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

Is It Time for a Water Heater Upgrade?

Monday, November 8th, 2021
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Taking a nice, cold shower after a heavy workout or at the end of a long, hot day is nice. But getting assaulted by icy water hitting you when you were expecting a hot shower is not so nice.

This is clearly a sign that something is amiss, and it’s likely a problem with your water heater. In some cases, repairs will do, but eventually, you’re going to need a water heater replacement.

There are other signs that this might be the case in addition to a surprising cold shower. We’ve uncovered some of these signs below. If you notice any of them, please don’t hesitate to give us a call to talk about your water heater options.

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One Furnace Hazard You Want to be Sure to Avoid

Monday, October 25th, 2021
technician-working-on-furnace

Perhaps you read the title of this blog post and are now wondering, “Wait, is my furnace hazardous?”

The answer is, “No, not inherently.”

The problem is that many homeowners invest in a gas-powered furnace, but not the maintenance and care that goes into safely operating it. Or they’re not aware that a gas-powered furnace can start experiencing problems with age that may lead to potentially hazardous consequences. One consequence in particular that we’re going to talk about today is a cracked heat exchanger.

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Safety Tips to Consider with Your Electric Furnace Installation

Monday, October 11th, 2021
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For many homeowners, the decision to purchase an electric furnace over a gas-powered system comes down to safety. It’s not that gas furnaces are inherently unsafe. However, there’s always going to be a slight risk when gas lines are involved, at least if that gas furnace isn’t very well maintained over the years.

Still, though, let’s address this assumption that electric furnaces are safer. It’s true, they do not post any threat of toxic gas leaks the way a natural gas furnace may. However, electric furnaces are large, powerful, pieces of electrical equipment and have the potential to create problems. Fortunately, problems with electric furnaces are relatively easy to avoid! Read on to learn how.

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Why Fall Is No Time to Forget Your Air Conditioner

Monday, September 27th, 2021
two-technicians-working-on-outside-ac-unit

The official end of summer is upon us, and very soon it will be time to start thinking about your heating system–in fact, it’s not too early to schedule heating maintenance if you haven’t done so already!

But you’re probably still using your air conditioner pretty consistently in the meantime, and the last thing you need right now is a huge repair need or a sudden breakdown!

We have good news! Most AC repair needs show symptoms or signs well before the system breaks down. So, if you do notice any of the signs we’re about to share, it’d be wise to give us a call ASAP. This way you can rely on your system not only for the rest of whatever hot weather comes our way, but also when temperatures warm up again next spring.

Remember, it’s important that you not try to diagnose, and especially not try to do your own repairs on, an air conditioner problem. However, you can definitely pay attention to see if you notice any of the following symptoms or anything that we didn’t mention below but seems out of character for your AC system, such as strange noises.

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Why It’s Never Too Early to Think about Your Heating System

Monday, September 13th, 2021
technician-working-on-furnace

While temperatures have been on the warmer side lately, there’s no denying that the official end of summer is right around the corner. And in our part of the country, fall and winter mean cooler temperatures! You’re probably looking forward to it after the summer we had–but you won’t be singing praises that long if you have a broken down heating system.

That’s why it’s important to schedule heating maintenance for your system as early as possible. Actually, the timing of your heating maintenance doesn’t matter as much as frequency–you should have this service professionally done once a year–but having maintenance done before you need your heating system the most is the best way to set it up for success and have a peace of mind that you can stay comfortable throughout the rest of the year and into 2022. Read on to learn about the great benefits of routine, professional heating maintenance.

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AC Leaks: A Common Problem

Monday, August 16th, 2021

Sometimes, we get a phone call from a homeowner who is worried that they have a major plumbing leak in their home–only to discover that the issue is actually a leaking air conditioner. AC systems can leak water, but not because your plumbing system is malfunctioning. Instead, it’s the result of condensation building up within the system, and spilling out due to there being a problem with the drainage system.

Depending on where in your home the air conditioner’s indoor unit is, the results of a leak can become a huge problem, causing property damage and more. So, what should you do if your air conditioner springs a leak? And is it possible to prevent this from happening in the future? Read on as we uncover the answers to these questions.

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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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What Qualities Should You Look for in an HVAC Contractor?

Monday, July 19th, 2021
two-technicians-working-on-outdoor-ac-unit

When you live in a climate like ours, it goes without saying that your household needs an efficient and effective air conditioning system to improve comfort, and even your family’s health. And you need that AC system to work flawlessly, every day, every season, right?

Well, if you truly want all this, then it’s essential that you invest in professional air conditioning services with a team you can rely on. This kind of partnership isn’t one you just want to rush into–doing so could leave you with an AC system that’s not properly sized for your home, or could be incorrectly installed, preventing it from working as powerfully and efficiently as it’s meant to.

Whether you’re having a new cooling system installed, or maintaining or repairing an older system, you can count on our team. But how do you know that for sure? What should (or shouldn’t) you look for when shopping around for a quality HVAC contractor? Read on to find out!

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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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