Why custom cushions are better than store-bought cushions Posted: 23 Dec 2019 08:46 AM PST Blog provided by The Foam Factory The condition of seat cushions is one of the biggest indicators of a sofa's overall quality. Since you will be reclining on them, it is important to have cushions that are both comfortable and long-lasting. You might also have different priorities when choosing sofa cushions. For example, you might be willing to sacrifice durability for comfort or vice versa. The problem with store-bought cushions is that you have very little control over these cushions' important characteristics. If you replaced a store-bought cushion with a custom cushion, you'd have control over the cushion's exact measurements, its shape, and its degree of softness or hardness. You'd be able to make sure your foam cushion conforms exactly to your furniture's shape and dimensions, which can be challenging if your furniture has an unusual shape, such as a U or an L. You'd also be able to choose between foam materials such as Super Soft Foam, medium firmness Poly Foam, and dense Lux Foam to find the perfect balance of comfort and durability. If you're planning to use the cushions outdoors, you can also choose to make them out of outdoor foam materials such as Dryfast foam. This will ensure that they are not damaged by rainy weather and other sources of moisture. Dryfast is also anti-microbial, which means that damaging fungi such as mold and mildew will have a difficult time growing on the cushions' surfaces. The Foam Factory will work with you to create your own custom cushions according to your specifications. Contact them for details on foam materials, sizing, and measurements. |
What to Expect From a Regular HVAC Maintenance Posted: 06 Oct 2021 11:00 PM PDT Keeping your HVAC in good condition will ensure a lengthy and quality service. If you want your AC unit to work properly when you need it most you need to give it regular maintenance. Just like any other appliance at home, periodical checkups are a must. If you fail to provide proper care don't expect years of service, and be prepared for sudden breaks. I wanted to understand better what regular maintenance means and how it affects my budget and HVAC performance. Hughes provided all the necessary info, so here's what I learned: Costs Reduction Regular maintenance's primary goal is to create a cost-efficient routine that's going to lengthen the lifespan of your unit, but also save money on costly repairs or replacements. You don't need to buy a new unit every 2-3 years, one simple cleanup two times a year will do the trick. While we are discussing cost efficiency, you should also consider investing in proper insulation. This investment might breach your current budget boundaries, but it will save you a lot of money on electricity in the long run, because your AC would use less power to reach desired temperatures. Cleaner Air Health should always be the primary concern. The last thing you want is to breathe in dirty air rich with microorganisms, bacteria, and germs. These pests love to nest in an HVAC and then spread through the air while the unit is blowing. Regular maintenance will prevent respiratory problems. Cleaning and changing the filters and coils will create a safe environment while you carelessly enjoy fresh and cool air. Years of Service Ideally, you want your HVAC to last for at least 5 years. Anything less than that is money wasted. Installing a new unit costs a lot of money, but there's no guarantee that the new model will extend the previous mileage if you neglect it anyway. Why waste money on new units when you can offer your old model some love. Energy Efficiency As I already mentioned, the idea is to save money and energy using a healthy HVAC. The dirty unit will not only have poor performance but will spend up to 30% more energy in the process. Not a good deal if you ask me, both the environment and your pocket suffer while you receive less than optimal service. You will spend less money paying a professional to have a look at the unit a few times a year, than on an electricity bill at the height of a season. Less Sudden Breaks Unit breaking down in the middle of a hot day or during a cold winter's night is a big bummer, moreover, if you have to wait for somebody to come to repair or replace the unit for days because of their busy schedule. This scenario is not 100% avoidable, even if you do everything on the list, but it is less likely to happen if you had someone over to have a closer look before the start of every season. An experienced technician will be able to spot potential breaks and prevent them. What to Expect Regular inspections vary, but, in general, there are a few things a technician will check to ensure the unit is performing optimally. They will check in what state the fans are, and perform a few tests to see how they operate under different conditions. They will clean drain lines, filters, and coils. The technician will inspect the levels of the refrigerant and also see if there are any leaks in the heat exchanger. |