What Are the Most Commonly Needed HVAC Repairs?

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It can be frustrating when your HVAC system breaks down, especially in the middle of a cold snap. It's even more frustrating if you can't figure out what the problem is. Some HVAC issues are worse than others, but it's important that you don't panic even if things seem disastrous. Here are some of the most common problems that require HVAC repairs and what you can do about them.

• The unit won't turn on. The most basic HVAC problem is that the unit simply won't turn on. There are a number of possible causes for this. First, check the batteries in the thermostat. Then make sure the unit hasn't tripped the circuit breaker. Finally, try raising or lowering your thermostat a few degrees to see if it kicks in. If not, call your HVAC technician to arrange HVAC repairs.

• The unit won't turn off. Your blower is running continuously and won't stop, wasting energy in the process. First check the thermostat to see if the fan is in the "On" position. If so, switch it to "Auto." Then try temporarily matching the thermostat setting to the ambient temperature to trick the unit into cycling off.

• Airflow issues. There's hardly any air coming from your vents. It takes forever for your home to come to temperature. The most likely cause is a clogged air filter, preventing air from getting through. Remember to change it every three to six months to keep air flowing properly, maintain your IAQ, and avoid the need for HVAC repairs.

• Hot and cold spots. There are several potential causes for hot and cold spots around your house. It could be poor placement of your thermostat. There might be vent blockages keeping air from reaching certain areas. You may also have leaks in your ductwork keeping conditioned air from reaching your home. Finally, your HVAC system might be the wrong size for your home, resulting in short-cycling and disparate temperatures. Call your HVAC technician to diagnose the problem and help you determine what to do about it.

If you need HVAC repairs for your home, contact us at Air Assurance. We provide Broken Arrow with quality heating and cooling solutions.

Does My System Really Need Regular HVAC Maintenance?

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Too many homeowners bypass regular HVAC maintenance, thinking they'll just wait until something breaks and spend money as needed. This may or may not be wise, depending on what goes wrong. As any HVAC tech will tell you, you can often detect a potential problem with a routine maintenance call, and by addressing it early, you can prevent that small problem from growing into an expensive repair.

What Regular HVAC Maintenance Entails

Generally, preventative maintenance is scheduled in the spring and fall, just prior to the heavy cooling and heating seasons. Among the tasks in spring that the HVAC tech will perform:

• Change the HVAC filter.

• Clean the evaporative coil.

• Clean the condenser coils.

• Check the condensate drain and clean obstructions.

• Check refrigerant levels and fill as needed.

• Test airflow.

• Check wiring.

• Test the function of electronic controls.

• Check the thermostat for proper calibration.

• Check blower and condenser fans.

In winter, the HVAC tech will change the filter and check the air handler, controls, airflow, and wiring, while also checking these functions on the furnace:

• Clean and inspect burners and heat sensors.

• Inspect the heat exchanger and the CO detector.

• Lubricate blower and inducer fans.

• Check the vent system for leaks or blockages. Look at exterior surfaces of venting.

For a heat pump, a technician should check the systems mentioned above, plus the defrost function on the heat pump. Inspections may also include a look at the ductwork.

Checking all these systems via regular HVAC maintenance can ensure that the HVAC is more likely to run without breakdown through the height of the cooling and heating seasons. When all parts are in good repair, the system runs more efficiently, without friction and the high heat that can lead to breakdown and the need to replace parts. Furthermore, a more efficient system means you'll be spending less on utility bills.

Above all, it's important that the air filter is changed regularly. Follow the manufacturer's instructions, or if need be — that is, if conditions in your house, such as pets or extreme dust, make filters become dirty faster — change them more often.

To learn more about regular HVAC maintenance, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.

Are Ceiling Fans in Winter Useful?

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As winter approaches, you might think you don't need that ceiling fan anymore. All summer, you had it on to augment the air conditioning, lifting up the hot air so it would rise to the ceiling while pushing down the cool air to occupant level. But hold on. Ceiling fans in winter can actually help make your heating efforts more efficient, keeping you warmer without having to turn up the thermostat. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can cut energy use by as much as 15% in winter and by even more in the summer.

Here's how a ceiling fan can work to make you warmer this winter.

Reversing the Blades of Fans in Winter

It sounds counterintuitive, but the fact is that reversing your fan blades can increase the warmth the occupants of your home feel at ground level. In the summer, the blades should be running counterclockwise. If you have the type of blades that can be reversed with a switch, do so in the winter so they are running clockwise. This will push the warm air down from the ceiling, along the walls, and down to floor level. When the warm air is pushed down, it helps to muscle aside the colder, denser, heavier air that can be lingering at foot level.

• Fans in winter are particularly helpful in pushing down warm air when you have high ceilings.

• Always run the fan in winter at its lowest speed so you don't feel any windchill.

• Be sure that whenever you're replacing a ceiling fan, you get the type with two-way action.

Taking Care of the Ceiling Fan

Always check the fan blades to make sure the edges are clean. Dirty edges will increase the air drag on the blades, and the fan will work less efficiently.

Clean blades either with a vacuum wand attachment or by wrapping an old pillowcase around the blade, wiping it off and then emptying the pillowcase.

Most modern ceiling fans do not require oiling, nor can you change the bearings, as the motors are sealed.

For more on running ceiling fans in winter, contact Air Assurance.

How to Best Conserve HVAC Energy

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With winter coming up, your HVAC system will soon be working hard to keep your Broken Arrow home heated. This can lead to high energy bills all winter, but there are ways to prevent this from happening. Read on to find out how you can conserve HVAC energy during winter while having a warm and comfortable home.

Schedule Routine HVAC Maintenance

HVAC maintenance helps ensure that your HVAC system is working right. HVAC technicians check for problems with your HVAC system during maintenance visits and take care of any issues that come up. This helps lower the risk of your HVAC system needing major repairs during the winter. With regular HVAC maintenance, your system will also run more efficiently, which means it won’t need to run as often or as long in order to heat your home. Having an efficient HVAC system is a good way to conserve HVAC energy and lower your energy bills.

Switch Your Thermostat

Replace your manual thermostat with a programmable or smart thermostat. These types of thermostats allow you to easily adjust the temperature in your home and have your heating system come on at certain times. With a smart thermostat, you can control your thermostat from anywhere on your smartphone or tablet. Being able to lower the temperature during certain times, such as when you’re out during the day, can help you conserve HVAC energy and save money on your bill.

Replace HVAC Filters

Don’t let your HVAC filters go too long without being changed. Otherwise, your HVAC system will have a harder time heating your home during the winter. Check your HVAC filters each month and replace them with new ones. This helps prevent you from having dusty or dirty HVAC filters in your home.

Prevent Drafts

Drafts of cold air can cause your HVAC system to run more often in order to heat your home. Seal up gaps that can let cold air in during winter and you’ll save energy when it’s cold out.

If you’re ready to schedule HVAC maintenance or you need more advice on how to conserve HVAC energy in your home, please contact Air Assurance.

5 Reasons You Need An Annual Furnace Tune-Up - Air Assurance

Top 5 Reasons for Furnace Maintenance Tune Up

Top 5 Reasons to schedule your annual furnace service with Air Assurance and stay ahead of any seasonal breakdowns. Neglect is the number #1 reason why mechanical system fail.

Energy Savings - With the system clean, filter changed, gas pressures set correctly….it can mean the difference in your comfort and the performance on your utility savings during the fall and winter months.

Safe Operation - AC clean and check service is all about efficiencies. But the furnace check is all about safety. Safety from fire. Safety from Carbon Monoxide potentials and more.

Early Detection - You don’t wait until you have a flat tire on the highway to buy new tires right? When you notice the tread wearing and the tire becoming bald it affects performance. Stay ahead of any potential break downs this season.

Optimize Performance - Our technicians will use a combustion analyzer to determine how efficient you furnace is operating….and we can make adjustments to make sure you get the best performance.

Peace of Mind - We check over 25 items during our heating and furnace check to give you comfort and peace of mind.

Call Air Assurance to inquire or schedule your AC or Furnace clean and check maintenance service today!

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Serving Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Jenks, Sapulpa, Owasso, and more. Call Today!

Furnace Maintenance

The furnace burner is the heart of your central heating system. It’s the component that mixes air with natural gas and produces a clean-burning, high-temperature flame that generates heat for the whole house. A clean, intact furnace burner also ensures maximum fuel efficiency and low operating costs while minimizing the amount of combustion byproducts, including dangerous carbon monoxide. Here are some details about the process:

The Burner Cycle

In a typical gas-fired furnace, heating and burner operation are divided into several stages:

• Signaling for Heat. When the household temperature drops below the thermostat setting, the furnace receives a signal to initiate heating from the system thermostat.

• Fuel Delivery. The furnace fuel valve opens to start the flow of natural gas to the burner. At the same time, air from the furnace air intake blends with gas flow to provide the right mixture for clean, safe ignition and combustion.

• Ignition. The mixture of natural gas and air is ignited at the burner. Ignition may be provided by a pilot light — a small flame that runs continuously — or, more commonly in newer furnaces, by an electric igniter that produces a spark.

• Heat Transfer. Heat produced by the burner enclosed within the combustion chamber is added to the HVAC system's airflow by the heat exchanger. This vital component incorporates air passages to transfer heat efficiently to the airflow while sealing out dangerous gases.

• Heated Air Circulation. Heated air is pulled into the ductwork by the system blower and distributed throughout the house and into each individual room through supply air vents.

• Burner Shutdown. When household temperatures reach the desired setting, the thermostat sends a signal to shut off gas flow until temperatures drop again and the heating cycle repeats.

Furnace Burner Maintenance

Checking the burner is a critical part of annual furnace maintenance by a qualified HVAC contractor. The technician can verify proper burner operation by sampling and analyzing combustion gases. The burner in a gas furnace may require professional cleaning at intervals to support efficient and safe operation. 

For more about furnace burner operation and annual professional furnace maintenance, contact Air Assurance. 

What Are the Best Kinds of Ductwork Material Available?

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Your ductwork has a significant impact on both your home comfort and your energy efficiency. That's why, when installing new ducts, it's important to get the right kind and the right materials. Here's how ductwork material can affect your heating and cooling.

Rigid Ductwork Material

If you're installing new ductwork, you'll want something durable that won't leak or damage easily. Rigid ducts are the best in this regard. They cost a bit more, but the energy savings and extended life span make it worthwhile.

The most durable material is aluminum or galvanized, steel sheet metal. Aluminum is lighter, and it often comes with insulation built in. Steel, meanwhile, is generally coated with zinc to resist rust and corrosion. Unfortunately, sheet metal is a dust magnet, which can lower your indoor air quality. To counter this, periodic duct cleaning is recommended.

Some sheet metal ducts are lined with fiberglass insulation, which is even worse for your indoor air quality, as fiberglass particles can enter the air. Ideally, fiberglass should be on the outside of the ducts rather than the inside.

Finally, fiberboard ducts are made of compressed resin, lined with foil outside and fiberglass inside. This combination is great for maintaining air temperature. However, it's also susceptible to humidity, which can cause mold growth.

Flexible Ductwork Material

For optimal airflow and efficiency, the best shape for your ducts is cylindrical — which is how most rigid ducts are manufactured. However, a cylindrical shape doesn't always fit where you need your ducts to go. For that, you'll need flexible ductwork that can take the shape of those hard-to-reach areas.

The skeleton of flexible ducts is steel wiring, but the rest can be made of a variety of materials. For the best durability, you'll want rubber, silicone, or PVC. These stand up well to friction, and with proper insulation, they can minimize heat loss. They're also less susceptible to humidity and require less maintenance than rigid ducts.

Your HVAC technician can help you determine what ductwork material is best for your home. For help installing and maintaining your ductwork, contact us at Air Assurance. We keep Broken Arrow homes comfortable and efficient.

Can Cold Weather Shock Your HVAC System?

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Your outdoor HVAC unit is designed to withstand the elements. However, if temperatures drop below a certain point, it can run into trouble. Here's how cold weather can affect your system and what you can do about it.

Snow and Heat Pumps

Heat pumps are great for milder winter climates such as Oklahoma's. They operate like an AC in reverse, pumping warm air into your home and cold air outside. They can be more than three times more efficient than gas furnaces.

However, when it snows, you need to be careful. If snow is allowed to build up around your outdoor unit, it can restrict airflow. As the coils get clogged with snow, the compressor stops working and the blower motor won't turn. If the weather gets below freezing, then ice can build up around the unit as well.

During cold weather, it's important to keep snow and ice away from your heat pump. There should be a defrost setting for the unit itself, but you'll also need to shovel away any snow piling up around it. It needs to be free of debris for at least 2 square feet on all sides in order to work properly.

Extreme Cold Weather

Especially if you have an older-model heat pump, it might have difficulty functioning in temperatures below 25 degrees. In fact, when the weather gets below 40, it starts losing efficiency. By the time it reaches 25, it may be less efficient than a regular gas furnace. Heat pumps work by extracting the heat from the air. The less heat there is to extract, the less efficiently your system will operate. Below a certain point, you'll need a backup heat source.

Fortunately, more modern heat pumps don't have this problem. They're designed to continue heating your home without losing efficiency, even at temperatures far below zero. Therefore, if you want to maintain your heating in cold weather, consider upgrading to a newer system.

To ensure your home comfort in all kinds of weather, contact us at Air Assurance. Broken Arrow homes count on us for quality heating and cooling solutions.

What Are the Benefits of Baseboard Heating?

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Baseboard heating units are typically zone heaters installed directly on your floor or on an exterior wall a couple of inches above the floor. They're designed to provide warm air to rooms without consuming too much electricity. Here's more on the advantages that baseboard heaters have to offer.

Energy Savings

Baseboard heating units are highly efficient and help you save on energy bills. They're more energy-efficient than radiators and cumbersome heating systems. You can turn your central heating system low and turn on your baseboard heater to heat a room more efficiently on colder evenings. With a baseboard heater, you can heat only the room you're in, thus avoiding wasting energy on unoccupied rooms.

Quiet Operation

Baseboard heating doesn't use fans. As a result, they operate quietly. You can install a heater in your bedroom without worrying about it disrupting your sleep.

Good Secondary Heating Source

You can use a baseboard heater to supplement your furnace in an older home or in a large home space on days when winter is at its most severe. The average unit can create and disperse even heat over up to 150 square feet of space. Baseboard heaters are excellent sources of heating for rooms that are difficult to keep warm, such as your garage and basement.

Easy Installation

Baseboard heaters are easier and cheaper to install than many other heating systems. They don't need ductwork. In fact, some portable models require only that you plug them into an electrical outlet, and some have carry handles that let you pick them up and move them to a different location quickly.

Little Maintenance

Baseboard heaters don't need much maintenance to work optimally. Their heating elements lack moving parts and need minimal cleaning, like wiping lint and dust from the heater's grill.

Remember, you'll need to install a baseboard heater correctly to get maximum benefits. Call a professional if you're uncomfortable or unsure about installing it on your own. For more information on baseboard heating, contact us at Air Assurance. We've provided reliable HVAC installations, repairs, replacements, and maintenance services to homeowners in the Broken Arrow area since 1985.

How to Test for Clean Water at Home

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Did you know that treated water might still contain chemical, biological, physical, and radiological contaminants? Some occur naturally, while others can result from human activities. Some contaminants could end up in your drinking water, depending on how the water is handled at the treatment facility or what happens between the period it leaves the facility and reaches your taps. Read on to find out how you can test and clean water at home.

How to Tell If You Have Safe and Clean Water

You can tell if your tap water is clean and safe by simply looking at it. Any cloudiness that doesn't clear after a few minutes, sediment, and an unpleasant appearance could indicate contamination.

You can also establish the quality of your water using a test kit. Testing kits may be available for free from the local or state health department. You can also purchase them in home improvement stores or online. You could also have the water tested at a laboratory certified by the Environmental Protection Agency.

How to Clean Your Water

If you're concerned about your water quality, you can use the following methods to disinfect and purify it so you're sure you have clean water:

• Water-filtration system. This is the best option for getting rid of heavy metals, bacteria, and large particles. Filtration systems come in a variety of sizes, from whole-house systems to point-of-use systems.

• Ultraviolet treatment. UV lights shine through the water to remove harmful microorganisms by damaging their DNA. UV treatment doesn't remove large particles, so you'll need to pair it with another method.

• Drops or tablets. You can use iodine solutions or chlorine bleach to remove most (but not all) harmful bacteria and viruses. The label will include instructions on the proper concentration to use. Chlorine dioxide tablets can be used to eliminate contaminants resistant to iodine or bleach.

• Boiling. Boiling is the oldest method for cleaning water. However, it doesn't remove large metal particles.

If you notice anything strange in your water, your plumbing system could be to blame. A plumber will give you the necessary assistance to allow you to continue enjoying clean water. Contact us at Air Assurance for all your plumbing needs in the Broken Arrow area.