Sound Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. Blog: Archive for January, 2013

Heating FAQ: Is Solar Heating Right for Me?

Tuesday, 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

Monday, 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?

Monday, 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?

Monday, 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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