Frequently Asked Heating Questions

April 15th, 2013

A professionally installed and maintained heater is a technological marvel. Today’s furnaces, boilers, and heat pumps are highly efficient, and they perform well under even the coldest winter temperatures. But homeowners throughout the Bellevue, WA area often ask about their home heating systems. We understand that you probably have some questions and concerns about how your heater operates. We believe a well-informed client is a good thing: it allows you to identify problems before they become serious, and it gives you some info to impress your friends and family. We’d like to address some frequently asked heating questions in this post. For more information, or to schedule a Bellevue WA heating service, contact the experts at Sound Heating today!

  • What is a programmable thermostat? If you haven’t yet taken advantage of a digital programmable thermostat, then you’re missing out on fully customizable temperature control as well as improved energy efficiency, up to $180 per year, according to the EPA. A programmable thermostat is not only more accurate, but it allows you to create a schedule for your heating and cooling systems, so that you don’t pay for unnecessary energy usage while staying comfortable.
  • Is there anything I can do to maintain my heater? Yes! You can start by cleaning and replacing your air filter at least once a month during the peak heating season. The air filter is responsible for preventing dust and debris accumulation, both of which can negatively impact the efficiency and effectiveness of your heater. You can also make sure to keep and the area surrounding your heater clean and clear.
  • What’s a heat pump? A heat pump is a highly efficient heat transfer machine. Unlike a furnace, the heat pump draws on the ambient thermal energy of the outside air, which is available even during cold temperatures. It works just like an air conditioner, except that instead of only being able to remove heat from your home, it also works the other way. However, it can become inefficient at temperatures below 35°, so people often pair a furnace with a heat pump to maximize performance and efficiency.

To reach a Bellevue, WA heating specialist, feel free to contact Sound Heating today!

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Heating Tip: What To Do Before You Shut Down Your Heater In The Spring

April 8th, 2013

As we enter the spring months, many homeowners have already started to think about how to keep their homes cool this summer. That’s important, and we’re glad you’re thinking ahead. But before jumping into the cooling season, there are some things to consider when shutting down your heater this spring. We often get asked what to do to make sure that the heater is in good working order when you return to it next fall. In this post, we’d like to advise you on just that topic. For more information about Lakewood heating, call Sound Heating today!

Let’s look at a few things you can do before shutting down your heater for the spring:

  • Clean the outdoor unit of your heat pump. If you rely on the reliable year-round service of a heat pump, then it’s imperative that you ready your heat pump for cooling. Make sure to consult with a professional about adjusting the reversing valve for cooling. Also, clean the area around your outdoor compressor/condenser—it may be filled with organic debris and it requires proper airflow to operate effectively and efficiently.
  • Replace the air filter. If you have a forced air distribution system, you should check the air filter. The air filter is there to prevent pollutants and contaminants from entering your ductwork and flowing through your indoor living space. Even if you made a habit of regularly replacing it during the peak heating season, it’s a good time to make sure you’re on the right food come the next heating season.
  • Schedule a professional inspection. Routine maintenance is the key to preventing major and costly repairs, to extending the life of your heater, and to ensuring that it is primed for the next heating season. If you haven’t already enrolled in a heating maintenance program, start today and take advantage of professional inspection, cleaning, adjustments, and tune-ups.

Taking care of your heating and cooling systems is a year-round task. But it doesn’t have to be difficult. If you’d rather enjoy your heating than be bothered to ensure it is operating properly, consider enrolling in a professional maintenance program. For more information about our Lakewood, WA heating services, call Sound Heating today!

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What Type of Indoor Air Quality Equipment Can Be Installed with My Heater?

April 1st, 2013

A heating system that you can rely on during the coldest nights of the year is an important component of any home in Auburn, WA. Comfortable temperatures, though, while important, are not the only factor that you must consider when keeping your home comfortable. At Sound Heating we know that it is just as important that you are able maintain high indoor air quality in your home. There are many indoor air quality products that you can use in conjunction with your heating system to keep your home as comfortable as possible. Contact the Auburn heating technicians at Sound Heating & Air Conditioning today to learn more.

One of the most basic ways to improve indoor air quality is through air filtration. While your heating system comes with a factory installed air filter that must be changed regularly, this filter cannot be relied upon to improve indoor air quality. It is not efficient enough to do so, but is rather designed to protect your heating system itself from dirt and debris. By installing a more efficient air filter you can remove dirt, dander and other pollutants from the air circulated throughout your home by the ductwork of your heating system. Keep your home warm and comfortable without worrying about what else is traveling throughout the system.

An energy recovery ventilator is another great indoor air quality product that can be used with our home heating system. It is natural, during the heating season, to want to seal up your home as tightly as possible. After all, you do not want the air you have paid to heat escaping to the outdoors. However, sealing your home up too tightly can cause air to go stale due to a lack of ventilation. By ventilating your home and recovering heat that would be lost in the process otherwise, an energy recovery ventilator allows you to keep your air quality high and fresh without sacrificing comfort or efficiency.

For more information about how to improve indoor air quality in your home, call Sound Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ll make sure that you are able to enjoy high indoor air quality throughout the Auburn, WA heating season. Contact us today to learn more.

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Air Quality Tip: Advantages of Steam Humidifiers

March 18th, 2013

Many homeowners in Seattle are increasingly concerned about the quality of the air in their homes. Whether it’s mold, bacteria, dust, pollen, dander, or other foreign debris, controlling what kinds of particles circulate through your home can be challenging to say the least. But one complaint that stands out among the rest is low humidity levels. Dry air can often be difficult to breathe, can result in skin irritation, and can slow healing. Ensuring that you have the appropriate levels of humidity in your home is critical to your health and comfort. Steam humidifiers make a great addition to any home. For more information, or for humidifier installation in Seattle, WA, call Sound Heating & Air Conditioning today!

A steam humidifier works by boiling water until it’s vaporized and then sending it circulating it through your home by means of a tube inside your ductwork. They are quiet and easy to maintain. While a standard power humidifier works by blowing your hot air over wet pads or cells, they can often reduce airflow and create bacteria problems. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of a steam humidifier:

  • Cleanliness. Because water needs to reach boiling point in order to vaporize, steam humidification is the cleanest of its kind. This means less risk of increased bacteria levels in your home.
  • Comfort. The appropriate level of humidity in your home makes it comfortable. By installing a steam humidifier, the dry air in your home will change into moist air that seems to make breathing easier. This can help to improve your sleeping habits, allow your sinuses to heal, and reduce skin irritation.
  • Good health. Customers who suffer from respiratory problems or other health concerns may be adversely affected by dry air. Steam humidification boosts the natural healing process by adjusting to the appropriate amount of humidity. Dry air conditions can be intolerable, especially for the elderly and the very young.

Low humidity levels in the air can negatively impact your health at home. Make sure that your air is comfortable with a steam humidifier. For comprehensive indoor air quality services in Seattle, call Sound Heating & Air Conditioning today!

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Air Conditioning Tip: When to Schedule Spring Maintenance for Your AC System?

March 11th, 2013

At Sound Heating & Air Conditioning, we offer comprehensive air conditioning maintenance service in Tacoma, WA. One of the main services we offer is an annual tune-up for your air conditioner or heat pump. It is a good idea to schedule this service in the spring, before the hot weather gets here and when you have to use your air conditioning system the most. This helps to ensure that any known issues are handled before your turn on your AC so that your system doesn’t break down in the middle of a heat wave.

During one of these routine tune-ups, here are some of the basic tasks that our technicians will provide:

  • Clean condenser coil
  • Check and tighten electrical connections
  • Check for oil and refrigerant leaks
  • Test safety features and efficiency levels
  • Inspect blower belt
  • Inspect expansion valve and coil temperatures
  • Replace or clean air filter
  • Check refrigerant level and charge if necessary
  • Check condensate drain for clogs
  • Lubricate moving parts as needed

In addition to these basic tasks, we also give advice on how to properly operate your air conditioning system, including the thermostat. We can also show you how to do basic maintenance tasks and keep your system clean. We give customers who sign our service contract priority service under certain conditions, including your agreement to operate the AC system according to our instructions. It’s also important that you notify us as soon as you notice anything unusual about your air conditioner, whether it’s a strange noise or poor performance.

Another reason to schedule tune-ups in the spring is that it will help to ensure that your AC system is working at optimal efficiency levels. If not our Tacoma air conditioning specialists can give some tips or pinpoint areas of improvement, such as installing a programmable thermostat or insulating parts of your home.

Call Sound Heating & Air Conditioning for your next Tacoma, WA air conditioning service and tune-up!

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Heating FAQ: How Efficient is a Hydronic System?

March 8th, 2013

Here at Sound Heating, we often get asked about hydronic heating systems in Tacoma, WA. For people that have forced-air systems like furnaces and heat pumps, the idea of hydronic heating is very interesting. There are definitely distinct advantages that hydronic heating systems, like boilers, enjoy over furnaces and heat pumps. But how efficient are boilers really? At Sound Heating, we offer comprehensive heating services, including heating repair in Tacoma, WA and heating installation. We wanted to help shed some like on hydronic heating and help out our customers in the area.

What Is Hydronic Heating?

Hydronic heating is the use of hot water to heat your home. Common hydronic heating systems including hot water radiators, under-floor heating and wall heating systems. The systems usually include a large boiler where the water is heated (not boiled) and a pump that pushes the water through the pipes to the rest of the house.

Difference Between Forced-Air Heating and Hydronic Heating

Forced air systems use convection to heat your home: your furnace draws in air, heats it up and then circulates it through your home. Hydronic heating systems use heat radiation to heat your home. Heat radiates out from the radiators in your rooms or from the pipes in the floor. Thus, hydronic heating systems actually heat the objects in the room instead of heating the air.

 How Efficient is a Hydronic Heating System?

Hydronic heating systems do offer homeowners some energy advantages over forced-air systems. One of the main advantages is that radiant heat is easier to retain in a space than convective heat. This allows hydronic heating systems to use less energy to keep your home warm. Also, many hydronic heating systems feature zone control. This allows you to only heat the rooms in your home that you’re using instead of wasting energy heating other, unoccupied rooms.

If you have any questions about hydronic heating installation in Tacoma, WA call Sound Heating. We have years of experience installing all kinds of heating systems—including forced-air and hydronic systems. Contact Sound Heating today!

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Heating FAQ: What are the most efficient heating options?

March 5th, 2013

Energy prices never seem to go down which is why many homeowners are looking for new and creative ways to reduce the amount energy that they use in their homes. Getting a new heating system is a great way to potentially reduce your heating bills because new systems are typically much more efficient than older ones. Contact the Olympia WA heating experts at Sound Heating if you’re interested in getting a new heating system. We thought it would be helpful if we put together a quick list of some of the most efficient heating systems on the market.

Forced Air Heating Systems

Forced-air systems like furnaces and heat pumps are extremely popular across the country. They are able to provide very efficient and comfortable heating. Furnaces are given an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating that describes how much of the fuel they consume is actually turned into heat. Many older furnaces had an AFUE rating of about 60%, meaning that they wasted the other 40%. New furnaces can have up to 98% AFUE ratings which is a huge improvement. Heat pumps, on the other hand are normally even more efficient than furnaces because they don’t actually burn fuel to create heat. Instead, they just move heat from one place to another. Their heating mode has an efficiency rating called a Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) that describes how much heat they produce over a season divided by the energy that they consume. Heat pumps also include geothermal heat pumps which use the energy of the ground or the water to provide heating and cooling as well. These systems are even more efficient than standard air-source heat pumps.

Hydronic Heating Systems

Unlike forced-air systems, hydronic heating systems like boilers use heated water to provide heat to your home. They typically use a series of pipes in the floor, walls or baseboards to produce heat. This kind of heat is also called radiant heat. Many homeowners have reported that radiant heat is actually more comfortable than forced-air heat. Because of how radiant works, homeowners can typically set their thermostats a few degrees lower to remain comfortable. This could potentially reduce the amount of energy that you use in your home for heating.

For all your Olympia, WA heating repair and installation needs, contact Sound Heating today.

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Common Questions About Solar Heating Systems

February 25th, 2013

Solar energy is much more common nowadays than in years past, but a lot of homeowners still have plenty of questions about solar heating systems. When properly installed and maintained by qualified Tacoma, WA solar professionals – and properly operated by homeowners – a solar heating system is a great way to keep your home warm and cozy throughout the winter in an extremely efficient way. Contact Sound Heating & Air Conditioning today with any questions you have about solar installation in Tacoma. The sun is up there shining away pretty much every day. Why not put all that energy to use?

Does Solar Heating Work Even if it is Cloudy Out?

Here in Tacoma we see our fair share of cloudy days. This makes some homeowners skeptical of the effectiveness that a solar heating system can really offer. While it is true that cloudy days may limit the amount of energy absorbed on that day, you must remember that energy is used in real time. If that were the case, then a solar energy system would not operate when it is dark out. A solar heating system, paired with a large battery storage system and efficient appliances, will help you keep your home heated efficiently. A backup heating system, used only when the solar heating system is overwhelmed, can give you the extra boost your heating system may occasionally need.

Are Solar Heating Systems Very Expensive?

There is a certain amount of expense when investing in a solar heating system, but like any good investment you can expect a return on this one. The reduction in energy costs when heating your home will help offset the initial investment. Solar panels and set ups require little maintenance, as they have few moving parts, so you will not have to pay much for repairs and tune-ups. Routine maintenance will help ensure the continued success of your system.

For more information about solar heating systems in Tacoma, WA, call Sound Heating & Air Conditioning. Our Tacoma WA Solar professionals will have you heating your home more efficiently in no time. Call today to schedule an installation.

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Solar Heating Tip: What to Consider Before Installing a Solar Heating System

February 18th, 2013

At Sound Heating & Air Conditioning, we offer solar heating installation in Tacoma, WA and surrounding areas. There are many factors to consider before installing a solar heating system in your home. We have provided a list of those factors in this post to help you decide whether or not solar heating is the most cost-effective choice for your home. Call us if you have further questions or would like to set up a consultation.

Location of the Home

The location of your home is an important factor to consider. While you can choose either a passive or active solar heating system, they will only be effective if certain conditions are in place. Ask yourself a few questions before you discuss your options with a Tacoma solar expert.

  1. Is your home located in a shady area?
  2. How many windows are in the home?
  3. What direction does your home face?
  4. How expensive is gas and electricity in your area?

Insulation and Air Sealing

In addition to location, how well your home is insulated and sealed is another important factor in helping you decide if a solar heating system is the most cost-effective solution for your needs. Homes that are not properly insulated won’t get as much benefit from either passive or active solar heating systems.

Hot Water Needs

If you have an older hot water heater, you can add a solar water heater to your solar heating system to efficiently meet your hot water needs. Be sure to speak with a contractor about all of your options. You may decide to install one system at a time, or all at once, depending on your needs and energy-saving goals.

Call the Tacoma, WA solar heating experts at Sound Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. for all your solar heating and solar hot water heater needs. Contact Sound Heating & Air Conditioning today!

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Can Solar Heating Really Heat My Home That Well In The Middle of Winter?

February 11th, 2013

For homeowners that are looking to reduce the amount of energy that they have to buy to heat their home, solar heaters are a great option. But some homeowners are skeptical because of the weather that we get in the Tacoma, WA area. There are some differing opinions on the matter but at Sound Heating and Air Conditioning we’ve been providing complete solar services in Tacoma, WA for many years. We thought it would be helpful if we put together some information for our customers in the area.

Solar Heating in Tacoma WA and Cloud Climates

One of the obvious weaknesses of using solar panels in cloudy climates like Tacoma, WA is that it needs sunshine. Since we often have cloudy weather many homeowners are hesitant to use solar panels. However, there are a huge range of options for you that can help you reduce your energy consumption.

First, just because we have cloudy weather doesn’t mean that you won’t benefit from a solar array. There are many days of sunshine during which your solar system can help you reduce the amount of energy that you use. Using highly efficient appliances and a large battery storage system you could potentially reduce your energy consumption by quite a lot. However, you most likely will need a good back-up heating system like a wood burning stove or a furnace.

Solar Water Heating in Tacoma WA

The water heater in your home gets used every day. While solar photovoltaic systems are designed to produce electricity from sunlight, solar water heaters operate in a completely different way. Instead, they use heat from the sun to heat your water. These types of systems can work even when it’s cloudy because they don’t require sunshine—just heat. So even when it’s cloudy, a solar water heater in Tacoma, WA can still provide some heat for your home’s water. When used in conjunction with a traditional water heart, your solar water heater could offer significant energy savings.

For all your solar services in Tacoma, WA call the technicians at Sound Heating and Air Conditioning. Contact Sound Heating and Air Conditioning today!

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