How to Safely Handle Flammable Items Inside Your Home

It's often necessary to store flammable items in your home, but you always want to ensure proper safety to prevent fires, explosions, and chemical poisoning. Here we discuss some basic guidelines that will allow you to store flammable materials without endangering your household.

Store and Transport Flammable Items in Safe Containers

One of the biggest problems with storing flammable items is that many people put them in the wrong type of container. While it may be convenient to store flammable materials in a milk jug or Tupperware, this won't prevent them from being volatile. To reduce risk, you must use safety containers that have been Factory Mutual-certified.

Keep Flammable Items Away from Direct Sunlight

Direct sunlight can quickly cause a dangerous situation with any flammable material. The same goes when it comes to storing it near a source of high heat. Even though summer is obviously the most dangerous part of the year, you really don't want these kinds of items to have any sunlight or heat at any time.

Make Sure There’s Ample Ventilation

Keeping flammable materials in a room that isn't well ventilated is just asking for trouble. Perhaps you've done this yourself by storing items in a basement, attic, or garage. What you need to do is keep them in a ventilated room that isn't attached to your home.

Don’t Put Flammable Items Near Sources of Ignition

It should go without saying, but you must keep flammable materials away from sources of ignition such as cigarettes, vehicles, washers, dryers, and HVAC systems. Any of these can be an unintended source of ignition due to sparks or open flames, leading to a fire hazard.

Keep the Containers Out of Reach

Storing containers of flammable materials at ground level may sound convenient, but it's also risky. You need to always keep these containers out of the reach of children. Even if they understand the danger, you still don't want to take a chance on getting them exposed or causing an accident.

If you have any questions about the safe way to handle flammable items or you require any HVAC services, reach out to the professionals at Air Assurance today. We've been serving the HVAC needs of Broken Arrow and the surrounding communities since 1985.

Is It Time to Buy a New Furnace for Your Home This Winter?

If you don't pay much attention to your furnace, you may not realize it needs replacement until it's too late and inconvenient. Your furnace will give some warning signs that your furnace may be approaching the end of its life span. Here's how to know when it may be time to invest in a new furnace.

Old Age

Furnaces generally last between 15 and 30 years. If your furnace is more than 15 years old and giving you trouble, it could be reaching the end of its service life. You may need to replace it in the near future.

Higher Energy Bills

A unit with one foot out the door will operate less efficiently. It will use more energy to heat your house, resulting in higher energy bills than usual.

Frequent Repairs

Furnaces usually need more frequent and costly repairs in the last years of their lives. If your old furnace has required multiple repairs recently, it may be time to replace it.

Loud, Strange Noises

A furnace making loud, unusual noises should be a cause for concern. Noises such as clicking, rattling, popping, bumping, and banging could indicate that your furnace needs repair or even that it's time for a new furnace.

Yellow Flame

The pilot flame can give you an idea of the condition of your furnace. For a functional, efficient furnace, the pilot flame will be clean and bright blue. A yellow flame is a sign that the furnace isn't burning off the gas that's entering it as cleanly as it should. A weak yellow flame could indicate that the gas isn't burning out or there's improper ventilation. You'll need to have the furnace checked as soon as possible.

Uneven Heating

Furnaces can lose the ability to deliver heat evenly to an entire home as they age, especially if they've lasted longer than 15 years. If some rooms are toasty while others are chilly, your furnace could be nearing the end of its life.

If your heating unit no longer works as efficiently as it used to, it may be time to get a new furnace. If you're unsure whether you need a new furnace, you could contact an HVAC professional for help. If you're in the Broken Arrow area, don't hesitate to contact Air Assurance for assistance with all your furnace replacement, installation, repair, and maintenance needs.

Why It's Dangerous to Cover Your Home's HVAC Vents

Every heating season, when your energy bills start climbing, you wonder how you can limit the amount of air your home uses. You may even consider closing or blocking the vents in rooms you don't use as often. This is a bad idea. Here are some of the problems closing your HVAC vents can cause.

• Airflow problems. Whether your vents are open or closed, your HVAC system still sends the same amount of air through your home. If a vent is blocked, air pressure will build up behind it, which in turn throws off the airflow for the rest of your home. The only way your home can regulate which vents receive air is if you have a zoning system, in which case it adjusts the air automatically based on your thermostat settings — and the vents still don't need to be closed.

• Efficiency problems. While the same amount of air is being produced, with closed HVAC vents, less air is actually reaching your home. This means your system will need to run longer and use more energy to heat your home properly. Additionally, the system gets overworked, causing more frequent breakdowns and, ultimately, wearing out the unit sooner.

• Cracked heat exchanger. Over time, the buildup of air pressure from closed HVAC vents can get backed up all the way to your furnace. That excess pressure can then crack the heat exchanger. Not only is this expensive damage that needs to be repaired, it can cause carbon monoxide to leak into your home, endangering you and your family.

• Mold and mildew. As air gets backed up in your ductwork, so does moisture. Condensation forms, resulting in mold and mildew growth inside your ducts. The spores then blow into your home through the vents, exacerbating allergies and asthma and causing illness. If there's a persistent mildew smell in your home and you can't identify the source, call your HVAC technician to inspect your ducts. You may need extensive duct cleaning.

For help optimizing the efficiency of your HVAC vents, contact us at Air Assurance. We provide Broken Arrow with quality home-comfort solutions.

How to Care for Your Furnace When It's Dormant

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Most households stop using their furnace once the spring season arrives because they simply don't need it anymore. However, you still want to care for the unit and prepare it before the winter season so that when the weather gets cold again, the system is operating properly. Here are a few furnace-care tips that you should follow:

Hire an HVAC Technician

The first thing to remember about keeping any type of HVAC equipment running smoothly is to have it checked out by a professional technician at least once every year. The warmer months are the perfect time to have your furnace maintenance scheduled, because the techs won't be busy with those types of requests.

Test It Out Periodically

The last thing you want is to turn on the furnace at the beginning of the cold season only to find that it's probably not been working for a while. Test it out by letting the system run periodically to see if it seems to be functioning properly, especially as you get closer to the winter months.

Clean or Replace the Air filter

It's always best that you check your furnace's air filter once per month, but there's a good chance that you didn't take a look at it when the winter season ended. To make sure you're ready for the next winter season, check to see if the filter is filled up and then either clean or replace it if that's the case.

Remove All Obstructions

Since you won't be using the furnace for a while, you and other household members may get a little careless with regard to placing obstructions near the equipment, which can impede its operation and act as a fire hazard. Before you turn the system on again, be sure to remove anything that's been placed close to the unit.

As you can see, proper furnace care doesn't take a whole lot of time or effort. If you would like more tips or need service for your home or business, the experts at Air Assurance can assist you. We've been serving the needs of Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas since 1985.

Why Is the AFUE Rating Important for Home Heating?

When shopping for a new furnace, one of your chief concerns is efficiency. How much energy will the unit use in making your home comfortable? There are a number of factors that determine this, but the quickest way to find out is to look at the AFUE.

HVAC Heat Production

The Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating is a measurement of how much heat your system produces for the amount of energy it consumes. To determine the rating, the manufacturers divide the total BTUs of heat the unit gives off in a year by the total BTUs of energy it expends in that time. Multiply that figure by 100, and you get a percentage. That's the AFUE.

For example, if a furnace has an AFUE rating of 85, that means 85% of the energy it uses is given off as heat and the other 15% is vented as exhaust. The higher the rating, the more efficient the unit. All gas furnaces sold in the United States must be rated at least 80%, while oil-fired boilers must be at least 84%.

Getting Optimum Efficiency

The most efficient furnaces on the market are rated 98.5%. However, these models tend be prohibitively expensive. On a practical level, anything above 85% is great, particularly if you're upgrading from a less-efficient model.

It also helps to look for features that improve energy efficiency. For instance, modulating furnaces adjust the amount of gas burned as needed based on how cold the house actually is in order to minimize waste. A variable-speed air handler does the same with airflow, regulating the amount of air that circulates as needed, so the system doesn't just run full blast all the time.

Finally, look for the blue Energy Star logo on any furnace model you're considering. This means it's been proven to save money and energy over similar models while still providing the same level of comfort and basic features.

To ensure your HVAC system runs at peak efficiency all year long, contact us at Air Assurance. We provide quality home-comfort solutions to Broken Arrow.

Ways to Avoid Frozen Pipes in Your Home This Winter

One of the most daunting aspects of winter is an ice storm, when trees freeze and limbs fall on power lines — or when power lines are weighed down by ice to the point of breaking. Homeowners are then confronted with a period — usually from a few hours to perhaps even days — of no power. The greatest concern, aside from the discomfort of living in the cold, is the possibility of frozen pipes.

Did you know that you don't have to have a power outage to be concerned with frozen pipes? They may occur whenever the temperature plunges to 32 degrees (or lower) and unprotected pipes freeze overnight. While pipes may thaw with no problem, it's also possible the frozen water will expand inside the pipes and cause them to burst. That can be an expensive repair.

Here are some tips to prevent frozen pipes the next time temperatures plunge:

1. Keep your thermostat set at 55 degrees or higher whenever temperatures outdoors are at freezing or below.

2. Water moving in your pipes will keep them from freezing, so turn water into a trickle in the faucet that's farthest from the main valve. Keep cold water flowing through faucets so they won't freeze.

3. Pipes in unheated areas of the home may freeze, so wrap pipes in the garage, attic, or basement with insulation or heat tape.

4. Open cabinets with pipes if they are located on an exterior wall. This will allow heat to circulate in them. In some cases, it may be wise to heat cabinet spaces with a space heater.

5. Drain outdoor faucets and protect them with a cover. Drain hoses and put them away.

6. Close valves inside the house that supply outdoor hose bibs. Open outside bibs so that water can drain, then keep it open so any water that's still in the pipe can expand without the pipe breaking.

If you turn on a faucet and nothing comes out, the pipe is likely frozen. Turn off the water at the main valve so it doesn't flood the home when the pipe thaws.

For more on frozen pipes, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.

What Are the Most Important Heater Troubleshooting Tips?

It's the middle of winter and your furnace starts acting up. You don't want to call your HVAC technician until you know if it's a major repair or just a quick fix you can do on your own. How can you find out, though? Here are a few tips for heater troubleshooting.

• Check the unit. Sometimes, the obvious solutions get overlooked, which is why heater troubleshooting is so important. Make sure your heater is switched on and that the circuit breaker hasn't been tripped. Check the furnace door as well, since the system often won't run if the door is open. Then try resetting the system, as a reboot often gets things working again.

• Check the thermostat. Your thermostat batteries should be replaced once a year to ensure that the unit is in proper shape and is responsive. Also make sure the thermostat is set to "Heat" rather than "Cool" or "Fan Only."

• Check the gas. Is the gas valve on? Without it, fuel can't flow to the system and heat can't be produced. Follow the gas line to the meter and make sure the handle at the end is parallel to the gas pipe and not perpendicular to check off one of the most crucial heater troubleshooting steps.

• Check the ductwork. Even pinhole leaks in your ducts can reduce airflow significantly. Look for tears and other damage, then repair it with metal tape or mastic sealant.

• Change the filter. Your air filter clogs more quickly in winter due to an excess of contaminants in the air. A clogged filter in turn restricts airflow, keeping your furnace from working properly. Check the filter, and if it's gray, opaque, and covered in dust and debris, replace it.

• Flush drain lines. Your drain line removes several gallons of water from your furnace every day. If there's a clog or sediment buildup, it can keep the water from being drained off and the furnace will stop working. Remove the hose and run water and bleach through it. Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse it out and replace it.

If, after taking these heater troubleshooting steps, your furnace still isn't working, contact us at Air Assurance. We make sure Broken Arrow HVAC systems run smoothly and efficiently.

What Is the Best Ductwork Material You Can Use in Your Home?

Your ductwork is the pathway through which heated and cooled air passes and stale indoor air is removed from your home. The many ductwork materials available today may make choosing the right one for your needs seem overwhelming. Let's discuss the best options available to help you better understand where each ductwork material excels and lacks.

Sheet Metal

Sheet metal ducts are made of aluminum or galvanized steel. They're durable due to their thick, solid walls. In fact, they can be stepped on without being crushed. They're available in various duct shapes, including rectangular, round, and spiral oval. The smooth interior traps particles like dust and is easy to clean. As a result, it's advisable to have sheet metal ducts cleaned professionally from time to time.

Fiberboard

Fiberboard is typically the most inexpensive ductwork material to install. Fiberboard ducts comprise resin boards bonded with fiberglass strands. Their outer foil face serves as a barrier against water and air. Their interior is sealed to prevent fiberglass particles and fibers from infiltrating the air. Fiberboard provides soundproofing benefits and can be made to fit spaces where it would be challenging to fit some other materials. Fiberboard ducts are susceptible to mold and mildew growth, particularly in humid climates.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass can be used to line sheet metal ducts internally or externally. The lining limits heat loss and offers insulation from HVAC sounds. Consequently, fiberglass-lined ducts are popularly used in offices. However, mold easily affects them, making cleaning them challenging. Additionally, the fiberglass can deteriorate and release particles into the air, potentially affecting your health.

Flexible

Flexible ducts consist of thick polymer plastic covering a steel, spring coil. They curve easily, making them fit easily in tight spaces. They're the second-cheapest ductwork type, resistant to mold and bacteria, and they're easy to install and maintain. Many people claim to be able to install them, leading to poor installation, air leaks, and inefficiency. Flexible ducts tend to impede airflow, hindering optimal air circulation.

The best ductwork material for your house may depend on factors such as overall design, your budget, and individual preferences. An HVAC professional can help you choose the best material for your home and your area and help you insulate and seal your existing ducts. If you need a duct checkup or replacement in the Broken Arrow area, contact Air Assurance. We were among the pioneers of implementing duct sealing as a standard part of HVAC installations.

Some Furnace Upgrades That Can Improve Home Heating

As we get into the winter season, we become much more aware of how important our furnace is to the sanctity of our home. This is the perfect time to think about furnace upgrades that can make your living situation even better. Here we'll discuss some of the most popular furnace upgrades.

Smart Thermostat

Although your thermostat isn't a part of the furnace itself, it's an integral part of your overall heating system. If you haven't already upgraded your thermostat to a smart model, now's the perfect time. Smart thermostats will give you better control over your home's heating, allowing you to set the times at which the equipment is on and off. Changes can be done remotely, which means you can warm up your home before you arrive.

Zoned HVAC System

If you really want to upgrade the way your furnace operates, then you should definitely consider installing a zoned system. A zoned HVAC system allows you to divide your home into designated "zones," each of which can be individually heated or cooled as needed. This saves a lot of energy because you're not being forced to heat up your entire home when only one or two rooms are occupied.

Solar-Powered HVAC System

The future of the world is sustainable energy. There are a few different types of green energy available to homeowners, but the most popular one, by far, is the use of solar power. Upgrading your HVAC system, which would include your furnace, will make your home much more efficient. Plus, you may be eligible for local and federal tax credits.

UV Light System

If you want to improve your indoor air quality you may want to consider installing a UV light system within your HVAC equipment. Of all the furnace upgrades you can arrange, this is great for those who are susceptible to airborne contaminants. By installing UV lights inside the system, usually at the point of the return duct, you'll be able to kill 99.9% of pollutants that may enter your air and endanger your household.

If you have any questions about furnace upgrades or you'd like to schedule service, reach out to the experts at Air Assurance today. Our team has been servicing Broken Arrow and the nearby areas since 1985.