Design Comfort Blog

Thanksgiving, 2013: The Presidential Turkey Pardon

November 25th, 2013

Thanksgiving began in 1621, but didn’t become a national holiday until 1863, when Abraham Lincoln declared it in hopes of bringing a divided nation together. We have many Thanksgiving traditions in this country, from turkey at the meal to the annual Cowboys and Lions games on television. But one of the most beloved is the annual Presidential turkey pardon, in which the U.S. President “pardons” a turkey to life in a petting zoo rather than ending up as someone’s main course. As we celebrate this Thanksgiving, we thought you’d like to know a little more about the history of this fascinating tradition.

Farmers have sent turkeys to the White House as far back as the 1800s, hoping to have the honor of providing the President’s annual meal. There have been scattered stories of individual turkeys being “pardoned” throughout that time, including one in which President Lincoln’s son Tad successfully convinced the president to spare a bird intended for the family’s Christmas dinner.

Starting in 1947, the National Turkey Federation became the official supplier of the President’s Thanksgiving birds. The White House arranged for an annual photo op that year with the President receiving the turkey in the Rose Garden. Sadly, there was no pardon as yet; those birds all ended up on the Presidential table.

The push for an official pardon picked up steam in 1963, when President Kennedy ask that the bird be spared just a few days before his assassination. President Nixon opted to send each of the birds he received to a nearby petting zoo after the photo op, though there was no formal pardon attached.

But it wasn’t until 1989 that the pardon became official. On November 14 of that year, President George H. W. Bush made the announcement, and sent the bird to a Virginia game preserve to live the rest of its life out in cranberry-and-stuffing-free bliss. Since then, every President has held an annual pardoning ceremony, with the lucky turkey spared the axe and sent off to live in peace. Since 2005, the pardoned birds have gone to Disneyland in Anaheim, California where they have lived as part of a petting zoo exhibit in Frontierland.

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3 Ways You Can Upgrade Your Heater Now

November 19th, 2013

The first cold days of winter are only a few weeks away… is your home heating system ready? Even if you think it’s prepared to handle the cold, there are ways you can get even more efficient and effective warmth with an upgrade to your home’s heating system.

Here are some options available that can give you better heating right now. Design Comfort provides all these services, and many more, for when you want improved heating in Salt Lake City, UT.

Install a programmable thermostat

If you still have an old digital thermostat, or even a manual model with sliders and dials, you are missing out on energy savings and comfort. A digital system gives you more accurate control over the temperature, with a reduced margin of error. A programmable system provides you even more control: you don’t have to be home to shut the system on and off. You can program your thermostat to turn your heater on half an hour before you get home, so you will always arrive to a warm house without having to keep the heat on all day. You can program the heater to shut off when you’re asleep and turn on before you wake up. You will notice significant savings on your energy bills with an upgraded thermostat.

Zone control systems

With zone control, you no longer have to heat up the whole house every time you turn on the heater: you only need to heat the rooms that you are using. You can also tailor the heat in the house to suit individuals, or change the temperature levels in different rooms to fit the activity there (for example, keeping the kitchen cool and the dining room warm). Hire professionals to see if they can integrate a zone control system with your current heater.

A tune-up for the winter

One of the best ways to upgrade your heater is to get it back to top-line condition with an inspection and tune-up visit from an HVAC technician. You should have maintenance done every year to keep your heater in prime working condition and to catch any possible troubles before they turn into serious repairs. However, it’s never too late to start if you’ve put it off—get started with annual maintenance now, before the serious cold arrives.

Design Comfort is available to answer all your questions about heating in Salt Lake City, UT this winter. We install thermostats, zone control systems, and many different types of heating systems. We’ve been in business since 1982 and have the experience to deliver you the home comfort satisfaction you need.

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Hot Air or Radiant Heat: How to Make the Right Decision for Your Home

November 12th, 2013

Heating options in Salt Lake City aren’t limited to the traditional gas furnaces or boilers than many people are used to. True, a lot of homes still use forced-air systems to stay warm in the winter, but you’re just as apt to see other homes using heat pumps, geothermal systems and radiant heating systems instead of those older systems. Radiant heating, in particular, makes an attractive choice for a number of reasons. But which one is right for you: hot air or radiant heat? Here’s how to make the right decision for your home.

Radiant heating means running tubes or coils underneath the floor of your home. The heat comes up through the floors, warming the furnishings and people in the room in question. Contrast this with hot air: generated in the furnace and blown through your home via a system of ducts. Strictly speaking, the radiant system is more effective. It generates no breeze, it doesn’t create drafts or warm spots, and because there are fewer moving parts, it runs less risk of breakdown that a forced-air system. It’s also much more efficient, which translates to significant savings on your monthly heating bill.

On the other hand, the start-up cost tends to be much higher than a traditional gas furnace. It also involves considerably more disruption, since your floors will need to be altered in order for the system to work. Some homes simply cannot support a radiant heating system, and homes which already have an existing duct system may not consider such a radical change worthwhile. Those less efficient, forced-air systems still do a good job of heating many homes, and the installation fees may not be worth the slow, gradual long-term savings.

Educating yourself about the specifics is a good way to make the right decision for your home, and the experts at Design Comfort can help. We’ll explain the details of each system, and stand ready for installation whether it be hot air or radiant heat. We understand all the heating options in Salt Lake City, so don’t hesitate to give us a call today!

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How Maintenance Leads to Less Energy Consumption

November 4th, 2013

Here in Salt Lake City, heating maintenance should be as regular and understandable as getting the oil changed in your car. All appliances suffer from wear and tear, and our environment doesn’t readily forgive neglect. Nothing is more exasperating than having to deal with a heating repair service in the middle of a cold front, and scheduling an upkeep session before the snows start to fall can lower that risk considerably. Perhaps more importantly, it can save you money in monthly bills by reducing the amount of energy that your heater uses. Here’s how maintenance leads to less energy consumption.

When your heater sits unused for a period of time (such as during the summer when you don’t need it very often), it builds up dust and grime. This increases friction in moving parts, which forces those parts to work harder in order to do their jobs. Dust can also clog up the air filters which can cause problems with the flow of warm air through your home. All of which severely impacts your heater’s ability to function as smoothly as it should.

Little problems can add up to a loss of efficiency as well. For instance, a loose bolt holding the fan motor in place may cause the motor to rattle in place, preventing it from operating efficiently. Or a small breach between two ducts could let hot air escape the heating system instead of being piped into your home like it’s supposed to be. Eventually, those small problems could turn into much larger ones – costing you money in repairs – but in the meantime, all they do is suck energy out of your heater and stick you with the bill.

Routine heating maintenance in Salt Lake City can correct a number of those problems: cleaning the dust off, tightening loose fittings and otherwise making the heater as ship-shape as it can be. In return, the heater doesn’t need as much energy to do its job and your monthly bills will keep from creeping up. The professionals at Design comfort can help with this process. We’re based in Salty Lake City, heating maintenance is a part of our offered services, and we can show you how maintenance leads to less energy consumption. Give us a call today!

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Signs That You Need Heating Replacement

October 30th, 2013

Utah attracts winter vacationers because of our picturesque snowfalls and superlative skiing conditions. Compared to other states farther north, we experience milder winters: cold enough for snow, but not so cold that we can’t have fun in the snow.

However, any state with winters that produce steady snowfalls is one that requires its residents to have effective and durable heaters. Salt Lake City averages lows in the 20s from December through February, and lows in the mid-30s during March and April, mostly during the night. That calls for efficient indoor heating—and if you aren’t currently getting it from whatever system you have installed in your home, it might be time for a replacement.

For top-quality installation and general heating services in Salt Lake City, hire Design Comfort. We’ve made this city more enjoyable for our clients to live in since 1982.

Here are warning signs that you may need heating replacement before the mercury plunges:

Heightened heating bills

If you keep track of your power bills, you will know what to expect each winter when you start heating your home. If your bills increase without explanation, it usually signals that your heating system needs repairs. But if the inflation remains even with maintenance and repairs, then your heater might be approaching the end of its lifespan.

Continuous noisy operation

As with your power bills, you know what noises to expect from your furnace, boiler, or radiant heater while it’s operating. If you start hearing strange noises that repairs do not remedy, it’s a sign of extreme aging inside the system that has put it beyond the help of regular maintenance.

Reduced heating power

If your home no longer seems to get as warm as it used to, there are a number of possibilities to investigate, such as decaying insulation or thermostat malfunctions. However, your heater might simply no longer be up to the task. If this heating loss occurs in connection with the increase in power bills or a frequent need for repairs, then you probably should have a new heater installed.

Deciding on a heating replacement is a big step, so don’t make it lightly—or without professional advice. If you suspect your heating system is in its last days, get an HVAC technician to come to your house and inspect it. An expert can offer advice on the best replacement unit to get if it turns out that you will need a new heater.

You can rely on Design Comfort and our years of experience to guide you toward the best heater to install in your home, and then perform the installation so your new system will work for you for many years. We are one of the best places to turn for Salt Lake City, UT heating services.

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Benefits of Professional Heating Maintenance

October 23rd, 2013

Salt Lake City heating maintenance means taking our local conditions into consideration before the heating season starts. We have our share of cold winter days and you need a reliable heating system to help keep your home cozy and warm. But we’re also a very dry climate, and the dust in the air can turn small problems into large ones very quickly. Heating maintenance can’t entirely prevent the need for repair, but it can reduce the risk of a breakdown, especially during inconvenient times when you really need your heater to function. Here’s a list of just some of the benefits of professional heating maintenance in Salt Lake City:

  • Improves efficiency. By tightening loose fittings, cleaning dirty parts and replacing worn small components, the technician reduces overall stress on the system. That helps it function more smoothly and use less energy in the process: saving you money when your monthly heating bills arise.
  • Reduces the risk of serious repairs. By reducing stress on the components of your heater, it reduces the chances that a more serious repair job will come along later in the season. If the serviceman spots a problem issue, you can both set up a time to address it before it causes more substantial damage or shuts the heater down unexpectedly during a cold front.
  • Allows a clean start to the heating season. Chances are your heater has sat unused during the warm summer months, accumulating dust and dirt in the process. That can cause damage when you suddenly shift to daily use of the heater. A maintenance session that includes a routine cleaning can prevent that, and allow your heater to “start the season fresh.”

If you see the benefits of professional heating maintenance in Salt Lake City and want to schedule a session, contact the experts at Design Comfort. Our trained staff of professionals will set up a schedule that works for you, then conduct the job with thoroughness and care. In Salt Lake City, heating maintenance is an essential part of keeping your household running. Call us today and make sure the job is done right.

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Why Late Season Air Conditioning Maintenance is Important

September 25th, 2013

Summer temperatures climb in Utah, and a good air conditioning system can be your best friend when the mercury levels go up. In Salt Lake City, air conditioning maintenance can extend the life of your AC unit, as well as helping you through the sultry summer months until our cooler falls and winters can provide some relief. Indeed, the end of the summer can prove just as vital as the beginning when it comes to keeping your system functioning smoothly. Here are some reasons why late season air conditioning maintenance is important.

For starters, late summer is the best time to detect and plan for any larger repairs you may need to conduct. A routine maintenance plan can identify potential problem spots, which lets you schedule a repair service in the cool months of the fall, when you can more readily do without the air conditioner for the time it takes to perform the repairs. In addition, maintenance scheduled at the end of the summer allows you to pick up on any issues that have developed in the past few months, which may not have been present when the summer began.

Along those lines, issues left unaddressed at the end of the summer may deteriorate during the cool months of winter when you won’t be using your air conditioning unit. Dust, dirt and the snows of winter can exacerbate existing issues, turning little problems into big ones and leaving you with a nasty surprise when you try to turn on your air conditioning again late next spring. A routine service call will nip that potential in the bud, letting you rest easy in the winter knowing that your AC unit is ready to go when the temperatures start to rise again.

Homeowners who understand why late season air conditioning maintenance is important will contact a reliable service to do the job right. In Salt Lake City, air conditioning maintenance providers should understand out unique climate conditions, while offering professional expertise to handle even the most mundane problems.  At Design Comfort, we’re dedicated to your complete satisfaction, and offer both air conditioning maintenance plans and full-bore repair services in Salt Lake City. Call us today to make an appointment.

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Energy Efficient Heating Tips

September 17th, 2013

In towns like Salt Lake City, heating becomes a priority as soon as the temperatures start to fall. Our cold winters can be quite biting, with snow and ice common in the colder months. A reliable heating system provides you with a cozy haven on cold days, making it an excellent bulwark against the worst winter weather. As necessary as heating is, however, you shouldn’t have to pay any more for it than necessary. If your system isn’t as efficient as it could be, your bills will go up and no one wants to see that. Here are a few energy efficient heating tips designed to help you make the most out of your home furnace.

  • Set up a maintenance schedule. Routine maintenance on your furnace can help spot problems before they grow too large, as well as keeping the furnace clean and free of little tics or hiccups. Poorly maintained furnaces inflict a lot of wear and tear on their components, forcing them to work harder and raising your monthly energy bills accordingly. A regular maintenance schedule can easily avoid all of that.
  • Insulate your home and seal up any leaks. You may not think of your home as “leaking,” but air can escape from little openings around your doors and windows. Seal them up before cold season begins to increase the efficiency of your heating. Similarly, make sure your home has sufficient insulation, which will help it retain the heat that your furnace generates.
  • Make sure your furnace is properly sized. A furnace that is too small for your house won’t be able to heat it properly. If it’s too large, it will cycle on and off throughout the day, wasting energy in the process. Like Goldilocks with her porridge, you want a furnace that is just right.

For other energy efficient heating tips, as well as sound advice on heating installation and repair options, contact the Salt Lake City heating professionals at Design Comfort. We have years of experience in this field and our technicians are available throughout Salt Lake City. Heating systems should function as efficiently as possible to save you money. Call us today and let us help make that possible.

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Three Reasons Why You Should Consider Replacing Your Current Air Conditioning System

September 11th, 2013

When we talk to our customers about replacing their air conditioning system, they usually tell us that their AC is working just fine and doesn’t need to be replaced. However, there are actually some very attractive benefits to replacing your AC before it completely stops working. At Design Comfort, we are dedicated to providing our customers high quality Salt Lake City air conditioning services and we wanted to share some of the benefits of AC replacement with you.

Salt Lake City Air Conditioning Tip: Benefits of AC Replacement

Check out a few of the benefits to getting Salt Lake City air conditioning replacement services:

  • Reduced repair – As your air conditioning system ages, it will start to develop more and more problems as time goes on. If your air conditioning is getting older and you’ve started to notice more inconsistencies with it, you might be able to avoid repairs by getting it replaced.
  • Increased efficiency – Even if your AC is only a few years old, there have been incredible advances in air conditioning technology that allows homeowners to achieve very high levels of efficiency. By replacing your AC, you could reduce the amount of energy that you use to cool your home.
  • Greater comfort – As your air conditioning system ages, it will likely start to falter and underperform. When this happens, you could experience a decrease in your home’s cooling and comfort. Replacement would allow you to maintain the level of comfort in your home that you deserve.

Salt Lake City Air Conditioning Replacement

If you’re ready to consider replacing your air conditioning system, make sure that you call for professional help. Here at Design Comfort, we specialize in working with our customers from start to finish. We can help you pick out a system that matches your home’s needs as well as your budget.

Call us today to learn more and to talk with one of our friendly specialists.

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We Wish You a Happy Labor Day

September 2nd, 2013

On every project that we complete, we ensure that our customers are satisfied. We take pride in the work that we do every day, and this level of diligence and attention to detail has allowed us to grow over the years. On the first Monday of every September, our country celebrates Labor Day as a way of recognizing the hard work that has made this country great. Because making your home more comfortable and convenient is our business, we want you to have an enjoyable and pleasant Labor Day.

Labor Day is a time of good BBQ, the start of the professional and college football seasons, entertainment with family and friends, and, most importantly, taking a day off from work. Labor Day emerges as a federal holiday in the wake of the Pullman Strike of 1894. It was designated as such by President Grover Cleveland and Congress as a way to reconcile the damage done by the faceoff between the Federal government and the Pullman Palace Car Company workers and other railroad workers. But over a decade before it became official, Labor Day began as a workers’ picnic and demonstration suggested by either Peter J. McGuire of the American Federation of Labor, or Matthew Maguire of the Central Labor Union of New York.

From our family to yours, we wish you all the best on this Labor Day.

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