3 Advantages to a Solar Panel Array

June 26th, 2014

Here in Puyallup, solar panel technology used to be the stuff of pipe dreams. Cloud cover and our generally gloomy weather meant that solar arrays couldn’t get enough sunlight to do the job, leaving them practical only in sunnier parts of the country to the south. Those days are long gone. Today, advancing technology makes solar panels a great option even here in the rainy Pacific Northwest. If you’re looking for a new way to power your home, you would do well to consider installing a solar system.

Here are 3 advantages to a solar panel array that might help you make up your mind

  • Energy savings. The first and most obvious benefit to solar power is the huge amount of money you can save on your monthly electrical bills. For all practical purposes, solar power is renewable and endless, costing you almost nothing and providing enough power to run every appliance in your home. Over time, the money saved might offset the cost of installation, and your monthly savings can free up space in your budget for other things.
  • Environmentally friendly. Going hand in hand with that energy efficiency is a source of power about as green as you can get. It uses no fossil fuels and it doesn’t produce any toxic side effects, helping you lower your carbon footprint and give the planet a much-needed break.
  • Money back to you. In some cases, your solar array will generate more power than you need, which means you can sell the excess back to the grid. Similarly, solar panel arrays improve the resale value of your house, and can help further recoup the cost of investment when the time comes to sell.

The advantages to a solar panel array are considerable, but every home is unique and only you can make the final decision. For reliable advice and installation services, give the experts at Sound Heating a call. We have the skills and experience you need to address the issue properly; solar companies don’t come more qualified. Pick up the phone today to set up solar service in Puyallup. You’ll be glad you did!

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What Are the Advantages of Installing a Tankless Water Heater?

June 20th, 2014

The old-fashioned style of water heater that uses a large tank of water to which heat from natural gas or electric heating elements is continually applied is so… old fashioned. There’s a new way to provide hot water for your home that removes the tank and gives you many advantages to take its place: the tankless water heater.

There are many reasons you should consider a tankless water heater in Kent, WA for your next installation. If you need more advice about going this route, talk to Sound Heating today. We install top-brand Rinnai tankless water heaters, which can fit a variety of household sizes and budgets. Call our specialists today to find out more about the tankless water heater edge.

The main advantages of a tankless water heater

  • Never run out of hot water: If someone going with a lukewarm or cold shower in the morning is a common occurrence in your household, then you should consider a tankless system. Because a tankless water heater only heats up water when it’s needed (a reason they are sometimes called “on-demand” water heaters), you never have to worry about running out of your supply of hot water. As soon as a tap turns, the heat exchanger in the system goes to work warming the water.
  • Save energy: A standard storage water heater must apply constant energy to the tank to maintain the necessary 120° –140° water temperature. It uses this energy whether you need the water or not. With a tankless system, you only use energy when you turn on a tap indicating that you need hot water. You’ll end up using only a fraction of the energy necessary for a storage system, and you can expect your heating bills to decrease by 20–35%.
  • Longer system lifespan: Less energy used to heat water also means a system with less wear and tear placed on it. Tankless systems can last many more years than a storage system, and that means you’ll have more years to earn savings on your initial investment.
  • Save space: Because storage systems need to use a large water tank, they take up far more space than a tankless system, which are often small enough to mount on a wall. Some can even go outside with and anti-freeze kit.

There are a few drawbacks to tankless systems: they cost more to install upfront than storage systems, and your level of savings will depend on the amount of water your household uses regularly. Consult with experts to find out if a tankless water heater in Kent, WA is the right choice for your home. Our team at Sound Heating is ready to help you, and we will install your new system so it works for many years.

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What Are My Home’s Requirements for Installing a Solar System?

June 12th, 2014

Solar systems have come a long way in a very short time, and here in Olympia, solar installation services no longer need to worry about the excessive cloud cover of the Pacific Northwest. When properly installed, such a system can save you a great deal of money over the years, as well as increasing your home’s self-sufficiency and reducing your carbon footprint. But before you sign up for an installation session, you need to make sure your home is right for solar installation. “What are my home’s requirements for installing a solar system?” you ask. Read on for the answers.

  • Square footage. Most solar panels are installed on rooftops, though they can also be installed on the ground if you have the space. Regardless, you need a certain amount of square footage so that solar panels will produce enough power. Your installer can perform the calculations, which involve the amount of energy you use at peak periods throughout the year and the amount of power a given solar panel collects. With the square footage in mind, you can then plan for the ideal area, taking into account such aspects as rooftop tiles and chimney position.
  • Shading. Solar panels these days can overcome cloud cover, but they still need an unobstructed view of the sky in order to function as they should. You need to keep the amount of trees and similar types of shading in mind, and then determine how many hours of unobstructed sunlight your panels will receive.
  • Tilting. Here in Washington, solar panels should ideally face due south (receiving the most amount of sunlight) and have a tilt of about 30 degrees. If your roof can’t provide this, your installation technician can discuss other options and ensure that the tilt of the panels remains the best it can be for the circumstances.

For more on your home’s requirements for installing a solar system, or to plan for an Olympia solar installation, the experts at Sound Heating are standing by. We’ll answer all your questions before performing an installation with courtesy and care, so give us a call today!

 

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3 Factors Necessary for Solar Panels in Your Home

June 5th, 2014

Solar panel technology has advanced in leaps and bounds in the past few years, and here in Kent, WA, solar installation has become an increasingly popular option for powering your home. You may be considering a solar panel array for your own home, but before you pull the trigger, you need to know the sorts of issues your home and property may present. That will help you make an informed decision and ensure that your solar panels do their job as they should.

Here are 3 factors necessary for solar panels in your home

  • Square footage. Solar panels need a fair bit of space to function, the exact amount of which depends on the power you wish to generate. In most cases, you can fit them on your roof. Otherwise, you’ll need to place them in your yard or some other outdoor location. In either case, you need a technician to determine just how many square feet of solar panels is required. Otherwise, your home won’t receive enough power from the system and the whole point of installing solar panels will be lost.
  • Sunlight exposure. Modern solar panels don’t need to worry about cloudy days (a good thing here in overcast Washington). They do still require an unobstructed view of the sky, however, with an eye on maximum exposure during the day. If you have tall trees or similar obstructions, talk to an installation technician about your options, and whether some new landscaping is in order.
  • Maintenance factors. Solar panels don’t have moving parts, so maintaining them isn’t difficult. They do require cleaning from time to time, however, and occasionally repairs must be conducted. If you have a sloped roof or intend to place your panels in some other tricky locale, make sure you can access them safely.

As you may suspect, the advice of a trained professional can help when pondering the factors necessary for solar panels in your home.  In Kent, WA, solar installation can be performed by the experts at Sound Heating. Pick up the phone and call us today to make an appointment!

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Signs That Air Conditioning Systems Have Low Refrigerant

May 23rd, 2014

Your air conditioner relies on refrigerant to do its job: running through a theoretically closed system that first converts it to a liquid (releasing heat into the outside air) then shifts it back into a gas (pulling heat from the nearby air which can then be blown into your home). The cycle depends on specific amounts of refrigerant (the exact figure depends upon the make and model of your air conditioner), and when leaks spring up, it can create a number of difficulties. There are plenty of services that can fix air conditioning systems in Olympia, and knowledgeable technicians can usually seal the leak before recharging the refrigerant to its proper levels.

Here Are Some Signs That Air Conditioning Systems Have Low Refrigerant

  • Ice on the coils. The biggest sign you can detect is the formation of ice on your evaporator coils. The ice represents lost cooling potential that should be going into your home, as well as forming an insulating layer between the remaining refrigerant and the air it’s supposed to cool. Don’t ever scrape the ice off: it won’t do any good and you could damage the coils in the process. Instead, shut off the system and call in a technician to treat the issue.
  • Reduced cooling power. Along those lines, if you notice that the air conditioner isn’t providing cool air like it used to – if the air blows warmer or is flat-out hot – then there could be problems with the refrigerant.
  • Water puddles. Condensation forms on you air conditioner as it cools the air, and a certain amount is normal. When refrigerant levels run low, however, the system will generate more condensation than it should, resulting in puddles of water around the base of your system.

If you spot the signs that air conditioning systems have low refrigerant, call the professionals at Sound Heating to correct the problem immediately. We handle all kinds of repairs for air conditioning systems in Olympia, and we’ll treat the source of the problem rather than just the symptoms. Summer months are too hot to go without an efficient AC system. Give us a call today and let us keep yours in top shape!

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Measuring Space for Your New Solar Panels

May 23rd, 2014

You may be surprised to learn how viable solar panels have become in our neck of the woods. Recent advances make it possible to generate copious amounts of solar energy no matter how cloudy the day itself is. In towns like Auburn, WA solar energy has exploded in the last few years, and homeowners have eagerly embraced the technology as a means of producing clean, efficient energy for a very low cost. Besides the initial cost of investment and solar panel installation, all you need is sufficient space on your property to hold the panels. In some cases, this means setting it up in your yard, but most people want the panels on their roof, where they can get the most sunlight exposure as well as staying out of the way. Here’s a few tips for measuring space for your new solar panels.

First you need to determine how large the panels need to be in order to power your home. A trained professional can provide precise calculations, but generally speaking, you need to:

  • Determine the average kilowatt hours you use every year. (You can check your electric bills over the course of a year to get an exact figure.)
  • Determine the number of hours your home gets sunlight exposure. Cloud cover rarely matters, but you do need to know how many hours the sun is in the sky each day, and factor in the changes in season as well. (You’ll probably see a lot more sunshine each day in June that you will in January.)
  • Divide the kilowatt hours you receive each year by 365 (the number of days in a year). Then divide that number by the average number of hours your home receives sunlight, and divide that number by .75 (to include an efficiency constant, and ensure that the system doesn’t get overloaded).

The result is the number of kilowatts your array will need. As a general rule, you’ll need about 80 square feet for every kilowatt required by your system. From there, you can measure the amount of space required in your roof or yard. The experts at Sound Heating can help you with measuring space for your new solar panels.

If you live in Auburn, WA, solar panel installation experts don’t come with better qualifications. Give us a call today and let us show you what we can do!

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3 Factors to Consider When Installing New Air Conditioning

May 16th, 2014

A new air conditioning system is a big investment, and before you pull the trigger, you want to have all of your ducks in a row. When it comes to air conditioning in Olympia, there are plenty of services to help make the big decisions with you, but you want a local HVAC company that will help you choose the right system, not just rush you into a purchase in hopes of a big payday.

Here are 3 factors to consider when installing new air conditioning, factors that a reputable service will discuss with you before installation begins.

  • Sizing. All air conditioners have a set power level, measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units). You need an air conditioner whose power output is perfectly sized for your home. If it’s too small, it will run constantly without adequately cooling the household. If it’s too large, it will engage in “rapid cycling,” turning on and off too quickly. Air conditioners use much more energy turning on and off than they do simply running, which means that rapid cycling will cost you a great deal in unnecessary energy bills. You need a unit that is neither too large not too small, but just right.
  • Efficiency. Air conditioners measure their efficiency in SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) ratings. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the unit. SEER ratings can affect the sizing of your air conditioner, but generally speaking, you want to get the most efficient model within your price range. At the minimum, look for a unit with a higher SEER rating than the one it’s replacing.
  • Upgrades. A new air conditioner is a golden opportunity to add some new bells and whistles to the system. For instance, look into a zone control system that lets you alter the temperature in each room individually, or a new thermostat that lets you turn the air on and off remotely with an app from your phone.

Here at Sound Heating, we can explain all of the factors to consider when installing new air conditioning in Olympia, then perform the installation with courtesy and care. We pride ourselves on customer satisfaction and we’ll ensure that your investment in a new air conditioner is well spent.  Contact us today to make an appointment!

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The Benefits of Going Solar in Bellevue

May 9th, 2014

Solar power used to run a home once existed only in science fiction. But the technology is here, today, and more accessible than you may believe. More homes have joined in the solar energy revolution and reaped the enormous benefits this power source provides.

To schedule solar installation in Bellevue, WA you only have to reach as far as the phone: call Sound Heating, where we take pride in the variety of solar power services we provide—from installation to maintenance to repair. We are committed to helping the environment and helping you reduce the amount you pay to power your home.

The Advantages of Using Solar Power In Your Home

  • Rock-bottom energy bills: Solar power systems change the radiant energy of the sun into electricity to power a home; the systems themselves use only a small amount of external electricity from the power company (and some use none at all). The energy of the sun itself is free, so aside from the minimal amount of electricity from the power grid, you won’t pay anything to run your home. Even though a solar energy set-up costs more to install for a home than standard electrical one, it soon pays for itself. Nothing beats free when it comes to energy.
  • Increase your home’s value: The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory conducted a study of homes using solar power and found that when a home adds a solar power system, it increases the home’s resale value by $5.50 per watt on average, and sometimes going as high as $6.40 per watt. This means that a home’s solar power system of 3.1kW can add $17,000 to the value of the house. Other studies have found that homes with solar energy induce buyers: homes sell 15% faster on average than homes with standard power systems.
  • Clean, renewable energy: Not only is the power from the sun free, you can never use it up. As long as the sun burns at the center of our solar system, we will have its power available to us. Solar power reduces our dependency on limited energy resources like fossil fuels. Solar power also reduces greenhouse gases. The average U.S. home generates 7.4 tons of carbon dioxide each year; solar power generates almost none.

If you don’t think you are ready for a major solar installation, you can start small with a less expensive and space-consuming appliance like a solar water heater. But we think that once you discover the benefits of a single solar power system, you will want to expand your use of the sun’s free energy.

Talk to our Bellevue, WA solar installation professionals at Sound Heating today. They will find the best way to hook up your home to harness the clean and efficient energy of the sun.

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The Importance of Air Conditioning Maintenance?

April 28th, 2014

Spring has arrived, and here in Olympia, air conditioning systems are being dusted off in preparation for another warm summer. Before temperatures get too warm, you might consider scheduling maintenance for your cooling system, designed to clean off the dust, recharge refrigerant levels and spot potential trouble issues for later repair. Some people consider such a service a waste of money, but nothing could be further from the truth. What’s the importance of air conditioning maintenance? We have drawn up a list of some of the bigger benefits.

Improved efficiency. Dust and dirt can increase friction on moving parts. Loose components rattle in their housings and waste energy in the process. Low refrigerant levels rob the system of its ability to do its job. A maintenance session addresses all of these things, helping your air conditioner perform more efficiently and lowering your monthly cooling bills in the process.

Longevity and reduced risk of repairs. In addition to helping your system perform more efficiently, a maintenance session lowers the overall strain on your system. That means that internal components will last longer and the chances of a breakdown will be reduced as well.

Flexibility. Maintenance sessions anticipate potential repairs before they become a big issue. Not only does that let you stop a big problem while it’s still a small one, but it gives you the luxury to set repair sessions when you want rather than when circumstances dictate. If you wait for a bigger breakdown, it might take place during a heat wave or similarly inconvenient time: forcing you to scramble rather than setting the schedule at a point that’s convenient to your life.

The importance of air conditioning maintenance cannot be underestimated, and in Olympia, air conditioning systems invariably benefit from timely service. The Olympia air conditioning specialists at Sound Hetaing provide quality air conditioning maintenance, as well as repair and installation sessions for more serious undertakings. If you want your system to perform at its peak this summer, then pick up the phone and give us a call today. You’ll be glad you did!

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Benefits of Installing a High Efficiency Heater

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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