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

How Indoor Air Quality Can Affect Your Air Conditioning

Thursday, August 29th, 2013

You may not realize it but the EPA estimates that poor indoor air quality is one of the top 5 leading threats to respiratory health. Given that most of us spend about 90% of our lives indoors this should make us realize just how important good air quality is to our health. In addition to being damaging to our health, poor indoor air quality can actually affect your air conditioning system as well. At Sound Heating  & Air Conditioning, we offer a large range of professional air conditioning services in Puyallup and we wanted to share a little bit about some of the things that bad air quality can do to your AC system. Call us today if you need any kind of services or if you have any questions.

Puyallup, WA  Air Conditioning Tip: Keep Your Air Clean

Modern homes are built very efficiently which means that they have to restrict the amount of outside air that can leak in. While this is great for efficiency it can also allow many different types of contaminants to build up inside your home’s air including dust, insect droppings, pollen, pet dander and more. Here are a few of the things that this can do to your home’s air conditioning system.

  • Clog the filter – Your air conditioning system has an air filter in it that keeps larger particles from getting into the moving parts of the system like the motor and also the evaporator coils. If you have a lot of contaminants in your air it could cause the filter to get clogged very quickly and restrict the flow of air through the system. In fact, a clogged air filter is one of the most common causes of AC repair. It can cause insufficient cooling, increased repair and also inefficient operation.
  • Increase repair – While your air conditioning system has an air filter, a lot of dirt and dust will still get through. This can cause the fan motor as well as the evaporator coils to get dirty. If your fan motor gets filled with dirt it could malfunction and cause you not to get any cool air in your home. Also, if the evaporator coils are dirty then they won’t be able to absorb as much heat out of your air which would reduce the efficiency of your system as well as the amount of cooling that you get in your home.

Whatever air conditioning problems that you might be having, call the Puyallup air conditioning repair experts at Sound Heating. We can also help you replace your current system if it has failed permanently.

Continue Reading

Why Your Air Conditioning System Leaks

Wednesday, August 21st, 2013

Your air conditioning is a finely-tuned machine. Any imbalance among its components and mechanisms needs to be taken care of so that it doesn’t adversely affect the system’s efficiency and effectiveness. Unfortunately, problems do happen with your AC, just like they do with any other mechanical system. One common problem that may initially appear frustrating is why your AC leaks water. In today’s post, we’d like to review why this happens as well as two other types of leaks: air and refrigerant. No leak is a good leak, and even the most comparatively minor ones can negatively impact your system. Call Sound Heating for excellent air conditioning repair services throughout the Tacoma area. We can make sure that your AC operates as it should at all times.

  •  Water leak. Your indoor evaporator coil interacts with the warm indoor air pulled in by your blower motor. This thermal exchange causes your cold, liquid refrigerant to evaporate (hence the name of the coil) while it cools and dehumidifies the air. This condensed water vapor collects on the outside surface of the coils and drips into the condensate drain pan where it is drained outside of the air handler. But if debris collect in the drainpipe, then the pan could overflow and cause a water leak.
  • Refrigerant leak. When your AC was installed, it was charged with a certain amount of refrigerant. The AC does not expend refrigerant during operation, so low refrigerant is the result of faulty installation or a refrigerant leak. Both puncture and corrosion can cause a refrigerant leak so it’s best to have your system evaluated by a professional.
  • Air leak. Your ductwork is subject to cracks, loose connections, and other types of damage that can lead to leaks. Over time, your ducts endure significant amount of wear and tear,and this can lead to issues. A duct leak can not only cause inefficient and inadequate cooling, but it can also cause your system to work that much harder, which in turn leads to further system damages.

Call Sound Heating today for quality air conditioning repair services in Tacoma, WA.

 

Continue Reading

Your First Air Conditioner: What You Should Know Before Installation Service

Friday, August 16th, 2013

An air conditioning system is a major purchase, which can add value to your home as well as providing you with cool, comfortable conditions when the temperature starts to rise. In Tacoma, air conditioning systems help us get through the muggy days of summer. When the time comes for installation, you want the process to take place smoothly and professionally. Here are some things you should know before your installation service begins.

  • Pick the right location. Your new air conditioning system needs to be properly placed in order to function correctly. The outdoor unit should stand clear of bushes and trees, while providing enough space for the vents and fans to do their work. If possible, it needs to go somewhere that dampens the noise so it doesn’t disturb you or your neighbors. Inside your home, ductwork needs to be placed in areas that receive air conditioning; if you have to place ducts elsewhere (like the attic) the ducts themselves need to be well-insulated. The thermostat should be placed in an area that accurately reads the temperature, away from breezeways, windows and sunny spots.
  • Size the air conditioning system properly. Your AC system needs to be the correct size for your space. If it’s too small, it will labor to cool the house and cost you more in energy bills. If it’s too large, it will stop and start rapidly, which also costs you energy. Make sure the BTU/hour (British Thermal Units per hour) level of the AC system is appropriate to cover the square footage in your home.
  • Make sure your installer is a professional. The technician performing the installation should conduct each step with care and precision. He’ll double-check his work, use quality components for sealing and securing the unit, and set the air flow rate to the level specified by the AC unit in question. He’s also charge the refrigerant levels to their proper levels and run the air conditioning unit to make sure it’s working as it should.

For professional air conditioning installation service in Tacoma, talk to the experts at Sound Heating. We treat air conditioning issues in Tacoma, WA, and take pride in our professionalism and know-how. Contact us today to set up an appointment.

Continue Reading

Is Your Air Conditioning System the Wrong Size?

Friday, August 9th, 2013

As we near the end of summer heat in Tacoma, it’s important to take notice of your air conditioner. How did it perform? Was it lacking in performance or energy efficiency? Were your energy bills higher than anticipated? It’s important to recognize the signs that something has gone wrong with your HVAC system. Unfortunately, one of the problems that you may encounter is improper installation. We’ve seen it more times than we’d like to admit. When it comes to the installation of your AC, make sure you take your time during the process and make certain that your AC is the correct size so that it adequately lives up to your cooling needs. Call Sound Heating if you believe that you’re in need of professional Tacoma air conditioning repair services, or if you believe that your system is improperly sized for your home.

During the installation of your AC, your technician needs to make sure that he takes an accurate load calculation, which is a fancy term for how much cooling power you need to keep your home comfortable and energy efficient. It’s an important stage in the process. If your system is too small, then it will likely be inadequate to the task of cooling your entire home. It will strain during high temperatures and may have to work harder all the time just to get by, which can lead to higher energy costs. Alternatively, if your AC is too large, that can also lead to problems. It may short-cycle frequently, which can lead to increased energy costs and additional system wear and tear.

There are some signs that your AC is the wrong size. For example, if you notice that your energy bill has spiked from one month to the next, it could be an indication that your system is working too hard. If your system never shuts off, it could be too small to be able to handle the load. If it constantly turns on and off, it could be too large. Remember, bigger is not always better when it comes to your air conditioner.

Call Sound Heating today for professional air conditioning repair service in Tacoma.

 

Continue Reading