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

Common Questions About Solar Heating Systems

Monday, February 25th, 2013

Solar energy is much more common nowadays than in years past, but a lot of homeowners still have plenty of questions about solar heating systems. When properly installed and maintained by qualified Tacoma, WA solar professionals – and properly operated by homeowners – a solar heating system is a great way to keep your home warm and cozy throughout the winter in an extremely efficient way. Contact Sound Heating & Air Conditioning today with any questions you have about solar installation in Tacoma. The sun is up there shining away pretty much every day. Why not put all that energy to use?

Does Solar Heating Work Even if it is Cloudy Out?

Here in Tacoma we see our fair share of cloudy days. This makes some homeowners skeptical of the effectiveness that a solar heating system can really offer. While it is true that cloudy days may limit the amount of energy absorbed on that day, you must remember that energy is used in real time. If that were the case, then a solar energy system would not operate when it is dark out. A solar heating system, paired with a large battery storage system and efficient appliances, will help you keep your home heated efficiently. A backup heating system, used only when the solar heating system is overwhelmed, can give you the extra boost your heating system may occasionally need.

Are Solar Heating Systems Very Expensive?

There is a certain amount of expense when investing in a solar heating system, but like any good investment you can expect a return on this one. The reduction in energy costs when heating your home will help offset the initial investment. Solar panels and set ups require little maintenance, as they have few moving parts, so you will not have to pay much for repairs and tune-ups. Routine maintenance will help ensure the continued success of your system.

For more information about solar heating systems in Tacoma, WA, call Sound Heating & Air Conditioning. Our Tacoma WA Solar professionals will have you heating your home more efficiently in no time. Call today to schedule an installation.

Continue Reading

Solar Heating Tip: What to Consider Before Installing a Solar Heating System

Monday, February 18th, 2013

At Sound Heating & Air Conditioning, we offer solar heating installation in Tacoma, WA and surrounding areas. There are many factors to consider before installing a solar heating system in your home. We have provided a list of those factors in this post to help you decide whether or not solar heating is the most cost-effective choice for your home. Call us if you have further questions or would like to set up a consultation.

Location of the Home

The location of your home is an important factor to consider. While you can choose either a passive or active solar heating system, they will only be effective if certain conditions are in place. Ask yourself a few questions before you discuss your options with a Tacoma solar expert.

  1. Is your home located in a shady area?
  2. How many windows are in the home?
  3. What direction does your home face?
  4. How expensive is gas and electricity in your area?

Insulation and Air Sealing

In addition to location, how well your home is insulated and sealed is another important factor in helping you decide if a solar heating system is the most cost-effective solution for your needs. Homes that are not properly insulated won’t get as much benefit from either passive or active solar heating systems.

Hot Water Needs

If you have an older hot water heater, you can add a solar water heater to your solar heating system to efficiently meet your hot water needs. Be sure to speak with a contractor about all of your options. You may decide to install one system at a time, or all at once, depending on your needs and energy-saving goals.

Call the Tacoma, WA solar heating experts at Sound Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. for all your solar heating and solar hot water heater needs. Contact Sound Heating & Air Conditioning today!

Continue Reading

Can Solar Heating Really Heat My Home That Well In The Middle of Winter?

Monday, February 11th, 2013

For homeowners that are looking to reduce the amount of energy that they have to buy to heat their home, solar heaters are a great option. But some homeowners are skeptical because of the weather that we get in the Tacoma, WA area. There are some differing opinions on the matter but at Sound Heating and Air Conditioning we’ve been providing complete solar services in Tacoma, WA for many years. We thought it would be helpful if we put together some information for our customers in the area.

Solar Heating in Tacoma WA and Cloud Climates

One of the obvious weaknesses of using solar panels in cloudy climates like Tacoma, WA is that it needs sunshine. Since we often have cloudy weather many homeowners are hesitant to use solar panels. However, there are a huge range of options for you that can help you reduce your energy consumption.

First, just because we have cloudy weather doesn’t mean that you won’t benefit from a solar array. There are many days of sunshine during which your solar system can help you reduce the amount of energy that you use. Using highly efficient appliances and a large battery storage system you could potentially reduce your energy consumption by quite a lot. However, you most likely will need a good back-up heating system like a wood burning stove or a furnace.

Solar Water Heating in Tacoma WA

The water heater in your home gets used every day. While solar photovoltaic systems are designed to produce electricity from sunlight, solar water heaters operate in a completely different way. Instead, they use heat from the sun to heat your water. These types of systems can work even when it’s cloudy because they don’t require sunshine—just heat. So even when it’s cloudy, a solar water heater in Tacoma, WA can still provide some heat for your home’s water. When used in conjunction with a traditional water heart, your solar water heater could offer significant energy savings.

For all your solar services in Tacoma, WA call the technicians at Sound Heating and Air Conditioning. Contact Sound Heating and Air Conditioning today!

Continue Reading

Heating Tip: Preventing the Need for Solar Repair Service

Monday, 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.

Continue Reading