Emergency Heat During Winter Storms

Having a source of emergency heat in the winter can make the difference between staying safe and healthy or having to leave your home to wait out a bad storm or a prolonged power outage. Each of these suggestions is a sound way to supply enough heat to wait out an emergency. Always make sure your CO detector is working before using any of these heaters.

Emergency Heating Equipment

• Tent heaters. You can find these at sporting goods and big box stores, as well as online. They’re small heaters that use propane canisters and are capable of heating small spaces. They’re safe as long as you crack a window open and use them as the manufacturer intends.

• Ventless heaters. These heaters are available from specialty stores and online. They burn clean, which means they produce few toxic gases, including carbon monoxide (CO). Each heater, whether a ventless fireplace or heater, has an oxygen depletion sensor that turns the unit off when the oxygen in the room gets too low. Whenever you use a ventless heater, be sure that there’s a window open or a door cracked to bring in fresh air.

• Fireplaces. If you’re lucky enough to have a gas or wood-burning fireplace in your home, it will provide reliable heat during the outage. If it’s gas and lights electronically, it may start if you hold a lighter near the gas orifice inside the firebox. If it’s wood burning, keep a supply of seasoned firewood to use in the event of emergencies.

Retaining Heat

• Be sure you have at least three days of food on hand. Eating enough calories gives you plenty of energy to keep yourself warm.

• Dress in layers. Instead of wearing a one layer of heavy clothing, wear a few layers. They trap your body heat better so that you won’t feel as chilled.

• Plug as many air leaks as possible to prevent drafts throughout your home.

If you’d like more information about using emergency heat because of power outages or a furnace breakdown, contact Air Assurance, providing HVAC services for Broken Arrow homeowners.

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.

Ductless Technology Myths Busted

If you’re considering a ductless mini split system for your home, don’t let ductless technology myths stand in your way. Before ruling a ductless system out based on what you’ve heard, consider these facts that dispel the myths.

Myth #1: They can go anywhere.

This is not quite true, although ductless system offer a lot of flexibility. The position of the air handler in the room depends on the size of the room and its layout.The outdoor condenser should be placed as close to the air handler as possible to limit the length of the conduit that the mini split requires. A shorter conduit improves the energy efficiency of the mini split.

Myth #2: They’re only good for remodels or add-ons.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Ductless mini splits work well in new construction as well. They don’t require square footage for ductwork, don’t need a special room or closet to house the air handler and act as zoning systems.Each air handler for a mini split has its own thermostat, which means you can turn it off when you’re not using the space. The ability to zone saves energy dollars, as well as extends the life of each mini split.

Myth #3: Ductless systems are just for supplemental heating and cooling.

Properly sized, a ductless system will keep any interior space comfortable. In order to get the most comfort and efficiency from each mini split, the room should be well insulated and have few air leaks.It’s always best to work with a reputable HVAC contractor from start to finish to find the best system for you and avoid all the ductless technology myths.

Myth #4: A mini split can’t be used with ductwork.

HVAC engineers have found that ductless air handlers work as efficiently, if not more so, than central heat pumps. Many ductless systems use inverter technology that saves substantial amounts of electricity, as do the thermostats on the separate air handlers.

If you’ve like more information about these ductless technology myths and others, contact the pros at Air Assurance. We provide HVAC services for Broken Arrow homeowners.

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.

Then vs. Now: Furnaces

Since prehistoric days, when people gathered around a fire in the dead of winter, humans have sought ways to keep warm. How have those ways evolved over the centuries? How have they led to the technologies that heat our homes today? Let's take a look at the history of furnaces.

History of Furnaces

Among the first to develop central heating were the ancient Romans. They introduced radiant floor heating by building a fire in the basement, which would heat the stone floor above it. And since hot air rises, the heat from the floor would soon spread to the rest of the house.The first heating sources used wood for fuel. This included the Franklin Stove, invented by Benjamin Franklin in 1741. Made of cast iron, it was designed to produce more heat than a regular fireplace, with less exhaust.Then in 1885, a new furnace was developed, which burned coal, which replaced wood as the standard. It produced more heat and used a system of ducts in the basement to transport that heat to the rest of the home. Then in 1919, Alice Parker invented the first modern central heating system. It replaced coal with natural gas, and distributed heat evenly throughout the home using a system of pipes.

Today's Furnaces

Today's furnace designs have come a long way since then. Top furnaces can operate with over 98% efficiency, providing more heat for less energy. Zoning systems now allow you to heat each part of the house according to its individual needs. Some can even sense whether or not a space is occupied, so you don't pay to heat empty rooms. And smart thermostats let you adjust your home's temperature from anywhere, via your mobile device.There are a variety of amazing features available on today's furnaces. When buying a new system, make a list of your home's heating needs and talk to an HVAC expert to find the furnace that's right for you.

To learn more about the history of furnaces, and tips for furnace buying, contact us at Air Assurance. We proudly serve Broken Arrow's HVAC needs.

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.

What To Do Before Turning on Your Heater

Turning on your heater is an annual event marking the start of a new season. With the hot summer behind, you’re looking forward to staying comfortable in cold weather to come. Making sure a few start-up essentials are done first can help ensure a smooth transition into the heating season. Here are some suggestions for turning on your heater in an organized procedure to make sure all parts of the system are working together.

Inspect the vent duct

Verify that the furnace connection to the vent duct is secure and the duct is intact. Go outside and look up at the vent cap where the vent duct terminates on the roof. Verify that the cap is in place and look for any signs of bird’s nests, leaves or other obstructions.

Ensure adequate clearance

Make sure no items are placed within three feet of the furnace on all sides. Flammable liquids, paints, solvents, etc, should never be stored in the same room as the furnace at all.

Install a new filter

Don’t start the heating season with a dirty filter left over from the cooling season. From now on, continue to change the furnace filter at least every other month.

Check the vents

Check supply vents in each room to verify that they're fully open. Check return vents (or there central return if there’s only one) and make sure they’re not obstructed by furniture, drapes or other objects.

Start the furnace

Follow manufacturer’s instructions for starting up the furnace.

Feel for airflow

Check for warm airflow at every supply vent. If you don’t feel warmth from one or more vents, shut down the furnace and call for professional HVAC service.

Schedule an annual tune-up

Get professional preventive maintenance performed by a qualified HVAC technician. The service includes manufacturer-recommended maintenance procedures to ensure maximum furnace efficiency, lowest cost and reduced wear and tear. It also includes an up-close inspection of furnace components to detect and resolve any incipient problems now, before they become a major issue later.

For qualified service when it's time for turning on your heater, contact 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.

Guest House Comfort Considerations

Giving overnight visitors a separate space inside or adjacent to your home makes it easier to host others overnight. When you’re looking for ways to provide guest house comfort when the weather is hot, one of these options might work well for your particular space.

When it’s a separate structure.

A ductless mini split heat pump may be the best option for conditioning a separate guest space to use it year-round. Ductless systems offer a high degree of energy efficiency for both cooling and heating. They’re easy for an HVAC pro to install, use little interior space and operate quietly.If you only want to cool the structure, you may find that a portable A/C or window air conditioner will work well, as long as your homeowner’s association permits them.

When it’s a space inside or attached to your home.

Besides using a wall or window air conditioner for individual cooling, there are two other options that use your existing HVAC system. The first is to install a zoning system that lets your guest select the comfort level that works for him.

A zoning system divides your home into separate areas, each of which has its own thermostat. It’s an ideal solution for families that have different temperature preferences or in homes where temperature variances are wide.

You could put the guest quarters on a separate zone, so that the area only received conditioned air when someone wanted to use the space. Two-story homes, those with unequally-sized windows, or variable ceiling heights throughout benefit from zoning systems because their temperatures vary quite a bit. These systems can be installed with new HVAC equipment or as an upgrade for an existing system.

If your guest space isn’t part of the conditioned area, ask your HVAC contractor if your system is large enough to extend the ductwork. The contractor will evaluate the capacity of the system and the cooling load inside the guest space.

For more information about which guest house comfort option will work best for your home, contact a pro at Air Assurance, providing HVAC services for Broken Arrow homeowners.

4 Things to Know Before You Replace Your Furnace

When it comes to your home's central heating system, you don't want to be the guy or gal who's totally surprised when the furnace conks out on the coldest day of winter. It's better to be ready for that inevitable time when your heating system needs to be replaced, and then know the correct steps to take before installing a new system.

In general, you should start preparing to replace your furnace when it nears the end of its estimated service life. That's typically 15-20 years, though it can be shorter or longer depending on the amount of usage and maintenance the furnace gets. Certain red flags will tell you more specifically that it's time for replacement, including frequent repairs (more than one significant repair in a year) and lost heating effectiveness.

Once you've made the decision, consider these tips:

Work with an HVAC contractor whom you trust when it's time to replace your furnace. This is much too great an investment to make without feeling secure about your contractor.

Discuss with the contractor what capacity furnace is needed for your home. They should perform a heating load calculation that takes into account your home's size and layout, airtightness and insulation, window coverage, and many other factors. The heating load is the amount of heating required to make your home comfortable.

Likewise, discuss what level of energy efficiency is desirable in your particular home. In general, higher efficiency comes with a higher purchase price but lower operating costs once the furnace is installed. Climate is a key factor when considering furnace efficiency, since you'll reap more monthly energy savings in a climate with a colder, longer winter. Your contractor can tell you what efficiency level makes the most sense in our Broken Arrow climate.

Your contractor also should discuss what advanced features are available for your new furnace. This can include add-ons that increase furnace efficiency, and supplemental systems for whole-house air cleaning and humidity control.

For more advice on upgrading your Broken Arrow area home's heating system, please 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 furnaces and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “TheDigitalArtist/Pixabay”

Winter HVAC Concerns and How to Avoid Them

While summer HVAC issues typically involve the air conditioner, here in northeastern Oklahoma winter HVAC concerns usually center on the heating system.A gas-fired furnace imposes different issues with very different symptoms and solutions. With the exception of certain simple airflow problems, troubleshooting and repair of the furnace should be left to a qualified heating service technician for safety reasons. However, becoming familiar with these common winter HVAC concerns can help you recognize the problem early on and call in professional help quickly.

Chilly Rooms

If certain rooms seem to defy warming up to a comfortable temperature, the suspect is usually airflow. First, the no-brainer: Make sure the HVAC supply and return vents in all rooms are open and unobstructed. Then, check out the system air filter. If it’s dirty or dusty replace it now and continue to replace it every other month. If inconsistent temperatures persist, you’ll need professional HVAC service to check blower output and inspect ductwork for excessive leakage or disconnected segments.

Short Cycles

If a furnace turns on and back off again rapidly, it won’t generate heat long enough to maintain proper room temperatures. “Short cycling” can be caused by furnace internal overheating that trips a safety switch which shuts down the unit. A defective flame sensor can also turn the furnace off prematurely. A furnace with BTU capacity that wasn’t properly sized to the heating load of the home is another suspect: over-sized furnaces typically cycle on and off too rapidly, causing erratic temperature swings. All these and other possibilities require professional diagnosis and repair by a qualified technician.

Carbon Monoxide

About 300 people die from it yearly and thousands require hospitalization. Carbon monoxide gas (CO) is a byproduct of gas furnace combustion. The furnace heat exchanger is the critical component that prevents CO gas from entering your home. Inspection of the heat exchanger as part of annual preventive maintenance by a qualified HVAC contractor is an essential safety precaution that should be performed every winter.

For professional service to address all winter HVAC concerns, in Tulsa and Broken Arrow contact 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 winter HVAC concerns and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

When You Should Use a Ductless, Mini-Split System

If you’re planning to add livable space to your home, you might find that ductless mini-split systems are the perfect way to heat and cool it. A mini-split refers to an air conditioner or heat pump that works just like a central system minus the ductwork.

Mini-splits work well for:

• Add-on rooms.

• Attic or basement retrofits.

• Garages and workshops.

• Stand-alone buildings.

They provide the same level of comfort as central systems do, often with better efficiency. They also solve problems associated with remodeling projects where the ductwork won’t fit easily or the existing HVAC system can’t be extended.

Besides remarkable comfort, mini-splits offer more advantages, like:

• Easy installation. These systems come complete from the factory, where the refrigerant is installed. A mini-split heat pump or air conditioner has an indoor air handler and an outdoor condenser. A flexible conduit contains the refrigerant line, the wiring and a drain line.When installing a mini-split, the technician has to drill a hole for the conduit, position the air handler and condenser, and connect the two. There is no ductwork to install and seal to deliver the conditioned air.

• High energy efficiency. Mini-split systems exceed the energy efficiency of central systems because there are no thermal or air leaks through ductwork. They often have upgraded features that increase their efficiency even more.

When not to use a mini-split:

As advantageous as mini-splits are, they don’t work in every situation. Homes with lots of hallways and interior doors will block the free circulation of air from a mini-split. They’re also more expensive per ton than central systems. If you’re remodeling and need a new HVAC system, it might make more financial sense to install new equipment for the whole house than invest in a mini-split for a small space.

As you move forward with the addition or retrofit, exploring the benefits of mini-split systems will ensure your long term comfort and satisfaction. To learn more, contact Air Assurance, providing trusted HVAC services for Broken Arrow homeowners.

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 ductless mini-split systems and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.