HVAC During Mild Weather

Setting the thermostat for fall, when the weather is still mild, can be rather perplexing. Since it may be still a bit too warm in the daytime to turn off the air conditioner altogether, or not yet chilly enough at night to turn on the heating, you may have to do some adjusting with your fall HVAC settings.

Let the Fresh Air In

If the weather allows, by all means, turn the system off in fall and fling open the windows so you can enjoy some fresh air before winter arrives. Be sure you turn the system to "off" so that it doesn't come on while the windows are open.

Setting the Thermostat

If you've created an energy-efficient schedule with your air conditioner by raising or lowering the thermostat for periods throughout the day depending on when people are home, sleeping or inactive, you will probably need to adjust the schedule as the weather cools, and for time changes.For the fall, it may be you will want to change that schedule to turn the air conditioner on for just a couple of brief periods each day, and leave it off for the rest of the day so you can open windows. Or, as the season advances and it gets chillier, you will want to turn on the heating just for brief times in the morning, when people are getting ready for work, and in the evening, when you're dining or getting ready for bed.To save money, you can use ceiling fans, portable fans and even an occasional space heater to cool off or warm up those who aren't comfortable with your thermostat settings. If they are chilly, they can add layers of clothing or an extra blanket at night. That way, you may even be able to turn the system off altogether at night.

Obviously, the chances for a serious cold front to make its way into our region will mount as fall advances, so be ready to reset the thermostat as needed.Need more advice on fall HVAC settings? Contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.

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 other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

HVAC-Inspired Costumes for the Whole Family

Before long, neighborhoods will be teeming with ghouls, superheroes, cartoon characters, and all other sorts of wacky and amazing Halloween costumes. But, did you realize that HVAC-inspired costumes are often easy to put together and can really stand out in a crowd? Here are a few of our favorites for this year:

HVAC Worker Costumes

You have two routes you can take here. First, you can play it straight and dress up as a service technician, plumber, electrician, etc. The second choice is to get a little more inventive. For instance, you could use a ton of hairspray and go as an electrocuted electrician orsplatter yourself with brown paint and go as a plumber who's experienced a sewer backup (gross, we know... but funny, right?). Plus, you could add a little flare and scare by using make-up to create a zombie look for the costume.

Dryer Vent Costumes

Who would've thought that your dryer vent could give you so many options for Halloween costumes? You can use them as the arms and legs of an awesome looking robot, fashion them into the mechanical arms of Dr. Octopus, create your own Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz, or go all out and celebrate the holiday as Slinky from Toy Story.

Fortnite Costume Accessories

This year, costumes based on the insanely popular video game Fortnite are likely to be everywhere. A big part of the game concerns weapons used against your opponents, but fake guns are so yesterday. Instead, we suggest that you use a plunger to create either the clinger weapon or the game's grappling hook (you can easily Google what they look like). Just be sure that you purchase a new plunger for the costume. We definitely don't want kids running around outside with one taken from a toilet.

For more expert advice on HVAC-inspired Halloween costumes or any home comfort topics, contact the professionals at Air Assurance. We've been serving the needs of Broken Arrow and the surrounding area for more than 30 years.

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 other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

When Should You Upgrade Your HVAC System?

An HVAC upgrade is a major expense, so it's an investment you want to make only when it's really necessary. With regular preventive maintenance, you can expect your equipment to last for 10-15 years, so advancing age is often the first indicator that it needs replacement. Other signs that it's time to upgrade your HVAC include:

• Frequent repair bills. Mechanical equipment tends to break down more often as it ages, so if your HVAC system is getting older, you're likely to see more repair bills. In this situation, you should get the input of a trusted HVAC pro to decide when upgrading is more cost-effective than making repairs.

• Inefficient operation. If your HVAC system runs for extended periods, but it never seems to get your home comfortably warm or cool, it may not be properly sized for your home. The capacity for older systems were often sized using a rule of thumb instead of a detailed load calculation, and the result is inefficient operation, a lack of comfort, and higher-than-necessary energy bills.

• Rising energy bills. If your usage habits haven't changed, but your energy bills are rising, it may be due to a decline in your HVAC equipment's efficiency. If you have older equipment, upgrading might bring you significant energy savings since today's systems are much more efficient.

Do You Need to Replace Your Entire System?

It's always best to upgrade both halves of a split-system air conditioner or heat pump because mismatched equipment can cause a host of problems. However, you may not need to upgrade your furnace at the same time if it's in good working condition, or replace all the ductwork if it's properly sized and well-maintained.Before you decide to upgrade, it's also wise to schedule a home energy audit. You might discover that by making efficiency improvements like air sealing the exterior or adding more insulation, you can postpone an HVAC upgrade or that a smaller, less expensive system can keep your home comfortable.

For expert advice about whether it's time to upgrade the HVAC in your Broken Arrow home, 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 upgrading your HVAC system and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “geralt/Pixabay”

What Should You Do to Prepare Your Air Conditioner for Fall?

Fall is a time when you are likely ready to stop thinking about your air conditioner and start thinking about pumpkin spice drinks and jackets.Keeping your air conditioner well maintained in the fall will keep you well prepared for the coming summer, and also help you avoid costly repair bills if something goes wrong over the winter.

Fall Maintenance Tips for Cooling Systems

While your air conditioner will run less often in the fall—if you run it at all—it still needs to be maintained properly. Here are some steps to take to ensure it continues to provide years of excellent service:

• Keep the outdoor unit free of debris, such as fallen leaves. Check occasionally to see if any new leaves are blocking the outdoor unit.

• Clean the unit well, including the coils, in the fall.

• Replace the old air filter for a new one.

• Ensure that the unit is covered with a waterproof material before winter.

• Cover the outdoor unit when you are done using it for the season, but remember to remove the cover if you need to use it again.

Taking a little bit of time to address these maintenance tasks will help protect your system until you are ready to use it again, all while avoiding common problems with air conditioning systems.

Consider Scheduling a Fall Maintenance Check

In addition to these tips, consider scheduling a fall check of your entire HVAC system. A fall HVAC inspection will ensure your cooling system is properly prepared for winter, and also check to ensure that your heating system is ready for cooler weather.If you have further questions about preparing your air conditioning system for fall, contact the HVAC professionals at Air Assurance—your source for heating, cooling, and home comfort needs in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

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: “Carlos Amarillo/Shutterstock”