Design Comfort Blog

Plumbing Resolutions for the New Year

January 30th, 2023

plumber-using-wrench-to-fix-plumbing

Although most New Year’s resolutions usually have something to do with health, a lot of people make other types of goals. They might prioritize spending less time on their smartphones and more time on their hobbies. They might make resolutions for their jobs, families, and even their homes.

If you’ve resolved to take better care of your home in the new year, here are 7 plumbing resolutions to make. By following these tips, you can hopefully avoid the need for unexpected plumbing service in Salt Lake City, UT.

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Furnace Red Flags to Watch Out For

January 16th, 2023

One of the questions we hear a lot from our customers is: How do I know it’s time for a new furnace? Unfortunately, there’s no easy, textbook answer and it varies from homeowner to homeowner. That’s because there are a lot of factors that need to be taken into consideration. 

However, there are some major signs that you probably need either furnace replacement or furnace repair in Salt Lake City. One of these is the age of your furnace. Furnaces have lifespans of 10-15 years so if your furnace falls within this range, it’s considered an “aging” furnace. Because aging furnaces tend to have a lot of problems near the end of their service lives, keep reading to learn the furnace red flags to watch out for.

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How To Avoid Heating Repairs This Season

December 19th, 2022

grandpa-riding-sled-with-grandaughter

The first day of winter is almost here. With the storms we’ve been having, that probably isn’t a surprise. Despite the storms, our beautiful winter weather is one of the perks of living here and many Utahns look forward to this time of year.

However, one of the essential things that lets you enjoy the brisk weather is having a heating system that’ll keep your home warm and cozy when the coldest temperatures set in. A dependable heater isn’t a luxury in Utah; it’s a necessity. How confident are you in your heater’s ability to see your family through the coldest weather with no hiccups?

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Why Is a Cracked Heat Exchanger a Serious Issue?

December 5th, 2022

gas-jets-of-a-furnace

If you use a gas-powered furnace to heat your home, it’s important to be aware of things that can go seriously wrong. A cracked heat exchanger is high on this list. While many of these systems have a safety feature to turn the furnace off if something malfunctions, the signs of a cracked heat exchanger can be subtle and insidious.

This is not a minor repair by any means and isn’t something you should try to handle yourself. If you think you have a cracked heat exchanger, you need to call an HVAC professional ASAP as this is a serious safety issue. Let’s look at the signs of a cracked heat exchanger so you’ll know if this has happened in your home and what you should do about this type of furnace repair in Salt Lake City.

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Is a Tankless Water Heater Better Than a Tank Water Heater?

November 21st, 2022

tankless-water-heater-on-green-tiled-wall

There’s nothing better than a long, hot shower on a cold, winter day in Utah. And there’s nothing worse than your hot water going out halfway through that shower, blasting you with icy cold water.

If your hot water heater is due to be replaced soon, or your existing water heater just isn’t meeting the demands of your household, perhaps you’ve wondered if your home would benefit from a tankless water heater.

There are definitely pros and cons to tankless water heaters and things to consider when deciding between the two types. Read on to discover if a tankless water heater is better for your family’s needs.

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Signs Your Water Heater is Struggling

November 7th, 2022

hot water faucet

Water heaters are the “workhorse” of the home, accounting for up to 17% of your home’s energy usage. This is because unlike your air conditioning unit and heater, a water heater is used frequently and on a daily basis. They also work hard to provide hot water to multiple other appliances. When your water heater starts to struggle, it quickly becomes apparent.

Watch out for these warning signs so you’ll know when to contact us for water heater service in Salt Lake City. If you notice any of these signs of a struggling water heater, don’t hesitate to give our team a call. No one should be stuck without hot water during the coldest time of the year!

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Heed These Signs You Might Have a Slab Leak

October 24th, 2022

cracked-concrete-foundationIf there’s a phrase that has the most potential to strike fear in the hearts of Utah homeowners, it has to be “slab leak.” Perhaps you know a neighbor, friend, or family member who’s suffered from a slab leak problem.

These problematic water leaks occur in the pipes that run beneath a house’s concrete slab or foundation. Because they are notoriously difficult to detect, slab leaks often go unnoticed for a long time. Once the signs of a slab leak become apparent, locating and accessing the slab leak creates another set of problems.

Even though slab leaks aren’t always preventable, noticing the first signs of slab leaks is the key to early detection. Here are common signs of slab leaks that all proactive homeowners should recognize.

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The Benefits of Geothermal Heating and Cooling

October 10th, 2022

animated-diagram-of-a-house-getting-geothermal-tubes-installedWith changes coming to energy efficiency guidelines in just a few short months, if you’ve already been considering replacing either your air conditioner or your heater, now is the time to do so. And if you’re looking to add a system to a brand new home build, or if you’re remodeling or redoing your landscape, now might be the perfect time to consider the installation of a geothermal heating and cooling system.

Geothermal energy is a great way to cut back on your energy usage, and therefore your energy bills. In light of the Inflation Reduction Act also going into full effect starting January 1, 2023, making energy upgrades can be extremely beneficial to you, and a geothermal system is absolutely an energy upgrade. Read on as we uncover some of the advantages of switching from a more traditional central air conditioner or heater to a geothermal system.

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Is It Okay if My Heat Pump is Oversized?

September 26th, 2022

white-question-mark-on-blue-circleWhen it comes to your home’s comfort system, you must rely on professionals to handle the installation process. Not only will this ensure the system is hooked up properly, but also that it is the right size for your home. 

In this situation, “size” doesn’t mean the bulk of the unit. The cooling capacity, which is measured in BTU tons, refers to the size of your unit. It’s necessary for your air conditioner to be matched to your home’s cooling requirements. The process of doing this is a complex process called “heat load calculation.”

Just guessing about how powerful a cooling system is, may result in an oversized or undersized unit. This is going to lead to the unit wearing out faster than it should and having to call for heat pump repair in Salt Lake City more often than you should. 

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A Guide on How NOT to Treat Your Plumbing System

September 12th, 2022

plumbing-pipe-with-crack-in-itWe can tell you all about taking good care of your plumbing system. In fact, if you look back through our previous blog posts, we’ve talked about things like preventing frozen pipes by taking proper precautions, knowing the signs that you might have a leak such as the sound of dripping water when no plumbing fixtures are on, and only putting certain things down your kitchen sink drain to avoid clogs.

We thought it would be helpful if we also shared what not to do when it comes to your home’s plumbing system, so that you can take the best care of it possible and potentially even avoid the hassle of calling for plumbing repairs when it’s inconvenient–and let’s face it, plumbing problems are always inconvenient, right? Read on!

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