Design Comfort Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Heating’

Energy Efficient Heating Tips

Tuesday, September 17th, 2013

In towns like Salt Lake City, heating becomes a priority as soon as the temperatures start to fall. Our cold winters can be quite biting, with snow and ice common in the colder months. A reliable heating system provides you with a cozy haven on cold days, making it an excellent bulwark against the worst winter weather. As necessary as heating is, however, you shouldn’t have to pay any more for it than necessary. If your system isn’t as efficient as it could be, your bills will go up and no one wants to see that. Here are a few energy efficient heating tips designed to help you make the most out of your home furnace.

  • Set up a maintenance schedule. Routine maintenance on your furnace can help spot problems before they grow too large, as well as keeping the furnace clean and free of little tics or hiccups. Poorly maintained furnaces inflict a lot of wear and tear on their components, forcing them to work harder and raising your monthly energy bills accordingly. A regular maintenance schedule can easily avoid all of that.
  • Insulate your home and seal up any leaks. You may not think of your home as “leaking,” but air can escape from little openings around your doors and windows. Seal them up before cold season begins to increase the efficiency of your heating. Similarly, make sure your home has sufficient insulation, which will help it retain the heat that your furnace generates.
  • Make sure your furnace is properly sized. A furnace that is too small for your house won’t be able to heat it properly. If it’s too large, it will cycle on and off throughout the day, wasting energy in the process. Like Goldilocks with her porridge, you want a furnace that is just right.

For other energy efficient heating tips, as well as sound advice on heating installation and repair options, contact the Salt Lake City heating professionals at Design Comfort. We have years of experience in this field and our technicians are available throughout Salt Lake City. Heating systems should function as efficiently as possible to save you money. Call us today and let us help make that possible.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Energy Efficient Heating Tips

Heating Tip: Home Energy Upgrades

Monday, April 8th, 2013

Homeowners throughout the Salt Lake City area are always looking for ways to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Home energy upgrades take a whole-home approach to heating, taking into account not only the furnace and ductwork, but also structural factors like insulation and air leaks. If you feel that your furnace no longer operates as well as it once did, or that your heated air is leaking to unused spaces of your home or into the outdoor air, then it may be time to consider taking a new approach to your heating system. For Salt Lake City heating consultation, repairs, and installation, contact the experts at Design Comfort today!

Let’s take a look at some ways you can ensure you are maximizing your energy usage during the heating season:

  • Install a programmable thermostat. Ensuring that you are in full control of your indoor climate, no matter what time of day or day of the week can go a long way towards ensuring that you’re getting the most out of your energy usage. A wireless programmable thermostat can be synchronized according to your work schedule, so that you don’t heat your home when no one is there. Temperature changes occur automatically and gradually to maximize energy efficiency and comfort.
  • Upgrade your heating system. If your current heater is over 12 years old, or requires frequent repairs, then consider replacing instead of repairing. Remember, it’s better to invest in the future of your home heating system than to bolster up an obsolete piece of equipment. Whatever type of system you currently have, today’s heaters are substantially more powerful and efficient than those made even 10 years ago.
  • Enroll in a routine maintenance plan. There’s no substitute for professional heating maintenance. Speak to a professional to arrange a schedule of inspection, cleaning, and tune-ups so that your heating system remains in top shape throughout the year. This will not only improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the heater, but also improve its lifespan, and possibly reduce the need for major repairs. Whether your heater is 4 or 14 years old, routine maintenance is a key component of smart energy usage in the home.

For more information about home energy upgrades, or to schedule a Salt Lake City heating service, call Design Comfort today!

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Heating Tip: Home Energy Upgrades

Heating Repair Tip: Common Heating Repairs

Monday, April 1st, 2013

Spring will get here eventually, but before the weather warms up we still have some heating to get to. After working hard throughout the long, cold winter months, your heater may hit a road block or two in its operation. This is to be expected on occasion, and most heating problems are not terribly serious. Not at first, anyway.

The longer you force your heating system to operate when it is in need of professional repair service, the more likely it becomes that real damage will be done. Contact the Salt Lake City heating repair professionals at Design Comfort today to learn more. Here are a few examples of common heating repairs we perform.

Airflow problems are among the most frequent issues that homeowners contact their heating repair company about. As is the case with many heating problems, this single issue has a multitude of potential causes. It is possible that your fan motor is damaged, that a belt has slipped or your bearings need lubrication. The issue may also lie in your ductwork. If your air ducts are damaged, torn or improperly installed then you cannot expect them to deliver heated air throughout your home efficiently.

If your pilot light has trouble staying lit, another common heating problem, a few different heating repair services may be necessary. It is possible that you have a faulty thermocouple. A thermocouple is a safety device that determines whether or not there is sufficient heat to safely ignite a fuel source. If enough heat is not connected, this device will stem the flow of natural gas. There may also be a problem with the gas delivery system itself.

Very often, the problems that homeowners contact their heating technician about could have been avoided simply by scheduling routine heating maintenance. If you have not had your heater professionally maintained in the past year, schedule service today. There is no better way to reduce the risk of damage to your home heating system.

For more Salt Lake City heating tips, call Design Comfort. We can answer any questions that you may have. Contact us today to learn more.

Continue Reading

Tags: , ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Heating Repair Tip: Common Heating Repairs

Heating Tip: What to do before switching your heat pump from heating to cooling mode

Monday, March 25th, 2013

When you live in the Salt Lake City, UT area have a heat pump is a great option. It provides efficient and comfortable heating and cooling in one simple unit. Over the last winter you’ve probably been using your heat pump in heating mode much more than the cooling function. As we move into the spring and summer you’ll probably be tempted soon to start turning on your air conditioning.  Before you do that you may want to think about preforming a few tasks on your heat pump to make sure that it lasts throughout the summer. Contact the Salt Lake City heating technicians at Design Comfort for all your heat pump services. Check out a few of the things that you may want to get done to your heat pump.

Benefits of Heat Pump Maintenance in Salt Lake City UT

Heat pumps are fantastic and efficient heating and cooling systems. But because they provide both heat and cooling they get used a lot throughout the year. This can lead to the development of problems or issues that usually require repair. Also, because the cooling function of your heat pump hasn’t been used in quite some time, it could cause other problems if you just started pumping out cooling all the time. A great idea is to call for heat pump maintenance for your system this spring before the summer hits. There are huge potential benefits to getting regular maintenance.

  • Potentially Reduce Heat Pump Repair – When you call the Salt Lake City, UT heating maintenance experts at Design Comfort, we’ll send out one of our exprt Salt Lake City heating repair technicians to your home to thoroughly inspect every component of your heat pump. This will allow them to find small problems and repairs and fix them before they balloon into larger, more costly repairs.
  • Increase efficiency – The small problems that your heat pump can develop could cause it to work harder to heat and cool your home. This means that it will reduce its efficiency. When you get regular maintenance for your heat pump our technicians will find those things and repair them.
  • Extend equipment life – We often see heat pumps that developed a small problem that eventually destroyed the entire system. Getting regular inspections might be able to help you avoid that.

Contact the Salt Lake City, UT heating experts at Design Comfort for all your heat pump repair and maintenance. Call Design Comfort today!

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Heating Tip: What to do before switching your heat pump from heating to cooling mode

Heating Tip: How To Tell If I Have Air Flow Problems

Monday, March 18th, 2013

You depend upon your heating system to provide excellent airflow throughout your home, no matter what type of system you have. But, at times, airflow throughout your ductwork can become impeded, or something breaks down within your heater that causes it to heat inadequately or unevenly. It’s important to monitor your heating system to make sure that you notice when such things occurs. That way, you are ready to call a professional heating repair expert. Airflow problems can negatively impact your comfort and your energy efficiency. Call Design Comfort  today for Salt Lake City heating service!

Here are some indications that may be alerting you to an airflow problem:

  • Inadequate heating. If your heater no longer heats as well as it once did, or if you notice a sharp decrease in the amount of heat that emerges from your ductwork, then you should take heed. There might be a fault within the mechanical components of your heater, or there may be debris blocking your duct vents or registers.
  • Uneven heating. Depending upon what type of system you have and how it circulates heated air into and through your home, uneven heating can also indicate airflow problems. If certain aspects of your ductwork become clogged or even partially blocked, then the corresponding section of your home may suffer from cold spots. This can also indicate a thermostat problem.
  • Clogged air filter. Occasionally, you may not really notice a change in your airflow if it occurs gradually. But checking the air filter of your system can often be revealing. If your air filter is dirty or clogged, then replacing it will not only improve your indoor air quality, it will also boost your energy efficiency.
  • Cracked or leaky ductwork. If your ductwork is cracked or loose, your heated air may be lost within the walls of your home, or even returned to the cold air outside.

Airflow problems can be irritating and costly. Fortunately, your local Salt Lake City heating professional is here to help. Call Design Comfort today for comprehensive Salt Lake City heating services, from installation to repair.

Continue Reading

Tags: , ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Heating Tip: How To Tell If I Have Air Flow Problems

Heating FAQ: What are Some of the Heating Options My Home?

Monday, March 11th, 2013

If you are trying to decide which heating option is best for your Salt Lake City area home, there are a lot of different factors to consider. When choosing the right heating system for your needs and particular home, you’ll have to think about the layout, size, and location of your home, in addition to the fuel sources that are available in the area. There’s also figuring in how efficient your home is, as well as how warm you prefer your home to be.

At Design Comfort, we are here to help you out with your decision. Whether you are replacing an older heater, or this is your first time purchasing a new heating system, it is an investment in your home. And it is an investment that you want to be sure that you get the most out of. That’s why this week, we’re providing some professional advice in our blog post. Use this as a general guide in helping you get started by looking at the different options, but you can always call us, and one of our Salt Lake City heating experts will be glad to walk you through the selection process.

Gas Furnaces

Gas furnaces can be highly efficient, especially the newer models with high AFUE ratings. Depending on whether or not you already have a gas hook-up, you will need to think about the cost of adding a new gas line. Ventilation is another factor to consider, so call a heating professional to assess your home if you are considering a gas furnace.

Electric Furnace

Because they do not need ventilation, and there’s no potential energy loss from that, electric furnaces can get even higher efficiency ratings; however, you will need to think about the cost of electricity in your area. Keep track of your electric bills to give you a better idea.

Heat Pump

Heat pumps are another option, but if temperatures often get below freezing, you may have to get a backup furnace. Heat pumps can also cool your home, so they have an added bonus. A professional contractor should be able to help you decide on the most cost-effective system for your home.

Call the Salt Lake City heating professionals at Design Comfort today for expert advice about purchasing a new heating system! Contact Design Comfort today!

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Heating FAQ: What are Some of the Heating Options My Home?

Heating FAQ: Is an Energy Recovery Ventilator Right for Me?

Monday, March 4th, 2013

If you’re like most other homeowners then you’re looking for any way to reduce the amount of energy that you use to heat your home. Many homeowners have started looking into energy recovery ventilators (ERV) to try to reduce the energy demands of their heating systems in Salt Lake City. These types of systems require very little energy to run but can result in huge increases in efficiency. At Design Comfort, we offer complete energy recovery ventilator installation and repair in Salt Lake City. Our technicians have years of experience working with all different kinds of ERVs and can help you pick out a great system for your home. We thought it would be a good idea to put together a quick explanation of how they work and the potential benefits.

How Do Energy Recovery Ventilators Work?

ERVs are normally installed in the ductwork of your home. In heating mode, your furnace or heat pump pulls in cool air from the outside, heats it up and then pushes it into your home. After that hot air travels through your home and cools down, some of it gets pulled back be re-heated while the rest gets exhausted outside. The air that gets exhausted still has some heat energy in it. An ERV allows the cool, incoming air to acquire some of that heat energy by pushing it over a heat exchanger. The two air streams aren’t allowed to mix so that the new, fresh air isn’t contaminated by the stale, outgoing air. Some ERVs have humidity recovery systems that allow you to recover some of the moisture that would be lost in the outgoing air.

What Are The Benefits of Energy Recovery Ventilators?

So what’s the bottom line with ERVs—how much can you save? That question is difficult to answer because each system has its own efficiency ratings and capabilities. Some ERVs can achieve up to 85% heat transfer efficiency. That translates to a significant amount of energy savings for your home. But some systems can have as low as 50% transfer efficiency. But in most cases, the electricity required to run the ERV is much less than the energy savings that they can achieve.

If you’re interested in energy recovery ventilator installation, call Design Comfort. We are the Salt Lake City heating experts and can help you pick out a good system for your home.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Heating FAQ: Is an Energy Recovery Ventilator Right for Me?

How to Get the Most Out of a High-Efficiency Heating System

Monday, February 25th, 2013

Everyone likes saving money where they can. When it comes time to invest in a new home heating system in Salt Lake City, consider choosing a high-efficiency heating system. The better the efficiency rating of your heater the less energy it will require to keep your home warm and cozy. Following the purchase and installation of your high-efficiency heating system there are a more steps you can take to further benefit from its efficiency. Here are some tips from the home Salt Lake City heating experts at Design Comfort to help you get the most out of your high-efficiency heating system.

One of the most important things that you can do to keep your new heating system operating as efficiently as possible is to schedule routine heating maintenance service. Regular maintenance visits give your professional heating technician the opportunity to thoroughly inspect and tune up all of the components of your home heating system. By doing so they can help keep your heater performing at peak efficiency levels. When all of the components of your home heating system are working together properly it is easier for your heater to perform its function. The less work your heater needs to do, the less energy it will consume while doing it. It’s just that simple.

Also, make sure that you fully understand how best to use your thermostat. Thermostats have come a long way from the round, manual devices most of us grew up with. Think about upgrading to a digital or even programmable model. The more control that you have over the operation of your heater the more efficiently you will be able to use it. If you have a thermostat that you do not fully understand you cannot hope to get the best performance possible from it or your heating system.

Don’t invest in a high-efficiency heating system if you do not intend to take all the necessary steps to reap its full benefits. This eliminates the purpose. To schedule a high-efficiency heating system installation in Salt Lake City, contact Design Comfort. We’ll help you get the most out of your new high-efficiency system.

Continue Reading

Tags: , ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on How to Get the Most Out of a High-Efficiency Heating System

Heating Tip: Importance of Heating Maintenance

Monday, February 18th, 2013

Design Comfort can help you out with all your Salt Lake City heating needs, including heating maintenance services. Routine tune-ups can benefit you in many ways. In Utah, it can get very cold in the winter. That’s why you want a heater you can rely on in your home. In this blog post, we’ve put together a few reasons heating maintenance is so important.

Improves Efficiency

Not only does heating maintenance improve the efficiency of your heating system, but it also improves the efficiency of your entire home. During annual maintenance visits, our technicians will test your system to ensure that it is maintaining proper efficiency levels. We also test the airflow, which is another factor in how efficiently your system is running. We can resolve the issue once we know whether it is airflow or another cause.

Prevents Heating Repairs

In addition to lowering energy use and saving money on utility bills, routine maintenance for your heating system also saves money on potential repairs. Don’t wait until your heater breaks down in the middle of a cold snap, call today to schedule your yearly tune-up.

Extends the Life of the Equipment

Even if you have an older system, keeping up with routine maintenance can help extend the life of the equipment. We can ensure that everything is working properly, and clean your system, which helps it last longer. Why not get the most out of your heating system? Make sure you schedule maintenance at least once a year.

The Salt Lake City, Utah heating experts at Design Comfort are here to provide you with all your heating maintenance services, including annual tune-ups. Contact Design Comfort today!

Continue Reading

Tags: , ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Heating Tip: Importance of Heating Maintenance

Heating Tip: What To Do If Your Heater Breaks Down

Monday, February 11th, 2013

When you live in Salt Lake City you need a good heating system. The winters here can be brutally cold and an efficient and reliable heating system is an absolute necessity. But if your heating system breaks down in the dead of winter it can be an inconvenience and could be dangerous in certain situations. At Design Comfort, we provide fast and reliable heating repairs in Salt Lake City. We’ve been working with customers in the Salt Lake City area for many years helping them repair all different types and brands of heating systems. We thought it would be helpful to put together some of the things that you can do to stay warm when your heater breaks down.

What to Do If Your Heater Breaks Down in Salt Lake City

If your heater breaks down and you need heating repairs in Salt Lake City, it can be an uncomfortable experience. But here are some of the things that you can do to keep warm in your home.

  • Bundle up – The human body produces a tremendous amount of heat energy. When you put on extra clothes or blankets, you can keep more of that heat close to you. Be sure to wear something on your head!
  • Space heaters – If you have a gas or oil-fired heating system like a furnace or a boiler and you’ve lost access to the fuel you need, try using an electric space heater. You can also put the space heaters in a single room to trap more of their heat in a smaller space.
  • Cooking – If you have an electric heating system that has lost power, you could consider using your gas fired oven or range to cook up some delicious cookies. The heat from the oven and your range can provide a lot of heat for your kitchen.
  • Fireplace – If you’ve lost electricity, you could still use your gas-fired fireplace. If you have a traditional wood-burning fireplace you could always start that up as well.

Call the experts at Design Comfort for all your heating repairs in Salt Lake City, UT. Our Salt Lake City heating technicians can show up quickly, diagnose the problem and repair it fast. Contact Design Comfort today!

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Heating Tip: What To Do If Your Heater Breaks Down