Posts Tagged ‘provo cooling & air’

Properly insulating your home will not only help reduce your heating and your Utah air conditioning costs but also make your home more comfortable.  You need insulation in your home to provide resistance to heat flow. The more heat flow resistance your insulation provides, the lower your heating and cooling costs.

Heat flows naturally from a warmer to a cooler space. In the winter, this heat flow moves directly from all heated living spaces to adjacent unheated attics, garages, basements, and even to the outdoors. Heat flow can also move indirectly through interior ceilings, walls, and floors—wherever there is a difference in temperature.

During the cooling season, heat flows from the outdoors to the interior of a house.  To maintain comfort, the heat lost in the winter must be replaced by your heating system and the heat gained in the summer must be removed by your cooling system. Properly insulating your home will decrease this heat flow by providing an effective resistance to the flow of heat.

A lack of insulation in the attic altogether is a serious energy deficiency considering that heat escapes upward.  This will drive your heating and Utah air conditioning bill up.  Pollution then occurs when this happens.

Insulation’s resistance to heat flow is measured or rated in terms of its thermal resistance or otherwise called, R-value.  R-value measures resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the higher the resistance will be.

A certain number of inches of attic insulation really won’t tell you much. What you really need to know is the R-value of the material. If the insulation is blown fiberglass, that given number of inches may be R-30., if it’s cellulose, that same measurement may be as much as R-45. Each material, and often each brand of the material, has a different R-value.

In newer homes there must be insulation installed in the attic area as per Title 24 of the energy efficiency codes. This should be a minimum of R-30 rated with the thickness.  It varies depending upon the type insulation in place.

In both old homes as well as new ones, the condition of the insulation and the way it is installed will affect the way that it performs.  You may not need as much in the valleys as you do in the mountains.  But to improve your Utah air conditioning, you want to make sure you have properly installed insulation.

When you are serious about saving energy it is important to know different cooling methods in your home. Utah air conditioning units can keep your home cool during the summer, but it also uses a lot of energy to cool the home down. Here are a few super saver tips for saving money on your electricity bill this month.

Use your ceiling fans. Ceiling fans have proven to make the room anywhere from 3 to 8 degrees cooler because it circulates the air around you. The other nice part is that many people can install ceiling fans themselves if they are the type of do-it-yourself individuals.

Be sure that you have the ceiling fan going the right way. You want the air to blow down, and remove the hot air next to you. Check that it is moving counter-clockwise to blow the air down. Some fans have a switch that allows you to change fan directions.
Clean out your Utah air conditioning unit’s filter. Utah air conditioning units should have their filters cleaned, or replaced, every month. A dirty filter makes your AC to have to work much harder, which will not save you any money on your electricity bill.

A lot of nifty inventions have come out to help cool you down. One of those is a chillow pillow. The chillow pillow is filled with water and is supposed to keep your head cool while you sleep.

Another cool invention was made for people who can’t sleep with out their covers, even when it is extremely hot. A fan, called the Bedfan, works to save you from having to run your AC unit during the night just to keep you comfortable through out the night. It attaches right on your bed, and fans right under the covers. It is especially handy for people who are prone to hot flashes and night sweats through out the night.

Avoid having sunlight stream directly in to your home. You don’t want the sunlight to raise the temperature of your home by a lot. Use drapes on especially hot days to keep the temperature in your home cooler.

Don’t forget to use the old classic options. Come home, drench your shirt in cold water, and wear your wrung-out shirt. The moisture on the skin should cool you down, especially if you have your fans going in the home. If you’re worried about your furniture use a towel for your back.

Swamp coolers and air conditioning units are used in many home across Utah. Utah air conditioning is necessary during the very hot summer months. But which is better, having a swamp cooler or air conditioning?

There are pros and cons to both. A swamp cooler is helpful for places that have dry climates, like Utah. It brings humidity into the air and cools it down. Evaporated coolers, or swamp coolers, have been around for a long time and are favorite items to many people.

But why would people prefer swamp coolers to Utah air conditioning units? Some people choose to use swamp coolers because they only have a small area to keep cool. They do not have to cool off a large area.

Swamp coolers are easier to install and require less effort. If you don’t want to spend the time to contract a Utah air conditioning company, then your best bet is to use a swamp cooler. Be warned, however, that swamp coolers are no piece of cake to install either.

Swamp coolers also tend to be less expensive to buy. There are some EC units that are very expensive, but there are some that can be found for $500 or under. These are the lower-end units.

Air conditioners have pros as well. Since they reduce the amount of humidity in the air, air conditioning units do not depend on the current climate. Swamp coolers do not cool down places that have high humidity, where an air conditioning unit would.

Air conditioning units also have the benefit that you do not have to winterize it. Swamp coolers are constantly using water and need to be disconnected and drained during the winter. Air conditioning units have a closed-system refrigerant.

Like most things, swamp coolers and air conditioning units have advantages and disadvantages. Study these out before purchasing one. That way you won’t be surprised by your purchase after it is installed.

Water leaks come with out warning. They can happen for a number of different reasons. When water leaks happen the floors of your home can become flooded very quickly. Utah plumbers are needed to repair the issue, but that is only one part of the problem. A lot of water damage can happen during water leaks – and that is nothing that Utah plumbers can easily fix.

Water can cause a lot of damage. The repairs and clean up can be expensive. Catching the leak as quickly as possible can save you from having a lot of damage happen to your home. Water leak detectors are useful for this.

Water leak detectors are small alarm systems that are put next to a main water line. They can be put on the floor, wall, or anywhere that would be near a water leak. When the alarm comes in contact with water the detector goes off to alert you of a possible water leak.

Water leak detectors usually work off of batteries. They normally are designed to be water-proof and can float on water if needed. That way you can still hear the alarm going off as the water leaks out and fills the room.

Water detectors do not prevent water leaks from happening. They do not shut off the water valve or stop the leak from continuing. You will still need to do that yourself and call a Utah plumber to come assess the plumbing issue. A water detector is an alarm that alerts you that a water leak is happening.

Water detectors, just like any alarm, should have their batteries replaced annually. This will ensure that it is working properly. Alarms only go off when they have properly charged batteries.

Some water detectors have remote sensing capabilities. That means sensors are placed around the home so when a leak happens at any of the locations only one alarm will go off on the main floor. Other water detectors are able to be connected to home alarm systems so the home security company is alerted as soon as a leak happens. There are also other water leak detectors that call to your cell phone to let you know of a possible leak. This comes in handy when you are away on vacation especially.

Water leak detectors can protect your property from getting damaged. It can be a lot less expensive to buy a water detector than face the thousands of dollars in repair costs. Having a water leak alarm can give you the peace of mind that your home is safe from water damage.

To feel completely comfortable in your home it is not always entirely dependent on the temperature. Humidity has a large impact of the comfort of you and your family as well. You neither want your home too humid or not humid enough.

Experts have said that your humidity levels should be at 30 to 60 percent. Having it too humid or not humid enough doesn’t just have effects on you but on your home and furniture as well.

When your home is too humid it can cause some of the following:
-Mold, dust mites, and mildew can form

-Allergies and/or asthma worsen

-Damp spots form in basements, ceilings, attics, and walls

-Ice or condensation on the inside of your windows

-Musty odors in your home

-Termites and cockroaches will frequently breed in humid environments

-Clammy or sweaty skin

When there is not enough humidity in your home the following can happen:
-Wall paper peeling or paint cracking

-Chronic dry and itchy skin, nosebleeds, sore throats, sinus irritation

-House is still cold even with the thermostat is set high

-Furniture can crack, loosen, or start falling apart

-Repertory problems

These are just a few of the many indicators that your home is either too dry or too humid. Both can have lasting effects that we all would want to avoid.

Ducts being blocked or not cleaned properly, boilers, furnaces, and air conditioners call all be part of the problem of too dry or too much humidity in your home.

Other regular activities like bathing, breathing, raining outside levels, cleaning, and cooking can also add to the problem. Because such activities as these naturally make it more humid in your home, sometimes the easiest solution for you is to get your ventilation system checked out and see what would be best for your home.

Many people do not feel as if humidity is a big deal. It can affect so many things though. Getting your ventilation system checked is well worth the results. Many times you can find deals and even free estimates in your area.

Depending on which is right for your family, you might have been questioning whether or not it would be wise to get an air conditioner or swamp cooler. Both can work well but there are some things that will help you in your decision making process.

Swamp coolers are a great cost efficient way to cool down any home. Swamp coolers work by drawing in outside air using a fan. The air then passes through water absorbed pads that cool the air down and then allow the air to pass through into your home.

The great thing about swamp cooler is that all you really need is a water pump, fan, and the energy to keep your house cold during those blistering hot months.  Depending on your needs it typically will only use a couple gallons of water a day.

There are a lot of down points to swamp coolers though. You have to keep a window open because of how humid your house will get. If you don’t have a window open you can face a rise in temperature in your home.

Another problem is that the air doesn’t always circulate throughout the entire house like you would want it to. Between this and the swamp cooler not dehumidifying is probably the reason why so many are turning to air conditioners.

An air conditioner has a compressor that compresses cool Freon gas. This then goes though coils and through a process is turned into a liquid that is cool and dehumidified and is sent through your house. Remember that the air conditioner will circulate better through your house.

If money is a big issue to you, the smartest thing might be to go with a swamp cooler. They are very cost efficient. Depending on you needs you can get great cooler specials or deals but even without them they are a lot less expensive than air conditioners.

Call your local retailer to find out which is right for you, an air conditioner or a swamp cooler. They will be able to help you make the decision that’s right for your home.

Is the temperature in your home fluctuating a lot recently? No matter where you set your thermostat to you never feel the heat or the air conditioner working? You are probably suffering from a broken thermostat.

Thermostats are one of the great inventions of our day. Think about it, you can actually put the exact degree that you want your home to be at, and it automatically goes to it. As amazing as it is, it can be very frustrating when they don’t work.

If your room temperature is changing, it might not always be your thermostat causing the problem. Another good indicator that it is the thermostat is if the thermostat itself is acting strange by turning on and off and or other strange things. If you don’t think it is the thermostat call a professional for heating repairs or air conditioning repairs.

If you are positive it is the thermostat you can go two ways with it. If you are experienced yourself, go ahead and try to fix or replace it. Always keep in mind that replacing it can be complicated depending on your system.

If you don’t feel like you have very much experience than call a local professional to come in and change it for you. Sometimes this can be the wisest decision for you because they can make sure that it is working correctly and that it stabilizes perfectly.

If you work with an outside professional to fix your thermostat, make sure that they can come, examine, and give you the exact price upfront. There is nothing worse than getting an ‘estimate’ just to find out the estimate was far off and additionally you have to now pay other hidden fees.

When you double check things yourself, pull off the cover and make sure that all the switches are stabilized. Also, check and make sure that your timers or heat-anticipators are exactly where you want them to be.

Because every thermostat and air conditioner and heating system are so different, look up a local trusted company to help you figure out exactly what needs to be fixed and the easiest way to accomplish it.

Thinking about putting in new toilets throughout your home? Or maybe you just want to remodel your master bathroom. Either way, here are some tips in picking out the toilet that will be perfect for you.

Despite what most may think, all toilets are not the same. There are three main types of toilets that you have to choose from. You have the gravity fed, pressure-assist, and dual flush.

The gravity fed toilet is probably the most common toilet that we see. This toilet works using the water weight and the water height to help flush. It works using gravity.

Under your gravity fed option, you will find the dual-flush toilet. These are great because they allow you to flush two different ways depending on what works for you at the moment. You have two buttons, one is for a regular flush and the other button is used for a smaller flush.

Usually you’ll find that you get different flushes by tilting the toilet handle either way. Down produces the regular flush. Up will provide for the gentle flush that is used mostly for disposing of liquid waste.

The next toilet on the list is called a pressure-assist. These toilets work through air pressure in the cylindrical vessel of your toilet. The air pressure within the vessel produces the force necessary for the flush.

When you are dealing with porcelain toilets you do have the option of choosing between a one-piece toilet or a two-piece toilet. Most of us grew up with a two-piece toilet and it is typically what you find in homes still today. The one piece can be described as more of a contemporary fashion to it, but because of the price it ranks second to the two- piece.

The last couple choices you have when it comes to picking out a new toilet is the height, bowl style(round or elongated), and floor mount or wall mount. Depending on the plumbing you already have in your bathroom, it might just be easiest to follow the same floor mount as you had before.

The summer has passed us by and now as we enter into the colder months it is best that we prepare our home and ourselves for the winter. The wintertime can be particularly harsh on our plumbing. That is why it is so important that we make sure that we are doing our prevention work before it is too late.

Some of the problems that can arise during the winter are oil line freezing, noisy pipes, outside kitchen sink freezing as well as other exposed pipes freezing, and heating the house appropriately. There are some simple things that we can do to make sure that our plumbing is all ready for the winter and the cold

Oil lines can freeze because of the water that is in the pipes, and to prevent this might be a pretty big and messy job so you might want to hire professional plumbers to help out. You want to make sure that your oil tank doesn’t have any water or residue in it, as well as make sure that your pipes are properly insulated.

If you live in a pretty cold climate it is always best to talk to your plumbers about pipe insulation. Most of the time this is done when they are first installed but it might be smart to call in a professional to make sure that the insulation is good and that it will continue to prevent the pipes from freezing.

Sometimes it is hard to identify why your pipes might be noisy. A plumber would be able to inspect your plumbing before the winter to make sure that everything is working properly and that their aren’t anything like steam traps causing it.

Most homes have sinks positioned under or by a window so that you can look out and see your backyard. This can actually increase your chances of your sinks freezing. Sometimes a simple solution to this is opening your cabinet door to allow the heat from your home to heat the pipes and prevent freezing, but if this doesn’t help you might have to call in a plumber to see what further things can be done.

If you have exposed pipes they can do more than just freeze over, you also have a large chance that they will burst. Something you can do yourself is to make sure that you have all the seams taped up and try to cover what you can of them, you can even find heat tape for them. You’ll also want to bring in a plumber to make sure that the pipes are properly insulated.

Depending on what type of heater you have, you can do a lot of different things to make sure that they are working and ready for the winter. Bring in a professional to make sure that all the maintenance work is done and that your heater is up and running.

Lindsay parker

Dishwashers break down from time to time. However, some older models break down faster than others. You may be asking yourself, after a few breakdowns, if it is even worth repairing.

The question of whether to get a new dishwasher or just repair your older one is brought up quite often. Sometimes you may not have any major problems with your old system but are worried that it is using a lot of energy. Other times you may have a lot of problems with it and just don’t know whether it will be more cost-effective to get rid of it and replace it with a newer system.

Newer dishwasher systems, on average, are going to run more efficiently than older systems. They are more advanced and upgraded, so they should work better. They will cost more money than repairs, but in the long run it may be the best investment for you.

New dishwashers are also more energy efficient. They use less energy and can save you a lot of money on your next electric bill. It can also be beneficial to not waste energy, especially during energy blackouts.

Newer dishwasher systems also run quieter than older systems. Loud dishwashers may annoy some people, and not be a problem for others. For those considering buying a new system it will cost more money upfront, but the money may be well spent for the added comfort and energy efficiency.

Very old systems should be replaced. They are not going to be worth the investment of fixing them. If you have a reasonably new system, however, you don’t have to replace it right away.

If your dishwasher has a lot of nice features get a price quote from your Utah plumber before you decide to get a new one. Repairs don’t have to cost an arm and a leg. There are many repairs that can be done yourself, and things you can check before you call your Utah plumber.

Another thing to consider when deciding on whether to pay for repairs is how much a Utah plumber will cost to repair it. Newer machines have cheaper parts than outdated models. If you have a lower priced dishwasher the price to repair it may be well over the price your machine is worth.