Design Comfort Blog

Why the Beginning of Spring is a Great Time for Furnace Maintenance

April 18th, 2016

One of the biggest misconceptions about HVAC system maintenance is that you have to do it at a particular time of the year. This is not true: as long as you are having your system maintained on a regular basis, the time of year does not matter. However, there are certainly benefits to having furnace maintenance done near the end of the heating system. We’ve explored a few reasons why below.

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AC Parts FAQ: What Are Capacitors?

April 11th, 2016

For a system that plays such an important part in your life, chances are that you don’t really know your air conditioning system all that well. Sure, you adjust your thermostat with some regularity, and you see your outdoor unit sitting out there day and day out. For all of the parts that you do see and interact with, though, there are countless others that you’ll never encounter directly. The capacitors in your air conditioner, for instance, are hidden away in the outdoor unit. While you may not see them, though, the importance of their function is immense.

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It Is Important that Your New AC Is of the Right Size

April 4th, 2016

Investing in a new air conditioning system is a common undertaking at this point in the year. We’ve moved out of the winter season, but we aren’t running our air conditioners with any regularity just yet, and won’t be for at least a few weeks’ time. If you are interested in pursuing a new air conditioning system, though, we must warn you that working with a trained professional is the only way in which you can hope to get the AC best suited for your needs. One key factor to consider is the size of your air conditioner. Schedule your AC installation in Salt Lake City, UT with us to guarantee that your system functions as expected.

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What Are the Benefits of Using a Low-Flow Toilet?

March 28th, 2016

Water conservation has become a hot topic in recent years, and with good reason. Fortunately, innovative plumbing technologies have allowed us to enjoy the same great performance we need from our plumbing systems while dramatically reducing the amount of water it uses. One of these technologies is a low-flow toilet, which uses significantly less water than a standard full-flush toilet. They can use as little as 1.6 gallons of water per flush, versus the typical 3.5 gallons of conventional toilets. Keep reading to learn the benefits of using a low-flow toilet.

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How Does a Water Softener Work?

March 21st, 2016

At one time or another, most homeowners have come across hard water. That is, water that contains more minerals—such as calcium and magnesium—than ordinary water. Calcium and magnesium prevent other positively charged ions from dissolving easily, leading to a buildup of these materials in your plumbing system. Soon you’ll discover deposits of soap, iron and lime in your showers, sinks and faucets. There are various ways to combat hard water, such as using a water softener.

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What to Check If Your Heater Stops Working

March 14th, 2016

With plenty of cold weather still ahead of us—especially at night—a functioning heater is essential. As all Salt Lake City, UT residents are aware, nobody wants their comfort to be disrupted by a seemingly failing heating system. Your first instinct may naturally be to call for repairs. We are happy to take your call and do offer these services. However before you contact us, check for the following factors to make sure there’s not a simple explanation for your heater not working.

Check Your Power Supply

When a heater stops working, your assumption may automatically be that there’s something wrong with the system, but this might not actually be the case. Perhaps the power switch got turned off by accident. This might have occurred as you were getting other work done to your home. Make sure your HVAC breakers and flipped to the “on” position and check your system again.

Change Your Air Filters

Are your air filters looking particularly dirty? If they haven’t been replaced in a while, they may be clogged and preventing airflow from passing through. As a result, you may notice a lot less power than usual coming from the system.

Check Your Vents

Have you recently moved any furniture or large objects in your home that can be blocking vents? Look around your vents, grills, and air registers to make sure there is nothing blocking them, and to see that there is sufficient airflow.

Check the Safety Switch

Heating systems have a safety switch on or near them. Depending on where your system is located, this switch might have been bumped off by a family member, pet, etc. Be sure to check this before assuming that you need heater repairs.

Let’s say that you’ve checked all the factors above, and/or your heater is showing troubling symptoms. It’s now time to call for a repair. Signs that your system may not be working properly include insufficient or uneven heating, or cold air coming from your heater.

Call our experts at Design Comfort for heating repair services in Salt Lake City, UT.

 

 

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What Are UV Germicidal Lights Used For?

March 7th, 2016

Numerous studies have been conducted throughout the years that prove UV lights are capable of destroying the DNA of germs. This includes viruses, mold, spores, fungi and bacteria. UV lights can even help prevent the onset of allergies and asthma symptoms related to airborne particles. But how does this benefit you? What are they used for in residential settings?

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What to Consider Prior to a Heating Replacement

February 29th, 2016

With a good amount of chilly weather still ahead in Millcreek, UT, hopefully you’ve come across this post before your heater has completely died. You may have noticed some troubling symptoms, though, which has you wondering if it’s time for a heating replacement. However, before you replace your system with a newer version of what you currently have, there are some considerations to make, which we’ve highlighted below. This will help you determine what system will be best for your needs.

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3 Benefits of Radiant Heating

February 22nd, 2016

Today’s heating system options are abundant. While most homeowners are quick to choose a furnace as their heating method, other options may be better suited for homes in Cottonwood Heights, UT and surrounding areas. Radiant heating systems are an excellent choice, especially in homes being newly constructed.

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When Should I Schedule Heating Repairs?

February 15th, 2016

As we discussed earlier this month, many homeowners hold a mistaken belief that heating system maintenance is all about the timing. Truthfully, while maintenance is vital to the performance of your system, if it’s being done regularly then the time of the year doesn’t actually matter. What about repairs though? Can certain repairs wait, or should they be taken care of right away?

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