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

Can Boosting Furnace Efficiency Help You Avoid Repairs?

Monday, November 15th, 2021

hvac-vent-low-on-wallThere’s no denying that if you live in the Bellevue area, you need a powerful and effective furnace to keep you comfortable all season long. If you’re calling for professional repair services a little more often than you think you should have to though, it’s definitely an indication that something is amiss. You may wonder if there’s a way to reduce these repair needs.

Well, there is! By scheduling regular furnace maintenance, you can boost the efficiency and performance of your furnace, which will in turn reduce repair needs. Read on to learn how, and to learn how to boost that efficiency, too!

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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 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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Why You need to Change Your Air Conditioner’s Filter

Monday, June 28th, 2021

hand-changing-air-filterThere’s a fairly common misconception when it comes to air filters—at least, air filters that come standard with air conditioners and forced-air heaters. Homeowners often assume they’re in place to protect their indoor air quality. In reality, they’re there to protect the interior components of the HVAC system from dirt, dust, and other debris that can get inside and damage the components.

In other words, your air conditioner’s air filter is there to keep the actual air conditioner clean, not to keep the air clean. Read on to learn more! 

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Heed These Signs Your Boiler Needs Repair

Monday, March 8th, 2021

boiler-pressure-gauge A heating system of any kind can only be as effective and efficient as it is meant to be if it is taken care of as it should be. Your boiler is no exception! Boilers should be professionally installed, repaired, and maintained by experienced and professional technicians in order for them to operate as they should.

It’s also important to remember that even with high-quality installation, maintenance, etc, there is still the chance that something will eventually go wrong that will require repairs. Eventually your boiler will wear down to the point that it even needs to be replaced. But do you know how to spot the signs that your boiler is struggling?

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Is Your Heater Problem Actually a Thermostat Problem?

Monday, November 16th, 2020

thermostat-on-orange-wallMany homeowners don’t think about this, but when you experience a heater problem, the first place you should look is the thermostat. You may do this naturally anyway, but with today’s programmable and digital thermostats, you might be confused as to what you’re looking for, and you may not understand whether or not your heater really is having trouble, or if it is a thermostat problem.

That’s what we are here for! Read on as we help you decipher what could be going on with your thermostat when your heating system doesn’t seem to be providing enough heat or a high enough temperature.

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Don’t Ignore These Late-Seasons Signs You Need AC Repair

Monday, September 9th, 2019

air-conditioner-with-tools-on-topYour central air conditioner is one of the most important features there is when it comes to home comfort. In fact, it’s probably one of the biggest investments you’ve made in your home. It’s also one of the most specialized systems in your home—meaning only a trained and licensed professional should be the one to conduct repairs or any sort of service on the system—services like maintenance, for example.

Just like with your vehicle or many other heavy pieces of equipment, your air conditioner needs routine maintenance to keep working as it should, and it’s a lot easier (and cheaper) to address problems when they are small than it is to deal with an emergency later on because that small problem had a domino effect on the rest of your system.

But, if you had maintenance done months ago, or if you skipped it this year (it’s not too late to schedule it!) how know you need AC repair? And should you tackle those repairs right away or can they wait until next fall? For the later question—you should never delay repairs as it can turn into a premature system replacement if you’re not careful. As for how you know you need repairs, read on!

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How to Heat Your Home More Efficiently

Monday, January 1st, 2018

family playing with dog and looking comfortable inside homeThere’s no a place in the country we can think of where homeowners want to pay more than necessary on their home heating bills. That is particularly true for cold-weather states such as ours. We may not have as severe winter weather as the east coast, but we experience more than our fair share of cooler temperatures all year long, and therefore need heating systems in our homes that will work as effectively and efficiently as possible, for as long as possible.

Since heaters are mostly “out of sight, out of mind,” you may not think much about them, let alone what could be causing them to operate inefficiently. We’ve provided some tips below that should help you make small changes (which equate to big differences in efficiency) that can help your heater perform better, and help you prevent the biggest and most costly of Bellevue, WA heating repairs.

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