Need a Central Heater? Consider the Boiler

December 17th, 2018

Industrial boiler gas regulation and metering moduleThroughout the communities we serve, there are two types of heating system we most commonly find in homes—either the forced-air furnace or the hydronic boiler system. Both have long histories, and both have their pros and cons.

The one thing they have in common is that either makes a great option for homes in Tacoma and beyond. But how do you make the decision between the two if you have neither? Perhaps you’re getting by with space heaters right now. This is highly inefficient, plus in some cases can even be dangerous (you definitely never want to leave it a space heater on when you aren’t home). In this post, we’re going to talk about some of the benefits of boilers, if this is, in fact, an option you’re considering.

Continue Reading

Tips for Helping Your Furnace Perform Better

December 3rd, 2018

checklist animationIt may not be winter yet, but with temperatures already on a cooling trend, it’s a good reminder that we’ll soon be using our home heating systems on a regular basis. And having a reliable heating system is just the start—you want it to work efficiently, too. Our colder temperatures last too long and it’s just too chilly to be overpaying on your energy bills.

Sure, you could contact our team for professional Tacoma heating services, such as repair or replacement, but neither of these may be necessary, particularly if your heater is less than a decade old. There are a number of things you can do besides servicing your heater or furnace that could help boost its efficiency and lower your utility bills as a result.

Continue Reading

Is Your Boiler Showing Signs It Needs Repair?

November 19th, 2018

Plumber repairing an hot-water heaterDo you want your boiler to perform efficiently? Then it’s important that you care for it properly. This starts at the beginning with a professional installation from a highly trained and experienced team of heating professionals. It also means following up with boiler maintenance each year, and managing repair needs as soon as they crop up.

Speaking of repairs—boilers are pretty sturdy systems, but even with the right care there’s still a chance that something will eventually go wrong, and as a result your boiler will wear down to the point that it needs to be replaced. But to give your system the longest life possible, you can and should tackle repair needs right away. Do you know how to spot them?

Continue Reading

Should You Be Concerned About a Cracked Heat Exchanger?

November 5th, 2018

Inside a gas furnace. Focus = the top of the middle flange. 12MP camera.If you have a gas powered furnace, like many other homeowners in our area, and it has a cracked heat exchanger, then yes, you should be concerned! Gas-powered heaters are extremely popular and for good reason. Gas is a more affordable fuel type than electric, and furnaces are highly efficient at keeping your entire home warm. They produce a large amount of heat and for that reason are relied on by many.

But it is important to remember to take care of that heater, and to know that any natural gas appliance can develop safety hazards without that care. We aren’t saying this to scare you into paying for a service you might not need, but rather to make you aware of the need for regular Tacoma, WA heating services, such as preventive maintenance. It’s maintenance that will drastically reduce your risk of dealing with a cracked heat exchanger at all.

Continue Reading

Have You Scheduled Furnace Maintenance Yet This Season?

October 22nd, 2018

Technician looking over a gas furnace with a flashlight before cleaning it.Temps are already beginning to cool down drastically this fall. If you aren’t already using your heating system on a daily basis, chances are you will be very soon. If you have a furnace keeping your household warm, has it been tuned up recently?

We typically recommend that this service is completed before the cold weather hits, but it’s more important that you have it done once a year than at a particular time of year. Routine furnace maintenance is one of the most important Tacoma heating services you can invest in, especially if it’s a gas-powered system. Read on for some of the advantages that getting your furnace maintained every year grants you.

Continue Reading

Signs Your Furnace is Failing

October 8th, 2018

furnace venting outsideFall has just begun, and soon enough temperatures will drop to the point that you’ll need your heating system running a regular basis. What’s more, you need that heating system to work flawlessly—and efficiently as possible. The best way to ensure this is the case is by having a maintenance tune-up done on your system, if you haven’t already done so. For a furnace, this should be done once a year, and is one of the most important Tacoma, WA furnace services you can have done.

Whether you skipped maintenance, or you have an older furnace that’s already been experiencing problems, it’s important to keep your eyes out for signals that something is amiss with your heater. Calling in a pro for inspection and repairs at the first sign of trouble is the best way to ensure you won’t have too big of an interruption in service. And the good news is there are some common signs we can have you look out for! We’ll get to those in a moment.

Continue Reading

The End of Summer Is No Time to Neglect Your AC

September 24th, 2018

top view of an air conditioner unitWith daytime temperatures already dipping below 70°F, you are probably using your air conditioner a lot less, if you’re still using it at all. Given that you won’t need the AC much for another couple seasons, you’re probably tempted to let any current repair needs wait until then.

Why wait, though? Really … this will only allow problems to grow, possibly leaving you with a completely broken down cooling system when you do need it again next spring.

Additionally, the end of summer is actually one of the best times to invest in professional Seattle, WA air conditioning services. It enables our technicians to fully inspect your system and make sure it’s in decent shape. True, we do usually recommend a system inspection—AC maintenance—before summer begins. However, it matters more that you have it done once a year than it does what month or season you have it done.

Continue Reading

How to Boost HVAC Efficiency and Save Money

September 10th, 2018

air conditioning unit sitting on top of moneyIt may still officially be summer—and that being said if you have any lingering Olympia, WA air conditioning services, now is the time to take care of them—but temperatures are already cooling, letting us know that fall and winter are on their way. When the heating system hits in earnest, you’ll want to use your furnace or other heating system as efficiently as possible. After all, given how much you spend to keep your home comfortable all year long, any little savings counts.

Keep reading for some simple ways to boost your HVAC efficiency this coming winter, and subsequently save money!

Continue Reading

Beware These Signs You Need AC Repair

August 27th, 2018

An air conditioning technician welds a connection prior to installing AC unit.Our summers may not be as hot and as long as other parts of the country, but that doesn’t mean they don’t pack a punch. For days on end, we’ve been using our air conditioners on a consistent basis, relying on it to get through every little heat wave we’ve had. Hopefully, you’ve gotten through the summer so far without any unexpected problems, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t have to call for an AC repair in Tacoma, WA before summer ends.

Fortunately, most cooling system repair issues show signs well before they force the system to break down, giving you plenty of time to give us a call. On that note, please never try to formally diagnose or repair a faulty air conditioner yourself. We say this because your air conditioner contains potentially dangerous components, such as refrigerant, and handling these components requires years of training, experience, and education. You can, however, spot the signs you need repair. Below are just a few of these signs you can watch out for.

Continue Reading

When Is It Time for a New AC?

August 13th, 2018

An air conditioning technician welds a connection prior to installing AC unit.No machine or piece of equipment lasts forever, and your air conditioner is no exception. No matter how well it’s constructed or cared for, it has a limited lifespan. And when it approaches the end of that lifespan, it’s a good idea to have the system replaced before it suffers from a complete breakdown. There’s not a whole lot worse than being trapped on a hot day with no immediate relief in sight. And the hottest days of summer are when your air conditioner is more likely to malfunction, given the stress that it’s under.

During the final months, or even years, of a dying air conditioner’s service life, that failing system will waste energy, and thus waste money. We’re here to help diagnose air conditioning issues. Yours may be able to get by with another repair. However, be sure to ask about our options for AC installation in Tacoma, and read up on the signs of a dying air conditioner so you can replace yours sooner rather than later.

Continue Reading