Air Source Heat Pumps Tax Credit - Tulsa, OK

Air Source Heat Pumps Tax Credit - Tulsa OK

Determining the best heating method for your home in this area can be a challenge, since both heat pumps and combustion furnaces are viable choices for this climate. Weather throughout the winter tends to be mild, but there are times when the thermometer dips below freezing, which may influence your choice of the best heating method for your home and family.

These characteristics of each type of heating system might help you decide:

• Heat pumps work well in this climate for both heating and cooling. They are an energy-efficient option. Heat pumps warm your home by extracting the heat from the outdoor air. They work well until the temperature falls below freezing. At this point, there is less heat in the air, so the appliance will have to work harder. However, high-efficiency heat pumps are available that work effectively at much colder temperatures. If you require an exceptionally warm house, even during milder weather, you may want to consider a gas or oil furnace as your best heating method.

• The typical heat pump uses one unit of energy to provide three units of heat. A gas furnace or oil furnace never reaches such high efficiency, although high-efficiency systems can be 97% efficient, compared to 300% efficiency from a heat pump.

• Heat pumps have a high degree of safety compared to a gas or oil furnace. Any time that combustible fuels are used indoors, there is a risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and fuel leaks.

• A heat pump contributes to outdoor noise even in the winter. It uses the compressor inside the outdoor condenser to transfer heat in the same way it removes heat from your home in the summer. If you want a quiet yard in the winter, consider a furnace as your preferred heating method.

• If you need to replace your air conditioner along with your heating method, it makes financial sense to choose a heat pump. 

  ENERGY EFFICIENT HOME IMPROVEMENT TAX CREDIT (25C) PROGRAM

  The previous Nonbusiness Energy Property credit (25C) for installing high-efficiency equipment was extended through 2022 and provides federal tax credits of up to $500.
  The amended Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C) begins in 2023 and extends through 2032. It increases the tax credit limits for high-efficiency equipment as follows:

  1. Eligible equipment includes:

     • Heat pumps and heat pump water heaters

     • Energy-efficient HVAC systems (including furnaces, boilers, and central AC)

  2. The 25C credit has an annual cap of $1,200 (except heat pump):

     • Up to $600 each for a qualified air conditioner or gas furnace, with an annual cap of $1,200

     • Up to $2,000 with a qualified heat pump, heat pump water heater, or boiler

  There are no income requirements for this tax credit, and it cannot be combined with other federal programs.

  WHO CAN USE THIS CREDIT?

  PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE OWNERS

  Must be an existing home & your principal residence. New construction and rentals do not apply.

  A principal residence is the home where you live most of the time. The home must be in the United States. It can include a house, houseboat, mobile home, cooperative apartment, condominium, and a manufactured home.

For professional advice about the best heating method based on your home and family, contact the pros at Air Assurance. We provide trusted HVAC services to Broken Arrow homeowners.

Furnace Safety 101

Furnace safety is a timely topic as another cold winter comes on strong. Since Oklahoma’s among the top natural gas-producing states in the U.S., it’s no surprise that gas heating is the preferred choice for residential use. Like any home heating device, gas furnaces require periodic attention for proper maintenance and safe operation. Here are some furnace safety tips to ensure peace of mind and consistent heating comfort in the the coming winter.

Schedule professional maintenance.

All gas furnaces should receive an annual inspection and preventive maintenance by a qualified HVAC professional. The service includes verifying the integrity of critical components such as the heat exchanger as well as sensors that detect overheating and safety switches that shut down the system automatically. Tests to detect hazardous carbon monoxide gas in the system airflow are also included. Professional maintenance also supports furnace performance and efficiency for optimum heating comfort and lowest operating costs.

Keep the furnace area clear.

Don’t utilize the furnace closet or immediate vicinity to store flammable items such as boxes or clothes. Also, keep combustible liquids in a separate part of the house or garage.

Change the Filter

Change the furnace air filter at least every other month. A clogged filter impedes airflow that may overheat the furnace.

Inspect the Vent Pipe

Visually inspect the furnace vent pipe for deterioration, loosening joints or possible obstructions such as bird’s nests at the roof where the vent terminates.

Verify that the removable front cover of the furnace is securely installed.

New furnaces incorporate a safety interlock to prevent operation without a panel, which could pose a fire hazard. However, some older units do not have this protection.

Check the supply and return vents in each room.

To prevent overheating of the furnace, no more than 20% of the vents in the home should be closed at the same time.

Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors.

If you don’t already have them, install carbon monoxide detectors on each level of the home and outside every sleeping area. Replace the battery twice a year.

For more furnace safety advice, as well as annual furnace inspection and maintenance, contact the pros 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 other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

Typical Lifespan of HVAC Components

Your HVAC isn't just some of your home's most expensive equipment, it's also crucial for your family's comfort, so it makes good sense to know how long you can expect it to last.

HVAC lifespan typically ranges from 10 to 25 years, and it varies depending on the equipment type:

Gas furnaces can last for 15-25 years. Most often, they need replacement due to issues like cracks or corrosion of the most expensive component, the heat exchanger. Split-system air conditioners have lifespans of 7-20 years. The summers here in Oklahoma mean that A/Cs get a lot of use, so they may need replacement sooner due to coil corrosion or compressor failure. Heat pumps and ductless mini-splits can last for up to 25 years. Since these units heat and cool, year-round use may shorten their service life.

Other Factors that Impact HVAC Component Lifespan

Beyond the type of equipment, these additional factors can affect the life expectancy of your home's HVAC components:

Initial quality.

Equipment that's cheaply built is less likely to last over the long term, and it can also have construction or design flaws that shorten its life.

Sizing accuracy and installation.

For a long lifespan, HVAC equipment needs to be sized correctly for your home, and installed with care to the manufacturer's specific requirements.

Preventive maintenance.

HVAC components are like any other kind of mechanical equipment: they perform better, break down less often and last longer when they receive timely preventive maintenance.

Ways to Maximize HVAC Lifespan

Here's some advice to help you prevent life-shortening problems in new HVAC equipment or your current components:Only hire a reputable HVAC contractor when you purchase new equipment. This ensures that a load calculation is done to size the capacity correctly, and the manufacturer's specifications and best practices are followed during installation.Invest in twice-yearly preventive maintenance over your equipment's lifespan so it stays in the best possible working condition.

For expert installations and maintenance to help the comfort equipment in your Broken Arrow home reach or exceed the typical HVAC lifespan, contact us today 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 other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

Should You Leave These Heating Equipment Tasks to a Pro?

Taking care of your home's heating system is essential if you want to provide your home with reliable, comfortable heating throughout the winter. This is true whether you use a gas furnace, an electric heat pump or a combustion boiler. As with all HVAC systems, heating equipment maintenance involves a mixture of do-it-yourself steps and professional tasks.

So, how to you know which heating equipment tasks should be left to a professional? Here's a basic explanation:

Do-It-Yourself

• Inspect and change air filters when they get dirty. Make sure to check your filter at least once a month. A clean filter allows for a smooth airflow through your system, keeping damaging dust and debris out of sensitive components. As a result, you'll save money on energy and reduce the chance of breakdowns.

• Seal leaky ducts. If you find loose connections or actual holes or cracks, seal them with duct mastic and metal-backed tape. Then, insulate ducts that run through unconditioned areas, such as your crawlspace or basement.

• Remove obstructions from heating vents and registers. You'll be surprised by how many household objects get shoved atop vents, including rugs, furniture and drapes.

Call a Professional 

• Check ignition and combustion components for fuel-burning furnaces and boilers. All components should be clean, and moving parts should be lubricated.

• With combustion heating systems, your technician should make sure the venting, exhaust and chimney set-up is safe and up to code. Otherwise, you're risking carbon-monoxide poisoning and/or fire.

• Electric wiring and terminals should be assessed for proper connections and operation in heat pumps, furnaces and boiler systems.

• Heat pump systems should be inspected for correct refrigerant level, while indoor and outdoor coils should be cleaned. Airflow should also be checked and adjusted.

• In both furnaces and heat pumps, the condensate drain should be inspected for blockages and cleaned.

For more advice on helpful heating equipment tasks to complete this season, please contact Air Assurance. We serve the Greater Tulsa area.

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: “mushan/Shutterstock”

Before You Call a Pro About Those Gas Furnace Troubles, Try These Troubleshooting Tips

Having gas furnace trouble can be a real pain. This is especially true as the weather starts to get colder and you need a reliable source of heat to make sure everyone in your home stays healthy and comfortable. However, you sometimes have gas furnace trouble for very simple, easily fixed reasons. Before you call a professional, make sure you truly have gas furnace trouble that only they can repair.

 Furnace Not Turning OnIf your furnace isn't turning on at all, check for the following:

• The thermostat is set high enough to activate the furnace. If it isn't, turn it up higher.

• The thermostat itself is malfunctioning. If so, get another one.

Furnace Not HeatingIf your furnace seems to be operational, but it isn't producing warm air, check for the following:

• The gas or electricity service to your home has been disconnected. If so, pay your bill or contact your service center to inquire about the problem and reactivate your service.

• The furnace pilot light is not lit / has gone out. If it has, relight it.

• The gas valve is closed on the furnace. If it is, open it.

• If there is a dedicated fuse for the furnace, it may have been tripped. If so, reset it.

Having a furnace that isn't turning on or isn't producing any heat can be a pretty common occurrence. Moving into a new home and bumping the furnace with a box could cause some of these. Simple forgetfulness could be the culprit sometimes. Other times the weather in our area goes through a cycling period of hot days and chilly days so that we may forget to turn our thermostats up accordingly.So, before you think about hiring someone to come to assess your gas furnace trouble, be sure to make sure none of the problems listed above are taking place at your home.

For more expert advice and consultation, contact Air Assurance 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).

Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Jane0606/Shutterstock”

How Long Could My Gas Furnace Last?

One of the things you should understand about your gas furnace is although they should last for anywhere from 15 to 25 years, there are many things that can contribute to a longer lasting gas furnace. First, the quality of the gas furnace has a lot to do with the number of years you can expect to get out of it. A few other factors regarding the longevity of your gas furnaces life include how often you use the furnace, how it is used and whether or not the furnace has been receiving proper maintenance as needed.

There are also some very simple steps you can take that help you to get the most out of your gas furnace. Some of the things you want to do on a regular basis are:

• Change the air filters

• Make sure the air vents and returns aren’t obstructed

• Close your damper on the fireplace

• Keep the heat pumps and air conditioner free from surrounding trash and vegetation

• Check the duct system and make sure the ducts are properly sealed and the insulation is intact.

• Call out a professional, such as Air Assurance, to provide an inspection and tune up of your equipment in the summer and winter.

By providing your own routine maintenance and calling out the professionals for tune ups, you can help your furnace last longer. Not properly caring for your furnace can cause extra wear and tear which wreaks havoc on the furnace and its parts, causing it not to last as long as it could have. Extra wear and tear on your furnace can also affect the amount of fuel it uses, the amount of soot that occurs in its burners, and negatively affect its various mechanisms.

If you are in the Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area, then you want to get in contact with Air Assurance, a company who has received numerous awards and has been in business since 1985. If you have any questions about your gas furnace, or need assistance, you should contact Air Assurance now.

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

Staying Safe When Using A Natural Gas Furnace

A gas furnace is one of the most efficient ways to heat your home in central Oklahoma, and it's rarely a safety hazard. However, to minimize any problems with burning a combustible fuel in your home for heat, it helps to follow some guidelines.

• Install a carbon monoxide (CO) detector no closer than 15 feet from the furnace. If you have just one detector, place it at eye level close to the master bedroom. CO rises and putting it too close to the floor lowers its reliability. Avoid placing the detector close to a bathroom, since the humidity levels can interfere with its operation.

• Try not to use flammable aerosols in your home during the winter. If you must use one, shut the furnace off and open a door or window until the gas dissipates. Store any flammable material away from the furnace.

• Make sure that your gas meter is in the open, along with your incoming shut-off valve for the gas line. In the event of a problem, being able to turn off the gas quickly can prevent a serious emergency. The gas utility technicians need quick access to the meter, so do not cover it, paint it or allow your children to play around it.

• Report any gas odors immediately to your gas provider. If you don't know their contact number, call 911 for assistance.

• Keep your furnace filter clean or change it regularly. A clean filter is your best defense against premature wear, and will promote efficient operation. When the filter gets dirty, it impedes the flow of air over the heat exchanger inside the gas furnace, which can overheat it. Over time, cracks form in the heat exchanger that can emit carbon monoxide and render your furnace unsafe and illegal to use.

• Have your furnace maintained and inspected each year. The inspection includes a check of the flue, the heat exchanger and the thermostat, as well as a check for leaks in all parts leading to the gas furnace.

Air Assurance in Broken Arrow provides annual inspection and maintenance services for gas furnaces. Please contact us to schedule a visit to keep your system working safely and efficiently.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!