What Impact Does the Fall Have on Your Home Plumbing?

The fall can give your plumbing system a cold welcome. As temperatures become cooler, there are certain plumbing complications that homeowners tend to encounter. Failure to address the issues could lead to costly repairs during the holidays. Let's go through these fall plumbing problems.

Drain Blockage

If your sink is throwing tantrums in the fall, the leaves in your yard may be to blame. Fallen leaves can enter your drainage system and clog it easily. Traffic, winds, and rains are some of the factors that can play a significant role in piling up those leaves and pushing them into your drainage system. A professional plumber can easily solve this problem by changing your drain cover so that the problem doesn't recur.

Frozen Pipes

Frozen pipes commonly occur in the winter. However, this problem can also occur in the fall as temperatures begin to drop. Water expands when it freezes, which can make your pipes burst.

You can prevent frozen pipes by having a plumber insulate your pipes, for example, with a pipe sleeve. Installing a heat cable or heat tape on exposed pipes will also help.

Water Heater Malfunction

In the fall, the incoming water is colder. When cold water enters your heater, the result could be a temperature drop of around 25 degrees. As you use hot water, cold water gets into the tank. This creates the need for the heater to heat the water constantly.

With the water heater now operating beyond its normal capacity, the chances of it malfunctioning increase. You can save yourself from this issue by having a plumber inspect and insulate all your water heater's pipes.

Fall means the holiday season is approaching. Be sure to take the necessary steps to prevent a plumbing disaster down the line. For more information on avoiding fall plumbing issues, contact Air Assurance. We offer plumbing services such as inspections and emergency repairs to homeowners in the Broken Arrow area.

What Are the Top 3 Heater Brands You Should Consider to Keep Warm This Winter?

A furnace is great for keeping your house warm in the winter, but what about just one room? For that, you'll need a space heater. For small jobs, it's more efficient than central heating, and it saves energy. Which heater brands will work best, though? There are a lot to choose from. Here's a guide to the top three heater brands on the market.

Factors to Consider in Comparing Heater Brands

The first thing to look at is size. How big of a room do you need to heat, and how big of a heater will do it efficiently? Next, consider power. Electric heaters are cheaper to buy, but they use more energy. A gas or propane-powered heater, on the other hand, is more expensive, but it will save you money and energy in the long run.

Finally, you should think about safety when comparing heater brands. A poor safety rating could end up being a fire hazard. Find a heater that's been certified by the Underwriters Laboratories or a similar organization. Consider a model that's cool to the touch to prevent accidental burning. For gas-powered heaters, get one with carbon monoxide safeguardsas well, including proper ventilation and an automatic turn-off feature when there's not enough oxygen present.

Choosing the Top Heater Brands

1. Dr. Infrared Heater Portable Space Heater. This energy-efficient heater comes with a built-in thermostat so that you can adjust your heating level. It also has a dual heating system to allow you to heat the entire room evenly.

2. Cadet Com-Pak Twin. Installed directly into the wall and with its own vent covering, the Com-Pak distributes air just like your HVAC system to heat rooms up to 600 square feet. It's also energy-efficient and UL safety rated.

3. Lasko 5160 Ceramic Tower Heater. Portable and easy to store, this electric heater is remotely controlled for easy use, and it oscillates to create even heat distribution. It also comes with automatic safeguards against overheating, and it can cover an area of up to 300 square feet.

For more help choosing the best heater brands for your home, contact us at Air Assurance. We keep Broken Arrow comfortable all year.

How to Properly Shut Down Your AC as Fall and Winter Approach

With summer winding down and the colder seasons on the way, you may want to start thinking about shutting down your AC. It will help protect it from the elements so you don't have a huge mess to clean up next spring. Follow these five steps for getting your AC ready for winter.

1. Make Any Needed Repairs

Don't let HVAC problems linger through the winter when shutting down your AC. If your AC needs to be repaired, call your HVAC contractor so that the problem doesn't get worse.

2. Change the Air Filter

You've been changing your air filter regularly through the summer, right? After shutting down your AC, throw away the dirty filter and replace it with a new one. You don't want all that dirt and gunk in your AC all winter long.

3. Turn Off the AC

You'll need to shut off the AC in two places: The first place is indoors at your thermostat box. Adjust it to the "Off" setting (not "Cool"). Next, locate the box outside near the condenser unit. It's typically on the side of the house in a small electrical box. Turn that switch off when shutting down your AC.

4. Clean the Condenser and Evaporator

The condenser and evaporator coils have probably taken on a lot of dirt and debris over the summer. Pick up a can of coil cleaner at your local home improvement store and spray it on both indoor (evaporator) and outdoor (condenser) coils to clean them. For an easier time, you can choose a self-rinsing cleaner.

5. Cover the Outdoor Unit

Once your outdoor unit is completely dry, cover it up. Use a waterproof tarp and bungee cords to secure it when shutting down your AC. This will keep debris out of the fan through the winter.

6. Schedule Professional HVAC Service

Now that your AC is shut down, it's time to get your furnace ready for the colder months. Call your HVAC contractor to schedule a furnace tuneup so you're ready to go whenever cold weather may strike.

For any questions about shutting down your AC or to schedule service this fall, please contact us at Air Assurance.

What Are the Most Modern Options in Solar Heating?

Solar energy, one of the trendy eco-friendly energy sources available, is making major inroads into the HVAC industry. You can now use it to provide new heating alternatives for homes and other buildings. Pairing solar heating systems with conventional systems can help you reduce your energy bills significantly. Read on to learn about the solar heating optionsavailable today.

Room Air Heaters

Room air heaters come with a black metal plate that absorbs solar heat, which then heats an air collector. The collector can be installed on a south-facing wall or roof. A fan or blower draws air from your room through this collector and then blows the heated air back into the room. You can use a room air heater to heat more than one room.

Transpired Solar Air Collectors

These systems have dark, perforated, heat-conducting material installed over a south-facing wall. The sun-warmed perforations heat the air that the fan pushes through them and into the building. Transpired systems are best suited for large buildings that have high ventilation loads.

Liquid Solar Collectors

Liquid-based solar collectors use antifreeze, water, or other types of liquid to absorb solar energy. At an appropriate time, a controller activates the circulating pump to move the liquid through the collector. The heated fluid flows to a storage tank for later use or to a heat exchanger for instant use.

Common types of liquid solar collectors include:

• Flat-plate collectors

• Evacuated tube collectors

• Concentrating solar systems

Radiant Floor

Solar heat can be distributed using a radiant floor system. The system comprises a network of tubes embedded in a concrete slab floor. A solar-heated liquid flows through the pipes and radiates heat to your room. A standard water heater or conventional boiler can provide backup heat for the fluid.

While solar systems can help you reduce your HVAC bills, their efficiency will be dependent on how your contractor designs and installs them. For more information on solar heating, contact us at Air Assurance. We've provided heating and cooling services to Broken Arrow residents since 1985.

With Fall on the Way, Here Are the Top Heater Issues to Double-Check

Broken Arrow's winters can be chilly and windy, so it's always a good idea to have your heating equipment in top form before the cold weather arrives. Maybe you're wondering what are the top heater issues that homeowners in this area have to deal with. Read on to learn about the heating problems you should be aware of as you schedule fall maintenance on your HVAC system.

Issues with the Pilot Light or Ignition Control

Most heating systems have either a pilot light or a hot-surface ignition control. The failure of either may cause intermittent heat or a lack of heat. Maintenance is key to keeping them working. Newer furnaces usually have electronic ignition systems rather than pilot lights.

A Dirty Air Filter

This is one of the most common causes of heating systems not heating adequately. When the filter is too dirty, the system runs sluggishly and struggles to heat properly. Change the filter whenever it's dirty. You may need to change filters more often if you have pets, burn candles, or you have a dusty house.

Air Leaks

Air leaks will make your heating system work harder, costing you money on energy and repairs. Although it's one of the top heater issues afflicting most homeowners, it's easily solved by checking your home's most vulnerable areas for leaks: window and door frames, baseboards, corners where walls meet the ceiling or floor, and holes in exterior walls that are used for cables, pipes, or wires. Seal all these leaks with insulation, caulk, or weatherstripping. Also, have your HVAC tech check ducts for air leaks. 

A Malfunctioning Heat Exchanger

This is one of the most important parts of your furnace, and it can be among the top heater issues homeowners must deal with. Over time, a heat exchanger can develop minute cracks as the metal expands and contracts with continuous heating and cooling. Have the heat exchanger checked regularly as part of your furnace inspection. 

A Faulty Thermostat

This is one of the top heater issues a homeowner may experience, but fixing or replacing a faulty thermostat isn't difficult.

For more about top heater issues, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow. 

Can the HVAC Setup and Airflow of a Neighboring Home Impact Those Functions in Your House?

You've got a great HVAC system. It keeps your house comfortable. It keeps your air clean. What about your neighbors, though? Can what they do impact your home comfort? Here's what you need to know about neighboring HVAC systems.

Impact from a Neighboring HVAC

The main place a neighboring HVAC system will impact yours is in an apartment. The ventilation system for the entire building is connected, so fumes from nearby units can easily seep into your home. If your neighbors smoke, for instance, harmful carcinogens can enter through the building's ductwork. The same is true of other fumes, some of which are harmful and others of which are simply annoying.

What if you live in a house, though? Can a neighboring HVAC system still impact you? It can if it's a noisy one. Your neighbor's system's airflow won't impact yours, but an outdoor AC that runs loudly may be heard from your home.

Additionally, if your neighbors are outside painting, smoking — even barbecuing — the fumes can often travel into your home. A barbecue smell can't hurt you, but paint fumes can. Many paints are made with volatile organic compounds, which can irritate your respiratory system and cause other health problems.

Dealing with a Neighboring HVAC

If what your neighbors do with their HVAC system bothers you, your first step should be politely talking to them to sort out the problem. For instance, if their AC is too loud, you might suggest that they get a sound blanket to muffle the noise.

If talking with your neighbor doesn't work, you may have to deal with the problem on your own. Installing a high wooden fence between their house and yours — with no space between the slats — or a hedge can reduce the noise significantly.

As for harmful fumes in your house or apartment, consider an air purifier. HEPA filters can catch the contaminants that are too small for your HVAC system's filter, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and cigarette smoke.

You can't control your neighbor's HVAC system, but you can control yours. For help with home-comfort issues, contact us at Air Assurance. We serve the Broken Arrow area's heating and cooling needs.

How the Size of a Room Can Work For and Against Good Airflow

Good airflow is essential for keeping your house comfortable. However, depending on the size of a room, it can be difficult to achieve. How does room size affect airflow? How do you ensure the correct airflow for your room size? Here's what you need to know.

The Right Airflow

How much air does your HVAC system produce, and is it enough to heat or cool your home? Airflow is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). How many CFM need to circulate through a room in order to make it comfortable? Larger rooms will need more CFM, while smaller rooms will need less. Therefore, if you have uniform airflow throughout your home, it can cause problems.

In a larger room, you might not have enough CFM to heat or cool the room properly. As a result, your system can become overworked, requiring too much energy to meet the room's needs. On the other hand, if your CFM is too high for your room size, it can cause ventilation problems. Too much air results in too little ventilation, which in turn causes high humidity. The excess moisture in the air can then lead to mold and mildew, as well as other problems.

Getting the Right CFM for Your Room Size

How much airflow do you need for a given room in your house? Your HVAC technician can help you measure your CFM and determine if it's too much, too little, or just right for your room size. Particularly if you have drastically different airflow needs across different rooms, you might consider investing in a zoning system.

A zoning system outfits each room with its own thermostat and provides air according to a room's individual heating and cooling needs. With a variable-speed air handler, it can simultaneously provide a higher CFM for larger rooms and a lower CFM for smaller ones, reducing humidity problems and saving energy. Talk to your HVAC technician about HVAC zoning in your home.

To learn more about how room size affects airflow, contact us at Air Assurance. We help make Broken Arrow homes efficient and comfortable.

What Are the Smartest Ways to Cut Costs on Your Heating or Cooling Bill?

The price of energy remains relatively inexpensive, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be cutting costs on electricity and gas whenever you can. There are so many easy ways to cut costs on energy use, and once you're aware of them, you'll want to put them into practice right away. 

Best Practices for Cutting Energy Costs

1. Change the Filter.
   Changing the HVAC filter allows air to flow through the system unimpeded so that the cooling and heating work more efficiently while cutting costs on energy use. Also, keeping the return air clean cuts down on friction caused by dirt entering the unit's parts, which makes the unit run hotter. Furthermore, when the HVAC labors to heat or cool, parts may wear out faster, necessitating repairs or replacements. 

2. Install a Programmable or Smart Thermostat.
   While a programmable thermostat is more complicated than a smart thermostat, you can save money on energy with either type of technology if you set a program and stick to it. Cut back on energy use when you're away from home or sleeping. Even a change of a few degrees will contribute to cutting costs on the energy bill. 

3. Air-Seal Your Home.
   Air-sealing your home isn't that difficult, and the reward in cutting energy costs will be significant. Seal small leaks around door and window frames, baseboards, the attic hatch, and holes in exterior walls where pipes, cables, and wires come through. Use weatherstripping, insulation, and caulk.

4. Replace Inefficient Windows.
   Replace single-pane windows with the efficient, double-pane type.

5. Schedule Preventative Maintenance. 
   Have an HVAC consultant check your equipment regularly to ensure good performance. Ask your consultant to check the ductwork for holes or gaps to prevent air leaks — an important step in cutting costs of energy use. 

The Department of Energy (DOE) has found that heating and cooling accounts for 50% to 75% of energy used in the average American home. For more information on cutting energy costs in your home, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.