Your comfort comes first.

Home / Blog

Design Comfort Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Heating Repair’

How AFUE Ratings Affect Your New Heater

Monday, March 17th, 2014

If you’ve looked at the cabinet of a furnace or a boiler, you may have noticed something called the “AFUE rating.” This is one of the most important stats to know about the new heating system you decide to install, because it will have an effect on your heating bills for many years to come… as many years as you the heating system lasts. We’ll explain what AFUE means and how it affects your new heating system.

Make sure that you don’t purchase a new heater without help from professionals. Design Comfort installs many types of systems and provides heating repair service in Salt Lake City that will keep any heater humming away.

AFUE rating and what it means for you and your heater

AFUE is a way of rating the efficiency of heating systems like furnaces and boilers. (Heat pumps have a separate dual rating, SEER/HSPF.) The initials stand for “annual fuel utilization efficiency,” and is expressed as a percentage. The percentage represents how much of the heater’s fuel supply it changes into heat. For example, a gas furnace with 78% AFUE produces 78 BTUs of heat for every 100 units of gas available. This means it produces a waste of 22 units of fuel, which goes unburned. The higher the percentage, the more completely the heater consumes fuel and turns it into heat power.

For a gas furnace to earn the EPA’s ENERGY STAR label for efficiency in Utah, it must have 95% AFUE or greater. All furnaces produced in the U.S. must have at least 78% AFUE. For boilers to receive the ENERGY STAR label, they must have 85% AFUE or higher.

A furnace’s AFUE rating isn’t a guarantee of heating effectiveness. You may not get the level of comfort you desire from a high-AFUE furnace or boiler, especially if it was installed poorly or sized incorrectly for your home. However, a high AFUE rating does mean lower energy bills. For example, if you changed from an old 70% AFUE furnace to a new model of 90% AFUE, for every 1000 BTUs you burned, you would save $136. The savings with higher efficiency furnaces and boilers can be substantial.

However, higher AFUE models are usually more expensive. When it comes to picking a new furnace or boiler, you’ll have to weigh upfront costs against long-term budget plans. In most cases, you can expect larger savings from a higher AFUE model. But you should consult with an installation professional to help you make the best choice possible.

Design Comfort has a staff with NATE-certified technicians with many years of experience installing heaters and providing heating repair in Salt Lake City, UT. They can assist you with picking a heater with the AFUE rating that will work for you and keep you warm for many years.

Tags: Heating Repair, Salt Lake City
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on How AFUE Ratings Affect Your New Heater

Benefits of a Humidifier to Your Home

Tuesday, January 14th, 2014

Living in Salt Lake City means dealing with very dry temperatures, especially during the summer. Although humid climates are often very uncomfortable, dry climates bring their own problems as well that range from health issues to furniture damage. Because of the city’s dry climate, we advise many people to install a humidifier in their home to alleviate some of the issues that low humidity can cause.

Design Comfort installs whole-house humidifiers that incorporate into current HVAC systems so that they work with a home’s cooling and heating throughout the year. Look to us whenever you need heating repair service in Salt Lake City, UT or other solutions to your comfort problems.

Reasons a humidifier will help you

Improved health: Dry air can create a number of health troubles, such as itchy eyes and frequent nose bleeds. It is especially damaging to skin. In addition to alleviating these problems, a humidifier is also beneficial to your lungs and nasal passages, which will help you heal from common illnesses. For people in your home with asthma and allergies, humidifiers will offer them immense relief. Humidifiers have also been shown to help stop snoring and allow people to sleep better.
Less damage to furnishings: At low humidity levels, wallpaper will begin to peel, wooden surfaces on furniture start to crack, and paint chip off all kinds of surfaces. Increasing the humidity is good for your home’s décor in general.
Save money with heating: Balanced humidity in your home will make it easier for you to get comfortable with your HVAC system during the winter. You know that you feel hotter with high humidity. It works the opposite way as well: you feel colder in low humidity. A dehumidifier will make your house feel warmer in cold weather, and that means you’ll spend less money running your heater.
Reduced static electricity: If static electricity is a constant problem for you—from shocks on doorknobs to rumbled clothes to frizzy hair—a humidifier will reduce the problem.

Schedule professional humidifier installation

Although you can buy small humidifiers for individuals rooms, to get the most balanced indoor humidity requires installing a whole-house unit. This job is technical and requires a professional. Contact Design Comfort for help with getting a whole-house humidifier today. We also repair and replace old, rundown humidifiers. Call us when you need heating repair in Salt Lake City, UT to make this winter more comfortable.

Tags: Heating Repair, Salt Lake City
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Benefits of a Humidifier to Your Home

Heating Repair Tip: Common Heating Repairs

Monday, April 1st, 2013

Spring will get here eventually, but before the weather warms up we still have some heating to get to. After working hard throughout the long, cold winter months, your heater may hit a road block or two in its operation. This is to be expected on occasion, and most heating problems are not terribly serious. Not at first, anyway.

The longer you force your heating system to operate when it is in need of professional repair service, the more likely it becomes that real damage will be done. Contact the Salt Lake City heating repair professionals at Design Comfort today to learn more. Here are a few examples of common heating repairs we perform.

Airflow problems are among the most frequent issues that homeowners contact their heating repair company about. As is the case with many heating problems, this single issue has a multitude of potential causes. It is possible that your fan motor is damaged, that a belt has slipped or your bearings need lubrication. The issue may also lie in your ductwork. If your air ducts are damaged, torn or improperly installed then you cannot expect them to deliver heated air throughout your home efficiently.

If your pilot light has trouble staying lit, another common heating problem, a few different heating repair services may be necessary. It is possible that you have a faulty thermocouple. A thermocouple is a safety device that determines whether or not there is sufficient heat to safely ignite a fuel source. If enough heat is not connected, this device will stem the flow of natural gas. There may also be a problem with the gas delivery system itself.

Very often, the problems that homeowners contact their heating technician about could have been avoided simply by scheduling routine heating maintenance. If you have not had your heater professionally maintained in the past year, schedule service today. There is no better way to reduce the risk of damage to your home heating system.

For more Salt Lake City heating tips, call Design Comfort. We can answer any questions that you may have. Contact us today to learn more.

Tags: Heating, Heating Repair, Salt Lake City
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Heating Repair Tip: Common Heating Repairs

Heating Tip: How To Tell If I Have Air Flow Problems

Monday, March 18th, 2013

You depend upon your heating system to provide excellent airflow throughout your home, no matter what type of system you have. But, at times, airflow throughout your ductwork can become impeded, or something breaks down within your heater that causes it to heat inadequately or unevenly. It’s important to monitor your heating system to make sure that you notice when such things occurs. That way, you are ready to call a professional heating repair expert. Airflow problems can negatively impact your comfort and your energy efficiency. Call Design Comfort today for Salt Lake City heating service!

Here are some indications that may be alerting you to an airflow problem:

Inadequate heating. If your heater no longer heats as well as it once did, or if you notice a sharp decrease in the amount of heat that emerges from your ductwork, then you should take heed. There might be a fault within the mechanical components of your heater, or there may be debris blocking your duct vents or registers.
Uneven heating. Depending upon what type of system you have and how it circulates heated air into and through your home, uneven heating can also indicate airflow problems. If certain aspects of your ductwork become clogged or even partially blocked, then the corresponding section of your home may suffer from cold spots. This can also indicate a thermostat problem.
Clogged air filter. Occasionally, you may not really notice a change in your airflow if it occurs gradually. But checking the air filter of your system can often be revealing. If your air filter is dirty or clogged, then replacing it will not only improve your indoor air quality, it will also boost your energy efficiency.
Cracked or leaky ductwork. If your ductwork is cracked or loose, your heated air may be lost within the walls of your home, or even returned to the cold air outside.

Airflow problems can be irritating and costly. Fortunately, your local Salt Lake City heating professional is here to help. Call Design Comfort today for comprehensive Salt Lake City heating services, from installation to repair.

Tags: Heating, Heating Repair, Salt Lake City
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Heating Tip: How To Tell If I Have Air Flow Problems

Heating Question: What Does a Furnace Fan Limit Switch Do?

Monday, September 17th, 2012

When researching your Salt Lake City furnace and potential problems it might have, you’ve probably run across a few references to the fan limit switch. And while you know that it can break in a number of ways, do you know what the switch does and what you should look for when checking your furnace its air handler for problems?

What the Limit Switch Does

To put it very simply, the furnace fan limit switch is a control that tells your furnace’s fan when to turn on and off. So, when the furnace isn’t on, it tells the blower not to operate (and send cold air into your home) and when the furnace is on, it tells the blower to turn on and start circulating the warm air.

While the primary function of the limit switch is to turn the blower fan on and off, it also has a safety role. When the temperature in the air supply plenum gets too hot, the limit switch turns off the furnace boiler to keep there from being any damage from overheating. This is handy if there is a blockage in the air vents or the controls are messed up due to water damage or improper adjustments to the settings.

Looking for Problems

Most of the time, when there is an issue with your furnace turning off or on frequently, the limit switch is one of the first things you will check. Because the switch is electronic and is attached to a thermostat which measures temperature in the air supply plenum, a small problem can result in it not working properly. So, you can easily check it by temporarily bypassing the switch and seeing if your device turns on or off properly.

In many cases, if the limit switch is the problem, you will still need to call a Salt Lake City heating professional for replacement, but you can avoid a lot of headaches related to tracking down the source of the problem. If you suspect a limit switch problem, make sure to call Design Comfort immediately, because it does provide an important safety function and because without it your furnace won’t cycle on and off properly.

Tags: Furnace, Furnace Fan Limit Switch, Heating, Heating Repair, Salt Lake City
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Heating Question: What Does a Furnace Fan Limit Switch Do?

Heating Tip: What to Check If Your Furnace Isn’t Lighting

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012

If your Salt Lake City home’s furnace isn’t lighting properly and your family is starting to suffer because of it, there are a number of possible problems you should check for before calling a professional. Some of these issues can be fixed quickly by you while others may be signs of a serious problem that needs professional attention right away.

Checking the Pilot Light

If you have a gas furnace, the first step is to check the pilot light and ensure it is still working properly. If the pilot light is still on but goes out when you try to light the furnace or simply won’t stay on when you relight it, you may need to have the gas valve replaced. In some cases, it is as simple as the pilot light not being large enough and the gas blowing out the light.

This happens when gas enters the chamber and doesn’t ignite right away. When it does ignite, which happens after more gas enters the chamber, the extra force of the ignition will blow out the light. This is still a problem and should be inspected to ensure you don’t have any potential gas related issues.

Still Not Lighting

If you don’t have a pilot light or the unit still isn’t lighting, it may be an electrical issue. Electrical ignitions for gas furnaces should spark when the thermostat is turned on, so if it doesn’t you know that the switch or relay are bad.

If you smell gas or anything similar in the room where the furnace is located, you should immediately turn off the unit and call your gas company, followed by a technician. There could be a leak causing low pressure that results in your pilot light going out. Whatever the case, you need someone to look at it immediately.

Your furnace should always turn on when you flip the switch and if it does not, assume there is a problem. If you cannot find the problem yourself and easily fix it, you should call a Salt Lake City heating contractor. The risk inherent in an improperly working furnace (especially gas or oil) is too high to ignore.

Tags: Furnace Repair, Heating Repair, Salt Lake City
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Heating Tip: What to Check If Your Furnace Isn’t Lighting

How Do I Check a Gas Furnace Draft Pressure Switch?

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

There are many reasons why a furnace stops working and in many cases, a Salt Lake City homeowner can perform some simple diagnostics to pinpoint the problem. Finding the problem is one thing – fixing it is another. When in doubt, don’t try it yourself. Call a qualified professional.

But let’s look at one possible problem and solution you may be able to perform yourself – testing the draft pressure switch. The draft pressure switch on a gas furnace allows an electrical current to pass through to ignite the furnace. The pressure switch monitors the draft conditions and won’t allow the furnace’s gas valve to open unless draft is correct.

If the switch is malfunctioning, so too will (or will not) the furnace.

The best way to locate the switch is by consulting with your owner’s manual or by going online and simply typing in the words “gas furnace draft switch.” It is identifiable by its round size and is bolted to the outside of the furnace. It should be nearby the draft inducer motor because the two are connected by a metal tube. The tube may sometimes be the culprit, too. A tube that is blocked with condensation may cause the switch to go bad.

To check for proper function, first turn off power to the furnace, either by shutting down the ‘on’ switch at the furnace or shutting off the circuit breaker.

Use a volt ohm meter to check if the switch is opening and closing properly. Start by zeroing out the meter’s probes by touching the tips together. Using the dial (could be analog or digital), set the meter to 24 volts. Ground the black probe by attaching it to any metal part of the furnace. Then place the end of the red probe on the metal tube connecting the draft pressure switch to the draft inducer motor.

If the switch is working properly the meter should read at least 24 volts, or very near that. If the reading is short of 24 volts, the switch is not working correctly. At that point you may decide to replace it or call a professional to do the task (recommended).

Always remember that there are many sources which will help you diagnose and repair a problem, especially those available through the Internet. If you search YouTube.com you will find many videos advising you on how to repair certain components. Use all of the resources available to you and keep the phone number of a qualified and professional heating and cooling contractor nearby.

Tags: Furnace Repair, Heating Repair, Salt Lake City
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on How Do I Check a Gas Furnace Draft Pressure Switch?

What to Do if Your Heating System Breaks

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011

What if the heart of your Salt Lake City home’s heating system – the furnace – stops working? The warm air that used to flow from your vents has been replaced by a chilly draft. It isn’t time to panic, but it is time to take action. Before you do anything, determine why the furnace stopped working. It may be something as simple as a tripped circuit breaker in your electrical panel. Check the circuit breakers first.

The pilot light in your furnace may have blown out. It can be re-lit if you follow the directions in your furnace owner’s manual. You can find answers on how to re-light a pilot light on the Internet, too.

If the shutdown has not been caused by an electrical or pilot light failure, there is still no need to panic. But another obvious question is: did you pay your last gas bill? Maybe you had a shutoff notice and either ignored it or forgot about it.

Now that you are convinced that the furnace has pooped out, here are some things you should do. First, find the name of a qualified heating and cooling professional. If you already use a heating contractor, contact them and schedule a service call.

While you are waiting for help to arrive, ensure that everyone is safe and accounted for. Make sure pets are nearby and protected from the cold, too. What you don’t want to do is use any appliance to keep you warm that is not designed to keep you warm, like a stove. If you have electric space heaters or propane heaters, carefully locate them in a well vented room (windows open a bit or portable fans circulating air). You don’t want any build-up of gases from fossil burning appliances, gases which could contain deadly carbon monoxide.

Huddle up everyone into a room and break out lots of blankets. You may even want to make an “adventure” of this – find a movie to watch and pop up a bunch of popcorn. If your waiting time is more than 24 hours, you might want to call up a friend or relative and make arrangements to spend the night with them.

The main thing to remember is not to panic. Most qualified heating contractors, knowing the circumstances, will send out a repair person in a matter of minutes or within one or two hours. Just remember to avoid keeping warm by using unvented heating devices.

Tags: Furnace Repair, Heating Repair, Salt Lake City
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on What to Do if Your Heating System Breaks