Air Conditioning Talk by Always Air

Are you Really comfortable in your home?

One of the first questions I ask my customers is to show me the uncomfortable rooms in their home. I ask this because nearly All of my customers have rooms in their homes that are no comfortable. There are two main reasons for this: ductwork, and air delivery.

Many home owners in the Tulsa area have heating and cooling ducts buried in the concrete slabs of their home. Because of noise concerns, many builders intentionally placed the furnace in the garage.  Most garages are at one end of the house and the master bedroom is at the other end.  As a result, 4 out of 5 homes have master bedrooms that are the most uncomfortable room in the home. Maybe it’s just me but if my master bedroom is uncomfortable, there’s a problem.  (Do you really care if your kids are a little less comfortable that you? I didn’t think so..)  Because there’s not much you can do to remedy ductwork in the concrete slab, other that make costly repairs that will move the ductwork overhead,  we have to consider other options.

I tell my customers, and it’s true, that the furnace is the most important part of the heating and cooling system.  It’s the most important because the furnace determines the airflow, and the airflow determines your comfort.  Sounds easy, huh?  There are two basic types of furnaces: single and variable speed.  Most homes still have single speed furnaces.  This, along with ductwork in the concrete slab, makes for uneven temperatures throughout the home.  In a single speed furnace, it’s either on, or it’s off.  Your furnace doesn’t care what temperature is.  When it’s on, it’s on. The problem with this type of furnace is that it tends to heat and cool rather quickly.  The problem with this is that it oftentimes lends itself to hot and cold spots. So, what can you do about it?

By installing a Trane variable speed furnace in your home, you can be assured of even temperatures throughout the entire home: even the master bedroom.  It accomplishes this by slowing the blower down to the point that, many times, you don’t even hear the system operating.  The benefit is that you can experience the comfort you and your family deserve, regardless of the outdoor temperature.

Call Always Air today to schedule an appointment and see just how a variable speed furnace can help you and your family.  There’s still time to claim your free furnace and a $1,500.00 federal tax credit.  And as always, It’s Hard to Stop a Trane, and It’s hard to beat Always Air!  Don’t delay, call Always Air today at 481-1622.

What is a Trane Comfort Specialist Anyway?

This certification means the independent Trane dealer is of the highest standing and committed to be the best in every aspect of his or her business, from installation and service, to customer satisfaction and employee training.

Always Air is proud to be a Trane Comfort Specialist.  If you have any questions about Trane products, why don’t you give us a call today at 918-481-1622.  We would love to tell you about the free furnace they are offering right now.

Tired of Dry Skin and Electrical Shocks this Winter?

Have you ever wondered why you get sick more in the winter months than in any other season?  It’s not that there are more allergens and viruses in your home during this time.  The answer lies in the low relative humidity in your home.  Low relative humidity in your home causes dry skin, electrical “shocks” you feel when you touch certain objects, and the drying of the nasal passages.

The nasal passages are the last line of defense your body has to fight off the nasty flu, cold, and other viruses that are always present in the air.  When nasal passages are kept moist, our noses “catch” those pesky rascals before they have a chance to invade our bodies.

FACT: The relative humidity in the Sahara Desert is 25%.

FACT: The average relative humidity in your home during the winter months is 17%!   Talk about dry!

What to do:  Install a Honeywell True STEAM humidifier in your home and raise the indoor humidity levels to levels that are both comfortable, and therapeutic.  Installation is fast and simple and your health depends on it.

Call Always Air today to schedule an appointment to determine how a Honeywell True STEAM humidifier can help you and your family.  Don’t forget the free Trane furnace offer available through the end of February. You can also qualify for a $1,500.00 tax credit for installing a new high efficiency Trane heating and cooling system in your home.  Don’t delay, call Always Air today 9184811622.  And remember,  It’s Hard to Stop a Trane and It’s Hard to beat Always Air!

4 Common Gas Furnace Problems

Gas furnace problems are a hindrance to the efficiency of your heater. A gas furnace draws in cold air, which it then cleans using an air filter. The furnace heats the air using a gas burner. The warm air is then distributed throughout the house by means of a blower motor. Once the heated air has cooled down in the various rooms, it is drawn back into the furnace through return air grills. Another cycle of heating takes place. Below are 4 common problems you may experience with your gas furnace.

No Heat
Lack of heat may be associated to closed valves or the thermostat. Sometimes the propane or gas valve may close during operations. This inhibits a regular flow of fuel into the furnace needed to heat up air. If you detect closed valves, simply open them up again. If the thermostat setting is not correct or its not working, the furnace will yield no heat. The thermostat should always be in heat mode with the right temperature setting. A failed thermostat needs to be replaced. Lack of heat may also be linked to a blown fuse. This needs to be replaced.

Blower Does Not Turn Off
A blower that runs continuously could be connected to a thermostat setting or a faulty fan. Check the thermostat fan setting. If its set at “continuous” you need to adjust it so that it takes a break. This will enable the blower to turn off when necessary. The other possibility is that the control switch on the fan may be faulty. This needs to be replaced to allow the blower to turn off.

Frequent On-Off Activity
A gas furnace is designed to turn on and off during operations. The system works this way in its heating and cooling operations. However, frequent on-off action signals a problem with some component in the system. Check the thermostat, belt and blower motor. Thermostat problems can usually be corrected through minor adjustments in the setting. You may detect a worn out belt. This has to be replaced. Belt tension may also be too tight or too loose. Adjust it accordingly. Blower motor ports need to be lubricated at all times. When they become dry, it affects blower efficiency. This can cause furnace on-off activity. A dirty air filter can also cause frequent on-off activity. Replace the filter if dirty.

Noisy Operations
Various unusual noises may be heard while the furnace is working. A rumbling sound may be heard if the pilot light is not properly set. Rumbling may also be indicative of a dirty gas burner. Adjust the pilot light to the correct setting. A dirty gas burner needs to be cleaned or replaced. A qualified professional will ascertain what to do. A high pitched nose may indicate a problem with the belt or motor. Adjust belt settings to the correct tension. It is best to replace a frayed belt to improve on efficiency. Be sure to lubricate blower motor ports to enhance smooth operations.

We can help you will all of these problems and many more.  Just give Always Air a call at 918-481-1622.

What should I look for in a new furnace?

 The three most important factors to evaluate when you’re considering purchasing a new furnace are: (1) quality; (2) efficiency; and (3) comfort.

Quality: When you buy a new car, the quality of it helps determine how well it will perform and for how long. A furnace is really no different. Purchasing a brand name that has a reputation for quality and reliability can save you headaches and extra expense down the road. New Trane furnaces, for example, undergo a rigorous series of quality tests and checks during production, with many of the tests being performed on every unit — not just on random samples. 

 
Efficiency: A furnaces efficiency rating, or AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency), tells you how efficiently the furnace uses fuel (gas or oil). In general, the higher the efficiency, the less fuel the furnace will use to heat your home.
 
Comfort: Some mid- and high-efficiency furnaces offer additional features that provide greater comfort (as well as additional energy savings). Two-speed furnaces can run on low speed up to 90% of the time, so they operate more quietly and run for longer periods of time than single-speed furnaces. Longer operating periods translate into fewer on/off cycles, fewer drafts and much smaller temperature swings — only one or two degrees instead of the four-degree swings common with single-speed furnaces.

Plus, better air circulation helps prevent air “stratification” warm air rising to the ceiling and cold air settling on the floor. In short, you get consistent, even heat throughout your home.Variable-capacity furnaces provide the ultimate combination of comfort, efficiency and quiet performance. In addition to the benefits of two-speed furnaces, they offer “smart” motors than can monitor your home’s comfort needs and automatically adjust the volume and speed of air to provide the most efficient heating or cooling. They offer added electrical efficiency as well: the “smart” fan motors on Trane’s variable-capacity furnaces use less electricity than a 100-watt light bulb. They operate so efficiently that they can actually increase the efficiency rating of your central air conditioning system and offer you added energy savings when you use continuous fan operation in any season.

What’s the deal with furnace efficiency?

Furnaces are rated by annual fuel utilization efficiency, or AFUE. In simple terms, for every $ you send to the gas company to heat your home you receive a certain % of heat, and the rest is waste. Many furnaces older than 20 years old have an AFUE of around 65. 65 cents worth of heat, and 35 cents of waste. Furnaces today have AFUE’s as high as 96.7. A furnace with the efficiency can save a tremendous amount of money on heating bills. It also qualifies for a tax credit of up to $1500.00!

Call Always Air today for a free, no obligation estimate to see just how much money you can save. We are still offering a FREE Trane furnace with the purchase of high efficiency of a high efficiency air conditioner.  Remember, It’s Hard to Stop a Trane, and it’s hard to beat Always Air! Don’t delay, call Always Air today at 481-1622.

What is your furnace’s biggest enemy?

Dirt is the biggest enemy of your furnace. It can waste fuel and drastically lower efficiency. Dirt affects all three basic components of your furnace, so cleaning is the most important part of regular maintenance. The three parts of the furnace should be cleaned: the filter system, the blower, and the motor.  The furnace filter should be replaced or cleaned at the beginning of the heating season and about once a month during periods of continuous use.

To check the filter, take it out and hold it up to the light. If it looks clogged, replace it with a new filter of the same type and size regardless of the length of time it has been used.   A disposable furnace filter consists of a fiber mesh in a cardboard frame. The size of the filter is printed on the edge of the frame. An arrow on the edge of the frame indicates the correct direction of airflow through the filter. Air flows from the return-air duct toward the blower, so the arrow on the filter should point away from the return-air duct and toward the blower. 

Here at Always Air we have a program to help you. We call it preventive maintnence.  This is where Always Air will come out and clean your furnace and make sure it is running correctly.  In the spring, we will come back and clean your air conditioner for no additional charge. While we are cleaning of your heating and air conditioning system, Always Air will also change you air filters for you. 

Customers who sign up for preventative maintenance will also receive 10% off all parts through out the year and have priority on all service calls.   If you have not had your furnace serviced this year, please give Always Air a call at 481-1622 and we will take care of all your heating and air conditioning  needs in the Tulsa area.

More Winter Weather Coming?

It looks like another round of winter weather is on its way to Oklahoma.  Always Air is here to help you through all the bad weather this area is known for.  If you get in a bind, please call 481-1622.  Our number is answered by a live person 24 hours a day,  7 days a week, 52 weeks a year.  Always Air is also offering a free Trane furnace with the purchase of a Trane XL air conditioner.  Don’t forget the tax credit of $1,500.00 is available with this offer.  The tax credit is here for the entire year, but the free furnace goes away February 28th.  Don’t delay, call Always Air today at 481-1622.

Trane Comfort Specialist

Thursday February 4, 2010 

Always Air is proud to be a Trane comfort specialist to help you with all of your heating and cooling needs.  Now is a good time to buy a new Trane system, because you can receive a $1500 tax credit.  You can also receive a free furnace with the purchase of a Trane XL air conditioner.  This offer is good until February 28, 2010.

Call Always Air now for all the details – 918-481-1622.

Welcome

Tuesday February 2, 2010       Ground Hog Day

Today is my first day to start this blog, each day I’ll be writing in just a few days about air conditioning or heating in Tulsa Oklahoma.  Today it is not extremely hot or extremely cold, so most are not thinking about their furnace, unless something is not working.  We have lots of heating and air conditioning specials this month.  Wouldn’t you like a free furnace?  Trane has an awesome program happening.  Give Always Air a call at 918-481-1622, and we’ll tell you all the details.