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

What’s the Best Way to Get Started with Solar Installation?

Friday, June 27th, 2014

Solar power is something that many people would like to have installed for their home… but which they never get around to actually installing. We understand: solar power promises fantastic savings through a clean, renewable energy source… but it also requires extensive installation and can consume a large amount of space. There’s also lurking in the back of most people’s minds this nagging thought: “What if it doesn’t work?”

We can assure that solar energy does work for homes. It won’t work for every home, but if you bring in a quality solar contractor to consult on your project, you will find out early on if your home will benefit from solar power or not.

There are some ways to “test the waters” (“test the sunlight?”) of solar power. Here are some of recommendations from our solar experts at Sound Heating for your first steps into the world of solar installation in Puyallup, WA.

Solar water heater

Using the power of the sun to heat your home’s water is both useful and one of the easier solar installations to arrange. Solar water heaters do not come with a high price tag, and only need a few photovoltaic cells on the roof to power them. They also have relatively few maintenance needs. If you find that a solar water heater is a cost-effective method of taking care of your hot water needs, then you should find it simple to expand to other solar power systems.

Solar-powered air conditioning

One of the advantages of having solar air conditioning (aside from cooling down your home for essentially no cost) is that the air conditioners themselves are not much different from standard central ACs, using indoor and outdoor units and ventilation shafts. The difference is the source of the electricity that runs them: the PV cells on the roof. Otherwise, the installation is similar.

Bring in a solar power expert

When you hire a solar expert to look over your home, you’ll learn much more about the possibilities for expanding your solar usage. An expert will point out places where you can start saving immediately with solar installation. Every home has different needs and different ways it can use the power of the Sun, and a professional will help you find the best way to set up a solar power system that will do the job you need at a price you can afford.

At Sound Heating, we recommend that everyone examine the possibilities of going solar in at least part of their home. The benefits for your budget are tremendous, and you also be helping the planet by reducing your home’s total energy consumption and the production of environmentally harmful emissions. Call us today for consultation on solar installation in Puyallup, WA.

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3 Advantages to a Solar Panel Array

Thursday, 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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How to Prevent Solar Repair Sessions

Wednesday, April 9th, 2014

Continual advances in solar technology have made the free power of the sun available to more and more homeowners. Solar power isn’t perfect, however. For all their major benefits, the photovalic cells of solar energy systems can sustain damage and require repairs or replacements. They need less repair work than systems with extensive mechanical parts, such as furnaces, but any problems they encounter need to be taken seriously with professional repair work.

We’ll show you some ways you can prevent needing to call for repairs for your solar energy system. But in the event that you do need solar repair service in Puyallup, WA, you can count on Sound Heating to come to your rescue. We have 24-hour emergency service available for your peace of mind.

How to keep your solar panels from needing repairs

The major concern with solar energy systems are the solar panels on the roof. Although built for durability (the cells contain no moving parts and most have an expected lifespan of more than 20 years according the U.S. Department of Energy), these panels can still suffer damage from weather conditions an aging. Heavy rain is a particular concern in the Puget Sound Area. The best way to make sure that the cells will not sustain water damage is with regular maintenance from solar energy professionals. It’s important to have a yearly inspection to discover places where cracking is occurring in the glass covering the cells (which can sometimes suffer damage due to hail or debris blown from high winds) that will allow rain water inside.

Maintenance will also look for dust and dirt that might interfere with the electrical relays from the panels. The Department of Energy estimates that solar energy systems for homes require about 16 hours per year of maintenance to keep them from breaking down. Although you could try some of the maintenance on your own, most of this will consist of basic cleaning of the glass surfaces. Have professionals take care of a good chunk of the time needed each year to keep the cells in their best shape and out of danger of needing serious repairs.

Maintenance is the key

You can’t do more to protect your solar cells that wouldn’t involve covering them up, which would destroy their effectiveness. To keep away repair needs, you should instead rely on regular professional maintenance. An annual maintenance job is not expensive, and it costs much less than the price of replacing damaged solar cells. You should still do some basic cleaning as well, but leave the rest to the experts.

Contact Sound Heating to schedule your annual visit for maintenance so you won’t need to later make an emergency call for solar repair in Puyallup, WA.

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Reasons to go Solar in Puyallup

Wednesday, April 9th, 2014

We don’t usually think of solar technology as a viable option here in Washington. Cloud cover is a way of life, and in the past, that often meant that solar panels just weren’t viable as an energy source. But that’s not the case today. Technological advancements mean that local homeowners can take full advantage of the benefits offered by solar technology, and here in Puyallup, solar installation companies are standing by to help you. Here are a few great reasons to go solar in Puyallup.

Solar installation is one of the staples of our business, and we have the knowledge and experience to do the job right. Give us a call today to discuss your options and we’ll show you what we can do!

Why Go Solar?

  • Inexpensive electricity. Once installed, solar panels can generate power much more cheaply and efficiently than getting electricity off the grid. In fact, you may even be able to sell electricity back to the grid when you have a surplus, putting money back in your pocket. All of that can seriously help offset the cost of installation.
  • Fewer repairs. Because there are very few moving parts, solar panels rarely need repairs or upgrades. That helps set your mind at ease, as well as ensuring that your inexpensive electrical costs don’t take a sudden and unexpected hit.
  • Home resale value. Solar panels can significantly improve the resale value of your home. Should you ever decide to sell, it will help bump the price up a good deal.
  • Environmental impact. Solar panels require very few fossil fuels or other environmentally unfriendly sources of power: generating clean and reliable energy from a perpetually renewable source. They create no pollution and can reduce your carbon footprint to almost nothing depending on your usage.
  • Remote usage. Rural households may not be able to get connected to the electrical grid, requiring alternate means of power such as generator. Solar power is a safer and easier alternative to such options.

For more reasons to go solar in Puyallup, or to schedule an installation, the professionals at Sound Heating are standing by.

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Use Solar Heating to Warm Your Home

Wednesday, March 19th, 2014

Here is what’s great about solar energy: the power of the sun is free. Instead of paying for natural gas, electricity, oil, propane, etc., you won’t have to shell out a single cent for the energy that radiates from the star at the center of our solar system. Once you’ve paid for the installation of a solar-powered heating and cooling system, the only money you will need to pay to keep your house cool in the summer and warm in the winter is for regular maintenance and occasional repairs. (And solar powered systems have few moving parts, so they rarely require extensive repairs.) And if you go solar, you’ll help the planet because you’ll be using a renewable energy source.

Solar power is still underutilized, but at Sound Heating we hope to change that. We want to help you benefit from solar in Puyallup, WA. Contact us today to talk about installation of a solar heating and cooling system for your home, as well as other solar-powered systems.

A few things to consider with solar heating

Solar power does tend to be more expensive to install than systems that use electricity or natural gas. However, the long-term benefits outweigh the initial costs. It only requires a few years for solar energy to pay back its installation price, and after that point you’ll save money every month that you have your system working.

Homeowners are often worried about the space requirements for solar panels. You should have a technician experienced with solar power take a look at your property so you know about the potential for your home to harness the sun’s energy. You don’t necessarily need an enormous amount of roof space, since panels can now be installed on posts in the yard.

Something else to keep in mind: If you feel a bit hesitant about hooking up a full solar-powered heat pump, you can start smaller with a solar-powered water heater, one of the easiest units to install. It’s not difficult from there to start to add on more solar panels as you expand your home’s use of the energy of the sun.

Find out more about solar power and your home

Contact Sound Heating and set up an appointment with our Puyallup, WA solar specialists. We can tell you about the options available for using solar power to heat and cool your home, and then arrange to look over your house and property and see where you can start saving money with sun power. We are happy to answer any questions you might have, and we hope that’ll you decide to invest in solar heating for your future and for the planet’s.

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Benefits of Wireless Thermostats to Your Heating System

Monday, February 17th, 2014

In Puyallup, heating systems still depend on thermostats to gauge the temperature and tell the heater to turn on and off. Most people still think of thermostats as wired models set in one specific point in the house, and indeed such models are quite popular. But they’re not the only type of thermostat on the market. Wireless thermostats get rid of the old models where thermostats were stuck to one part of your wall and needed to be powered by electrical wires. Wireless units offer a number of tangible advantages over other types of thermostats, though as always you as the homeowner need to decide if they’re right for you.

Here’s a quick list of the benefits of wireless thermostats to your heating system:

  • More accurate readings. Wired thermostats run into big trouble when they’re poorly placed. Drafts, cold sports and similar hiccups in your interior temperature can wreak havoc on your ability to effectively condition the air. Wireless thermostats make that much easier to correct. If the thermostat can read the temperature where it is, just move to somewhere where you can.
  • Ease of installation. Along those lines, a wireless thermostat is very easy to install and doesn’t require the services of an electrician. You can put it together fairly easily and as long as is establishes a strong signal with the furnace, it should respond as effectively as a wired thermostat will. You
  • Tailored temperatures. If you have a centralized furnace, you’ve likely experienced some frustration at your thermostat’s “one size fits all” approach to heating. If you’re too warm and someone elsewhere in the household is too col, the portable thermostat makes for an easy fix. Simply move it into the parts of the house that you’re using at the time and the temperature should work the way you need it to.

The benefits of wireless thermostats to your heating system often trump the extra cost involved, and with a reliable technician in your corner, you can set on up to function with maximum reliability. The Puyallup heating systems specialists like the ones at Sound Heating can help. Give us a call today and let us show you what we can do!

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3 Options for Hydronic Installation

Thursday, February 6th, 2014

Hydronic heating is a form of radiant heating, warming the space by transferring energy directly rather than depending upon blown air the way traditional gas furnaces do.  In the case of hydronic system they use heated water to do it, which makes for a very effective and efficient form of heat. In Washington towns like Puyallup, heating installation services can set up a hydronic system very easily, and considering the challenges our wet climate makes for keeping homes cozy and warm, a good hydronic system could be the perfect fit for your home. But not all hydronic systems are alike, and you should have some idea of which types are available so as to make the most informed decision.

Here are 3 options for hydronic installation in Puyallup, WA:

  • Underfloor tubing. This type of system installs a series of tubes directly beneath the floorboards of the room, along with a series of heat-conducting panels. They warm the room directly through the furnishings (and feet) in the room. Installation tends to be quite complex, but when it’s complete, the resulting system is hidden from sight and takes up very little space The thorough coverage provided by the system means that heating is very even as well.
  • Baseboard heaters. Baseboard heaters are easier to install than underfloor tubing. They involve baseboards placed along the base of the wall, pulling in cool air from the room and heating it via a series of pipes and tubes circulating hot water. The downside is that they’re more obtrusive and don’t quite heat the room as evenly as underfloor tubing. But they’re easy to maintain and don’t cost as much to install.
  • Hydronic boilers. Boilers are the oldest and most familiar form of hydronic heater, using a centralized boiler to heat the water, which then circulates to radiators and similar components via pipes. They’re simpler to install than other types of hydronic system, though they can still be quite obtrusive and aren’t always as efficient as heating the home.

Regardless of the options for hydronic installation you choose, the experts at Sound Heating can help. We operate in Puyallup, heating installation includes hydronic systems, and we’re dedicated to you complete satisfaction at every turn. Give us a call today and let us show you what we can do!

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Can I Add Zone Control to My Existing Heating System?

Tuesday, January 28th, 2014

A zone control system is used to regulate different sections of your house. For example, it allows you to set one temperature in the living room (where it may be quite cool) and another temperature in the kitchen (where using the stove might elevate he temperature considerably). You can also shut off the heat in parts of the house you aren’t using and save a lot of money on monthly bills. This provides a tangible advantage over centralized furnaces, which deliver one uniform temperature for the entire house. Here in Puyallup, heating services can provide zone control systems that use stand-alone units such as ductless mini split systems. “But can I add zone control to my existing heating system?” you ask. It’s a fair question and – provided you use the right heating technician – the answer is yes.

The ductless mini-split system makes for easy zone control because each component is an individual heater in and of itself. With multiple units scattered throughout your house, you can turn them on and off as you wish and tailor the temperature accordingly. If you already have a centralized furnace, however, such a system becomes a needless waste: rendering your ductwork obsolete and essentially leaving one fully functioning furnace all but useless.

Adding zone controls to your existing heating system solves all of that. Instead of using multiple separate units, the technician installs a series of valves and dampers in your duct system at key points. Controls are added allowing you to open and close the dampers at different points in the system, modifying or shutting off the heat in various sections of the house. It facilitates good zone control without rendering your existing system useless, and upgrading an existing system in this manner tends improve the resale value of your home to boot.

If you’re asking “Can I add zone control to my existing heating system?” then Sound Heating can help. Our Puyallup heating system technicians have handled heating issues of all varieties for over 20 years, and our staff has considerable experience upgrading existing systems with zone controls. We’re happy to discuss your options with you, and will work overtime to ensure you’re completely happy with your new upgrades. Give us a call today!

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What Types of Different Heat Pumps Are There?

Tuesday, November 12th, 2013

Although heat pumps have existed for decades, over the last twenty years they have rocketed to the top of the list of HVAC systems people want installed in their homes. It’s easy to see why they have achieved such popularity: they take care of air conditioning and heating in a single unit.

As with any heating system, heat pumps come in a variety of models and types. To help you navigate the options available, we’ll run over the main types to consider. Get in touch with Sound Heating if you want more information about heating service in Puyallup, WA.

Air source heat pumps

The most common type of heat pump uses air as the medium of heat exchange. When acting as an air conditioner, they draw heat from your indoor air and remove it to the air outdoors. For heating, they reverse the process, drawing heat from the outdoor air and placing it indoors. Although these heat pumps have high energy efficiency (a family of four can see savings of 30%-40% on their heating bills if they switch from a furnace), they can struggle with providing effective heat during temperatures that drop freezing.

Ground source heat pumps

These are also called geothermal systems, since they use the earth itself as the medium for heat exchange. Through coils buried in the ground around a home, they draw heat to move indoors—and can reverse the direction to put heat back into the ground. Because the temperature of the earth remains fairly steady at a level of 10 feet below the surface, these pumps rarely encounter trouble from heavy cold weather. They also provide even greater energy savings. However, they do not work for all homes and can cost much more to install than other systems.

Mini split heat pumps

These heat pumps—usually air-source—do not use ducts to distribute heated or cooled air. Instead, the outdoor unit hooks up to various individual blower units mounted in different rooms (or “regions”) throughout your home. These blowers send the conditioned air directly into your living spaces. Mini split systems are ideal for new homes that do not have any ductwork installed.

The kind of heat pump you need for your house will depend on many factors, and it requires the work of an HVAC expert to balance all of them and come up with an answer to the question: “What heat pump will provide me the best performance and energy-efficiency?” You will also need experts to handle the installation (ground-source heat pumps in particular involve extensive work) so that your new system will operate as it should with few repair needs in the future.

Trust your heating in Puyallup, WA to Sound Heating. We’ve served the Greater Puget Sound area since 1989.

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Why Heat Pump Short Cycling is a Problem

Thursday, October 31st, 2013

Heat pumps combine the functions of an air conditioner and a heater into a single unit. In the summer, a heat pump cools the air inside your home while releasing heat into the air outside. In the winter, that process is reversed: releasing heat into the air in your home and cooling the air outside. They work extremely well in towns with mild weather like Puyallup; heating repair services often treat them in addition to handling problems with traditional gas furnaces.  If you notice your heat pump short cycling (turning on and off rapidly multiple times throughout the day) it could indicate a number of different problems from an oversized heat pump to a faulty thermostat to a malfunctioning fan motor. Whatever the cause, however, it needs to be addressed before the issue gets out of hand. Here’s why heat pump short cycling is a problem.

Heat pumps use more energy when they turn on and off than they do at any other time in the heating process. The effort required to power up and get up to speed (or power down and shut off) is far greater than simply running once it all kicks in. Furthermore, the process of turning the pump on creates much more strain and stress on individual components than running at a clip: increasing the chances of a breakdown and hastening the point when that component needs to be replaced.

Thus, a heat pump that cycles on and off rapidly throughout the day will work harder to cool your home – raising energy costs and hitting you with a higher monthly bill to do the same job – while increasing the risk of a more serious breakdown and even more repair costs in the future.

In Puyallup, heating repair services are offered by Sound Heating, who understand why heat pump short cycling is a problem. Our trained Puyallup heating repair service professionals can hunt down the source of the issue and restore your heat pump to standard operating condition. Don’t waste money by ignoring a cycling heat pump. Give us a call to set up an appointment today.

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