What Is a Thermostatic Expansion Valve and How Does It Work?

Your HVAC system has a host of complex components, all of which serve essential functions in heating and cooling your home. Take the thermostatic expansion valve (TXV), for instance. What does it do and why is it important? Let's take a look.

What Is the Thermostatic Expansion Valve?

The TXV is designed to improve AC efficiency. Simply put, it controls the flow of refrigerant as it flows into the evaporator. I.e., as it turns from a liquid to a gas. By limiting the refrigerant flow, the thermostatic expansion valve allows for more efficient heat transfer.

It also helps keep your AC system from breaking down. The controlled release ensures that all the refrigerant has been turned to vapor when it leaves the evaporator and enters the compressor. If liquid refrigerant is allowed to enter the compressor, it can cause serious damage to your unit.

Problems With Your Thermostatic Expansion Valve

In order to regulate refrigerant flow properly, your thermostatic expansion valve must open a specific amount at a specific time. If it opens too wide, then too much refrigerant flows through the evaporator. If it doesn't open wide enough or doesn't open at all, then the refrigerant won't reach the evaporator.

This is usually caused by moisture or other contaminants in the system which jam the TXV, causing it to stick. It's a simple-enough problem to fix, though it's not always easy to diagnose. This is because the symptoms of the problem look similar to those of a low refrigerant charge. A technician may see the problem, assume the system needs more refrigerant, and recharge it. However, this will typically only damage the TXV further.

This is why it's important to hire an HVAC technician who knows what they're doing and can diagnose issues properly. An expert knows what signs to look for and how to tell the difference between low refrigerant and a broken TXV, ensuring a proper diagnosis.

For expert help with your thermostatic expansion valve and any other HVAC components, contact us at Air Assurance. We know how to keep Broken Arrow's home-comfort systems running smoothly and efficiently.

How an HVAC Zone Control System Can Save You Money This Summer

Does your family fight the Thermostat Wars? One side thinks it's too hot and turns down the thermostat. The other thinks it's too cold and turns it up again. It's a long, drawn-out battle that can last all summer — and drive your energy bills up in the process. Fortunately, HVAC zone control lets everyone in the house have their ideal temperature without disturbing anyone else or wasting energy.

What Is HVAC Zone Control?

There are several reasons for Thermostat Wars. The first is biology. On average, women prefer temperatures around 77 degrees, while men prefer temperatures around 71 degrees. The other reason is physics. Heat rises, so if you have multiple stories, the top floors will be hotter than the ground level. Likewise, if one side of the house gets direct sunlight, there will be a significant temperature difference.

HVAC zone control splits the house into zones according to their individual temperature needs. Then, each zone gets its own thermostat that the occupant of that zone can set to his or her preference. If one zone is warmer, the system sends more air there. If another is cooler, air is diverted from that zone. This way, everybody's happy and comfortable.

How HVAC Zone Control Saves Money

While a regular HVAC unit blows full blast all the time, your HVAC zone control system uses a variable-speed air handlerto control the amount of air each room gets. Only giving each area what it needs ensures no air or energy is wasted.

You can also set which rooms are occupied at any given time. If the whole family is downstairs, you can turn off the upstairs zones, saving air and money. You can even program the thermostat according to your sleep schedule. The living room gets more air during the day, but at night, that zone turns off and the bedrooms get the air instead, thus saving money and bringing a peaceful end to the Thermostat Wars once and for all.

To install an HVAC zone control system in your home, contact us at Air Assurance. We provide energy-efficient home-comfort solutions to the Broken Arrow area.

AC Unit Freezing Up in Summer? Learn What to Do.

If your AC suddenly stops working, then the unit may be freezing up. Why does this happen, and what can you do about it? Here's what you need to know about your AC unit freezing up in summer.

Why Does My AC Freeze Up?

There are several possible reasons for an AC unit freezing up in summer. Most common is lack of airflow. If not enough cold air is flowing from your vents, it likely also means not enough warm air is flowing across your coils, causing them to freeze.

Or, rather than the airflow, it may be the coils themselves that are blocked. If a lot of dust accumulates on them, it acts as insulation. Warm air blows across the coils, but it's absorbed by the dust, so the coils themselves stay cold.

You also may be low on refrigerant. This interferes with the compressor's conversion of the liquid refrigerant into a gas. As a result, too much cold is generated, causing ice to build up on the coils.

How to Fix It

In all these situations, the results are cumulative. If left unchecked, ice continues to build up over time, damaging your system. If you see your AC unit freezing up in summer, check for ice crystals on the evaporator coil of the outdoor unit. Ice may accumulate in other places too. Shut the system off completely and let it thaw. This may take several hours. If it continues freezing repeatedly, you may need to take additional steps to get to the root of the problem.

How to Stop It

First, see if something is blocking your HVAC airflow. It could be a clogged filter or damaged ductwork, or the fan or blower motor might be broken or running too slowly. If it's the latter, call your HVAC technician.

To prevent dust building up on your coils, clean them regularly with a brush and a hose. Finally, call your HVAC technician to check your refrigerant level and recharge it if necessary.

For help stopping your AC unit freezing up in summer, contact us at Air Assurance. We keep Broken Arrow homes comfortable year-round.

Learn How to Compare Energy Costs

Heating and cooling systems, such as central air conditioners and furnaces, account for some of the highest energy costs in homes. That’s why it’s so important to compare energy costs when you need to get a new HVAC system. Keep the following tips in mind for comparing energy costs for different kinds of HVAC systems.

Consider the Energy Source

One of the first factors to consider when you compare energy costs is the source of energy an HVAC system uses. For example, some furnaces use natural gas to produce heat, while others use electricity. In this case, you would need to compare energy costs for natural gas vs. electricity as an energy source.

Gas vs. Electricity

Will it cost you less to get an HVAC system that uses natural gas or one that runs on electricity? You’ll need to find out the average costs of these utilities in your area to determine this. While these costs can vary, natural gas usually costs less than electricity overall. This means you’ll likely pay less when you heat your home with a gas furnace compared to an electric one. Keep in mind that both gas and electric costs fluctuate, so the cost of heating your home with either option could go up at times.

HVAC Needs

In addition to considering the cost of natural gas vs. electric, think about how much you normally use your heating and cooling system. This depends on local weather conditions, which can change drastically at times, as well as your individual comfort. If you usually turn your thermostat up quite a bit in winter, going with a lower energy source, such as gas, could save you money compared to running an electric furnace often.

If you need to compare energy costs for a new HVAC system, please contact the experts at Air Assurance. We can assist you with choosing the most cost-efficient HVAC system for your Broken Arrow home.

Make Sure to Get a Quality Air Duct Cleaning

You might not think too often about the ductwork in your Broken Arrow home, but it could be affecting your indoor air quality (IAQ) and HVAC efficiency. When you have air ducts that are filled with dust or other debris, you could be breathing in these particles when your heating or cooling system is running. Learn more about quality air duct cleaning, including how it’s done, so you can have healthier indoor air and a more efficient HVAC system.

How Quality Air Duct Cleaning Works

Since your air ducts are hard to get to, it’s not a good idea to attempt to clean them on your own. While you can wipe down the outer surfaces of vents and registers on your own, you should have professional duct cleaning done. When you have this type of cleaning done, professional HVAC experts come to your home and use the right tools and equipment to remove debris from your ductwork. In some cases, this might require the removal of mold or other harmful particles. These professionals generally start by using tools to loosen dirt and other debris inside air ducts. Once this debris is loosened, they typically use a high-powered vacuum cleaner to remove it from your air ducts. This helps prevent these particles from contaminating the air inside your home.

The Importance of Quality Air Duct Cleaning

When you have professional air duct cleaning done, it’s important to ensure it’s done properly. Professional HVAC technicians should clean every component that is part of your ductwork, along with any other HVAC components that could be contributing to debris buildup in your ducts. Cleaning all of these components helps lower the risk of having contaminants or pollutants build up inside your air ducts again. This helps keep the air inside your home cleaner when your cooling or heating system is running.

If you need quality air duct cleaning for your Broken Arrow home, contact Air Assurance today. We can thoroughly clean your ductwork to help improve your IAQ.

What is AFUE and How Does It Work?

When you’re looking at new gas furnaces, you might notice that they have an AFUE rating. What is AFUE? This refers to the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating, which measures how efficient a gas furnace is. Knowing what is AFUE can help ensure that you choose the best gas furnace for your home in Broken Arrow.

How Does the AFUE Rating Work?

What is AFUE? The AFUE rating lets you know how well a gas furnace is able to turn natural gas into energy. You’ll see the AFUE rating as a percentage on descriptions of gas furnaces. The percentage tells you how much of the energy that a gas furnace uses turns into actual heat. For example, an AFUE rating of 85% would mean that 85% of the energy a gas furnace uses is turned into heat. What happens to the remaining energy? The other 15% is energy that the gas furnace consumes during the process of heating your home. A higher AFUE rating indicates that a gas furnace is more energy-efficient compared to furnaces with lower AFUE ratings.

What AFUE Rating Should a Gas Furnace Have?

New gas furnaces must have an AFUE rating of at least 78%, so you won’t see any that go below this amount. AFUE ratings can vary considerably, but what is AFUE (and what value is it?) if you can't get a furnace with a higher rating. For example, a gas furnace with an AFUE rating of 95% will provide much better energy efficiency than a gas furnace with an AFUE rating of 80%. In general, gas furnaces with AFUE ratings between 80% and 85% are considered mid-efficiency furnaces. Those that range between 90% to 97% are considered high-efficiency furnaces. Keep in mind that a higher AFUE rating results in more energy savings, since your new gas furnace will be heating your home more efficiently.

Now, you won't have to ask "What is AFUE?" ever again. If you’re looking for a new furnace for your Broken Arrow home, please contact Air Assurance. Our HVAC experts can help you choose a new furnace with a higher AFUE rating so you can save on energy costs.

Programmable Thermostat Installation Doesn't Have to Be Hard

With a programmable thermostat, you can set your home's temperature higher or lower (depending on the season) when nobody's around to save money on energy bills. But as easy as it may look, programmable thermostat installation is a process you shouldn't take lightly. Even the smallest error can affect your entire HVAC system and cause costly damage. Let's take a look at what installation entails and why DIY installation isn't a good idea.

Programmable Thermostat Installation Requirements

To install a programmable thermostat correctly, you'll need basic electrical knowledge and a good understanding of your HVAC equipment.

Some types of programmable thermostats are incompatible with some HVAC equipment. For example, the common smart thermostats are not compatible with line voltage HVAC systems. What's more, even if a programmable thermostat is compatible with your equipment, you'll need to ensure that you have enough wires for proper installation.

If you lack expertise in wiring when setting up newer programmable thermostats, you risk electrocuting yourself. You could also send excessive current through the device and damage it. Other consequences of incorrect programmable thermostat installation include:

• Blowing your circuit breaker

• Poor thermostat location, leading to HVAC inefficiency

• Damage to the electrical system or HVAC system

Warranty

Manufacturers usually protect themselves from user negligence. Therefore, installing the thermostat yourself and causing damage in the process is likely to result in the loss of warranty coverage. Some manufacturers even void the warranty if a professional doesn't install the device. Consequently, you'll pay for damages out of pocket if the thermostat malfunctions unexpectedly.

Installing a thermostat incorrectly could lead to damage worth hundreds or thousands of dollars. To avoid damage and injury, you should hire an HVAC professional. If you need programmable thermostat installation or repair services in the Broken Arrow area, contact us at Air Assurance. We've helped our satisfied residential and commercial clients efficiently meet their comfort needs since 1985.

PSO Air Conditioning Tune Up Rebate

SCHEDULE A PROFESSIONAL AC TUNE UP

Get professional preventive maintenance performed by a qualified HVAC technician. The service includes manufacturer-recommended maintenance procedures to ensure maximum furnace efficiency, lowest cost and reduced wear and tear. It also includes an up-close inspection of furnace components to detect and resolve any incipient problems now, before they become a major issue later.

For qualified service when it's time for turning on your heater, contact Air Assurance.

PSO AIR CONDITIONING TUNE UP REBATE

As a PSO account holder you could be eligible for a $75 instant rebate when you have your air conditioning system tuned up this spring and summer 2021. There are some specific qualifications to be eligible for the PSO AC Tune Up rebate that must be met, including a Pre and Post assessment of the data. Call Air Assurance for details and either way, having your air conditioning system professionally serviced is always recommended for peak performance optimization, and staying ahead of any breakdowns.

For help with residential air quality testing in your home, contact us at Air Assurance. We help keep homes comfortable, efficient, and breathable in Broken Arrow.

What Would Require an AC Hose Repair?

You may be surprised that one of the most frequent, damaging, and expensive AC fixes is an AC hose repair or a condensate line repair. What often happens is the AC hose becomes clogged or the pump fails, and then water spills over inside the home. This water could damage ceilings, walls, flooring, and other areas where the AC is located. To help prevent that from happening to you, we've put together common reasons for an AC hose repair and fixes for you to keep handy.

How an AC Condensate Hose Works

Your central AC system is designed to keep your home cool by removing heat energy from circulating air. During this process, moisture and humidity are also removed. This moisture collects on a coil and drips into a condensate pan. The condensate flows into a hose or pipe. The hose may lead to a pump, where the water is pumped out of your home, or the hose may lead outside and drain the water out by gravity. When something goes wrong with either process, you need AC hose repair.

Nesting Place

You don't use your AC all year long. During the months that it's not in use, the AC hose makes a perfect place for bugs and tiny critters to nest. Nests and other debris can cause a blockage in the AC hose, which would require an AC hose repair by your HVAC technician. The hose needs to be blown or sucked out to clear the line.

Malfunctioning Condensate Pump

Another problem that would require an AC hose repair is a problem with the condensate pump. The condensate pump should be located by the indoor AC unit. There is probably a 1-inch PVC pipe extending into the pump to drip condensate. Check the pump to see if it is cracked and leaking water. Next, if the pump is full and not working, it's best to replace the pump. Turn off your AC and call your technician.

If you need professional HVAC assistance with an AC hose repair in your Broken Arrow-area home, please contact the pros at Air Assurance!