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

Is a Bigger Furnace Really Better?

Monday, January 30th, 2023

Furnaces come in all shapes and sizes, but that’s for a very good reason. A furnace that is too large or too small will obviously cause problems, but many homeowners are in the dark as to what those problems might be. For instance, there’s a classic misconception that having a larger furnace is always better since you can’t go wrong with more heat in your home, right?

Well, you can, but not for the reason you would expect. No, your home won’t get swelteringly hot, and it’s not particularly unsafe, but it will lead to tremendously higher heating bills and a system that breaks down early on in its lifespan. This is what we call “short cycling” and it’s something that your furnace can be the victim of if you’re not careful.

So, let’s talk about why a furnace installation in Cedar Rapids, IA should be a specific size that fits your home.

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What Should I Do If My Water Heater Is Leaking?

Monday, January 23rd, 2023

Uh oh… you’ve got another water heater leak. You went down to the basement to check on something, or perhaps to grab some old storage containers that you’ve kept down there and you notice the constant dripping next to the water heater tank. Well, at least you’ve detected the problem, now we need to figure out what to do!

Water heater leaks aren’t all that uncommon. For a system that cycles through hundreds of gallons of water, they’re likely to encounter leaks at some point. Basically, we want to reassure you that there’s no panic needed at this moment. With a trained professional on hand, you can get your water heater fixed, or even a water heater installation in Cedar Rapids, IA. Just make sure you learn from this experience and make the right call depending on what your home requires.

Here’s what you should do if you encounter a bad water heater leak.

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Superior Heating and Cooling With Geothermal Technology

Monday, January 16th, 2023

Geothermal systems are some of the best and most efficient heating and cooling systems on the market today. There’s really no comparison when you try to look at other heating or cooling systems in those categories. The only thing that prevents them from being the prime choice for most homeowners is the fact that they’re much more expensive than other heating and cooling units. A gas furnace is just always going to cost less to install than geothermal heating in Cedar Rapids, IA, but for customers that might have the disposable income now, we’d recommend a geothermal system.

This blog is going to focus on some of the unique aspects of this technology. We first want to talk a bit about how geothermal HVAC systems work. Then, we’ll move on to discuss why they’re so efficient and long-lasting when compared to other HVAC technology.

Don’t just take our word for it. Let the science speak for itself!

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Poor Air Quality Can Be a Health Emergency

Monday, January 9th, 2023

We talk a lot on this website about the importance of proper temperature control and professional HVAC work like maintenance and repairs. One huge aspect of HVAC that we don’t talk about as much as we should is indoor air quality. The quality of your air matters just as much as the temperature, and it can have some huge implications for your home and health.

This blog post is going to highlight a few reasons why your air quality is important, and why certain members of your family, friends, and guests might have trouble being in your home for long periods of time if the air quality isn’t dealt with.

Our team has the resources to help you. With an air filtration system in Cedar Rapids, IA, you can siphon out all of the contaminating particles that might cause someone with asthma, COPD, or other illnesses to undergo severe respiratory distress.

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New Year, New Heating System

Monday, January 2nd, 2023

With the new year, it’s important to take a step back and look at how we got to where we are. There are many good reasons to choose a new heating system, whether you’re just unsatisfied with your current one or in desperate need of a new system to keep your home warm. Regardless, we understand why you might want a heating replacement in Cedar Rapids, IA, but getting rid of your old heating system can be a tough ordeal.

A lot of people decide to keep running their heating systems way past their expiration date because that sounds like the easiest way to save money. But that can lead to quite an amount of problems, from high heating bills to constant repairs that get in the way of your peace of mind.

Let’s talk about a few ways you can be a more proactive heating system owner by figuring out when the best time to invest in a replacement might be.

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A Big Change From Such a Small System

Monday, December 26th, 2022

Thermostats are a lot like our smartphones or laptops. They’re easily one of the smallest appliances in our home, but sometimes they’re so important to our day-to-day functions that you might not be able to imagine your life without them. This is just how life goes in the 21st century and it’s pretty common.

However, the amount of people who use old analog thermostats or even digital thermostats from the turn of the millennia is a little alarming. These devices, just like computers and phones made during the same age, just don’t have the capabilities of temperature control and efficiency measuring that newer thermostats have.

So, we think it’s time to talk about smart thermostats in Cedar Rapids, IA, and why your home could benefit from such a significant upgrade. Just make sure you call a team of qualified professionals to have this upgrade performed in your home.

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Dalton’s Guide to Mobile Home Heating

Monday, December 19th, 2022

It’s no secret that owning a mobile home is different in many ways from owning a multi-story house. In this crazy economy, they’re becoming more convenient as an option for homeowners who would like to own property, but can’t afford some of the very high prices for houses. They also tend to economize space very well, since you can have multiple bedrooms, a kitchen, a dining room, and a lot of space for a lower cost and without sifting through older houses that might not have those kinds of rooms.

Overall, if you’re happy with your manufactured home, then that’s what really matters. However, heating that home is what we’re going to talk about today. Mobile home heating in Cedar Rapids, IA is a specific topic that requires a bit of attention since it can be different from traditional home heating.

From choosing specific systems to some best practices that can help you stay energy efficient and happy this holiday season.

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New Heater Vs New Insulation

Monday, December 12th, 2022

Every time the cold temperatures roll around, the first thought in many homeowners’ heads is that they might need a new heating system. It’s true, if your heating system is in rough shape, is a decade old, or if it’s just not working the way that you want it to, then you are going to need a heating system replacement. However, the conversation shouldn’t start and stop there, it’s actually a lot more complicated.

Sometimes, your home needs a bit of extra help in other areas, not just with your heating system. A heating installation in Cedar Rapids, IA is certainly going to give you a boon in energy efficiency and comfort, but without proper insulation, it’s not going to do very much. Insulation is used to keep the heat inside of your home, and without it, your heat would quickly escape into the atmosphere around your home.

When do you purchase a new heater and when do you get new insulation? Keep reading to find out!

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“How Do I Know If I Need Water Treatment?”

Monday, December 5th, 2022
adult-holding-child-hands-at-sink-faucet

We have some good news, and some not-so-great news when it comes to the quality of the water you drink, bathe with, and use for various other tasks in your home. The good news is, if your water comes from a city main then it goes through heavy filtration before it reaches your faucets and taps. This means that you usually do not have to worry about harmful contaminants reaching your home.

The not-so-great news is two-fold. First off, that water has a long way to go from the municipal plant to your house—it can pick up stuff along the way such as minerals causing hard water, and other pollutants. Secondly, if you’re getting your water from a well, then the quality of your water is even more unpredictable.

Back to that good news though! You can tell what shape your home’s water is with professional water testing in Cedar Falls, from our experienced team. From there, we can make recommendations for you to improve the health and safety of your water. In the meantime, here are some signs to watch out for that indicate you need such a service.

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What You Need to Know about Frozen Pipes!

Monday, November 28th, 2022
frozen-pipe

Temperatures are already getting quite chilly, and that means it’s time to winterize your home! You may have already taken some steps towards this, like ensuring that your heater is maintained and ready for the season. But what about your pipes? After all, temperatures can and will drop below 30°F this winter.

This means that the unthinkable could very well happen. That’s right, you can find yourself dealing with frozen pipes. While we have the resources you need to find a professional we’re happy to help you by sharing some tips on how to defend against frozen pipes before they even occur.

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