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

Is a Ductless Mini Split AC Right For Your Home?

Monday, May 15th, 2023

When it’s time to upgrade your air conditioner, you have a variety of options. It may seem like it makes the most sense to get another central air conditioner that uses ductwork if that’s what you already have in your home. But a ductless mini split air conditioner might be a better choice, depending on your needs.

Whether you need AC installation or air conditioning repair in Auburn, WA, our team is here to help. You can keep reading to learn more about why a ductless air conditioner might benefit your home more than a central air conditioner. Then give us a call for your in-home assessment so you can see exactly how it would work for your home’s layout.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Auburn
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How Long Does it Take to Install a New Heater?

Monday, February 20th, 2023

If you’re thinking about a heater upgrade for your home before next winter, it’s a good idea to understand the process. You may not have to do the work for a heater installation, but you do have to allow for the time, and it’s important to have reasonable expectations. Some installations take longer, while other installations are faster.

There are a lot of factors that go into how long it takes to install a new heater, and we’re reviewing them all below. If you’re interested in heater installation in Auburn, WA, our team can help. We know it’s not about how fast the installation is, but the quality of work that happens during the installation.

Tags: Auburn, heater installation
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Schedule This Important Heating Service Now!

Monday, November 28th, 2022

You’ve likely already turned your heater on this season, and your reliance on it only increases as the temperatures drop even more. Winter is almost here, and you want to make sure that your heater is working at its best all season long.

Even if you take care of your heater all season long, heating maintenance still offers a variety of benefits. Scheduling heater maintenance annually is a great investment in the life of your heater. But even if you haven’t scheduled heater maintenance in the past, you can start now. This is the best way to prevent surprise furnace repairs in Auburn, WA!

Tags: Auburn, Furnace Repair
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Are You in Need of Furnace Repair?

Monday, March 29th, 2021

Furnace systems are very complex. When dealing with an important appliance like this, you’ll need to be one of two things—a trained and licensed HVAC professional or a vigilant homeowner with the phone number of a trained and licensed HVAC professional!

This because without the right training and expertise, your efforts to service your furnace could lead to property damage, further repair needs, and even injury. Fortunately, we are here to help! Remember, the best way to prevent furnace repair needs is with maintenance. Maintenance allows our technicians to comprehensively inspect, clean, and adjust the components that need it, ensuring that your furnace operates as well as it should for as long as it should.

But even with maintenance, you still might need a surprise repair here or there. How do you know when it’s time?

Tags: Auburn, Furnace Repair
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The Best Ways to Boost Cooling Efficiency

Monday, August 26th, 2019

Fall is just around the corner, which means soon enough we’ll be able to turn off our air conditioners for another season. In the meantime though, wouldn’t it be nice if you could reduce your cooling bills? Fortunately, there is a way! Several ways, in fact. And they cost little to nothing.

The bottom line is if your air conditioner is energy efficient, you don’t have to worry about costly energy bills. Fortunately for you, there are many things you can do on your own, in your own home that will help boost AC efficiency. Keep reading for some of our tips on the best ways to boost your cooling efficiency!

Tags: Air Conditioning, Auburn
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Will a Tankless Water Heater Really Save Money?

Monday, February 16th, 2015

When it comes to water heaters, one of the biggest questions our Sound Heating specialists get asked is, “will a tankless unit really save me money?” The answer is yes, but it takes some explaining, which we will do below. You can also access direct help with any questions you may have about installing a tankless water heater in your home by making an appointment with one of the experts from Sound Heating.

How the Costs Breakdown

The initial costs of a tankless water heater are typically more expensive than that of a storage tank water heater, but this isn’t where the savings comes in anyway. Where the savings comes in is over time, in the form of less energy usage. Storage water heaters not only use a greater amount of energy, they also lose a greater amount of energy, something known as “standby heat loss”; this type of heat loss can account for up to 30% of the energy a storage tank water heater uses. So how do you determine how a tankless water heater can save you money? First, you take into consideration that a tankless water heater will save you about $100 per year in annual energy costs. Second, you look at the lifespans of a tank water heater versus a tankless water heater: tank water heaters have an average lifespan of 8-12 years while tankless ones have a lifespan of 20. When you multiply $100 by 20 years, that’s a total savings of $2,000. Of course, these numbers represent averages, but it stands to reason that you will save money over the lifespan of your tankless water heater’s life.

Other Tankless Benefits

Money savings is just one benefit a tankless water heater can offer you. Some other benefits include:

Endless hot water – because tankless systems provide hot water on demand, you won’t ever have to worry about running out of hot water.

Gas or electric options – tankless water heaters can use either gas or electricity for power.

Space-saving – tankless water heaters are considerably smaller than storage tank ones, which opens up a lot of room for your home.

If you’ve been looking for a way to save on your energy costs, and a tankless water heater sounds like it may be a fit for your home in Auburn, WA, call Sound Heating today!

Tags: Auburn, Tankless Water Heater
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Steps Involved with Solar Panel Installation

Friday, January 30th, 2015

Installing a solar panel is a great way to save money on your home’s energy costs from month to month. However, it also happens to involve a pretty complex series of steps in order to be installed correctly. This is definitely not something you want to be doing yourself, though there are some benefits to knowing what exactly is involved with the process. Let’s take a look at the steps involved with solar panel installation, and why you want a professional to take care of it for you.

Preparation

Before anything else, the site has to be properly prepared for the solar panel to be installed. Space has to be considered. Do you have enough room on your roof for the solar panel, or would it be best to install it elsewhere? Will it be easy to access the panels in case of a problem? If you are installing it on your house, is that area strong enough to support the added weight? What about sunlight exposure? Do is the location you’ve chosen exposed to enough sunlight throughout the day? If those seem like a lot of questions, they are. In fact, they’re just the tip of the iceberg as far as preparation goes. You do not want to be navigating this kind of stuff by yourself, especially if you don’t have any experience in the matter.

Installation

After everything has been laid out, and the proper calculations made, the actual installation starts. It begins with a rack, which the solar panels will sit on. Next, the panels have to be wired together and connected to the rest of the system. As with all electrical work, this can get dangerous if you don’t take the proper precautions. That’s one more reason to let a professional do it for you. After the panels are all properly wired, the whole thing has to be connected to the home’s electrical grid. The whole process involves dealing with a lot of electricity, and if done incorrectly can cause a whole host of problems. With a professional covering each step, however, the whole thing can be done safely and efficiently.

If you need a solar panel installed, call Sound Heating and make an appointment with us. We offer solar installation service throughout Auburn, WA.

Tags: Auburn, Solar Installation
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Measuring Space for Your New Solar Panels

Friday, May 23rd, 2014

You may be surprised to learn how viable solar panels have become in our neck of the woods. Recent advances make it possible to generate copious amounts of solar energy no matter how cloudy the day itself is. In towns like Auburn, WA solar energy has exploded in the last few years, and homeowners have eagerly embraced the technology as a means of producing clean, efficient energy for a very low cost. Besides the initial cost of investment and solar panel installation, all you need is sufficient space on your property to hold the panels. In some cases, this means setting it up in your yard, but most people want the panels on their roof, where they can get the most sunlight exposure as well as staying out of the way. Here’s a few tips for measuring space for your new solar panels.

First you need to determine how large the panels need to be in order to power your home. A trained professional can provide precise calculations, but generally speaking, you need to:

Determine the average kilowatt hours you use every year. (You can check your electric bills over the course of a year to get an exact figure.)
Determine the number of hours your home gets sunlight exposure. Cloud cover rarely matters, but you do need to know how many hours the sun is in the sky each day, and factor in the changes in season as well. (You’ll probably see a lot more sunshine each day in June that you will in January.)
Divide the kilowatt hours you receive each year by 365 (the number of days in a year). Then divide that number by the average number of hours your home receives sunlight, and divide that number by .75 (to include an efficiency constant, and ensure that the system doesn’t get overloaded).

The result is the number of kilowatts your array will need. As a general rule, you’ll need about 80 square feet for every kilowatt required by your system. From there, you can measure the amount of space required in your roof or yard. The experts at Sound Heating can help you with measuring space for your new solar panels.

If you live in Auburn, WA, solar panel installation experts don’t come with better qualifications. Give us a call today and let us show you what we can do!

Tags: Auburn, Solar
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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!

Tags: Auburn, Heat Pump, Heating
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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.

Tags: Auburn, Heating, Indoor Air Quality
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