Sound Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. Blog: Archive for the ‘Heating’ Category

What to Look for in an HVAC Service Company

Friday, October 10th, 2014

Having a reliable heating and cooling company is a necessity for homeowners. However, finding one can sometimes be a challenge. There are some specific things you should look for in any HVAC service company in Tacoma, and we’ll outline a few of them below. Sound Heating has been serving the Puget Sound area for over 20 years, and our NATE-certified technicians are available 24/7 for any repairs needs you may have.

HVAC Companies: What to Look For

Here are some things to keep an eye out for when choosing an HVAC service company:

Are they licensed and insured?

Using a company or individual who isn’t licensed and insured puts you and your HVAC system at risk. How? Any problems that occur – injury to the technician, damage to your equipment – will not be covered. The liability will fall on you.

Does the company have an office and physical address?

A real service company should have some kind of physical address, not just a phone number.

Is the company part of any national trade organization?

Organizations like NATE (North American Technician Excellence) and others denote that technicians have the training and knowledge necessary to work on your system.

Are the employees professionally dressed?

Having a uniform with an ID tag indicates that the company takes a professional approach to their jobs.

Does the company carry any name-brand products?

Manufacturers are picky about who carries their products – after all, it’s their name that’s out there. As such, manufacturers vet their vendors before allowing an HVAC company to carry a specific product line.

Does the company offer emergency service?

Unfortunately, heating equipment doesn’t break down at convenient times. You need to be able to get a hold of a repair person, even if it’s 11pm on a Sunday night.

Is the work guaranteed, or is there a refund policy?

You want to have confidence that a company will stand by its work and also put customers first.

It can take some time to find an HVAC service company in Tacoma that will meet your needs, but it’s worth it. If you have questions about HVAC service, or want to know more about how Sound Heating can help you, call us today.

Tags: Heating, Tacoma
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Should I Schedule Maintenance For My Furnace?

Friday, October 3rd, 2014

You may not have turned on your heating yet, but the cold weather is coming. One of the best ways to make sure you and your heating system are ready for winter is to schedule HVAC maintenance. There are multiple benefits to performing maintenance, and fall offers a perfect time to schedule it. Scheduling fall HVAC maintenance in Tacoma with a NATE-certified technician from Sound Heating will ensure that your system operates at peak performance, even when winter sets in.

Why Should I Schedule Maintenance?

Maintenance offers a few benefits that are important for you and your system:

Increased energy efficiency – after a busy summer season, it’s very likely that your HVAC system is in need of some TLC before it starts working for the winter. It’s hard for your HVAC system to achieve its normal level of energy efficiency when it is dirty and worn. During a maintenance appointment, your system is cleaned and adjusted, and all moving parts are lubricated; this allows your system to work optimally, making it more energy efficient.

Prolong life of equipment – premature aging is more likely to occur with equipment that isn’t well-maintained. This is because parts that are dirty or worn out can’t work as they are supposed to, so to achieve the heating you want, the components and system have to work harder. Working harder over a long period of time can age the equipment. When regular maintenance is performed, your system is good working order consistently, which reduces the overall level of wear-and-tear.

Helps prevent repairs – no one likes waking up to no heat on a cold winter morning, and fall maintenance can help to greatly reduce the chances of this scenario occurring. During a maintenance appointment, your system is thoroughly inspected for any problems. If anything is found, you will be made aware immediately so that repair can be arranged. Getting ahead of repairs helps prevent breakdown during the winter months.

Scheduling HVAC maintenance now can save you headaches down the road later. Call Sound Heating today and schedule a maintenance appointment with one of our NATE-certified technicians.

Tags: Heating Maintenance, Tacoma
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What are the Benefits of Fall Maintenance?

Friday, September 26th, 2014

With all the other bills, minor repairs, and general upkeep involved with being a homeowner, it can sometimes be tempting to neglect fall heating maintenance. Ultimately, however, such neglect can only hurt you in the long run.

Here are some of the most important benefits of having your heating system serviced every fall.

Convenience

By the time fall arrives, the demand for air conditioning is tapering off, and the need for heat hasn’t reached great heights quite yet. This makes fall the perfect time to schedule service for your heating system. If you wait until winter is fully upon us, however, it will be much more difficult to get prompt service. If something then goes wrong with your heating, you will be doubly sorry that you didn’t have it looked at earlier.

Savings

As the adage goes “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” It is far cheaper to conduct preventative maintenance than it is to repair or replace broken heating systems. Logically, the best time to conduct this kind of maintenance is right before you begin heavily using the system in winter. It may seem like an unnecessary bother at the time, but you could be saving yourself thousands of dollars by catching problems before they become severe.

Efficiency

Even if your heating system doesn’t break during heavy use, it will not be performing at peak efficiency if you neglect to give it regular maintenance. Buildup of dirt and other materials can significantly impair your heating system’s ability to actually heat your home. Even simple wear and tear can make your system operate far under normal efficiency before something actually breaks. Aside from making your house far less comfortable in winter, this can also cost you money as your system expends more energy to keep the temperature up.

Overall, the benefits of fall maintenance far outweigh the risks of neglecting it. No matter what kind of heating system you use, it is never a bad idea to have a professional examine it before you begin to use it regularly. If you haven’t scheduled your fall heating system maintenance yet, call Sound Heating. No matter where you are in the Tacoma area, we can take care of your heating maintenance needs. Schedule your HVAC maintenance in Tacoma with Sound Heating today!

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Benefits of Installing a High Efficiency Heater

Wednesday, April 16th, 2014

Heaters wear out, just like any other appliance, and lack of efficiency is often a determining factor in deciding to replace an older heater. High efficiency heaters are a sound investment, but they often cost more than lower efficiency heater, which means you need to think about the advantages carefully before you pull the trigger. When you do, our heating service technicians in Olympia ready to do the job, but you need to understand the benefits of installing a high efficiency heater first.

The biggest advantages lies in cost: high efficiency heaters will to the job quicker and more readily than other types, which means they won’t run as long and will save you considerable amounts of money in monthly heating costs as a result. Over time, it may even cover the cost of installation, and because the heater can do the job more efficiently, you can probably use a less powerful (and less expensive) unit to do a perfect job. On top of all of that, high efficiency units put less strain on their components, helping the heater as a whole to last longer and reducing the risk of serious repairs during its lifetime.

Efficiency can be measured with the heater’s AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating. It’s a simple measurement, listing the percentage of the total consumed energy that actually goes into heating your home. The higher the rating, the more efficient the unit, and a trained heating technician can help size the new heater to properly fit your home.

For more on the benefits of installing a high efficiency heater, or for general heating services in Olympia, then call upon the heating system experts at Sound Heating to help. We’ll discuss all your options with you and size your home properly, then find the right heater for your needs and budget. High efficiency heating systems will save you money and make an environmentally friendly choice as well. Our trained professionals know all the ins and outs, and we won’t rest until you are completely satisfied with our work. Contact us today to make an appointment!

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3 Common Types of Hydronic Heating Repair

Thursday, February 27th, 2014

Hydronic heating consists of a series of metal tubes planted beneath the floorboards of your home along with reflective tiling. Hot water is pumped through the tubes, which warm your home directly through the floors instead of relying on forced air like traditional systems do. Installation can be very involved, but once the system is set up, it’s very efficient and cost-friendly. There are no drafts or cold spots, and the system won’t spread dust or germs the way forced-air furnaces do. But like any other appliance, they suffer their share of problems and damage. Here in Tacoma, heating repair services are on call to handle any issues with your hydronic heating system. Here are 3 common types of hydronic heating repair:

Faulty pump. The pump is necessary to circulate the water through the system. Without it, the water won’t stay warm and the system won’t be able to effectively heat your home. The pump can become jammed or clogged, or the motor running it may suffer from some kind of short. Electrical problems can shut off power to the pump as well.
Air venting valves. Hydronic heating systems require air venting valves to release excess air from the system. When the valves malfunction, they either seal shut or stay wedged open, both of which will seriously compromise your system’s ability to function.
Leaks. Hydronic heating systems are designed to be water-tight, but over lengthy periods of time, leaks can develop in weak fittings or connections. A leak is a serious issue because it can damage the surrounding floor and other furnishings in your home. If you detect one, shut off the system and contact a repair technician immediately.

Heating repair services in Tacoma, WA can be performed by the experts at Sound Heating. We handle common types of hydronic heating repair as well as more unusual problems, and our trained staff has years of experience in dealing with hydronic systems. If you own a hydronic heating system and need it examined by the best, pick up the phone and give us a call today. You’ll be glad you did!

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Benefits of Wireless Thermostats to Your Heating System

Monday, February 17th, 2014

In Puyallup, heating systems still depend on thermostats to gauge the temperature and tell the heater to turn on and off. Most people still think of thermostats as wired models set in one specific point in the house, and indeed such models are quite popular. But they’re not the only type of thermostat on the market. Wireless thermostats get rid of the old models where thermostats were stuck to one part of your wall and needed to be powered by electrical wires. Wireless units offer a number of tangible advantages over other types of thermostats, though as always you as the homeowner need to decide if they’re right for you.

Here’s a quick list of the benefits of wireless thermostats to your heating system:

More accurate readings. Wired thermostats run into big trouble when they’re poorly placed. Drafts, cold sports and similar hiccups in your interior temperature can wreak havoc on your ability to effectively condition the air. Wireless thermostats make that much easier to correct. If the thermostat can read the temperature where it is, just move to somewhere where you can.
Ease of installation. Along those lines, a wireless thermostat is very easy to install and doesn’t require the services of an electrician. You can put it together fairly easily and as long as is establishes a strong signal with the furnace, it should respond as effectively as a wired thermostat will. You
Tailored temperatures. If you have a centralized furnace, you’ve likely experienced some frustration at your thermostat’s “one size fits all” approach to heating. If you’re too warm and someone elsewhere in the household is too col, the portable thermostat makes for an easy fix. Simply move it into the parts of the house that you’re using at the time and the temperature should work the way you need it to.

The benefits of wireless thermostats to your heating system often trump the extra cost involved, and with a reliable technician in your corner, you can set on up to function with maximum reliability. The Puyallup heating systems specialists like the ones at Sound Heating can help. Give us a call today and let us show you what we can do!

Tags: Puyallup, Thermostats
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3 Options for Hydronic Installation

Thursday, February 6th, 2014

Hydronic heating is a form of radiant heating, warming the space by transferring energy directly rather than depending upon blown air the way traditional gas furnaces do. In the case of hydronic system they use heated water to do it, which makes for a very effective and efficient form of heat. In Washington towns like Puyallup, heating installation services can set up a hydronic system very easily, and considering the challenges our wet climate makes for keeping homes cozy and warm, a good hydronic system could be the perfect fit for your home. But not all hydronic systems are alike, and you should have some idea of which types are available so as to make the most informed decision.

Here are 3 options for hydronic installation in Puyallup, WA:

Underfloor tubing. This type of system installs a series of tubes directly beneath the floorboards of the room, along with a series of heat-conducting panels. They warm the room directly through the furnishings (and feet) in the room. Installation tends to be quite complex, but when it’s complete, the resulting system is hidden from sight and takes up very little space The thorough coverage provided by the system means that heating is very even as well.
Baseboard heaters. Baseboard heaters are easier to install than underfloor tubing. They involve baseboards placed along the base of the wall, pulling in cool air from the room and heating it via a series of pipes and tubes circulating hot water. The downside is that they’re more obtrusive and don’t quite heat the room as evenly as underfloor tubing. But they’re easy to maintain and don’t cost as much to install.
Hydronic boilers. Boilers are the oldest and most familiar form of hydronic heater, using a centralized boiler to heat the water, which then circulates to radiators and similar components via pipes. They’re simpler to install than other types of hydronic system, though they can still be quite obtrusive and aren’t always as efficient as heating the home.

Regardless of the options for hydronic installation you choose, the experts at Sound Heating can help. We operate in Puyallup, heating installation includes hydronic systems, and we’re dedicated to you complete satisfaction at every turn. Give us a call today and let us show you what we can do!

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Can I Add Zone Control to My Existing Heating System?

Tuesday, January 28th, 2014

A zone control system is used to regulate different sections of your house. For example, it allows you to set one temperature in the living room (where it may be quite cool) and another temperature in the kitchen (where using the stove might elevate he temperature considerably). You can also shut off the heat in parts of the house you aren’t using and save a lot of money on monthly bills. This provides a tangible advantage over centralized furnaces, which deliver one uniform temperature for the entire house. Here in Puyallup, heating services can provide zone control systems that use stand-alone units such as ductless mini split systems. “But can I add zone control to my existing heating system?” you ask. It’s a fair question and – provided you use the right heating technician – the answer is yes.

The ductless mini-split system makes for easy zone control because each component is an individual heater in and of itself. With multiple units scattered throughout your house, you can turn them on and off as you wish and tailor the temperature accordingly. If you already have a centralized furnace, however, such a system becomes a needless waste: rendering your ductwork obsolete and essentially leaving one fully functioning furnace all but useless.

Adding zone controls to your existing heating system solves all of that. Instead of using multiple separate units, the technician installs a series of valves and dampers in your duct system at key points. Controls are added allowing you to open and close the dampers at different points in the system, modifying or shutting off the heat in various sections of the house. It facilitates good zone control without rendering your existing system useless, and upgrading an existing system in this manner tends improve the resale value of your home to boot.

If you’re asking “Can I add zone control to my existing heating system?” then Sound Heating can help. Our Puyallup heating system technicians have handled heating issues of all varieties for over 20 years, and our staff has considerable experience upgrading existing systems with zone controls. We’re happy to discuss your options with you, and will work overtime to ensure you’re completely happy with your new upgrades. Give us a call today!

Tags: Puyallup, Zone Control Systems
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Sensible Tips to Reduce Your Heating Bill

Thursday, January 23rd, 2014

No one likes to see a high heating bill, but in rainy towns like Olympia, heating costs are a fact of life. We all need warm comfortable spaces to come home to, and with the weather so cold and rainy during this part of the year, it’s only natural to see heating costs rise. With sensible planning and a little foresight, however, you can cut those costs a good deal. A few steps are obvious. For instance, you can set your thermostat a few degrees lower than you normally might and you can dress warmly inside. Beyond that, here are some sensible tips to reduce your heating bill.

Seal up leaks and cracks. You may notice that your door fits loosely in the frame, or that air leaks out of your window frames when you turn on the heat. They cost you in energy efficiency. You can correct the problem by sealing those cracks with weather stripping, available at any hardware store. You might also look into replacing your leaky window frames with vinyl siding, or buying double-paned windows.
Add insulation. Insulation helps retain heat, especially if you place it in the attic where most heat escapes. If you can, add a second layer of insulation, and look into adding more in your walls as well.
Upgrade your heating system. A trained technician can install new components to your existing system to help you cut down on heating costs. The most pertinent is a zone control system, which divides your home into sections and lets you individually heat or cool each one. That allows you to turn off the heat in sections of the house you aren’t using. In addition, if you have an older thermostat, you might consider replacing it with a digital one, which lets your automatically turn the heat off and on to coincide with your daily departures and arrivals.

Sensible tips to reduce your heating bill should be applied along with regular maintenance and upkeep for your heating system from our professional Olympia heating system service techs. That will help reduce wasted energy and keep your heater functioning at its best. In Olympia, heating maintenance can be performed by the trained experts at Sound Heating. Call us today to see what we can do for you!

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3 Great Things about Hydronic Heating

Tuesday, January 14th, 2014

Hydronic heating refers to heating that uses water or steam to warm your home. It’s a form of radiant heating, with plastic pipes installed in your floors and walls through which hot water or steam is pumped. Here in Olympia, heating options can include hydronic heating very easily, and the system makes a good fit for our cool, wet weather. How, exactly? We’re glad you asked. Here are 3 great things about hydronic heating.

It’s efficient. Because it heats the room directly through the floors and walls, there isn’t a lot of wasted energy with a hydronic heating system. You don’t lose any heating potential with forced air, and you avoid the problems of drafts and cold spots that come with it. Hydronic heating warms the room evenly leaving no corner untouched, and you can install zone control systems that let you heat only those parts of the household that you want.
It’s inexpensive. While start-up installation tends to cost more, hydronic heating doesn’t need a whole lot of power once it gets going. That means your monthly heating bills could be a lot less expensive and may even pay for the cost of installation over time, depending upon your circumstances.
It’s clean. Unlike gas furnaces, hydronic systems don’t produce any pollution, and thus can reduce your impact on the environment significantly. They only energy used is a small amount of electricity, and because the system is self-contained, there’s no danger of runoff or similar problems. If you’re looking to “go green,” a hydronic heating system may be your best option.

For more great things about hydronic heating, or to discuss the possibility of installing a hydronic heating system in your home, call the Olympia, WA heating system experts at Sound Heating & Air Conditioning. We can help determine if a system will work for you, and perform installation and repair services with diligence and professionalism. Our staff operates throughout Olympia, heating with hydronic power is one of our signature services, and we are absolutely dedicated to your complete satisfaction at every step of the process. Call us today to set up an appointment!

Tags: Heating, Olympia
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