Sunset Air Blog: Archive for December, 2013

New Year’s Eve: The Tournament of Roses Parade

Tuesday, December 31st, 2013

The East Coast has their own traditions for New Year’s Eve, notably the dropping of the ball in Times Square to signal the beginning of the New Year. We have our own traditions here on the West Coast, and with 2014 almost upon us, we thought we’d take a closer look at one of the biggest: the Tournament of Roses Parade.

The Parade is held every year on New Year’s Day, save when January 1 falls on a Sunday (in which case it is held on the 2nd). Tradition holds that they don’t host it on a Sunday in exchange for God preventing rain on the parade, though it has actually rained ten times since the first parade. It all began in 1890, when members of the Pasadena Valley Hunt club organized and staged it on Colorado Boulevard. Their parade consisted of horse carts covered with flowers, followed by a series of athletic events (including races and polo matches). Football was first added in 1902, when Michigan beat Stanford by a score of 49-0. The football tradition was dropped for a few years, but came back in 1916 for good. The game has traditionally featured the champions of the Big 10 and Pac 10 Conferences, though teams from different conferences have appeared from time to time.

As for the parade itself, it soon added motorized floats, marching bands and equestrian units to its array of features. A “Rose Queen” is chosen every year from the ranks of Pasadena girls ages 17 through 21, along with six princesses to serve as her court. 2014’s Rose Queen is high school student Ana Marie Acosta. A Grand Marshall is chosen every year as well, and has previously included such varied luminaries as Walt Disney, John Wayne, Dwight Eisenhower, Hank Aaron, George Lucas, Charles M. Schulz, Kermit the Frog, and Fred Rogers. The Grand Marshall for 2014 will be legendary Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully.

Wherever you are and however you choose to celebrate New Year’s Day, we here at Sunset Air wish you nothing but the very best. May 2014 bring you all good things, and may your New Year’s celebrations – in whatever form they take – be happy, safe and fun for your entire family. Happy New Year!

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Longer Days Ahead: Why Winter Solstice Is a Reason to Celebrate

Tuesday, December 24th, 2013

Holiday greetings from all of us at Sunset Air!

December is a time of celebrations across the globe, despite the cold weather that affects much of the countries in the Northern Hemisphere. In fact, the cold weather is one of the reasons that it is so important for people to embrace celebrations of light, color, food, and warm drinks—what better way to cheer up during a time of short days and low temperatures?

There is another reason to feel joy at the end of December, regardless of your religion or culture: an astronomical event called winter solstice.

Four astronomical markers divide the seasons on planet Earth: two solstices and two equinoxes. Equinox (a combination of the Latin words for “equal” and for “night”) is the point in Earth’s orbit when its axis is parallel to the Sun. Solstice (from the Latin words for “sun” and “to stand still”) is the point in orbit where the Earth’s axial tilt points toward the Sun. During the equinoxes, which occur at the start of spring (vernal equinox) and fall (autumnal equinox), the periods of day and night are the same length. During the solstices, which occur at the start of summer (June solstice) and winter (winter solstice), either day or night is at its longest period. June solstice is the longest day of the year; winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year.

Occurring on the 20th or the 21st of the month (this year it falls on the 21st), winter solstice marks the official beginning of winter, but also the point at which the days start to grow longer once more. The sun, which has dropped lower in the sky since the June solstice (June 20-21) and reaches its lowest point above the horizon on noon on winter solstice, once again begins to rise.

From the earliest human prehistory, people have recognized the winter solstice as an important event in their lives. When winter survival was difficult for early human societies, the sight of the sun beginning to rise in the sky once more was a symbol of hope and a reason to celebrate.

(All of the above applies to the Northern Hemisphere of Earth. The equinoxes and solstices flip in the Southern Hemisphere. For example, in Australia, Christmas is a summer holiday.)

However you commemorate and observe this time of year, we hope you and your family have a joyful and safe season!

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Furnace vs. Boilers: The Pros and Cons

Thursday, December 19th, 2013

Here in Olympia, WA, heating installation can take on many forms. Our wet weather creates a constant need for reliable heat, which can embrace a wide variety of systems from centralized furnaces to radiant heating installed beneath your floors. Two of the most popular types are gas furnaces, which push heated air though a system of ducts to warm your home, and boilers which use pipes of hot water to accomplish the same task. Which one is better? That depends on you circumstances. Here’s a quick breakdown of furnace vs. boilers: the pros and cons.

  • Cost. Gas furnaces tend to cost less to install than boiler systems, especially in homes which don’t have an existing ducts or piping system to handle the heat. Furnaces also cost less to maintain than boilers, since replacement parts tend to cost more than they do for furnaces. However, boilers are often less expensive to run from month to month, saving you on the cost of heating.
  • Comfort. Both systems can provide reliable heating for your home and family. However, because furnaces use forced air, you need to put up with some of the vagaries of air flow in order to enjoy it. Cold spots sometimes happen with furnaces, for instance, as do drafty spots in certain sections of the house. Boilers tend to heat the space more evenly than furnaces, and do so without any noise or breeze. They can also be fitted with zone control systems more easily than furnaces, allowing them to
  • Cleanliness. Boilers have the advantage in terms of cleanliness because they don’t rely on blown air, which means they don’t pass allergens and other contaminants through your home. That makes for better indoor air quality, and a cleaner overall environment.

The question of furnace vs. boilers: the pros and cons come down to cost. Furnaces are much cheaper to install and repair, and can still provide reliable heating in the bargain. How much that maters depends on you. Heating installation services in Olympia, WA like Sunset Air can give you strong advice on which system works best for you, then install that system with courtesy and care. Give us a call today to make an appointment!

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Ductwork Issues that Hamper Your Heating

Tuesday, December 10th, 2013

Gas furnaces remain a staple of modern homes, providing efficient heating by blowing hot air through a system of ducts. When problems arise, they often stem from the ducts as much as from the furnace itself. A faulty duct can prevent the warm air from reaching its designated location, which can be just as troublesome as a problem with the furnace itself. Here in Olympia, WA, furnace repair companies can address issues with your ducts as readily as the address issues with your furnace. Here are some ductwork issues that hamper your heating.

  • Breaches. The most common problems with ducts is a leak or a breach, which can occur when seals break down or damage to the ducts ruptures the metal. A leak interferes with the heating because the hot air can get sucked out of the breach. In some cases, cool air from the outside can get pulled in from the breach. Either way, it reduces the temperature in the air and forces your heater to work harder in order to do its job.
  • Blockage. In some cases, the problem with the duct isn’t a breach but some form of blockage: either build-up of dirt and debris in the duct or damage that ends up crimping the duct in a spot. You can usually detect it by noting a reduction in the flow of air from the vent.
  • Outside factors. If your ducts pass through an uninsulated portion of the house or too close to an outside wall, then their surface may cool down. That in turn could cool the hot air as it passes through that section of ducts. A professional technician can offer a solution that matches the individual circumstances, such as adding insulation or perhaps insulating the ducts themselves.

If you’re experiencing ductwork issues that hamper your heating, then Sunset Air can help. We operate in Olympia, WA, furnace repair is one of our specialties and we can get to the bottom of any ductwork problems quickly.  Pick up the phone and give our Olympia furnace repair technicians a call today; you’ll be glad that you did!

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Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Repair Your Heater

Monday, December 2nd, 2013

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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