4 Benefits of a Programmable Thermostat

One of the top ways technology can benefit your home is through your heating and air conditioning system. With a programmable thermostat, you get the power, sometimes even remotely, to control the temperature of your home. Here are the best benefits of having a programmable thermostat installed in your home.

Save Energy

The best benefit of a programmable thermostat is that it typically helps you use less energy. During the hottest times of the year and the coldest spikes, programmable thermostats make it easier to find that perfect sense of comfort inside of your home. You can use less energy when you’re not at home by setting up your programmable thermostat on a schedule.

Reduce Your Bill 

When you use less energy, you pay less money to the utility company. As your home becomes more energy-efficient, you don’t have waste any more unnecessary dollars on heating or cooling your home beyond what it needs. When you’re on vacation, you can save more money by adjusting the temperature on your thermostat, even from your computer.

Feel More Comfortable

A programmable thermostat also makes your home the perfect temperature. You can set your home to start cooling a few minutes before you get home from work, so you don’t have to walk into a sauna each evening. Then, you can simply start relaxing.

Make it Easier

Most of all, programmable thermostats make things much easier to control. Many new products allow users to connect to their home thermostat from their phone or computer. You can monitor the temperature of your home when you’re not there during severe weather or other seasonal events. This helps protect your most valuable investment, your property.

If you don’t have a programmable thermostat installed in your home, it’s time to start considering the many benefits of this product. Larsen Heating and Air can help you select the right thermostat for your needs and install it quickly, so you can begin seeing the advantages of this kind of control.

The Best Time of the Year to Get AC Repairs Done

The maintenance of your AC system is crucial for maintaining the comfort of your home. You want to make sure that you are always keeping your units clean. Ask a professional repairman to look it over and see if you are having any undetected problems.

At Larsen Heating and Air, we do repairs year round, but certain times of the year are simply better for getting repairs done. There are several reasons for this:

Your AC is Most Likely to Get Problems in the Summer

First of all, you need to time your repairs in preparation for the summer. Summertime is when your AC will most likely run into problems because it will probably see the most use during this season.

Overworked units

Since the summer is the hottest season of the year, many people use their air conditioners continuously during this time to cool their homes. Using it round the clock, without any rest in between can really overwork a unit and cause it to malfunction.

While many ACs are built to keep running for long periods of time, poor maintenance often means that it will not be able to handle the sheer volume of work that it has to do during the summer.

Overheating

Despite the fact that your AC is meant for cooling, know that it is still susceptible to overheating. The hot temperatures increase the chances of overheating your system, causing it to fail. Keeping your refrigerant topped up usually helps with overheating, though you may want to ask for our help if this happens often.

Dust and pollen

The dry summer air often means higher amount of dust and other particles in the air. These particles can get trapped inside your AC’s filtration system and damage your unit.

Spring or Fall is the Best Time to Get Repairs

It is best to hire AC repairs in the spring or fall season. This gives you enough time to bring your AC’s performance up to par in preparation for the summer season.

Spring may be a little bit better than autumn, because you can dust off the winter cobwebs and fix any problems with your AC just in time.

For more information on our AC repair services, contact us today.

Preparing for All-Year Weather: Larsen HVAC

In preparing for the changing seasons and the ensuing weather conditions that come with it, you will have to equip your home with the proper heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.

Larsen Heating and Air Conditioning can provide you with top-rated repair services and installation in Greater Salt Lake City, Provo, Orem, Lehi, and all of Utah County. As experts, accredited by the Better Business Bureau and the Gephardt Approved company, our technicians are licensed, insured, and factory trained in handling HVAC equipment. From furnaces to air conditioning units, we aim to provide the highest standards that’ll prepare your home to combat the harsh weather conditions throughout the year.

In doing so, we offer a range of HVAC specialties:

  • Air Duct Cleaning –For you to breathe fresher air inside your home and save money on your energy bills, we can remove the contaminants lining your ducts.
  • Air Conditioning Installation – Is it not important that you consider how efficient your air conditioner is? In replacing your AC, we offer a variety of brands that can lower energy bills while providing consistent cooling and no repairs for years to come.
  • Air Conditioning Repair – To prepare for summer, it is imperative to ensure the efficiency of your cooling system and AC. Save money, time, and spare yourself the inconvenience by determining problems early on. With our fully trained technicians and the necessary equipment, we can usually correct the problem right away, as we also do same-day AC repairs.
  • Furnace Installation – On the other hand, it’s just as critical that you prepare for winter and the chilling temperatures. We offer a lifetime workmanship warranty on all new HVAC installations, because we are confident that we can keep your indoor environment comfortably warm to last you through the different seasons.
  • Furnace Repair – We, too, are aware of the low temperatures in Utah, so we strive to arrive in your homes at haste in repairing your gas furnace and heating systems. Our technicians will often have the requisite parts to fix your heater or furnace, no matter what the challenges are.

Apart from the aforementioned specialties in repair, installation, and services, we also offer tune-ups for HVAC systems, as well as air cleaning and purification. For any questions or assistance, feel free to contact us.

Helping Your AC Unit Overcome the Heat Wave

Every person in Utah can attest to how brutal a heat wave can be. Just last July, the government had to issue an Excessive Heat Warning, as temperatures in areas across the state reached the 110-113 degree range.

Of course, the heat wave prompted us at Larsen Heating and Air to work round-the-clock, just like the AC units we repaired. The need for same day air conditioning repair was paramount during those times, as homes depended on our quick and effective service to restore indoor temperatures to bearable levels.

The heat wave has rolled over, but it does not mean that homeowners should go back to neglecting their AC units. If you do not plan to experience a single minute of downtime come next heat wave, take note of these two tips:

Conduct regular maintenance checks.

AC units are exponentially more prone to electrical component failure or refrigerant leaks when they have a region-wide heat wave to counteract. The best way to prevent your AC from breaking down when temperatures skyrocket again is by simply ensuring that the machine is in tip-top shape. Not only will it save your home from the harsh heat wave, but a maintenance check every 12 months will also save you money on energy costs.

Keep the AC unit on.

It is actually better for the machine and its fan to run 24/7, instead of turning on and off depending on who is inside the house. Instead of switching off the AC every time you leave, just increase the temperature by a few degrees and re-adjust upon getting home. This is a more efficient way of using the AC—one that does not require it to intermittently work harder to cool your home.

You can keep the heat out of the house through countless other ways, but more than closing the blinds and curtains, every homeowner should understand the importance of proper usage and care for the AC units standing between them and the Utah heat wave.

Contact us to learn more.

Preparing Your HVAC Systems for Autumn and Winter

Seasonal maintenance is the key to keeping your HVAC systems running smoothly for many years to come. Since autumn presents all kinds of challenges, it’s important to tune up your HVAC systems according to the season.

Autumns in Utah feature a kaleidoscope of colors along the scenic byways and wild woods. But the cold will begin to set in a few weeks after summer ends. Now that summer is coming to an end and the temperatures are mild, you should start preparing your home for the fall and winter.

Cut down on air conditioning 

As the temperatures become milder, use a fan instead of your air-conditioner. Take the opportunity to cut down your energy spending and give your HVAC systems a time-out. When the wind is blowing outside, open the windows for natural cooling. Autumn is also a great time to clean your air conditioning. If you detect issues, it’s best to call your trusted AC repair company to conduct a proper diagnosis and make the necessary repairs so it will be ready for use before the next summer season starts.

Prepare your furnace for use

 Prepare your furnace right after the foliage begins to yellow. Clear the area around your furnace and keep flammables, such as chemicals, paper, fabric, curtains and boxes away. Make sure that the space surrounding your furnace is well-ventilated. Ample circulation of fresh air enables your furnace to run more efficiently. Also, remove debris, such as leaves, grass clippings, twigs and weeds around the air-conditioning units and heat pumps weekly until the very end of autumn.

Get a tune-up on your furnace

 It’s also wise to inspect your furnace first and make necessary repairs and tune-ups early instead of waiting until it breaks down. Making repairs during colder months is fairly inconvenient and quite costly. Before the busy season hits, get a tune-up on your furnace to improve its energy efficiency and function, such as a programmable thermostat. If you have a gas or oil furnace, get one of those carbon monoxide detectors for increased safety.

With fall just around the corner, now is the right time to prepare your HVAC systems for the late autumn and winter months. A well-performing and energy-efficient furnace may just be the only thing standing between you and a dreadful winter.

The Next Generation Home Automation Technology: Nexia

As smart gadgets continue to conquer the digital world, you can expect the same technology to revolutionize your life, especially your household. Home automation is on the rise as residents crave for more control, convenience, and security. What better way to do that than to use smart automation?

With the number of providers vying for a place in the market, finding the right home automation solution can be quite a task. Larsen HVAC recommends Nexia, the next generation smart home technology, for these reasons:

Nexia Home Intelligence Supports Different Devices

Since they started in 2008, Nexia has been providing a functional home automation premise that enables homeowners to take control of their place, on the go. Operating through Z-wave technology, it uses an all-in-one app that lets you manage your home via mobile. The app connects to devices such as:

  • Garage doors
  • Locks
  • Video cameras
  • Lighting
  • Thermostats
  • Sensors

They Give You Better Control and Security

As they streamline your daily home management tasks, it’s easier for you to control your home from where you are. You don’t have to worry about unlocked doors or running thermostats. Because of that, you save money from high electricity costs, and you can leave home with peace of mind.

A BBB Accredited Business can Install Nexia for You

There’s no question that Nexia Home Intelligence is easy to use. But, before you get started, you need to install the system and the devices. Larsen HVAC can do it for you.

A Better Business Bureau-accredited service provider, we’re the name Utah customers trust for their heating, cooling, and home improvement needs. Expect fast, friendly, and reliable services from us. We don’t leave our customers hanging, and we offer 24-hour live response and emergency service.

Call us anytime to get started with having a better home.

Is Your Newborn Baby Safe in an Air-Conditioned Room?

Newborn babies can’t adjust their body temperature well in the same way adults do. Hence, they are susceptible to heat-related illnesses such as dehydration and heat rash. And if they can’t sleep comfortably in a hot, unventilated room, they are at risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). To prevent SIDS and other heat-related illnesses, parents often put their newborn babies to sleep in an air-conditioned room.

Too Cold to Handle

While air conditioners can make a room more comfortable, they can also make the interior space unbearably cold. Adults can adjust their body to a cold temperature or they can always set the AC higher when it’s too cold. But if an infant is left in a very cold room, he or she may suffer from hypothermia. Doctors recommend checking your baby’s temperature by feeling their neck or chest to determine whether they feel too warm or too cold inside the room. It’d also help if you place the crib far from the air vents, so the air will not blow directly on your infant.

May Help Spread Germs

Because of their mechanism, air conditioning systems may contribute to the spread of germs and common cold viruses. So, it is essential that the AC used in the nursery is clean and regularly serviced. If properly maintained, the AC will work efficiently and help prevent the spread of germs which are harmful to your newborn.

Your infant is safe in an air-conditioned room, as long as you know how to use the AC appropriately. If it’s clean and not too cold, the AC can provide your baby with comfort that he or she needs. Make sure your AC in the nursery is always in great condition. After all, your baby’s health should always be on top of your priorities.

This fall is the perfect time to give your AC system a tune up. Call Larsen HVAC today for an efficient air conditioning repair or installation and tune up in the Wasatch Front Area and Utah County.