Is It Time to Replace Your Air Conditioning System?

June 6th, 2016

Summer is on its way, and while we don’t necessarily experience the stifling heat that many parts of the country do, it’s still not a season you want to attempt to get through without a properly functioning air conditioning system. Now is the time to decide if your air conditioner is ready for another season or if it might be time to upgrade to a newer model.

By deciding this now, you’ll have time to schedule a replacement before we reach the peak of summer heat and technicians are out on emergency service calls. Do remember that every system is different, and only you can decide if it’s worth it to keep repairing, or if you should invest in a replacement. Here are a few tips to help you make an educated decision.

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Have You Scheduled Air Conditioning Maintenance Yet?

May 30th, 2016

We’re right in the middle of spring, and chances are with the cooler weather we typically experience, you haven’t given very much thought to your air conditioning system. However, you won’t want to get to the first day of hot weather only to realize that your AC needs repairs, or worse, needs replacement.

If you haven’t scheduled air conditioner maintenance within the last year, then right now is the best time to do so.

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Be Aware of Common AC Condensate Drain Issues

May 23rd, 2016

One of the air conditioning components you probably think the least about is the system’s condensate drain. In fact, you might even now be asking yourself what a condensate drain is. This component is one of the most important, yet most ignored parts of your air conditioning system.

The condensate drain connects to a pan located below the evaporator coil, which collects the condensate that drips off the outside of the coil as warm, moist air passes over it. Dealing with moisture brings inherent problems, a few of which we’ve outlined below.

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Is Hydronic Heating Right for Your New Home?

May 16th, 2016

Summer may be well on its way, but as any Tacoma resident knows, the heating season never truly ends. We definitely experience some chilly nights even after the warmest of days. On that point, it’s important to always be on the lookout for heating systems and be aware of what options are available for your home.

In fact, if you are constructing a new home in the area, hydronic heating could be a great choice for you. Also commonly referred to as radiant heating, hydronic heating uses tubing to run a hot liquid either beneath your flooring, along baseboard heaters, or through radiators to heat your home.  While the concept of hydronic heating is not new, it’s become a very popular heating choice in recent years.

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AC Maintenance: What Does It Involve?

May 9th, 2016

We all know how important it is to take care of appliances and electronics, but it’s easy to ignore or neglect maintenance tasks, or even not see the value in maintenance. In order to ensure a properly functioning system, however, it’s necessary to schedule AC tune-ups at least once a year. But what does air conditioning maintenance actually involve?

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Energy Recovery Ventilator: Your Solution to Humidity Control

May 2nd, 2016

Excess indoor moisture is not a huge problem for most Olympia residents. While we are certainly in a rainy state, humidity levels generally stay under 50%, which is the maximum humidity level for comfort. However, this time of year we do certainly experience our share of high humidity. Those days make your home feel uncomfortable, and can also make your air conditioner work harder to cool down your home, meaning that it’s not working as efficiently as it should.

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Ground Source Heat Pumps vs. Traditional Air Conditioning

April 25th, 2016

When most people think about heat pumps, they think about their heating capabilities in the wintertime. And yes it’s true, ground source heat pumps are a revolutionary and very reliable source of heating. However, in the summer, these systems have the capability of pulling heat from your home’s air and depositing it into the ground outside in order to provide you with adequate cooling, making ground source heat pumps an excellent alternative to a traditional central air conditioning system.

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Are You Regularly Checking and Changing Your Air Filter?

April 18th, 2016

There are many things you can and should do to ensure that your HVAC system functions properly. This includes hiring a professional HVAC technician to inspect, service, and repair your unit as needed. Regular maintenance is also vital to ensuring its efficiency over its lifespan. There is one step you should be handling on your own though, and that’s regularly checking and changing your air filter.

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Why Ice Forms on Your Air Conditioner

April 11th, 2016

The days are starting to heat up, and you’re probably going to be using your air conditioner to keep comfortable on a regular basis if you aren’t already. As you start to use your air conditioner more and more often, the added stress may cause problems for the system as the summer wears on. One of those problems is ice. Let’ take a look at why ice forms on your air conditioner, and why it’s a problem.

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Consider Installing a Heat Pump This Summer

April 4th, 2016

The weather is starting to heat up, which means that you’re soon going to be relying on your climate control system to keep cool on a daily basis. If you’re in the market for a new air conditioning system, you should take a look at the benefits of heat pumps. Read on to find out more about heat pump systems, and the benefits that they offer.

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