Design Comfort Blog: Archive for January, 2021

Is It Time to Say Goodbye to Your Old Boiler?

Monday, January 18th, 2021

man-huddled-on-couch-with-sweater-and-scarf-looking-coldBoiler systems are unique and powerful heat sources for the homes and businesses they reside in. Unlike forced-air heating systems like furnaces or heat pumps, boilers are radiant heating systems. Through the use of heated water that’s cycled through a series of pipes, and in some cases radiators, these systems keep households exceptionally comfortable and warm throughout the chilliest of winter days.

This all said, something that your boiler does have in common with all other HVAC systems is that eventually, it will break down to the point that you’ll need to replace it. Sure, boilers last longer in comparison to forced-air systems, but no heater can last forever.

Deciding to upgrade or replace your boiler is a big decision, and not always the cheapest decision. But ultimately, replacing your aging or degrading boiler for a newer one will save you money month-to-month on your heating needs, helping you pay back the installation cost fairly quickly. So, when do you know it’s time for a replacement? Read on!

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5 Signs You Need a Water Softener

Monday, January 4th, 2021

salt-being-poured-into-water-softenerIn our area, water supplies go through a large amount of filtration and conditioning before that water reaches your home’s faucets and plumbing appliances. Alternatively, if you use groundwater from a well, you probably have your own water treatment system on site. But what many homeowners in either case don’t realize is that they may be in need of a water softener to resolve hard water issues.

Hard water is the name given to water that has a high level of minerals in it—namely calcium, magnesium, and sometimes iron. If these minerals sound harmless, it’s because they are. At least, they’re harmless for you and I to ingest. However, they’re not so harmless when it comes to your plumbing system and your quality of life. In fact, hard water can lead to plumbing leaks, faded clothing from the washing machine, and more.

But this can all be prevented with the installation of a whole-house water softener. So how do you know if you need one? Read on as we uncover some signs that this is the case.

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