Keep the Warm Air In and the Cold Air Out

As the weather gets colder, it becomes increasingly important to learn how to keep the warm air in and the cold air out. Not only will this improve the overall comfort of your home, it will also help control your monthly energy bills. Here are a few easy draft-prevention techniques for you to follow:

Check Your Home for Drafts

Before you take care of any draft problems around your home, the first thing you must obviously do is locate them. This can be done by running your hand around the edges of doors, windows, electrical outlets, etc. Also, listen for any whistling or whooshing sounds when the wind is blowing outside. If you need help, you can hire a professional technician to perform a blower-door test to identify any issues.

Seal Air Leaks Around the House

The next step is to seal any air leaks that you find around your home. Depending on the size and location of the leak, you'll need to choose between weather stripping, spray foam, and caulking to fix the problem areas. Keep in mind that the areas mentioned above, especially around the edges of your doors and windows, are the most common spots.

Check Air Ducts for Any Damage

After years of use, your ducts may show signs of damage such as holes, tears, and damaged joints. Smaller tears and holes can be effectively sealed by mastic sealant, while larger problems (more than 1/4") should be sealed up with duct tape.

Add Insulation Where It's Needed

If any rooms don't have enough insulation, then it's a lot harder to keep your home warm, because the heat will quickly leak out. Adding insulation isn't difficult, but a qualified technician can help you if you need assistance.

Learning how to keep the warm air in and the cold air out during the winter season will help you improve your household's overall comfort and reduce your energy bills. For more expert advice on draft prevention or any other HVAC-related topic, the technicians at Air Assurance can assist you. We've been servicing the needs of Broken Arrow and the surrounding area since 1985.

Service Your HVAC Unit When — and Before — It Needs It

Did you know that more than three-quarters of all HVAC repairs could be prevented by taking proactive steps, such as regular maintenance? By scheduling maintenance in the spring for your cooling system and in the fall for your heating system, you'll avoid unnecessary problems and enjoy enhanced comfort throughout the year. If you haven't kept up with HVAC maintenance, the signs below will help you know when it's time to have your system serviced.

Poor Airflow

When you turn on your A/C system, you may feel very little air pressure coming out of your vents. Several A/C issues can cause little or no airflow, including:

• A clogged filter

• A malfunctioning fan

• Ductwork problems

• A faulty compressor

Besides making your home feel uncomfortable, poor airflow could also cause severe damage to your system. You'll need to contact a professional to check the system and provide the right diagnosis, as well as reliable repairs, if necessary.

Unusually High Energy Bills

Have you received an abnormally high electricity bill? Most probably, your system isn't operating as efficiently as it ought to be and needs to be checked. Make sure you schedule a system tuneup to fix the issue before the next power bill arrives.

Strange Noises

It's normal for your HVAC system to make some noise when it's running. However, unusual sounds like a hissing furnace or loud banging inside your air conditioner can be signs of a significant issue. Have the unit tuned up right away, or you risk having to buy a new one if you neglect the problem for too long.

Age

HVAC systems are usually designed to last for around 10 years. With regular maintenance, they can last even longer. If your system was installed more than a decade ago, you should contact a service person to tune it up.

Timely HVAC maintenance will protect your system's life span and save you money by preventing costly repairs. If you need HVAC maintenance in the Broken Arrow area, contact us at Air Assurance. We offer an Extended Service Plan that gives you peace of mind knowing we'll service your system every year. The plan also entitles you to priority service and a 15% discount on repairs.

R22 Refrigerant Costs in 2020 - Tulsa, OK

R22 Refrigerant Costs in 2020 - Tulsa, Ok

We have arrived at this date! As of January 1, 2020, the production and import of R22 refrigerant will be illegal in the United States. You can continue to use of your air conditioner (AC) or heat pump system using R22 refrigerant. However, it does mean that if your AC or heat pump system needs a refrigerant repair, you may have to decide between a hefty refrigerant repair bill and a system replacement. R22 refrigerant is now only available in the United States from remaining stockpiles and as a reclaimed and recycled form, which will drive up the costs of R22 refrigerant repairs.

R22 Refrigerant Leaks – Don’t Ignore them

If your air conditioning system needs R22, chances are you have a leak. Rather than continuing to pay these increased costs to replenish the leaking R22 system or leaking component, It’s recommended you repair the leak and test the system or simply move to replacing the system with a more efficient and up to date system.

Concerns about R22 Substitutes

As the R22 refrigerant phase out deadline looms, demand will increase and supply for R22 will reach an all time-low. As a result, the EPA has already reported cases of counterfeit and contaminated refrigerants being sold that have caused explosions and fires.

By law, technicians who may handle refrigerant when servicing air conditioners and refrigeration equipment must be EPA 608 certified. This means they have completed an educational program and passed a certification exam. Since the certification never expires, you need to make sure your service provider keeps up with changes in the regulations. You should also make sure your HVAC-R service provider uses EPA-approved refrigeration handling equipment when working with your equipment.

When to Explore Replacement Options  

The best time to explore replacement options, is while your system is operating. Don’t wait until you have a major breakdown to begin this process. You may miss a chance to maximize savings, rebates, and you can get immediate savings with a more efficient system. The professionals at Air Assurance can help find the right equipment for your comfort and budget. Call Air Assurance any time to schedule a comfort consultant when you are ready

Indoor Air Quality Testing - Tulsa, OK

Indoor Air Quality Testing - Tulsa, OK

We spend a great deal of time in our indoor environment, whether it’s at home or at work in our place of business. Air Assurance provides many air quality services including air duct cleaning, air duct sealing, and indoor air quality testing. The professional at Air Assurance can also help correct and improve your indoor environment with a number of options. Call on Air Assurance when you need air quality testing - We service all of Greater Tulsa, including Jenks, Broken Arrow, Owasso, Sapulpa and more.

Way to Improve Indoor Air Quality

Maintaining indoor comfort involves more than keeping your home's living spaces warm or cool. Indoor air quality is also a major factor that affects how comfortable your home will be. When particulates and contaminants such as dust, pollen, mold, and related materials get into your home's air, you can have problems such as allergy and asthma attacks, worsening of respiratory conditions, and the onset of physical discomforts such as irritated eyes and scratchy throats. Here are some suggestions for improving the indoor air quality in your home this fall and year-round.

• Change HVAC system filters: The air filters in your furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump help remove particulates from your indoor air. They capture these materials as air from your home circulates through the system to be heated or cooled. Make sure these filters are kept clean and fresh. They should be checked at least once a month and changed when they get dirty.

• Maintain your HVAC equipment: Regular preventive maintenance will improve the function of your HVAC system and boost its ability to remove particulates, reduce humidity, and keep your indoor air cleaner.

• Clean, dust, and vacuum regularly: Keeping your indoor environment clean and free of dust, mold, and other contaminants can significantly improve indoor air quality. Dust and vacuum at least weekly.

• Increase ventilation: Ventilation keeps a steady flow of air moving through your home, which helps remove particulates and send them outside. When weather and outdoor conditions permit, open windows and doors to let breezes move through your indoor spaces. Install a whole-house ventilation system that provides effective airflow for your entire home. Turn your window air conditioner to fan-only to provide extra ventilation.

• Install air filtration and cleaning systems: Install high-efficiency air cleaning and filtration equipment that provides additional removal of particulates and indoor pollution. Use the highest-quality filters possible in these devices.

Air Assurance is a premier source for professional HVAC services in Tulsa and the surrounding Oklahoma communities. Contact us today for more information on indoor air quality and how to keep your home's air cleaner and fresher throughout the year.

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).Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Zurijeta/Shutterstock”

Free Furnace Promotion 2022

Looking for the Free Furnace Promotion?

When it’s time to replace your heating and air conditioning system, getting the most savings can be an important factor. But how does a free furnace promotion really work? Here is how it works, when you purchase a qualifying air conditioning system, and qualifying thermostat you get a set dollar amount off to go toward the furnace. It’s more like an instant rebate!

Save more with Air Assurance

Well good news, Air Assurance has been recognized each year and continues to be the #1 heating and air conditioning company in Oklahoma to help maximize our customers savings through the PSO utility rebate program! Plus, we have instant rebate savings that are even better and greater savings than the Free Furnace promotion from other dealers.

So, when saving money, maximizing your rebate potential, and getting better quality comfort, installation and service matter on your next HVAC system, then Air Assurance is your company. Maybe it’s not time to replace your current heating and air conditioning system, no problem, we provide maintenance and service for all makes and models including Trane, Lennox, Goodman, Carrier, American Standard and more!

Schedule an Air Conditioning Estimate

Savings and options can be confusing to read about. We make it simple, schedule one of our professional comfort consultants and we will help narrow your system selection down, show you which rebate and savings you can qualify for and give you multiple options for your new system! We make it simple.

REBATES EXPLAINED

You may or may not have heard about the many rebates available throughout the year on making your home more efficient and comfortable. We'll do our best here to explain a few of them.

1. Manufacturer Rebates: Throughout many times during the year, Lennox and other manufacturers will offer rebates in order to entice homeowners to move forward with purchasing comfort systems from their dealer of choice. Lennox is our primary manufacturer that we recommend, and they always bring the best rebates. Typically, you can choose from Cash Rebates, Extended Warranties, or Extended Financing Options. Most of our customers choose the cash rebates, and these are simple cash back rebates that equal at times up to $2,000 depending on the different options you have available. From Solar installations, to the highest efficiency air conditioners, furnaces, and air quality products, you can depend on getting the best from Air Assurance and Lennox. By the way, we take care of all the paperwork for you, so there is no doubt or hassle in getting the rebates you choose!

2. Utility Rebates: Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) along with Oklahoma Natural Gas (ONG) are providing HUGE rebate opportunities for home efficiency upgrades. PSO offers up to $5,000 off the total invoice amount when you complete three or more upgrades at once. Qualifying upgrades include comfort system replacement, insulation upgrades, home and duct sealing, window replacement, and more. You can read more about the Home Performance program here. ONG is paying up to $1950 to switch from Electric to Gas Heating. They also have monies set aside for high efficiency furnace upgrades, high efficiency water heating upgrades, high efficiency gas dryer upgrades, as well as rebates to service your furnace during the heating season. OGE, Verdigris Valley, and other outlaying utility companies also offer rebates in their service areas. Again, Air Assurance does all the work for you to make sure you get the maximum rebate possible with no hassles! Air Assurance has given more utility rebates than any other HVAC company in Oklahoma and for doing so has received the Department of Energy's Century Club award for over 100 projects completed (more than anyone in the state), as well as being honored by PSO as their Partner of the Year! Let us get you the MOST Rebates!

3 New Year HVAC Resolutions

A new year is almost upon us; time to move forward from the mistakes of the past and strive to do better. One mistake many people make is neglecting their HVAC system. Here are three HVAC resolutions you can make to ensure your system gets the care and attention it needs.

• Check your filter. Your HVAC filter captures contaminants and removes them from the air as it passes through the system. However, over time, those contaminants build up and the filter gets clogged. When that happens, it restricts airflow, requiring more energy to heat or cool your home properly and wearing out your system prematurely in the process. Next year, resolve to check your air filter every month, and replace it every three to six months, when it starts to look gray and opaque instead of white and translucent. This simple task will help your HVAC system run more smoothly and efficiently for years to come.

• Landscaping. A clogged filter isn't the only thing that can restrict airflow. Your outdoor A/C unit needs at least two square feet of clearance on all sides in order for air to flow through it properly. So make it a point to do regular landscaping around that area. Keep the grass mowed, remove any sticks or other debris, and trim back any branches from nearby trees that might encroach on the unit's personal space. Not only will your A/C function better, the area will look neater as well.

• Schedule annual maintenance. One of the most important HVAC resolutions you can make is to schedule your annual maintenance visit. In fact, you need two: one in the spring to fix up your A/C ahead of cooling season and one in the fall to get your furnace ready for heating season. Your HVAC technician will give the system a thorough going-over, fixing any issues before they become problems and making sure everything runs as efficiently as possible.

For help sticking to your HVAC resolutions in the new year and anytime, contact us at Air Assurance. Our business is caring for Broken Arrow's home-comfort needs.

Best Winter Ventilation Practices

Ventilation in winter, or anytime for that matter. can be tricky. You need to increase fresh air while you're exhausting stale air, but installing ventilation systems to solve the problem can carry some risks.

While the topic of winter ventilation can be complicated, here are a few pointers to get you started.

Types of Ventilation

First of all, it's important to understand the types of ventilation systems:

1. Exhaust ventilation sends air out of the house, such as the bathroom or kitchen exhaust system. While these systems remove excess humidity, they can create negative pressure, pulling polluted air and moisture into the home through cracks in the exterior.

2. Supply ventilation systems bring fresh air inside the house but can bring in moisture and pollutants.

3. Balanced ventilation means the exhaust and supply streams are equal. This is the most desirable system, but balance can be hard to achieve.

4. Energy recovery systems convert the humidity from the air into energy. This can be a problem in cold climates, where the moisture can freeze.

5. Heat recovery ventilation uses heat in the exhausted stale air to heat up the home. In cold climates, frost can build up in the exchange core, necessitating the closing of a damper so that the warm air is routed through the core.

Attic Ventilation

Another key type of ventilation is in the attic. There are several types of vents — located in gables, rafters, and under eaves — but all help exhaust the warm, moist air that rises into the attic in winter. Turbine and ridge vents, plus attic ventilation fans, can help with this process.

The Right Ventilation for Your Home

A ventilation system could be the answer to improving your indoor air quality this winter. It's best to meet with an HVAC consultant and discuss what you hope to achieve. A consultant can make recommendations about the right type of system for your home to improve your indoor air quality.

Be sure to also discuss the need to avoid unpleasant drafts of cold air from the vent location.

For more on winter ventilation, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.

Air Conditioning PSO Rebates - Tulsa, OK

PSO Air Conditioning Upgrade Rebates Recognition to Air Assurance.

Air Conditioning PSO Rebates - Tulsa, OK

You may or may not have heard about the many rebates available throughout the year on making your home more efficient and comfortable. We'll do our best here to explain a few of them. But know, that Air Assurance will work hard to get you the most money back for utility savings and better indoor air quality. We have been recognized each year as one of the contractors able to provide huge savings for our clients.

PSO Rebates - Tulsa, OK

Utility Rebates: Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) along with Oklahoma Natural Gas (ONG) are providing HUGE rebate opportunities for home efficiency upgrades. PSO offers up to $5,000 off the total invoice amount when you complete two or more upgrades at once. Qualifying upgrades include comfort system replacement, insulation upgrades, home and duct sealing, window replacement, and more. You can read more about the Home Performance program here.

ONG Gas Rebates - Tulsa, OK

ONG is paying up to $1950 to switch from Electric to Gas Heating. They also have monies set aside for high efficiency furnace upgrades, high efficiency water heating upgrades, high efficiency gas dryer upgrades, as well as rebates to service your furnace during the heating season. OGE, Verdigris Valley, and other outlaying utility companies also offer rebates in their service areas. Again, Air Assurance does all the work for you to make sure you get the maximum rebate possible with no hassles!

Choose Air Assurance

Air Assurance has given more utility rebates than any other HVAC company in Oklahoma and for doing so has received the Department of Energy's Century Club award for over 100 projects completed (more than anyone in the state), as well as being honored by PSO as their Partner of the Year! Let us get you the MOST Rebates! Choosing Air Assurance for your heating and air conditioning replacement equals bigger savings to you! Call Air Assurance today!

5 Smart Heating Options for Your Home

Keeping your home warm in the winter can be a difficult task. Heating needs change throughout the day, and often, you have to keep adjusting the thermostat to maintain comfort. Fortunately, there's a solution: Smart heating can help you make your home comfortable all day, with a lot less effort, by adjusting to your home-comfort needs automatically. Here are five different types of smart heating for your home:

1. Multistage heating. A multistage furnace has two or more speeds. On colder days, it delivers heat to your home at full power. When the temperature is milder, it provides a lower, gentler heat to keep you warm without bombarding you with hot air.

2. Programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat allows you to set heating and cooling preferences based on your family's schedule. It goes into energy-saving mode when you're not home, so you're not paying to heat an empty house.

3. Wi-Fi thermostat. A Wi-Fi thermostat connects directly to your mobile device, so you can control it from anywhere. It shows you temperature, relative humidity, and a variety of other indoor and outdoor climate factors at a glance, allowing you to adjust to your comfort level quickly and easily.

4. Learning thermostat. A learning thermostat actually learns your heating and cooling preferences over time. Do you like it warmer in the daytime and cooler at night? What's your family's schedule like? A learning thermostat can use this information to make automatic adjustments to your heating throughout the day, keeping you comfortable without you having to lift a finger.

5. Zoning. A zoning system puts multiple thermostats in different areas of the house based on their individual heating and cooling needs. If the living room is too warm but the bedrooms are still cold, it can redirect heat as needed to keep everyone comfortable. Some systems can even sense where you are in the house, so if everyone's in the living room, it can save energy by sending less heat to the empty bedrooms.

To learn more about smart heating options for your home, contact us at Air Assurance. We provide quality solutions for Broken Arrow's home-comfort needs.