What To Do Before Turning on Your Heater

Turning on your heater is an annual event marking the start of a new season. With the hot summer behind, you’re looking forward to staying comfortable in cold weather to come. Making sure a few start-up essentials are done first can help ensure a smooth transition into the heating season. Here are some suggestions for turning on your heater in an organized procedure to make sure all parts of the system are working together.

Inspect the vent duct

Verify that the furnace connection to the vent duct is secure and the duct is intact. Go outside and look up at the vent cap where the vent duct terminates on the roof. Verify that the cap is in place and look for any signs of bird’s nests, leaves or other obstructions.

Ensure adequate clearance

Make sure no items are placed within three feet of the furnace on all sides. Flammable liquids, paints, solvents, etc, should never be stored in the same room as the furnace at all.

Install a new filter

Don’t start the heating season with a dirty filter left over from the cooling season. From now on, continue to change the furnace filter at least every other month.

Check the vents

Check supply vents in each room to verify that they're fully open. Check return vents (or there central return if there’s only one) and make sure they’re not obstructed by furniture, drapes or other objects.

Start the furnace

Follow manufacturer’s instructions for starting up the furnace.

Feel for airflow

Check for warm airflow at every supply vent. If you don’t feel warmth from one or more vents, shut down the furnace and call for professional HVAC service.

Schedule an annual tune-up

Get professional preventive maintenance performed by a qualified HVAC technician. The service includes manufacturer-recommended maintenance procedures to ensure maximum furnace efficiency, lowest cost and reduced wear and tear. It also includes an up-close inspection of furnace components to detect and resolve any incipient problems now, before they become a major issue later.

For qualified service when it's time for turning on your heater, contact 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.

How New Steel and Aluminum Tariffs Affect the U.S. HVAC Industry

Tariffs on the steel industry have been all over the news. One side claims they're great, the other side says they're disastrous. You don't work in the steel industry, though. Do the tariffs still affect you? Yes. For one thing, steel tariffs are causing HVAC industry changes that affect homeowners everywhere.

Examining the Tariffs

The current administration has imposed a 25 percent tariff on steel from other countries and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum. Both materials are significant elements in the manufacture of HVAC systems, from furnaces to heat pumps to air conditioners.With steel and aluminum more expensive to obtain, the cost of manufacturing HVAC equipment is going up. If the manufacturers want to make money, they'll have to raise their prices. Many already have. That not only means that purchasing an HVAC system will become more expensive, but likely having yours repaired as well. If your unit needs a replacement part made of steel, the cost will be higher.The increases in price don't just apply to steel and aluminum products, either. Some HVAC manufacturers are raising their prices on all their products, regardless of their materials, simply to compensate for the volatility of the industry and the impact it's had on them across the board.

What Can You Do?

If the steel tariffs are making life more expensive for you, you can always contact your congressperson and/or senators to let them know how you feel about the situation. Aside from that, though, the best thing to do amid these HVAC industry changes is what you've always done: shop around for the best prices and the best value.Find a system that will last you a long time. Look for one with good energy efficiency, so that the money you save on power bills can offset the extra that you're paying to buy the unit. And keep it well-maintained, to avoid needing lots of repairs and replacement parts.

To learn more about HVAC industry changes from steel tariffs and other factors, contact us at Air Assurance. We're Broken Arrow's trusted source for quality 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.

How Does Duct Design Affect Heating and Cooling?

If you're asked which of your home's HVAC components are most important, you'd probably say your furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump. Another component that you shouldn't overlook is the duct system that distributes your conditioned air, because it directly affects your heating and cooling equipment's performance.

If the duct design is flawed, the ductwork is poorly installed, or it's damaged or leaky, you can experience problems with:

Temperature control.

Damaged or leaky ductwork that lets conditioned air escape can make it difficult or impossible to maintain your desired comfort level.

Air quality.

Pressure imbalances due to duct design flaws can pull in contaminants and allergens from unconditioned areas and erode your indoor air quality.

Energy consumption.

Overcoming duct deficiencies increases the workload of your HVAC equipment, so it uses more energy.

Component longevity.

That extra workload can also shorten your costly HVAC equipment's lifespan.

Fundamentals of Effective Ductwork Design

A properly-designed duct system should deliver the correct volume of air, at your desired temperature, to the various rooms in your home. Also, it should return stale air back to the HVAC equipment for reconditioning. An effective duct design is based on principles of air distribution and thermal gains and losses, and requires quality materials, construction and installation. Such a system also relies on:

Proper duct sizing.

Individual ducts must be sized to match the capacity of the HVAC equipment. Undersized ducts can't carry a sufficient volume of air, and oversized ducts will reduce the system's efficiency.

Balanced airflow.

To avoid creating positive or negative pressure within the house and HVAC system, the duct system must have the right number of supply and return ducts to deliver an equal volume of air.

Duct location.

Whenever possible, ducts should be placed inside the home's conditioned envelope. If ducts must be routed through unconditioned areas like a garage or attic, they need to be properly sealed and insulated to limit energy losses.

If you have concerns that flaws in your HVAC duct design are affecting heating and cooling in your Broken Arrow home, contact us today at Air Assurance for expert help.

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.

What Are High-End Air Conditioners?

When you’re looking for a way to combat the summer heat without having high cooling costs, look for a high-end air conditioner. Its upgraded standard features increase its energy efficiency and your comfort.The U.S. Department of Energy requires all HVAC equipment to be evaluated for energy efficiency. They measure the efficiency of central air conditioners by testing them over a simulated cooling season and measure the amount of electricity they use.The minimum stands energy efficiency rating stands at 14 SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) for air conditioners in Oklahoma. A high-end A/C will have a 15 SEER rating and higher. It may also carry the familiar Energy Star logo. High-end HVAC systems do cost more initially but make up for their high price in lower energy bills and reduced maintenance costs.The features to look for in high-end air conditioners and heat pumps to look for that that increase the SEER include:

Dual-speed compressor.

Such a compressor can adjust its running speed from low to high, depending on how much cooling your home needs. The compressor uses the most electricity of any other air conditioner part. When it runs on low, it uses less power, which saves you money.

Variable-speed air handler.

A variable-speed motor in the air handler will blow the air throughout your home at different speeds based on its need for cooling. They also ramp up and slow down slowly. The longer running time distributes all the cooled air from the ductwork that would otherwise be wasted.

Zoning systems.

A zoning system lets you control the temperatures individually in each room of your home. They use dampers in the ductwork and individual thermostats so that each area of your home will be a comfortable temperature, instead of having a single thermostat setting for the entire home. Zoning eliminates hot and cold spots throughout the house.Because summers are hot and fairly long in this region, a high-end air conditioner will pay for itself in lower energy costs and greater comfort. For more information, contact 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.

How Does Ventilation Affect Temperature?

Keeping your home comfortable takes more than just your HVAC system. The amount of air that’s able to pass through your home can also have an effect on indoor temperatures. Most modern homes are designed to be as air-tight as possible, making proper ventilation a challenge. Read on to learn how poor air flow impacts indoor temperatures, as well as ways to make your home more comfortable.

Poor Air Flow Leads to Stuffy Rooms

Stuffy air is one of the most common complaints among homeowners. High humidity levels in poorly ventilated spaces can also raise indoor temperatures, which in turn allows the air to hold more humidity until simply becomes too saturated to hold moisture in vapor form. These issues contribute to a feeling of stuffiness from most people. High concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) can also make the air feel stuffier.

A home with good ventilation is able to push out hot, humid air and draw in cooler air with less moisture content. When your home’s not able to do that, the stagnant air simply collects more moisture, causing your improperly ventilated spaces to become progressively stuffier as time goes on.

Tips for Improving Air Flow

Here are a few ways you can improve your home’s air flow issues and bring temperatures back down to normal:

Open up windows and doors to improve air flow.

Cracking open a nearby door or window can help push hot, humid air out of a room and encourage cooler breezes to flow through. Good air flow also helps eliminate severe dust and debris buildup.

Use existing exhaust fans to promote better air flow.

Bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans can draw away stuffy air and promote improved air flow.

Invest in balanced mechanical ventilation.

These systems provide both indoor exhaust and outdoor supply air flow, providing balanced ventilation that keeps indoor temperatures at comfortable levels throughout the year.

To learn more about how ventilation affects your home, turn to the experts at Air Assurance. Contact us today to explore heating and cooling options for your home.

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

Protect Your Outdoor Unit from Falling Leaves

It’s easy to forget about the air conditioner when it’s not running daily to keep you comfortable. During the offseason, consider outdoor HVAC unit protection to keep it in good shape so it’s ready to go next spring. Heat pump users, especially, need to stay on top of the outdoor condenser to get the most efficient and effective heating from their units.

Why It Matters

The outdoor condenser contains the compressor and the condensing coil, both vital parts of any air conditioner or heat pump. The compressor changes the pressure of the refrigerant to make it cold enough to remove the excess heat from your home’s air. The refrigerant moves from the indoor air handler into the condensing coil, where a large fan blows away the heat it collected indoors.

When leaves or any other kind of vegetation block the air amount of air going through the condenser, it takes longer for the refrigerant to cool. It drives up energy bills and increases the time it takes to cool your home. Longer running times create excessive wear on the compressor, your system’s most expensive part.

Condenser Upkeep

Rake leaves away. Keep an eye on the amount of leaves building around the condenser and rake them away as they collect. Bag them, along with other landscaping debris, to keep them from blowing back.

Trim overhanging tree branches. Remove any branches that hang over the condenser or nearby by as part of outdoor HVAC unit protection. Throw a tarp over the condenser as you work to prevent sawdust and leaves from falling inside it.

Cover it. If you don’t plan to use the A/C or heat pump all winter, cover it for the season. You can find covers at home improvement centers or hardware stores. Be sure you check it periodically to make sure rodents aren’t living inside.

It’s important to provide outdoor HVAC unit protection from leaves even in the off-season to keep this appliance clean and unobstructed. To learn more, contact 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.

Safety Hazards of a Multi-Purpose Furnace Room

Safety should always be a top priority in every household. Unfortunately, many homeowners make simple mistakes without considering what might happen. A great example is when families create storage in mechanical room areas of the home, primarily where their furnace is located. This results in a fire just waiting to happen.

People Own More Stuff

It's getting a little ridiculous at how much "stuff" exists that you can buy these days. Many households are full of boxes with everything from Christmas ornaments and legal documents to comic books and action figures. Much of what we buy will end up in a box somewhere, which necessitates the need for more storare areas around your home. So, why not use the furnace room, right? Wrong!

The Dangers of Using a Furnace Room for Storage

When you place storage items in an area that houses a source of heat, you're asking for trouble. If the furnace isn't operating properly or your personal belongings are too close to the furnace, a fire could ignite. This is especially true if you're storing items like half-empty paint cans, cleaning supplies, or solvents. Don't laugh - we've probably all put these items in places that weren't entirely safe.

What You Can Do to Prevent a Fire

The good news is that preventing a fire in the room where your furnace is stored is rather simple. Here are some quick rules that you can follow:

• Remove any flammable materials such as storage boxes, cleaning materials, and other items discussed throughout this article.

• Equip your home with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

• Have a fire extinguisher readily accessible in the kitchen and near the furnace area.

• Hire a technician to perform an annual check of the system to keep it operating properly.

• Never block the entrance or area around the furnace in case firefighters require access.

For more advice on safe storage in mechanical room areas, or if you have any other questions related to home comfort, reach out to the experts at Air Assurance. We've been serving the HVAC needs of Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas 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 other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

How to Prepare for Fall Allergens

Have you started to experience the annoyance and discomfort associated with fall allergies yet? Areas in northeastern and eastern Oklahoma rank among the top 15 areas in the U.S. where people suffer the most from allergies. Local culprits in the fall include ragweed pollen, the inevitable mold spores, and dust mites.Allergy season in this part of Oklahoma is long lasting, according to the Weather Channel who estimate it lasts from April through November. With such a long season, it’s worth considering what you can do to alleviate them using your HVAC system.Your heating and cooling system handles much of the air in your home and it’s the perfect place to start reducing the impact of fall allergies caused by airborne particulates by:

Upgrading the air filter.

A denser, higher quality air filter will trap more particles that will reduce your allergy symptoms. Look for one whose MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) rating is 8 or higher. You can also go by the manufacturer’s quality descriptions, which normally range from good to best.Upgrade the filter as long as your HVAC system can handle one with a MERV rating between 8 and 12 or qualified as “best.” It’s important to verify the maximum density you can use because installing too thick a filter will slow the air flowing through the air handler, which harms your equipment.

Maintaining the HVAC system.

Ask your HVAC contractor to service your system, which reduces the amount of dust and pollen inside it. They're able to access every part of the system for cleaning and adjusting,

Ductwork inspection.

Have your HVAC pro check the ducts for dust. You may need to have the ducts professionally cleaned to clear accumulations of dust and debris. If you or a previous owner have run the system with dirty air filters, allergens can easily collect inside the ducts. Besides clearing the air, clean ducts deliver air more efficiently and quietly.

For more information about managing fall allergies with your HVAC system, contact 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.

Supply Vents vs Return Vents: Identifying HVAC Vents in Your Home

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Most homes in our area have central, forced-air HVAC systems that distribute conditioned air through a system of supply and return ducts. The ducts are installed inside the walls, ceilings or floors, so all that's visible are covered HVAC vents at the duct openings. Learning more about these vents and their purpose can help you keep your HVAC system working reliably and efficiently, so you enjoy a comfortable home.

The Basics of Supply and Return HVAC Vents

An HVAC system with proper air distribution has a ductwork design that incorporates a certain number of supply ducts for conditioned air delivery, as well as return ducts to bring stale air back through the air handler to be reconditioned. You can easily tell the purpose of a duct by which of these two types of vent covers it has:

Supply register.

Individual rooms in a home generally have one or more supply vents with louvered covers called registers. This kind of cover typically has a built-in damper that opens and closes with either a roller or lever control. Although the damper control lets you close the register completely, doing so can have serious consequences for your HVAC system, including airflow imbalances, a loss of energy efficiency and a greater likelihood of equipment breakdowns or failures. To avoid such problems, it's best to always keep your registers fully open, even in seldom-used rooms.

Return grille.

The HVAC ducts that return air through the system have stationary vent covers called grilles. Your duct system design dictates how many return vents you have, but typically, there are just one or two on each level of a home. Airflow restrictions on the return side can cause the same efficiency and performance problems as closed supply vents, so once you identify your return grilles, make sure they're never obstructed by long window treatments, furniture, area rugs or other household items.

If you're experiencing discomforting issues like uneven cooling or a decline in cool air output in your Broken Arrow home, contact us today at Air Assurance for an expert assessment of your HVAC vents and duct system.

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.