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

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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A Booming Furnace Is a Bad Sign

Monday, February 13th, 2023

Furnaces can make a lot of different noises. Some of it, like the gentle whooshing of air coming from your air vents, are good noises. These noises help signal to you that the system is working properly and it’s not going to leave you in the cold. However, there are plenty of sounds that signal that the system is in dire need of support, from maintenance to vital repairs.

This blog has two purposes. One is to help answer some of the questions you might have about your booming furnace and to alleviate the stressful situation you’re in. The second purpose is to inform any of our readers on the potential hazards that come with a booming furnace, and why this sound should never be ignored. Once you’ve been clearly informed on this kind of problem, we urge you to contact our team for furnace repair in Waterloo, IA so that your home’s heating can go back to normal.

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Does Your Water Need Treatment?

Monday, January 30th, 2023

Have you ever stayed in a part of the country, in an apartment or some kind of private living space, and you just couldn’t go near the tapwater? Some tapwater can be inundated with all kinds of bacteria that’s native to the area if it comes from a private pump, while others can have minerals in it if it’s not correctly softened. Basically, depending on where you live, your water could be undrinkable or even unusable without treatment.

But the more you look at what could be contaminating your water, the more anxious you might get. There are a lot of horror stories out there about contaminated water and homeowners being left on their own to deal with some serious issues with bacteria, viruses, and minerals. Well, this blog post is to help alleviate some of that anxiety and point you in the right direction when you need water treatment systems in Cedar Falls, IA.

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Old Wiring Needs to Be Replaced

Monday, January 16th, 2023

Have you ever heard of the term “knob and tube wiring?” It’s a dreaded term that home inspectors avoid like the plague and it’s something that can be the difference between a solid home purchase and a money pit.

As technology advances so does our understanding of how electrical systems work. Electricity hasn’t always been around, but when human beings started figuring out how to wire their homes for electrical power, they did so in ways that we would not deem safe today. Knob and tube wiring is an old and outdated method for wiring a home and it’s one that we’d argue needs to be replaced no matter how old or aesthetically pleasing your home might be.

And for some of the reasons we’re about to mention, this kind of electrical work should only be done by a licensed electrician in Cedar Falls, IA.

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