How To Know When To Change Air Conditioning Filters

Although we don’t usually realize it, we can actually reduce the running cost of a building by removing the dust from the atmosphere. The furniture, walls and fittings are preserved longer. It also improves the health of the occupants.

Removing dust is usually done by installing filters in the incoming air stream or the circulating air stream. In air-conditioning systems, these filters are installed at the air handling units or AHU’s.

How do we know when to replace the filters?

As more and more dust accumulates at the filters, the differential pressures between the inlet and the outlet will increase. By measuring the differential pressures, we will have a very good indication of how much the filter has been choked by dusts. Persons maintaining the air-conditioning plant should know at what differential a filter should be replaced. Some of the dust particles are so minute, that they cannot be seen by the naked eye. In all appearances, the filter looks as good as new.

These are some factors to consider when determining when to change the filter:

Mechanical strength of the filter

The final pressure of a filter is usually stated in the product. That is the strength of the filtration medium. However, other factors need to be considered – the strength of the filter walls, frames and holders if not adequately designed can result in the sagging of the filter housing that will result in leaks.

Changes in efficiency of the filter

This is particularly important in low efficiency filters. Their efficiencies can be radically impaired as a result of high final pressure losses. Particles that have been collected by the filter can become detached and accompany the air stream. Fibrous particles are less likely to become detached compared to granular particles. Because of this, higher final pressure drops are permissible for the former, although this should not exceed about 200 Pa in a pre-filter.

If you are looking for a Oklahoma heating and air conditioning company please call us today at 918-357-2248 or complete our online request form.

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Oklahoma’s Air Conditioning Repair Professionals

Warm weather is right around the corner and it’s time to get your checkups and repairs to your air conditioning systems. We are licensed in AC repair as well as heating. Our heating and air conditioning technicians will provide you with fast, friendly, expert service.

We Offer Only The Best

• 100% Financing
• Free Estimates Available on Replacements and New Installations
• Up Front Pricing – So You Know Before We Work
• 10 Years “Can’t Write A Check” Warranties Available
• Only The Finest in Heating and Air Conditioning Products

Helpful tips for better comfort and efficiency:

• Clean or replace your filters frequently. Dirty filters will lower the performance and efficiency of your cooling and heating system, increasing your utility bill and could possibly cause damage to your system.
• Don’t turn your air conditioning system off. When you are away, your home will soak up the heat and become more difficult to cool, so it is best to leave your thermostat where you are most comfortable. If you need to change the temperature, adjust your thermostat only 2 to 4 degrees different than what you normally prefer to keep it at. This also applies to your heating system. If you have a programmable thermostat, be sure not to exceed a 2 to 4 degree setback temperature as well.

If you are looking for an Oklahoma a/c repair contractor, please call us today at 918-357-2248 or complete our online request form.

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Energy Efficient Homes in Oklahoma

It is already time to turn on the furnace in your Oklahoma home. If you live in a part of the country that is cold during the winter, you spend a lot of money on heating costs. Some people are spending up to 50% of their monthly budget on heating.

Heating costs have gone up rapidly in the past two years. You may find that you are paying twice as much to heat your home. What can you do to save some of this money?

Start by walking through your home and identifying the areas where heated air is leaking out. Check around your doors, windows, fireplaces and any drafty areas. There are many ways to close off leaks. You can caulk, weather strip and use plastic to seal off drafts. Put door sweeps on all of your outside doors. If your home is poorly insulated, the additional money spent to insulate it will pay for itself in reduced heating costs. The more you prevent heated air from leaking out, the more you will save.

Most people never think of this, but you should minimize the usage of ventilation fans and kitchen hood fans during the winter. I’ve heard it said that one bathroom fan can pull all of the warm air out of an average sized house in a little over an hour. This could increase your heating costs by a surprising amount.

If you don’t use portions of your Oklahoma home, such as the guest room, why are you heating them? Close the heating vents in these areas and close the doors to rooms you don’t use.

Spend the money to have an annual maintenance performed for your furnace or heat pump. This will keep it in good operating condition and running efficiently. Poorly maintained units use more energy and fuel. Maintenance is often fairly inexpensive when compared to the savings in heating costs and the extended life of the unit.

Often, people get a little chill and crank up the thermostat in order to warm up the room faster. This doesn’t work. The heater won’t heat up any more quickly. Your furnace will only work harder than necessary. Don’t turn your heat completely off when you are sleeping or not at home. Turning it too low will cost you more to re-heat the air in your home. You should set the thermostat at 68 to 70 degrees while you are at home during the day, and drop it to 60 to 65 at night or when you aren’t at home. A programmable thermostat is great for this.

Take a look at your hot water heater. It should be set at 120 degrees at the most. This is one of the safest temperatures anyway. If it is in an unheated areas, like an unfinished basement, you should wrap it in an insulation blanket to prevent heat loss. When washing clothes, try to wash them in cold water whenever possible. They even make soap powder that works best in cold water now.

There are many ways to save on your heating costs. From grabbing a sweater to opening south facing curtains during the day, you will find many savings.

Martin Lukac represents http://www.RateEmpire.com , an Internet consumer banking marketplace. RateEmpire.com is a destination site of personal finance, banking, investing, taxes, debt management and mortgage rates. RateEmpire.com provides mortgage guides and financial rates and information. RateEmpire.com also operates a financial portal #1 American Financial, found at http://www.1AmericanFinancial.com and San Diego loan portal http://www.LendingSanDiego.com

If you are looking for a Oklahoma HVAC company please call us today at 918-357-2248 or complete our online request form.

Read Full Post »

Important Home Maintenance Tips

Just like your car, your home comfort system needs routine maintenance to keep it running at its best. Without regular servicing, heating and cooling systems waste energy and are more likely to break down. But with the proper attention, they can keep you comfortable year-round.

Below are some basic tips to keep your system running efficiently.

Blowers
Tuning up the distribution side of a forced-air system starts with the blower. The axle should be lubricated; blades cleaned and lower motor checked to insure the unit isn’t being overloaded. The fan belt should be adjusted so it deflects no more than an inch when pressed. Every accessible joint in the ductwork should be sealed with mastic or UL-approved duct tapes. Any ducts that run outside the heated space should be insulated. On a hot-water system, the expansion tank should be drained, the circulating pump cleaned and lubricated and air bled out of the radiators.

Thermostats
While thermostats rarely fail outright, they can degrade over time as mechanical parts stick or lose their calibration. Older units will send faulty signals if they’ve been knocked out of level or have dirty switches. To recalibrate an older unit, use a wrench to adjust the nut on the back of the mercury switch until it turns the system on and, using a room thermometer, set it to the correct temperature. Modern electronic thermostats, sealed at the factory to keep out dust and grime, rarely need adjusting. However, whether your thermostat is old or young, the hole where the thermostat wire comes through the wall needs to be caulked or a draft could trick it into thinking the room is warmer or colder than it really is.

Humidifiers
A neglected in-duct humidifier can breed mildew and bacteria, not to mention add too much moisture to a house. A common mistake with humidifiers is leaving them on after the heating season ends. Don’t forget to pull the plug, shut the water valve and drain the unit. A unit with a water reservoir should be drained and cleaned with white vinegar, a mix of one part chlorine bleach to eight parts water or muriatic acid. Mist-type humidifiers also require regular cleaning to remove mineral deposits.

Filters
Most houses with forced-air furnaces have a standard furnace filter made from loosely woven spun-glass fibers designed to keep it and its ductwork clean. Unfortunately, they don’t improve indoor air quality. That takes a media filter, which sits in between the main return duct and the blower cabinet. Made of a deeply pleated, paper-like material, media filters are at least seven times better than a standard filter at removing dust and other particles. An upgrade to a pleated media filter will cleanse the air of everything from insecticide dust to flu viruses.

Compressed, media filters are usually no wider than six inches, but the pleated material can cover up to 75 square feet when stretched out. This increased area of filtration accounts for the filter’s long life, which can exceed two years. The only drawback to a media filter is its tight weave, which can restrict a furnace’s ability to blow air through the house. To insure a steady, strong airflow through the house, choose a filter that matches your blower’s capacity.

If you are looking for a Oklahoma HVAC company please call us today at 918-357-2248 or complete our online request form.

Read Full Post »

Energy Efficient Homes in Oklahoma

It is already time to turn on the furnace in your Oklahoma home. If you live in a part of the country that is cold during the winter, you spend a lot of money on heating costs. Some people are spending up to 50% of their monthly budget on heating.

Heating costs have gone up rapidly in the past two years. You may find that you are paying twice as much to heat your home. What can you do to save some of this money?

Start by walking through your home and identifying the areas where heated air is leaking out. Check around your doors, windows, fireplaces and any drafty areas. There are many ways to close off leaks. You can caulk, weather strip and use plastic to seal off drafts. Put door sweeps on all of your outside doors. If your home is poorly insulated, the additional money spent to insulate it will pay for itself in reduced heating costs. The more you prevent heated air from leaking out, the more you will save.

Most people never think of this, but you should minimize the usage of ventilation fans and kitchen hood fans during the winter. I’ve heard it said that one bathroom fan can pull all of the warm air out of an average sized house in a little over an hour. This could increase your heating costs by a surprising amount.

If you don’t use portions of your Oklahoma home, such as the guest room, why are you heating them? Close the heating vents in these areas and close the doors to rooms you don’t use.

Spend the money to have an annual maintenance performed for your furnace or heat pump. This will keep it in good operating condition and running efficiently. Poorly maintained units use more energy and fuel. Maintenance is often fairly inexpensive when compared to the savings in heating costs and the extended life of the unit.

Often, people get a little chill and crank up the thermostat in order to warm up the room faster. This doesn’t work. The heater won’t heat up any more quickly. Your furnace will only work harder than necessary. Don’t turn your heat completely off when you are sleeping or not at home. Turning it too low will cost you more to re-heat the air in your home. You should set the thermostat at 68 to 70 degrees while you are at home during the day, and drop it to 60 to 65 at night or when you aren’t at home. A programmable thermostat is great for this.

Take a look at your hot water heater. It should be set at 120 degrees at the most. This is one of the safest temperatures anyway. If it is in an unheated areas, like an unfinished basement, you should wrap it in an insulation blanket to prevent heat loss. When washing clothes, try to wash them in cold water whenever possible. They even make soap powder that works best in cold water now.

There are many ways to save on your heating costs. From grabbing a sweater to opening south facing curtains during the day, you will find many savings.

Martin Lukac represents http://www.RateEmpire.com , an Internet consumer banking marketplace. RateEmpire.com is a destination site of personal finance, banking, investing, taxes, debt management and mortgage rates. RateEmpire.com provides mortgage guides and financial rates and information. RateEmpire.com also operates a financial portal #1 American Financial, found at http://www.1AmericanFinancial.com and San Diego loan portal http://www.LendingSanDiego.com

If you are looking for a Oklahoma HVAC company please call us today at 918-357-2248 or complete our online request form.

Read Full Post »

Solar Boilers – Have the Sun Pay Your Energy Bill

Residential hot water is a significant energy consumer for most households. In fact, hot water is sometimes the largest single energy cost. Using solar energy to provide at least some of the hot water in your household can result in significant savings.

There are several ways that solar energy can be integrated into a hot water system. Although solar boilers can be used on their own, they are most often used in conjunction with traditional water heaters which are powered by gas or electricity. In this kind of system, the water heated with solar energy can be used on its own (if it is hot enough) or as preheated water for the traditional water heater. Pre heated water will also dramatically decrease your energy bill.

Solar boilers can be used in any type of climate but are most practical in areas which don’t have freezing weather during the wintertime. Solar hot water systems in colder climates can use indirect heating systems which do not expose the water to the freezing temperatures. Instead, a fluid that resists freezing circulates through the solar panels and is used to heat the water. Southern climates can use direct heating systems where the water itself passes through the solar panels installed on the roof.

There are two basic types of solar hot water systems — active and passive. Passive systems rely on gravity and the natural flow of water from hot to cold. They are simple systems and require very little maintenance. They are durable and long-lasting. You can easily build simple systems yourself all you will need are parts that you can find in any hardware store.

Active systems make use of pumps to circulate the water. In some systems, the pumps can be powered with solar energy; otherwise they must be connected to the household electrical supply. In both systems a storage tank is needed to hold the heated water.

On hot days with plenty of direct sunlight solar systems can heat water with surprising efficiency. During this kind of weather, there may be no need to use electricity or gas as a backup. When the weather is colder, the solar heaters can preheat the water which passes into the traditional water heater. This preheated water requires much less energy to bring to proper temperatures which can result in significant savings on your energy bills.

As with all alternative energy systems there is a lot of room for your own imagination if you like that. If you don’t you don’t and just use the technology, but for those who like to play around with technology like myself these systems offer a myriad of possibilities to think about.

For example, a stirling engine converts changes in temperature into mechanical motion, for example to generate electricity. Mmm, that’s a nice thought. A change in temperature is something this system will provide, but it will also heat your water. A double benefit?

Hans is an off grid enthusiast and author at
http://www.alternative-energy-guide.com /  Visit us for introductory and more advanced articles.Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hans_Dekker

If you are looking for a Oklahoma boiler repair company please call us today at 918-357-2248 or complete our online request form.

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Oklahoma’s Superior Heating Contractor

At Superior Service of Broken Arrow, our heating technicians approach each job as a problem to be solved, rather than relying on one-size-fits-all “cookie-cutter” solutions. We work with each Oklahoma homeowner to design a system that meets their needs and budget. We recognize that every home  is different and we have experience installing and maintaining a wide variety of heating products in small, medium and large environments. Listed below are just a few of the heating services we offer to our customers:

• Furnace Repair and Installation
• Heat Pumps

Heating Equipment Maintenance Tips

Heat pumps and oil-fired furnaces and boilers need a yearly professional tune-up. Gas-fired equipment burns cleaner; it should be serviced every other year.

Step 1
A close inspection will uncover leaks, soot, rust, rot, corroded electrical contacts and frayed wires. In furnace (forced-air) and boiler (hot-water) systems, the inspection should also cover the chimney, ductwork or pipes, dampers or valves, blower or pump, registers or radiators, the fuel line and the gas meter or oil tank-as well as every part of the furnace or boiler itself.

Step 2
Next, the system should be run through a full heating cycle to ensure that it has plenty of combustion air and chimney draft. Contractors use smoke pencils to check for sufficient draft and also test the air for carbon monoxide.

Step 3
Finally, it’s time for the down and dirty task of cleaning the burner and heat exchanger to remove soot and other gunk that can impede smooth operation. For the burner, efficiency hinges on adjusting the flame to the right size and color, adjusting the flow of gas or changing the fuel filter in an oil-fired system. A check of the heat pump should include an inspection of the compressor, fan, indoor and outdoor coils, and refrigerant lines. Indoor and outdoor coils should be cleaned, and the refrigerant pressure should be checked. Low pressure indicates a leak; to locate it, contractors feed tinted refrigerant into the loop and go over it with an electronic detector.

If you are looking for an Oklahoma heating contractor, please call us today at 918-357-2248 or complete our online request form.

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