Design Comfort Blog

Heed These Signs of AC Service Needs

April 29th, 2019

air-conditioner-outside-unit-with-tool-bag-on-topSpring is officially here! You may already have turned on your AC system for the season, and soon enough you’ll be using it on a daily basis. The last thing you need when you turn yours on is a broken down system or sudden repair need. Of course, the best way to prevent this is with professional air conditioning maintenance, which gives our technicians the opportunity to thoroughly clean, inspect, and adjust any components that need it.

Even with maintenance, however, repair needs may still crop up, however minor they may be. And the good news is that most air conditioning service needs give out signs and symptoms long before they become a huge problem, if you know what to look and listen for. Keep reading to learn some of the common signs that you do, in fact, need air conditioner repair.

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Is It Too Early for AC Maintenance?

April 15th, 2019

ac-system-with-toolsWinter is officially over! Well, okay, we still might be in for a couple of cold spells and the weather can always take a turn and surprise us later in the spring. But, the fact is that soon enough you will need your air conditioner on a regular basis each day.

Many homeowners are hesitant to schedule maintenance services for their air conditioners. We get it, it might seem unnecessary if there’s nothing visibly wrong with your system and it’s not showing signs of trouble. But trust us, your tune-ups are essential to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of your air conditioner.

So if you’re ready to start thinking about warmer days, then it’s time to contact a pro from our team. But, how does this service benefit you?

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When It’s Time to Replace Your Furnace

April 1st, 2019

technician-looking-over-furnaceIf you’ve just had your furnace a few years and it starts experiencing an issue, such as making a strange noise or blowing out cool air, then you know that it’s a repair need. But what about when your furnace reaches the point that repairs are just a temporary bandaid for the inevitable? At what point do you stop calling for repairs and instead start researching your replacement options?

That’s the question we’re going to look at here today. It’s the biggest question you’ll have to face with your furnace after all, so we want to help ensure you make the best choice for your home and your specific needs. Our service techs have a lot of experience with these systems and will not lead you astray!

Read on to learn some of the signs that it is, in fact, time to consider furnace replacement.

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Will Frozen Pipes Thaw On Their Own?

March 18th, 2019

pipe-with-icicles Yes, but you don’t necessarily want them to.

What do we mean by that? Well, frozen pipes lead to burst pipes. Most homeowners aren’t aware of this (unless they’ve experienced it already) but as the ice inside frozen pipes thaws out, the water caught between the ice and the closed faucet creates an increase in pressure within the pipe. This leads to your plumbing pipes shattering from the inside out.

Therefore, as temperatures warm in preparation for spring, right now is when you should be the most concerned about running into a plumbing problem.

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The One Furnace Problem You Never Want

March 4th, 2019

technician-looking-over-furnaceOkay, nobody wants a furnace problem at all. But there is one in particular that should be avoided more than the rest due to the potential hazard it brings—and that is a cracked heat exchanger.

If your home is like the majority in Salt Lake City, it’s very likely that you’re using a gas-powered furnace to heat your home. Gas furnaces not only provide a large amount of heat, but they do so at less expense than electric heating systems, since natural gas costs less than electricity per unit.

But any natural-gas appliance, while built with safety features and customer safety in mind, has the potential to develop hazards. We don’t say this to alarm you, especially if your furnace is well maintained and on the newer side. However, we definitely do want you to be aware of the danger of a cracked heat exchanger.

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When to Trade in a Heating Repair for Heater Replacement

February 18th, 2019

gas-powered-furnace-systemIf you’re reading this now, it likely means you are facing an unexpected problem with your heating system. We’re sorry, we know that’s quite the inconvenience, to put it lightly. The good news is, when you work with our team, you can rest assured that you’ll be matched with a professional who knows a thing or two about heating systems and what the best course of action to take is with your heater.

Sometimes, it may be a repair. But other times, your aging heater may be beyond repair—you need a new heater. We’ve covered some signs below that it is, in fact, time to say goodbye to your current heating system and invest in a new one.

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Now Is the Time to Check Your Sump Pump

February 4th, 2019

sump-pump-in-basementIn some areas of the country, homeowners have no idea what a sump pump even is, and they never really need to know. Their homes may be in a position that flooding is unlikely, or that their home doesn’t have a low enough point that it would be impacted—such as a basement or crawlspace.

We aren’t so fortunate though—flooding is an issue where we live and basements are prone to its impact. Spring temperatures begin thawing out the snow and can send water into your home faster than you know it. Fortunately, you needn’t look very far for professional Salt Lake City sump pump services. In the meantime, we want to help you perform a little sump pump maintenance on your own to make sure your home is ready for the change of seasons slowly but surely on its way!

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What Does It Mean If Your Furnace Booms?

January 21st, 2019

Shocked and surprisedIt doesn’t mean anything good. No, your furnace is probably not going to explode. In fact, that’s not at all what’s going to happen. But a booming furnace, or a noisy furnace period, is a definite sign that you’re in need of a professional furnace repair in Salt Lake City, UT.

Of course, when we say this, we are referring to gas-powered furnaces. All furnaces today are built with safety in mind, but there is always a risk when you’re utilizing natural gas for an appliance in your home. Keep reading to learn more about what booming means for your gas furnace.

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“I Skipped Maintenance This Year, Is My Heater at Risk?”

January 7th, 2019

Keep silence. Scared woman covering mouth with hands while posing to camera on gray studio background. Shocked girl close lips with palms, speak no evil conceptIt may very well be, but the good news is, it’s never too late for a heating maintenance appointment! Sure, we do recommend that homeowners have this service done in the fall, before you need your heater on a daily basis. However, that matters less than how often you have your heater tuned-up. We advise that all homeowners have their heaters maintained at least once a year. If you have a heat pump system—that is, a 2-in-1 HVAC system that you use year round—then you’ll want to schedule a tune-up twice a year.

The fact of the matter is, the biggest and typically costliest of heating repair needs can almost always be prevented, just by keeping up on your annual (or biannual) maintenance appointments! It’s at this time that our technicians get the chance to fully inspect and clean your heater, making any necessary adjustments and recommendations for repairs as we go, giving you plenty of time to get those professional repairs on your schedule at your convenience! Without maintenance, you may find yourself with any number of heating problems, two of which we cover below.

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“Help! My Pipes Froze—Now What?”

December 24th, 2018

Icicles hanging from a brown pipe. Frozen water and metal surface, winter time concept. selective focus shallow depth of field photoThe weather is getting progressively colder and drier, leaving many homeowners to scramble to make their HVAC maintenance calls if they haven’t already, or ensuring their indoor air quality equipment is in good shape to get the through the season. But as temperatures drop, be sure you don’t forget one other very important system in your home—the plumbing system.

We recommend that if you haven’t already, you take precautions now to help prevent pipe freeze. This can include disconnecting outside homes and faucets, insulating your host bibs, and checking to ensure any exposed pipes in your home are insulated—this includes indoor pipes that are under your bathroom and kitchen sinks! If you’re looking for more tips on how to best prepare your home for winter temperatures, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team for professional Salt Lake City plumbing services.

In the meantime, what do you do if you’re reading this post and your pipes already froze?

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