Sunset Air Blog: Archive for January, 2014

How Does the AFUE Rating Affect My Furnace?

Tuesday, January 28th, 2014

If you’ve ever installed or upgraded your furnace, you’ve probably heard the term “AFUE” used to describe its efficiency. Here in Tacoma, heating installation services will talk up high AFUE ratings, particularly when selling a more expensive model to you. That still doesn’t explain what an AFUE rating is or how it applies to heating. It’s reasonable to ask “how does the AFUE rating affect my furnace?” We can provide a few answers below.

AFUE stands for “Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency,” which marks how efficiently the furnace uses energy. It’s listed as a percentage, representing the amount of energy the unit takes in divided by the amount it actually uses on heating. For example, a unit which uses 50,000 BTUs (British Thermal Units) of energy and creates 40,000 BTUs worth of heat has an AFUE of 40,000/50,000 or 80%. That means 80% of the energy is actually going to heat the home, with the other 20% being lost to waste and inefficiency.

In light of that, it’s obviously beneficial to use a furnace with the highest AFUE rating it can have. As time goes on, a furnace’s AFUE rating goes down, since parts wear out and the aging components need to work harder in order to do the same job. When the time comes to replace your furnace, it’s beneficial to look for one with higher AFUE rating, since it will save you money in the long run. Say your current furnace uses 100,000 BTUs and produces only 50,000 BTUs of heating power (an AFUE rating of 50%). Replacing it with a similar model with an AFUE of 90% — generating 90,000 BTUs of heating power for 100,000 BTUs used — means a savings of 40,000 BTUs, increasing your overall efficiency by 80% and saving you a great deal of money in the bargain.

Knowing how the AFUE rating affects your furnace will allow you to make an informed decision when purchasing a new one. The Tacoma heating installation experts like the ones at Sunset Air can provide further advice. We’re dedicated to your complete satisfaction and can find a new furnace for you with an improved AFUE rating that doesn’t break your bank. Give us a call today to set up an appointment!

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3 Advantages of PV Panels in Puyallup

Thursday, January 23rd, 2014

PV panels are a component in solar power. The “PV” stands for “photovoltaics,” which is the method by which solar radiation is converted into energy. PV panels are spread out to catch as much of the sun’s rays as they can in order to transform it into electrical energy. In towns like Puyallup, heating through solar power sounds like a long shot: we’re not exactly inundated with sunny days here in the Pacific Northwest. But PV panels actually make a lot of sense for homeowners interested in solar power. Here are 3 advantages of PV panels in Puyallup, WA:

  • They don’t need sunny days to work. PV panels can pull energy from the daylight even during cloudy or rainy days. That means you don’t have to worry about the sun coming out in order to make effective use of them.
  • They provide increased energy independence. Once you pay for the cost of installation, you’ll find your energy bills going down tremendously as the PV panels begin generating electricity for you. In some cases, you may even be able to sell excess electricity back to the grid. Larger numbers of PV panels mean greater savings, and the existence of PV panels will likely increase the resale value of your house when the time comes. Furthermore, PV panels provide that electricity even when the civic grid is experiencing problems, providing you with greater energy independence than you could expect
  • They’re environmentally friendly.  Solar panels are green to the extreme, generating electricity without an attendant carbon footprint. It generates no harmful byproducts and it requires no fossil fuels. Here in the environmentally conscious Northwest, you can’t do much better.

If you approve of the advantages of PV panels in Puyallup and want to speak to an expert about it, then Sunset Air is waiting to help. We handle all kinds of energy issues in Puyallup: heating, air conditioning and solar energy included. We can answer your questions, help you plan your installation and then set up your panels with professionalism and pride.  Give us a call today. You’ll be glad that you did!

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Why Is a Damaged Thermocouple a Problem?

Wednesday, January 15th, 2014

Furnaces are complex pieces of equipment, relying on a number of different components in order to do their jobs effectively. In towns like Puyallup, heating is of an especial concern since our winters can be so wet and cold. When an individual component gets damaged, it can throw the entire system off. You may have heard the term “thermocouple” mentioned in regards to certain kinds of heating repair. What is a thermocouple and why is a damaged thermocouple a problem? The answers can be found below.

The thermocouple is usually attached to the pilot light or ignition system. In some models, it may even be a part of the same component as the ignition. It measures the temperature of the burner and regulates the flow of gas into the heater. When the pilot light is on, the thermocouple reads it and releases the gas to start the heating process. When the pilot light is out, it detects that and prevents the gas from flowing: keeping your house from being flooded with unlit gas in the bargain. That makes it a vital safety feature, which also means that the furnace can’t really run without it.

In most cases, a damaged thermocouple simply shuts off the gas entirely before it can be replaced. In some ways, that’s not a problem at all, since it keeps gas out of your home and maintains basic safety standards. On the other hand, the heater won’t work as long as the thermocouple remains damaged, meaning that you’ll need to get it repaired or replaced before you can use your furnace again.

In such cases, a trained professional can help. Thermocouples are fairly easy to swap out if you have the right training, but they’re tricky components, and installing them improperly will keep the furnace from turning on. Heating repairs are conducted by the Puyallup heating repair service technicians at Sunset Air. We can explain why a damaged thermocouple is a problem, then make repairs with courtesy and care. Pick up the phone and give us a call today. You’ll be glad that you did!

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What to Expect with a Geothermal Heating System

Monday, January 6th, 2014

Geothermal heating systems draw upon the ambient temperature in the earth itself to heat your home. The system entails a series of tubes or coils that run beneath the ground in your property (or sometimes in a body of water if you have one), which facilitate a heat exchange. It can be a big investment, and most systems require a fair amount of land to use. The Tacoma heating installation technicians at Sunset Air often provide services for geothermal installation. We have a lot of large properties in the area, and our Washington climate makes the system a good investment for many homeowners. Here’s what to expect with a geothermal heating system.

For starters, you’re probably going to save money on monthly heating bills. Geothermal systems are up to 70% more efficient than other kinds of heating systems, and if your heating needs don’t change, that translates to lower energy bills from month to month. In addition, geothermal systems don’t have a lot of moving parts, which means they don’t usually need a lot of maintenance or repairs. They’re durable and will last a long time if properly maintained, adding to the resale value of your home when the time comes.

You might also be surprised at the general comfort levels a geothermal system can provide. They don’t make a lot of noise when they operate. They also tend to warm the home more evenly than gas furnaces, reducing the occurrence of cold spots and drafts.

Installation time and effort will vary depending on the size of your home and the kind of system you want to install. In addition, there may be extended costs if you need to install ductwork or other ancillary systems. Generally speaking, however, it should take from one to two days to fully install a geothermal system.

For more on what to expect with a geothermal heating system, or to schedule an installation session, call upon Sunset Air to help. Our trained professionals serve homeowners throughout Tacoma, heating installation options include geothermal system, and we can discuss your options with you before beginning our work. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

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