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

Which Water Heater Should I Purchase?

Monday, August 28th, 2023

Water heaters come in all shapes and sizes, which is primarily why it’s in your best interest to know the difference! We’re used to seeing pictures of water heater tanks, but would it surprise you to learn that nearly half of all the water heaters in existence today don’t even use tanks? These are called on-demand water heaters and they’re extremely popular.

But these kinds of water heater upgrades aren’t for every customer or every home. This blog post is going to talk about several distinct types of water heaters and how water heater service in Cedar Rapids, IA might differ depending on which on you choose. The more informed you are about the technology and the services we offer, the more likely you’ll be to make a smart choice when your financial future depends on it.

So, let’s get into it. Keep reading to learn about the water heater system that might be absolutely perfect for your home!

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3 Smart Moves for Your Home HVAC System

Monday, August 21st, 2023

With record-breaking heatwaves and other unusual weather events, it can be hard to focus on anything else. Sometimes just turning on the weather report can cause us to do things that otherwise we wouldn’t do. It’s a pain, but it’s a necessary part of being a responsible homeowner.

However, an important aspect of the HVAC industry is prevention. More specifically, we’re experts at providing homeowners with solutions that can help them mitigate weather in the future, not just weather events right now.

For example, we know it’s going to get cold this winter, and winter is only a few months away. While your AC does need support now, you’re going to want to focus on other aspects of your HVAC in Cedar Rapids, IA. Then, when the record-breaking cold temperatures hit, you’ll be more than ready for them.

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Why Is It Hotter Upstairs Than Downstairs?

Monday, August 14th, 2023

Well, this is an interesting question, but one that would be irresponsible to just answer in a simple few words. While it might sound like your air conditioner is encountering problems that require AC repair in Cedar Rapids, IA, that might not necessarily be the case.

For instance, the laws of thermodynamics dictate that heat rises, no matter what. So, on a hot day, your upstairs rooms are just more likely to get hotter than the downstairs ones. But if your home is well insulated and your AC is in good shape, that might not necessarily be the case.

Sound confusing? Don’t worry, we’ll cover this naturally occurring phenomenon and more down below. Just be sure to call our team if you think the problem stems from the fact that your air conditioner is running incorrectly.

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An AC Upgrade Might Be in Your Future

Monday, August 7th, 2023

Air conditioning is all over the news these days. It’s not by accident either, there are record-breaking heatwaves happening all over the country–and we’re still barely in August.

This means that you’re likely getting inundated with advertisements about central air conditioners, heat pumps, ductless systems, and more. But why can’t you just rely on your old window air conditioner?

Well, you can, but it’s not going to be as reliable as a more robust system. Window AC units are not as powerful, efficient, or as convenient as central air conditioners.

In fact, central air conditioners are almost better in every single way, and window units are only better in very specific situations (like small apartments and tiny homes).

We’d like to talk about all of the ways a central AC upgrade in Cedar Rapids, IA is going to be a great decision, and when it might not be.

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Big Tips: Saving Money During a Heatwave

Monday, July 31st, 2023

You’ve probably seen the news over the past few days or weeks. Half of the country is encountering record-breaking heat and, in some cases, extreme weather warning. This is causing some serious strain on the power grid as everyone begins running their air conditioners throughout the days and nights.

There’s no escaping this heat if you live where we do. Air conditioning in Cedar Rapids, IA is necessary at this point, and while we’ve just made it to August, there’s likely a lot more heat to come.

So, how can you get through a heatwave and record-breaking temperatures without breaking the bank? We’ll go over some tested tips and best practices that can help you tremendously over the next few weeks–and some of these tips are free!

Just be sure to call a team of professionals if you encounter any problems, from blown-out compressors to ice forming on your coil. We can be the technicians to help you.

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How Do I Read My Electrical Panel?

Monday, July 3rd, 2023

This is a great question and one that we get from many different customers. Some electrical panels are poorly labeled and homeowners are practically searching in the dark for the right switch for a circuit. Other homeowners might have strange numbers or symbols on their electrical panel that can correspond to different types of industry jargon.

As your local electrical experts, we’d like to do a deep dive on reading your electrical panel. The more you know about how it operates and how it should be correctly labeled, the better off you’ll be when something goes wrong or when you’re diagnosing a problem.

Remember, knowing this kind of information does not replace professional electrical panel service in Cedar Rapids, IA. In fact, customers can seriously injure themselves or ruin electrical components of their home if they’re not careful. This guide is meant to inform you so you can better know when a pro is needed, or if you just need to flip a switch.

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5 Common DIY AC Repair Mistakes

Monday, June 26th, 2023

We’d like to start this blog post with a handy PSA: Air conditioning repair should never be done DIY. It’s not like other repairs where you can try your hand at a few fixes yourself. An AC is complex and usually covered by a dealer’s or manufacturer’s warranty that can be immediately voided if you’re not careful.

That being said, we’d like to talk about the other main reason why we advise homeowners to steer clear of DIY AC repair in Cedar Rapids, IA. We’re talking about mistakes.

It’s incredibly easy to mess something up, break something, or even forget something when you try to fix your AC yourself. And since these systems are large, expensive, and extremely complicated, that chance is very likely and can lead to some unintended results.

From broken parts to a completely botched unit, we’re going to highlight some of the most common mistakes we see when customers try to fix their AC units themselves.

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Will a Geothermal System Help Me Save Money?

Monday, June 19th, 2023

Yes, it absolutely will. But not in the ways you would expect.

Geothermal HVAC systems are becoming more and more popular these days. With the advent of heat pump technology and legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act, the spotlight is beginning to fall on the most eco-friendly comfort systems we have available. And geothermal systems belong squarely in that category.

Geothermal heating and cooling in Cedar Rapids, IA isn’t as complicated as one might think. It uses the consistent temperature underground as a heat source to keep your home comfortable all year long. It uses heat pumps which are extremely efficient and refrigerant lines that go deep underneath your home to draw out the mild heat that keeps temperatures comfy.

A geothermal system will cost more to install upfront, but it will save you money for years to come in a lot of interesting ways.

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Water Efficiency in the Bathroom, Kitchen, and Outdoors

Monday, June 5th, 2023

Plumbing is one of those topics that affects our lives in more ways than we think. Since the dawn of the 21st century, we’ve depended on plumbing appliances to help us get rid of wastewater, clean our clothes and homes, and even to wash dishes. This means that customers need to be more vigilant than ever about their home efficiency and how it relates to their plumbing.

For instance, old our outdated plumbing appliances can use a lot more water than they’re supposed to. An old washing machine will use 2-3 times more water than a new, high-efficiency one, which means you end up paying more over time. It’s upgrades like these, and more help from our team, that can help you improve your water efficiency in the bathroom and kitchen.

So, let’s talk about a few tried and tested solutions that can reduce your home’s waste while keeping you more comfortable.

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3 Great Ways to Save Water

Monday, May 29th, 2023

It can be easy to think that we have access to an unlimited supply of water. After all, over 70% of the surface of our planet is covered in water, so it’s not like we’re in need of it, right?

Well, that water is salt water, which makes it hard to filter. And even so, freshwater must be pumped or piped to your home either with the use of an electrical device or the help of your local municipality. This means that it’s not free, and the water that gets used by your home has a cost.

Water is relatively cheap where we live, but things like plumbing leaks in Cedar Rapids and broken appliances can cause our bills to go up. And, wasting water can also be bad for the environment, as we’re seeing more record-breaking droughts and periods without rain. The more you can do with a smaller amount of water, the better off you’ll be!

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