The Best HVAC System for a Multifamily Home

If you thought finding the best HVAC system for a single-family home was tough, imaging having to find one that meets the needs of multiple families. Choosing the best HVAC system for multifamily homes is a challenge that countless developers and building owners face often. Not only is there the short-term cost of procurement and installation involved, but there are also long-term implications to consider.

Your Options for Multifamily HVAC

There are plenty of choices at your disposal when it comes to finding the right HVAC system for multifamily homes. Most systems come in the form of centralized and decentralized systems, each with their own pros and cons:

• Centralized HVAC systems consist of a single unit located in the building’s basement or penthouse. Popular in high-rises and other large multifamily buildings, these systems are typically more energy efficient than their decentralized counterparts, but more expensive to install and maintain.

• Decentralized HVAC systems consist of separate units designated for each family or building unit. Installation and maintenance are more cost-effective, but these systems lack the maximum efficiency that centralized units offer.

Two-pipe and four-pipe heating and cooling systems are common examples of centralized HVAC systems. Other examples include hot water baseboard and geothermal systems. The latter offers the greatest efficiency of all centralized HVAC systems due to its energy source.

Wall-mounted air conditioners and electric baseboard heating units represent decentralized HVAC systems. Packaged thermal air conditioners and self-contained forced air units are also commonly used in decentralized applications.

Crucial Factors to Consider

Important factors including building size and layout, unit airtightness and the stack effect’s impact on building airflow can easily influence your choice for a multifamily HVAC system. Don’t forget that when it comes to maintaining HVAC systems for multifamily homes, the responsibilities for maintenance and upkeep fall on the landlord, as per the Oklahoma Landlord-Tenant Act.

If you need help choosing the best HVAC system for multifamily homes, turn to the experts at Air Assurance, helping Broken Arrow property owners with their HVAC needs since 1985.

HVAC for Luxury Living

HVAC systems for luxury homes are important for more than just maximizing comfort. They're crucial for proper maintenance of furnishings, finishes, artwork, and everything else in the houses. By failing to choose a quality unit, you could end up with devastating consequences for your expensive decor. Let's take a closer look at what HVAC for luxury living entails.

Zoned System

It's not easy to keep everything and everyone in a large home comfortable. Elevated temperatures can dry out and crack your irreplaceable wooden furnishings. The room containing your paintings and art collection may need a temperature of around 70 degrees. And let's not forget you'll need more cooling for your home gym and heat for an elderly family member or baby in a different room.

Fortunately, you can heat and cool your luxury property simultaneously with a zoned HVAC system.

Humidity Control

Excess moisture makes moldings and woodwork warp. It also leads to mold growth, which can destroy your photographs, paintings, wallpaper, upholstery, rugs, and draperies. Excessively low humidity can cause materials like ivory, paper, papyrus, and wood to dry out, contract, and become more fragile.

Consider whole-home dehumidification in the summer and humidification in the winter.

Smart Home Technology

Having to adjust numerous TVs, audio zones, lights, and climate zones spread across different rooms or buildings on your property every day is a daunting task. That's why smart home technology is a lifesaver.

You need an HVAC system with smart controls to let you adjust the temperature and even track energy usage from your phone or tablet on the go.

Air Purification

Your luxury property needs an upscale living atmosphere. Air purification systems like germicidal lights and whole-home air purifiers remove airborne contaminants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and mold spores, which can cause health problems to your family and guests and damage your property.

By installing an advanced HVAC for luxury living, you'll have a truly luxurious experience in your home. If you want to modernize your HVAC system to suit your upscale living needs in the Broken Arrow area, contact us at Air Assurance.

These 5 HVAC Sounds Indicate Problems for Your HVAC

Do you hear strange sounds from your HVAC system? These sounds can be a sign of severe issues. A standard operating unit may make only an occasional click when turning on and off. When you hear some other unusual sounds, however, it may be time to call our professional company to help you out. Here are some noises you never want to hear from your HVAC system.

1. Loud Banging, Rattling, or Thumping Noises

Any loud noise can indicate an issue with the assembly or the motor. If something is loose, you will hear several rattling noises from your system. Heavy banging and clanking sounds are signs that a component has broken loose. If you hear any of these noises, you need to contact our trained technicians for an inspection.

2. Squealing and Screeching

Motor bearing problems or broken belts will make a loud screeching sound. If your belt is loose, you will need to replace it immediately. Once the belt snaps, it can cause the blower to malfunction. Squealing noises occur when parts have lost lubrication. A little oil to the motor and components can help to stop these annoying sounds.

3. Thwapping

What's thwapping? It's similar to the sound of a baseball card in the spokes of a bicycle. This sound indicates that something is stuck in the blower blades. You want to remove this obstruction to prevent any damages to the motor or blades.

4. Repeating Clicking Sounds

When you hear an occasional clicking sound, that sound is normal for the operation of the system. If you hear continuous clicking sounds, that is not a good sign. Clicking sounds might be a sign of a bad compressor or a panel. If that is the case, you will need to replace those parts.

5. Rattling From the Compressor

A fully functioning compressor will not make any rattling sounds. Rattling sounds means that the motor could be failing on your system. If you hear a loud rattling sound, your part might be broken and need replacement. Any noise from the compressor needs to be inspected by a trained technician.

If you hear these sounds from your system, you need to schedule a service call from a professional HVAC company. Our trained technicians will perform a full point inspection of your system. Call [company_name] in Broken Arrow, OK, to schedule a visit today. We also offer plumbing and indoor air quality services.

Thermostat Reading the Wrong Temperature?

Does your home feel blazingly hot but your thermostat reads only 74 degrees? Sometimes, your thermostat can say one thing yet the temperature in your house is entirely different. However, before you call an HVAC technician to complain about a broken air conditioning unit, check if the cause of the problem is something you can easily solve.

Here are some of the common causes of a thermostat reading wrong temperature.

Dirty Air Filter

Your air filter can clog up fast if you have shedding pets or a cold air return in a high-traffic room. A clogged filter will hamper your A/C unit's cooling ability. It can also affect whether or not the unit turns on without involving your thermostat. Replace your air filters regularly.

Dirty Thermostat

Dirt is also problematic for thermostats. A dirty thermostat will have a difficult time reading the correct temperature inside your home. To clean it, remove the cover and gently dust the inside parts using a soft brush.

Wrong Settings

Have you set the temperature without checking whether your thermostat is set to cool or heat? With incorrect settings in place, your A/C system won't turn on and function as expected. Verify that your thermostat settings are suitable for the season.

Dying Batteries

A thermostat does its job quietly, so it's easy for you to set it and forget that its batteries may be dead or dying. Change the batteries and check if normal operation is restored.

Bad Location

Your thermostat will read the wrong temperature if it isn't located in your home's most optimal place. If it's located near drafts or heat sources, or it's in an area that isn't centrally located, you may need to have it moved.

If you can't fix your thermostat problems, contact an HVAC professional soonest possible. A malfunctioning thermostat can lead to inefficient A/C operation and high energy bills.

If you're in the Broken Arrow area and need help with a thermostat reading wrong temperature, contact us at Air Assurance. With over 30 years of experience, you can be sure that we'll solve all your HVAC issues.

A Guide to Fixing Cold Spots in Your Home

If you're like most of the households across the country, running your A/C will soon become a daily activity. Some of you are probably going to notice that certain areas are a lot colder then others, so we thought we'd give you a few simple tips on fixing cold spots right away.

Repair Any Damage to Ductwork

Since ductwork is absolutely essential for the proper cooling of your home, any damage that it experiences will affect airflow. Carefully examine all areas of the ductwork for issues like holes and tears, and don't hesitate to call a technician for additional assistance. Repairs to the ductwork will balance everything again, which will cut down on cold spots.

Install a Zoning System

Cold spots are often caused by the fact that certain rooms take a lot less time to cool off than others do, yet a traditional HVAC system will continue to run until the warmer rooms are cooled off. By upgrading to a zoning system, you can use a central control unit and multiple thermostats to focus your cooling needs on specific areas of your home that you designate.

Unblock Your Home’s Vents

When objects like furniture and boxes are placed in front of or on top of your vents, then this impeded airflow will often cause these rooms to be more difficult to cool off while others get too cold. The solution, luckily, is very simple. All you need to do is check each vent and make sure that there are no obstructions.

Seal Windows and Doors

The edges around your doors and windows are notorious for air leaks, which can quickly cause cold spots to develop. Depending on the size of the leak, you can seal these problem areas with either caulking, spray foam, or weatherstripping. But, don't forget to check for other areas in your home that may have leaks as well.

To learn more about fixing cold spots or other home comfort issues, please contact the HVAC professionals at Air Assurance. We’ve been servicing Broken Arrow and beyond for more than 30 years.