Sunset Air Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Puyallup’

Check These Things Before Calling for Furnace Repair

Monday, April 9th, 2018

gas-burnerIt can be especially maddening to turn on your furnace during a cold day and have it not work for some reason. Furnaces can break down in all sorts of different ways, most of which require professional repairs to remedy. Before you call for professional repairs, though, you should know that there are certain problems that can fix on your own with the furnace. The following are a few simple steps you can take to confirm that the problem isn’t something that can be easily fixed before you call for furnace repairs.

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Weird Furnace Noises and What They Mean

Monday, February 12th, 2018

gas-burnerSome parts of the country may be heating up already, but we still have a good amount of cold weather left before we turn off our heaters. If you’re using a furnace to keep your home warm for the final stretch of winter, you should remain on guard for signs that the system is malfunctioning in some way. One of the most obvious signs that a furnace is experiencing issues is odd noises coming from the system. Let’s go over some of the more common noises that indicate a problem with the furnace, and what to do about them.

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Replace Your Heater if It’s Doing These Things

Monday, January 29th, 2018

furnaceWe hope you’ve been scheduling preventive maintenance on your heater on a regular basis and calling for repairs when you have to. Taking these actions can extend the life of your heater. But no amount of care and maintenance can make a heater last forever. Eventually, you will have to replace it with a new one. If you’re unsure whether or not your heater is getting close to the end of its life, there are a number of ways to tell. Have a look at three of the most common signs that it’s getting close to time to replace your heater. If the heater is experiencing any of these conditions, consult with a professional and see about replacing it.

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Heat Pump Issues to Watch For

Wednesday, January 10th, 2018

heat-pumpIf you’re using your heat pump to keep warm this winter, you need to keep an eye out for warning signs that the system is experiencing any issues. The demand on heating systems is a lot higher during the winter, which makes them more likely to develop problems of various kinds. If you want to prevent your heat pump from becoming damaged during the winter season, you should familiarize yourself with symptoms that indicate a problem. Have a look at some of the most common symptoms below.

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Electrical Problems and Their Symptoms

Monday, October 9th, 2017

electrical-outletThe average home is full of many kinds of systems, all of which are put under varying levels of strain on a daily basis. Each of these systems can develop a wide range of problems over time. Some of these issues are trivial. Some are not. One area where problems should never be taken lightly, however, is the electrical system. Electrical issues almost always pose a danger to both the home and the people inside. That’s why you should immediately respond to symptoms of an electrical problem by calling for repairs. Have a look at some common signs that your electrical system is experiencing some kind of problem, and when to call for professional help.

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Electrical Problems and Their Symptoms

Monday, September 25th, 2017

electrical-appliancesElectrical issues are not something you should ever take lightly. Because we rely on our electrical systems during so much of the day, every day, many of us have a tendency to take those systems for granted. A home’s electrical system is just as susceptible to problems as any other system, and many of these problems can be very dangerous. House fires and electrocution are common results of these issues, which is why it’s all the more important to know how to identify them so that they can be dealt with as quickly as possible.

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Common Electrical Problems

Friday, January 9th, 2015

The electrical system is one of the most complex of any home’s infrastructure. It can also be the most dangerous. Electrical problems can burn out appliances, start fires, and even cause death under the worst circumstances. A lot of electrical problems are subtle, evidenced only by small signs that are easily missed. In this article, we’ll examine some of these signs, what they mean, and when you should call an electrician.

Flickering Lights

No, your house is likely not haunted. Flickering lights is a sign that there is a short or a bad connection somewhere along the circuit. Depending on where this flickering occurs, it could be located in one outlet or the entire house. Bad connections in the circuit are only a minor annoyance in and off themselves. However, a short can get progressively worse over time depending on where it is. It’s best to call an electrician if you notice this happening.

Switches Getting Hot

This is not a problem if you’re using dimmer switches. A dimmer switch controls the level of light a bulb gives off by increasing or decreasing the resistance to the electric current. The energy that doesn’t make it to the bulb is given off as heat, causing the dimmer switch to feel warm. If you aren’t using a dimmer switch, however, this is a big problem.

Normal switches are supposed to allow the electrical current to travel more or less unfettered. When a normal switch heats up, it’s a sign that the current is meeting unusual resistance. If whatever is causing the resistance is not fixed, the extra heat can melt the switch and even cause a fire. Call an electrician immediately if you notice a normal switch getting hot.

Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping

A circuit breaker is designed to trip if the system is threatening to be overwhelmed. However, a circuit breaker that won’t reset is a problem. If your circuit breaker refuses to reset, it is likely still detecting whatever is threatening the grid. If you can’t find the item that’s overloading the circuit, call an electrician to help you.

If you’re experiencing electrical problems in your home, call Sunset Air. We provide electrical services throughout Puyallup.

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7 Benefits of a Programmable Thermostat

Tuesday, December 2nd, 2014

benefits of a programmable thermostat

7 Benefits of a Programmable Thermostat

One of the biggest causes of poor energy efficiency in an HVAC system is leaving the heating or air conditioning on when no one is in the house. If you find that you are constantly leaving the heating or cooling on in your house, chances are you could benefit from changing to a programmable thermostat. Here is a list of 7 ways a programmable thermostat can help your HVAC system.

  • You can schedule the heating or cooling to only turn on while you are gone. This makes a huge difference in your utility bills at the end of the month.

 

  • Programmable thermostats do not contain toxic chemicals such as mercury. Most outdated thermostats use mercury inside the unit. It’s important to keep this in mind when disposing of it.

 

  • You won’t ever forget to turn off you heating or cooling system.

 

  • You don’t have to enter a cold home after a long day. The thermostat can be used to heat the room just before your arrival.

 

  • You can also adjust your thermostat to turn on just before you wake up in the morning.

 

  • You can set the temperatures to be different on different days of the week.

 

  • A programmable thermostat is a year round advantage. You can use all the same features to control heating AND cooling using only one unit.

Sunset Air wishes you a safe and warm winter. For more information on programmable thermostats, contact us by calling (360) 456-4956

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The Benefits of Switching to a Ductless System

Tuesday, November 25th, 2014

ductless heating system

The Benefit of Switching to a Ductless Heating and Cooling System Increased comfort:

Ductless heating and cooling systems are extremely efficient at distributing heat evenly throughout your living space. One indoor unit is enough to regulate the temperatures in a large space. Ductless systems are suitable for any open floor plan and are easy to control. With a duct system the air has more distance to travel before entering the room it will be heating or cooling. Duct systems can waste an average of 40% of your heating and cooling energy.

Monthly savings:

Ductless systems can replace the primary heat source in all electrically heated homes. Ductless systems heat homes for a fraction of the cost of a baseboard, electric furnaces, or wall and ceiling heaters.

Heating and cooling all in one unit:

This allows you to control your comfort no matter what season it is. With a ductless system, the heating and cooling is all done from one unit making it a great choice for controlling the temperature of your home all year round. No more external air conditioners and the maintenance that comes with them.

Easy, low-cost installation:

Ductless systems do not require costly and complicated ductwork. This allows you to set aside your worries of duct cleaning and expensive maintenance. A ductless installation can usually be completed within a couple of days.

Breathe cleaner, healthier air:

With a ductless system you can say goodbye to dirt, dust, germs, mildew, and odor causing gases. A ductless system will continuously be circulating fresh air into your living space, making it a prime choice for people who suffer from allergies.

Incentive opportunities:

Many local utility companies such as Puget Sound Energy offer cash incentives up to $1,500 for changing to a ductless system. This can make it a whole lot easier on your pockets when making the transition.

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How to Avoid Hazards from Electrical Fires in Your Home

Friday, September 12th, 2014

Electrical fires—a fire that involves some type of electrical failure or malfunction—are a major cause of combustion starting in homes in the U.S. According to the National Fire Protection Agency, approximately 47,700 home fires started in 2011 because of electrical failures, resulting in $1.4 billion in direct property damage. Over the period of 2007–2011, electrical fires accounted for 20% of direct property damage in the country.

These statistics sound frightening, but the truth is that electrical fires are easy to prevent with proper precautions and maintenance. A large percentage of electrical fires come from amateur tampering or DIY repair attempts on the electrical system, resulting in poor wiring. If you rely on professionals and make sure that your home’s electrical system remains up to date, you should have little to worry about from electrical fires.

Whenever you need the help of a licensed electrician in Puyallup, WA, call Sunset Air. We have almost 40 years of experience helping make homes safer and lives better. We can handle the electrical services necessary to protect your home from the dangers of electrical fires.

Here Are Some Ways to Guard against Electrical Fires

  • Never allow non-licensed electrical work: You must turn to licensed electricians for any repair work in your home, even for what seems like a simple task. Licensed electricians are more experienced, of course, but they are also familiar with the local electrical codes that are in place to keep homes safe. The National Electric Code is enforced differently throughout the country, with each jurisdiction choosing how to implement it. Licensed electricians make it their business to know the code as it applies to your home and make sure your home remains up to code.
  • Immediately call for repairs at the first sign of electrical trouble: Although some signs of electrical issues are obvious, others are more subtle but just as important to watch for. Flickering lights, routinely tripped circuit breakers, discoloration on the outlets, warm light switch covers… these are all indications of potential danger from an electrical fire. Don’t hesitate when it comes to the electrical system: call for a professional.
  • Have regular electrical maintenance: If you suspect that your electrical system is aging or faulty, you should arrange for electrical maintenance. Professional electricians will come to your home and carefully inspect the system to see if there are frayed connections, loss of insulation around wires (a leading cause for electrical fires), or aging circuits that require replacement. The technicians will identify if you need extensive rewiring because of old aluminum or copper wires. This is a great way to have assurance that your home is as safe as possible.

The service specialists at Sunset Air are available to help you with any electrical repair. You can count on us for new installations and electrical maintenance. For an electrician in Puyallup, WA who can get the job done, call us right away.

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