HVAC Safety Hazards to Watch Out For

Any mechanical or electrical appliance carries a risk of certain hazards involved with their use or maintenance, and your HVAC system is no exception. So what HVAC safety hazards should you be alert for when you use or maintain your air conditioning and heating system?

Four Hazards Associated with Your HVAC System

1. Electrical. Most electrical hazards involving your HVAC system have to do with wiring. While you're unlikely to be accessing electrical wires within your HVAC system, you might have a look at the thermostat wires to see if they are frayed or loose. Throw the breaker to the thermostat to cut the power if you plan to tighten the wires or replace them.

2. Refrigerant. Chances are, you're not charging your own air conditioner's refrigerant. That's good, because only licensed professionals are authorized to handle refrigerant. However, if you have a leak of R-22 in your older system and you have some on hand, you may be tempted to charge it yourself. Spilling this substance on you will result not in a chemical burn but rather a painful frostbite. Always call a licensed HVAC professional to fill refrigerant; if there is a leak, the technician needs to find it and fix it.

3. Carbon monoxide leaks. The furnace's heat exchanger can crack and leak carbon monoxide (CO), a deadly gas. That's why it's important to have your HVAC tech check the furnace every year. Fumes can also leak from the flue pipes or the chimney. CO buildup can also occur due to a dirty air filter, which can cause airflow to back up to the furnace. Install a CO detector and test it regularly.

4. Mold. Mold isn't a common problem in HVAC systems, but it can happen. For sensitive individuals, breathing mold spores can be sickening. Mold usually occurs due to excess moisture. Common reasons for moisture buildup include a dirty air filter, a clogged condensate drain, leaking ductwork, and dirty evaporator coils. You may suspect mold is present if you smell a musty, damp odor from the HVAC air.

For more on HVAC safety hazards, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow, providing quality HVAC repairs, installations, and maintenance.

What Warranty Terms Should You Look for When Buying HVAC Equipment?

HVAC warranty terms vary, so you shouldn't take them for granted when making HVAC purchase decisions. You'll only get the peace of mind that a warranty should provide if the applicable terms and coverage details are a good value for you. Here's a quick primer on the warranty terms you should look for when replacing your heating and cooling equipment.

Equipment Warranty

Generally, HVAC warranties can be classified into equipment and labor warranties. Equipment warranties are provided by the manufacturers and cover failures or malfunctions related to faulty parts.

HVAC equipment manufacturers offer standard and base equipment warranties. You'll get a standard warranty if you register your new equipment within the required time (typically within 60 to 90 days of installation). The base warranty comes into effect if you fail to register your system. It's much shorter than the standard coverage.

When buying an HVAC system, make sure you'll get at least a 10-year warranty once you register the system with the manufacturer.

Labor Warranty

A labor warranty is provided by the HVAC contractor that installs your new equipment. It's greatly important because HVAC performance depends heavily on whether the equipment was installed correctly. Generally, contractors offer labor warranties and extend them if you sign up for their service agreement.

Labor-warranty terms vary widely from one contractor to another. Competent companies that offer high-quality installations offer better labor warranties than those that aren't confident in their services. An honest company with certified technicians shouldn't have a problem providing you a labor warranty that lasts up to 10 years, especially if you enroll in a maintenance agreement.

While labor HVAC warranty terms are usually the greatest source of headaches, equipment warranties can also be nerve-racking, as they can be voided if a system isn't installed according to the manufacturer's guidelines. Therefore, work with a local contractor who has a proven track record of HVAC installations and offers an excellent labor warranty. If you need HVAC installation, repair, or maintenance from the top-rated company in the Broken Arrow area, contact Air Assurance. We offer Planned Maintenance that comes with a lifetime warranty on most repairs and extended labor warranties.

What Building Materials Are Best for Efficient HVAC Performance in Your Home?

What is your home made out of? The materials used to build a house are an important factor in its energy efficiency, particularly when it comes to your HVAC system. What are the best HVAC building materials to use? Here are a few.

Basic Materials

There are several options that have been used in building houses for millennia. Among them are stone, brick, and concrete. This is largely because they're strong, sturdy, and long-lasting. However, they have other benefits as well, in terms of temperature regulation.

All these materials are very effective at heat absorption, acting as natural insulation. In winter, the sun heats them up, providing warmth to the house's interior. In summer, they absorb the hot air inside the house, allowing it to cool more quickly. In both cases, it then becomes easier for your home to reach its ideal temperature, reducing the load on your HVAC system.

Cutting-Edge Materials

Stone and brick can be incredibly effective in temperature regulation. However, scientists are currently developing brand new HVAC building materials that can reduce HVAC energy use even more. Smart building materials are still in their infancy, but someday they may eliminate the need for AC and furnaces almost entirely.

These smart materials are modeled after the human body and that of other warm-blooded organisms. Whether there's a heat wave or a blizzard, your internal body temperature remains the same — around 98 degrees. Imagine if the temperature of an entire building could be regulated the same way and kept constant, regardless of outside conditions.

As it currently stands, the material is a gel-like substance, which would make it difficult to build with. However, it could line other building materials or be used as a window treatment to help with temperature regulation. It will likely be at least a few years before these materials become widely available. When they do, though, it could change the face of HVAC forever.

To learn about other HVAC building materials to improve your home's energy efficiency, contact us at Air Assurance. We provide quality home-comfort solutions to Broken Arrow.

How Often Should You Open Your Windows for Natural Ventilation?

Maintaining good airflow throughout your home is important. Your HVAC system circulates and filters your air, but it also uses a lot of energy. Opening your windows, on the other hand, provides great natural ventilation that can reduce your energy bills while keeping your air clean.

Benefits of Natural Ventilation

The air in your home is filled with contaminants. Fresh, outdoor air is much cleaner. By opening windows to let that fresh air in, you can improve your indoor air quality. Opening two windows on opposite sides of a room provides a cross breeze, letting the bad air out and the good air in. This can also help your system's air filter last longer by filling your house with clean air.

Additionally, letting cool air in on a summer day reduces the burden on your AC. Fresh air provides natural cooling so your HVAC doesn't have to run as long. This not only saves energy but it may help extend the life of your system.

Drawbacks of Natural Ventilation

As great as fresh air is, you can't just leave your windows open all the time. The air may be cleaner, but there are still pollutants to worry about. Pollen and dust can get in, as well as exhaust from passing cars and other sources.

Moreover, while cool air may help you save energy, once the weather gets hotter, it has the opposite effect. If the air outside is warmer than your thermostat setting, you're raising your indoor temperature, making your AC work harder to cool your home.

So how often should you open your windows? It's recommended that you do so once a day, for at least five minutes. Fifteen to 20 minutes is preferable. However, when you open them is also important. Keep them open at night or in the early morning, when the weather is cooler. Then, before things start to heat up, close the windows and draw the blinds to keep that cool, fresh air inside as long as possible.

For more help with natural ventilation, contact us at Air Assurance. Broken Arrow's home comfort is our top priority.

What Regular Checks Should You Make to Your AC in the Spring?

Factors such as spikes in negative temperatures and prolonged cold periods can affect your air conditioner's startup. Spring AC checks help you detect potential issues and have a comfortable, problem-free cooling season. Let's break down the steps you should take to physically and visually inspect your air conditioner to ensure it'll work correctly when you need it the most.

1. Inspect the outdoor AC panels. If there's a panel that's out of place or missing, call in an HVAC professional. These panels enclose the unit's electrical connections, so any missing or misaligned panel can pose a risk to you as well as to the unit's operation.

2. Clean the outdoor unit. The outdoor AC coil gets plugged up by foreign debris. Remove any debris that may have been blown into the coil and its surroundings to get optimum performance.

3. Check the suction-pipe insulation. The large insulated copper line on the outdoor AC unit can reduce indoor cooling performance if its insulation is damaged. Winter animals, trapped freezing water, and sun rot can damage the insulation. Have damaged insulation repaired or replaced before you start using the unit.

4. Change the filter. A clogged air filter causes your heating and air conditioning system to run less efficiently. When changing the filter, orient it according to the printed instructions that are on it.

5. Check the vents and grills. Make sure no items are blocking your supply and return grills and vents. Vacuum them to remove any pet hair, dirt, and debris that may have collected on them during the winter.

6. Inspect the condensate line. Make sure the drain line is properly placed. Dust, algae, rust, and other debris can clog up the line. A clogged drain line can make water flood your AC unit or even spill into the basement. You can flush a bleach solution down the pipe to keep it clear.

7. Turn the system on. After you've gone through the checklist, turn on your air conditioner on a hot day. Let it run for 15 or more minutes to feel if it's cooling your home properly.

Once you've performed the spring AC checks above, it's a good idea to bring in an expert. Some issues can only be detected and handled by a certified professional. Contact us at Air Assurance to have routine spring maintenance carried out on your air conditioner in the Broken Arrow area.

The Specific Demands Put on HVAC Units in the Spring

Spring cleaning is on the mind of Broken Arrow-area homeowners as the weather warms up. If you’re hoping to stay cool this summer, it’s important to be aware of how spring HVAC problems can affect your summer comfort.

Spring Ahead of HVAC Problems

The outdoor condenser unit on your HVAC system requires airflow to work properly. Anything that restricts airflow, such as new spring plants growing around the unit, will cause your system to work harder. Over time, this can damage your equipment. In the short term, it can also increase your energy consumption and cost you money.

Clearing away any plants that have started to grow up around your condenser is an easy solution to this problem. While you’re doing that, don't forget to check for any leaves or other debris that might have been blown against your condenser over the winter.

Another common spring HVAC problem is soil erosion around your condenser. Winter weather can wear away at the dirt under the concrete pad your condenser sits on.

For an easy fix, use a board to lift the sagging edge of the pad. Pack sand underneath, then repeat on the opposite side. A level condenser unit allows for a better flow of oil through the unit and puts less strain on your coolant lines.

Schedule Routine Maintenance Before Summer Heats Things Up

Other spring HVAC problems can arise due to your AC being off over the winter. It’s always a good idea to schedule a spring checkup so a service technician can make sure your HVAC system is in good working order.

During a maintenance visit, technicians look for leaks or signs of wear that indicate a problem. They measure the refrigerant charge and the temperature of the air your AC is putting out. Electrical wires and connectors are inspected and tightened if necessary. The thermostat is checked to see if it’s running correctly. Any potentially bigger issues are noted so that you can get a jump on fixing them before it gets too hot outside.

If you have questions about any spring HVAC problems or getting your AC ready for summer in the Broken Arrow area, don’t hesitate to contact us at Air Assurance.

How Rain Affects Your HVAC System

Is rain affecting your HVAC system? For most homeowners, the answer is probably no. However, there are situations where rain can be a problem because of the way it's making your HVAC system perform. Excessive rainfall can also have a serious impact on the equipment itself. Read on to learn how.

Rain, High Humidity, and Your HVAC

Your HVAC system is key to controlling the relative humidity in your home. Moisture is drawn into the system in the return air, evaporating on the coils and then being channeled out of the home through the condensate drain. This method of dehumidifying the home usually works well unless the evaporator coils are dirty, the condensate drain becomes plugged, or the air filter is so dirty that airflow is slowed down and the AC stops running properly.

In times of excessive rainfall, relative humidity in your home may rise uncomfortably. You feel warmer and turn the air conditioner way up to compensate, thus wasting energy and money on utility bills.

Perhaps you have a roof leak or a plumbing leak, or perhaps the ground around your home is so saturated that it's affecting interior conditions. At these times, your AC may not be able to dehumidify effectively. It might be that you should also install a dehumidifier to help your AC keep up with the excess moisture.

Flooding and Your HVAC

If you live in an area prone to flooding and your HVAC system is in a low place, you've probably already figured out that you need to move it.

Otherwise, you may worry at times that heavy rainfall seems to cause deep ponding in your yard. If it seems like the water is rising at an alarming rate and might affect your HVAC, be advised that if it's just a few inches of water, it should be alright. Nevertheless, it's best to turn the power off, and if any flooding does occur, after your unit dries out, have an HVAC technician inspect it for damage.

For more on rain affecting your HVAC system adversely, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.

Reasons for Bi-Annual HVAC Tuneups

Most homeowners, if they schedule an HVAC tuneup at all, tend to go for just one appointment a year. Is that enough? Not really, because the equipment that you use in the fall and spring differs considerably.

In the fall, you will use the heating equipment, which will be mostly enclosed in an indoor cabinet with the air handler. In the springtime, you will be using the outdoor condenser and compressor, along with the indoor air handler, evaporator coils, and condensate drain. So depending on the season, your technician needs to inspect one or the other side of the HVAC.

During the year, since you last had your equipment checked, parts may have become worn and could be on the verge of failing. Without a biannual HVAC tuneup, you may not be aware if this has happened. Failing parts can lead to expensive breakdowns, such as a cracked heat exchanger or a damaged air conditioner compressor. If you had been on top of maintenance, the part might have been replaced at minimal expense, whereas it could lead to a more expensive repair if it's been neglected and allowed to fail.

Fall and Spring Tuneups

Here are some of the things an HVAC tech will look at in the spring when he checks the air conditioner:

• Refrigerant level.

• Condenser coils.

• Evaporator coils.

• Condensate drain.

• Outdoor fan motor and blades.

• Indoor blower assembly.

• Compressor and refrigerant tubing.

During the fall HVAC inspection, the tech will look at these furnace checkpoints:

• Inspect and clean burners.

• Check and adjust fan switch, pilot, and pilot assembly.

• Inspect heat exchanger for cracks.

• Measure and record carbon monoxide levels.

• Look for leaks in the gas line and flue.

Whether it's fall or spring, the tech should do the following:

• Measure the amperage and voltage of blower.

• Test and calibrate the thermostat.

• Inspect wiring and electrical components.

• Check ductwork for leaks.

Whether you have a biannual HVAC tuneup or not, don't forget to change the air filter regularly. Ask your technician to show you how.

For more on scheduling a biannual HVAC tuneup, contact Air Assurance. We serve Broken Arrow and the surrounding area.

When Is the Best Time to Buy a New HVAC System?

HVAC equipment is built to last for many years, but like all things, it can't last forever. The trick is knowing when buying a new HVAC system is the right thing to do. To help you out, here are signs to look for that you may need a new system in your home:

Warm or Hot Air Is Coming Out

When an air conditioner begins to blow warm or hot air, most people would consider this to be the biggest indication that replacement is necessary. Your best bet is to schedule an appointment with an HVAC technician to see whether repair or replacement is in order.

The Equipment Has Passed the 10-Year Mark

Most HVAC equipment will last at least a full decade or longer, especially if you get it checked by an HVAC professional each year. If the system is more than 10 years old and is giving you problems, then pay attention to how it's operating, because it might be time to retire it.

Repairs Have Become Frequent

Getting your air conditioner repaired is something that every homeowner is likely to do at some point, but this shouldn't become an annual ritual. If your repairs have become frequent, it's definitely in your best interest to ditch your current system and install a new one.

Indoor Air Quality Has Diminished

Your home's indoor air quality is an important component to keeping your family and friends healthy. If anyone has been experiencing respiratory issues and a technician tells you that your equipment is likely to blame, then replacement may be the most reasonable course of action.

You Hear Odd Noises or Sounds

Minor noises and sounds typically aren't a big deal, but if the problem is severe, this is definitely something that you should be concerned about. Small problems may indicate an issue with one of the system's components, but larger issues most likely mean that replacement is imminent.

Buying a new HVAC system can be very beneficial for your home. If you need more expert advice on this or any other comfort-related subject, contact the professionals at Air Assurance. We've been serving the needs of Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas for more than 30 years.