Looking For An Air Filter? Knowing MERV Will Help

If you’re looking for the right air filter, understanding MERV can be to your advantage. MERV is a rating given to air filters based on their minimum efficiency reporting value; in other words, it's a rating of their capacity to efficiently remove airborne particulates down to 0.3 microns. This value can range from 1 to 20, with higher MERV ratings indicating a higher-efficiency air filter.With regards to shopping for air filters, MERV can be broken down as follows:

• For use in residential settings, air filters with a MERV between 1 and 4 are often lower-quality, disposable filters.

• A MERV between 5 and 8 would represent a better variety of residential air filter.

• A MERV between 9 and 12 might be found in superior residential settings or commercial buildings.

• In hospital settings and superior commercial settings, air filters will likely carry a MERV between 13 and 16.

• Capable of removing 99.97 percent of airborne particulates down to 0.3 microns, True HEPA filters carry a MERV between 17 and 20 and are used in applications such as laboratory clean rooms and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

What's surprising is that there is really no mandate set on how a MERV rating is performed.  Therefore, it's highly likely that MERV ratings on a filter may be tested at levels that don't work with the amount of air your comfort system produces.  In other words, a higher MERV rating could be a marketing ploy, and actually damage your system or it's performance.When choosing an air filter, you have to take the specifics of your system into account. Filters may not fit your system, or in some cases may be entirely too powerful for practical use in your home. With those things in mind, MERV should be used as one reference point for filter comparison, but not as the sole reason for your filter decision.That's why Air Assurance has tested all of the filters we offer to our customers with the air flo commonly used by the comfort systems we service and install.  To ensure that the air filters you choose are the most efficient and system-appropriate available today, let our trained technicians guide you through the process. For expert consultation, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, today!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.

Get Ready For Summer By Upgrading To High-Efficiency Air Conditioning

Summer is right around the corner here in the Tulsa Metro area, and that means it's just about time for your air conditioner to go back to work. If your system is old and/or approaching the end of its life, you might want to consider upgrading to a new high-efficiency air conditioning unit to provide your home with cool air. High-efficiency air conditioning units provide the best path to a cool house this summer. While they do cost a bit more upfront than standard A/Cs, you'll save a lot on utility bills, which means they'll go a long way towards paying for themselves in the long run.To find out how efficient an air conditioning unit is, look at its SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating). Usually, high-efficiency air conditioning units have a SEER that falls somewhere between 16-23. By installing a high-efficiency air conditioning unit in your home, you can reduce the amount of energy you consume by as much as 30-50 percent.High-efficiency air conditioners can also improve on your home's indoor air quality. According to the EPA, poor air quality inside of homes and other buildings is one of the top five health risks to humans. High-efficiency air conditioning systems are better than standard models at filtering out dust, pollen and other allergens from the air.  This is usually because of their variable speed output or 2-stage operations, allowing for a more constant level of service.So high-efficiency A/C systems kill two birds with one stone. They help you combat rising energy costs while fighting off the summer heat at the same time.If you think that your home could benefit from a more efficient air conditioning system, please contact the professionals at Air Assurance. We can help assess your needs and find the right unit for your budget and your needs.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.

HVAC Terms Every Oklahoma Homeowner Should Know

HVAC technicians go through years of training because there’s so much knowledge to take in. It’s not practical to expect the average Oklahoma homeowner to have all this information. However, Air Assurance has some terms that can give consumers a great advantage in finding the best equipment, service and savings.AFUE stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. It’s a measurement for a furnace’s efficiency. AFUE percentages rate how much heat the furnace produces compared to how much energy it takes to operate. A high efficiency furnace with an AFUE of 95 percent converts 95 percent of the fuel it consumes into usable heat.  So in simple terms, for every dollar you pay the gas company to heat your home, $.95 cents is actually getting into the home while only $.05 cents is wasted.  A unit that is over 20 years old is typically rated around 60 AFUE.  This means that $.40 cents of every dollar is wasted through flu venting, pilot lights, insulation of the furnace cabinet, or thicker heat exchangers that trap the heat longer.SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. SEER measures the efficiency of air conditioners. It is similar to AFUE in that it measures how much cool air the units produce against how much energy they consume. High efficiency air conditioners with SEERs from around 16 to 23 get great “miles per gallon.”  A system that is 20 years old is typically rated around 6 SEER. The minimum manufactured SEER rating today is 13.  This could equal nearly 40% in cooling savings annually!MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. This measurement applies to air filters. A high MERV rating means the filter traps more particles. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, using a MERV 13 is ideal, as it can trap many airborne particles and allergens.Higher MERV filters are more restrictive, and can inhibit airflow in your system. This can strain your equipment, so before running right out for a high MERV, be sure to get the advice of a qualified technician who can match a filter to your system.  Note: Interesting point, Merv ratings are not governed, therefore each manufacturer can claim different Merv ratings according to different variables such as slower air flow, particle size, etc. Air Assurance has done the testing on all the filters available which is why they recommend the filters they do.  This is also the reason our technicians carry our own Clean-Climate Filters.  Built to our specs according to the most efficient air flow and particulate cleaning possible without harming your system.NATE stands for North American Technician Excellence. NATE is a third-party, non-profit organization providing testing and certification to HVAC technicians nationwide. The tests cover areas of the HVAC field, such as heat pumps, air distribution and air conditioning. When you work with a certified NATE technician you can be sure the service is up to national standards, and that you’re not taking chances with your contractor.  Air Assurance was the first company in the country to offer their customers 100% NATE certified technicians.Understanding these four terms can help you make an educated decision on equipment and contractors, so you’ll be sure to get the most “bang for your buck.” Call Air Assurance if you have more HVAC questions. We’re happy to help!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.

Get Efficient A/C Systems With SEER

No matter whether you live in Broken Arrow, Tulsa or any other town or city across the state of Oklahoma, when you’re A/C system isn’t operating at top capacity, you certainly feel it. And when your equipment has passed the 10-year mark in age, it’s time to seriously look at replacing the system you have now with a high-efficiency air conditioning unit.When embarking on this adventure, you should be aware of the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating of the unit you will purchase. Cost-efficiency is important in these days of rising energy costs.What is SEER?The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is the rating of an air conditioning unit, measuring the cooling output against the amount of energy (watt-hours) used over the course of a season of cooling. But what you really need to know is this: it measures how effectively a unit will cool your home. Think of it as Miles Per Gallon on a car.The higher the rating, the more energy efficient it is, and the less you will pay in cooling costs. Remember:

• Older air conditioners usually have a lower SEER rating of perhaps 5 or 6.

• More efficient models have a rating of at least 14 and can extend to 21+. Geothermal units can go as high as 27!

Save Money with Efficient Energy UseResidential air conditioners are currently required to be manufactured with a minimum rating of 13. But when you decide to replace your A/C system, you should look at getting a SEER rating of 14 on your unit, which qualifies it as an Energy Star air conditioner. Energy Star labels tell you you're getting energy-efficient equipment. Typically, these units also qualify for additional utility company rebates which can often offset the cost of the upgrade.When you have a long cooling season and high electricity costs, it is quite justified to spend a little more upfront for a high-efficiency A/C unit because you'll save more over time.To review your options thoroughly, it’s best to get a professional HVAC contractor to go over them with you. At Air Assurance, we are happy to answer any questions and give you our expert advice.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.

Ventilation Without Wasting Energy: Check Out An Energy Recovery Ventilator

Energy recovery ventilation units (ERVs) allow you to recapture energy produced by your HVAC system while ventilating your home. They bring in fresh, filtered air while expelling used, stale air. They also “recycle” energy by collecting humidity and warmth (or coolness) from outgoing air and essentially “giving” it to incoming air. This allows them to help maintain indoor temperatures and humidity levels. ERVs can recover around 70 percent to 80 percent of outgoing energy, making them some of the most efficient ventilation options on the market.Energy recovery ventilators differ from heat recovery ventilators in that they capture humidity along with the outgoing temperature. This occurs in the heat exchanger. Here the currents of incoming and outgoing air cross, and energy from the outgoing stream is collected. The two currents don’t combine.Most ERVs are complex ventilation systems, but there are smaller models that attach to pre-existing ducts, or even wall-mounted or window-mounted models. ERVs typically require more maintenance than a standard system. The heat exchanger is also susceptible to frost in cold weather, which can damage the system, so keeping them serviced is important.According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the air inside 60 percent of US homes is hazardous due to the build-up of indoor pollutants such as off-gassing from carpets, fumes from household cleaners, dust, mold and other dangerous microbes. This is an unfortunate side effect of homes that are tightly sealed to maximize energy efficiency. Air cleaned by an ERV can dramatically improve the health of many people suffering from chronic respiratory conditions.ERVs are generally most efficient when used in climates with very hot summers or very cold winters, but they can be utilized year round in temperate climates like ours to help maintain humidity levels in drier weather and preserve energy created by the HVAC system. Energy recovery ventilation systems often cost more to install than regular units, but choosing a model that attaches to existing ducts can help with the financial costs, offering great savings that recoup costs over time.Give Air Assurance a call to learn if an energy recovery ventilation system is right for your home.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.