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

Do Heaters Dry Out Indoor Air?

Monday, December 16th, 2019

wall-vent-near-floorThis is a common problem we have homeowners come to us with—they’re using their heaters but finding that it’s drying out their indoor air, so they want to use them less, but then they’re uncomfortable. We certainly don’t want you to be uncomfortable for the sake of your indoor air quality! Dry air is a frustrating problem, for sure, but ceasing use of your heater won’t help.

The thing is, modern home construction has our homes sealed up so tightly against the elements, that it blogs out many things like allergens and pollutants, while keeping your heated or air-conditioned air inside your home. This is great for HVAC efficiency! But dry air is certainly a beast. The reason we say ceasing heater use isn’t the answer is because installing a humidifier is the answer!

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Yes, Delaying Furnace Repairs Can Be Dangerous

Monday, February 11th, 2019

technician-servicing-furnaceFurnace heating systems are not inherently dangerous, however concerns about the safety of natural gas appliances are common, and ignoring the risk wouldn’t be responsible of us.

First off though, it’s important for us to mention that gas furnaces are the most common type of heating system found throughout the country, and it’s for good reason. They do not have a bad safety record. If they did, they wouldn’t be installed in so many living spaces. The manufacturers of gas-powered heaters are required to design the systems with numerous safety features that meet all sorts of codes. Look for an ENERGY STAR label on your furnace; this notes not only that you have a high efficiency furnace, but one that meets safety standards as well.

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“Why Are There Cold Spots in My House?”

Monday, December 31st, 2018

vent on wall near floorWhen you’re trying to comfortably make it through winter, there is not much that’s more frustrating than cold spots throughout your home. While it doesn’t necessarily warrant emergency heating services in Tacoma, WA, it is a nuisance. Additionally, it’s a sign that your heater isn’t working as efficiently as possible, which means you’re paying for energy you’re not benefiting from.

If you’re noticing cold spots this winter, you might have noticed hot spots in your home during the summer—this is actually more common. Homeowners often blast their AC system and feel substantially more comfortable, but then notice that a room or two are much warmer than the rest of the house, and/or warmer than they should be.

If this sounds like something you’ve deal with, read on! We go into depth below about how these spots form, the problem with them, and what to do about it.

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Need a Central Heater? Consider the Boiler

Monday, December 17th, 2018

Industrial boiler gas regulation and metering moduleThroughout the communities we serve, there are two types of heating system we most commonly find in homes—either the forced-air furnace or the hydronic boiler system. Both have long histories, and both have their pros and cons.

The one thing they have in common is that either makes a great option for homes in Tacoma and beyond. But how do you make the decision between the two if you have neither? Perhaps you’re getting by with space heaters right now. This is highly inefficient, plus in some cases can even be dangerous (you definitely never want to leave it a space heater on when you aren’t home). In this post, we’re going to talk about some of the benefits of boilers, if this is, in fact, an option you’re considering.

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Tips for Helping Your Furnace Perform Better

Monday, December 3rd, 2018

checklist animationIt may not be winter yet, but with temperatures already on a cooling trend, it’s a good reminder that we’ll soon be using our home heating systems on a regular basis. And having a reliable heating system is just the start—you want it to work efficiently, too. Our colder temperatures last too long and it’s just too chilly to be overpaying on your energy bills.

Sure, you could contact our team for professional Tacoma heating services, such as repair or replacement, but neither of these may be necessary, particularly if your heater is less than a decade old. There are a number of things you can do besides servicing your heater or furnace that could help boost its efficiency and lower your utility bills as a result.

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Is Your Boiler Showing Signs It Needs Repair?

Monday, November 19th, 2018

Plumber repairing an hot-water heaterDo you want your boiler to perform efficiently? Then it’s important that you care for it properly. This starts at the beginning with a professional installation from a highly trained and experienced team of heating professionals. It also means following up with boiler maintenance each year, and managing repair needs as soon as they crop up.

Speaking of repairs—boilers are pretty sturdy systems, but even with the right care there’s still a chance that something will eventually go wrong, and as a result your boiler will wear down to the point that it needs to be replaced. But to give your system the longest life possible, you can and should tackle repair needs right away. Do you know how to spot them?

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Should You Be Concerned About a Cracked Heat Exchanger?

Monday, November 5th, 2018

Inside a gas furnace. Focus = the top of the middle flange. 12MP camera.If you have a gas powered furnace, like many other homeowners in our area, and it has a cracked heat exchanger, then yes, you should be concerned! Gas-powered heaters are extremely popular and for good reason. Gas is a more affordable fuel type than electric, and furnaces are highly efficient at keeping your entire home warm. They produce a large amount of heat and for that reason are relied on by many.

But it is important to remember to take care of that heater, and to know that any natural gas appliance can develop safety hazards without that care. We aren’t saying this to scare you into paying for a service you might not need, but rather to make you aware of the need for regular Tacoma, WA heating services, such as preventive maintenance. It’s maintenance that will drastically reduce your risk of dealing with a cracked heat exchanger at all.

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Have You Scheduled Furnace Maintenance Yet This Season?

Monday, October 22nd, 2018

Technician looking over a gas furnace with a flashlight before cleaning it.Temps are already beginning to cool down drastically this fall. If you aren’t already using your heating system on a daily basis, chances are you will be very soon. If you have a furnace keeping your household warm, has it been tuned up recently?

We typically recommend that this service is completed before the cold weather hits, but it’s more important that you have it done once a year than at a particular time of year. Routine furnace maintenance is one of the most important Tacoma heating services you can invest in, especially if it’s a gas-powered system. Read on for some of the advantages that getting your furnace maintained every year grants you.

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Common Late-Season Furnace Issues

Monday, March 26th, 2018

hvac vent on wall near floorWe may not suffer from blizzard-like conditions and below-zero temperatures on a regular basis like other parts of the country, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have any cold weather to deal with during the winter. In fact, our winters are typically more drawn out than our summers, which means our heaters get put through a good deal of work. For this reason, it’s imperative that you make sure your furnace is in good condition by staying on top of Puyallup, WA furnace repair needs.

We install and service gas and electric furnace systems, and we can handle any repairs that crop up with your system. A malfunctioning furnace is not only an inconvenience and an annoyance, but can also be a safety issue. And that’s why even though it’s near the end of our heating season, you should still be aware of common furnace issues that could crop up.

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Yes, Neglecting Furnace Repairs Is Dangerous

Monday, February 12th, 2018

Technician looking over a gas furnace with a flashlight before cleaning it.Generally speaking, gas furnaces are not inherently dangerous. This is an important fact to clear up right away—we don’t want you to feel panic just because you use a furnace for your home heating. Like any other powerful appliance that creates combustion gases, however, a furnace can potentially create health hazards if not maintained regularly and if Puyallup, WA furnace repairs are taken care of right away. If you stay on top of these repairs, you’ll have few worries.

So when can neglecting repairs actually be dangerous? When you ignore the need to fix cracked heat exchangers. This is most likely to happen with an older furnace—we’re talking about 15+ years. This is why we recommend looking into a replacement as soon as you know a furnace is approaching the end of its lifespan. It’s also why we strongly recommend staying on top of your annual maintenance appointments. Tune-ups will help you catch any furnace problems early so you can arrange for repairs or a replacement right away without risking your safety by neglecting repair needs.

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