Design Comfort Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Salt Lake City’

What Is an ERV and Do I Need One?

Monday, January 14th, 2013

An Energy Recover Ventilator (ERV) is an HVAC component that is missing from many homes. If you’ve heard about ERVs and would like to learn more then keep reading. Design Comfort is proud to provide complete heating services in Salt Lake City including installation and repair of ERVs. Contact Design Comfort today to learn more.

What is an ERV?

The purpose of an energy recovery ventilator is to provide fresh air to your home. If your home is tightly sealed, as most of our homes are during the winter, then it is likely that the air quality in your home has started to suffer without the introduction of new, fresh air from outside. An ERV accomplishes that without allowing cold air into your home.

How Does an ERV Work?

During heating season, an ERV recovers energy by letting fresh air from the outside soak up some of the heat from the stale indoor air that is getting exhausted outside. The two air streams don’t mix so that the new air isn’t contaminated. In this way, the ERV allows you to take in fresh air without compromising the energy efficiency of your home—like you would if you just opened a window.

Benefits of an ERV

The benefits of an ERV are many. Here are just a few of them.

  • Energy efficiency – About 85% of the heat from the exhausted air can be recovered in some ERVs. This is a great way to reduce the amount of energy that you use by keeping it in your home.
  • Air quality – Adding fresh air from outside allows you to dilute the contaminants that are inside your home. Additionally, by exhausting stale indoor air, you can remove some of the pollutants from your home as well.
  • Humidity control – Many ERVs allows you to recover some of the moisture from the exhaust air as well. During the winter, this is especially important because of the dry air.

An ERV is a great way to kill two birds with one stone. You can improve the quality of your air while reducing the amount of energy that you use to heat your home. If you’re interested in learning more about ERVs and if one is a good option for your home in Salt Lake City, call Design Comfort today!

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Heating Tips: Small Upgrades

Monday, January 7th, 2013

If you are like most homeowners, keeping your home comfortably heated during the winter months is second only to doing so in the most efficient way possible. If you are not totally satisfied with the performance levels or efficiency of your home heating system, consider making some of these small upgrades to the system or your home. For further information about how you can get a better, more comfortable performance out of your heater in Salt Lake City, contact Design Comfort today. We are always happy to share our expertise with you. Let us help make your home a more comfortable place to live. Call to speak to a Salt Lake City heating professional today!

One of the first upgrades to your home heating system that you may want to consider is the installation of a programmable thermostat. A high quality manual thermostat is fine, but it does not give you the same amount of control over the way in which you use the energy and heat you pay for to keep your home comfortable. With a programmable thermostat you set different programs for different situations that will allow you to be comfortable all winter long without paying an arm and a leg for the service. Set your thermostat to raise temperatures shortly before you get home from work or vacation to conserve energy throughout the day while still coming home to a comfortable house.

You may also want to consider the installation of a whole house humidifier in your home. If this is simply not in your budget try running a room humidifier for a while and see if you notice a difference. Air in the winter tends to be pretty dry, and it is dried out further by your heater. Humid air, though, holds heat better than dry air. By instilling more humidity into the air in your home you can actually help it to retain heat better. This means that you will be able to pay less to keep your home just as warm and comfortable.

There are many other ways, big and small, for you to upgrade your home heating system, from zone controls to all new equipment. Make the most out of your heating experience in Salt Lake City. Call Design Comfort today for more information.

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Heating Tip: The Importance of Proper Heating Installation

Monday, December 17th, 2012

At Design Comfort we believe that everyone deserves to be comfortable in their own home, no matter what the weather is like outside. Without a proper heating installation in Salt Lake City, though, this simply is not possible. Only with a proper heating installation by a trained professional can you be sure that your home heating system is operating as efficiently and effectively as possibly. The installation of your heater is the first step in ensuring the quality of its performance, so be sure to schedule service your local heating experts. Here is some information about how a proper heating installation can benefit you.

One of the most important aspects of your new home heating system is the size of that system. If you wind up with a heating system that is too large for your home temperatures will be brought up too quickly, causing your heater to short cycle. This can lead to excessive wear and tear and, eventually, damage to your system. If your heater is too small then it will struggle to achieve temperature maintenance beyond its capabilities, racking up your utility bills while providing subpar heating. Working with a heating installation professional can help avoid such situations.

The safe operation of your home heating system is another major concern, and only with a proper heating installation can you be sure that your heater is operating safely. Whenever you are dealing with gas, electricity, oil or any other fuel source there is the possibility for a dangerous situation to develop. When you schedule your heating installation with a trained Salt Lake City heating professional the likelihood that your heater will operate in an unsafe or ineffective manner is greatly reduced.

If you have any further questions about the importance of a proper heating installation in Salt Lake City, contact Design Comfort today. We can put your mind at ease. Let us help you heat your home in a safer, more efficient manner.

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Heating Tip: Understanding Heat Pump Efficiency Ratings

Monday, December 10th, 2012

When you are in the market for a new heat pump for your Salt Lake City home, there are a few different efficiency ratings to pay attention to. The different ratings for various heating systems are called AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency), HSPF (heating system performance factor), and SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio).

All of these numbers measure how much fuel the particular model of heating or AC system converts into heat. Unlike furnaces, which are only measured by the AFUE rating, heat pumps are measured by both the AFUE and SEER ratings, since they both heat and cool the home. However, they can also be measured by the HSPF number. You should consider these numbers when shopping for a new heat pump since they will determine the potential energy savings.

Keep in mind that if a heat put out by a heat pump is measured by the HSPF, then that number should be divided by the electricity used that season. The remaining percentage accounts for any heat lost through leaky ductwork, poorly insulated areas in the home, and other areas where heat is lost. If the cost of electricity used is more than the energy savings, you may want to consider a high-efficiency gas furnace. Be sure to speak with an HVAC contractor you can trust so that you feel confident that you are getting the most cost-efficient heating system for your home.

Always call the Salt Lake City heating experts at Design Comfort to help you select a new high-efficiency heating system for your home.

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Why Take the “Whole-Home” Approach to Home Efficiency

Monday, December 3rd, 2012

If you are thinking of installing a high-efficiency heating or cooling system in your Salt Lake City home, there are many things to consider before doing this. At Design Comfort, we can help you by looking at other potential home improvements that could be made before you upgrade. And there are many reasons to do this.

First, take a look at some of these improvements:

  • Adding Insulation
  • Sealing Air Ducts
  • Air Balancing
  • Adding a Better Ventilation System

Making these improvements along with upgrading your home comfort system is considered the “whole home approach,” because you are taking into account all the areas in the home that could be more efficient. When you do this, you get more out of your investment because the new system will not only operate at efficient levels, but you’re also not losing energy in places that could be less expensive to upgrade.

For instance, if a homeowner adds solar panels but is losing air through improper sealing, or if there’s no moisture control in the house due to poor ventilation, then the heating and air conditioning system that works off of those panels may have to work extra hard. Then the homeowner isn’t getting full value out of those solar panels since the HVAC system is using more energy due to other issues in the home.

This is why most contractors recommend that you upgrade other areas before making expensive investments. It will also help ensure that the system will last longer and that your new heating or cooling system works in tandem with the other elements of the home.

Call Design Comfort if you would like to know more about home energy efficiency services in Salt Lake City. We would be more than happy to speak with you about our services and how we can help you save energy and money.

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Home Energy Tip: How Your Ducts Can Help Save Energy

Monday, November 26th, 2012

The ductwork in your Salt Lake City home is designed for one purpose – to move heated or cooled air between your air handler and the individual registers located throughout your home. Because of this, it needs to be extremely well designed and insulated to ensure it will deliver that air efficiently and with as little energy loss as possible. That’s why well-designed ductwork can effectively save you quite a bit of money on your energy bills if it is matched to your needs properly. Here is how:

  • Well Designed – Well designed ductwork will maximize airflow without putting stress on your HVAC system or overloading your rooms with too much heating or cooling. This is probably the most important component but unfortunately, many homes have poorly designed ductwork. An inspection and reevaluation can help in this however.
  • Insulated – Duct insulation can greatly reduce natural heating and cooling loss that occurs as air travels from your basement to each room in your home. Without the insulation, energy losses can be as high as 30%, even when there are no leaks.
  • Sealed – Ductwork that is improperly sealed can increase energy loss by another 30% and can put unwanted stress on your heating and air conditioning systems, resulting in more repairs and higher energy bills. Have your ductwork tested for leaks to avoid this problem.
  • Cleaned Regularly – Duct cleaning should be performed once a year if possible, along with the other tasks on this list. Duct cleaning removes unwanted dust and debris from your system and ensures it works as intended going forward.

When your ductwork is all of the things listed above, it will provide ample heating or cooling to every corner of your home with only the minimal, expected amount of energy loss, sometimes even less. When these things are not done, however, energy loss can be quite costly, making it necessary to keep a close eye on the process.

Call the Salt Lake City heating and home energy experts at Design Comfort if you have further questions. Contact Design Comfort today!

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The Importance of Water Heater Maintenance

Monday, November 19th, 2012

What would happen if you never changed the oil in your car again? It would most likely start to need costly repairs from all the wear and tear. That’s why we all perform regular maintenance on our vehicles. The same is true for the water heater in your home in Salt Lake City.  Whether you have a tankless hot water heater or a hot water tank system, having your water heater regularly inspected and tuned-up is a great way to make sure that it is reliable and efficient. Below, we’ve presented some of the reasons why water heater maintenance is so important.

Increased Efficiency

Over time, things wear down. It’s a fact of life. As your water heater ages, its parts start to wear down. This makes it have to work harder to in order to heat the water in your home. As it works harder it uses more fuel and costs you more money. When you have your water heater tuned-up regularly, the technician will lubricate moving parts, clean it and repair any minor issues that they find. All of this will slow the aging process and allow it work at peak efficiency.

Reduced Repairs

Another benefit of regular heating maintenance is that it can potentially reduce the amount of costly repairs that are needed. When you have a professional technician regularly inspecting your water heater, they can find small issues before they turn into larger problems. Not only can this potentially save you water heater repair costs, but it can also save you from water damage due to leaks.

Extended Life

Many water heater replacements that we perform started from small problems. With regular maintenance, these issues can be nipped in the bud before they end up destroying your whole water heater.

Safety

With regular maintenance, your water heater technician can spot any potentially dangerous problems before they cause any damage to your home. For example, sometimes combustion gases can start to leak into your home if you have a gas-fired water heater.

If you’re interested in scheduling water heater maintenance for your home in Salt Lake City, call the experts at Design Comfort. We have years of experience offering water heater services in the entire Salt Lake City area. Give us a call today!

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Heating Tip: What Type of Thermostat is Best for My Furnace or Heat Pump?

Monday, November 12th, 2012

The thermostat in your house in Salt Lake City is small and often overlooked part of your home. However, it has a very important job to do. But not all thermostats are created equal. This is especially true for furnace and heat pump thermostats. If your thermostat has stopped working, replacing it might be trickier than you think. Depending on what kind of heating system you have, you’ll want to think about the kind of thermostat that you get. We’ve put together a list of some of the considerations you should take into account as you choose a new thermostat for your furnace or heat pump.

Types of Thermostats

There are two types of thermostats available: manual or programmable.

  • Manual Thermostat – These are normally found in older homes. They cost less but are typically not as energy efficient. Some units can contain mercury.
  • Programmable Thermostat – These thermostats can adjust your heating or air conditioning system automatically. If you have multi-stage heating or air conditioning system, the thermostat can also control the fan speed as well. These types of thermostats can potentially lead to up to 33% energy savings.

Thermostat for Your Furnace

If you have an older furnace with a manual thermostat, you will most likely be able to convert to a digital, programmable thermostat. With a programmable thermostat, your older furnace will be controlled automatically by the thermostat. This highly desirable because, with some units, you can program the furnace to turn off during the day if you’re going to be gone at work. You can also tell it to turn on at a certain time so that your home is warm when you get back. If your furnace is single stage, you’ll need to find a thermostat that is compatible with your furnace. The packaging on thermostats normally indicate if they can work with a single stage or multi-stage furnace. Also, some older homes use 110 or 240 direct current. There should be available thermostats for that as well.

Heat Pump Thermostats

Heat pumps are a completely different kind of heating system that your furnace. They require much more complex thermostats to control them. Heat pumps are very efficient heating and cooling systems. However, if they are used improperly, they can actually cost more to operate than other types of heating systems. A good programmable thermostat for your heat pump is critical to making sure that it is achieving the highest level of efficiency.

If you have any questions about heat pump thermostats for your home in Salt Lake City, contact the experts at Design Comfort. We can help you find the right thermostat for your heat pump or furnace and make sure that it is operating correctly. Give us a call today!

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Heating Tip: Increase Heating Efficiency with These Simple Steps

Monday, November 5th, 2012

There’s a lot to love about winter. The holidays! The snowmen! The heating bills! Okay, maybe not that last one, but don’t worry. The Salt Lake City heating experts at Design Comfort have some great tips to help you heat your home more efficiently this winter. Follow these suggestions and enjoy the comfort you want without breaking the bank. See what else you can come up with to make this heating season as affordable as possible.

  • Keep the Heat In: There’s really no point in heating your backyard. Keep your heat inside where it will do some good. Weatherstripping doors, shrink wrapping windows and re-caulking stationary seams are all easy, affordable ways to make sure that heat you pay for is staying in your home. The squirrels can take care of themselves. Use your heat to keep your own family warm.
  • Reverse Your Fans: If you didn’t know that your ceiling fans have 2 settings you are only utilizing half of their potential. Ceiling fans have a switch on their fixtures that reverse the direction in which the fan blades rotate. On most models the winter setting will have the blades spinning clockwise. This forces the heat that has risen back down into the living space, allowing for consistent, even heating.
  • Get an Audit: Audits aren’t just for tax season, and you’re probably not seeking one out in that case. A home energy audit, though, is a great way to learn more about your home’s energy efficiency. Procedures such as a blower door test can help pinpoint areas where your home is wasting energy, allowing you to make the necessary repairs and cut down on utility costs.
  • Skip the Takeout: Cooking at home can help you save money in more than one way. Enjoy healthier meals that go a longer way than pizza place or sandwich shop down the street while also enjoying the warmth of an active kitchen. The time around the table is the icing on the cake. (Bonus Tip: If you’re not ready to leave the warmth of the kitchen, bake a cake!)
  • Use Your Thermostat: A lot of people have newer, programmable thermostats. A lot of people also completely ignore their functions and settings. Take a few minutes to look over that user’s manual and get the most out of your thermostat. Programmable settings make it easy to heat your home in a more efficient manner without having to settle for chilly evenings.

These are just a few of the many ways in which you can maintain warm, cozy temperatures more efficiently. Challenge yourself and your family to add to the list. You’ll be surprised at the big savings that can come from small changes to your home heating habits.

If you have any questions regarding your home’s heating, Call Design Comfort today! Over the years, Design Comfort has been building a loyal clientele throughout the Salt Lake City area.

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Furnace Tip: What Is AFUE and Why Should I Care?

Monday, October 29th, 2012

If you’ve been shopping for a furnace in Salt Lake City, chances are you’ve noticed that each furnace has its own annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating. These generally range from 80% to the high 90% s and the higher the number, the more fuel efficient that particular furnace is.

But what does this number really mean and just how much should you care? Well, the AFUE rating should actually have a significant impact on your furnace purchasing decision, but that doesn’t mean that you’ll always choose the furnace with the highest efficiency rating either.

For one thing, you’ll have to recognize that not every type of furnace is capable of running at the highest efficiency levels. Oil furnaces, for instance, can’t compete with the super high efficiency gas furnaces on the market today. That’s not to say that an oil furnace might not be the best choice for you under certain circumstances, but it does mean that you should take a close look at your furnace usage before you make a decision.

If you do choose a gas furnace, you will of course have the option of getting one that can reach up to 97% or so efficiency. However, that may not always be the best choice either. If you live in a place where with very harsh, long winters and you’re going to be using your furnace heavily, then it’s definitely worth investing in a higher AFUE furnace that can save you considerable amounts on your monthly heating bills.

But if you don’t use your furnace too often as your area has more mild winters it’s probably not worth it for you to invest in such a high efficiency product. That’s because the higher the AFUE of the furnace, the more expensive it is to purchase and install. Certainly you’ll save money every month because you’ll be getting more heat out of the fuel you’re paying for. But if you don’t use your furnace all that much, the savings really won’t be that substantial.

Don’t forget that a furnace with an 80% AFUE rating is still quite energy efficient. And once you get up that high, you have to use your furnace a lot for the difference between 80% and 90% to really become apparent. So if you don’t use your furnace heavily during the winter, it will take you many, many years to make up for the higher purchase price of the 90+% AFUE models.

 If you have any questioning regarding furnaces in Salt Lake City, Contact us today! Over the years, Design Comfort has provided Salt Lake City with quality heating services.

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