Ways to Stave Off and Eliminate Mold in Your Home

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Do you worry about a mold outbreak in your home? While household mold is generally not of the toxic, black variety that has gotten so much play in the press, any type of mold — and there are thousands — can be concerning. Left unaddressed, mold can create an unpleasant smell in your home while ravaging drywall, wood, carpets, and other materials. Mold spores can also aggravate respiratory problems.

Let's have a look at some relatively easy steps you can take to eliminate mold.

Dealing with Household Mold

Mold generally occurs when damp conditions prevail — say, with a plumbing or ceiling leak. Mold spores are always in the air and looking for an opportunity to colonize in damp places. If your leaky conditions aren't quickly addressed, you may find that mildew, fungus, or even mold have moved in. Once established, mold will give off a rank, damp odor and be evident in streaks or mottled places on your walls, ceiling, floors, or carpets.

A note here: Even if you see black mold, chances are it's simply common, nontoxic black-colored mold rather than the toxic black mold that we've all been warned about.

To control and eliminate mold, keep humidity in your home under 50%. (An inexpensive hygrometer will help you monitor humidity levels.) Change your air conditioner filter as recommended so that air flows through it efficiently and moisture is removed, as should happen during the air-conditioning process. Schedule regular maintenance to ensure coils are clean, which will also help ensure proper dehumidification.

If your house is still too humid, look into exhaust ventilation for the kitchen or bathrooms. You may want to acquire either a portable dehumidifier (you will have to move it from room to room) or a whole-home dehumidifier, which must be installed in your HVAC system.

To eliminate mold that's formed and clean up moldy places, mix a cup of bleach in a gallon of water and scrub. If the mold has proliferated too much, you may need to replace the materials it has damaged, such as sections of drywall or wood floors.

For more on how to eliminate mold, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.

The Pros and Cons of a Used HVAC Unit

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When it's time to buy an HVAC unit, investing in a used HVAC unit may seem like an excellent idea. A previously owned system carries some risks that you shouldn't overlook in the excitement of spending less in the short term. Consider the following before buying a used HVAC unit.

The Equipment's History

A used unit may have numerous hidden issues. You'll have to take the seller's word on the equipment's history without knowing for sure whether he or she maintained it and how often it has required repairs. On the other hand, a new HVAC system is highly unlikely to have had any problems before you buy it.

Sizing

If you don't know how to measure the right HVAC system size for your home, you risk buying a used unit that will leave the door open for myriad problems. From poor air circulation and high energy costs to equipment failure and excess moisture, installing an incorrectly sized used HVAC unit will create more problems than it will solve.

Lack of a Warranty

Used units don't come with a warranty because you can't transfer warranties after removing HVAC systems from where they were originally installed. That's unlike new systems, which always come with warranties.

Installation Issues

Professional HVAC companies usually don't install used HVAC units. As a result, you may have to look for an uncertified contractor who may not know much about HVAC installation. Improper installation is a significant cause of HVAC malfunctions.

Upfront Costs

You'll get a used unit at a fraction of the price of a brand-new one. You may even negotiate a better price with the seller. However, you shouldn't ignore the disadvantages of buying a used system. If you don't have money to buy a new system, you can apply for financing and use special coupons or rebates.

Ultimately, your best option is to purchase a new system. If you have more questions about buying used HVAC units, contact us at Air Assurance. Broken Arrow homeowners have relied on us for all their HVAC needs for more than 35 years.

What AC Wattage Should Your Unit Use to Be Safe and Effective?

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Understanding the ins and outs of AC wattage is essential, because the watts of power your air-conditioning system uses significantly affects your electricity bill and your carbon footprint. Here's a quick primer on AC wattage.

How Much AC Wattage Does Your System Use?

Your air conditioner uses electricity to move indoor heat outside. A watt is a rate of electricity consumption. Generally, a central air conditioner is expected to use between 3,000 and 3,500 watts of electricity per hour during the summer months. On the "fan only" mode, its energy usage reduces to 750 watts per hour.

Portable air conditioners require between 2,900 and 4,100 watts per hour to cool your home. A small window unit uses 500 watts per hour, a medium-sized unit uses 900 watts per hour, and a large unit uses about 1,400 watts per hour.

The Importance of Wattage Used by Air Conditioners

Watt usage is important because the billing amount on your electricity bill is for your kilowatts-per-hour usage. The more the watts your air conditioner uses, the higher your electricity bill will be. Watt usage also matters if you're looking to lessen your home's carbon footprint.

There are several ways to track your air conditioner's watt usage. You can use a smart electrical meter or a smart thermostat and its companion app. Comparing your electric bills to the corresponding bills of the same period last year can also help you establish whether your air conditioner is losing efficiency and increasing its watt usage.

Factors that could make your air conditioner increase its watt usage include:

• Lack of maintenance. Skipping annual maintenance makes your air conditioner lose efficiency, increasing its watt usage.

• Short-cycling. A properly sized AC unit won't need to run consistently to cool your home. Instead, it can do its job in just two cycles of around 15 minutes per hour. If your unit is short-cycling, it will consume more electricity at the startup of each short cooling cycle, leading to increased watt usage.

• Dirty air filter. A dirty filter may cause higher watt usage. Make sure you check your AC filter once a month and replace it if it's dirty.

Keeping up with AC maintenance helps you prevent increased AC wattage use. Contact Air Assurance if you need professional maintenance or help tackling short cycling or other AC issues in the Broken Arrow area.

How Do You Know When to Replace Your AC Vent Covers?

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You may not pay much attention to your air-conditioning vents, but they play a significant role in your HVAC system. They also need proper care and maintenance to keep them working correctly. Here's more on AC vent covers.

How AC Vent Covers Work

Your home has supply and return vents. Supply vents deliver cooled air from your AC unit to different parts of your home. Return vents allow your air conditioner to pull air back to it for cooling and recirculation.

Each vent has a vent cover that prevents dust and foreign objects from being sucked into the vent and causing damage to HVAC components. Vent covers also optimize airflow and can help you blend the vents with your decor.

Replacing AC Vent Covers

New vent covers can help you cool your house more effectively. Additionally, they help you prevent the accumulation and spread of indoor pollutants in your AC system. There are several factors that may make it necessary to replace your AC vent covers. For instance, your vents may have suffered considerable damage over time, such as significant rust, dents, and broken parts.

You can replace your vent covers with something more decorative to add flair to your space. You could also replace your existing covers during a renovation project to achieve a cleaner and more efficient look. Modern vent covers come with benefits like antimicrobial and self-cleaning features, more streamlined designs, and better-quality dust guards. As a result, you could upgrade your existing AC vent covers to enjoy the latest features and better performance.

If you have wall vents of standard sizes, it's a good idea to replace them once or twice a year. These covers are easily available and affordable. If your ceiling vent covers have already lasted 15 to 20 years, it's recommended that you replace them for better HVAC performance and air quality.

When looking to replace vent covers, make sure you get the correct measurements for the duct opening. For more information on AC vent covers, contact Air Assurance. We've helped homeowners in the Broken Arrow area meet all their home-comfort needs since 1985.

How Do You Make Sure Pets and Air Quality Mix Well?

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We love our pets. Thus, many of us enjoy having them close beside us inside our homes, where we can interact with them and we can ensure they're well cared for. Most of us make some significant adaptations to living with pets indoors, although there can be some kerfuffles along the way.

One of the biggest drawbacks of sharing space with cats, dogs, rabbits, birds, or even gerbils is that they shed. It's not just feathers and hair — although that can impact your indoor air quality — but also a minute substance that might best be described as pet dandruff or pet dander. Let's take a closer look at dealing with pets and air quality.

Pet Dander and Allergies

Many people, despite their love for their pets, are allergic to pet dander. It can cause extreme reactions from sniffles, watery eyes, shortness of breath, and contact dermatitis. Often, pet owners are forced to take antihistamines in order to coexist with their pets.

Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to improve the relationship between pets and air quality in your home.

1. Use a quality air filter. A dense, pleated air filter will catch fine particles in the return air before it's recirculated as conditioned air. Use a better-quality filter rated 8 to 12 on the MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) scale. Cheap air filters do nothing for your indoor air quality, although they will catch larger dirt particles and keep them out of your equipment.

2. Bathe cats and dogs often. Brush pets thoroughly outdoors to get rid of shedding hair and dander to improve the relationship between pets and air quality. Wash pets at least once a week, making sure you thoroughly rinse out shampoo. Use a pH-balanced shampoo that will help prevent dry skin or the allergic reaction that can cause dander. For birds, keep cages clean.

3. Try an air purifier. Talk to your HVAC consultant about the best air purifier for your home, as there are many types.

For more on pets and air quality, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.

What to Do If You Have a Dripping AC This Summer

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A dripping AC need not be a part of your summer cooling experience. Yes, the evaporator coil in a residential central air conditioner condenses as much as 25 gallons of water out of the air every day as part of the cooling process. However, in a properly functioning unit, every drop is collected and then properly drained away.

Except when it isn’t. A dripping AC can inflict water damage on a house before it’s even noted by residents. Continuous moisture from air-conditioner leaks can also spawn the growth of toxic mold and mildew. Here are some basic facts about how a dripping AC happens.

Cracks in the drain pan. Located beneath the indoor air handler, the drain pan catches condensation generated by the evaporator coil. Many drain pans are plastic and may crack and leak after years of use. Replacing the AC condensate drain pan isn’t out of the range of a determined do-it-yourselfer. Alternatively, your HVAC contractor can handle the task for you.

Pan overflows. A drain line connected to the drain pan conveys the water into the house drain system. Clogs in the drain line can result from mold growth or other fungus inside the drain pan. Overflow and water damage occur quickly if the drain line is obstructed. Annual AC preventative maintenance typically includes checking the condensate drain flow and cleaning the drain pan when necessary. In addition, biocide tablets placed in the pan help prevent mold growth.

Coil issues. This is another source of potential water damage. Insufficient refrigerant charge or low airflow due to an obstructed air filter may cause the evaporator coil temperature to drop below freezing. Condensation turns to ice that often extends outside the limits of the drain pan. Every time the system cycles off, the ice melts and forms, enlarging puddles on the floor. Monthly air-filter changes, plus professional service to detect and repair refrigerant leaks, help keep the immediate area dry.

For more information about preventing and/or repairing dripping AC issues in Broken Arrow, contact the HVAC professionals at Air Assurance.

How to Tell If You Have Quality Pipes in Your Home

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Low-quality pipes can cause leaks that could significantly damage your property. What's more, they may also be a health hazard if they expose you to lead. To learn how to find out if you have quality pipes running through your house, read on.

Material for Quality Pipes

You can learn the quality of your plumbing system from the materials used for your pipes. The best quality pipes for your plumbing system are copper and PEX. PVC pipes are less favored, and galvanized pipes are considered a low-quality type.

Copper pipes are heat-tolerant, durable, and not vulnerable to leaks. Copper has a life expectancy of 70 to 80 years. PEX piping is also popular because it's flexible, isn't corroded by moisture or minerals, and lasts 50 years.

PVC is low cost and low maintenance, but it has to be installed carefully and bedded to prevent cracking. It tends to warp at temperatures of 140 degrees or higher. Galvanized pipes are prone to rusting from the inside out and can leach lead into your water supply.

You can know the type of pipes in your home by taking a quick look at them. PEX pipes are usually red or blue and seem to be made up of hard plastic because they're nonmetallic. Copper pipes are metallic and have a shiny color that looks like that of a penny. They turn greenish over time.

PVC pipes resemble hard, white plastic and have markings that identify their diameter down their body. Galvanized pipes appear metallic and have a silver or gray color.

Condition of Pipes

Check your exposed pipes for bumps, dimpling, flaking, or discoloration. Water discoloration could also indicate corrosion inside your pipes. If you also spot significant leakage or signs of accumulation of moisture, then the quality of your pipes may have deteriorated, warranting replacement.

To be completely sure that your home has quality pipes, contact a plumber to inspect your plumbing system. Contact the certified plumbers at Air Assurance for the best plumbing services in the Broken Arrow area.

What Is the Relationship Between Your AC and Your Circuit Breakers?

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Circuit breakers protect your home from excessive electrical current that could damage wiring and other components and even pose safety issues like a fire hazard. Any device or combination of devices that draw excessive current may cause a breaker to automatically “trip” and shut off the flow of electricity to that circuit. If it’s the circuit for the air conditioner, that means cool comfort inside your house shuts off too.

The Biggest Draw

In most homes, the central air conditioner compressor motor draws more electrical current than any single device in the house. Therefore, circuit breaker protection is vital for the AC circuit. Each time the HVAC thermostat signals the AC to cycle on, the powerful compressor draws up to four times more wattage during startup than it consumes once it's running. For that reason, the central air conditioner usually occupies a separate household circuit, including a dedicated circuit breaker rated for extreme use.

Why Circuit Breakers Trip

Circuit breakers may trip due to a number of conditions. Here’s a list of potential scenarios.

• Dirty air filter. A clogged AC air filter strangles system airflow. The compressor runs extended cycles and overheats, tripping the circuit breaker.

• Low refrigerant. Usually due to a leak, insufficient refrigerant may cause ice that obstructs the evaporator coil. The unit may run almost nonstop and trip the circuit breaker.

• Obstructed air vents. The outdoor AC unit requires adequate air circulation to prevent compressor overheating that may trip a circuit breaker. For maximum ventilation, don’t store anything on top of the unit and cut back vegetation to maintain 3 feet of clear space on all sides of the unit.

• A worn, aging circuit breaker trips for no reason. A qualified HVAC technician can make the needed replacement for you.

• A short or another internal compressor defect. The compressor’s the most expensive single component in the AC system. If it’s out of warranty, upgrading now to a new, more efficient air conditioner may be the preferable option.

If AC circuit breakers are an issue, the service professionals at Air Assurance are ready to respond.

Ways to Employ Natural Cooling This Summer

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Every summer, homeowners are on the lookout for ways to cool the home naturally without cranking down the thermostat in the warmest part of the day. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to cool your home without lowering the temperature set point to 68 degrees and forcing the air conditioner to run continuously. Read on for some tips on natural cooling.

1. Use fans strategically. Yes, fans (including ceiling fans) use a bit of electricity, but they can help you feel cooler by circulating a cooling breeze. With fans on, you won't feel the need to turn down the thermostat. Be sure the blades on ceiling fans are turning counterclockwise; this will help lift warm air to the ceiling and push cool air down to occupant level.

2. Close blinds, drapes, and shades to block sun. Keeping solar radiation out of your home will help reduce the cooling load for your AC. Whenever the sun starts slanting inside the home, pull the window coverings down.

3. Open windows whenever theres a breeze. It's not always possible to catch a nice breeze, but sometimes, if you're vigilant, you'll succeed. Usually morning hours, between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m., and in the evening after the sun goes down, you may open the windows and find a breeze is blowing. Make use of cross-ventilation — that is, opening windows on opposite sides of the house so that the breeze is drawn through.

4. Install thick insulation in the ceiling floor. Several inches of insulation in the floor of the attic will keep the heat from the roof from penetrating your home.

5. Keep cooking at a minimum. Whenever possible, cook outdoors on the grill or heat up simple meals in the microwave. Avoid using the oven, especially during the heat of the day.

6. Run appliances late at night. Not only will you keep your home cooler, but you can also take advantage of nonpeak-hour rates if you run appliances later in the day.

For more on natural cooling, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.