Design Comfort Blog: Archive for December, 2012

Happy New Year’s Eve!

Monday, December 31st, 2012

Everyone at Design Comfort wants to wish you a very happy New Year! We hope you have a fun (and safe!) time saying goodbye to 2012 and welcoming in the New Year!

If you are a person who makes resolutions, why not try to make your home more environmentally-friendly next year? Upgrading your heating and air conditioning system can reduce the amount of energy you need to keep your home comfortable. You can also save energy by adding insulation and sealing any air leaks. A greener home is not only better for the environment, but it also saves you money by reducing your utility bills. Contact Design Comfort to learn more about the benefits of upgrading your HVAC system.

Have a Happy New Year!

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Happy Holidays from your Heating Specialists!

Friday, December 21st, 2012

Everyone at Design Comfort wishes you a very happy holiday! We would like to take a moment to thank all our wonderful customers who make it possible for our business to thrive. We look forward to working with you in the New Year. Have a wonderful celebration, and enjoy this time with friends and family!

As a quick reminder, if you haven’t yet scheduled your heating maintenance yet, you could be losing money this winter. Annual maintenance will not only cut down on repair costs, but it also ensures that your home’s heating system is running as efficiently as possible, which lowers utility bills. A comfortable, efficient home is a gift that everyone can appreciate.

Happy Holidays from Design Comfort!

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Heating Tip: The Importance of Proper Heating Installation

Monday, December 17th, 2012

At Design Comfort we believe that everyone deserves to be comfortable in their own home, no matter what the weather is like outside. Without a proper heating installation in Salt Lake City, though, this simply is not possible. Only with a proper heating installation by a trained professional can you be sure that your home heating system is operating as efficiently and effectively as possibly. The installation of your heater is the first step in ensuring the quality of its performance, so be sure to schedule service your local heating experts. Here is some information about how a proper heating installation can benefit you.

One of the most important aspects of your new home heating system is the size of that system. If you wind up with a heating system that is too large for your home temperatures will be brought up too quickly, causing your heater to short cycle. This can lead to excessive wear and tear and, eventually, damage to your system. If your heater is too small then it will struggle to achieve temperature maintenance beyond its capabilities, racking up your utility bills while providing subpar heating. Working with a heating installation professional can help avoid such situations.

The safe operation of your home heating system is another major concern, and only with a proper heating installation can you be sure that your heater is operating safely. Whenever you are dealing with gas, electricity, oil or any other fuel source there is the possibility for a dangerous situation to develop. When you schedule your heating installation with a trained Salt Lake City heating professional the likelihood that your heater will operate in an unsafe or ineffective manner is greatly reduced.

If you have any further questions about the importance of a proper heating installation in Salt Lake City, contact Design Comfort today. We can put your mind at ease. Let us help you heat your home in a safer, more efficient manner.

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Heating Tip: Understanding Heat Pump Efficiency Ratings

Monday, December 10th, 2012

When you are in the market for a new heat pump for your Salt Lake City home, there are a few different efficiency ratings to pay attention to. The different ratings for various heating systems are called AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency), HSPF (heating system performance factor), and SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio).

All of these numbers measure how much fuel the particular model of heating or AC system converts into heat. Unlike furnaces, which are only measured by the AFUE rating, heat pumps are measured by both the AFUE and SEER ratings, since they both heat and cool the home. However, they can also be measured by the HSPF number. You should consider these numbers when shopping for a new heat pump since they will determine the potential energy savings.

Keep in mind that if a heat put out by a heat pump is measured by the HSPF, then that number should be divided by the electricity used that season. The remaining percentage accounts for any heat lost through leaky ductwork, poorly insulated areas in the home, and other areas where heat is lost. If the cost of electricity used is more than the energy savings, you may want to consider a high-efficiency gas furnace. Be sure to speak with an HVAC contractor you can trust so that you feel confident that you are getting the most cost-efficient heating system for your home.

Always call the Salt Lake City heating experts at Design Comfort to help you select a new high-efficiency heating system for your home.

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Why Take the “Whole-Home” Approach to Home Efficiency

Monday, December 3rd, 2012

If you are thinking of installing a high-efficiency heating or cooling system in your Salt Lake City home, there are many things to consider before doing this. At Design Comfort, we can help you by looking at other potential home improvements that could be made before you upgrade. And there are many reasons to do this.

First, take a look at some of these improvements:

  • Adding Insulation
  • Sealing Air Ducts
  • Air Balancing
  • Adding a Better Ventilation System

Making these improvements along with upgrading your home comfort system is considered the “whole home approach,” because you are taking into account all the areas in the home that could be more efficient. When you do this, you get more out of your investment because the new system will not only operate at efficient levels, but you’re also not losing energy in places that could be less expensive to upgrade.

For instance, if a homeowner adds solar panels but is losing air through improper sealing, or if there’s no moisture control in the house due to poor ventilation, then the heating and air conditioning system that works off of those panels may have to work extra hard. Then the homeowner isn’t getting full value out of those solar panels since the HVAC system is using more energy due to other issues in the home.

This is why most contractors recommend that you upgrade other areas before making expensive investments. It will also help ensure that the system will last longer and that your new heating or cooling system works in tandem with the other elements of the home.

Call Design Comfort if you would like to know more about home energy efficiency services in Salt Lake City. We would be more than happy to speak with you about our services and how we can help you save energy and money.

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