Dalton Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electric and Fireplaces, Inc. Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category

Tips for Keeping Your Home Cooler

Monday, August 2nd, 2021
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It’s no secret that we’re dealing with an especially warm summer this year. If you’ve been outside at all, you already know that temperatures are stifling. This means your air conditioner is going under a lot of stress to do its job, right? If you had maintenance done this past spring, you don’t likely have much to worry about. Maintenance helps your air conditioner work as effectively and efficiently as possible, for as long as possible–especially if you keep up on any repair recommendations we make during this service.

Having a great air conditioner installed is also a good step in keeping your home cool. This means working with a professional to ensure your home is properly matched with the right air conditioner and a correctly sized air conditioner as well. Too big of an AC can be just as detrimental to your comfort and the system itself as too small of one.

So when you’ve got professional installation and professional maintenance under your belt, there’s nothing more you can do, right? Wrong! There are plenty of additional steps you can take to make sure your household stays cool this summer–potentially even cooler than you thought possible. Read on to learn more!

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Can AC Maintenance Be Too Late?

Monday, July 5th, 2021
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There is only one scenario where it would be too late for you to schedule air conditioning maintenance and that is if the air conditioner has completely broken down, to the point that it is beyond repair.

Maybe your 15+-year-old system had a compressor failure. Or maybe you let a refrigerant leak go on too long and the system has died as a result.

Chances are, this actually isn’t the case for you. But if you skip maintenance consecutively each year, this could be your story. And consecutively is the magic word, here. Consistency with maintenance is much more important than the time of year you actually have maintenance done. Yes, we do generally recommend this service in the spring, before temperatures rise and you actually need the system on an hourly basis. This lets you get your tune-up on our schedule right away and lowers your risk of facing AC trouble when you need your system the most.

However, if you at the very least commit to getting air conditioner maintenance done once a year, it’s never too late. Here’s why this is so important:

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Unique Ductless Needs to Be Aware Of

Monday, June 21st, 2021
woman-sitting-on-couch-using-remote-to-turn-on-ductless-air-handler

When it comes time for you to replace your outdated air conditioner, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by all the options available to you. After all, there are many! You might find it easier to go with the same cooling system you’ve always had–but what if this isn’t the most efficient way to go about it? In other words, what if it’s cheaper for you to go with another option?

It might very well be time for you to consider going ductless for your cooling (and heating) needs. Ductless HVAC systems are made up of a single outdoor unit, which is connected to up to four indoor air handlers. Each air handler can be controlled independently, making for a highly efficient and powerful option for homeowners looking for year-round comfort.

If not properly installed or serviced, however, you might run into a few repair needs that are unique to ductless systems.

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What Can Go Wrong with your Air Conditioner’s Capacitors?

Monday, June 7th, 2021
two-technicians-working-on-air-conditioner

Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a magic wand for your air conditioner–if no matter what was wrong you could wave that wand and have the issue immediately fixed? Unfortunately, this isn’t reality. Your air conditioner is a complex electronic appliance with various wires, switches, capacitors, and more. And when something goes wrong, it requires a qualified and experienced team to get the system back up and running.

Fortunately, that’s what we are here for! Whatever the issue is, our team can resolve it. In most cases, air conditioning system problems can be attributed to one of two things–lack of maintenance or natural wear and tear. Either one of these can lead to problems with your air conditioner’s capacitors, which are vital to the performance of your AC. Never heard of them? Read on to learn more!

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Are You Using Your Cooling System Efficiently?

Monday, April 27th, 2020

HVAC-return-register-low-on-wallAny air conditioning system in our area is going to get a workout during the summer. Fortunately, air conditioners are built with efficiency in mind.

However, what if you aren’t using your cooling system as efficiently as possible? There are Waterloo air conditioning services that will help with this, like routine AC maintenance, but even with maintenance, there are a number of ways an AC system could lose efficiency and start raising your utility bills.

Read on as we uncover some of the top tips for using your cooling system as efficiently as possible.

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Now Is the Time: Schedule AC Maintenance Today!

Monday, April 13th, 2020

two-techs-in-front-of-ac-outdoor-unit-looking-at-tabletTemperatures may be relatively mild for now, but we all know that when summer hits, it hits hard. It’s imperative that your air conditioner be ready!

Understandably, when an HVAC pro suggests maintenance for your air conditioner, it can be an easy recommendation to dismiss. Unless you need emergency AC repair in Evansdale, IA, you may be tempted to put off service to save money, especially if your cooling system is working “just fine.”

We encourage you to change your perspective! Just like maintenance for your vehicle, routine AC tune-ups are essential to the overall performance of your climate control system in preventing repairs, improving efficiency, and extending the system’s lifespan. How so? Read on!

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Paying Too Much for Cooling? Consider Going Ductless!

Tuesday, July 3rd, 2018

central air conditioner sitting on pile of money, on white backgroundThere’s a cost to damaged ductwork.

“Well, yes, if my ductwork is damaged, I’ll eventually need to pay to have it repaired, right?” you may be thinking.

That’s not the only factor we’re talking about though. When we say there’s a cost to damaged ductwork, we mean that it causes you to lose conditioned air. And the bigger problem is that you don’t always know when your air ducts are damaged. They might have loose joints due to poor installation, or they may have tears in them due to old age or being exposed to extreme heat in your attic.

Of course, there are a number of benefits to using central air conditioning and heating, and duct repair and sealing are available services. But, what if you never had to worry about this type of Waterloo, IA air conditioning repair ever again?

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How to Make Your Life Easier with Smart Home Additions

Monday, June 11th, 2018

Do you want to know the quickest way to make your life a little easier? Installing smart home technology! In the past few years, smart home upgrades have become more accessible and more affordable. Here are few upgrades that the Dalton team recommends to make your home in the Cedar Falls and Waterloo area more comfortable.

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Smart thermostats aren’t new to the market, but changes in their technology have made them more convenient and easier to use. New smart thermostats take the guesswork out of maintaining your home comfort. They can sense when you’re at home or away and adjust the temperature accordingly. Additionally, you can control them remotely, so no more returning home to an overheated house. Instead, you can lower the temperature while you are in commute and enjoy the cooled air when you arrive.

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Inexpensive Peace of Mind: Everything That Comes With Your A/C Tune-Up

Friday, May 11th, 2018

There are so many things to maintain in your home that it can feel like a full-time job! Don’t worry, the team at Dalton Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electric, and Fireplaces is here to help. Our expert technicians are standing by to take care of any issue in your home, including your air conditioner tune-up in Cedar Falls.

At Dalton, we want our customers’ hard-earned dollars to work for them. That’s why every service we offer is completely comprehensive, so you can get the most bang for your buck. Here are just a few things that come with your air conditioner tune-up.

What Comes with Your Air Conditioner Tune-Up?

  • Lubricate Moving Parts. Ensuring all pieces of your unit are properly lubricated will prevent wear. Even better, it will prevent your system from overheating, the typical cause of a mid-season breakdown.
  • Test Refrigerant Levels. Another common cause of overheating stems from a unit running low on coolant levels. Low levels can also indicate there is a leak, which requires maintenance as quickly as possible.
  • Test Starting Capabilities. We suggest having your air conditioner tuned-up before the heat of summer sets in. That way, the Dalton technician can ensure your unit is starting correctly and running efficiently.
  • Tighten Electrical Connections. As with lubricating parts, tightening electrical components will help your system run smoothly. Additionally, it will prevent safety concerns — like electrical fires — when promptly taken care of.
  • Check & Replace Air Filters. Air filters should be regularly replaced to ensure your unit is functioning properly and not spreading dust throughout your home.
  • Remove Dust & Debris. Your A/C technician will help keep your unit clean, including the condenser coils, evaporator, and other key components. We will remove all built-up debris to prevent overheating and decreased efficiency.
  • Clean Dryer Vent. Cleaning your dryer vents is a quick and easy way to prevent fires in your home.
  • Examine Safety Components & Proper Venting. During your tune-up, our technicians will inspect the electrical components, wiring, plugs to ensure your cooling system is free of frayed wires, loose electrical connections or any other safety concerns.
  • Apply Protective Coatings. At Dalton, we take safety very seriously. We elevate the standard of fire prevention by applying non-conductive coatings to the electrical components.
  • Calibrate Thermostat. Thermostats can lose their calibration season to season. Dalton technicians will readjust the settings, as needed, to make sure your unit is cooling your home to the correct temperature.
  • Measure for Proper Volts & Amps. We will test the volts and amps of your air conditioner to determine the amount of energy your unit consumes. If the compressor is operating normally, the unit should consume what is called the Rated Load Amps or RLA.
  • Check Blower Speed. Another key way to test your unit for functionality is to check the blower speed. If the speed is low, it could mean there is a bad blower resistor, or there is a problem with overheating or ventilation.

 Peace of Mind All Summer Long

 Are you ready to schedule your air conditioner tune-up? Or, do you want to take peace of mind to another level with a Complete Home Comfort Membership? Dalton Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electric, and Fireplaces is just one call away! Book your service now by calling (319) 266-3513.

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How Can You Lower Your AC Use?

Monday, August 7th, 2017

family of 3 sitting in living room in front of fansTemperatures may be slightly cooling down around here, but that doesn’t mean we’re quite out of the woods yet with our summer temperatures. You’ve probably been using your air conditioner on a pretty regular basis for the past few weeks, and as such it’s only natural that you’d like to find a way to cool off that doesn’t require spending so much on energy bills!

Perhaps the better question, however, is rather than how to lower your AC use, how to get the most out of your air conditioner and how to stay cool otherwise, to reduce your reliance on your cooling system, and therefore reduce your cooling bills. Of course, when you do need air conditioning services in Janesville, IA, we are the team to call. In the meantime, we’ve shared some helpful tips below.

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