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SEER Ratings and Saving On Energy Costs

February 14, 2023

Purchasing a new air conditioner can be a stressful experience. You want to own an energy-efficient model, but you want to keep your purchase within budget. If you don’t understand the equipment specifications, you can end up with a system that doesn’t meet your requirements. When purchasing an air conditioning system in the US, the SEER rating can assist you in your selection. What is a SEER Rating? SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. SEER ratings are performance standards set by the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute. They’re an accepted standard for figuring

All About Backflow Testing and Why It’s Necessary

January 20, 2023

Backflow testing is a process by which your plumbing is evaluated to ensure proper flow and function, preventing contaminated water from flowing back into your clean water supply. While plumbing is mostly an “out of sight, out of mind” element in your home, problems do arise that likely need immediate attention to prevent water damage. Plumbing and Potential for Water Contamination With backflow-testing, your plumbing system is evaluated to ensure that drinking water is not being contaminated. A qualified plumber will ensure that water in your home is flowing in the right direction, and that none

6 Proven Ways to Improve Your Home’s Air Quality

December 20, 2022

Your home’s air can become stale, particularly if your house has inadequate ventilation or doesn’t have a properly functioning HVAC system. There are many causes of poor air quality. They include volatile organic compounds, mildew, carbon monoxide emissions, tobacco smoke, mold, dust, paint fumes, cleaning products, cooking, and others. Stale air exposes your family to allergens which can lead to allergic reactions and respiratory complications in the long run. In addition, many people spend most of their time indoors. Therefore, it’s good to ensure your air quality is high, particularly during the cold months

Can a Gas Furnace Run When the Power Is Out?

November 20, 2022

When temperatures in Layton, Utah plummet, your first defense against the cold is your home heating system. But what happens when the power goes out? Although your furnace uses gas as its fuel, it relies upon electricity for operation. If your home experiences an outage, you’ll want to have an alternative strategy for keeping warm. Keep reading to find out why. The Difference Between Creating Heat and Running It’s a common misconception that gas-powered heaters will continue to operate when the lights go out. Gas furnaces use either propane or natural gas to create heat. This

9 Simple Steps to Follow in Cleaning a Furnace Burner

October 20, 2022

Updated November 21, 2025 Filthy burners can decrease the efficiency of a gas burner. You should clean the burner from time to time as part of routine maintenance and have it offer you optimal performance. Ideally, you should have technicians clean your gas furnaces before each cold season begins. Cleaning the burners should be part of every professional furnace tune-up. Even if you will hire an expert like Smedley Service for the exercise, it is crucial to know the steps involved in the clean-up as part of this HVAC routine maintenance. Keep reading to find

What to Expect When Your Plumber Installs a New Water Heater

September 20, 2022

If your old water heater is on its last leg or if you’re simply upgrading to a newer and more efficient model, you’ll need to have it installed by a professional. Here’s what you can expect when your plumber comes to install your new water heater. Step 1: Your Plumber Will Shut Off the Water Supply Before any work can be done, your plumber will need to shut off the water supply to your home. This is usually done at the main water shut-off valve, which is typically located near the street or property line.

Mini-Split vs. Central Air Conditioning Efficiency

August 16, 2022

There is a lot of talk about mini-split units because they are newer on the U.S. air conditioning market than central air conditioning systems. Many people ask us at Smedley Service in Layton what would be the most energy-efficient air conditioning system for their home, a mini-split unit or central air? The answer is that it really depends upon characteristics of your home, your current air conditioning system, and even the number of people in your home as well as their habits. What Is a Mini-Split Air Conditioning System? As you know, central air conditioning systems

5 Ways to Find a Leak in Your Plumbing

July 15, 2022

Most homeowners have to deal with a plumbing leak at some point. While a small drip may not seem like a big deal, it can waste a lot of water and increase your water bill. If left unchecked, a leak can cause serious damage to your home. So, if you suspect a leak in your plumbing, it’s important to take action immediately. But how do you know if you have a plumbing leak? And what should you do if you find one? 1. Watch the Water Meter Your water meter is your best friend when finding

What Is a Wet Vent in Plumbing?

June 20, 2022

Plumbing has many unusual components that are not easy to identify for the average homeowner. Many parts and pieces do more than move the water throughout your house. A wet vent is an essential addition to the your home’s pipes that drains water and vents one or more pipes together. These vents keep smell and gas from waste out of your house. How Many Plumbed Items Use Wet Vents? Wet vents can have multiple items hooked up to them. There are a few rules for installing wet vents that also regulate how many pipes and

Why Closing Your Upstairs Air Vents Won’t Save You Cash

May 20, 2022

There are many ways to cut the energy bills in your Layton, Utah home. However, closing the upstairs air vents isn’t one of them. Like most homeowners, you may have unused rooms or zones throughout your residence that you’re constantly heating or cooling. Although cutting off the supply of heated or conditioned air to these spaces might seem like a good idea, it can actually wind up costing you far more money than it saves. Keep reading to find out why. Closing Air Vents Is Bad for the Entire HVAC System Closing HVAC air vents in