Design Comfort Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Salt Lake City’

Air Conditioning: What is a Zone Control System?

Tuesday, April 30th, 2013

Homeowners throughout the Salt Lake City area are looking for ways to improve their air conditioning systems, especially during the spring. Now is a great time to call for routine maintenance, repairs, and upgrades. If you have a central air split system, the prospect of cooling your entire home, whether occupied or unoccupied, can be daunting. A single temperature throughout all of the rooms in the house may not be the most efficient use of your energy, and you may find that areas of your home are of different temperatures. If you’d like to remedy this situation, consider installing a zone control system. For comprehensive Salt Lake City air conditioning services, call Design Comfort today!

We’d like to explain a little about the zone control system so that you can stay informed about the various ways you can improve the efficiency and performance of your central air:

  • What is a zone control system? It is a way of dividing up your existing ductwork into zones that can be individually controlled. It is an aftermarket upgrade that is relatively straightforward to install by a professional AC technician. A set of electronically controlled dampers are installed within your ductwork. The manner in which these dampers divide your home is strictly up to you and your cooling needs.
  • How does it work? A thermostat in each of the zones communicates with the dampers and air handler, blocking or permitting airflow according to your specifications.
  • What are the benefits? A zone control system allows you unprecedented control over how your conditioned air is distributed throughout your home. If you’ve ever been frustrated by the thought of cooling your unoccupied kitchen downstairs in order to sleep soundly upstairs, then a zone control system is a great solution. By only cooling the areas you need to, and by adjusting the temperatures of other unoccupied zones accordingly, you can save substantial amounts of energy throughout the cooling season.

For more information about zone control systems, and to see if they’re right for your home, get in touch with your local professional. For comprehensive Salt Lake City air conditioning services, call Design Comfort today!

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Air Conditioning Tip: New AC Installation Options

Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013

If you’re in the market for a new air conditioning in your home, the range of types and brands of air conditioners can be somewhat daunting. Like many homeowners, you’re probably trying to weigh your options, and choose a model that is both good for energy efficiency and cooling performance, all within your budget. You also need to ensure that your AC is properly sized for your home, so that it performs efficiently. If it is too big, it will short-cycle and waste energy; if it is too small, it will struggle to cool your home at all, and may overwork itself, leading to increase wear and tear. Most importantly, you need to ensure that you receive professional air conditioning installation so that it is both effective and efficient. For more information about Salt Lake City air conditioning services, call Design Comfort today!

Let’s take a look at two major types of air conditioning:

  • Central split air conditioning. Central air is the most popular type of AC system on the market today. It is a “split” system, which simply means that there is an outdoor unit comprised of a condenser and compressor, and an indoor unit comprised of an evaporator and air handler. Like all ACs, it relies on the refrigerant cycle to remove warm air from inside the home and distribute cool air throughout the home. It does this by pressurizing chemically designed refrigerant and making it change from a liquid to a gas, and from a gas to a liquid. It requires a system of ductwork to extract and distribute air.
  • Ductless mini split air conditioning. As its name suggests, ductless mini split air conditioning does not use ducts to extract and distribute air. It sidesteps the energy loss and poor indoor air quality caused by ductwork by installing the air handlers directly into the living space. These sleek, compact units sit high on the wall, or recessed in the ceiling. Refrigerant, drainage, and electrical lines connect the indoor and outdoor units through a relatively small hole. Each indoor air handler can be separately controlled, making the ductless mini split a versatile choice.

When you need Salt Lake City, UT air conditioning, call the experts at Design Comfort today!

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Air Conditioning Tip: Getting Your AC Ready For The Cooling Season

Monday, April 15th, 2013

If you’re not yet ready for the summer, that’s ok. There’s still to prepare your home for this upcoming cooling season. Spring is an excellent time to fire up your AC so as to ensure that it still works properly. If you have any misgivings about its operation, then you can take care of the problem well before you need your AC night and day to stay cool. In this post, we’d like to share with you some things every homeowner can do to prep his or her system for the summer heat and humidity. For Salt Lake City air conditioning, contact the experts at Design Comfort  today!

  • Schedule air conditioning system maintenance. There’s no substitute for professional attention and care. April is a great time to ensure that your AC is ready to go. Your SLC air conditioning technician will thoroughly inspect, clean, and tune-up all aspects of your system, including checking for low levels of refrigerant, cleaning the evaporator and condenser, and inspecting the compressor. Make sure that your cooling system receives the maintenance it deserves so that you stay comfortable this summer.
  • Check, clean, and replace your air filter. While you probably know to check your air filter at least once a month during the peak cooling season, it’s also important to start off the cooling season on the right foot. If you haven’t already, put in a new air filter. Your air filter is designed to prevent dust and debris from settling on your AC components, but it also affects the quality of your indoor air. Most critically, a clogged air filter can actually force your system to work harder than it should, and can increase your energy bill.
  • Clear debris. Make sure that your indoor and outdoor units have adequate airflow clearance, so that they can properly transfer heat. This simple step can save you from jammed mechanical parts and inefficient cooling.

We hope you find this brief guide helpful. For more information about your Salt Lake City air conditioning system, and how to improve it, contact Design Comfort today!

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Heating Tip: Home Energy Upgrades

Monday, April 8th, 2013

Homeowners throughout the Salt Lake City area are always looking for ways to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Home energy upgrades take a whole-home approach to heating, taking into account not only the furnace and ductwork, but also structural factors like insulation and air leaks. If you feel that your furnace no longer operates as well as it once did, or that your heated air is leaking to unused spaces of your home or into the outdoor air, then it may be time to consider taking a new approach to your heating system. For Salt Lake City heating consultation, repairs, and installation, contact the experts at Design Comfort today!

Let’s take a look at some ways you can ensure you are maximizing your energy usage during the heating season:

  • Install a programmable thermostat. Ensuring that you are in full control of your indoor climate, no matter what time of day or day of the week can go a long way towards ensuring that you’re getting the most out of your energy usage. A wireless programmable thermostat can be synchronized according to your work schedule, so that you don’t heat your home when no one is there. Temperature changes occur automatically and gradually to maximize energy efficiency and comfort.
  • Upgrade your heating system. If your current heater is over 12 years old, or requires frequent repairs, then consider replacing instead of repairing. Remember, it’s better to invest in the future of your home heating system than to bolster up an obsolete piece of equipment. Whatever type of system you currently have, today’s heaters are substantially more powerful and efficient than those made even 10 years ago.
  • Enroll in a routine maintenance plan. There’s no substitute for professional heating maintenance. Speak to a professional to arrange a schedule of inspection, cleaning, and tune-ups so that your heating system remains in top shape throughout the year. This will not only improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the heater, but also improve its lifespan, and possibly reduce the need for major repairs. Whether your heater is 4 or 14 years old, routine maintenance is a key component of smart energy usage in the home.

For more information about home energy upgrades, or to schedule a Salt Lake City heating service, call Design Comfort today!

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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.

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Heating Tip: What to do before switching your heat pump from heating to cooling mode

Monday, March 25th, 2013

When you live in the Salt Lake City, UT area have a heat pump is a great option. It provides efficient and comfortable heating and cooling in one simple unit. Over the last winter you’ve probably been using your heat pump in heating mode much more than the cooling function. As we move into the spring and summer you’ll probably be tempted soon to start turning on your air conditioning.  Before you do that you may want to think about preforming a few tasks on your heat pump to make sure that it lasts throughout the summer. Contact the Salt Lake City heating technicians at Design Comfort for all your heat pump services. Check out a few of the things that you may want to get done to your heat pump.

Benefits of Heat Pump Maintenance in Salt Lake City UT

Heat pumps are fantastic and efficient heating and cooling systems. But because they provide both heat and cooling they get used a lot throughout the year. This can lead to the development of problems or issues that usually require repair. Also, because the cooling function of your heat pump hasn’t been used in quite some time, it could cause other problems if you just started pumping out cooling all the time. A great idea is to call for heat pump maintenance for your system this spring before the summer hits. There are huge potential benefits to getting regular maintenance.

  • Potentially Reduce Heat Pump Repair – When you call the Salt Lake City, UT heating maintenance experts at Design Comfort, we’ll send out one of our exprt Salt Lake City heating repair technicians to your home to thoroughly inspect every component of your heat pump. This will allow them to find small problems and repairs and fix them before they balloon into larger, more costly repairs.
  • Increase efficiency – The small problems that your heat pump can develop could cause it to work harder to heat and cool your home. This means that it will reduce its efficiency. When you get regular maintenance for your heat pump our technicians will find those things and repair them.
  • Extend equipment life – We often see heat pumps that developed a small problem that eventually destroyed the entire system. Getting regular inspections might be able to help you avoid that.

Contact the Salt Lake City, UT heating experts at Design Comfort for all your heat pump repair and maintenance. Call Design Comfort today!

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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.

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Heating FAQ: What are Some of the Heating Options My Home?

Monday, March 11th, 2013

If you are trying to decide which heating option is best for your Salt Lake City area home, there are a lot of different factors to consider. When choosing the right heating system for your needs and particular home, you’ll have to think about the layout, size, and location of your home, in addition to the fuel sources that are available in the area. There’s also figuring in how efficient your home is, as well as how warm you prefer your home to be.

At Design Comfort, we are here to help you out with your decision. Whether you are replacing an older heater, or this is your first time purchasing a new heating system, it is an investment in your home. And it is an investment that you want to be sure that you get the most out of. That’s why this week, we’re providing some professional advice in our blog post. Use this as a general guide in helping you get started by looking at the different options, but you can always call us, and one of our Salt Lake City heating experts will be glad to walk you through the selection process.

Gas Furnaces

Gas furnaces can be highly efficient, especially the newer models with high AFUE ratings. Depending on whether or not you already have a gas hook-up, you will need to think about the cost of adding a new gas line. Ventilation is another factor to consider, so call a heating professional to assess your home if you are considering a gas furnace.

Electric Furnace

Because they do not need ventilation, and there’s no potential energy loss from that, electric furnaces can get even higher efficiency ratings; however, you will need to think about the cost of electricity in your area. Keep track of your electric bills to give you a better idea.

Heat Pump

Heat pumps are another option, but if temperatures often get below freezing, you may have to get a backup furnace. Heat pumps can also cool your home, so they have an added bonus. A professional contractor should be able to help you decide on the most cost-effective system for your home.

Call the Salt Lake City heating professionals at Design Comfort today for expert advice about purchasing a new heating system! Contact Design Comfort today!

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Heating FAQ: Is an Energy Recovery Ventilator Right for Me?

Monday, March 4th, 2013

If you’re like most other homeowners then you’re looking for any way to reduce the amount of energy that you use to heat your home. Many homeowners have started looking into energy recovery ventilators (ERV) to try to reduce the energy demands of their heating systems in Salt Lake City. These types of systems require very little energy to run but can result in huge increases in efficiency. At Design Comfort, we offer complete energy recovery ventilator installation and repair in Salt Lake City. Our technicians have years of experience working with all different kinds of ERVs and can help you pick out a great system for your home. We thought it would be a good idea to put together a quick explanation of how they work and the potential benefits.

How Do Energy Recovery Ventilators Work?

ERVs are normally installed in the ductwork of your home. In heating mode, your furnace or heat pump pulls in cool air from the outside, heats it up and then pushes it into your home. After that hot air travels through your home and cools down, some of it gets pulled back be re-heated while the rest gets exhausted outside. The air that gets exhausted still has some heat energy in it. An ERV allows the cool, incoming air to acquire some of that heat energy by pushing it over a heat exchanger. The two air streams aren’t allowed to mix so that the new, fresh air isn’t contaminated by the stale, outgoing air. Some ERVs have humidity recovery systems that allow you to recover some of the moisture that would be lost in the outgoing air.

What Are The Benefits of Energy Recovery Ventilators?

So what’s the bottom line with ERVs—how much can you save? That question is difficult to answer because each system has its own efficiency ratings and capabilities. Some ERVs can achieve up to 85% heat transfer efficiency. That translates to a significant amount of energy savings for your home. But some systems can have as low as 50% transfer efficiency. But in most cases, the electricity required to run the ERV is much less than the energy savings that they can achieve.

If you’re interested in energy recovery ventilator installation, call Design Comfort. We are the Salt Lake City heating experts and can help you pick out a good system for your home.

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How to Get the Most Out of a High-Efficiency Heating System

Monday, February 25th, 2013

Everyone likes saving money where they can. When it comes time to invest in a new home heating system in Salt Lake City, consider choosing a high-efficiency heating system. The better the efficiency rating of your heater the less energy it will require to keep your home warm and cozy. Following the purchase and installation of your high-efficiency heating system there are a more steps you can take to further benefit from its efficiency. Here are some tips from the home Salt Lake City heating experts at Design Comfort to help you get the most out of your high-efficiency heating system.

One of the most important things that you can do to keep your new heating system operating as efficiently as possible is to schedule routine heating maintenance service. Regular maintenance visits give your professional heating technician the opportunity to thoroughly inspect and tune up all of the components of your home heating system. By doing so they can help keep your heater performing at peak efficiency levels. When all of the components of your home heating system are working together properly it is easier for your heater to perform its function. The less work your heater needs to do, the less energy it will consume while doing it. It’s just that simple.

Also, make sure that you fully understand how best to use your thermostat. Thermostats have come a long way from the round, manual devices most of us grew up with. Think about upgrading to a digital or even programmable model. The more control that you have over the operation of your heater the more efficiently you will be able to use it. If you have a thermostat that you do not fully understand you cannot hope to get the best performance possible from it or your heating system.

Don’t invest in a high-efficiency heating system if you do not intend to take all the necessary steps to reap its full benefits. This eliminates the purpose. To schedule a high-efficiency heating system installation in Salt Lake City, contact Design Comfort. We’ll help you get the most out of your new high-efficiency system.

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