Sound Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Air Conditioning Installation’

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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3 Reasons to Hire a Pro for Your AC Installation

Monday, August 24th, 2020

top-view-of-outdoor-ac-unitWhat you’re about to read below are the 3 steps it takes to complete a successful air conditioner installation. Now, we aren’t sharing these steps to encourage you to install your own air conditioner. In fact, we’d specifically advise against that. After all, residential cooling systems are complex pieces of machinery that require a trained and experienced technician to manage.

The reason we share these steps, is because we know how urgent an air conditioner purchase can be this time of year, and we want you to see why it’s so important to hire a professional for the job rather than trying to manage it on your own. Rushing into a purchase like this leaves homeowners with an uncomfortable home and high energy bills. Read on as we uncover the top 3 reasons (a.k.a the steps we go through) to hire a professional for your AC installation.

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What Type of AC System Is Right for Your Home?

Monday, May 18th, 2020

technicians-working-on-air-conditioner-outside-unitThere are a lot of words getting thrown around today when it comes to air conditioners. With so many types on the market, it can be overwhelming to have to choose one. Which one will give you the most bang for your buck?

We can’t answer what is the best system for your specific home and needs without seeing your home first, but we can offer some guidance, at least. Each type of central air conditioner installation has its own unique advantages, and we’re happy to go over those with you so you can make an educated decision about what’s best for your living space.

Read on as we uncover what the differences are between each system.

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SEER Isn’t Everything: How to Choose the Right AC for Your Home

Monday, July 6th, 2015

While it can certainly be fun to go shopping for home improvements, selecting a large product such as a whole-house air conditioning system can feel a bit daunting. With so many makes and models to choose from, and with the amount of information found online, it can be tough to sift through the hype and figure out what AC would work best for your home. SEER rating is important, but its not everything. Lets have a look at a few of the most important factors.

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Signs That You Need to Replace Your Air Conditioner

Monday, April 27th, 2015

We’re beginning to move into the summer season, and that means using your air conditioner more often for the next few months. The last thing you want is for your air conditioner to die halfway through the summer, leaving you without any cool air until you can find a replacement. If you’re going to replace your air conditioner it’s a good idea to do it now.

How can you tell when it’s time for a new air conditioner? Read on to find out.

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3 Factors to Consider When Installing New Air Conditioning

Friday, May 16th, 2014

A new air conditioning system is a big investment, and before you pull the trigger, you want to have all of your ducks in a row. When it comes to air conditioning in Olympia, there are plenty of services to help make the big decisions with you, but you want a local HVAC company that will help you choose the right system, not just rush you into a purchase in hopes of a big payday.

Here are 3 factors to consider when installing new air conditioning, factors that a reputable service will discuss with you before installation begins.

  • Sizing. All air conditioners have a set power level, measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units). You need an air conditioner whose power output is perfectly sized for your home. If it’s too small, it will run constantly without adequately cooling the household. If it’s too large, it will engage in “rapid cycling,” turning on and off too quickly. Air conditioners use much more energy turning on and off than they do simply running, which means that rapid cycling will cost you a great deal in unnecessary energy bills. You need a unit that is neither too large not too small, but just right.
  • Efficiency. Air conditioners measure their efficiency in SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) ratings. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the unit. SEER ratings can affect the sizing of your air conditioner, but generally speaking, you want to get the most efficient model within your price range. At the minimum, look for a unit with a higher SEER rating than the one it’s replacing.
  • Upgrades. A new air conditioner is a golden opportunity to add some new bells and whistles to the system. For instance, look into a zone control system that lets you alter the temperature in each room individually, or a new thermostat that lets you turn the air on and off remotely with an app from your phone.

Here at Sound Heating, we can explain all of the factors to consider when installing new air conditioning in Olympia, then perform the installation with courtesy and care. We pride ourselves on customer satisfaction and we’ll ensure that your investment in a new air conditioner is well spent.  Contact us today to make an appointment!

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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.

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AC Question: Can I Choose Environmentally Friendly Coolants?

Monday, July 16th, 2012

Air conditioners are indispensable in many parts of the country, but their environmental impact has long been a source of controversy. In particular, the coolants that were used in the earliest air conditioners, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) have done quite a bit of damage to the Earth’s protective ozone layer.

When this affect was discovered, countries all over the world acted to have them phased out of production and use in air conditioning. While CFCs have not been produced since 1995, there are still many air conditioning units functioning today that use CFCs. As these units wear out, of course, the CFCs will gradually disappear from use altogether.

Another type of coolant that is commonly used in air conditioners is hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). These have a slightly lower environmental impact than their cousin CFCs, but they are still not ideal in terms of preserving the ozone layer and impeding the progress of global warming. HCFCs are gradually being phased out as well, and they will no longer be produced at all by 2030.

However, it is still possible to buy air conditioners that use HCFCs as a coolant, and if you can avoid this, you should. HCFCs are not nearly as environmentally friendly as some of the other options on the market, and if you are concerned about the effect that these types of chemicals can have on our environment, it is best to steer clear of air conditioners that use HCFCs.

So what coolants are considered environmentally friendly? Well, there are actually two options in this regard. The first are hydroflourocarbons (HFCs). Although they are quite similar to CFCs and HCFCs, HFCs do not contain chlorine and so do not do the type of damage that their predecessors were capable of. You can find air conditioners that use HFCs relatively easily by looking for an “ozone friendly” label on the box.

Refrigerant blends are also becoming a more and more popular environmentally friendly coolant solution for air conditioners as well. Although these types of coolants typically cost more to produce and so can drive up the cost of the air conditioners that use them, they should begin to come down in price as they are more widely adopted across the industry. Just as with HFCs, look for the “ozone friendly” label to identify air conditioners that use refrigerant blends as coolants. For more information about how to choose an air conditioning system in Puyallup, give Sound Heating & Air Conditioning a call today!

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What Is New in Dupont Air Conditioning?

Friday, August 5th, 2011

There are developments being made in air conditioning just about every day, as you can see in Dupont. Air conditioning  is a huge business, and so manufacturers are constantly trying to outdo each other as it is their only way to compete for customers. What this means for you as a consumer is that you will always have an excellent selection of products from which to choose.

Energy efficiency is one of the main selling points for any air conditioning system. For that reason, manufacturers are constantly working to come up with new and better models. The most advanced air conditioning systems on the market have energy efficiency ratings that by far surpass what was available even ten years ago and it is only going to keep getting better.

Another type of air conditioning system that is relatively new but is rapidly gaining in popularity is the ductless mini-split system. These and other compact air conditioners are popular because they can be installed virtually anywhere and do not take up much space. They also do not require the duct system that many other central air conditioners do.

In this way, ductless mini-splits combine the best of central air conditioning and more conventional window or wall mounted units. They keep individual rooms of your house cool and comfortable and can be controlled independently of one another, but they are also very quiet and energy efficient. In fact, ductless mini-splits are among some of the most energy efficient options available in the air conditioning world today.

For many years, enjoying the comfort that air conditioning provides has meant putting up with the noise of the compressor as well. Now, however, you can get the best of both worlds. Many air conditioning companies, in response to customer requests, have been working to curtail the noise and vibrations that air conditioners make.

This has affected models all up and down the line. Whether it is a window mounted unit you are after or a large central air conditioning system, you can rest assured that the model you buy today will be much quieter and produce a great deal fewer vibrations than your old system.

This is not only good news for you. It can also help to make your relationship with your neighbors a bit friendlier. The outside component of most air conditioning systems is usually where all the noise and vibrations come from anyway, and so your neighbors are likely to hear and feel it as well.

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