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

How to Boost Furnace Efficiency and Reduce Heating Costs

Monday, November 18th, 2019

The holidays aren’t here quite yet, but with Black Friday right around the corner, the shopping is soon to begin. If you’re going to be out joining in the fun, or hey even if you have a budget you want to keep in control this time of the year, then you definitely don’t want to be spending more money than necessary on your furnace usage.

“Yeah, so, should I just not use my furnace?”

Let’s face it, that’s not really an option with our winters—and it doesn’t have to be! There are a number of things you can do that cost nothing, in order to boost your heater efficiency and keep some of that money in your wallet for yourself. So, what can you do?

Tags: Furnace Service, Kent
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Could a Bad Thermostat be Hurting Your HVAC Efficiency?

Monday, October 7th, 2019

We’re fortunate to live in an area where our air conditioner use is brief. But that also means we’re using our heaters a lot. True, we don’t get the bitterly cold temperatures that folks in other parts of the country have to deal with, however considering how consistently we use our heaters, don’t you want to do everything you can to save energy and money?

Well, your thermostat use plays a big role in this. If the compressor is the heart of your HVAC system, the thermostat is the brain—if something is wrong with the thermostat then something is wrong with the whole heater or air conditioner. Read on to learn more!

Tags: HVAC, Kent
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When Is an AC Problem an Emergency?

Monday, July 1st, 2019

We may not have the boiling heat that other parts of the country have, but summers in Washington certainly aren’t anything to scoff at. When the temperature beings to spike, you need to know that your air conditioning system will function as it is designed to. The best way to ensure this is the case is by keeping up on your annual maintenance appointments! This allows our technicians to thoroughly inspect, adjust, and clean your air conditioner as needed so it will perform at its best. But even with these tune-ups, an AC system can experience a problem.

Of course, when problems occur they don’t always to do on a “9-5” schedule, and sometimes your AC system runs into trouble much later than most HVAC companies stay open. Fortunately for you, our team is here if you do have an emergency with your HVAC in Kent, WA. But, when is an AC problem an emergency?

At what point, exactly, do you summon aid in the middle of a Saturday and when do you hold on for normal business hours on Monday? It’s typically a matter of individual judgment, but we do have a few guidelines to help you make an informed decision.

Tags: AC Emergency, Emergency Repair, HVAC, Kent
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Tips to Keep Your Furnace in Good Shape

Monday, December 4th, 2017

Winter is here! Okay, well not quite—but with the way our temperatures are dropping it may as well be. In order to fully prepare for the change in the weather, it’s important to schedule services such as heating system maintenance and subsequent Kent, WA furnace repair, if needed. If you haven’t scheduled your maintenance appointment yet, now is the time to do so!

Getting maintenance performed on your furnace before the coldest of the weather arrives will ensure that its ready to do its job to its fullest ability all winter long. When you sign up for our maintenance plan, you can rest assured that your heating system is prepared to do exactly that. This is the best way to keep your furnace in good shape!

Tags: Furnace Maintenance, Furnace Repairs, Kent
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Don’t Forget to Schedule Your Heating Tune-Up

Monday, October 23rd, 2017

When we recommend an annual tune-up for your furnace, we understand that it’s an easy suggestion to dismiss. Unless something is obviously wrong with your system—for instance, you can’t get any heat from in on a chilly winter day—then you may be tempted to hold off on calling a technician, particularly if your heating system was working fine last year. However, just like maintenance for your car fends off problems, routine heating maintenance is important for the prevention of the most severe furnace repairs in Kent, WA.

As professional heating specialists, we believe it’s our duty to explain to you why regular tune-ups are so important. For more information, reach out to our team and schedule your next maintenance appointment. In the meantime, keep reading to learn more about the importance of this service.

Tags: Furnace Maintenance, Furnace Tune Up, Heating Tune Up, Kent
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Why Should I Invest in Solar Installation?

Wednesday, March 25th, 2015

Solar power has been the source of great debate since its inception. Arguments have raged from company board rooms all the way up to the floor of the senate about whether or not solar energy will be the technology that finally frees us of our reliance on fossil fuels. Though that debate is still going on, one thing is certain: solar energy can absolutely save money at the individual level. If you have never looked into installing solar technology in your home, now is the time to consider it. Let’s take a look at why you should invest in solar installation.

What is Solar Energy?

As you probably already know, solar technology involves harvesting the sun’s thermal energy and using it to power some of the home’s appliances. This is done through the installation of solar panels, either on the roof of the home or adjacent to it. The exact details of solar installation are dependent on the individual home, and will vary. What matters, though, is that solar panels themselves are incredibly resilient. They don’t need to be cleaned more than once every few months. They are built to be resistant to inclement weather, up to and including hail. These are devices that are meant to spend their lifespans outside, and their design reflects that.

How Much Can I Save?

This is usually the first question that people ask when they’re considering investing in solar energy. The answer is: it depends. How much money you save with solar energy will depend largely on the size of the system you install. If you are committed to solar energy, you could actually install a system large enough to cover your home’s entire energy bill. Once the system had paid itself off with savings from the monthly bills, any money it saved after that would go right into your pocket. Over the course of a decade or two, you could save tens of thousands of dollars by eliminating your monthly energy bill.

If you’d like to know more about why you should invest in solar installation, call Sound Heating. We provide professional solar installation throughout Kent, WA.

Tags: Kent, Solar Installation
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What Are the Advantages of Installing a Tankless Water Heater?

Friday, 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.

Tags: Kent, Tankless Water Heaters
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3 Factors Necessary for Solar Panels in Your Home

Thursday, 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!

Tags: Kent, Solar
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Heat Pump Tip: SEER vs. HSPF

Monday, August 20th, 2012

When it comes to Bellevue heat pumps, there are two different ratings you’ll often see – the SEER and the HSPF. So, what does each of them mean and which rating is more important when purchasing your new device? Here are a few things to consider:

SEER

The acronym SEER is short for “seasonal energy efficiency rating” and is used most commonly to measure air conditioner efficiency or in this case, the cooling capacity of your heat pump.

HSPF

The HSPF is short for “heating seasonal performance factor” and is a measurement of how efficient the heat pump is in producing heat during the cooler months of the year.

The Difference Between the Two

Every heat pump will have both of these ratings, allowing you to see how efficient each is. This is important because you need to know for certain how well your heat pump will perform under certain situations – both in the winter and summer.

However, if you live in a colder climate where the summer rarely calls for air conditioner, your focus should be on the HSPF first. And if you live in a warmer climate where your heating needs are minimal, the SEER is most important. Another thing to consider is your supplemental heat. If the cost of your supplemental heating system is high, you’ll want an HSPF that is as low as possible to balance it out.

Choosing an Efficient Heat Pump

Heat pump efficiency directly impacts the price of the device you purchase but is almost always worth the difference. The key is to find a device that provides what you need based on where you live. Keep in mind as well that, like most HVAC upgrades, you won’t immediately recoup the cost of the device in your energy savings, so if you plan on moving soon, you should purchase a more affordable device now and upgrade later.

Purchasing a new heat pump for your Bellevue home is an important step in making it more energy efficient. If you are unsure which rating you need or how to analyze their meanings, contact a professional to learn more.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Auburn, Heat Pump, Heating, Kent, Thurston County
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The Most Effective Environmentally Friendly Heating Methods

Monday, February 13th, 2012

Protecting the environment is a priority for many Puyallup homeowners these days. The problem is that it can’t be as a high a priority as heating your home. Sure, you want your home to be environmentally friendly, but you need it to be warm.

So, it seems you are forced to run your electric or fuel-powered furnace as much as is necessary and hope that it’s not too much for the environment — or your wallet — to take.

Beyond the traditional heating methods of electricity, gas, oil and what have you, there are some alternatives out on the market these days that can keep your home warm while also being green.

Geothermal

One solution is geothermal heat, which harnesses the natural heat of the Earth to warm your home. Pipes filled with coolant run through the ground outside your home, absorbing the warmth of the Earth. Then, the warm coolant is pumped into your home through a network of pipes that radiate heat.

This method is effective and requires no additional fuel or energy.

Micro Combined Heat and Power (MCHP) Systems

Relatively new to the game are so-called MCHP systems. These heating systems have on-board power generators with high-efficiency computer modules attached. The power module interfaces with the thermostat, calling for heat when necessary. That activates the generator system, which quietly and efficiently generates all the necessary power to run the heater.

These systems are incredibly efficient and can slash the cost of your heating bill. As an added benefit, they continue to work during power outages, which has obvious utility in areas that experience harsh winter storms.

Solar

Then, of course, there is the most obvious and readily available source of heat to the whole planet: the sun. Solar heating systems can be either active or passive, which essentially just depends on whether additional specialized equipment is to be installed.

Obviously, solar heating systems are a better choice for areas that get a lot of sunlight year round.

Whichever environmentally friendly heating solution you choose, they have the added benefit of lowering your heating bill, which is always welcome. If you have any questions about these environmentally friendly heating methods please contact Sound Heat & AC

Tags: Kent, Mercer Island, Puyallup
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