Cooler Days Aren't That Far Off -- Now's The Time To Schedule Your Service Check

The cooling season is coming to a close in Broken Arrow and that means it's time to start preparing for the colder weather that comes with fall and winter. You will begin using your heating equipment more and it's important to have it ready so that you don't find out too late that you have problems that need repairing. Now is the best time to have your heating equipment checked out. If there are any problems, they can quickly be taken care of without causing a hassle to you. Though your heater may have worked fine last winter, plenty could have happened in the months since you last used it. A planned service check will ensure that there are no parts that have deteriorated and could cause major problems shortly down the road. This protects you from  losing access to your heater in the middle of winter, when you need it most and a lack of service would be most inconvenient. To avoid any gap in service, have your heating equipment inspected now.During a planned maintenance check, all of your gas or electrical connections will be inspected. Even a small gas leak can be harmful if you are exposed to it for an extended period of time. The burner will also be inspected and cleaned to make sure it is operating as safely and efficiently as possible.Here are a few other routine steps typically performed during an HVAC inspection:

• Moving parts lubricated

• Electrical connections tightened

• System controls verified

• Blower components adjusted

• Carbon Monoxide analysis performed

A service check will allow you to get the most from your air system.  It ensures that all components are clean and working at their maximum efficiency, as well as making sure the unit is operating safely. The savings you create can be enough to offset the cost of the maintenance itself.For more information about inspections for your HVAC equipment, contact Air Assurance Heating & Air Conditioning.  We have proudly served the Broken Arrow area for over 30 years.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!      

Five Types Of Air Filters You Need To Know

When deciding what kind of HVAC air filter you want to use, there are a number of factors to consider.  Some are designed to be cleaned more frequently than others while some are more efficient.  Here are five of the most common types of air filters for use in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow region.Disposable FiltersThese are the most common air filters that are used because of their economical pricing and ease of use.  They should be replaced every six to eight weeks for maximum efficiency.  They are not designed to be washed.  This will only create holes which will make them less efficient.  As for efficiency, these are what is described as "boulder catchers".  They can only filter the extremely large particles flowing throughout your system, for instance, many can't stop salt when sprinkled on top of them.Permanent FiltersThese come in various sizes to fit your needs and do not need to be replaced.  They are easily removable to allow the user to clean them.  It is recommended that you clean them every 30 to 60 days to keep them operating at full power.  These are normally the most restrictive type air filters due to the long lasting fiber the filter is made out of.  This can put a major strain on airflow, causing increased dust, reduced comfort, and potential harm to the system.Hammock FiltersThese come in a  20-foot roll, allowing you to cut the filter to the appropriate size for a your hammock frame.  Once cut, you simply place them in the frame and trim any excess.  They should be disposed and replaced every 60 days. This is similair to the disposable in efficiency.  Most homeowners are bothered by the time it takes to maintain these.Electrostatic Air CleanerThese use electrostatic attraction to trap charged particles in the air and are very efficient at arresting dust, pollen, bacteria and other airborne pollutants.  They are permanent and can be easily washed every month.  Again, these type of filters are extremely restrictive to air flow.Large Pleated Media FiltersThis type of filter is popular because of the low maintenance required to keep them lasting for at least five years.  They tend to have very high efficiency levels and use a media cartridge that has to be replaced only every six months.  There are several different "levels" of pleated media.  You don't have to get the most expensive!  Usually those are very restrictive as well.If you are wondering what type of filtration system is best for your and your family, just ask your technician.  And by the way, Air Assurance has designed their own filters.  They're called Clean-Climate and we've tested them to make sure you get the optimum value of low resistance, high efficiency cleaning, as well as economic pricing.Air Assurance has been serving Oklahoma residents for more than 30 years. Experts are available to answer any questions you may have and provide any services you may need.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.

If This Winter Taught Us Anything, It Was The Importance Of Insulation

Oklahoma residents have seen their fair share of snow, ice and cold temperatures this winter. The season called to mind the importance of being prepared for storms and respecting nature’s fury. Most of all, it’s probably taught you the value of your home’s insulation.While insulation falls into the category of “out of sight, out of mind,” it remains absolutely necessary for maintaining a warm, comfortable home. Not only that, energy efficiency increases with proper insulation, which directly impacts your heating and cooling bills. With the right amount and the proper installation of insulation, you can potentially save about 20 percent on your total heating and cooling utility bills.To get the maximum efficiency and comfort, you have to have the right kind and the right amounts of insulation. Insulation is rated according to “R-Value,” which indicates how well the insulation restricts the flow of heat from inside your home to the outside. Higher R-values mean that insulation has a greater ability to restrict the flow of heat.The majority of Oklahoma residents live in zone 3 for R-value, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. In this zone, homeowners should use different types of R-value insulation for various areas of an existing home:

• Attic, uninsulated: R30-R60

• Attic with existing insulation: R25-R38

• Floors: R19-R25

• Walls: R5

Most homes should have insulation in the following areas:

• Unfinished attics

• Exterior walls

• Floors that are directly situated above (unheated) garages and crawl spaces

• Spaces surrounding all windows and doors.

To figure out how much insulation your home needs, you should first determine how much existing insulation you have. Use this equation:(Thickness in inches) x (R-value in one inch) = Insulation’s R-value TotalNow, you can calculate how much insulation you need to add, using this equation:(R-value recommended for your zone) – (existing R-value Total) = The amount of R-value you need to add.If you’re unsure about your home’s insulation, the professionals at Air Assurance are happy to assess your home’s insulation and offer recommendations for improvement. Now is the time to prepare for next winter.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.