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

All About Radiant Heaters

Monday, September 19th, 2022

hvac-vent-low-on-wallIt is no surprise that it gets cold here in Washington – really cold. Winter is just around the corner and you’ll be turning your heater on soon if you haven’t already. And if you’re hoping to stay comfortable this winter, you need a heating system that is designed to withstand the frigid temperatures we can expect. 

While each different type of heater has its own pros and cons, radiant heaters have benefits that are really difficult to match or beat. With that being said, radiant heaters are difficult to install and they aren’t right for every home. But if you’ve heard of radiant heaters and they piqued your interest, give us a call. We’re the experts in hydronics for Puyallup, WA

Continue Reading

Keeping Your Boiler System Functional and Safe this Winter

Monday, February 13th, 2017

boiler-system-functional-safeWe may be about halfway through the winter season, but that doesn’t mean we’re done with chilly temperatures (not by a long shot!) Therefore, if you’re using a boiler system to heat your home, now is a good time to think about just how well you are taking care of it, and if the care you are giving it is enough for it to continue functioning efficiently and safely throughout the rest of winter.

Of course, investing in professional boiler maintenance services in Puyallup, WA is the first step to take toward this effort, and hopefully you already had this service done before the heating season started. Maintenance is not only vital for boiler efficiency, but also to ensure the safety of your heating system. Although extreme boiler-caused incidents such as the scenarios found here are rare, the fact is that they do happen. In addition to scheduling a professional tune-up, the following tips will help keep your boiler running smoothly throughout the rest of winter.

Continue Reading

What Problems Can Routine Hydronic Boiler Maintenance Help You Avoid?

Monday, December 5th, 2016

The first thing to keep in mind when it comes to hydronic boilers is that, although they are one of the most reliable heating systems on the market, they are not immune to problems.

Fortunately, however, you can often avoid the costliest and most severe of hydronic boiler issues by having this heating system regularly tuned-up. This will help keep you prepared, and though you may still need to call for heating repair service at some point, you’ll have a peace of mind that your system has been thoroughly checked. Read on to learn more about the problems you may be able to avoid with regular maintenance.

Continue Reading

Help! Why Is My Water Heater Leaking?

Monday, November 14th, 2016

We’ve discussed before reasons that you may need to call for water heater repairs, with leaks being one of the leading causes. If you notice water starting to pool around the base of your unit or any other area around it, you can be pretty sure that a leak has occurred. When this happens, it’s imperative that you call in professionals.

Without prompt professional repair, leaks can rapidly worsen, and you can easily find yourself with major water damage and a completely failed water heater. We’ve listed below some of the reasons that your water heater may be leaking. This is to help you understand the function of your water heater—not to guide you through DIY-repairs. Repairs should be handled by a trained expert, such as a member of our staff.

Continue Reading

Are You in Need of Boiler Repairs?

Monday, September 12th, 2016

While daytime temperatures are still relatively mild, our nighttime temperatures have started to drop steadily, and you may have turned on your boiler already for the first time this heating season. Hopefully you’ve had the system maintained in the last year and have no issues to be concerned about.

Typically, a boiler will encounter less repair issues than other types of heating system, mainly because they have less moving mechanical parts. But no boiler is 100% invulnerable. Keep reading to learn about some signs that you may be in need of boiler repairs.

Continue Reading

Simple Steps to Prevent Heat Loss in Kirkland

Monday, June 4th, 2012

There are two fundamental ways to make your Kirkland house warmer. One is to generate heat, which is the job of your furnace or boiler. The second is to keep the warm air in — and thereby keep cold air out — which is the job of your system of insulation.

The idea that the physical structure of a home can be a component of the heating system is one that is often overlooked, but when you think about it, it makes sense. The insulation, windows, doors and building materials that comprise your home are designed to keep the place warm against the cold and vice versa.

So, when bolstering your HVAC system to promote efficient heating, it is important to also consider heat loss and how to prevent it. This is a process that can get out of hand if you go overboard, so it is important to prioritize. Let’s look at the top 3 places to start when trying to prevent heat loss.

  1. Doors and Windows:  If you have older doors and windows, they could be a source of heat loss in your house, even if they are always closed. Replacing your windows and door with Energy Star rated ones will make sure that you are not losing heat to the outside AND still getting all the heat energy from the sun. Installing storm windows or putting up heavy curtains in winter can also help cut down on your heat loss.
  1. Seal off drafts. If any opening to your house, such as windows and doors, is improperly sealed, improperly installed or if the surrounding construction is deteriorating, you can lose a lot of heat. Check any drafts that you notice that might indicate a problem, and also if your vents and air ducts are leaky.
  1. Start at the top. If you want to go farther in sealing your house up against the cold, it is time to work on the insulation. When installing new insulation, remember that heat rises, so you get the most bang for your buck by starting at the top. If you only have the budget or time to insulate one space, make it the attic. You can work down from there.

These areas should be your top three priorities on your mission to prevent heat loss in your home. If you start here, you will get the best gains with the least effort.  If you have any questions about additional ways to make you heating your home more efficient please call Sound Heating

Continue Reading

No Heat From Your Boiler in Bremerton: Causes and Solutions

Monday, May 14th, 2012

Hydronic Boiler Systems in Bremerton are very popular because of their reliability and efficiency. Just like any other appliance though, hydronic heating maintenance is needed periodically, especially as units age, and they can happen for many reasons. The first step is to make sure you’re actually dealing with a breakdown and not something much more simple. If you’ve lost heat from your boiler, check to make sure there’s fuel in your oil or gas tank before making a service call. Also keep in mind that part of the heating system is electrical. A recent power outage or short circuit in the house could have tripped the circuit breaker for the boiler.

Next, check the emergency shut off switch. It looks like a typical wall light switch but with a red cover and bold lettering indicating the off and on positions. It’s usually placed in a convenient spot in the basement. In many Bremerton homes it’s located at the top of the basement stairs. Sometimes the switch is turned off accidentally, but if a repairman or someone else in you house turned it off for a reason, you need to find out why.

If the emergency switch is on and all the circuit breakers are on and there’s plenty of fuel, the next step in diagnosing the problem is checking the boiler. First, understand that most heating appliances automatically shut down when a critical component stops functioning properly. Don’t put yourself or your family at risk. Don’t attempt to restart or repair the boiler yourself. But you can help the HVAC technician help you by checking a few simple things before making the call.

A puddle on the floor usually means a pipe or valve is leaking. A drop in the water level inside the boiler could have triggered the shut down. But leaks in joints can also occur when something else shuts the boiler down and the metal plumbing shrinks. Is the puddle getting larger or is it stagnant?

If there’s no leak, carefully touch the copper pipes running in and out of the top. If some are hot and others cold, the boiler is probably working but some of the zone controls or thermostats may be broken.

If all the pipes are cold, carefully touch the metal panels covering the boiler. They usually warm up a bit when the boiler is operating normally. Listen for the faint hissing sound of the pilot light. If the  boiler is cold and completely silent, the pilot light may have gone out, triggering a shut down. Don’t attempt to relight the pilot unless you’ve done so before. The HVAC technician can show you how to do it. Keep in mind that many new boilers in the Bremerton area have pilotless electronic ignitions.

If the pilot is lit but the pipes and boiler are cold, and boiler uses fuel oil, the burner motor may have stopped working. The burner motor is a separate, smaller unit attached to the boiler. Most burners have a red reset button that pops up when there’s a burner malfunction. Try to locate the button and decide if it’s popped up, but don’t reset it. Call an HVAC technician first. Restarting a malfunctioning unit may cause further damage. Oil burner motors can stop working for many reasons, including soot blocking the air supply, blocked fuel line, dirty electrodes inside the motor, or seized up bearings. Only a licensed HVAC technician can correctly diagnose and fix such problems.

Please call Sound Heating if you have any questions about these tips.

Continue Reading