Design Comfort Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category

What to Consider During Your Air Conditioning Installation

Thursday, July 18th, 2013

Are you in the market for a new air conditioning system for your home? There are numerous system types and brands available to homeowners today and it can be difficult to figure out which one to select for your home. Fortunately, it’s absolutely necessary to have your new AC installed by a professional Salt Lake City air conditioning technician, and this process includes finding the right AC for your home and budget. This stage is especially important, and at Design Comfort, we’re proud to be able to provide excellent air conditioning installation services throughout the Salt Lake City area. Call us today to discuss what we can do for you.

Let’s take a look at some factors to consider during the installation of your new AC:

  • Size. Perhaps the single most important factor that determines the effectiveness and efficiency of your cooling system is its size. It needs to be appropriately matched to the size of your home. During installation, a technician performs a load calculation, which gives him an indication of how much cooling you need. This number is matched against prospective systems. If your system is too small, it may endure additional wear and tear as it tries to cool your entire home. This can lead to overheating and may cause your system to fail prematurely. If it is too large, then it may be difficult to control. Your system could short-cycle frequently, and this constant turning-on and turning-off results in energy inefficiency.
  • SEER. Another factor to consider is the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating of your air conditioning system. This number estimates the ratio between electrical energy input and cooling output over the course of a single cooling season. While it is only an estimate, it’s important to select a system with a high SEER if you want to save on energy costs in the long-term.
  • Professional quality. There are three good reasons to consider a professional for the installation of your new cooling system: reliability, performance, and energy efficiency. If you want to get the cooling experience and minimal energy costs that you deserve, find a reputable company whose technicians have technical expertise, experience, and knowledge of the industry.

Make sure you contact a professional Salt Lake City air conditioning installation specialist from Design Comfort today. We can make sure your home is comfortable and convenient no matter what the temperature is outside. Call us today.

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What to Consider for Your Next Air Conditioning Installation

Wednesday, July 10th, 2013

Whether you are investing in your first air conditioning system, or the time has come to schedule a professional air conditioning replacement, there are many different factors that must be considered prior to the installation itself. Being prepared for your AC installation is important, and the Salt Lake City air conditioning installation professionals at Design Comfort have the information you need to make sure that all the right steps have been taken. Here are a few helpful tips to ensure that you get the right air conditioning system for your home and personal cooling preferences. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.

First of all, it is important that you thoroughly explore your air conditioning system options before deciding how you wish to cool your home. Split central air conditioning systems, which use a system of ductwork to circulate heated and cooled air throughout your home, are still the most common style. Not every home can accommodate the installation of bulky ductwork, though. If ductwork is not a good option for your home, or if you are looking to avoid the energy efficiency problems that sometimes develop with air ducts, a ductless mini split system may be a good choice. These systems use wall mounted blowers to cool rooms in your home directly, eliminating the need for ductwork. A heat pump is a great way to cool your home while using far less energy than other systems demand. Do your homework and make sure that you get the right system for your home.

It is also important that you consider the efficiency of the air conditioning system that you invest in. All air conditioners are assigned a SEER, which stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio. This rating indicates how efficiently your system will work to cool your home. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the system. By purchasing an air conditioner with the highest SEER you can afford, you can cool your home with the greatest efficiency possible.

To learn more about what to consider prior to your air conditioning installation service, call Design Comfort. We are happy to answer any questions you still have about your air conditioning options in Salt Lake City. Let us help you keep your home cool in the most appropriate way this summer.

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Warning Signs that Indicate Air Conditioning Replacement

Wednesday, June 26th, 2013

Is it time to retire your AC? It can be difficult to know how to tread the line between continuing repairs and replacement. At times, continuing to repair your AC may be the most cost-effective option for your home, especially if you’re not yet ready for a comprehensive system replacement. At other times, continuing to repair an old unit can often feel like a losing battle as you constantly put more of your hard-earned cash into a declining system. At Design Comfort, we believe in assisting customers to help them make the best possible decisions for their comfort and their budget. Call us today when you’re ready to learn more about your next air conditioning installation options in Salt Lake City.

Let’s take a look at some warning signs that indicate an air conditioning replacement might be right for you.

  • Old age. Your AC is not getting any younger. At a certain time, it may be worthwhile to retire your AC and get yourself a new system. Today’s air conditioning systems are highly energy efficient and boast incredible cooling performance, when compared with the technology of even just 15 years ago. You may find that your AC no longer gives you the cool air you need.
  • Frequent repairs. Another reason to consider replacing your air conditioner is frequent repairs. You need to make sure that you’re not paying more in repairs than it would to pay for a new system. While some repairs are inevitable and necessary to keep your AC running, consult with your AC technician if you feel as though the repairs are too constant for your liking. It might be time to invest in the future of your comfort.
  • Energy efficiency. While energy efficiency alone may not be enough to make you consider replacement, if you’re paying what seem like astronomical sums on your energy bills every month and your AC is old, then you should probably consider replacing your AC. If not now, then keep in mind that the time may come soon, and it’s better to know your options now than to wait until your system breaks down in the middle of summer.

Call the Salt Lake City air conditioning installation professionals at Design Comfort today to learn more about our installation services.

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Air Conditioning Installation and Indoor Air Quality Upgrades

Tuesday, June 18th, 2013

Are you looking for a comprehensive cooling solution? There’s no better time to make sure that you have high indoor air quality in addition to cooling than before the hottest months of the year. But because of the design of the modern home, your home’s cool air may also come with some indoor air quality issues. Fortunately, there are many indoor air quality upgrades that you can take advantage of, many of which integrate directly into your existing HVAC system. With dust, pollen, dander, mold, and other contaminants circulating throughout your home, it won’t matter how cool the air is. Make sure you take advantage of an indoor air quality upgrade during your air conditioning installation service in Salt Lake City. Call Design Comfort today.

  • UV germicidal lights. Mold can be a problem in any home. It thrives on dark, moist conditions, and you’re probably familiar with it as that dark lining around your shower drain, or in some other area exposed to high humidity levels. But it can also exist within your ductwork. This is often a hidden danger. When cool air flows throughout your home, mold spores become airborne and circulate throughout your living space. UV germicidal lights destroy mold spores in the air handler before they reach the interior of your home.
  • Air cleaners. There are numerous air cleaners available on the market today. Whether you need an air filtration device to reduce pollen and dander from circulating within your home, or an electronic air cleaner to ionize particles for easy cleanup. The model and type depends upon what type of pollutant affects your home.
  • Energy recovery ventilators. These devices, often abbreviated ERVs, provide an energy efficiency way to ventilate your home. During the normal operation of your AC, fresh air is not brought into the cooling cycle. Your AC cools air that is already within your home. An ERV pre-conditions your air before reaching the AC so that your system does not have to work overtime to cool that hot outside air.

Take advantage of an indoor air quality upgrade with your next air conditioning installation service in Salt Lake City. Call Design Comfort today.

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Electrical Problems and Your Air Conditioning System

Thursday, June 13th, 2013

Air conditioning systems are one of the most important components of your home’s comfort. When you start to have issues with your AC just call the Salt Lake City air conditioning repair professionals at Design Comfort. We have years of experience working with all different kinds of air conditioning issues. There are a few common AC repairs that we see but we wanted this blog post to focus on the electrical problems that can happen with your air conditioner. Check them out below and if you’re experiencing any of these problems just give us a call.

Salt Lake City Air Conditioning Electrical Problems

Your air conditioning system is a very complex piece of equipment. There are a huge range of things that can go wrong with your AC—including electrical problems. If you’re having any issues with your AC just call the Salt Lake City air conditioning repair techs at Design Comfort.

  • Buzzing noises – If you have a heat pump and it is making a buzzing noise there probably isn’t anything wrong with it. Buzzing noises can come from the heat pump’s reversing valve. It usually means that it is working fine.
  • Fan motor –Inside your air conditioning system you have a fan motor that turns the fan blades to push air through your home. If you start to have electrical issues with the fan motor it could mean that you won’t be able to get enough cooling into your home.
  • Compressor motor – The compressor is located in the outdoor unit of your air conditioning system. If the compressor is making any weird noises or if it is excessively loud, it could mean that you have a problem with it.
  • Thermostat problems – If you have digital thermostats in your home and you aren’t getting any cooling it could be the fault of your thermostat. You may just need to change the batteries or it could be a wiring issue.

For all your AC repair needs make sure that you call the friendly Salt Lake City air conditioning repair specialists at Design Comfort today. We are dedicated to our customers’ satisfaction and to the quality of work that we do.

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Air Conditioning Repair: Why is My Air Conditioner Noisy?

Monday, May 6th, 2013

During the hottest time of the year, the last thing you want to worry about is a problem with your air conditioning system. Unfortunately, like any other mechanical system, you are going to have occasional issues with your air conditioner. When you do, the best course of action is to call your Salt Lake City air conditioning repair technician as soon as possible. We frequently receive service calls for air conditioning systems that are making unfamiliar sounds or are very noisy during operation. Here are a few possible causes of these issues. Call Design Comfort today if you are concerned about noises that your AC makes.

If you hear a buzzing sound coming from your air conditioning system, it may be an issue with the electrical components in the system. Any time there is a problem with an electrical component, it is important that the issue is resolved immediately. Contact a professional Salt Lake City air conditioning repair technician to ensure that your AC is operating as safely as possible. A clicking sound may be the result of a damaged fan blade within the system, or even a faulty thermostat that causes the relays to trip frequently. In either case, damages may result if the issue is not promptly resolved.

Sometimes the sounds that you hear coming from your air conditioning system are the result of the ductwork, not the AC unit itself. Ductwork may amplify and resonate sounds coming from the system, or it may work free of a binding and clang or bang during operation. Hissing or bubbling, which results from leaks in refrigerant lines, or a popping coming from flexing or contracting ductwork. The bottom line is, there are a great number of possibilities as to why your air conditioning system is operating noisily. By scheduling routine air conditioning maintenance you can minimize the risk of damage to your system. At the first sign of trouble, give us a call.

Design Comfort is the company to call for all your Salt Lake City air conditioning repair service needs. Let us know what concerns you have about the operation of your air conditioning system. Our professional Salt Lake City air conditioning repair technicians will find the solution necessary to resolve the problem.

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Air Conditioning: What is a Zone Control System?

Tuesday, April 30th, 2013

Homeowners throughout the Salt Lake City area are looking for ways to improve their air conditioning systems, especially during the spring. Now is a great time to call for routine maintenance, repairs, and upgrades. If you have a central air split system, the prospect of cooling your entire home, whether occupied or unoccupied, can be daunting. A single temperature throughout all of the rooms in the house may not be the most efficient use of your energy, and you may find that areas of your home are of different temperatures. If you’d like to remedy this situation, consider installing a zone control system. For comprehensive Salt Lake City air conditioning services, call Design Comfort today!

We’d like to explain a little about the zone control system so that you can stay informed about the various ways you can improve the efficiency and performance of your central air:

  • What is a zone control system? It is a way of dividing up your existing ductwork into zones that can be individually controlled. It is an aftermarket upgrade that is relatively straightforward to install by a professional AC technician. A set of electronically controlled dampers are installed within your ductwork. The manner in which these dampers divide your home is strictly up to you and your cooling needs.
  • How does it work? A thermostat in each of the zones communicates with the dampers and air handler, blocking or permitting airflow according to your specifications.
  • What are the benefits? A zone control system allows you unprecedented control over how your conditioned air is distributed throughout your home. If you’ve ever been frustrated by the thought of cooling your unoccupied kitchen downstairs in order to sleep soundly upstairs, then a zone control system is a great solution. By only cooling the areas you need to, and by adjusting the temperatures of other unoccupied zones accordingly, you can save substantial amounts of energy throughout the cooling season.

For more information about zone control systems, and to see if they’re right for your home, get in touch with your local professional. For comprehensive Salt Lake City air conditioning services, call Design Comfort today!

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Air Conditioning Tip: New AC Installation Options

Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013

If you’re in the market for a new air conditioning in your home, the range of types and brands of air conditioners can be somewhat daunting. Like many homeowners, you’re probably trying to weigh your options, and choose a model that is both good for energy efficiency and cooling performance, all within your budget. You also need to ensure that your AC is properly sized for your home, so that it performs efficiently. If it is too big, it will short-cycle and waste energy; if it is too small, it will struggle to cool your home at all, and may overwork itself, leading to increase wear and tear. Most importantly, you need to ensure that you receive professional air conditioning installation so that it is both effective and efficient. For more information about Salt Lake City air conditioning services, call Design Comfort today!

Let’s take a look at two major types of air conditioning:

  • Central split air conditioning. Central air is the most popular type of AC system on the market today. It is a “split” system, which simply means that there is an outdoor unit comprised of a condenser and compressor, and an indoor unit comprised of an evaporator and air handler. Like all ACs, it relies on the refrigerant cycle to remove warm air from inside the home and distribute cool air throughout the home. It does this by pressurizing chemically designed refrigerant and making it change from a liquid to a gas, and from a gas to a liquid. It requires a system of ductwork to extract and distribute air.
  • Ductless mini split air conditioning. As its name suggests, ductless mini split air conditioning does not use ducts to extract and distribute air. It sidesteps the energy loss and poor indoor air quality caused by ductwork by installing the air handlers directly into the living space. These sleek, compact units sit high on the wall, or recessed in the ceiling. Refrigerant, drainage, and electrical lines connect the indoor and outdoor units through a relatively small hole. Each indoor air handler can be separately controlled, making the ductless mini split a versatile choice.

When you need Salt Lake City, UT air conditioning, call the experts at Design Comfort today!

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Air Conditioning Tip: Getting Your AC Ready For The Cooling Season

Monday, April 15th, 2013

If you’re not yet ready for the summer, that’s ok. There’s still to prepare your home for this upcoming cooling season. Spring is an excellent time to fire up your AC so as to ensure that it still works properly. If you have any misgivings about its operation, then you can take care of the problem well before you need your AC night and day to stay cool. In this post, we’d like to share with you some things every homeowner can do to prep his or her system for the summer heat and humidity. For Salt Lake City air conditioning, contact the experts at Design Comfort  today!

  • Schedule air conditioning system maintenance. There’s no substitute for professional attention and care. April is a great time to ensure that your AC is ready to go. Your SLC air conditioning technician will thoroughly inspect, clean, and tune-up all aspects of your system, including checking for low levels of refrigerant, cleaning the evaporator and condenser, and inspecting the compressor. Make sure that your cooling system receives the maintenance it deserves so that you stay comfortable this summer.
  • Check, clean, and replace your air filter. While you probably know to check your air filter at least once a month during the peak cooling season, it’s also important to start off the cooling season on the right foot. If you haven’t already, put in a new air filter. Your air filter is designed to prevent dust and debris from settling on your AC components, but it also affects the quality of your indoor air. Most critically, a clogged air filter can actually force your system to work harder than it should, and can increase your energy bill.
  • Clear debris. Make sure that your indoor and outdoor units have adequate airflow clearance, so that they can properly transfer heat. This simple step can save you from jammed mechanical parts and inefficient cooling.

We hope you find this brief guide helpful. For more information about your Salt Lake City air conditioning system, and how to improve it, contact Design Comfort today!

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AC Tip: Why is My Air Handler Squealing?

Monday, October 1st, 2012

In Salt Lake City, unusual noises coming from your expensive HVAC system is never a good thing. It’s true that an unusual noise does often mean that something needs to be fixed; however, a noise emanating from your HVAC system does not necessarily mean a major repair. You should always have a technician check it out if you suspect a problem with your system, but not all problems are going to be an expensive to fix.

One common noise that homeowners notice and complain about is a squealing noise originating in the air handler. Usually, this noise is coming from the fan belt that connects the blower fan and the motor. Over time, the belt can stretch out and become worn or misaligned, which makes it slip and generate that aggravating squealing noise.

So, while the squealing can be annoying and unpleasant, a slipping belt is by no means major. A belt is an inexpensive part and a technician can install it in just a matter of minutes.

As long as the noise is a squealing and not a grinding, this simple fix will often take care of the problem. If you hear a grinding noise, however, immediately shut the unit down and call a Salt Lake City air conditioning technician. This may mean that your motor bearings are worn out and need to be replaced ASAP before further damage is inflicted on the motor itself.

Contact Design Comfort for any help with your HVAC system today. Over the years, Design Comfort has been building a loyal clientele through uncompromising service and integrity.

 

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