Heating Tip: Preventing the Need for Solar Repair Service

February 4th, 2013

As more and more homeowners in Tacoma, WA are attempting to make their homes more environmentally friendly many are turning to solar power. The sun is up there in the sky, after all, giving off an awful lot of energy. It only makes sense to harness that energy and make use of it inside your home. With the installation of a solar heating system in Tacoma you can keep your home warm with a clean, dependable and sustainable energy source. Keep your solar heating system working properly and effectively with these tips from the Tacoma solar pros at Sound Heating & Air.

No home heating system is perfect. Every mechanical system experiences problems in operation at some point, and a solar heating system is no different. There are plenty of steps that you can take, though, to prevent the need for solar repair in Tacoma.

First of all, your solar heating system must receive a professional installation by a qualified Tacoma solar heating technician. This technology is too complex and requires too many components to trust anyone other than a qualified professional. Your system must be properly sized to ensure that it is capable of heating your home as efficiently and effectively as possible. If it is too large it will short cycle frequent, incurring unnecessary wear and tear and heightening the likelihood of system damages. If it is too small it will work too hard to reach temperatures it simply is not capable of attaining. This too increases the likelihood of damage to your system. Call us today to find out more about professional solar installation in Tacoma.

By far the best measure that you can take to minimize solar heating system repair in Tacoma is to schedule professional maintenance service. By having your solar heating system routinely inspected and tuned up you can enjoy reliable, efficient heating service throughout the heating season. Schedule professional maintenance today to keep your solar heating system operating properly.

For more information about solar heating in Tacoma or to schedule an installation or maintenance service, contact Sound Heating & Air. We can help you heat your home more efficiently than ever before. Contact us today to learn more about keeping your solar heating system in prime working condition.

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Heating FAQ: Is Solar Heating Right for Me?

January 29th, 2013

At Sound Heating & Air, we can go over the many benefits of solar heating in Tacoma, so if you are wondering if solar heating is right for your home, call us. We’ll make sure you get the most cost-effective solution for your heating needs. Installing a renewable energy heating system, such as a solar heating system, is a great way to save energy; however, they are not for all homes or situations.

Before you decide on solar heating, it’s a good idea to get a home energy audit to ensure that your home is properly insulated and sealed. This ensures that your home is ready for a high-efficiency system and that you will the most out of your investment. Choosing between a solar heating system and a different type of heating system really depends on the size and location and size of your home. Fuel costs are also factored in.

While you can get quite a bit of savings with a solar heating system, even be sure that the panels can be installed in an area that gets direct sunlight for long periods. Homes surrounded by trees or where it’s not practical to install solar panels may need a backup heater or a different type of heating system altogether.

Local building codes and the required routine maintenance are also factors to consider. Solar heating systems require a lot of routine maintenance, so ask yourself if it is worth it to you. Our installers are familiar with the building codes on solar installation, and we can go over the type of maintenance required.

Start saving energy today! Call the Tacoma solar heating experts at Sound Heating & Air to schedule a consultation. Contact Sound Heating & Air today!

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Solar Tip: How to Get the Most Out of My Solar Heating System

January 21st, 2013

Solar heating systems are a great way to provide heat for your home using the renewable energy of the sun. Not only does this reduce the amount of electricity that you have to buy, but it also provides comfortable heating for your home. But are you sure that you’re getting the most out of your heating system? At Sound Heating and Air, we provide complete solar heating installation, repair and maintenance in Tacoma, WA. We wanted to help our customers in the area by putting together a short list of some of things that can help you get the most out of your Tacoma solar heating system.

Professional Solar Heater Installation in Tacoma

One of the best ways to make sure that your solar heater works well is to get it installed by a professional Tacoma solar contractor. At Sound Heating and Air, we have years of experience working with all different kinds of solar heating systems. Making sure that your solar heater gets off on the right foot is a great way to get years of terrific service from it. Without the proper training and experience, there could be complications or problems with your solar heating system in the future. Call Sound Heating today with all your solar installation inquiries.

Solar Heater Maintenance in Tacoma

One of the best ways to make sure that your solar heater works as efficiently as possible is to get it maintained by a professional. Here are some of the benefits of regular maintenance for your solar heating system in Tacoma.

  • Less repairs – During regular maintenance visits, the technicians from Sound Heating and Air will be able to discover small issues before they turn into larger, more costly repairs.
  • Increased efficiency – Over time, your solar heater will develop small problems that cause it to lose efficiency. With regular cleaning and repairs, some of that efficiency can be returned to it.
  • Extended life – Many times, air conditioning systems can be completely ruined by small problems. But during regular maintenance visits, our expert technicians will be able to find those problems and eliminate them before they cause permanent damage to your AC system.

If you need any kind of solar services in Tacoma, contact Sound Heating and Air today!

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Why Is My Heater Not Heating My Home Efficiently?

January 14th, 2013

When the winter rolls around here in Tacoma, you may hesitate when you reach for the thermostat because your heating system isn’t working efficiently. If this is the case, you should call your local heating contractor immediately. At Sound Heating and Air Conditioning, our goal is to make sure that each of our customers is comfortable in their home and that their heating system is working as efficiently as possible. We always like helping out our customers so we put together some of the most common reasons why your heating system might not be working as efficiently as possible.

Clogged Air Filter

By far the most common cause of heating efficiency problems is a clogged air filter. If you have a forced air system like a furnace or heat pump, then you likely have an air filter located at the return air duct. This filter isn’t designed to improve the air quality in your home: it’s there to keep dirt and dust from getting inside your heating system. Over time, it can get clogged and start to restrict the flow of air in to your system.

Clogged Ductwork

The ductwork in your Tacoma home is crucial to the proper operation of your heating system. If you have large amount of dust, dirt or debris in your ducts it could be restricting the flow of air. Additionally, if your ducts are old or if they weren’t installed properly, they could be pinched or bent which also will cause your heating system to operate inefficiently.

Heat Pump Thermostat

Heat pumps are highly efficient systems to heat and cool your home. But if use your thermostat wrong your heat pump could be operating very inefficiently. Heat pumps need a particular type of thermostat to run them. Most of them have a setting on them that is called Emergency Heat or Backup Heat. When the temperature outside gets too cold your heat pump needs another source of heat to keep your home comfortable. Emergency heat systems are typically electric resistance coils that are expensive to run. If you have your heat pump set to backup heat, you could be using more energy than you need.

If you’ve noticed that your heating bills have begun to rise inexplicably, call Sound Heating and Air today. We have years of experience working with all different types of heating systems. We provide heating repairs in Tacoma and would love to talk with you about any issues that you’re having.

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Heating Tip: What Are My Options For a New Heating System?

January 7th, 2013

When the heating system in your Tacoma home gives out, it can be a frustrating and discouraging experience. But the exciting part is that you get to pick out a brand new heating system for your home. There are a variety of options available to you that you should consider carefully. Depending on how old your previous system was, new models likely offer you a number of very attractive improvements. At Sound Heating and Air Conditioning, we know how important a good heating system is to survive the winters here in Washington. We thought it would benefit our customers in the Tacoma area if we put together a quick explanation of some of the available options.

Benefits of Replacing Your Heating System

Even in just the last 5 or 10 years there has been some pretty impressive advancement in heating technology. Here are just a few of them.

  • Safety – Many new models of furnaces, boilers and heat pumps have safety features that are designed to potentially protect you from carbon monoxide poisoning, fuel leaks and fires.
  • Efficiency – Perhaps one of the most attractive developments is high efficiency systems that may be able to reduce the amount of energy required to heat your home.
  • Size – In general, many new heating systems take up less space than older models.

Heating System Options in Tacoma, WA

When you start to think about replacing the heating system in your home, there are some important things to consider. First, what type of fuel is available to you? In general, natural gas systems are cheaper to install and to operate. While electric systems are more efficient, they almost always cost more to run. If your old system was an electric furnace, you may want to consider switching to a gas-fired furnace. If you have a gas line running into your home, it would be fairly simple to run it to your furnace’s location. However, if you don’t have a gas line, it can be very costly to install one.

Another option to consider is switching systems. If you’re replacing a furnace, you may consider getting a heat pump. Heat pumps offer comfortable heating and also are highly efficient. Additionally, you can also think about moving from a forced-air system (like a furnace) to a radiant heating system like a boiler system. Ground source heat pumps also offer a great deal of energy efficiency while providing comfortable heat to your home.

If you have any questions about heating systems and the options that are available to you in Tacoma, call us. We can walk you through the installation process and also discuss all of the options that are available to you. Contact Sound Heating and Air Conditioning!

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Happy New Year’s Eve!

December 31st, 2012

Everyone at Sound Heating wants to wish you a very happy New Year! We hope you have a fun (and safe!) time saying goodbye to 2012 and welcoming in the New Year!

If you are a person who makes resolutions, why not try to make your home more environmentally-friendly next year? Upgrading your heating and air conditioning system can reduce the amount of energy you need to keep your home comfortable. You can also save energy by adding insulation and sealing any air leaks. A greener home is not only better for the environment, but it also saves you money by reducing your utility bills. Contact Sound Heating to learn more about the benefits of upgrading your HVAC system.

Have a Happy New Year!

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Happy Holidays from your Tacoma Heating and Cooling Specialists!

December 21st, 2012

Everyone at Sound Heating wishes you a very happy holiday! We would like to take a moment to thank all our wonderful customers who make it possible for our business to thrive. We look forward to working with you in the New Year. Have a wonderful celebration, and enjoy this time with friends and family!

As a quick reminder, if you haven’t yet scheduled your heating maintenance yet, you could be losing money this winter. Annual maintenance will not only cut down on repair costs, but it also ensures that your home’s heating system is running as efficiently as possible, which lowers utility bills. A comfortable, efficient home is a gift that everyone can appreciate.

Happy Holidays from Sound Heating!

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Heating Tip: What is a Hydronic Heating System?

December 17th, 2012

Are you constructing a new house or renovating your existing home? Is it time to start thinking about the installation of your new home heating system? Before you make any decisions about the way in which you will keep your home warm and cozy we recommend that you take a few minutes to learn a little bit about hydronic heating systems. These quiet, efficient heating systems will make a great addition to your Bellevue home. Contact Sound Heating and Air Conditioning today if you would like to learn more about the benefits of hydronic heating or to schedule installation service.

A hydronic heating system uses hot water or another heat transfer liquid to warm your home using radiant heat. This means that rather than distributing air the way a forced air system does objects themselves are heated. A system of tubing is installed below your floor, in your walls or along baseboards to spread the radiant heat throughout your home.

Because of the piping necessary to take advantage of a hydronic heating system the installation can be labor intensive for existing homes. If, however, you are building a new home or doing renovations it is the perfect time for a hydronic heating system installation. A boiler is used to heat the water or liquid, and the heated liquid is sent all throughout your home to keep the entire building warm.’

There are many benefits to using a hydronic heating system. They are virtually silent, and they do not use ductwork to distribute air, eliminating the energy loss common with forced air systems. They also allow for easy zone control integration, further boosting efficiency and convenience.

If you are interested in the installation of a hydronic heating system in your Bellevue contact us today. We will be happy to discuss your options with you. Let Sound Heating and Air Conditioning help you find the right home heating option for needs and personal habits.

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Heating Tip: Heating Your Home Efficiently in Extreme Cold Weather

December 10th, 2012

Are you looking for more ways to heat your home more efficiently during extreme cold weather? Call the Tacoma heating professionals at Sound Heating to provide you with tips and expert advice.

First, take a look at a few tips we’ve put together on ways to save energy and heat your home more efficiently.

Insulating and Sealing Your Home

Many homeowners don’t realize that their homes need to be better insulated and sealed. If you have never had an energy audit, call your utility company. They may be able to provide this service for you, but there are plenty of home energy professionals out there who offer audits. Once you know the areas that need improvement, then you can take the first steps to improving your home’s overall efficiency.

Small Heating Upgrades

Have you ever considered a simple upgrade for your heating system, such as a wireless or programmable thermostat? Any new digital thermostat will provide more accurate readings, and programmable thermostats have set back features to help you save on heating costs when you aren’t using your heater. Wireless models prevent “ghost readings” since they can be installed anywhere in the home for more accurate results. We also install energy recovery ventilators (ERV) to help ventilate your home more efficiently in the winter.

Consider Zone Control

Have you ever thought about why you heat your entire home when you are only using certain parts of your home at all times? Heating the attic or rooms that are not occupied can waste energy, and with zone control, you can heat only the areas that need heat. We can retrofit your current forced air system to give you these results.

Call the Tacoma heating experts at Sound Heating for more advice. Contact Sound Heating anytime.

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Heating FAQ: Can My Boiler Heat My Water Efficiently in the Summer?

December 3rd, 2012

At Sound Heating & Air, our Auburn WA heating experts want to make sure you get the most efficient water heating system available. Deciding whether or not to use your boiler in the summer will depend on several factors. Here are some things to consider. You can always call us if you have further questions.

Typically, if you have a high-efficiency boiler system, it is more cost-effective to use the boiler to heat your water in the summer. Keep in mind that the boiler’s heating efficiency rating is not the same as how efficiently it can heat the water for your home.

Most heating experts agree that leaving the boiler on in the summer is better than shutting it down. It can create maintenance problems otherwise, especially for older models. You can also find combination boiler/hot water systems that are highly efficient at heating both your home and your hot water.

If you are not ready to upgrade to a new boiler, you have many other options for hot water systems, including immersion heaters, solar water heaters, and tankless systems. Overall, figuring out the hot water efficiency for a boiler is not an exact science because it can be difficult to separate out from the heating energy in the winter. However, finding the cost-effectiveness should factor in your overall water bill, which can be high in some areas.

Call the Auburn WA heating experts At Sound Heating & Air if you still aren’t sure how to calculate energy savings for heating your water with your boiler year-round, contact Sound Heating & Air today!

 

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