UV Lights and Your Home's Air

UV lights provide one of the simplest and most effective tools to improve indoor air quality (IAQ). UV (ultraviolet) is a spectrum of sunlight that sanitizes the air and it’s particularly effective at preventing the proliferation of viruses, bacteria and mold spores. It works by attacking the outer shell of microscopic, organic particles. As a result, their altered DNA won’t be able to reproduce, which keeps them from spreading.

The lights have been used for decades inside hospitals and clinics to control the spread of infectious diseases and they’re also available for use in home HVAC systems. They’re placed inside the ductwork or in the air handler. Inside HVAC systems, they prevent the proliferation of airborne germs that would otherwise spread throughout the home.

These lights are also one of the few ways to manage volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that accumulate in the home when the doors and windows need to be closed. VOCs are byproducts of many ordinary household products made from hydrocarbons like cleaners, perfumes, new paint, exhaust from vehicles and yard equipment. Their side effects range from mildly irritating to serious. When exposed to UV lights, VOCs change and become less harmful.

Their Benefits

• Lower disease transmission. When viruses and bacteria can’t reproduce, they can’t flourish and spread.

• Affordability. The lights are an affordable way to clean the air, compared to other air cleaners and purifiers. They don’t require filters and don’t take up valuable space. They’re out of sight in the HVAC system.

• They operate effortlessly and soundlessly. Depending on the dust load in your home, the lights only need cleaning every six months. They need to be replaced after a year of normal use.

• Increase energy efficiency. When placed inside the air handler, the lights prevent the growth of mold and biofilms on the evaporator coil, the part of the air conditioning system responsible for removing the heat. A clean coil speeds the cooling process.

Installing UV lights in your HVAC system will improve IAQ 24/7. To learn more, contact the pros at 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.

Using Voice-Enabled HVAC Products for Efficiency

"Siri! Play songs from my newest playlist!" "Alexa! Order more ink for my printer!" Smart devices simplify our lives in many ways. You can control virtually everything in your home by voice command -- including your HVAC system. Here's how you can use voice-enabled HVAC products in your home.

Voice-Controlled Thermostat

The first thing you need is a smart, WiFi-connected thermostat. This lets you control your HVAC system from your mobile device. You can program it to go into energy-saving mode while you're out of the house, or tell it to turn the system back on just a few minutes before you get home, so your house is comfortable when you arrive. It can also keep track of weather forecasts for your area and adjust accordingly.Furthermore, you can use an app to connect your WiFi thermostat with Alexa or a similar device, to control the temperature with your voice. Commands like, "Alexa, turn the temperature down to 68 degrees," can be issued from, say, your bedroom, and the adjustment will be made immediately, without your having to walk to the thermostat or even get out of bed!

Other Voice-Enabled HVAC Products

Your thermostat is just the beginning. There are all sorts of smart HVAC products that can make things easier and save energy. For instance, a smart fan senses when people are in the room and won't waste energy circulating air in an unoccupied space. And by connecting it to your voice-enabled device, you can tell it to speed up or slow down, as well as reverse the direction of the blades.You can also install smart vents. Air is distributed only to the rooms that have people in them, so you aren't heating or cooling empty bedrooms while everyone is in the living room. And with Alexa or another smart device, it's easy to say, "Turn off the vents upstairs," while you're downstairs in the kitchen making dinner. With smart HVAC devices, the possibilities are endless.To learn more about voice-enabled HVAC products, contact us at Air Assurance today. We're Broken Arrow's trusted source for heating and cooling solutions.

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.

Pros and Cons of Replacing Your HVAC System When Selling Your Home

If you're getting your home ready to sell, you're likely planning various repairs and upgrades to make it more appealing to prospective buyers. If your HVAC equipment is functional, but older, you may be on the fence about whether to update it before your home goes on the market.Before you decide, you'll want to consider the potential pros and cons of replacing your HVAC when selling.

Drawbacks of Replacing Your HVAC

HVAC equipment isn't cheap, so the cash outlay to replace an aging heat pump, furnace or air conditioner is without a doubt the biggest drawback of installing new components before you sell your home. Plus, the amount that's recouped from an HVAC equipment purchase when a home sells usually ranges from 35 to 50 percent of the upgrade's cost, which isn't a particularly high return on your investment.

Advantages of HVAC Replacement

The expense and expected ROI may have you leaning toward leaving your older HVAC equipment in place, but you also need to consider how an HVAC upgrade can boost your home's perceived value and help it sell faster, because it can offer buyers:

• Peace of mind about reliability. Home buyers don't want the worry that they'll face costly repairs or an equipment failure soon after they close on a property, so they appreciate a home with reliable new HVAC components that come with a manufacturer's warranty.

• Energy savings. Buyers today are more likely to use HVAC efficiency ratings as a gauge for comparing expected energy costs for homes they're seriously considering. If your home has highly-rated or Energy Star-certified equipment, it can help tip the balance in your favor.

• Desirable features. In this tech-savvy world, increasing numbers of home buyers are looking for smart HVAC controls and advanced features like variable-speed air handlers, two-stage compressors, modulating gas valves and intelligent zoning systems.

• No history concerns. When your home has brand new HVAC equipment, buyers can rest easy knowing there are no concerns about its maintenance and repair history.

For personalized advice about replacing your HVAC when selling your Broken Arrow home, 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 other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

A Guide to Managing Humidity Levels by the Season

Along with warming weather there comes an increased concern about higher humidity levels in the home. When the humidity rises much above 50 percent, we feel more uncomfortable. Higher humidity prevents perspiration from evaporating on our skin and cooling us off, so we tend to lower the thermostat in order to feel cooler. That means you're paying higher utility bills than you need to.Your air conditioner will help dehumidify your home, as long as it's in good running order and you keep the air filter changed. Read on for additional information on managing humidity levels in your home.

Tracking Your Home's Humidity Levels

Your home should have a relative humidity level within the range of 40-50 percent. It should be at the lower range in the summer, and at the higher range in the winter when the cold air holds less moisture. Cold, dry air tends to dry out our respiratory tracks, which can lead to respiratory infections, while triggering allergies and asthma attacks. Cold, dry air also accounts for more annoying static in the air, which at worst can damage sensitive electronics.To keep track of your home's humidity levels, buy an inexpensive hygrometer at the home convenience store.

Adjusting Humidity Seasonally

If your home tends to be too damp in the summer or too dry in the winter, there are things you can do. Here are some of them.Winter: Boil pots of water on the stove; take longer showers and leave the bathroom door open; add plants to your home.Summer: Fix leaking plumbing; take shorter showers; sequester plants in one room or leaks in the ceiling. Also, change the air filter often so the air conditioner has good air flow; this will help the A/C remove moisture from the air better.Depending on the season, you may want to use a humidifier or dehumidifier. These come in portable models, but the whole-house models do the best job.For more on managing humidity levels, contact Air Assurance. We have served Broken Arrow and the surrounding area 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). For more information about humidity and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

Checking for Air Leaks Before it Warms Up

Air leaks are at the top of the list when it comes to reasons why homeowners aren't enjoying maximum efficiency from their HVAC systems. Minute cracks throughout your home can let your conditioned air leak out, while allowing unconditioned air inside, compromising your heating and cooling efforts and boosting your utility bills.Learn how to deal with leaking air, and improve your home's efficiency before cooling season arrives.

Where Most Air Leaks Are Found

Cracks in your home can develop anywhere but are most common in these locations:

• around doors and windows

• between the exterior doors and the floor

• around baseboards

• around attic hatch doors (if your attic is unconditioned)

• around openings for wires, cables and pipes in exterior walls

• electric switches

• recessed lighting (again, if the attic is unconditioned)

You can find leaks by lighting an incense stick and waving it in front of these places. If the smoke wavers, you have a leak.

Fixing Air Leaks

1. Fix air leaks around doors and windows by applying weatherstripping, caulk or insulation.2. Apply a door sweeper to the bottom of exterior doors. Make sure the door moves freely along the floor without hanging up.3. Apply thin beads of caulk between baseboards and drywall.4. For attic hatches, attach foam board to the door, and weatherstripping around the opening perimeter.5. Use weatherstripping or insulation around wires, cables and pipes running through exterior walls.6. Install foam gaskets inside switch boxes.7. Install fire-rated, insulated covers over recessed lighting canisters.

Don't Forget the Ducts

If you can access your ductwork, check it for leaks, particularly if it is located in an unconditioned space such as the attic or basement. Fix leaks or disconnected segments with metal screws, foil tape (no duct tape -- it won't hold up) and mastic sealant.You might also think about insulating your ducts to stop heat or cooling loss in the unconditioned spaces.Boost your home's efficiency by fixing air leaks. Then, how about putting the money you save on utilities toward an upgraded HVAC system from Air Assurance of Broken Arrow?

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 air leaks and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

Looking Back: HVAC History to Note

One of the many luxuries of modern society is the convenience of tapping or programming your HVAC thermostat to make your home comfortable to your liking. Not long ago, maintaining a comfortable indoor environment wasn't so simple. Keep reading to take a look back at notable inventions in HVAC history and how they influence our modern world.

Mechanical Room Fan

The first known invention of the mechanical room fan was during the Han Dynasty in China's Golden Age. A network of large room fans could be controlled by one person operating large wheels to spin the fans. The wheels could be 10-foot in diameter, which surely created quite the wind-chill effect!

Radiant Heating

Modern radiant heating systems use a solution that is heated and circulated through pipes installed inside or beneath floors (and walls). Heat from the hot solution rises and radiates into the room and furnishings. Several ancient societies had their own style of radiant heating. The Greeks and Romans used pipes and channels installed beneath marble floors that transmitted heat from fires and furnaces into the rooms above.

Electric-Resistance Heating

Electric-resistance heating is widely used in many applications. Air-source heat pumps, electric radiant heating panels, electric water heaters, electric stoves, and more use the technology. William Siemens invented electric-resistance heating coils when he proved that metal coils produced heat by applying an electrical current.

Modern-Day Air Conditioner

The most important invention in HVAC history has to be the modern-day air conditioner. Willis Carrier, an American engineer, was actually trying to invent a dehumidifier that could remove moisture from large factory rooms. He did, and much more. Our modern economic, scientific, and technological world wouldn't be possible without cooled, climate-controlled environments.

Ductless Mini Split

Developed by Mitsubishi Electric during the 1970s, ductless mini splits provide exceptional cooling and heating solutions where space is limited or impractical for conventional air ducts. Ductless systems are ideal for conditioning guest rooms, bonus rooms, additions, and more.

We hope you enjoyed this look back through HVAC history. For modern HVAC services in your Broken Arrow home, contact the professionals at Air Assurance today.

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.

Questions to Ask During an HVAC System Estimate

If you're planning to update your home's HVAC equipment, you'll likely research reputable local contractors and get estimates from at least three. Before you obtain an HVAC system estimate, ask each contractor the following questions to help judge their industry knowledge, installation expertise and service quality:

How Do You Size New Equipment?

To ensure that the new equipment capacity matches your home's square footage and characteristics, a skilled HVAC contractor will advise you that they'll do a load calculation with Manual J, then select the right equipment using Manual S.

Will My Duct System Need an Upgrade?

Your existing ductwork has a big impact on how well your new equipment performs and your comfort. Experienced HVAC pros know this, so they will tell you they thoroughly inspect the installed ductwork to determine if its design and condition is up to par, based on Manual D guidelines.

Should I Compare Efficiency Ratings?

When you're getting an estimate for new HVAC equipment, a good contractor should willingly provide you with information on the upfront and lifetime costs of models at different efficiency levels. If you ask, a dependable HVAC pro will help you weigh your options to decide if you should invest in higher-rated equipment that gives you long-term savings on energy.

Do You Offer Preventive Maintenance Agreements?

Trustworthy HVAC contractors don't just install new equipment, they also offer expert preventive maintenance and repair services to keep your system working efficiently and reliably. An installer worth hiring should offer extended service protection plans that cover semi-annual planned maintenance, priority service, and savings on parts, labor and after-hours and weekend emergency assistance.

Are There Financing Options Available?

Well-established HVAC companies understand that new equipment is a major purchase for most homeowners, so they team with reputable local financial institutions to provide a range of financing options for their customers. If you ask about financing, you should expect your HVAC installer to give you good alternatives along with advice on how to apply.

When you need a customized HVAC system estimate on new equipment for your Broken Arrow home, 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 HVAC systems and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

28 Days of Home Comfort

Broken Arrow in February is pretty cold. Fortunately, your HVAC system can keep you warm and comfortable. But is it functioning at peak performance? How much energy is it using? Here are some tips you can use each week in February to optimize your home comfort levels.

Week 1: Improve your airflow.

There are two ways you can do that this week. First, check your air filter and replace it if it's clogged. This allows air to flow through it more easily, saving energy, reducing strain on your HVAC system, providing you with clean air, and keeping your house comfortable. Second, check your ductwork for leaks. Leaks keep heated air from reaching your home. Repair them with metal tape or mastic sealant to maintain optimal airflow.

Week 2: Turn down the thermostat.

A temperature of 68 degrees while you're at home is plenty to keep you comfortable without wasting a lot of energy. Then, while you're at work and the kids are at school, use your programmable thermostat to lower the temperature even more. By keeping things 15 degrees cooler while no one's in the house, you can lower your energy bills up to 15 percent.

Week 3: Reverse your ceiling fan.

In summer, your fan helps you feel cooler. But by reversing the direction of the blades, it can actually warm things up. Hot air rises, but your fan can take that heat that's risen to the ceiling and push it back down into your home.

Week 4: Install attic insulation.

Rising heat doesn't stop at the ceiling. It goes all the way into the attic, where it's of no use to you in terms of home comfort. That's why it's important to make sure you have proper insulation. It slows the flow of heat, keeping it in your home. Inspect your attic insulation levels. If the insulation comes past the joists, you have enough. If not, put in some more to keep the heat where it belongs.

For more tips on improving home comfort, contact us at Air Assurance. We proudly serve all of 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 home comfort and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

How to Check Your Insulation

Adding a little more insulation can go a long way towards making your home more energy efficient, not to mention more livable at the height of the winter and summer months. If you need to check your insulation, the following offers a few ways you can do just that.

Checking Attic Insulation

A quick way to check your insulation in the attic is to look across the attic joists. If the insulation barely reaches the top of the joists, then chances are you’ll need to add more. If the insulation is well above the joists, then there’s ample amount of insulation and adding more may not help you save money and energy.You should also make sure your insulation is evenly distributed throughout the attic. If you see any low spots, then you’ll want to fill these in to create an even surface.If your attic happens to contain vermiculite insulation, a gray, flaky pea-shaped material, you should avoid contact with it. Vermiculite insulation may contain asbestos and it should be tested by a professional to see if it poses a danger to your home.

Checking Wall Insulation

Checking your insulation in the walls can be a bit trickier because you won’t have a way to visually confirm how much insulation exists. Most professionals use borescopes and infrared imaging cameras to check insulation levels without disturbing the wall, but chances are you won’t have that equipment Lane around.Instead, you can remove the protective plate from your wall switch and peer into the gap between the electrical junction box and the surrounding drywall. Sometimes you’ll be able to see if you have any insulation, but you may have to go a step further. You can use a thin wooden or plastic stick to snag a small amount of insulation if it’s there. Avoid using wire coat hangers or other metal objects, since this could pose an electrical hazard.

If you want to check your insulation and need a helping hand, contact the professionals at Air Assurance today. We proudly serve Broken Arrow and the surrounding 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). For more information about insulation and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.