Be Prepared for Storm Season

Given our location in tornado alley, it's important to take spring storm preparation seriously, especially for your HVAC system. With some preparation, you might be able avoid disabling damage to your system to avoid loss of use and repair or replacement costs.

Power Surges

Ask your HVAC technician to install a surge protector for your HVAC system. These systems contain many electronic components that can be damaged by electrical spikes in the line voltage. Surge protectors are especially helpful if no one is home to turn the circuit breaker for the HVAC system off during a severe storm. Another option is to use a Wi-Fi thermostat that you can control remotely to turn the system off when severe storms approach.

Secure the Condenser

Your HVAC expert can tie the outdoor condenser to its pad as part of spring storm preparation to prevent it from moving off its pad during a tornado or a severe wind storm. Strong winds may damage the condenser to the point where it needs to be replaced. Unless your system is fairly new, it may need to be replaced with an entirely new system if a condenser replacement isn't available. The condenser and indoor air handler must match each other in terms of capacity, refrigerant used and energy efficiency rating.

Learn About Your System

Before you restore power to your system, learn what kind it is and how it should look. Note the condition of the condenser beforehand and inspect it after the storm passes to verify it's not damaged. If you use a heat pump, ask your contractor about restarting it in the heating function after a prolonged power outage. It may need to be set on its emergency or supplemental heat setting to avoid compressor damage.

The time you take to secure your HVAC system is an important step in spring storm preparation to maintain your comfort and prevent an expensive repair or replacement. To learn more, contact Air Assurance, providing top-notch HVAC services for Broken Arrow homeowners.

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How Do Your HVAC Components Coordinate?

Each part of your HVAC system has a role to play in heating or cooling your home. By learning about the process, you can develop a greater understanding of why even simple maintenance tasks, such as changing the air filter, are important. Here's how HVAC system components coordinate to create a comfortable indoor climate.

The Ventilation Cycle

Airflow is as important to the function of heating and cooling systems as breathing oxygen is for your health.Return air ducts draw old air from your home and move it to heating or cooling component of the system. Supply ducts, on the other hand, are the delivery network for the newly filtered and conditioned air into the home’s interior. Both return and supply ducts help keep your air fresher and the temperature comfortable.Ventilation problems can affect the other HVAC system components as well as your comfort. Examples include:

• Dirty ductwork — dust accumulation in ductwork results in poor air quality and dust inside other HVAC components.

• Clogged air filter — This restricts air from flowing as it should to the heart of the HVAC system. Problems caused by clogged filters can include frozen evaporator coils, an overheated blower fan, furnace shut down, and dirty ductwork.

• Inadequate ductwork— ductwork that is damaged, too large or too small will perform its role poorly and reduce the HVAC system’s efficiency.

Heating and Cooling

Your furnace performs its function by heating air flowing through its heat exchanger. If all goes well, there is sufficient airflow, and all burners, heating elements and blower fan are working well, this heated air will be pushed into supply ducts. If your ductwork is in good shape, most of the heat will remain in the air during its journey between the furnace and your registers.A similar process occurs when you use your air conditioning. Air is pushed through components in the air conditioner where it is cooled. If all goes as it should, this cooled air then flows into your home through ductwork.

To learn more about HVAC system components, please contact us at Air Assurance.

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Secure Your HVAC System this Spring

In Broken Arrow's hot summers, the last thing you need is for your air conditioner to stop working because of vandalism. Take steps to protect your HVAC system and you can enjoy reliable comfort and avoid high repair bills.

Scare Them Off

Your cooling system's outdoor condenser unit contains copper tubing. The valuable copper attracts thieves who remove the tubing to sell to scrap metal dealers. The refrigerant the tubing contains draws addicts who use the fluid for a quick high. Either one can severely damage your HVAC system. A motion detector light directed at your outdoor unit can scare off thieves simply by attracting attention to their activity and making it harder to hide. For an additional deterrent, install an A/C alarm. These devices sound an alarm when they detect interrupted electrical power, a drop in refrigerant charge or other signs of tampering.

Avoid using landscaping features such as tall shrubs and fences that make your outdoor unit harder to see from the street. These give thieves a convenient place to hide while they cut your refrigerant lines.

By spray painting your copper refrigerant lines a bright orange or green, you can make them less appealing to copper thieves. The paint raises the suspicions of scrap dealers who may refuse to buy the copper or attempt to trace the owner.

Lock Them Out

Some thieves are determined enough to steal the entire outdoor unit quickly despite motion detector lights coming on and an alarm sounding. Addicts won't care if your lines are painted. To stop thieves like this, surround your outdoor unit with a locked fence or cage. Steel-framed A/C security cages are designed to keep out thieves, but allow easy access for maintenance and repairs.

These cages are especially useful if you live in a remote area where there are few neighbors to notice your motion detector lights and alarm. As an added benefit, security cages also protect your outdoor unit from damage by animals and storm debris.

For help securing your HVAC system, contact us at Air Assurance anywhere around Broken Arrow.

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Your FAQs About HVAC Systems Answered

Your HVAC system needs your help in order to function at its best. Many homeowners understandably don’t know where to begin. Here are answers to common HVAC questions.

What Kind of Filter Should I Buy?

The filter has two jobs. It needs to prevent particles from getting into your HVAC system and harming the components, and it should improve indoor air quality. For these reasons, you should choose high-quality filters.Most filter ratings are based on MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value), a scale that indicates how well the filter can trap particles of various sizes. Higher MERV numbers mean that the filter captures more particles.

However, this doesn’t mean you should reach for the highest number. Most residential systems can operate efficiently with filters rated up to MERV 13. Filters in the higher range than that can restrict airflow to the system, which reduces efficiency and can cause mechanical failure. It is best to speak with your HVAC contractor to determine the filter most compatible with your system. Until then, use filters within the MERV 7 to 13 ranges.

Do My Home’s Ducts Need to Be Cleaned?

If you are having air quality problems or your ducts haven't been cleaned in years, then you should schedule duct cleaning. Clean ducts improve energy-efficiency, increase the life of the HVAC system and improve air quality.

Can I Increase the Energy Efficiency of My HVAC System?

Yes. Here is a list of what you can do:

• Check the filters monthly.

• Use a programmable thermostat so that you can easily adjust temperature for times when you are away from home.

• Ensure your home has enough insulation.

• Seal air leaks around doors, windows and other common sources of leakage.

When is the Best Time to Schedule Preventive Maintenance?

Schedule a maintenance visit in fall or early spring, before winter or summer are in full swing. For additional peace of mind, consider scheduling two a year – one in fall and another in spring.

For more information about your home’s HVAC system, please contact us at Air Assurance.

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Is Your HVAC System Ready to Spring Forward?

With Daylight Saving Time coming up, now is an ideal time to spring forward when it comes to your Broken Arrow home’s HVAC system. Put the following tasks on your list of things to do to prepare for spring.

• Check smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors — Make sure these devices are working, and put a new set of batteries in them. Dust them off to ensure that they are able to work properly.

• Change HVAC filters — The filters in your HVAC system can collect a lot of dust and other debris during winter. Replace them with new ones in order to protect the indoor air quality in your home by cutting down on the amount of dust and other pollutants.

• Test your air conditioner — If you have a central air conditioning unit, test it out before hotter weather arrives. This helps ensure that your system will work efficiently to cool your home this coming summer.

• Schedule an HVAC inspection — Have a technician come to your Broken Arrow home to inspect your heating and cooling equipment and perform preventive HVAC maintenance. Your technician can make sure that your furnace is ready for the off season and your air conditioner is ready for the summer months.

• Remove debris around outdoor units — Clear away piles of leaves and any vegetation that could obstruct your outdoor unit, such as weeds and shrubs. This type of debris can prevent your HVAC system’s compressor from working properly, leading to costly repairs.

• Seal ductwork cracks — Check the ductwork in your home for cracks or holes that could make it harder for your HVAC system to cool your home efficiently. Seal up these holes or cracks for proper ventilation in your home.

If you're ready to spring forward with HVAC maintenance, please contact Air Assurance today. We provide HVAC repair and maintenance services to homeowners in Broken Arrow.

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Why Should You Invest in Preventive HVAC Maintenance?

With winter temperatures in Broken Arrow falling into the 20s and summer temperatures reaching into the 90s, having reliable heating and cooling for your home is essential. Since your HVAC system gets a significant amount of use throughout the year, it’s prone to wear and tear that can reduce its efficiency and even compromise its safety. Having preventive HVAC maintenance done helps ensure that your system stays in good condition, which provides the following benefits.

Lower Heating and Cooling Costs

The longer your HVAC system goes without maintenance, the harder it has to work to heat and cool your home, resulting in energy bills that are much higher than usual. With preventive HVAC maintenance, you can make sure your system is able to run efficiently all year, which leads to lower energy bills. This type of maintenance typically includes checking refrigerant levels, cleaning exchange coils, and performing other tasks that are part of ensuring optimal HVAC efficiency.

Improved Indoor Air Quality

Your HVAC system can end up causing excessive moisture indoors, which can lead to mold growth and make your home feel uncomfortable. Mold spores can result in health issues such as respiratory problems for you and your family. Your system can also create poor indoor air quality if filters are covered with dust and other debris. This can trigger allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and other health problems. HVAC maintenance lowers these risks and makes your home healthier.

Reduced Risk of Costly Repairs

Preventive HVAC maintenance involves performing several tasks, including checking for potential problems and thoroughly inspecting all parts of the system for signs of wear and tear. Finding problems early helps you avoid having to pay for major repairs that are much more expensive later on, or even having to replace your system due to extensive deterioration. HVAC technicians can also help you avoid needing repairs done by taking steps to prevent potential problems from turning into actual ones.

To schedule preventive HVAC maintenance for your home, contact Air Assurance today. We offer HVAC services to customers in Broken Arrow and Tulsa.

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How to Reduce the Load on Your Furnace

You've probably heard the terms "heating load" or "cooling load" in reference to the furnace and air conditioner. Sometimes experts advise reducing these loads on the HVAC system to save money on utility bills. Heating and cooling loads will also affect the size of the furnace or air conditioner you need. Here's a brief explanation of these terms and how understanding them can help you save.

Defining Heating (and Cooling) Loads

Load refers to how much heat has to be added or removed in a space to achieve a desired temperature range. When you're planning to upgrade your heating system, your HVAC consultant will refer to your home's heating load, or how much capacity a furnace must have to heat the home to the desired temperature. Reducing the load means finding ways to make the home more efficient so a system with a lower capacity can be installed. It also means preventing heated air from escaping the home — and cold air from infiltrating — so that the furnace works efficiently to achieve the temperature set points.

Heating and cooling loads are determined by software calculations, based on input from data collected on the home, including square footage, how many and what size windows, the home's orientation, insulation and many other factors. The software calculates the home's heating or cooling load so that the consultant can determine what size HVAC system is needed. The more efficient the home, the smaller the heating or cooling load, and the less heating or cooling capacity an HVAC system will need.

Increasing Efficiency

Here are a few things you can do to reduce your heating load this winter and lower your bills:

• Caulk or install weatherstripping around windows and doors to keep out drafts.

• Install a door sweep on exterior doors.

• Install insulation around pipes, cables and wiring that enter through holes in exterior walls.

• Insulate electrical switches in exterior walls.

• Add insulation in attics and walls. Attic insulation should be above joists.

To learn more about reducing the load on your furnace, contact Air Assurance. We've served the Broken Arrow area for 30 years.

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Could a Zoning System Save Energy in Your Home?

If you're using just one thermostat to regulate temperatures in your Oklahoma home, you're likely losing energy. Your house also isn't as comfortable throughout its interior as it would be with a zoning system. This is particularly the case with larger homes or those with more than one level.

How Does a Zoning System Work?

First, the house is divided into separate climate zones. This might be as simple as creating a separate zone for each floor of the house. This is usually a good plan, since upper floors tend to heat quicker than the main floor or a finished basement. For example, in the summer, while the basement family room is cool and comfortable, the bedrooms upstairs will likely need extra cooling due to heat rising. On the other hand, in the winter, the finished basement will need more heat than elsewhere in the house, while upper floors will warm up relatively easily. Other good reasons for separate zones include rooms with lots of windows or southern exposure, or rooms added onto a house. It's virtually impossible to effectively heat and cool all parts of a larger or multi-story house with just one thermostat.After the zones are established, a programmable thermostat and controllable duct dampers are installed in each zone, so that if one zone requires heating or cooling, the HVAC system will direct conditioning to that zone without affecting the heating or cooling in any other zone.

Benefits of a Zoning System

You'll save energy with a zoning system, since it guarantees that only parts of the house that need conditioning will receive it. In a single-thermostat house, the whole house receives cooled or heated air, regardless of whether all rooms need it.Comfort and convenience also will be served, since a family member in one room can set the temperature to his or her preference without affecting the temperature in other rooms, where a family member there might have different ideas about comfort.

To discuss adding an energy-saving zoning system in your Broken Arrow area home, please contact us at Air Assurance.

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Tips for Selecting the Best HVAC Contractor for Your Home

When the time comes to hire an HVAC contractor, you want one with a high degree of professionalism. Entrusting someone who's not qualified with repairing or replacing your sophisticated, expensive HVAC system is risky at best. So how do you find an HVAC contractor with the right skills and expertise? Here are some tips to guide you through your search.

What to Look For

Talk to your friends, family and business associates and ask who they use. Go online and have a look at these contractors' websites. A professional website won't necessarily guarantee a good job, but it does suggest that a contractor is operating at a professional level. Look for the following:

• Length of time in business. This alone won't guarantee professionalism, but it can show stability and level of experience.

• Testimonials. Online testimonials can be manufactured, so be wary. Ask for referrals and follow up on them.

• Types of services and brands. You probably want a contractor who has experience installing and repairing your particular brand of HVAC system.

• Licensing and insurance. These can differ widely even from county to county, so be sure to discuss licensing and insurance issues before you sign a contract.

• Types of affiliations and certifications. An HVAC contractor may belong to a number of professional organizations, from the Better Business Bureau to the ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America), but one of the key organizations that should be on the list is NATE (North American Technician Excellence). NATE affiliation proves that the contractor's technicians are certified and capable of working at the highest level of professionalism in the industry.

• Home evaluation. Don't accept any estimates over the phone. You want a contractor who will come to your home to carefully evaluate conditions and to size your HVAC system. Expect a detailed estimate.

• Written contract. Your contract should spell out the scope of the job, time line, model numbers and projected costs. The job should not begin until the contract is signed.

If you're looking for a quality HVAC contractor to do your repair or replacement, contact Air Assurance in Broken Arrow.

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