Design Comfort Blog: Archive for the ‘Heating’ Category

Tips for Buying a New Heater

Monday, January 9th, 2017

This is definitely not the time of year you want to need a new heating system, but nevertheless it may be the case that yours is on the fritz and it’s time to shop for a new one. Many homeowners just look at the sticker price of the heater they’re considering and base their purchase off of that single factor. However, the initial cost of a new furnace or heat pump is just the beginning.

You’ll need to pay monthly to keep your heating system running, schedule routine maintenance, pay for repair services, and replace it once it breaks down. Finding the right heater to match both your needs and your budget can be a complicated process, but it doesn’t have to be. Our professionals are on your side to help you make an educated decision.

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Can Regular Heating Maintenance Really Save You Money?

Monday, January 2nd, 2017

It’s no secret that one of the services we push is that of HVAC maintenance. Heating maintenance, in particular, is one of those services that is as necessary as locking the door to your home each night—it protects your property and your family. If you have a gas-powered heating system, then maintenance gives our professionals to check that everything is in good shape, and that nothing is in need of repair that could cause a fire or some other emergency.

Still though, customers are often still hesitant to invest in heater maintenance, because they simply don’t see the cost benefits. Why pay for a service for your heating system when energy costs are already so high these days? Well, there are a number of reasons to do so. Keep reading to learn more.

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Is Your Furnace Ready to Be Replaced?

Monday, December 5th, 2016

Chances are that with the cooler temperatures we’ve experienced recently, you’ve turned your heater on already this season. If so, then hopefully you haven’t noticed any detrimental problems with it. How do you know when something is wrong with your furnace, anyway?

Are there clear signs that a furnace needs extensive repairs, or is in need of replacement? While some furnace problems might be hard for the average homeowner such as yourself to prevent or detect, there are certainly some telltale signs that your furnace is ready to be upgraded.

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Start Saving Money with a High Efficiency Furnace

Monday, November 21st, 2016

The furnaces on the market today are all much more energy efficient than those on the market even just a decade ago. But that doesn’t mean that all of the current models are created the same. There’s still a pretty big difference between furnaces when it comes to efficiency as well as price. Therefore, you really need to know what you’re looking for if you want to get the best deal out there.

One of the most important factors you’ll want to keep in mind when selecting a new furnace is its efficiency. All furnace systems come with an AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating, which reflects just exactly how energy efficient they are.

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Electric or Gas: Choosing the Furnace That Is Right for You

Monday, November 14th, 2016

Natural gas-powered furnaces are among the most popular types of heaters in modern homes. In fact, many heating companies recommend them due to their low costs of operation and the effectiveness of their heating. However, an electric furnace is not a bad choice either. It has its own set of benefits that may fill your needs as a homeowner. Sometimes, and electric furnace may even be a better choice for you, such as in the scenarios we’ve listed below.

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Should it Smell When I Start up My Heater?

Monday, November 7th, 2016

We’re at that time of year that while it’s not necessarily time to run our heaters all day, every day, our nighttime temperatures are certainly cooling off to the point that you’re likely going to start your heater up soon if you haven’t already.

If you have turned it on to test it out or take the chill out of the nighttime air, did you notice anything strange? Did you detect an odd odor coming from your furnace? If so, there are a number of reasons this might have occurred. Answering the question of whether or not it should smell when you start it up depends on a few different factors.

Dust Buildup

The most common, and the least concerning, explanation for a smelly furnace upon startup is that you have a buildup of dust on your electric heating coils or on the burners in your furnace. Over the course of the summer season, there’s plenty of time for dust and dirt to accumulate on these components, as your furnace is not in use. The smell is usually caused by this dust burning off and should dissipate after a couple hours of use.

When the Problem is More Serious

If the smell seems to resemble melting plastic, then you may have a more serious problem on your hands. This could very likely be the sign of an electrical issue that is causing the wiring within your system to get too hot. If this is the case, the integrity and condition of your furnace is at risk, and it’s a fire hazard. Be sure you have this addressed right away.

Foreign Object in Your Heater

One last possibility is that a child’s or pet’s toy made its way into your ducts. If something like this makes its way through the vent grills, then you might be able to pull it out on your own. However, if no object is immediately visible, then it’s time to call a professional to complete an extraction without risking damage to your system.

To schedule Cottonwood Heights, UT heating repair and to learn why our customers say
“I love my Design Comfort,” just reach out to us today!

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Time For You to Get a New Boiler?

Monday, October 24th, 2016

When living in Utah, there’s a very good chance that you, like many other homeowners throughout the country, rely on a boiler to keep you warm during the winter. If this is the case, then you have a heating system that can do its job very efficiently, and will last a long time to boot as long as you schedule preventive maintenance on a regular basis.

However, there will eventually come a time that your boiler will need replacement. No heating system lasts forever, after all. But how do you know when that time has come? Keep reading to learn about some of the signs that it’s time for you to get a new boiler.

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Watch for These Signs You Need Furnace Repairs

Monday, October 3rd, 2016

It likely goes without saying that winter is the time of year that is most stressful for your furnace. Wear and tear is increases, and the possibility of a serious problem occurring goes up dramatically. Even if you’ve had your furnace professionally maintained already—and hopefully you have—you should still remain aware of what problems can crop up, particularly if you have an aging system. Keep reading for some of the common furnace problems that you’ll want to keep an eye out for this winter.

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Common Boiler Repairs You May Face This Season

Monday, September 26th, 2016

With temperatures finally declining, it’s time to accept that the start of fall is upon us, and cooler weather is going to be the norm from now until the end of winter. That being said, you definitely want to schedule maintenance for your boiler system if you haven’t done so already.

Of course, even with the most diligent maintenance, a boiler cannot run 100% free from repairs throughout its entire lifespan. Your maintenance appointment may even be the time that our technicians notice repair needs and make you aware of them. Keep reading for some of the common boiler repairs homeowners throughout Utah face.

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New Furnace Installation: Should you go Gas or Electric?

Monday, September 19th, 2016

Although fall is coming in just a few days, it’s pretty hard to tell cooler temperatures are on their way around here! But sure enough, they are. Which means if you are considering a new heating system installation, now is the time to take action.

Furnaces are found in many homes throughout the country. This popular heating system is very efficient, particularly with the high efficient models on the market today. But what type of furnace is best for you? Should you go with a gas-powered system or would an electric furnace make more sense? Keep reading to learn more about each system and why one of them may be a better choice than the other for your particular needs.

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