Design Comfort Blog

How to Avoid Drain Clogs

June 22nd, 2020

sink-faucet-with-water-going-into-drainWhat do you think about when you hear the phrase, “plumbing problems”? if you’re like many homeowners, you probably immediately think about drain clogs or slow drains. Almost every homeowner at some point has run into the problem of a clogged drain, and this is a problem that impacts homes a few times a year.

Often, the instinct here is to reach for store-bought, chemical drain cleaners. Unfortunately, these drain cleaning “solutions” are very caustic and can actually eat away at the inside of your pipes, leading to unexpected needs for pipe replacement. Professional drain cleaning is the answer here—our plumbers have the tools and methods to effectively remove clogs and prevent them from coming back.

But what if you could prevent drain clogs? The good news is, you can! Keep reading as we uncover a few of the most common drain clog types and how you can avoid them.

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What Are the Biggest Threats to Your Air Conditioner?

June 8th, 2020

male-and-female-technicians-standing-over-outside-ac-unit

There are some threats to your air conditioner you simply cannot avoid. Take age, for example. The average air conditioner lasts about 10-15 years. No matter the manufacturer or how well you cared for your cooling system, once it reaches this point it’s almost a guarantee that you should start considering replacement. But alas, old age is not the only threat to your air conditioner.

Curious about what these are? Keep reading to find out more, and remember to contact us when you encounter one of these problems.

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Does Your AC Sound like It’s Hissing or Bubbling?

May 25th, 2020

woman-covering-her-ears

We’ve come to expect a standard level of comfort this day and age when inside our homes, thanks to the power of modern air conditioning. And as long as you have that comfort, who cares whether your air conditioner is making a strange noise as long as it’s still providing cooling right? Well, actually, you should care.

The thing is, unfamiliar noises are always a sign that something is amiss with your air conditioning system, and that something needs to be addressed before it grows into a much bigger and subsequently costlier problem. One particular sound that may seem subtle and easy to ignore is that of a refrigerant leak, often signaled by a hissing or bubbling sound.

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How to Use Your Air Conditioner More Efficiently This Summer

May 11th, 2020

top-view-of-ac-outdoor-unitWould you ever turn down an opportunity to save money? Particularly when we’re talking about your energy bills? In addition to your utility bills each month, you have to consider the cost of AC upkeep—maintenance, repairs, replacement costs if needed—it can be overwhelming.

But the thing is, there are pretty simple steps you can take to boost your air conditioning efficiency, and lower your monthly bills, even if you have an aging (10-15 years old) air conditioner. If your aging AC struggles to keep your home cool efficiently this summer, follow the tips we shared below! Some of them may seem like common sense, but honestly not a lot of people consider just how much these ideas help.

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Is Your Household in Need of a Water Heater Upgrade?

April 27th, 2020

smiling-technician-holding-clipboard-and-standing-in-front-of-water-heaterIf there’s any appliance that’s taken for granted in the average American home, we’re going to go ahead and say it’s the water heater. Without this system, you wouldn’t be able to begin your day with a hot shower, wash your clothing, or effectively clean and sanitize your dishes. A reliable source of hot water is essential to your modern quality of life!

Of course, no water heater lasts forever. When it comes time to replace or upgrade yours, we’ll help you find the best one for your specific needs. Homeowners often assume that if they have a tank water heater, their only option is to replace it with another tank water heater—but tankless is an option too! Regardless of which system you choose to upgrade to, it’s important to know the signs that you’re ready for a water heater upgrade—in other words, the signs that your current water heater is about to fail.

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AC Service: Time for a Tune-Up!

April 13th, 2020

two-techs-in-front-of-ac-outdoor-unit-looking-at-tabletSpring is officially here. Sure, we may still have a couple of bouts of snow flurries here and there in the coming weeks, but you know as well as we do that soon enough, you’ll need your air conditioner on a daily basis.

Is your cooling system ready for the task? If you haven’t scheduled your spring maintenance appointment yet, there’s a very good chance your air conditioner is not ready for what summer is about to bring.

We don’t say that to sound dramatic, but we have many customers who don’t necessarily see the benefits of maintenance, and feel like it’s okay to skip it. This is an annual service (biannual if you have a heat pump) and we really want to shift your perspective on its necessity if you’re considering forgoing it this year. What do you get with routine maintenance? Read on to find out!

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What Kind of Air Purifier Is Best?

March 30th, 2020

woman-with-dog-enjoying-being-indoorsWe might cause some head-scratching with this answer, but when it comes to which air purifier is best, the real answer is, “it depends.” The thing is, different homes have different air quality needs. There are a wide number of things to consider. Overall, indoor air quality in Salt Lake City homes is often worse than that of outdoors, because contaminants, allergens, and even dry air get trapped inside due to tight home construction.

We can’t say what’s best for your specific home until we do a thorough assessment, but what we can tell you is that it’s best to get a whole-house system professionally installed, versus purchasing a small, portable system that can really only help a room or two.

But how do you even know you need a whole-house indoor air quality product of any kind?

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Late Season Furnace Needs to Be Aware Of

March 16th, 2020

technician-inspecting-and-maintaining-gas-furnaceWhile there are certainly exceptions to the rule, it’s safe to say that our weather is fairly predictable in our area. We would never expect to see snow in July nor would we expect to be able to use our swimming pools in January. That said, given that it’s just about springtime, most homeowners in our area are getting ready to shut off their furnaces for the winter and turn their attention to air conditioning maintenance.

We definitely encourage this! Air conditioning maintenance will help ensure that your cooling system is clean, adjusted, and that any repair needs are taken care of.

But, speaking of repair needs, if your furnace needs any you’ll want to manage them before you stop using your heater for the season. A suffering furnace sitting in wait all spring and summer means a potentially broken down furnace next fall.

So, how do you know if you have any furnace repair needs? Read on as we uncover some of the most common signs that you may be in need of heating service.

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Could a Dirty Air Filter Hurt Your Furnace?

March 2nd, 2020

hand-changing-air-filterYou invested in a high-efficiency furnace. You had it professionally installed. You stay on top of your annual maintenance appointments. That’s enough, right?

Well, no.

You’ve definitely done everything right so far if you followed the above steps. However, there is one more step that is too commonly overlooked by homeowners, and that’s changing out the air filter. But why?

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Is it Too Late for Furnace Maintenance?

February 17th, 2020

technician-working-on-furnaceIn the absence of a complete furnace breakdown, which may require replacement of the system altogether, no it is never too late for furnace maintenance.

“But I always hear that I need to schedule it in the fall…”

Yes, that’s true, this is our recommendation for your heating maintenance. The reason we suggest this is because it gives our techs a chance to thoroughly inspect, adjust, and clean your system before you need it the most. We also recommend that you have air conditioning maintenance done in the spring for the same reason.

Is maintenance really a big deal though? Read on as we answer that question, in detail.

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