Sound Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category

Why You Don’t Want an AC Refrigerant Leak

Monday, July 25th, 2022

insulated-refrigerant-lineBeing unable to get relief from the sweltering temperatures of summer can be hazardous to your health. One of the best ways to give your body a break from hot weather is by spending time in your air-conditioned home. Many people take a reliable HVAC unit for granted until it breaks down. 

If your unit suddenly stops producing cool air, then reaching out to a reputable Tacoma WA central AC service is a wise move. One of the first things an HVAC technician will check when a unit is unable to produce cool air is refrigerant levels. Here is some more information about AC refrigerant and why having a refrigerant leak is hazardous to your unit. 

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Should You Have A Zone Control System Installed?

Monday, July 11th, 2022

We’ve been in the twenty-first century for a while now, and it’s high time that our HVAC systems reflected that. In this article, we’ll discuss zone control systems and what they can offer the modern homeowner in terms of capability and benefits.

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Why AC Installation Should Be Left To The Pros

Monday, June 27th, 2022

two-techs-working-on-ac“DIY,” or “Do It Yourself” can be a great approach for lots of things. After all, if it can potentially save you time and money, what’s the harm?

But it’s important to realize that this philosophy only goes so far.

Yes, using your own know-how to do some landscaping or change the oil in your car can be a great idea, but is it for installing things like an AC?

The answer is no, and in this article, we’ll explain exactly why.

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A Few Sounds You Don’t Want Your Cooling System to Make

Monday, June 13th, 2022

woman-holding-hand-to-ear-to-listenThe sound of your air conditioner’s compressor coming on during one of the hottest days of the year is music to your ears–unless you hear one of the accompanying sounds we’re about to describe below. 

There are a number of reasons that your cooling system may start making odd noises, but pretty much all of them point to the need for a professional HVAC technician. Having a professional take a look at your air conditioner means getting to the root of the problem without any guesswork or shoddy repairs. 

On our team, we encourage homeowners to schedule annual (or biannual, if you have a heat pump system) maintenance tune-ups to avoid up to 85% of the repairs your system might ever need in its lifetime. But there is still that 15% that happens due to nothing more than wear and tear. And so, it’s important to know the signs of an air conditioner in disrepair, so that if one happens between maintenance sessions, you know to give our number a dial. 

Read on to learn what sounds you should listen for (and call us about!)

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“What Does It Mean for My AC to ‘Hard Start’?”

Monday, September 20th, 2021

technician-hands-working-on-ac-outdoor-unitHave you ever experienced your car struggling to start on a cold day? Maybe the engine grinds for a few minutes, or takes a few times before it turns over. This is just one example of “hard starting.” It can actually happen to any type of equipment that uses a motor, whether it’s powered be petroleum, electricity, or natural gas.

Hard starting is an issue that you may even encounter with your cooling system. Although a hard-starting air conditioner can continue to operate and provide cool air into your home, it’s not good for the system, draining excess power and exacerbating wear and tear. Eventually, it could even lead to the premature demise of your air conditioner. Since we may still need our air conditioners for a few more weeks or so, this is definitely an issue you want to be addressed by a professional. Read on to learn more about this issue!

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As It Nears the End of Summer, Heed These AC Repair Needs

Monday, September 6th, 2021

two-techs-working-on-outside-ac-unitIn just a few short weeks, summer will officially end. That’s just what the calendar says, anyway. Given how warm our summer was this year, it’s safe to assume that we may be in for some heat waves still in the coming weeks or even months. That said, it’s vital that you make sure your air conditioner can handle whatever comes its way.

This means you should never ignore any AC repair needs for your system, no matter what time of the year it is. Having problems addressed right away with a call to your trusted HVAC contractor is a sure way to see that the problem doesn’t worsen and that your air conditioner will enjoy a long service life. The last thing you need is to deal with a busted air conditioner when you go to turn it on next spring, anyway!

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Why You Should Hire a Pro for Your AC Installation

Monday, August 23rd, 2021

male-and-female-technicians-standing-over-outside-ac-unitWith your alternatives being either hiring an amateur or installing an air conditioner on your own, we’re here to encourage you to trust the pros for such a job–and for good reason! We understand why it’s tempting to go a cheaper route, but you know the saying “you get what you pay for”? It applies here!

Unless you have a window air conditioner or some other portable type of air conditioner like a small evaporative cooler, we really advise you to give our number a call for your air conditioner installation. Why? Because there are specific steps we take to successfully install your air conditioning system, and if any of the steps are skipped, or done too hastily, it can lead to problems such as a refrigerant leak, inefficient system operation, or even a premature air conditioner breakdown. Ultimately, air conditioning systems are very complex, and require a trained and experienced professional to manage services properly.

Of course, if you’re in the market for a cooling system right now, when temperatures are still soaring for summer, we understand the sense of urgency. However, rushing into a large investment like this could very well leave you sacrificing both comfort and efficiency. Read on as we uncover a few of the main reasons you should only trust a trained professional for this job.

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Don’t Believe These Common Air Conditioning Myths!

Monday, August 9th, 2021

woman-looking-curious-on-purple-backgroundWhat’s the harm in believing in a myth or a misconception? The only person it fools is the one believing it, right?

Well, if you have a family or even just one other occupant in your home, then believing in certain air conditioning myths can lead to not only discomfort, but a malfunctioning air conditioner that can fail on you years before its time. So what can you do about it? You can start by reading this blog post, learning what those myths are, and addressing your air conditioner when it needs attention. Read on!

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Why Going Ductless Might Be Right for You

Monday, July 26th, 2021

modern-ductless-air-handler-in-white-living-roomSummer seems to be extra warm this year, and we’re probably all looking forward to fall and cooler temperatures. But it’s definitely not time to turn off our air conditioners in favor of that cooler weather just yet, right? That said, how’s your cooling system operating this season?

If it hasn’t been operating at what you feel is its best, you shouldn’t have to settle for this. It could be time to consider an upgrade! And if you’ve been using a traditional central air conditioner all this time, you should know that there are other options out there, such as ductless air conditioning (and heating). Curious to know more and find out if going ductless is right for you? Read on!

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What You Should Know about Refrigerant Leaks

Monday, July 12th, 2021

Is Your Air Conditioner Struggling to Keep Up

There are a lot of air conditioning problems that the average homeowner might chalk up as “minor,” especially if it’s not really impacting their AC performance that much at the moment. A refrigerant leak is one of those problems. Unfortunately, this is more of a problem than people realize, and we’ll touch on why, below.

The thing is, refrigerant is the component in your air conditioner that makes the cooling process possible.

If you have any reason to believe that your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak, then you should call us for repairs right away. The longer you wait to have this fixed, the bigger risk there is of serious damage happening to the AC system. The component that will be most affected is the compressor, which is the heart of your cooling system.

But, how do you know if you have a refrigerant leak, and is it really that big of a deal? Read on for your answers.

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