summer energy bills low. For more expert advice on energy-saving tips and other HVAC topics, contact Air Assurance Heating, Cooling & Air Quality today!  We proudly service residents of Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas.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