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

3 Money-Saving HVAC Tips

Monday, September 25th, 2023

You can never have enough money in your bank account, right? Sure, people come from all walks of life, but we’d be hard-pressed to find a reader of our blog who wouldn’t smile at the thought of an extra zero or two at the end of their bank statement.

Well, we can’t help you with your stock investments or your savings account, but we can help your HVAC equipment last longer and run more efficiently so you spend less on your energy bill every month. And contrary to popular opinion, some of these tips are completely free and can be done right at home on your own.

Interested? Then keep reading! We’re going to cover the top 3 money-saving HVAC tips that can keep you with plenty of savings to spare. And don’t forget to use some of that savings to call for heat pump service in Cedar Falls, IA if you run into trouble!

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Why Your New Lights Require Professional Installation

Monday, September 11th, 2023

Lights don’t necessarily sound like the most intense electrical project you could take on, right? They’re just a matter of having an electrical connection that switches on and off, and it’s not like there haven’t been homeowners that have installed their own lighting. But with most other electrical cases, lighting installations are deceptively complicated.

They might seem simple from the get-go, but as you try to install your own lighting, you’ll quickly realize that you’ve set yourself up for a nightmare. Not only can this be dangerous for your personal health (electrocutions really hurt), but you could also end up with holes in your wall and wires going to nowhere that make any future electrical services in Cedar Falls, IA even worse.

When you go with a professional, as we’ll describe below, things can often be cleaner, simpler, faster, and overall just better in almost every way.

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It’s Time to Upgrade Your Window AC

Monday, August 28th, 2023

For years, many customers have had one or two small window AC units that cooled specific rooms like bedrooms and offices for exceptionally hot days. These units are cheap and easy to use, making them good for budget decisions that keep you comfortable during the hottest days of the year.

But record-breaking temperatures are only continuing to get worse and window AC units aren’t actually as good as you might think. Sure, they feel better than having no air conditioning, but what if we told you that a central air conditioning system, or other AC installation in Waterloo, IA could actually be more energy-efficient and convenient?

Yep, it might finally be time to retire that old window unit and upgrade it to a system that keeps you and the entire family comfortable. Let’s talk about some reasons why an upgrade is such a good idea.

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Big Electrical Changes in 2023

Monday, August 14th, 2023

If it’s been a few years since you’ve hired an electrician in Waterloo, IA, then you might be surprised by some industry-wide changes that have been sweeping the country.

Most, if not all of them have been good changes, both for manufacturers and consumers, but they’re still a shock to many people who have been operating with the same technology for decades.

For instance, incandescent light bulbs have recently been banned, as shoppers try to figure out the specifics and information behind the new, longer-lasting LED light bulbs. Also, insurance rates have started to change as wildfires and heatwaves have become more common. An electrical problem could have serious ramifications on especially hot and dry days now.

So, let’s discuss some major electrical changes in 2023, and what you can expect on your end.

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When Do You Need AC Service?

Monday, July 17th, 2023

The answer might seem simple when you ask us. You need AC service any time your air conditioner exhibits any strange noises or problems that require fixing. While this sounds easy enough, it’s actually a lot more complicated than that.

For instance, what exactly is a problem? Is that little squeaking noise in an otherwise perfectly fine air conditioner an issue? Or what constitutes a bad noise when compared to good noises, like the sound of air coming from your air vents? These are all good questions, and ones that make this process a lot harder for homeowners than many people initially think.

Even a customer who might have an otherwise working air conditioner could see a terribly high energy bill every month–which constitutes a definite need for AC service in Cedar Falls, IA. These things require a bit more thought, which is what we’re going to cover today.

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Why Short Cycling Is Not Good

Tuesday, June 6th, 2023

Your ears have perked up at the fact that your air conditioner has started running more frequently. You can tell when it starts up and shuts down multiple times, and it’s piqued your interest. It can’t be that bad right? After all, it’s natural for the system to do this.

Well, not exactly. The only thing natural about your air conditioner is the fact that it turns on, cools air, and turns back off again. The amount of time it spends doing this should be a very specific duration, known as a cycle. If it runs this cycle in quicker succession, you’re going to see the results in broken components, higher energy bills, and even an early AC replacement.

Keep reading to learn more about the causes of a short cycling AC, and why this is never a good sign. And don’t forget to call us for AC repair in Evansdale, IA.

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It’s Time to Talk About Your Filter

Monday, May 22nd, 2023

Ah, the air filter. Every air conditioner has one, and so many customers have no idea how important they are. We don’t blame them, it’s not like it’s easy to find this kind of information unless you’re following a blog like ours.

AC systems routinely go through massive amounts of air circulated through your home. They cool this air as it passes through the system, and they do so regularly in cycles. That means that all of the dust, dirt, and pet dander that’s existing in your home’s air will get cycled through the system. Or at least it all would if it weren’t for the air filter!

The air filter is a protective component that keeps the sensitive area inside your AC from being damaged by contaminants. If it’s not changed out regularly, then you could see AC repair in Waterloo, IA sooner rather than later.

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3 Essential Plumbing Upgrades

Wednesday, April 26th, 2023

It’s time to start living in the 21st century! Seriously, you’d be surprised at some of the amazing plumbing upgrades that people have access to nowadays.

Some of them, like water filtration systems in Cedar Falls, IA, are going to be easily installed and set up by a professional. Others, like a bidet or a high-efficiency toilet, are going to save you money but also change the way you live your life.

In truth, a plumbing upgrade can be for more than just convenience. It can help shift your lifestyle to one that’s more sustainable, enjoyable, and efficient.

Today, let’s look at three great plumbing upgrades for your home and we’ll examine how they work. For each and every one of these, it can be helpful to have a plumbing professional on hand for any repairs, installations, or even the regular maintenance of these systems. Our team is always here to help you when you need it!

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3 Electrical Things You Shouldn’t Do on Your Own

Monday, April 10th, 2023

DIY projects are great but there’s a bit of a misconception going around. Some people think that electrical repairs fit into the same category as painting or other home improvement projects, but that can be a dangerous way of thinking.

Electrical work is in a different category of a lot of home projects, particularly because of how dangerous it can be and also because of how important the final product is. You don’t want that new thousand-dollar phone or TV being shorted out or destroyed due to faulty wiring, right?

In that case, you should definitely call an electrician in Cedar Falls, IA. Only a licensed electrician will be able to handle the job that you have in mind, for as little a price as possible. And, don’t forget the fact that an electrician can handle this kind of work quickly so there’s less time spent patching your wall or trying to flip light switches to test things out.

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Time to Listen to Your Heater

Monday, March 13th, 2023

What would happen if your appliances suddenly woke up and could speak? It would make for some pretty good entertainment, and if you’re a screenwriter who happened upon this blog, then take the idea and run with it! But for everyone else, it’s fun to imagine for a second that our heating systems might strike up a conversation with us. What would they talk about? How would they sound?

Well, we’re not just bringing this topic up for giggles. There’s a real truth behind the fact that we pay less attention to the parts of our lives that don’t directly talk to us. Our heating systems can take a beating, and because they don’t have eyes or mouths to voice their frustrations, nothing gets done until they break down. Today we’d like to talk about how your heating system might beg you for heating service in Waverly, IN, and why that could be a big problem.

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