When something goes wrong with your heating system, your first instinct should be to call for professional repairs. Well, at least it should be most of the time. However, you’d be pretty amazed at the number of times that a “serious” heating problem turned out to be something very easily fixed.

Before you go to the trouble of actually calling a technician to come to your home, check up on a couple of basic things first. It’s likely that you’ll still need professional repairs, but there’s no harm in trying these things first.

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Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Before You Call for Heating Repairs, You Should Check These Things

If you schedule regular maintenance for your home’s heating system and always make sure to call for repairs at the first sign that something is amiss with it, you should expect the heater to work dependably through the winter. But there is no way to avoid all malfunctions that might crop up in a heater; should you discover that your house isn’t receiving heat or that some rooms are colder than they should be, there are a few steps you should take to attempt to remedy the problem.

Never think of professionals as a “last resort” when it comes to finding out what is wrong with a central heater. In most cases, you will need experts to diagnose the problem and find the solution. When in doubt, schedule your heating repairs in Olympia, WA with Sunset Air. We have 24-hour emergency service available so you won’t have to wait long to have your home comfort restored.

Steps To Take When the Heat Stops

• Examine the thermostat: An incorrect setting on a thermostat is often the simple answer to why the heat isn’t turning on. If you have a heat pump, the system may still be set in cooling mode. For a programmable thermostat, an error in setting the time and temperature limits may be responsible. If the thermostat appears broken, call for professional assistance.
• Check the circuit breaker panel: A heating system can sometimes overload a circuit panel and trip a breaker. Even gas-powered heaters must rely on electricity to run their motors and electronic igniters. A tripped breaker will keep the heater from turning on. If the heating system continues to trip circuit breakers after you re-set them, then the malfunction may be more serious and you should call for repair technicians.
• See that the vents are unblocked: Moving furniture and rugs in a room could end up blocking the vents, resulting in cold spots. Check to see that all the vents have open access and the airflow from them feels warm.
• Call for repair technicians: If none of the above steps helps the situation, then you shouldn’t attempt anything more on your own. Call a 24-hour repair service to come to your home and analyze the problem to discover the best way to remedy it.

At Sunset Air, we handle many types of heaters: furnaces, boilers, wood stoves, radiant heaters, heat pumps, dual fuel systems, geothermal heat pumps, and ductless heaters. No matter the type of heater you use to provide comfort for your household, you can trust to our experts at heating to keep it running.

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Posted in Heating | Comments Off on No Heat in the House? Things to Check and Do

In Olympia, WA, heating repair usually comes along in the middle of winter, when temperatures are cold and you need a reliable heater to keep your home cozy and comfortable. In many cases, a faulty or malfunctioning component won’t actually prevent the heater from functioning, which may tempt you to hold off on repairs for a while. This can be a big mistake. Here’s why you shouldn’t wait to repair your heater.

• Higher costs. A problem that isn’t treated properly won’t get better on its own. In fact, it’s only apt to get worse: adding strain to the system as a whole and increasing the chances of an issue developing with another part of the heater. Suddenly, a job that once looked fairly innocuous is now going to cost you a great deal more money, money which could have been saved by calling a repair service early on.
• Shorter lifespan. The wear and tear created by a lack of timely service can damage your heater’s internal components more than they need to be. In addition to creating more frequent repair sessions, it can shorten the life of your heater, forcing you to consider the installation of a new unit months or even years before you might do so otherwise.
• Inconvenience. A problematic heater may continue to function, but without treating the issue, you’re rolling the dice on how far it will go before it suffers a complete breakdown (possibly right at the moment when you need it the most). Scheduling a prompt repair lets you deal with the problem on a timetable that is convenient to you, instead of having to scramble in the middle of a winter storm.

If you know why you shouldn’t wait to repair your heater, the next step is to contact a qualified Olympia, WA, heating repair service technician to do the job right. Here in Olympia WA, heating repair can be performed by Sunset Air. Our trained staff of professionals knows how to do the job right, and we’re dedicated to your complete satisfaction from the beginning of the job until the end. Pick up the phone and give us a call today!

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Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Repair Your Heater

Few home heating systems offer as many advantages as the good ol’ hot water boiler: long service lifespans, few repairs, even heat distribution, cleaner air, and quiet operation. But no boiler can work perfectly 100% of the time, and without repairs or maintenance, it might end up failing you on a particularly cold day.

However, you can get rid of this inconvenience quickly with a call to Sunset Air. We offer 24-hour emergency heating repair service Olympia, WA —no matter what it is.

Corrosion

Corrosion, particularly rust, is a main threat to your boiler. Corrosion is the chemical reaction that occurs when iron (or iron alloys) comes into contact with water and oxygen, resulting in the creation of iron oxides. Corrosion weakens metal until the point that it crumbles and flakes away. Even a small amount of corrosion on your boiler’s water tank can start leaks. If you spot corrosion, get professional work done before it spreads and requires replacing the entire tank.

High water pressure

Boilers have safety precautions in them to keep the internal water pressure steady: a pressure release valve and an expansion tank. However, if these malfunction, or if sediment and limescale start to infiltrate the tank, it could cause the boiler’s pressure to spike. High pressure means numerous leaks throughout the pipes attached to the boiler. An HVAC professional will have to identify the specific cause of the high pressure in order to repair it.

Leaking from loose connections

The two problems above can both lead to leaks, one of the worst issues you can encounter with a boiler. Another common source for leaking from a boiler can happen due to loose connections between the hot water tank and the lines. Sometimes this occurs because of poor initial installation and a bad soldering job. Aging boilers can also suffer from loose connections. Fixing this frequently involves extensive repair work, especially if the source of the problem was an amateur installation.

Your boiler can last many years without a major decline in its effectiveness… but only if you make sure that it gets regular maintenance and proper repairs. Sunset Air has served the South Puget Sound and Southwest Washington areas since 1976, so rely on our experience for your Olympia, WA heating repair needs.

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One of the most common heating systems in the U.S. is forced-air heaters. Furnaces and heat pumps are both forced-air systems. These types of heaters use blowers to distribute warm air through a house, usually along ductwork—although heat pumps can be installed as ductless mini splits if the home does not already have ducts installed. Forced-air can efficiently heat a home, but they can suffer from malfunctions that will reduce their airflow.

Issues with airflow usually point to the need for professional repairs. There are a few steps you can take to make sure that user error isn’t responsible: check to see that vents are fully open, and examine the thermostat to see that it’s set correctly. (By the way, to dispel an old myth: shutting some vents in your house will not cause others to blow harder.)

Here are some reasons you may experience airflow problems with your heater. Call on Sunset Air for heating repair service in Olympia, WA that can remedy these issues:

Clogged air filters: This is the primary reason for a loss of airflow in a forced-air heater. The filter protects the internal components of a furnace or heat pump from dust and debris in the air. The filter should be changed every month during the heating season, otherwise the buildup of contamination could impede the airflow and possibly lead to debris infiltrating the heater. If you’ve gone too long without changing the filter, you should get a professional to check your heater to see if it has developed other problems.

Breaks and gaps in ductwork: The ductwork in your home is sealed all the way to the vent to prevent a loss of heat and air pressure. If breaks form along the ducts, the air pressure will drop. This will not only cut down on airflow, but it could cause the heater to start drawing colder air from other parts of the house, cutting into its heating power.

An improperly sized heater: This is the most serious problem, because it means your heater received a poor installation originally and will probably need replacement. If your heater has never given you sufficient airflow, than it’s likely too small to do the job. Get in a professional company to gauge the correct size of heater that you need and install it.

Sunset Air has been in the business of Olympia, WA heating repair since 1972—with our experience with repairs, we can have you back in a cozy home environment in no time. For airflow problems or anything else amiss with your heater, contact Sunset Air today.

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Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Heating Airflow Issues