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

3 Signs of Leaking Refrigerant in Your Air Conditioner

Monday, May 4th, 2015

Air conditioners rely on refrigerant to do their job: mixtures of chemicals that circulate through your system and make it possible to cool the air. Every air conditioner relies upon a specific type of refrigerant in specifics amounts. When that amount drops due to a leak or breach in your system, it can cause a number of serious problems. Your air conditioner will struggle to do its job, creating more strain on the system while raising both your monthly bills and the possibility of repairs. Here in Salt Lake City, UT, summer is just around the corner, and the sooner you deal with leaking refrigerant, the better. But how can you tell if this is the problem? Here are 3 signs of leaking refrigerant in your air conditioner to look out for.

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When to Call for Air Conditioning Repairs

Monday, April 20th, 2015

It is not uncommon for homeowners to fire up their air conditioning systems during the early days of the cooling season, only to find that their air conditioner is not performing at the level they recall. It is best to have any problems with your air conditioning system evaluated, diagnosed, and resolved before the real heat of summer is well under way. Putting off repair needs can lead to further complications down the line, and you’ll find that the further you get into the summer months, the busier technicians are. Familiarize yourself with the following information, and schedule air conditioning repairs in Salt Lake City, UT at the first sign of trouble from your AC. Contact Design Comfort today if you need to have your cooling system repaired. 

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3 Great Reasons to Schedule Air Conditioning Maintenance

Monday, April 13th, 2015

Folks around here are certainly looking forward to the hot, sunny summer weather. It is a lot easier to greet the summer season with open arms when you know that your air conditioning system will be there for you when you need it most. If you fail to schedule routine air conditioning maintenance with a qualified professional, though, there is simply no way in which you can have well-deserved confidence in your system being able to cool your home properly. We’ve put together a few big reasons as to why you should schedule routine air conditioning maintenance before the onset of the summer season below. Let us know if you have any questions. Schedule your air conditioning maintenance in Salt Lake City, UT with Design Comfort to cool your home reliably this summer.

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How Sizing Impacts the Success of Your Air Conditioning Installation

Monday, April 6th, 2015

One of the primary factors to consider prior to investing in a new air conditioning system for installation in your home is the size of the system to be used. When we talk about size, however, we don’t mean that you don’t want to invest in an AC that won’t physically fit on your property – though that would be a serious problem. Instead, we mean that you must have an air conditioner which is appropriately sized for handling the cooling load that it will take to keep your home comfortable throughout the hottest time of the year. When you hire Design Comfort to complete your air conditioning installation in Salt Lake City, UT, you can count on the job being done right and that you’ll have an AC perfectly suited to your needs.

If your air conditioner is too small to handle your cooling load, a number of issues will make themselves evident before long. Your air conditioner is going to struggle to bring temperatures down to the desired temperature, and it will run on longer cycles than would be ideal in order to do so. What this means is that you may actually wind up spending more money than you should have to in order to cool your home, often with only a subpar cooling performance to show for it. By scheduling a professional installation of an appropriately sized air conditioner, you can cool your home both effectively and efficiently.

You may think, with this in mind, that going bigger is always better. However, you should know that using an air conditioner which is too large for your home is actually as problematic as using an undersized system. Sure, an oversized AC will be able to cool your living space effectively. However, it will do so too quickly, reducing its dehumidification efforts and causing the system to short cycle. This too can eat up more energy than you should have to use, and can put unnecessary wear and tear on your cooling system.

Trust Design Comfort to ensure that your air conditioner is of the right size for your needs, and that it is installed properly every step of the way. We know that cooling one’s home is a top priority among homeowners, especially during the peak heat of the summer season. That is why we take every precaution to guarantee the complete success of your air conditioning installation.

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Don’t Put Off Any Needed Air Conditioning Repairs

Friday, September 26th, 2014

Calling a technician for AC repair may seem like a hassle, but it’s sometimes a necessary step in owning an air conditioner. If you want your air conditioner to last for years to come, it’s important that you pay attention to the signs that your AC is not in top shape. Whether you hear strange sounds from your unit or notice your home is not quite as cool as you’d like it to be, it could signify major damages. When you run into any problem with your unit, it’s important to schedule air conditioning repair right away, for the following reasons.

  • Reduce the Chances of a Breakdown: One of the worst feelings on a hot day is coming home to a broken AC. Even if a repair need seems minor now, it can develop into something big, causing your unit to become overworked and, eventually, to break down entirely.
  • Increase the Lifespan of Your Unit: An air conditioner is a big investment, so you want it to last for many years to come. However, problems with your AC could put strain on the most important components, such as the compressor, which may mean your unit needs to be replaced prematurely.
  • Save Money: Sometimes, reduced cooling indicates a problem that is fairly simple for a trained technician to correct, such as a dirty condenser coil. But this seemingly minor issue could cost you more every month on your energy bills. Whenever your unit has to work too hard to compensate for damages, you’ll end up paying a price.

Scheduling repairs at the end of summer may be frustrating, but there are a few steps you can take to ward off trouble. Cleaning or replacing the air filter is a great way to restore some efficiency to your AC and ensure proper airflow to the evaporator unit. But you should also be sure to schedule maintenance once a year. During maintenance, a technician cleans many parts of your AC and may make some adjustments as needed, keeping repairs at bay. The technician will also let you know if your unit has any problematic components that need repair or replacement.

For air conditioning repair service in Salt Lake City, call our team of highly skilled experts at Design Comfort today!

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3 Ways You Can Make Your AC More Energy Efficient

Friday, September 12th, 2014

You may not need to run your air conditioner for much longer this year here in Salt Lake City, but you can still benefit from a more efficient air conditioning system in the next cooling season. It’s been a particularly hot summer, and parts of your air conditioner become worn down overtime, which may affect the performance of your system, reducing its efficiency. Here are some of the ways you can make your AC more energy efficient for the rest of this year and the next one.

  • Change the Filter: The air filter in your AC is responsible for keeping the air in your home free of pollutants that may trigger allergies or other respiratory problems. But if you don’t change the filters regular, you may be spending too much on cooling costs. Dirty filters prevent the right amount of airflow from reaching your evaporator, lowering the efficiency of your unit.
  • Program the Thermostat: If you don’t take advantage of the features of your programmable thermostat, you may be missing out on an opportunity to save money while keeping more comfortable. Don’t keep the air conditioner on all day if you won’t be home to use it. Instead, program your unit to come on 30 minutes before you get home, and cool air will be waiting upon arrival. Don’t have a programmable thermostat? Call a technician for digital thermostat installation and you may save even more with a more accurate, programmable model.
  • Schedule Maintenance: Air conditioning maintenance is a service that experts recommend you schedule once or twice a year. During a maintenance visit, a technician cleans various parts of your air conditioner, inspects your systems and makes some necessary adjustments, such as adding lubrication to the motors if needed. When parts of an air conditioner are loose or dirty, other components will have to work harder to keep up, which means your entire system will not run efficiently. It’s a good idea to schedule maintenance twice a year, and a fall maintenance visit is a great time to make sure your unit is efficient in the following cooling season.

Need professional maintenance or a new programmable thermostat? Call Design Comfort to talk to a professional technician about efficient air conditioning service in Salt Lake City.

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What Do the Coils in an AC Do?

Friday, September 5th, 2014

Each component of your air conditioner plays a role that helps achieve the cooling you need from your AC. Two components we are going to focus on right now are the coils.

There are two sets of coils in your air conditioning system: one set is in the condenser and the other set is in the evaporator. Both sets are needed for the heat release/cooling process, and while they do similar jobs, they do not do the same job. Since 1982, Design Comfort has helped customers with their air conditioning repairs, so if you are experiencing problems with your AC, call us today.

What Are the Coils?

The coils in your system are comprised of narrow, serpentine copper tubing that is protected by thin, metal fins (usually made of aluminum). Each set of coils has a job:

  • Condenser coils – as the hot, high-pressure refrigerant flows into the condenser coils in the outside unit, the heat from the refrigerant is released into the outdoor air with the help of the condenser fan. By the time the refrigerant reaches the end of the condenser coils and starts its journey into the evaporator coils, the refrigerant has cooled and returned to a liquid state.
  • Evaporator coils – the refrigerant in the evaporator coils is a cool gas. In this state, the refrigerant absorbs the heat from the warm air blown over the coils by the indoor blower. As the heat is absorbed by the refrigerant in the coils, the air is chilled and blown into your home through supply ducts.

Common Problems of Coils

There are several common problems technicians see with AC coils:

  • Refrigerant leaks – refrigerant leaks inside coils are common, but their repair can be complex. It’s important that all refrigerant leaks are repaired as soon as possible, as low refrigerant can cause a lot of different problems with your system.
  • Dirty coils – it is common for dirt and dust to cling to your coils, but if a layer develops, it can act as insulation and disrupt the heat release/cooling process of your system.
  • Bent fins – the metal fins surrounding the coils are very easily bent. When too many are bent, air flow can be restricted, which affects your whole system. Bent fins can be fixed by purchasing and using a fin comb that straightens out the bent fins.

The coils in your AC may be smaller than other parts of your system, but if there are problems with either set, you can experience system-wide problems. One of the best ways to ensure your coils are working well is with bi-annual maintenance. If you haven’t scheduled maintenance for your air conditioner, fall is a great time to set up an appointment. Call Design Comfort today and schedule your fall air conditioning maintenance in Salt Lake City – your coils will thank you!

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3 Reasons to Install a Humidifier

Friday, August 15th, 2014

Just as there can be too much humidity, there can also be too little, especially in climates that tend to be more arid. You can also have too little indoor humidity when your home is sealed for energy efficiency. In either case, too little humidity can cause damage to property and create health issues. A great way to combat the effects of low humidity is to have the experts at Design Comfort install a whole-home humidifier as part of your air conditioning installation.

Why Add a Humidifier?

Low humidity can have the following effect on you, your home and your property:

  • Health – low humidity can cause nose bleeds, excessively dry skin, aggravate allergy and asthma symptoms and dry out your mucous membranes, which may affect your immunity to germs.
  • Furniture – furnishings made of wood, including chairs, tables, bookcases, etc., can shrink and splinter without the proper amount of humidity in the air.
  • Walls, trim, moldings – trim and moldings can shrink and peel if painted, and wallpaper can peel without enough moisture.
  • Comfort – air that is too dry can feel uncomfortable; by adding some moisture to the air with a whole-home humidifier, you can achieve a better level of comfort.
  • Energy efficiency – adding moisture to the air may allow you to turn your thermostat up a couple of degrees, saving you both energy and money.

How Does a Humidifier Work?

Humidifiers add moisture to the air in the form of water vapor. There are two ways this can be achieved: through steam or through evaporation. A whole-home humidifier becomes a part of your overall air conditioning system; you can even adjust humidity levels at your thermostat. Maintenance of a whole-home humidifier can be scheduled bi-annually with the maintenance of your air conditioning system.

Is Your Home Too Dry?

A home that’s too dry can be as uncomfortable and inefficient as one that’s too moist; it can also affect the health of your family members. If you think your home could benefit from the addition of a whole-home humidifier to your air conditioning system in Sandy, call the professionals you can trust: Design Comfort.

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What Does That Noise Mean?

Friday, August 8th, 2014

In the summer, trouble with your air conditioning system can be alarming. A sudden breakdown can inconvenience you and cause your family a lot of discomfort. When your air conditioner makes strange noises, you may be unsure as to whether the problem is urgent. But if you’re worried about sudden breakdowns, you should treat any and all noises as troublesome. Call an air conditioning repair service at the first sign of a problem. While a noise may indicate a minor repair need, that same noise may also be a big deal.

Here are what some of the most common noises indicate.

  • Banging: A banging noise may mean that there is a loose component somewhere inside your air conditioner. If you hear banging inside of your home, it could mean that a blower fan blade is loose or damaged. This could interfere with the amount of airflow over the evaporator coil, which may cause it to freeze. If you hear this noise outdoors, it may mean there is damage at the condenser fan, or it could indicate loose screws or other hardware. However, this noise may also indicate a problem with the compressor. Compressor damage should be looked at as soon as possible, so it’s best to call a professional right away.
  • Hissing: A hissing noise often indicates low refrigerant. The refrigerant in your system must stay at a set level in order to properly remove heat from your home. If this level drops, heat exchange may not take place, and you may feel no cool air in your home. Besides limited cooling, the components of your air conditioner may be affected as well. The parts of your AC are meant to hold a specific level of refrigerant and any change could cause them to overwork, damaging your system.
  • Buzzing: A buzzing noise usually indicates an electrical problem. You should never attempt to repair an electrical problem without the help of a qualified technician.

When you need air conditioning repair service in Sandy, it’s easy to find an experienced technician who can diagnose and repair your system. Just call the experts at Design Comfort at the first sign of trouble.

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Ways You Can Upgrade Your Current Air Conditioning System

Thursday, July 31st, 2014

Upgrades to your current air conditioning system can improve and enhance your system’s energy efficiency, indoor air quality and overall comfort level. There are many different types of upgrades from which to choose, and each offers its own benefits for your air conditioning. Since 1982, Design Comfort has helped Salt Lake City customers get the most from their air conditioners in Salt Lake City, and we can do the same for you.

There Are a Number of Different Upgrades to Consider For Your Air Conditioning System

Zone Control System

Do you hear constant complaints about it being too hot or too cold? Do you want better control over your cooling? A zone control system can help you with these issues and more. With a zone control system, individual motorized dampers are installed directly into your ductwork. Each damper is attached to, and controlled by, its own thermostat. Through a central control panel, you control these thermostats as per your zone plan. A zone can be separate rooms or separate floors in your home – you decide. Zone control systems allow you to cool only what needs to be cooled, helping to improve both comfort and energy efficiency all at the same time.

Air Cleaners

Are you experiencing problems with your indoor air quality? Do you just want to improve it? Air cleaners can help reduce allergens dramatically, and an air purifier like UV germicidal lighting can destroy biological pollutants. Our air cleaners are for whole-home use, and as such, become part of your air conditioning system. There are a number of types of air cleaners available, which is why speaking to a trained professional is strongly suggested.

Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERV)

Imagine taking the energy from your indoor air and using it to be more energy efficient. You can do just that with an energy recovery ventilator. How? An energy recovery ventilator is a ventilation system that exchanges your indoor air with the outdoor air while using the energy from the outgoing air to pre-cool (or pre-heat) the incoming air. This happens in the heat exchanger, which is the core of the ERV. The energy streams don’t mix, but are close enough to each other to be able to exchange energy. ERVs can help tremendously with energy efficiency and maintaining excellent indoor air quality.

As you can see, there are a number of different upgrades you can make to your air conditioner to help with energy efficiency and comfort. Think you may benefit from an upgrade to your air conditioning? Call Design Comfort today and speak with one of our professionals and set up your air conditioning upgrades in Salt Lake City.

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