Tips to Achieve Fireplace Safety in Your Home

Fireplaces and chimneys account for more than a third of home fires involving heating equipment, which makes it critical for you to learn how to keep your fireplace burning correctly and safely. Here are some essential guidelines to ensure fireplace safety.

1. To minimize the buildup of creosote and soot, use dry, well-seasoned wood that's been cut to the right length.

2. Before starting a fire, open the fireplace damper. You may have to use a flashlight or a mirror to look into the chimney to verify that it's open. Keep it open until the fire has been completely extinguished.

3. Avoid overloading the fireplace. A slow, steady burn is safer than a roaring fire. Large fires generate more smoke and can crack your chimney.

4. Don't position newspapers, Christmas trees, furniture, books, and any other flammable object close to the fireplace. In case embers are thrown into the room, you'll want to be sure there's nothing nearby that can catch fire.

5. Never leave a burning fireplace unattended. That implies you should never leave your home or go to sleep while a fire is blazing away.

6. Have a trained chimney sweep inspect and remove obstructions like creosote from your chimney before the cold months set in. Creosote buildup can ignite abruptly and cause a chimney fire.

7. Inspect the chimney cap regularly to make sure it's securely attached. If you don't have one, be sure to have one installed to prevent animals or debris from entering your chimney and increase your home's fireplace safety.

8. Carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms are a must-have for fireplace safety. Install and maintain them on every level of your home and outside every sleeping area. Interconnect them so that when one alarm sounds, all the others sound as well.

9. Even a single spark could cause a home fire, so you should always have a fire extinguisher close to the fireplace to augment fireplace safety.

These fireplace safety rules will help you keep your family and home comfortable and safe this winter. For all your heating and cooling needs in the Broken Arrow area, don't hesitate to contact the professionals at Air Assurance.

Can You Benefit from Additional Insurance on Your HVAC System?

When you consider that your cooling and heating components are among the most expensive systems installed in your home — and the most critical to your family's quality of life — it’s easy to understand why adequate HVAC insurance is vital. Several options are available that may provide some or all HVAC insurance coverage in the event of a breakdown, a mishap or another event that disables your cooling or heating system. Here, we'll discuss what’s available to protect your investment and comfort.

Homeowners Insurance

If your AC or furnace is affected by an event — such as a fire — that's also covered by a standard homeowners policy, you’re covered. However, a wide variety of events affecting HVAC equipment that are not covered by standard homeowners insurance — such as earthquakes, flooding or major malfunctions due to wear and tear — will not be eligible for compensation.

However, certain homeowners policies include the option for coverage in the event of the breakdown of major equipment. This will pay for significant repairs to home systems, including HVAC. This HVAC insurance coverage is available at extra cost above the standard homeowner’s policy premium.

Home Warranties

Entirely separate HVAC insurance is included in home warranties that also cover major repairs of various home appliances. Marketed by independent companies, home warranties require payment of a continuing monthly premium and also impose a substantial deductible on most repairs. Most plans do not offer coverage for losses due to events that are typically covered by homeowners insurance, such as fire and theft. Coverage may also be denied if particular system components are not properly maintained.

HVAC Contractor Maintenance Plans

The contractor who sold and installed your HVAC system may offer maintenance plans that provide scheduled routine maintenance as well as repairs and replacements for an affordable monthly premium. The terms usually offer discounts on parts and labor, priority service calls and extended warranties for any new systems you may purchase. Service plans are particularly helpful because the routine annual maintenance provided tends to reduce costly breakdowns and repairs, thus making expensive component replacements less likely.

For more information about HVAC insurance options, talk to the professionals at Air Assurance.

The Science Behind Air Purifiers

Looking to improve your indoor air quality? Then look into air purifier science for ways to deal with a variety of airborne pollutants. 

Air purifier science reveals how the air inside our homes is often worse than that outside. While stopping pollutants at the source is the best way to deal with them, you may need extra help from air-cleaning devices.

Have a look at how knowing more about air purifier science can help you make the right choice for cleaning your air. Here are some of the most popular devices for residential air cleaning. You may also find purifiers that combine the technology of some of these products in one device. 

Mechanical Filter

Many homeowners choose flimsy fiberglass air filters for their HVAC systems. These are only good for keeping larger particles of dirt out of your system. If you want to clean the air, you'll need dense pleated filters. These trap small particles, including pollen, pet dander, and dust mite particles — the cause of many allergies in the home.

Washable Filter

Washable (or permanent) filters catch particles as they pass through the system with the return air by means of an electrostatic charge. The collection plates must be cleaned according to the manufacturer's instructions.

HEPA Filter

HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters are extra dense to catch the finest particles. While you would have to modify your HVAC system to use one, you can buy stand-alone HEPA air purifiers.

Ozone Purifiers

These purifiers clean the air by means of a negative ion that attaches to fine particles. The drawback with this device is that they produce ozone, which can be harmful to those with allergies.

Activated Charcoal

This type of air purifier helps get rid of gases such as cigarette smoke.

UVGI Lights

UVGI (Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation) lights are installed inside the HVAC system. They disrupt the DNA of living pollutants such as germs, mildew, and mold.

For more on air purifier science, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.

How Can Cold Weather Affect Furnace Performance?

Many variables influence furnace performance during the winter, but none is more important than the simple fact that it’s cold outside. Outdoor conditions inevitably impact the indoor environment of a home, whether it’s a sweltering summer day or a freezing winter night.

The science of thermodynamics tells us that heat energy is always on the move from a hot zone into a colder zone. As outdoor temperatures plummet in the winter, heat generated by the furnace indoors is always trying to escape into the frigid outdoors. The potential effects on furnace performance may be hard to miss:

• Indoor comfort control is diminished.

• The furnace runs longer cycles to maintain the thermostat setting.

• Monthly heating costs rise accordingly.

• Wear and tear on heating components increases.

Here are some suggestions to get the upper hand on declining furnace performance during the winter:

• Eliminate air leaks that allow heat loss to the outdoors and degrade furnace performance. Seal structural cracks and gaps with caulking or expanding insulating foam in a can. Replace worn weatherstripping around doors and windows.

• Have a qualified HVAC contractor check the amount and quality of your attic insulation and verify that it meets current Department of Energy standards to prevent heat loss through the roof.

• Schedule annual professional preventative maintenance on the furnace. This includes a checklist of manufacturer-recommended procedures that support optimum furnace performance. Annual professional maintenance is also typically required by a furnace's warranty terms.

• Choose efficient, effective thermostat settings. A much higher thermostat setting in cold winter weather often means increased heat loss from the structure without a great benefit to indoor comfort. Strike a balance between a comfortable indoor environment and excessive heat loss by following Department of Energy temperature recommendations: When people are home, set the thermostat between 68 degrees and 72 degrees. At night or when the house is not occupied, lower the temperature range to 58 to 62 degrees.

For more advice about increasing furnace performance and cutting energy costs this winter, contact the heating professionals at Air Assurance.

How Can Cold Weather Make Plumbing Issues Worse?

Cold weather plumbing issues can occur anytime temperatures plunge well below freezing for several hours. Here in northeastern Oklahoma, average nightly temperatures drop below freezing about three months each year. In extreme cases, temperatures as low as 15 degrees below zero have been recorded here. In cold weather, plumbing can be exposed to stresses that damage pipes and connected components. Here are tips to ensure that cold weather plumbing issues are not on the calendar this winter. 

Broken Pipes

Frozen pipes may occur when temperatures drop below 25 degrees for several hours. Ice formation inside pipes expands, exerting pressure that may rupture the pipe. A broken water-supply line can flood a house with hundreds of gallons of water per hour, causing expensive damage. In cold weather, plumbing can be protected from freezing by taking a few preventative measures:

• Insulate exposed pipes. Install slip-on, foam-insulation sleeves on pipes that may be exposed to extreme cold, including in the crawl space under the house and in the attic. 

• Look for gaps, cracks, or other penetrations that allow frigid air to infiltrate exterior walls where water pipes are routed. Seal small openings with expanding insulated foam and cover larger openings with wood or other material. 

• If extremely low temperatures are forecast, open kitchen and bathroom faucets slightly to allow a continuing trickle of water. This releases pressure that damages pipes if ice forms inside plumbing.

• A sudden loss of water pressure at one or more faucets during subfreezing temperatures may indicate damage caused by cold weather plumbing issues. Don’t wait for temperatures to rise; contact a qualified professional plumber immediately.

Water-Heater Issues

A water heater installed in an unheated garage or outdoors is vulnerable to freezing temperatures. Protect against cold weather plumbing damage by installing a water-heater-insulating blanket that wraps around the tank. Also, insulate exposed water inlet and outlet pipes connected to the water heater.

For more information about preventing cold weather plumbing damage this winter, contact the professionals at Air Assurance.

Attic Cleaning As It Relates to Strong HVAC Performance

Unless you use your attic as a guest room, office, or playroom, it's usually one of those out of sight, out of mind parts of the house. But that shouldn't be the case. A clean attic is essential to the optimal functioning of your HVAC system. Here are some of the ways that the condition of your attic affects your HVAC system.

Insulation

The attic is one of those areas of a home where a lot of energy is lost. Attic insulation adds a buffer that limits the temperature fluctuations in your home. It allows your HVAC system to regulate the internal temperature and keep it at a comfortable level with less effort.

If you don't clean your attic regularly, you won't know when your insulation is damaged. Damaged attic insulation won't offer a useful barrier to heat transfer. As a result, your HVAC system will work harder to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Additionally, pests like rodents are likely to find a home in an attic that's hasn't been attended to. These critters eat away at your insulation. Cleaning and sanitizing your attic thoroughly will prevent pests from becoming comfortable in your attic.

Cracks and Holes

Your attic will experience wear and tear over time. It may develop cracks and holes that may not only let animals in but also leak cool air or heat, making your HVAC system work inefficiently and contributing to higher energy bills. Cleaning the attic will help you know the areas where air might be leaking, so you can take the necessary measures to seal them — by having a clean attic.

Air Quality

If you have a dirty attic, a leak in your ductwork will make your HVAC system suck the dust, insect excrement, and other allergens into the attic. The system will blow these allergens throughout your house. That will make your items dusty in addition to aggravating allergies and respiratory issues.

Having a clean attic will improve the performance of your HVAC system and your home's overall health. For high-quality heating and cooling products and services, as well as advice on how to consistently maintain a clean attic, contact Air Assurance, an HVAC leader in Broken Arrow.

Beyond a Breakdown, Which Heater Issues Are Most Urgent?

Your heater isn't broken, but it's definitely acting strange. You don't want to call your HVAC technician for something minor, but you also don't want to ignore potentially urgent heater issues. Here's a brief rundown of which are the truly urgent heater issues and which ones are no big deal.

Identifying Urgent Heater Issues

Pay attention to how your furnace sounds, smells, and feels. Screeching noises may mean a pressure problem or a loose belt. Popping and buzzing indicate electrical problems. Loud banging may mean a delay in the gas ignition. All of these are urgent heater issues that should be dealt with immediately.

If you smell burning the first time you turn on your furnace at the beginning of winter, it's probably not a big deal. It's dust that has accumulated in the offseason, which is now burning off. However, if the smell doesn't go away after a few minutes or reappears every time you turn on the furnace, then it's more serious. Call your HVAC technician.

Likewise, if you smell gas, it's a serious problem. Get out of the house and call your gas company — and 911. Once you're sure everyone's safe, call your HVAC technician as well.

Finally, if you don't feel air coming from your vents, even though your furnace is on, you should call for a repair. It could be indicative of several different issues, but the bottom line is, your house isn't getting warm the way it should be, so your furnace needs fixing.

Minor Issues

So which ones aren't urgent heater issues? If your heater causes the power to go out in your home, it may seem dire, but in fact, it's probably just an overloaded circuit. This tends to happen more as systems get older and use more energy. Make sure you're not running any other major appliances on the same circuit.

Similarly, if the thermostat stops working, the most likely culprit is a dead battery. Try replacing it rather than calling for repairs.

For help with your urgent heater issues, contact us at Air Assurance. We provide Broken Arrow with quality home-comfort solutions.

Always Have This Handy Furnace Checklist at the Ready This Winter

Cooler temperatures will have you turning your furnace on soon enough. If your heating system hasn’t had HVAC maintenance done since last year, it’s important to make sure it’s working properly. Keep the following tasks on your furnace checklist so that your Broken Arrow home can remain well heated all fall and winter.

Check the Pilot

Furnace pilots sometimes stop working or don’t light properly due to debris or other problems. One of the items on your furnace checklist should be having an HVAC technician inspect and clean your gas furnace pilot.

Inspect the Heat Exchanger

The heat exchanger in a gas furnace can end up with cracks or other damage due to wear and tear. This, in turn, can lead to a higher risk of carbon monoxide leaks in your home. You should have HVAC technicians check the heat exchanger as part of your furnace checklist to make sure there are no cracks or other damage.

Clean the Burners

The burners in your furnace should also be inspected and cleaned as part of your furnace checklist to make sure they’re in good condition and working properly. HVAC technicians can handle this task safely.

Inspect Pulleys and Belts

Belts and pulleys are components in your furnace that can become loose or damaged over time. Your HVAC technician can inspect these parts of your furnace during a routine maintenance visit.

Adjust the Fan Switch

If needed, have HVAC technicians adjust the fan switch for your furnace. Doing so means your furnace won’t run too long or too often, which would result in higher heating bills.

Replace the Air Filter

You should put a new air filter in your HVAC system to help ensure that it runs efficiently. Keep in mind that you should do this every month or every few months. Clean air filters help improve your indoor air quality and ensure proper airflow.

If you need to schedule HVAC maintenance as part of your furnace checklist, please contact Air Assurance. Our HVAC team in Broken Arrow can provide you with prompt and dependable service to keep your furnace in good condition.

How Much Trouble Can Mold Cause in Your HVAC Unit?

HVAC mold can reduce heating and cooling efficiency. What’s more, it can also be the source of allergic reactions and illness in certain persons with sensitivity to mold spores. Microscopic airborne spores that spread mold contamination easily infiltrates houses and are eventually drawn into the airflow of the home’s HVAC system. Here are some examples of the places HVAC mold can develop in cooling and heating units — and perhaps the problems it can cause for occupants of the house as well. 

• Ductwork. Airborne spores accumulating inside ductwork are often exposed to condensation due to high indoor humidity. This moisture triggers dormant spores to turn into active HVAC mold growth. Toxic reproductive spores may be spread throughout the house by contaminated ductwork and can be the source of serious allergic reactions in some individuals.

• AC coils. As airflow passes through the central air conditioner evaporator coil in the indoor air handler, spores present in the airflow contact condensation inside coil passageways. Resultant HVAC mold growth in the coilinhibits coil heat transfer and degrades cooling efficiency. In time, mold growth may obstruct AC airflow through the coil.

• Condensate drain pan. Situated beneath the indoor air handler, the condensate drain pan collects many gallons of condensation daily during summer AC operation, safely diverting the water into a plumbing drain line. Spores from the AC airflow may contaminate the wet pan and trigger active mold. This mold growth frequently clogs the condensate drain line, causing the drip pan to overflow, which can cause indoor water damage. 

To Prevent HVAC Mold

• Replace the HVAC air filter every month during the summer AC season and at least every other month when the furnace is running in the winter.

• Schedule annual preventative maintenance. This in-depth procedure provided by a qualified HVAC contractor includes inspection of the system for signs of HVAC mold in coils, ductwork, and the condensate drain.

• Reduce indoor humidity. To thrive, mold prefers humidity levels above 50%. If you live in a humid climate, consider a whole-house dehumidifier to reduce indoor mold contamination.

Ask the professionals at Air Assurance for advice and expert service to prevent or eliminate HVAC mold growth.