Blog

HVAC tips & guides for Salt Lake City homeowners

Straight-talk advice on maintenance, repairs, and choosing the right system — from the team that runs the most thorough diagnostic in the valley.

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BEFORE YOU CALL

What to check before you call for AC or furnace repair

A 2-minute checklist — power, thermostat, ice on the lines, the outdoor unit, the filter, the vents — plus a free checklist you can save to your phone and exactly when to stop and call a pro.

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TROUBLESHOOTING

AC not cooling? 7 things to check first

Thermostat, power, filter, ice on the lines, the outdoor fan — the seven things worth checking before you call, and when it’s past a DIY fix.

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AIRFLOW

Bad airflow? Check your filter and vents first

A dirty or backwards filter and closed-off vents cause more airflow problems than any failing part. What to check, and when it’s something bigger.

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KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT

What should a technician check during a tune-up?

Static pressure, airflow CFM, camera inspection, CO ppm, capacitors, amp draws — what a real tune-up measures, so you know what to expect.

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KNOW BEFORE YOU BUY

Do I need a hard start kit?

Only if your measured startup amps exceed the FLA rating on the nameplate. What your tech should show you before you pay for one.

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COMFORT & EFFICIENCY

3-story home? Even out the temperature between floors

Top floor hot, basement cold? A simple thermostat setting — running the fan about 15 minutes an hour — mixes the air between floors. Here’s how, and the one catch.

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COMFORT & EFFICIENCY

Why insulating attic & crawlspace ducts beats sealing

If your ducts run through a hot attic or cold crawlspace, insulation does more than sealing ever will — here’s why, and the signs your ducts need it.

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STRAIGHT ADVICE

Is Aeroseal worth it?

The truth about pricey inside-the-duct sealing — whether it actually works, what it costs, and the smarter, cheaper way to seal the ducts that really need it.

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TROUBLESHOOTING

AC capacitor problems: signs, testing & catching one early

The cheap part that takes out the expensive ones — signs of a bad capacitor, how it’s tested (dual-run MFD), and why catching a weak one early saves your motor and compressor.

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STRAIGHT ADVICE

Do you really need duct cleaning?

A straight answer: your ducts usually aren’t the problem. Here’s where your airflow actually gets choked — and where your money is better spent.

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SAFETY

A cracked furnace flue is a CO risk

A leaking furnace exhaust can put carbon monoxide where it doesn’t belong. What we look for — and why a CO test is part of every furnace job.

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SAFETY

The outdoor AC disconnect, done right

That little box next to your AC is a required safety device — and we see a lot burned or corroded. Why it matters and what a clean fix looks like.

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BUYER’S GUIDE

What a proper HVAC install actually looks like

A new system is only as good as the install. Here’s what to look for — right-sizing, commissioning — and what to ask whoever quotes you.

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REAL JOB

Why we replaced this filter drier

We found a leak — and replacing the filter drier was non-negotiable. Here’s what it does and why it gets replaced any time the system is opened.

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REAL JOB

Cleaning a secondary heat exchanger

A caked heat exchanger chokes airflow and wastes fuel. See the before-and-after and what cleaning it does for comfort and efficiency.

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BUYING GUIDE

How much does a new furnace cost in Utah?

A clear 2026 breakdown of furnace replacement pricing in Salt Lake City — what really drives the price, which efficiency tier fits, and how to avoid overpaying.

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TROUBLESHOOTING

Why is my AC freezing up?

Ice on your AC? Here’s what causes it (airflow vs. refrigerant), what you can safely check yourself, and why “just add refrigerant” is the wrong fix.

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TROUBLESHOOTING

Furnace won’t turn on? 7 things to check

No heat? Run through these seven quick checks — thermostat, power, filter, gas, door switch and more — before you call, plus when it’s time for a pro.

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COMFORT & EFFICIENCY

Why is my upstairs so hot? (And how to actually fix it)

Hot upstairs, cold basement? Here’s what’s really going on — and the fixes (air balancing, attic duct sealing & insulation) that beat buying a bigger AC.

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MAINTENANCE

The two parts that quietly kill your furnace & AC

Your evaporator coil and secondary heat exchanger are the parts you never see — and the ones that cost you the most when they get dirty.

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BUYING GUIDE

Heat pump vs. AC + furnace in Utah

A clear breakdown of which system actually fits your Salt Lake City home, your bills, and the rebates you could capture.

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Our work

See the difference a careful job makes

Real Canyon Comfort jobs from around Salt Lake City.

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