Frequently Asked Questions

Ideally, an HVAC system should be serviced twice a year, once in the fall for heating and once in the spring for cooling. Here at Air Design we offer maintenance agreements, which are an affordable way to maintain your heating and cooling equipment.

One of our service technicians will service your equipment in both the fall and spring seasons ensuring you’re operating at maximum efficiency for both heating and cooling seasons.

While covering your outdoor unit in the off seasons is a great way to keep it clean, it does come with some risk. If you were to run the system with the cover still on, there’s a good chance that you will damage your equipment.

These units were designed to be exposed to weather and for those reasons, we don’t recommend covering your air conditioners.

Larger air conditioning units don’t necessarily perform better than smaller units. While a larger system may cool your home faster, it will have much shorter run cycles, which leads to a multitude of other issues.

Short run cycles decrease efficiency, shorten the lifespan of equipment, can lead to large temperature differences in rooms, and can leave excess humidity in the air, potentially causing mildew and mold issues.

A ductless HVAC system, or “mini-split” is an electric heating and cooling system that uses wall-mounted head units to heat and cool a space. Rather than using duct to move air around a home like a traditional system, mini-splits have wall mounted blowers that are connected through a refrigerant line to an outdoor condensing unit.

Many studies have shown that indoor air quality is often worse than the air outside. There are a number of things we can do to combat indoor air pollution like frequent vacuuming, dusting, and cleaning. Aside from that, a licensed HVAC contractor can install products such as: electronic air cleaners, advanced filtration systems, humidifiers, and UV lights. 

HVAC contractors are required to design an ACCA approved Manual J and D for new construction systems to comply with the US Department of Energy requirements. Because of this, we are required to design a system based on the “typical” weather conditions where the house is being built. Because of these designs, we’re able to provide a much more efficient system that won’t suffer from short cycling and will ultimately last longer.

However, on especially hot days, the air conditioner may not be able to cool the house below 75 degrees. Overall, coping with those two weeks in the Summer where the air conditioner isn’t capable of cooling below 75, is much better than dealing with the large number of problems presented by short cycling systems throughout the rest of the year.

The most obvious answer is that you can raise the temperature on your thermostat. Most people don’t notice the difference between a degree or two of temperature change. We recommend keeping your thermostat between 72 and 74 degrees during the cooling season.

It’s also very important to close your curtains during the day if possible. While window technologies have come a long way, the radiant heat generated by the sun coming through the windows can make a big difference in how much your A/C runs. Annual maintenance, programmable thermostats, and more efficient cooling systems are all great ways to cut utility costs as well.

We warranty all labor on any system we install for a year, which is the industry standard. Most equipment manufacturers offer a 5 year warranty on parts, however many manufacturers will extend the parts warranty to 10 years if you register your equipment with them.

Because of this, it is of the utmost importance that you register your equipment with the manufacturer. If you have any questions regarding registration you’re more than welcome to reach out to us, we’re happy to help.

A heat pump is a technology that has become much more commonplace in recent years. Heat pumps aren’t all that different from traditional cooling systems, except for the fact that they utilize a reversing valve. This reversing valve allows the unit to perform the cooling process in reverse, making it capable of both heating and cooling a home with refrigerant.

Typically in Utah since winters get so cold, if a homeowner wants a heat pump installed, an HVAC contractor will install what’s known as a dual fuel system. A dual fuel system uses a heat pump for both heating and cooling, but uses a gas furnace to deliver the air to the registers, and for backup heat.

A furnace will often shut down suddenly because of a tripped breaker, dirty air filter, failed thermostat, or a safety switch that turns the system off when something isn’t operating correctly. Many times, the furnace overheats due to restricted airflow and shuts down as a protection response.

At Air Design Heating & Cooling, we walk homeowners through quick troubleshooting steps over the phone, and if your heating system still won’t run, we can come today and help you with your furnace repair in Salt Lake City and the Wasatch Front.

Cold air from the vents usually means the igniter isn’t firing, the pilot light is out, or the system overheated and shut the burners off. In many Salt Lake City homes, it’s simply a clogged air filter restricting airflow. We can quickly diagnose ignition or airflow issues and get warm air circulating again with fast, reliable heating repairs if needed.

Short cycling is one of the most common signs of poor airflow, a dirty flame sensor, a misreading thermostat, or overheating. Salt Lake City’s dry air and dust levels often lead to quick filter buildup, which can cause this.

Short cycling should be addressed quickly to prevent damage to the blower motor or heat exchanger. Our technicians can pinpoint the issue and stop the repeated shutdowns.

A light burning smell at first startup is usually dust burning off the heat exchanger, especially after months of non-use. But if the odor is strong, chemical-like, metallic, or lasts longer than a few minutes, shut the furnace down.

This can indicate an electrical problem, overheating component, or failing blower motor. We provide fast heating repair throughout the greater Salt Lake City area, including Park City and surrounding areas, to handle these issues safely.

If you ever smell natural gas near your furnace, leave the home immediately and call your gas company. After the home is cleared, our licensed HVAC technicians can inspect the furnace for leaks, ignition issues, or damaged fittings. Gas odors should always be treated urgently.

Banging, grinding, rattling, or squealing typically means a loose component, damaged blower wheel, worn bearings, ignition delay, or motor issue. Loud noises rarely fix themselves. Turning the system off and letting our technicians inspect it prevents bigger problems and more expensive repairs.

Dead batteries, loose wiring, a blown furnace fuse, or a faulty thermostat can stop communication between the thermostat and furnace. Sometimes it’s as simple as a disconnected wire. We walk Salt Lake City homeowners through basic checks, and if needed, send a technician to test and repair the system.

When the furnace runs but doesn’t heat your home, it’s often due to blocked vents, leaking ductwork, a dirty filter, or weak heating output from the burners.

If your thermostat is set correctly and the house still won’t warm up, the heating system needs a professional inspection.

Many modern furnaces use electronic ignition, so they don’t have a traditional pilot light. If yours does, instructions are typically printed inside the front panel.

If the pilot light won’t stay lit, the issue is usually a thermocouple or gas flow problem. Our technicians can safely diagnose and repair persistent pilot outages.

High-efficiency furnaces commonly produce condensation. A leak can mean a clogged condensate drain, cracked drain pan, or failing condensate pump. Water around the furnace should be checked immediately to prevent electrical damage or mold growth.

Most homes in Utah should change their furnace filter every 1–3 months, especially during winter when systems run harder. Dirty filters are one of the leading causes of furnace breakdowns, overheating, and airflow problems.

And if you have pets, consider changing your filters every month. A clogged furnace filter can cause your furnace to shut down and quit working.

A furnace tripping the breaker usually means it’s drawing too much power due to a worn motor, restricted airflow, or electrical short. Resetting the breaker repeatedly is unsafe. It’s important to have the system inspected before using it again.

Common reasons include:

• Tripped breaker
• Dirty or clogged filter
• Faulty thermostat
• Tripped safety switch
• Ignition failure

We can help you check simple items first. If it still won’t turn on, our Salt Lake City HVAC techs can diagnose the problem quickly.

Water around the furnace is usually from a condensate drain blockage or a leak inside the cabinet. If you have an AC unit above the furnace, the water may be coming from the evaporator coil or drain pan. We handle both furnace and AC water leak issues.

Weak airflow typically means a clogged filter, failing blower motor, or blocked ductwork. Proper airflow is essential for efficient heating in Utah’s cold winters.

Most furnace repairs in Salt Lake City fall between $150–$600, depending on the part and complexity. We always perform a full diagnostic and provide a clear, upfront price before doing any work.

Under 15 years old and a minor issue? Repair is usually the best value.
Older than 15–20 years, frequent breakdowns, or major part failures? Replacement may be more cost-effective and more energy-efficient. We always give you both options with transparent pricing.

A well-maintained furnace typically lasts 15–20 years. Lack of maintenance shortens lifespan significantly, especially in climates with heavy winter usage like Utah.

Annual furnace maintenance is ideal. A tune-up helps prevent breakdowns, improves safety, increases efficiency, and keeps warranties valid. We have affordable annual furnace tune up and service plans so you never have to even think about it.

A musty odor usually means moisture, microbial growth, or dirt buildup in the furnace or ductwork. This is common after long periods of non-use. Cleaning the system or inspecting the ducts usually resolves it.

Ignition problems are often caused by a dirty flame sensor, worn igniter, gas flow restriction, or tripped safety switch.

Ignition failure is one of the most common heating repair calls we receive in Salt Lake City.

A furnace that won’t shut off may have:

• Thermostat set too high
• Blower set to "ON" instead of "AUTO"
• Leaking ducts
• Undersized furnace
• Sensor or control board issues

If none of the simple fixes work, the system needs a professional inspection.