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

Heating Tip: What are the Benefits of Installing a Heat Pump

Tuesday, April 30th, 2013

Homeowners throughout the Auburn, WA area are always looking for ways to improve their energy efficiency. As we transition into a different season of the year that presents its own challenges to our indoor comfort, you may be in the market to replace your current heating system. While furnaces, boilers, and radiant heating all have their advantages, the heat pump remains one of the most comprehensive home comfort options available. Whatever type of system you choose, however, remember that the most important part of the process is its installation, which should be carried out by a certified technician. Speak to an Auburn WA heating professional at Sound Heating & Air Conditioning today to learn more about your options.

Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of installing a heat pump in your home:

  • Versatility. Most heating systems are only able to work during part of the year to keep your home comfortable. What makes the heat pump special is its versatility. It has an indoor and outdoor unit, and works a lot like an air conditioner. It harnesses the thermal energy of the outdoor air, even in low temperatures, to heat your home. But it can also cool your home during the summer by reversing the flow of coolant. This makes it into a comprehensive, year-round option for ensuring that your home is comfortable no matter what the outside temperature is.
  • Energy efficiency. While furnaces and boilers can use natural gas to heat your home, a heat pump uses electrical energy, making it one of the most energy efficient types of heating available today. For example, the York Affinity™ YZH is up to 60% more energy efficient thanks to its two-stage compressor technology.
  • Ground-source capability. A ground-source heat pump, also known as a geothermal system, uses the moderate temperature of the earth to heat and cool your home. An underground piping system is installed in a loop beneath the ground near your home, and a refrigerant circulates through it, transferring the cold air out of your home, and sending heated air throughout the ductwork.

For more information about heat pumps and how they might improve your home, call the Auburn, WA heating experts at Sound Heating & Air Conditioning. Call Sound Heating & Air Conditioning today!

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Air Conditioning: How To Prepare Your Air Conditioner For Summer

Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013

As the temperature slowly begins to rise in Tacoma, WA, it’s finally starting to feel like spring, and fairly soon we’ll be well into the cooling season. Now is a great time to ensure that your AC works well. If you haven’t already fired it up, then make sure you do before too long. Discovering any issues early can prevent headaches later on. Our customers often want to know how they should prepare their AC systems for the upcoming summer. While there are various types of cooling systems on the market, there are some general actions to take if you want to maximize your AC’s performance this year. For more information, or to schedule excellent Tacoma, WA air conditioning services, call Sound Heating & Air Conditioning today!

  • Enroll in a preventive maintenance program. Prevention is the key to lasting performance. If you want to ensure that your air conditioner can thrive during even the hottest temperatures, make sure you enroll in a maintenance program, if you haven’t already. There’s no substitute for professional care. With professional inspection, cleaning, and tune-ups, your AC will be in good hands for the years to come.
  • Change your air filter on a regular basis. We can’t emphasize this simple task enough. Far too many air conditioning systems have been ruined as a result of neglecting this key duty. By regularly changing your air filter, you are making sure that your system components are fully protected against particles of air that enter your home. Also, when an air filter becomes clogged or dirty, it can begin to impede airflow, which can reduce the performance and energy efficiency of your system, and may even cause system damage.
  • Install a programmable thermostat. This cost-effective upgrade can help you save on your energy bill during the cooling season. It will also give you a way to schedule temperature changes that match your work schedule, so that you can save energy without sacrificing your comfort.

These are just a few of the things you can do to get prepared for the cooling season this summer. For more information, or to schedule exceptional Tacoma air conditioning services, call the experts at Sound Heating & Air Conditioning today!

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Frequently Asked Heating Questions

Monday, April 15th, 2013

A professionally installed and maintained heater is a technological marvel. Today’s furnaces, boilers, and heat pumps are highly efficient, and they perform well under even the coldest winter temperatures. But homeowners throughout the Bellevue, WA area often ask about their home heating systems. We understand that you probably have some questions and concerns about how your heater operates. We believe a well-informed client is a good thing: it allows you to identify problems before they become serious, and it gives you some info to impress your friends and family. We’d like to address some frequently asked heating questions in this post. For more information, or to schedule a Bellevue WA heating service, contact the experts at Sound Heating today!

  • What is a programmable thermostat? If you haven’t yet taken advantage of a digital programmable thermostat, then you’re missing out on fully customizable temperature control as well as improved energy efficiency, up to $180 per year, according to the EPA. A programmable thermostat is not only more accurate, but it allows you to create a schedule for your heating and cooling systems, so that you don’t pay for unnecessary energy usage while staying comfortable.
  • Is there anything I can do to maintain my heater? Yes! You can start by cleaning and replacing your air filter at least once a month during the peak heating season. The air filter is responsible for preventing dust and debris accumulation, both of which can negatively impact the efficiency and effectiveness of your heater. You can also make sure to keep and the area surrounding your heater clean and clear.
  • What’s a heat pump? A heat pump is a highly efficient heat transfer machine. Unlike a furnace, the heat pump draws on the ambient thermal energy of the outside air, which is available even during cold temperatures. It works just like an air conditioner, except that instead of only being able to remove heat from your home, it also works the other way. However, it can become inefficient at temperatures below 35°, so people often pair a furnace with a heat pump to maximize performance and efficiency.

To reach a Bellevue, WA heating specialist, feel free to contact Sound Heating today!

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Heating Tip: What To Do Before You Shut Down Your Heater In The Spring

Monday, April 8th, 2013

As we enter the spring months, many homeowners have already started to think about how to keep their homes cool this summer. That’s important, and we’re glad you’re thinking ahead. But before jumping into the cooling season, there are some things to consider when shutting down your heater this spring. We often get asked what to do to make sure that the heater is in good working order when you return to it next fall. In this post, we’d like to advise you on just that topic. For more information about Lakewood heating, call Sound Heating today!

Let’s look at a few things you can do before shutting down your heater for the spring:

  • Clean the outdoor unit of your heat pump. If you rely on the reliable year-round service of a heat pump, then it’s imperative that you ready your heat pump for cooling. Make sure to consult with a professional about adjusting the reversing valve for cooling. Also, clean the area around your outdoor compressor/condenser—it may be filled with organic debris and it requires proper airflow to operate effectively and efficiently.
  • Replace the air filter. If you have a forced air distribution system, you should check the air filter. The air filter is there to prevent pollutants and contaminants from entering your ductwork and flowing through your indoor living space. Even if you made a habit of regularly replacing it during the peak heating season, it’s a good time to make sure you’re on the right food come the next heating season.
  • Schedule a professional inspection. Routine maintenance is the key to preventing major and costly repairs, to extending the life of your heater, and to ensuring that it is primed for the next heating season. If you haven’t already enrolled in a heating maintenance program, start today and take advantage of professional inspection, cleaning, adjustments, and tune-ups.

Taking care of your heating and cooling systems is a year-round task. But it doesn’t have to be difficult. If you’d rather enjoy your heating than be bothered to ensure it is operating properly, consider enrolling in a professional maintenance program. For more information about our Lakewood, WA heating services, call Sound Heating today!

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What Type of Indoor Air Quality Equipment Can Be Installed with My Heater?

Monday, April 1st, 2013

A heating system that you can rely on during the coldest nights of the year is an important component of any home in Auburn, WA. Comfortable temperatures, though, while important, are not the only factor that you must consider when keeping your home comfortable. At Sound Heating we know that it is just as important that you are able maintain high indoor air quality in your home. There are many indoor air quality products that you can use in conjunction with your heating system to keep your home as comfortable as possible. Contact the Auburn heating technicians at Sound Heating & Air Conditioning today to learn more.

One of the most basic ways to improve indoor air quality is through air filtration. While your heating system comes with a factory installed air filter that must be changed regularly, this filter cannot be relied upon to improve indoor air quality. It is not efficient enough to do so, but is rather designed to protect your heating system itself from dirt and debris. By installing a more efficient air filter you can remove dirt, dander and other pollutants from the air circulated throughout your home by the ductwork of your heating system. Keep your home warm and comfortable without worrying about what else is traveling throughout the system.

An energy recovery ventilator is another great indoor air quality product that can be used with our home heating system. It is natural, during the heating season, to want to seal up your home as tightly as possible. After all, you do not want the air you have paid to heat escaping to the outdoors. However, sealing your home up too tightly can cause air to go stale due to a lack of ventilation. By ventilating your home and recovering heat that would be lost in the process otherwise, an energy recovery ventilator allows you to keep your air quality high and fresh without sacrificing comfort or efficiency.

For more information about how to improve indoor air quality in your home, call Sound Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ll make sure that you are able to enjoy high indoor air quality throughout the Auburn, WA heating season. Contact us today to learn more.

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