A Whole-Home Approach: How HVAC Systems Affect One Another

Just like organs in the body, the HVAC systems in your home work together to do their jobs. To keep you comfortable year round in the Broken Arrow area's challenging continental climate, all your systems need to be in top form at all times.Know Your Systems' RolesHVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning While each of your HVAC systems has its own distinct role, those roles are interconnected.Heating -- A fuel-burning furnace heats air over a flame while a heat pump in heating mode uses refrigerant to absorb warmth from the outdoor air and move that warmth indoors. Both then move warm air into your duct system.Air conditioner -- Your air conditioner or heat pump in cooling mode use refrigerant to absorb heat from inside your home and move that heat outdoors. The resulting cooled air is moved into your ducts.Ventilation -- Your ventilation system consists primarily of your fan, air ducts, and the ducts' supply air registers and return air vents. The same fan and duct system is responsible for distributing both hot air from your furnace and cool air from your air conditioner throughout your home.Why the Connections MatterAny issue with your motor or duct system affects both your heating and cooling systems. For instance, skipping your springtime A/C tuneup could allow problems to develop with your ventilation system. Come winter, those problems will either cost you during your fall furnace tuneup or prevent your furnace from working efficiently.An improperly installed air conditioner can cause cold air to leak into your furnace in winter, increasing your heating load and raising your energy bills.If either your furnace or air conditioner is oversized for your home, you'll end up with uncomfortable temperature swings, excess component wear, poor dehumidification in summer, and needlessly high energy bills.If you expect all your HVAC systems to run reliably, you can't afford to favor one system and skimp on another.For help with the maintenance, repair or upgrade of your heating, cooling or ventilation system, contact us at Air Assurance anywhere in the Broken Arrow 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: “Ioannis Pantzi/Shutterstock”

HVAC Terms That Are Handy to Know

When speaking with an HVAC professional about your system, you may become confused when they use HVAC terms to describe your system. If you know and understand some of the basic terms that are used in the HVAC industry, you'll be on top of what all the professional terminology means.Here are some of the basic HVAC terms that you'll hear when a heating or air conditioning system is being described.

• HVAC -- (H)eating, (V)entilation and (A)ir (C)onditioning comprises your entire HVAC heating and cooling system.

• BTU -- Describes how much heating capacity your HVAC system has. The higher the BTU rating, the greater its heating ability.

• Ton -- How much cooling capacity your central air conditioning has. Just like a BTU unit, the more tons your air conditioner has, the greater its cooling ability.

• AFUE -- Stands for Annualized Fuel Utilization Efficiency, and refers directly to how efficient your furnace is. The higher the AFUE number, the more efficient the system.

• SEER -- The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is how the efficiency of air conditioners is classified. The higher the SEER number, the more efficient the system.

• MERV Rating -- MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. It directly relates to how efficient your HVAC system filter is, and the higher the MERV rating, the more efficient it is at trapping dirt, dust, smoke and pollen particles.

• Off-Grid -- Going "off-grid" means you have your own power source, like solar panels or a windmill, and are able to disconnect from your local utility service provider.

• Energy Star -- A product designation from the Environmental Protection Agency that promises an Energy Star product meets or beats EPA energy efficient guidelines.

If you'd like to know more about HVAC terms and what they mean, contact Air Assurance. We'll answer your questions and provide outstanding service for all of your HVAC needs. Serving the Tulsa metropolitan area for more than 50 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).

Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Egasit-Mullakhut/Shutterstock”

Interviewing Your HVAC Contractor: What You Should Ask

A skilled HVAC contractor is somebody you need on your side, whether you’re installing a completely new unit, getting your current one fixed, or simply getting a regular checkup to make sure everything is running smoothly. However, knowing whom you should hire isn’t always as easy as just asking your neighbor or friend who does their work – though referrals can help. When considering hiring an HVAC contractor, make sure you ask these pertinent questions before you have any work done.

• Ask about staff size and service calls. Before you hire somebody to do HVAC work for you, you need to make sure that they have an adequate staff so they can respond to your needs quickly, especially during peak times like the coldest part of the winter and the hottest part of the summer.

• Find out about licensing information. The contractor you hire to do your HVAC work needs to be licensed in your state and area. Find out if your prospective contractor is licensed by state and national contractor’s boards like the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA). Don’t be afraid to check up on licensing information before hiring somebody.

• Make sure any contractor who wants to do HVAC work for you takes the time to inspect your home and your existing system. They should also take time to explain repair and upgrade options to you before doing any work. No contractor should be unable to explain the benefits of upgrades or why repairs are necessary to keep your HVAC system running smoothly or more efficiently.

• Discuss insurance-related issues. You need to be sure that anybody doing HVAC work for you has adequate insurance in case anything goes wrong with your HVAC system or on your property. You also need to make sure you won’t be liable for any sort of injury that could occur on your property – even if the injuries are to workers.

Contact Air Assurance for more information about finding the right HVAC contractor. We can also help you with all of your residential and commercial HVAC and plumbing 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). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Neil Lockhart/Shutterstock”

3 Important Terms to Know for Your System: AFUE, SEER, HSPF

Whenever you’re buying a new major HVAC appliance or having repairs done, it’s good to be able to understand what your technician or salesman is talking about. It will help you learn about your HVAC system, which will in turn allow you to make better decisions that will benefit you and your home. Here are three important terms you should learn about: AFUE, SEER, HSPF.

AFUE

Annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) is a value that shows how well a furnace or water heater is able to turn your fuel into usable heat. The word annual in the acronym indicates that this is an average value that was determined over the course of a typical year. This is important because some units will perform better or worse than others in extreme temperatures. The current minimum AFUE level in the U.S. has been set at 78 percent by the Department of Energy.

SEER

Air conditioners (A/Cs) have a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) value that demonstrates how efficiently your A/C cools air. A high SEER number indicates that your A/C wastes less energy to cool air than a comparable air conditioner with a lower SEER value. The minimum standard for A/Cs in terms of SEER rating is currently 13.

HSPF

A final HVAC term you should understand is the heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF) of your heat pump. This number is again a type of efficiency rating that measures how well your pump translates the energy it consumes per hour into hot or cold air. High efficiency air conditioners will have the highest HSPFs, and will save you money on energy bills.

Understanding your HVAC system can only help you as a homeowner. If you have any questions or confusion about your Broken Arrow home’s HVAC system, please contact Air Assurance to clear them up.

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

How Manuals J and D Save Energy, Ensure Proper HVAC System Design

Are you looking at upgrading or replacing your HVAC system? If so, you will want to make sure your system meets a set of energy efficient standards to help keep your energy bills low. The definitive guide for HVAC contractors is a set of standards developed by the ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America). Of particular importance for home heating and cooling systems are Manuals J and D.

Manual J - Load Calculations

Manual J provides a set of technical load calculations that HVAC contractors use to determine the energy efficiency of each room in your house, or rather how well each room either holds or loses heat as the seasons change. Expert contractors take into account a range of influencing points, including:

• Local seasonal temperature averages and extremes

• How the main-facing areas of your home are affected by the heat and light of the sun

• Room sizes and window positions

• Current type of home insulation

• Your preferred seasonal temperature settings in the home, and

• The impact of your home lighting and domestic equipment power needs.

Manual D – Ductwork Design

Using the Manual J load calculations, the next stage is to design the system ductwork. This is not a case of big is best, you want to have a system that is just the right size for your home heating and cooling needs. This will minimize the amount of energy needed to keep the indoor temperature at your preferred level. Manual D provides the technical guidance for designing the best ductwork system based on the results of the load calculation work.

Verify HVAC Contractor Qualifications

Check that your intended HVAC contractor has the right skill set by asking about:

• certifications

• how they perform Manuals J and D assessments, and

• what type of reports they provide on these assessments.

Further Information

For expert advice about the use of Manuals J and D to save energy, or any other matters on home heating and cooling, please feel free to contact us at Air Assurance. We have been serving the Broken Arrow 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). 

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

5 HVAC Installation Tips That Save Money, Headaches Down the Road

Whether you're installing an HVAC system in a new home or updating your existing equipment, you're going to rely on its heating and cooling capabilities to keep you comfortable for many years. The following HVAC installation tips can help ensure that you reap the greatest benefit from this major investment.

• Hire a trustworthy contractor. A reliable, reputable contractor will have North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certification, and the skills and experience to install your new HVAC equipment correctly. Take the time to research and locate an HVAC contractor who'll install equipment that matches your needs, and who'll stand behind his work with a guarantee. If you base your choice of contractor solely on price, you may end up paying more down the road if the work performed is sub-standard.

• Ensure correct system capacity. Your contractor should assess your home based on square footage, insulation level, window type, and a number of other critical factors. Then, he or she should calculate the needed equipment capacity using the Air Conditioning Contractors of America's (ACCA) Manual J. Inaccurately sized HVAC equipment won't keep your home comfortable, and could result in higher energy bills due to inefficient operation.

• Take insulation into account. Your home's insulation plays an important role in both comfort and energy savings. You won't benefit from an energy-efficient system that's correctly sized and properly installed if you're lacking sufficient insulation in your home.

• Consider your ductwork. Your new, ultra-efficient HVAC system won't effectively heat and cool your home if your ducting design isn't adequate, if the connections aren't sealed, or if it's not insulated properly. Your ductwork is a key factor that should be considered in the planning stage of an HVAC purchase.

• Get your new installation inspected. Once your contractor has completed the job, make sure you schedule an inspection through your municipality. A building inspector will check that your new system is installed correctly, and that the work meets all local codes.

To learn more helpful HVAC installation tips for your Broken Arrow area home, contact us at Air Assurance. We've been providing outstanding service to our customers since 1985.

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

Your Home's Comfort Systems Don't Work Independently of Each Other: How to Benefit From This Principle

Your Home's Comfort Systems Don't Work Independently of Each Other: How to Benefit From This Principle

Homeowners in the greater Tulsa area put a strong emphasis on improving their home’s energy efficiency. The best way to do this is by using a systematic approach.  The comfort systems in your home do not work independently of one another; rather, they should work with each other to increase your indoor air comfort. 

Use these tips to improve your overall comfort and energy efficiency, so that each of your "systems" works well together.

Air Leaks

Your home “breathes,” exchanging air between the indoors and outdoors. Seal leaks around your home using caulking or weather-stripping. This eases the burden on your HVAC system. Take care to check:

• Around windows and doors

• On the home’s exterior where two different types of building materials meet

Ductwork

Air conditioned air by your HVAC comfort system travels through ductwork. Leaking ductwork makes the HVAC system work harder and makes the home less energy efficient. Address this by:

• Finding gaps or damaged ductwork

• Using mechanical fasteners to secure ductwork

• Use mastic to close any gaps

Insulation

Your home’s attic can become extremely hot during summer months, resulting in a bigger load on your HVAC system. Using insulation of R-30 or greater will help regulate those temperatures thereby decreasing the work your HVAC system does to cool the upstairs.

Windows

Windows allow the exchange of air and also let in sunlight. While sunlight can be desirable for lighting, it is also accompanied by solar radiation which warms the air.  Use lightly colored curtains to allow in light while blocking some of the radiation to help regulate temperatures.

HVAC

Your HVAC system both heats and cools the air that travels through your home. You can maintain these items by changing filters regularly. You should also use a qualified HVAC technician to perform preventive maintenance annually to increase the system’s useful life.

Lights and Appliances

When you replace lighting and appliances, take care to select more energy efficient models.

Want to know more about the interconnection of your comfort systems? Contact Air Assurance today; we’ve been serving the needs of the greater Tulsa area since 1985.

Normal0falsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONE/* Style Definitions */table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow:yes;mso-style-priority:99;mso-style-parent:"";mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;mso-para-margin:0in;mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}

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

Ductless Mini Splits: Learn How to Use Them During Cooler Weather

Ductless Mini Splits: Learn How to Use Them During Cooler Weather

More people are turning to ductless mini splits as an efficient way to condition spaces without the use of ductwork. While their ability to cool is a given, in climates where winter temperatures fall below 30, like ours do occasionally, the mini split may have to work harder to keep your room or space comfortable. These tips can help you improve the performance of your mini split when temperatures fall:

• Place the indoor air handler approximately 18 inches off the floor. Heat rises and if the air handler sits high on the wall or hangs from the ceiling, the air will be colder near the floor and in the mid-levels in the room. If your system has already been installed and it would be difficult to move the air handler, consider hanging a ceiling fan with a reversible switch to move the heated air down toward the floor to increase comfort.

• Do what you can to make the space more energy efficient. All ductless mini splits perform better when the heating load is lower. Adding more insulation to the attic will help, as will sealing air leaks and tending to the windows. Hanging thermal drapes will cut the amount of heat that moves through the glass, as will installing thermal or Energy Star windows.

• If you're installing a new mini split, choose a unit that has a high HSPF (heating season performance factor). The minimum is 7.7, but units are available that surpass 10 HSPF. Mini splits with scroll compressors provide more heat than those with a standard compressor.

• Keep snow away from the outdoor condenser by either building a shelter over the top, allowing plenty of space above and beside it for air circulation.

• Keep the air filter clean and follow the maintenance schedule the manufacturer recommends for evaporator and condenser coil cleaning, along with professional maintenance. A clean filter and evaporator coil promote efficient heating.

To learn more about getting the most out of ductless mini splits during cold weather, contact Air Assurance. We've provided trusted HVAC services for the Broken Arrow area since 1985.Normal0falsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONE/* Style Definitions */table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow:yes;mso-style-priority:99;mso-style-parent:"";mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;mso-para-margin:0in;mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}

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

The Best Quote for Your HVAC Installation: How Do You Choose?

The Best Quote for Your HVAC Installation: How Do You Choose?

So, you followed our advice and sought various quotes from different contractors for your upcoming HVAC installation. Great work! Now, it's time to sit down with those quotes and suss out who will provide the best work and quality equipment for the price. Easier said than done.Here are some tips for how to choose the best quote for your HVAC system's installation.

• No lazy inspections. Take a moment to remember your initial meetings with prospective contractors. Did they perform a thorough inspection of your existing HVAC system and your home? You can rule out any quote(s) from contractors who did a short, sight-only inspection as there is slim chance their quote is accurate. HVAC contractors need to inspect your HVAC system, insulation, and your home to get accurate load calculations from Manuals J and S. This ensures the new equipment is sized properly.

• Paper, please. Your quotes should be presented on official letterhead, pre-printed bid forms, etc., that have the company's name, address and license number at the top. If you got your quote over the phone, you can skip that one. You need written information to make a comprehensive comparison.

• It's all in the details. Are the quotes detailed? If there is a quote that looks good, but is broken into two prices: parts and labor, without any itemized listing of parts, equipment and installation procedures, it might not be the best one. If your contractors all have nicely detailed, itemized pricing you'll be able to make line by line comparisons.

• Warranty information. Have they included critical warranty information? You can go online to research the warranty specifications for an individual piece of HVAC equipment, but every company has their own set of warranties for parts and labor. While first time costs are important, your focus should be set on lifetime costs. Perhaps a company that has slightly higher charges for parts or labor also offers more extended warranties. Good warranties are worth paying extra for.

Interested in receiving a competitive quote for your upcoming HVAC installation? Contact Air Assurance. We always provide reliable quotes to Tulsa area homeowners.Normal0falsefalsefalseEN-USX-NONEX-NONE/* Style Definitions */table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow:yes;mso-style-priority:99;mso-style-parent:"";mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;mso-para-margin:0in;mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination:widow-orphan;font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}

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