Sound Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Heating’

Heating Tip: What is a Hydronic Heating System?

Monday, 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.

Tags: Bellevue, Heating, Hydronics
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Heating Tip: What is a Hydronic Heating System?

Heating Tip: Heating Your Home Efficiently in Extreme Cold Weather

Monday, 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.

Tags: Heating, Tacoma
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Heating Tip: Heating Your Home Efficiently in Extreme Cold Weather

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

Monday, 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!

Tags: Auburn, Boilers, Heating
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Heating FAQ: Can My Boiler Heat My Water Efficiently in the Summer?

Heating Tips: What to Think About Before Switching to a Solar Energy System

Monday, November 26th, 2012

Before you switch to solar energy in your Fife, WA home, you should think about a few factors that will affect the performance of your heating system. While active solar energy can help lower heating cots, sometimes providing up to 75% of your heating needs, it isn’t always the best option in some situations.

Backup Heat

Keep in mind that all solar energy systems will require some type of backup heater. Also, how much use you get out of the solar heat as opposed to the backup heat depends largely on how much sunlight you get in the winter. You can store energy with a solar heating system, but it is important to know that shading from trees around your home and other factors, such as weather patterns, will determine the cost-effectiveness of using solar heat.

You will also need regular maintenance for your solar energy system. Just like with any sort of HVAC system, preventive maintenance will help prevent problems and also help maintain the efficiency of the new system. Solar panels need to be checked for hairline cracks as well, since small cracks can quickly turn into a replacement need.

Insulation

The one mistake many people make is not updating their home before installing solar panels. If your home isn’t properly insulated, you won’t get as much out of the savings from the solar energy source. It’s also important to get a home energy audit that can pinpoint areas where your home needs improvements, such as more sealing or ventilation.

Local Restrictions and Building Codes

One of the main factors you will need to consider involves knowing the local restrictions and building codes. Some areas will not allow for the installation of solar panels due to regulations that limit certain improvements that do not maintain the character of the neighborhood. Some zoning laws restrict anything that is considered a private nuisance. That’s why it is important to hire a contractor who is familiar with local codes.

Call the Fife, WA solar energy experts at Sound Heating, and we’ll go over all the factors with you and help you decide whether a new active solar energy system is right for your home. Contact Sound Heating & Air Conditioning today!

Tags: Fife, Heating, Solar Energy
Posted in Solar | Comments Off on Heating Tips: What to Think About Before Switching to a Solar Energy System

Heating Tip: Getting the Most out of Your New Thermostat and Other Upgrades

Monday, November 19th, 2012

Are you considering installing a new programmable thermostat or other upgrades to your Tacoma home this heating season? Make sure you get the most out of your home improvements with these energy-saving tips. You can always call Sound Heating & Air with questions, but here are a few tips to get you started.

Thermostat Upgrades

Whether you’ve recently upgraded your heating system, or you want to install a programmable thermostat as an easy way to help save energy, make sure you know how to operate the new device for optimal savings. Depending on how many thermostats you have in your home, consider wireless models if you have thermostats hard-wired in places that are near natural light or heat sources. This can provide false readings due to the heat from the light. Wireless models give you the option of installing them anywhere in your home.

Other Upgrades to Consider

Do you have an old water heater that works but just isn’t as efficient as you would like it to be? Instead of upgrading to tankless immediately, consider some minor adjustments to the old equipment. Make sure the storage tank on your hot water heater is insulated properly. Ask a plumber if you aren’t sure how to tell. One rule of thumb is the amount of heat you can feel coming from the tank. If you can feel excess heat radiating from your water heater, it may need a water heater jacket.

Upgrading to double-paned windows and installing heavy storm doors is one option, but you can also add caulk to seal the cracks in places where there’s an air leak. Try the candle test if you haven’t received a home energy audit. Hold a lit candle near windows and doorways to see if it flickers. If it does, you need weathers tripping or some type of sealant around the cracks.

Lastly, installing ceiling fans can actually help in the winter. If you reverse the direction of the fan, it will push down all the warm air that rises to the ceiling. This also helps circulate the warm air from a forced air heating system.

You can count on Sound Heating & Air to provide you with professional advice and tips on how to increase overall home efficiency. Call us any time to speak with one of our Tacoma heating experts.

Tags: Heating, Tacoma, Thermostats
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Heating Tip: Getting the Most out of Your New Thermostat and Other Upgrades

How Does a Fife Hydronic Boiler System Work?

Monday, November 12th, 2012

Do you know how the boiler in your home in Fife works? Boilers are a very popular heating system in the United States yet some people aren’t familiar with how they actually work. Knowing how your heating system works is critical to knowing if it is operating properly. Below, we’ve outlined a very basic explanation of how hydronic boilers work. If you have any questions about boilers or if you suspect that your boiler needs repair, contact Sound Heating and Air today.

What is Hydronics?

Hyrdonic systems in Fife use water to transfer heat to the air in your home. Pretty simple right? Hydronic systems are some of the oldest heating systems in the world. They include radiant floor heating, steam and hot water radiators.

The Boiler

Unless you have a steam system, your boiler doesn’t actually boil the water. It heats it to between 130° F and 160° F. The temperature should not exceed 200° F.

The Pump

The pump actually circulates the hot water to the rest of your house.

The Expansion Tank

The expansion tank is a critical part of your boiler system. Have you ever boiled water in a tea kettle? When the water is hot enough, it actually expands and starts shooting steam out the lid of the kettle. That’s what makes that high-pitched squeal. The expansion tank exists to account for the property of water that makes it expand when it heats up. Without the expansion tank, your pipes, pumps and valves would burst from the pressure of the hot water. The expansion tank looks like a propane gas tank that you would use for your barbeque.

The Radiators

Hot water radiators are actually the components that are responsible for distributing the heat into the air in each room. One some newer models, they have a temperature control on each of them.

For all your boiler system needs, contact the heating professionals at Sound Heating and Air. We have experience working with all types and brands of boilers. If you need boiler repairs in the Fife area, we’re the company to call. We’ll be at your as quickly as possible to diagnose and fix the problem.

Tags: Boiler, Fife, Heating, Hydronics
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on How Does a Fife Hydronic Boiler System Work?

Heating Tip: Smart Thermostat Options

Monday, November 5th, 2012

Many people in Tacoma underestimate the effect that their thermostat can have on the efficiency of their heater and air conditioner. An improperly placed or poorly calibrated thermostat can wind up costing you more money for less performance from your home comfort systems. Likewise, a quality thermostat properly used can help boost energy efficiency. Smart thermostats have many features that allow you more control over the way in which energy is used in your home. If you’re considering upgrading to a smart thermostat here are some features you may want to consider.

Programmable Features: There are a lot of programmable thermostats on the market allowing you to create different temperature control programs and schedules. This lets you maintain specific temperatures throughout different times of the day without having to be at home, even when away on vacation. You can come home to a comfortable environment without having to run your home comfort systems at high levels throughout the day to do so. Smart thermostats offer more programmable features with many added capabilities.
Remote Temperature Control: If programmable settings aren’t offering you as much control as you’d like over your heater and air conditioner, many smart thermostats allow you to access your system remotely using a laptop or even your smart phone. Adjust temperature settings no matter where you are in real time for true home comfort control.
Track Energy Usage: If you want to see exactly where your utility costs are being used a smartphone can help you do so. By tracking energy use in your home you can determine where inefficiency is a problem and energy is being wasted. Use this energy to fix problems and decrease energy costs.
Occupancy Detection Sensors: Some smart thermostats have the option of controlling temperatures on their own. With occupancy detection sensors your smart thermostat can determine when rooms are unoccupied or even when occupants are sleeping and will adjust the temperature accordingly. This takes manually setting your thermostat out of the equation.
Review Energy Reports: Your new smart thermostat can provide you with valuable information, compiling energy use data over a period of time, as much as 10 days on some models. Use this information to better understand your home heating and cooling habits. Look for recurring energy spikes or wastefulness, tweak your habits, and save energy.

When properly used a smart thermostat can be a great tool in the fight for energy efficiency. If you have any questions about their function or available models in your area call Sound Heating & Air Conditioning. We have the information you need to start heating and cooling your home more efficiently.

Tags: Energy Efficiency, Heating, Tacoma, Thermostat
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Heating Tip: Smart Thermostat Options

Myths about Solar Energy in Seattle

Monday, October 22nd, 2012

Have you ever heard…

Solar panels don’t work in cold places
They are ugly and bulky and drive down property values
Solar panels break when it snows or hails

There are countless myths like the ones above about solar energy and how effective it can be for your Seattle home depending on where you live or what type of climate you have. However, most of these myths are just that – falsehoods and rumors spread from the days when solar power wasn’t a very effective energy source.

These days, solar energy is increasingly efficient and works in almost any climate if properly installed. Here are some other common myths you might hear about this popular alternative energy source.

Too Expensive – While it is true that solar power is expensive, it is dropping in price rapidly. The cost of manufacturing has dropped to such that the cost per watt is between $5 and $8 – an all-time low. On top of that, most state governments and the federal government offer general rebates and tax incentives for having solar power installed.
Constant Maintenance – If you want constant maintenance, stick with your fossil fuel based heating and energy sources. Solar panels and heating systems require less frequent maintenance than most other systems and last for up to 25 years.
Inconsistency – Older solar panels were less efficient, only capturing 1-5% of the energy emitted by the sun. These days, solar panels are much better at capturing solar energy – ranging from 11% to a whopping 20% capture rate, which means they are incredibly effective, even in bad weather. For the record, that’s the same energy capture rate as your gasoline fueled car, but with none of the emissions.
Making Back the Investment – Solar investment recuperation used to be a long process. These days, however, solar panels increase the value of your home, decrease your annual costs and give you peace of mind. The usual payback time is down to less than 20 years and even less if you sell your home.

Solar energy is one of the most efficient and effective ways to power your Seattle home today, despite the myths. Make sure you read more about it before making any big decisions.

For more information on solar energy for your Seattle home, give Sound Heating & Air Conditioning a call!

Tags: Bellevue, Heating, Heating System, Seattle, Solar, Solar Energy
Posted in Solar | Comments Off on Myths about Solar Energy in Seattle

What Are Flue Gas Spill Switches?

Monday, October 1st, 2012

While some components of a heating system make sense to the average Olympia homeowner – think blower fan, thermostat and air ducts – others are more esoteric and prone to bouts of head scratching.

So, you may find yourself asking “what the heck is a flue gas spill switch?” Read on for the answer.

As you know, gas heating appliances produce heat by means of combustion. The gas line feeds gas into the appliance, the gas is ignited, and the burning gas produces heat. It’s a simple concept that goes all the way back to our caveman ancestors building fires to keep warm, and it is the same process in gas furnaces, boilers and water heaters.

In addition to producing the cozy heat we love in the winter time, this combustion process also releases gases. Known collectively as “flue gases,” some of these – carbon monoxide being the most notorious – can be very toxic. This is why we have flues or chimneys in our northwestern homes– to give these gases a means of egress.

A flue gas spill switch is designed to shut down the furnace if these gases start seeping out. It is made up of a sensor or series of sensors that detect heat outside the flue, not unlike the flame sensor in your furnace. If flue gases start to escape and pass by the sensor, the sensor heats up and signals the furnace to shut down. This cuts off the power and gas, so that no more flue gases can leak into the home and create a health concern.

If your furnace has been abruptly shutting down, it could be your flue gas spill switch trying to tell you that you have a leaky or cracked flue. If this is the case, you want to have it repaired right away. The constant off and on is not good for the furnace, and more importantly, those flue gases can be exceptionally hazardous to your family’s health.

To schedule a maintenance appointment today, give Sound Heating & Air Conditioning a call!

Tags: Flue Gas Spill Switches, Furnace, Heating, Olympia, Seattle, Tacoma
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on What Are Flue Gas Spill Switches?

Heating Guide: Furnace Control Boards

Monday, September 24th, 2012

One way to be a truly responsible homeowner is to familiarize yourself with the major systems and appliances in your home. By having at least some understanding of how, say, your refrigerator or toilet work, you gain understanding of how to use them efficiently and detect when something goes wrong.

The same is true of your Tacoma home’s furnace, which can appear to be a complicated piece of machinery. In order to help you get acquainted with your furnace, we will discuss one of its main control components, the furnace control board.

As the name suggests, furnace control boards are responsible for governing the operation of the furnace. At a minimum, a simple furnace control will control the furnace ignitor (e.g., a spark generator or glow coil), the gas valve and the furnace thermocouple, also called a flame sensor.

More complex furnace control boards will also have control over the blowers and/or the built-in diagnostic system.

To simplify things, you can think of the furnace control board as being a driver and the furnace as its car. Just as the driver oversees all the functions and operation of the car from ignition to shutting off the engine, likewise does the control board for the furnace.

A typical operation sequence for a furnace control board goes something like this:

The control board receives a signal from the thermostat that the temperature is too low.
It starts the ignition system, whether that be a spark generator, glow coil or pilot light.
Once the ignitor is hot, the furnace control board initiates the flow of gas through the burners, where it is ignited.
The control board keeps the furnace running until it is signaled by the thermostat that the temperature is now high enough, or until it detects something is wrong.

(An example of a malfunction where the control board would get involved is a thermocouple that is not detecting enough heat. In this case, the control board would shut off the gas flow to prevent a leak into the home.)

Furnace control boards are an essential part of your Tacoma home’s heating system. For any heating repairs in the Tacoma area, give Sound Heating a call!

Tags: Furnace, Furnace Control Boards, Heating, Heating Repair, Tacoma
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Heating Guide: Furnace Control Boards