Does Your AC Depend on Modern Plumbing?

Many things can affect your AC unit’s efficiency and performance. One thing that may not come to mind is how your home’s AC drainage and plumbing system work together. A modern AC system with a modern plumbing system makes for an efficient home.

Modern Plumbing and Your AC System

Many homes have their HVAC system tied to their plumbing system. HVAC systems produce moisture, which is collected and removed by the unit itself in the form of a drainage pan and a drainage line, with some differences depending on the design of the AC unit. This collected moisture is then drained through your home's plumbing system. An up-to-date plumbing system can make draining more efficient, faster and reduce the chance for overflow.

The Condensate Drain

HVAC units have a condensation drain (or line) to direct moisture away from your HVAC unit. If this becomes clogged, it can damage your home and the AC unit itself due to water collection and overflows. These blockages can also extend to your home’s internal plumbing system, and many homes have their condensation drainage lines connected to the bathroom’s drainage system. This can create situations where plumbing issues can affect your AC’s ability to drain condensation and, in turn, if your AC drainage is malfunctioning, it can cause other issues, such as the bathroom sink becoming clogged.

The Dangers of Overflows and Blockages

Without modern plumbing, your AC unit may not drain the way it should. This collected water can damage your AC unit and plumbing, cause electrical issues, and damage the structure of your home. Issues such as mold, rot, and wood damage can occur, as can leaks to the floors below if your AC unit is located upstairs.

In Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, you have many different HVAC service providers to choose from. At Air Assurance, our many years of award-winning service and highly trained staff set us apart. Contact us today to learn more about the services we offer.

Should You Link Your Plumbing and HVAC Systems to Save Money?

Though your plumbing and HVAC systems serve different functions, there are certain places where links between the two units may connect inside your house. Both your central air conditioner, as well as a high-efficiency, two-stage furnace, produce condensation which must be effectively drained from each unit.

Here are two scenarios where plumbing and HVAC links are vital, as well as what might go wrong with each.

Central Air Conditioner

On a humid summer day, the indoor evaporator coil for a central AC can produce more than 20 gallons of condensation. All that water flows from the coil into a condensate drip pan situated beneath the indoor air handler, then into a PVC drain pipe connected to the home-plumbing drain system.

What Might Go Wrong

Algae or mold growth may occur in the drip pan and clog the condensate drain pipe, causing the pan to overflow. In that case, serious water damage to the house may occur.

Annual cooling system preventative maintenance by a qualified HVAC service technician includes an inspection of the condensate drip pan. If algae or mold growth is noted, the pan can be cleaned and the drain line blown out to ensure proper drain function. Algicide tablets may also be placed in the pan to prevent a recurrence.

High-Efficiency Furnace

A high-efficiency furnace also produces condensation. This water may flow through a drain pipe to be discharged outside the house or into a connection with the home drainage system.

What Might Go Wrong

In cold weather, the drain pipe may freeze where it terminates outside, blocking flow. In this case, a safety sensor will automatically shut down the furnace to prevent internal damage.

An HVAC contractor can verify that the condensate drain line is properly slanted so water drainage flows rapidly and does not freeze Alternatively, the drain line may be connected to the household drain system. However, because furnace condensate is caustic, it must be routed through a condensate neutralizer installed at the furnace connection to prevent corrosion of home drain pipes.

For professional service to prevent or resolve issues with plumbing and HVAC links, contact the experts at Air Assurance.

Did You Know That Plumbing Problems Can Affect Your HVAC Unit?

When you think of plumbing problems, a clogged kitchen sink or a dripping faucet are usually the sort of things that come to mind. However, did you know that plumbing issues can also be a factor in the operation of HVAC systems? Here are some examples of how plumbing is utilized in common residential cooling and heating components, as well as what might go wrong with these systems.

Central Air Conditioner

On a hot, humid summer day here in Oklahoma, the indoor evaporator coil in your central AC may extract more than 20 gallons of condensation from the air as an essential part of the cooling process. If everything’s functioning properly, all this water collects in a drip pan beneath the indoor air handler, then flows down a condensate drain line.

If a clog develops in the system — often a result of algae growth in the drip pan or some foreign object — the pan will overflow. Expensive water damage to the house can occur before you’re even aware of the problem.

High-Efficiency Furnace

High-efficiency furnaces — units with AFUE ratings of 90% or more — utilize a second stage to extract additional heat from exhaust gases. This process also condenses water vapor into a liquid that must be removed through a drain line that may discharge outdoors or into the house's drain system. Signs of plumbing problems include sudden unexplained pooling of water around the furnace.

What Can Be Done?

• To cure an overflowing AC, an HVAC technician will clear the clog in the condensate drain line as well as clean the drip pan beneath the air handler. Tablets that kill algae may also be placed in the drip pan to prevent the recurrence of clogs for the rest of the cooling season.

• If the furnace is leaking, the cause may be a clogged condensate drain line that triggers an overflow inside the unit or a leaky condensate drain pump. An experienced service tech can pinpoint the origin of the leakage and take steps to resolve the issue quickly.

For professional service to resolve plumbing problems that affect your cooling or heating system, contact Air Assurance.

How Can Your Pipes Affect the Temperature of the Water In Your Home?

You may want to draw cold water from your tap but end up with warm or hot water in your glass. Or maybe you could run out of warm water in the middle of your morning shower, forcing you to finish with cold water. These are some of the annoying consequences that you can suffer by ignoring your home's plumbing system. Let's learn more about how your pipes cause inconsistent water-temperature effects.

Leaks

Pipes exposed to extreme temperatures can rupture and leak, leading to inconsistencies in water temperature. For example, in the height of summer, the sweltering heat can make pipes expand and burst. If hot or lukewarm water comes out of your cold-water faucets for several minutes, your water pipes may have started to leak or gain massive pressure.

Faulty Dip Tube

Your conventional water heater has two pipes that extend into it. One short dip tube draws hot water from the tank, while the longer one pushes cold water downward to the bottom of the tank. When the cold-water tube detaches, cracks, develops holes, or becomes corroded, it causes cold water to mix with hot water. This leads to inconsistent temperatures.

Obstructed Pipes

If you have a tankless water heater, mineral deposits like rust, carbonates, and oxides inside your pipes can hamper its ability to deliver hot water. Vermin, nests, and other debris can also block your vent pipes and prevent the heater from operating correctly.

Just like the other systems in your home, your plumbing system requires regular attention. You can avoid the issues above by making sure your plumbing system is inspected regularly and insulated adequately and that your underground pipes are laid deep enough to protect them from extreme temperatures.

For more information on solving these water-temperature effects, contact Air Assurance. With more than 50 years of experience, our master plumbers help homeowners in the Broken Arrow area solve all their plumbing problems. We also offer our customers a Plumbing Service Plan that helps them deal with potential problems early and prevent expensive and inconvenient repairs.

From Cooking to Bathing, Keep Your Water at the Right Temperature

Your water heater does a lot for your home. It gives you hot showers, clean dishes, and much more. However, if it's not set to the right temperature, it can cause problems — especially in winter, as the cold weather can affect its operation. What's the right temperature for your water heater? Here's a guide to controlling the water temperature in your home.

The Sweet Spot

If your water temperature is too low, it can foster bacteria inside the tank, making the water unsafe to use. However, if the temperature is too high, the extra heat drives up your energy bills between three and five percent for every 10 degrees extra. Not to mention that water that's too hot can cause scalding, particularly in young children.

So what's the sweet spot for water temperature? It depends on a number of factors, but for the average person, the Department of Energy recommends 120 degrees. There should be a dial on the side of your water heater that displays the temperature and allows you to raise or lower it. Some people may require a higher temperature, but it should never, ever be lower than 120.

Special Circumstances

When controlling water temperature, there are certain factors that might require it to be a bit higher for your household. For instance, if you have someone in your home with respiratory issues, or problems with their immune system, you should turn the temperature up to 140, to reduce bacteria more effectively.

Another factor is your dishwasher. Does it preheat the water it uses or use the water from your water heater as-is? If it's the latter, you should turn your temperature up to 140, to make sure your dishes get clean enough.

On the other hand, if you have young children or elderly family members living in your home, keep the temperature at 120. Their skin is more sensitive, and hotter water can cause third-degree burns within seconds.

For more help controlling water temperature in your home, contact us at Air Assurance today. Our home-comfort solutions save money and energy for the Broken Arrow area.

Best Frozen Pipe Prevention Methods

Winters in Broken Arrow are relatively mild, but there are still some cold days. That means you still need to take steps to prepare your home for lower temperatures. In particular, you need to protect your pipes. Anytime the temperature drops below 32 degrees, they're in danger of freezing. Here are three of the best methods of frozen-pipe prevention you can use.

Insulation

Any exposed pipes, both indoors and outdoors, should be insulated. There are insulating sleeves you can put on them, which prevent the cold from getting in, or you can wrap them in heat cables or heat tape, which actively warm the pipes to prevent freezing.

Regulate Your Home Temperature

Perhaps the best method of frozen-pipe prevention is keeping your home warm enough. As long as it's kept above 32 degrees, there shouldn't be any problem.

Weatherstrip your home to keep heat in. Seal any air leaks that could cause warm air to leak out or cold air to leak in, making your house colder. Make sure there's enough insulation in your attic as well, to keep the heat in your home.

Finally, open the doors to any cabinets that have pipes in them: in the bathroom, below the kitchen sink, etc. This will help make sure warm air reaches them and keeps the water flowing.

Focus on Water

Being aware of the water is a good step toward preventing freezing. When the temperature starts to drop, drain any hoses outdoors that might have water in them. Then, turn on each of your faucets just slightly, until there's a small but steady trickle of water coming from them. As long as the water is moving, it will be more difficult to freeze.

If your pipes do freeze, wrap them in a heating pad or other heat source. Leave the faucet on, as once the water starts flowing again, it will help the ice to melt faster. If it still won't thaw, call a plumber.

For more tips on frozen-pipe prevention, contact us at Air Assurance. Broken Arrow's home-comfort needs are our No. 1 priority.

All About Backflow Prevention & Installation

Backflow prevention helps prevent contamination if the municipal water supply flows in the wrong direction. We’re all accustomed to expecting fresh water to flow in one direction only: into the home. However, certain events can actually reverse that flow. These include a system water main break, fire hydrants suddenly opened, or another occurrence that causes the municipal water pressure to plunge rapidly. This effect may reverse proper normal water flow, pulling water from various undesirable sources back into the system. Polluted or otherwise unsanitary water may therefore potentially contaminate the home water supply.

Safeguarding Your Water

A single device to prevent backflow installed at the water meter is often required by municipal codes. However, this may not adequately protect your individual home if the house includes cross-connections where tainted water can be siphoned backward into household water-supply pipes. Common home cross-connections that could potentially threaten your fresh water include: home sprinkler systems, swimming pools, boilers, fire sprinklers, outdoor fountains, or even something as simple as a handheld shower spray or a garden hose that might be immersed in tainted water.

Home backflow-prevention devices are essentially one-way valves that do not allow water to flow backward and enter the home supply lines. In typical residential applications, these devices may be installed at:

• Each outdoor hose bib or connection

• Lawn-sprinkler supply pipe

• Fire sprinkler supply pipe

• Heating system boiler

• Individual devices such as handheld shower sprayers

Getting The Job Done

An inspection by a qualified professional plumber is required to identify any parts of your plumbing system that may require backflow prevention. Devices are available in several different types, which are designed to adapt to a particular installation or requirement. Because events that trigger backflow generally occur without notice and may happen at any time, backflow devices function automatically.

For more about the benefits of home backflow prevention devices, contact the plumbing pros at Air Assurance.

Hydrostatic Sewer Pipe Testing - Tulsa, OK

Hydrostatic Sewer Pipe Testing - Tulsa, OK

Hydrostatic test is a process performed by an experienced plumber to locate any breaks or leaks that may exist in a sealed sewer pipe system. An inflatable test device is inserted into building or home main line sewer cleanout and is then inflated in order to block or plug the main sewer line. The plumbing professionals at Air Assurance can provide a hydrostatic pressure test for your home or business if you believe a sewer line leak may exist. If your property has any foundation issues, foundation cracks or changes, these often can lead to a sewer pipe break in the foundation.

Air Assurance Hyrdostatic Services

Air Assurance Plumbing Division will not only determine the existence of a sewer leak with Hydrostatic Sewer Testing, but also determines the leak’s exact location and source. Pinpoint the leak’s source is critical because any intrusion into your home’s or business’s foundation needs to be kept to an absolute minimum. The sewer line professionals at Air Assurance are experts at determining the existence and location of sewer line problems, so you can rest assured the job will be done correctly with adherence to best plumbing standards and practices.

Leak Detection and Pipe Inspection – Process:

1. Hydrostatic Pressure Test

A hydrostatic pressure test is performed on a home or building’s sanitary sewer system to determine if there are water leaks present in the plumbing system. An inflatable test ball is inserted into building or home main line sewer cleanout and is then inflated in order to block or plug the main sewer line. The sewer system is then filled with water up to slab level, where the water level is observed for up to 15 minutes. If the system does not fill to slab level, or if the water level begins to drop, water leaks are present in the sanitary sewer system. The next phase of leak detection to identify these leaking sewer lines involves a combination of video camera pipe inspection and static leak isolation testing of pvc or cast iron sewer system.

2. Video Camera Pipe Inspection and Leak Location

State of the art in-line sewer or drain video camera equipment is used to perform sewer pipe or drain line camera inspection of a sanitary sewer system. The infrared camera is inserted into system through existing cleanouts, roof vents, or toilet drains to observe and analyze the condition of a sub-slab drain system. Exact locations of obstructions, breaks, stoppages or deteriorated pipes can be determined with sewer camera inspection along with approximate depth of the sewer pipe.

3. Static Leak Isolation Testing

Static leak isolation testing is the leak detection process in which we use a combination of sewer video camera pipe inspection and hydrostatic pressure testing to isolate and test different sections or areas of an under slab sanitary sewer system to pinpoint exact locations of water leaks in the system. Inflatable test devices are inserted into system through existing cleanouts, roof vents, and exposed toilet drains to perform hydrostatic test on an isolated portions of the sewer system. An in-line sewer video camera is used in the process to assist with the placement of test balls throughout the system and to map out the layout of the sanitary sewer system.

If you think you have a sewer leak, water line leak, or any other leak - you can count on the plumbing professionals at Air Assurance. Our plumbing service areas include Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Jenks, Owasso, Sapulpa, Sand Springs, Coweta and more. Call us today!

HVAC Technician & Plumber Jobs Tulsa, OK

Air Assurance is hiring - Tulsa, OK

Air Assurance has been serving the Greater Tulsa, OK market for more than 35 years and we’re growing! We are looking for qualified candidates for HVAC Service Technicians, HVAC Installation Technicians, and Journeyman Plumbers. Our services include diagnostic repair, planned annual maintenance, and installation services for residential and commercial clients. You can apply online from this website (see below for link). Great Company, Great Benefits, and Great Community.

AIR CONDITIONING REPAIRS ON ALL MAJOR BRANDS

As NATE-certified technicians, we're trained and knowledgeable in fixing all types of air conditioners in Broken Arrow, OK and the surrounding areas. We can replace filters and inspect your equipment for general wear and tear, too. From rental units to single-family homes to business properties, we can assist you with:

• A/C replacements

• Air conditioning system installations

• Air conditioner repairs

• Equipment upgrades

HEATING SYSTEMS FOR COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES

We're committed to providing you with the latest in heating and cooling technologies. We install and maintain geothermal heating systems, energy-efficient heaters, and smart home thermostats. Our seasonal checkups can help prevent damage to your heating equipment and reduce mid-season failures. You can turn to us for:

• Central and ductless heater installations

• Furnace replacements

• Heater repairs

• Heating system upgrades