What Are the HVAC Danger Signs You Should Look For?

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Paying attention to your HVAC unit only when it stops working could mean going for days without heating or air conditioning and ending up with unexpected, wallet-crunching repair bills. Fortunately, certain indicators let you know when something could go wrong with your HVAC system, allowing you to take action early enough. Be on the lookout for the following HVAC danger signs.

Inadequate Heating or Cooling

Your HVAC unit may run constantly but fail to heat or cool your home well. You may notice some rooms are too cold during the winter or too hot in the summer. Several HVAC issues could be to blame, such as:

• A blocked vent

• Clogged air filter

• Damaged ductwork

• Poor duct design

• Faulty thermostat

System Turns On and Off Frequently

If your system turns on and off too frequently, airflow may be blocked or your system may be oversized.

Strange Smells

If a strong smell comes from your unit, you could have an electrical problem, refrigerant leak, a dead animal near or in the system, or mold buildup. You'll need an HVAC professional to inspect the system as soon as possible.

A rotten egg smell could be a sign of a gas leak, which is one of the most troublesome HVAC danger signs. The leak can lead to an explosion, so you should shut off the main gas line, seek professional help immediately, and stay away from your home until you're sure it's safe to go back inside.

Odd Noises

Banging, clanging, grinding, or rattling sounds from inside your HVAC system could be one of the HVAC danger signs that signal a loose or damaged component. An HVAC professional will help you fix the issue.

Puddles

Can you see puddles of water around your HVAC unit? You may have faulty seals or loose connections. It could also be a sign of your AC unit needing replacement. A professional should inspect the unit right away.

Recognizing these HVAC danger signs and calling for repairs promptly will help you avoid bigger and more expensive problems in the future. If you need HVAC repair or maintenance in the Broken Arrow area, contact the certified professionals at Air Assurance.

What Can Cause Cloudy Water in Your Pipes?

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Once in a while, the water coming out of your faucet may be milky or cloudy. Let's explore the potential causes of the cloudy water, along with what you can do about them.

Trapped Air

If the water coming from all your taps is cloudy, it's likely due to trapped air in the water flowing through your pipes. If you fill a glass with water, the cloudiness will clear naturally from the bottom to the top as the pressurized air is released.

The high amount of air in your water is likely due to an issue with the municipal water supply. You can check with your neighbors to see if they're experiencing the same issue. If the issue is only in your house, consider calling a plumber to find out if your home's pipework has a problem.

Dirty Aerator

Getting cloudy or milky water from just one faucet could be a sign of an issue with the faucet or aerator. Removing the aerator and cleaning it with a 50/50 solution of water and vinegar should solve the problem.

Water Heater Problems

If you only experience cloudy water from your hot-water taps and you can see particles settling at the bottom of your glass, your water heater is likely to blame. You'll need to contact a plumber to determine whether you have a defective dip tube that needs replacement or you need to have the water heater flushed to remove sediment buildup.

A failing dip tube tends to disintegrate into your hot water supply, leaving white flecks of plastic in your water. Sediment accumulation can cause cloudy water and make your water heater work harder, increasing your utility bills.

Hard Water

Hard water may cause the buildup of limescale in your pipes, which may make your water appear milky. Limescale buildup can make your water heater work harder. Hard water can also lead to poor water flow. You can remove the minerals that cause water hardness using a water softener.

The different causes of cloudy water have different solutions. If the issue has persisted for a while or you're unsure about the cause or solution for the cloudiness, be sure to contact a plumber. If you live in the Broken Arrow area, don't hesitate to contact us at Air Assurance for all your plumbing needs.

What is a Static Pressure HVAC?

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Static pressure in HVAC systems refers to the amount of air resistance present inside your home’s ductwork as the system blower circulates air from the furnace or air conditioner throughout the system. Static pressure that’s too low is not usually a major concern. However, static pressure higher than the specified level can impact system airflow, reduce energy efficiency, and inflict excess wear and tear on critical components.

Causes of High Static Pressure

• Ductwork design. The diameter of ducts as well as the number of bends present in the total length of the ductwork system affect static pressure. The specific type of ductwork material also influences airflow pressure.

• Condition of ducts. Sagging or collapsing ductwork and improper installation of the ductwork are all factors that can restrict air circulation and increase static pressure.

• Dirty or incorrect air filter. A dirty, clogged HVAC air filter or one that is too thick and obstructs airflow excessively is a common cause of increased static air pressure. Replace the filter every month with a quality cotton or polyester filter with a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) ranging from 6 up to 10 to provide the best filtration and keep static pressure low.

Symptoms of High Static Pressure

• Noise in ducts. High static pressure inside ducts often causes a loud whooshing or roaring sound as air circulates through the ductwork. It may also result in muffled rattling or banging sounds that can be heard emanating from duct vents in rooms.

• Inconsistent temperature control. Because high static pressure imbalances airflow throughout the system, some rooms may receive too much cooled or heated air, while others don’t get enough.

• Wear and tear on critical parts. Two parts of a typical HVAC system—the compressor and the blower fan — may be subjected to increased wear when static pressure is excessive. This may require early replacement of these costly components.

For a professional opinion about solutions for excess static pressure in HVAC systems, contact Air Assurance.

How to Tell If Your HVAC Unit Is Up to Code

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Is your HVAC system up to code? How can you tell? What does that even mean, and what code does it need to meet? There are a number of standards a new HVAC system must meet in order to function properly and efficiently. Here's how to ensure they're all adhered to.

Size and Location

One of the chief concerns in HVAC installation is sizing. Using the wrong size system can damage the unit, waste energy, and leave your house uncomfortable. Make sure your HVAC technician performs the necessary load calculation for your home using Manual J to get the right-size system.

If you're replacing an existing system, your technician can simply use the same size as your old unit. However, if you've had recent work done on your house, such as adding an extra room, sizing will need to be performed again to determine the load necessary for the new space.

Where the unit is installed is also important. It needs to be somewhere out of the way but still easily accessible for maintenance and repairs. A qualified HVAC technician will know where to place it to be up to code.

Matching AC Units

For a split-system AC, the indoor and outdoor components need to match. Your refrigerant must be able to go back and forth seamlessly between them, operating at the same pressure. If you're buying the system as a whole, this shouldn't be a problem. However, if you're replacing just one unit and not the other, it's important to ensure that the new unit's design is compatible with the old one.

The best way to ensure that your installation is up to code is to get a contractor who's NATE certified. The North American Technician Excellence organization trains and tests technicians in all types of HVAC equipment to ensure they have the knowledge and experience to install it properly and that it runs smoothly and efficiently for years to come.

If you want assurance that your new HVAC system is up to code, contact us at Air Assurance. Broken Arrow trusts us for quality home-comfort solutions.

The Best Way to Clean Out Vents

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Over time, dirt and debris build up in your vents, harming your home's indoor air quality. If you let it build up for too long, it can lead to mold and mildew growth in your ductwork. Therefore, twice a year, you should perform basic vent cleaning. Here's how to perform vent cleaning properly.

1. Remove the vents. Use a screwdriver to remove each vent and register and place them somewhere out of the way. If you have vents of different sizes, try to remember which one goes where so that putting them back later is easy and not a hassle.

2. Dust the vents. Use a microfiber cloth to clean the visible dust off of the vents. It might be a good idea to do this outside so dust doesn't end up in your air.

3. Soak the vents. Soak your vents in warm water and dish soap for 15 minutes.

4. Clean the ducts. While your vents are soaking, use a vacuum to get rid of dirt and dust that's accumulated in your ducts. You won't be able to reach the entire duct, so focus on the area just inside the vent.

5. Clean the vents. Once the vents have thoroughly soaked, give them a good cleaning with a scrub brush to remove the more stubborn dirt and grease that didn't come off with the dusting. Then, rinse the soap off.

6. Dry your vents. Use a clean dish towel to dry the vents off. Try to get them as dry as possible, but it's OK if they're still a little damp when you put them back. They can air dry the rest of the way in a couple of hours.

7. Put the vents back. Take your screwdriver and put each vent back in place. You're done!

If you find you need vent cleaning more than twice a year, try replacing the air filter more often. Debris from a dirty filter will continually recirculate through your home, getting onto your vents and into your air.

For more help with vent cleaning and keeping your ductwork clean and efficient, contact us at Air Assurance. We're Broken Arrow's trusted source for quality home-comfort solutions.

How to Ensure Your Home Has Solid Insulation

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Having a home that’s well insulated helps keep colder air out during winter and hotter air out during summer. This helps your Broken Arrow home feel more comfortable overall. Having enough insulation can also help prevent moisture damage and keep pests out of your home. How can you tell if your home has solid insulation? The following signs can indicate that your home could use more insulation.

Increasing Energy Bills

Have you noticed that your energy bills keep going up, especially when you heat your home in winter or run your air conditioning in summer? Energy bills that are higher than usual might mean that your home doesn’t have solid insulation. With enough insulation, your HVAC system doesn’t have to use as much energy to cool or heat your home. Insulation helps prevent air leaks from occurring, leading to a warmer home in winter and a cooler home in summer without constantly running your HVAC system.

Cold or Hot Rooms

When a certain room or area of your home always seems colder in winter and hotter in summer, you might need to add insulation. You might notice this more in rooms that are under a poorly insulated attic or over your garage. Adding insulation helps prevent hot attic air from heating up these areas in summer or cold outdoor air from cooling them down too much in winter.

Damp or Cold Walls, Ceilings, and Floors

When walls, ceilings, or floors in your home feel cold to the touch during winter, this can indicate that you need more insulation. These surfaces might also feel damp when you touch them, since more moisture can get into your home when it doesn’t have enough insulation.

Attic Leaks

Water leaks in your attic might mean that you have an insulation problem. Adding insulation to this part of your home should help keep water and moisture out of your attic.

If you need solid insulation in your Broken Arrow home, please contact Air Assurance. Our team can help you determine if your home has solid insulation and add more if it's needed.

Know How to Keep Your Water Heater Running Efficiently

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Your water heater provides your home with hot water for showers, baths, dishes, laundry, and other household tasks. Using hot water can lead to higher energy bills unless you’re using your unit efficiently. The following tips can help ensure that your home has enough hot water without raising your energy bills.

Adjust for Vacations

If you’re going to be away on vacation, you don’t have to keep your water heater at its current setting. Instead, you can switch it to its lowest setting when no one will be home for a few days or more. This helps lower the amount of energy it uses during this time, leading to lower energy bills.

Look for Leaks

Check for leaks or water around your unit on a regular basis and have repairs made as soon as they're needed. You should also check for other signs of problems with your water heater, such as odd noises. Having repairs done promptly helps keep your unit in good condition over a longer period of time.

Lower the Thermostat

Turning the thermostat down on your water heater can help you save money on your energy bills. Lower the thermostat to 120 degrees and you’ll still have water that’s hot enough for household use. With a lower water temperature, your unit won’t use as much energy when it’s running, resulting in lower energy bills.

Clear Space

Your unit should have at least 2 feet of space around it — or as much space as the manufacturer recommends. Having this much clearance around your unit helps ensure that it’s able to run without any obstruction.

Add Insulation

Newer units might not need this, but an older unit should have insulation around it. This helps the unit maintain heat so it won’t have to use as much energy when it’s running. Adding insulation to older units can help during the winter, especially if your water heater is in the garage or another unheated location.

If you need additional help, please contact Air Assurance. We can help ensure that your Broken Arrow home has plenty of hot water for daily use.

What is the Right Kind of AC Coolant to Use?

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AC coolant is the lifeblood of your air-conditioning system. Also known as refrigerant, coolant in your air conditioner is the substance that moves the heat in your house outdoors. It plays such a vital part in efficient, effective air conditioning that the system's refrigerant level is usually one of the very first things a qualified HVAC technician will check when diagnosing a problem.

The Refrigerant Cycle

Here's how your air conditioner makes a hot house cool:

• Cold, vaporous coolant flowing through the AC evaporator coil in the indoor air handler absorbs heat from the household airflow.

• The warming coolant flows through a conduit to the outdoor unit, where it is pressurized by the system compressor, converting it into a very hot gas.

• Entering the outdoor condenser coil, the hot coolant rapidly releases its heat load. The system fan disperses this heat into outdoor air.

• The coolant circles back indoors, transforming into a cold vapor again to absorb more heat in the evaporator coil.

What Can Go Wrong?

Problems with coolant are mostly related to leakage. Because the system is under pressure at all times, there are numerous points in the flow of refrigerant where leaks may occur. Signs of low AC coolant levels include:

• Poor AC cooling performance

• Increasing electric bills

• Ice formation on the indoor evaporator coil

• The system shuts down automatically and will not restart.

What Type of AC Coolant to Use?

For many years, the most common type of AC coolant was designated R-22. However, in the 1970s, R-22 was discovered to damage the ozone layer in the upper atmosphere. As of Jan. 1, 2020, the Environmental Protection Agency has phased-out R-22 refrigerant.

The more environmentally friendly replacement for R-22 is R-410A. All air conditioners manufactured today can only utilize R-410A. Older R-22 AC units still in use cannot be converted to the new refrigerant. Therefore, if an R-22 air conditioner requires added refrigerant, it cannot be repaired and must be discarded and replaced by a new, R-410A unit.

For more information about the right AC coolant for your home, contact the cooling professionals at Air Assurance.

The Three Most Important AC Parts

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All components of an air conditioner are necessary to ensure summer comfort, but three important AC parts are particularly critical. At its most basic level, air conditioning is actually the process of moving heat. The system extracts heat inside and disperses it outside. The result is cool, efficient indoor comfort day and night.

Here’s how three important AC parts do the heavy lifting to keep you comfortable all summer long.

Evaporator Coil

Located inside the indoor air handler, the evaporator coil is one of the most important AC parts because it extracts indoor heat from the air flowing through the home’s return ductwork. The coil incorporates copper tubing that circulates cold liquid refrigerant — typically about 40 degrees — under pressure. Coil materials are designed to transfer heat efficiently, and the refrigerant flowing through the coil passageways is formulated to absorb heat and carry it away.

After refrigerant passing through the evaporator coil extracts heat from the airflow, the cooled air is pulled into supply ductwork by the system blower and then dispersed to all rooms.

Compressor

After the evaporator coil, the refrigerant is now a warm, low-pressure gas that flows through a conduit to the outdoor unit housing the system compressor. The compressor incorporates a powerful, 220-volt electric motor to compress the refrigerant gas. The process pressurizes molecules of refrigerant very tightly, raising the refrigerant temperature up to between 120 and 140 degrees. This high-pressure gas releases its load of extracted heat very efficiently as it enters the condenser coil.

Condenser Coil

Hot, pressurized gas pumped by the compressor passes into the copper tubing of the condenser coil and rapidly depressurizes, releasing the load of heat energy. A fan blowing through the condenser coil disperses the radiated heat into outdoor air. As the heat is being released, the flow of refrigerant converts from a hot gas to a liquid state, then circulates to the evaporator coil to extract more heat.

The cooling experts at Air Assurance are ready to provide advice and professional service for the important AC parts that keep you comfortable this summer.