What Does Dirt Do to an Air Conditioner?

June 4th, 2018

An old air conditioner unit, in need of updating, sitting in tall weedsAs a homeowner, you probably do all that you can to keep your home clean. After all, a clean home is a happy home, right? This cleanliness probably involves the removal of dust from spaces like your furniture and the floor, even ceiling fans and light fixtures. But what about your air conditioning system?

Just because this appliance and the attached ductwork are out of sight does not mean they should be out of mind. Your air conditioner is a major investment in your overall home comfort, and dust, dirt, and debris within it can cause problems for people with allergies and asthma, as well as problems with the AC unit itself. This is why air conditioning maintenance in Tacoma is so important—a huge component of that is a comprehensive cleaning. But why does this matter so much?

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Follow These Tips to Prevent AC Repairs This Summer

May 21st, 2018

checklist on a clipboardWith temperatures barely approaching the high 70s, you may not be thinking about your air conditioner too much. However, soon enough you’ll be ready to switch your thermostat to cooling mode, and when that time comes you may not notice anything wrong with your air conditioner and think it’s running just fine. But, if you’ve skipped maintenance then you could certainly find yourself facing a costly AC repair in Tacoma this summer.

Midsummer AC repairs are a hassle for any homeowner, with breakdowns being an even bigger inconvenience. You’ll most likely have to stop what you’re doing to get the repairs taken care of, and will have to battle with other homeowners to schedule a repair technician, since summertime is a time of the year where HVAC technicians are busiest (and harder to get ahold of). We’d like to help you prevent AC repairs in the first place.

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“How Much Will My New Cooling System Cost?”

May 7th, 2018

air conditioning unit sitting on pile of moneyThe Tacoma area never gets too terribly hot during the summer—at least, not consistently so like other parts of the country. This means we don’t tend to use our air conditioners as much as in other areas. But the fact that we use ours very little means that when they are operating, we want them to function as efficiently and as for little cost as possible.

This means ensuring that you pick just the right system when you arrange for AC installation services. But how do you choose the best cooling system? And how much will it cost?

Well, the short answer to that is, “it depends!” We’ve provided some guidance below that will help you learn about what determines how much a new system, and its installation, will cost.

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Best Ways to Boost Heating Efficiency

April 23rd, 2018

closeup piСЃture of woman hands holding paper houseWith nights still on the cooler side, chances are you’re still using your heater on a fairly routine basis, even if it is officially spring. That’s pretty much the norm here in our area, which rarely reaches the sweltering spring and summer temperatures that other states on the West Coast do.

But given how much we use our heaters, it makes sense that you want to operate yours as efficiently as possible, so that you don’t spend more money than you need to in order to keep your home comfortable. Fortunately, there are a few easy ways you can improve or maintain efficiency, which we’ve covered below.

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This Is Why You Should Change Your Air Filter

April 9th, 2018

man holding an air filterNot many homeowners give much thought to how important an air filter is to the operation of their HVAC systems. A filter does little to protect against many of the allergens and pollutants that can aggravate allergy and asthma symptoms (for that you’ll want a high efficiency air filtration or purification system). Rather, the air filter is there to protect the inside components of your Tacoma, WA HVAC system from contaminants that can restrict airflow and cause a host of other problems.

You can always reach out to anyone on our staff if you have questions about the impact of your air filter or are worried about HVAC performance. In the meantime, we’ve shared below some reasons you should always stay on top of changing out your air filter every 1 to 3 months.

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Common Late-Season Furnace Issues

March 26th, 2018

hvac vent on wall near floorWe may not suffer from blizzard-like conditions and below-zero temperatures on a regular basis like other parts of the country, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have any cold weather to deal with during the winter. In fact, our winters are typically more drawn out than our summers, which means our heaters get put through a good deal of work. For this reason, it’s imperative that you make sure your furnace is in good condition by staying on top of Puyallup, WA furnace repair needs.

We install and service gas and electric furnace systems, and we can handle any repairs that crop up with your system. A malfunctioning furnace is not only an inconvenience and an annoyance, but can also be a safety issue. And that’s why even though it’s near the end of our heating season, you should still be aware of common furnace issues that could crop up.

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No, Your Heater Should Not Make These Noises!

March 12th, 2018

Shocked and surprisedWe may not get as bitterly cold weather in our part of the world as other states do, but we’re still relying on our heating systems for at least a few more weeks. By the time we reach the end of the season, our heaters have been put under a lot of strain, and the more strain your heater receives, the higher likelihood there is for problems to form, which is bad news for your system and your comfort. You don’t want your heater to break down, and you can’t delay repairs until next year if you want to rely on it to work the next time you need it, either.

To keep your heating system in the best shape possible for the rest of winter, you’ll want to stay on top of any Olympia, WA heating repair needs you may have. And sometimes the best way to detect that you have heating repair needs is by listening for any unfamiliar or loud noises coming from the system. We covered some of these sounds below—if you hear them, be sure to give our team a call as soon as you can.

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Is My Heater Drying Out My Indoor Air Too Much?

February 26th, 2018

Sick couple catch cold. Man and woman sneezing, coughing. People got flu, having runny nose.Even though our area doesn’t get as bitterly cold as other parts of the country, our winters are nothing to scoff at. That being said, when you seem to have a problem with your heating system, chances are you want to get scheduled Tacoma, WA heating repair right away. One of the common complaints that Tacoma area homeowners have is about the dry air that results from their heating system being used on a daily, and even hourly, basis.

The assumption that a heater causes dry air is true, but only partially. When the level of moisture outdoors drops, which it does in the winter time, then your indoor relative humidity drops too. Anything below 30% relative humidity is considered too low and will cause discomfort as well as potential illness and even damage to your home. Your heating system, no matter how efficiently it works, only exacerbates this problem.

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Yes, Neglecting Furnace Repairs Is Dangerous

February 12th, 2018

Technician looking over a gas furnace with a flashlight before cleaning it.Generally speaking, gas furnaces are not inherently dangerous. This is an important fact to clear up right away—we don’t want you to feel panic just because you use a furnace for your home heating. Like any other powerful appliance that creates combustion gases, however, a furnace can potentially create health hazards if not maintained regularly and if Puyallup, WA furnace repairs are taken care of right away. If you stay on top of these repairs, you’ll have few worries.

So when can neglecting repairs actually be dangerous? When you ignore the need to fix cracked heat exchangers. This is most likely to happen with an older furnace—we’re talking about 15+ years. This is why we recommend looking into a replacement as soon as you know a furnace is approaching the end of its lifespan. It’s also why we strongly recommend staying on top of your annual maintenance appointments. Tune-ups will help you catch any furnace problems early so you can arrange for repairs or a replacement right away without risking your safety by neglecting repair needs.

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What’s the Source of Cold Spots in Your Home?

January 29th, 2018

cute dog under the warm grey blanketOur winters may not get as frigid as other parts of the country. However, this is no excuse to overlook that they are cold enough to cause major discomfort. This is especially true if you find yourself in need of heating repair in Olympia, WA right in the middle of it. When your home is chilly, there’s no way you can remain comfortable with a malfunctioning heater. So if you notice something like cold spots cropping up throughout your living space, you’ll want to have the trouble addressed quickly by a professional.

But what causes these cold spots? Well, as is the case with most heating system issues, there are various reasons that you might experience cold spots around your home. Our heating professionals are here to help! We’ll investigate the situation thoroughly so we can give you a proper diagnosis the first time around. From there, we’ll advise you on how to resolve the problem and get back to living comfortably.

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