• Tips for Upgrading Your Furnace

     

    If you are like many families, chances are that you spend thousands of dollars on your home energy expenses every year. In order to save money on your energy bills during the winter season, you may want to consider installing a new furnace in Seattle. This video will provide you with some essential tips to keep in mind when you are upgrading your boiler, heat pump, or furnace. By working with a company that specializes in furnace service, you can rest assured that your technicians will take pride in the quality of their work.

    Once you have decided that a furnace upgrade is the right choice for your home, you will want to act fast to set up your appointment. By replacing your furnace before the winter season arrives, you can make sure that you and your loved ones are warm and comfortable throughout the coming months.

  • Could Your Home Benefit from HVAC Zones?

    Your home’s air conditioner and heat pump play a major role in keeping your family comfortable, but their function can account for a significant amount of your household’s energy usage. Are you looking for ways to get more out of your HVAC near Seattle ? If so, then you may benefit from HVAC zones.

    Watch this video to understand the role of zones when it comes to cooling and warming your home. Some rooms in the home are naturally warmer or cooler than others. However, employing an HVAC zoning system can allow the unit to heat and cool your home more evenly. Also, a zoning system can be used to send conditioned air to specific areas of the home when others aren’t in use.

  • A Look at Tankless Water Heaters

    You have to heat your water somehow, but some methods are much more efficient than others. Standard water heaters can be the right choice in certain situations, but you should also consider the advantages of a tankless water heater in Seattle . This type of heating appliance is convenient, energy-efficient, and inexpensive to operate. If you are in the market for a new water heater, feel free to read on and take a look at tankless water heaters.

    If you live in a small space, care about energy-efficiency, and would like to save money on your bills, a tankless water heater may be the way to go. Since this type of water heater does not depend on a large reserve of water, it is much easier to fit one into living spaces of all sizes. The lack of tank also means there is no standby heat loss, which increases the overall efficiency of your water heater and your home. A tankless water heater will heat up your water on the spot, so there is little-to-no waste. This will reduce the cost of your energy bills, allowing you to save money and enjoy a more convenient and efficient household.

    Tankless Water Heaters Installation in Seattle, WA

  • Be Proactive with Air Conditioner Maintenance

    The better you take care of your air conditioner serving Seattle , the longer it will last and the more efficient it will be for your home. Chances are you won’t notice any problems with your air conditioner during the winter, so you should check it out before the heat sets in so you have time to make any necessary repairs. You can also talk to your HVAC team for professional service and maintenance, but you should still take care of certain aspects on your own. Continue on and be proactive with your air conditioner maintenance.

    Check it out early. AC Maintenance Services in Seattle, WA
    You probably only use your air conditioner for half of the year or less, but it might not be perfectly safe in storage. It’s a good idea to check your unit out before the warm weather fully comes rolling through; if you do find some sort of problem, you will have time to address it before you need it. The last thing you want is to set your air conditioner up on a hot day only to find that it has a serious malfunction and must be repaired or replaced if you want relief from the heat. If you were having trouble with your air conditioner before you packed it up for the season, you must take a look earlier rather than later.

    Schedule maintenance services.

    You’re not alone when it comes to air conditioner maintenance. Professional air conditioner contractors are happy to help you keep your air conditioner in top shape for as long as possible. Talk to your HVAC specialist about an air conditioner maintenance schedule and make sure you stick to it so you can enjoy a cool, comfortable, and affordable summer.

    Change your filters.

    Working with the pros is a great idea, but there are ways you can take care of your air conditioner on your own as well. Make sure you change the air filters whenever they get dirty; this can increase the efficiency of your unit as well as improve your indoor air quality.

  • How to Get Your Home’s Temperature Right?

    A quality air conditioner serving Seattle may be just what you need to get through the summer comfortably, but it could be difficult to keep the temperature consistent between your upper and lower floors. It is possible to achieve the right temperature throughout the house, but you might need the help of an HVAC professional . Watch this video clip on how to get your home’s air conditioner temperature right.

    Many people struggle to keep the temperature even throughout their houses, and this is often due to the location of the thermostat. If your thermostat is on the ground floor, it will base its information off of nearby readings. You can keep your heating and cooling systems running by switching the fan to the “on” position. You could also talk to your air conditioner and HVAC professional about a zone system, which consists of adding a second thermostat to your upper level for better temperature control.

  • When to Replace Your Furnace?

    Have your energy bills increased and you can’t figure out why? If so, then it may be time to look for a replacement furnace in Seattle. Just like heat pumps and air conditioners, furnaces lose their efficiency as they near the end of their lifespan. Watch this video to learn more about furnace service and when to replace your furnace .

    Another sign that you may need a new unit is if you’re frequently scheduling furnace repair appointments. A furnace repair that breaks down regularly despite expert maintenance services could be on its last legs. Also, if you’re often adjusting your thermostat or if your home never gets as warm as you would like, then it’s probably time to start looking for a new furnace.

  • The Olson Energy Service Story

    Olson Energy Service specializes in electrical, water heater, air conditioner, air duct cleaning, boiler, heat pump, and furnace services in Seattle. Family-owned and operated, Olson Energy Service has provided the Greater Seattle Area with decades of first-rate, experienced, and reliable service.

    Founded by Garnett Olson in 1926, Olson Energy Service began as Olson Fuel Company, which sold coal and firewood to homes and businesses. By the 1930s, heating fuel preferences shifted towards oil, and the company expanded to include this service. Generations of Olsons have worked for Olson Fuel Company, which became Olson Energy Service in the early 1990s as its range of services grew.

    Today, Olson Energy Service boasts numerous affiliations and awards and is among the premier HVAC contractors for Seattle. Our experienced staff continues to provide exceptional, professional, and quality service throughout the Greater Seattle Area and looks forward to helping you with your heating and cooling needs.

    Olson Energy Service trucks

  • What is a Mini-Split Air Conditioner?

    Are you considering your different options for air conditioning near Seattle? Mini-split systems offer heating and cooling solutions for areas that lack central air conditioners or heating systems.

    Design

    Mini-split air conditioners are ductless units that are used to cool a room or area of a building. These units are similar to central systems in that they have both an indoor and outdoor component. Mini-splits consist of an outdoor condenser/compressor and an indoor air-handling unit.

    Uses

    Mini Spilt Air Conditioner While there are numerous potential applications for these air conditioners, most often they are installed as retrofit add-ons for buildings that lack a ducted heating system. Examples can include homes that are heated using radiant panels, space heaters, or hot water heat. Mini-split air conditioners are also an excellent cooling solution for small apartments and room additions where it may not be feasible to install ductwork.

    Advantages

    Due to their small size and the flexibility of their installation, mini-split air conditioners can be used to cool a single area or room. Additionally, many models can have up to 4 indoor handling units connected to a single outdoor condenser/compressor. Because each indoor unit has an individual thermostat, you can save money by cooling only the areas that you wish. Mini-splits also tend to be easier to install than other cooling systems. Most styles require only a 3-inch-wide hole through the wall to connect the indoor and outdoor components, and your indoor air-handling units can be as far as 50 feet from the outdoor apparatus. This allows home and business owners to install the outside section in an inconspicuous place, if necessary.

    Disadvantages

    The primary drawback that you will face if you opt for a mini-split air conditioner is the cost. These systems will require more investment per ton of cooling capacity when compared to central units, assuming there is already ductwork present, and can cost significantly more than a window cooling unit. Additionally, mini-splits can be more conspicuous than central air vents, but they are generally less obtrusive than window air conditioners.

  • Get the Most Out of Your Air Conditioner

    A lack of proper maintenance is the primary reason that HVAC units fail. If your air conditioning near Seattle hasn’t been inspected for over a year, it may not be functioning at maximum efficiency. Watch this video for tips on getting the most out of your air conditioner.

    If your A/C sounds noisy, keeps turning on and off, or seems to be running all day, then you may benefit by scheduling air conditioner maintenance. Also, a rise in the cost of your monthly energy bill or a higher humidity level in your home are both indicators that the unit may be functioning poorly and can benefit from a tune-up. Your air conditioner loses an estimated 5% of its efficiency each year that it isn’t inspected and cleaned.

  • Choosing the Right Size Air Conditioner

    If you’re in the market for a new air conditioner and live in the Seattle area, selecting the right sized unit for your space is essential. When an HVAC unit’s cooling capacity is too small, it will fail to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. When your A/C is too big for your home, it will use more electricity than is necessary and will make your home’s interior unpleasantly humid. Figuring out the right size air conditioner for your needs is vital for maximizing the unit’s efficiency and performance.

    Measure your home’s square footage.

    Choose right size of AC Determining the size air conditioner that you need will require some measurements and a bit of math. First, measure the square footage of each of the rooms that you intend to cool. Use a tape measure to learn the length and width of one room, and write these measurements down. Next, multiply these two numbers to figure out the square footage. Complete this process for each room of the house, writing down the measurements and totals as you work. Be sure to include only areas that your central ducts reach, excluding basements, garages, and attics.

    Determine your cooling capacity needs.

    The next step toward finding out what size air conditioner you need is to use your measurements to determine the cooling capacity required for your home. The cooling capacity of central air systems and room air conditioners is measured using British Thermal Units (BTUs) per hour. The United States Department of Energy’s Energy Star website provides guidelines for determining the BTUs needed for your home or room’s square footage .

    Consider your home’s additional factors.

    Choosing the right size air conditioner can depend on a few things besides your home’s square footage. If your house receives significant sunlight or has many windows, it may need more cooling capacity than one that is shaded or allows less sunlight into the interior. Your home’s insulation will also contribute to its need for cooling capacity. Experts recommend having multiple HVAC contractors perform an estimate on your home before you make a decision about purchasing your new air conditioner.