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

Dalton’s Guide to Radiant Heating

Monday, November 21st, 2022
radiant-heating-tubes

Winter is really just right around the corner in Cedar Rapids and with it comes cooler temperatures and an increased emphasis on heating. We all need reliable heaters to get us through the cold months of winter, but for whatever reason, more traditional boilers and forced-air furnaces may not be right for you.

If you’re ready to replace an old heater or simply install a new one, you might consider a radiant heating system. The installation cost tends to be higher than more traditional heating systems, but there are substantial benefits that go along with it.

What is radiant heating? We’ve spelled out a few quick answers below.

Continue Reading

Tags: , ,
Posted in Cedar Rapids Blog, Heating | Comments Off on Dalton’s Guide to Radiant Heating

Is a Ductless Heater Right For Your Home?

Monday, November 7th, 2022
ductless-air-handler

If you are shopping for a new heating system this time of the year, chances are that you’re in a bit of a rush to find one. We really want to discourage you from rushing into this decision though, since doing so could leave you with a system that isn’t well matched to your specific home or needs. Choosing the right heater can seem like an overwhelming task, but we are here to help! It’s important that you consult with a professional as it’s the only way you can make an informed decision about what’s best for your needs. And a ductless heating system, otherwise known as a ductless mini-split, might be the answer!

Ductless systems are great for keeping homes not only warm in the wintertime but also cool in the summer. They operate on heat pump technology and serve as more efficient heaters than electric furnaces. Read on to learn more and to get help deciding if this would be the right choice for your household.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Cedar Falls Blog, Heating | Comments Off on Is a Ductless Heater Right For Your Home?

Don’t Let These Ominous Furnace Noises Spook You!

Monday, October 31st, 2022
woman-holding-hand-to-ear-on-yellow-background

It may be Halloween today, but that doesn’t mean your home should do anything to frighten you! Unfortunately, furnace problems can be quite scary, especially as the weather starts to cool down and we move into the seasons where we need our heaters the most.

If you have a malfunctioning heating system, you could find yourself with mounting repair needs, higher than necessary heating costs, and potentially even a broken-down furnace system. We can’t stress enough why it’s so important to have professional maintenance done, since this enables our technicians to comprehensively inspect, clean, and adjust the system.

It’s not too late to schedule maintenance, either! That is unless your system has already broken down completely and is beyond repair. Even with maintenance, however, it’s vital that you know what to look for when it comes to determining if your heating system is in disrepair. For instance, if your furnace makes any of the following noises, it’s time to call in a pro.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Cedar Rapids Blog, Heating | Comments Off on Don’t Let These Ominous Furnace Noises Spook You!

Common Furnace Problems To Be Aware Of

Monday, October 10th, 2022
technician-working-on-furnace

It may still be warm enough to use our air conditioners during the day, but the colder days are right around the corner, and soon enough you’ll be running your furnace pretty consistently. So, it’s important to ensure that yours is in great shape. The last thing you need in the middle of winter is a sudden furnace breakdown.

Of course, the best way to prevent furnace problems is with professional maintenance. Maintenance tune-ups allow our technicians to comprehensively inspect, clean, and adjust components that need it, making sure that your furnace works as effectively and efficiently as possible, for as long as possible.

The other way to prevent furnace problems is to understand the following signs of small problems and give us a call for furnace repairs before those small problems turn into catastrophes.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Cedar Rapids Blog, Heating | Comments Off on Common Furnace Problems To Be Aware Of

“Which Home Heating System Is Right for Me?”

Monday, October 3rd, 2022
technician-working-on-furnace

One of the most commonly asked questions we get when it comes to installing a new heating system is “Which one is best for me?” There are so many options on the market today that it can seem pretty overwhelming to make choice, but we’re here to help! It first helps to choose what kind of heat you want.

What?! you might be wondering at this point… bear with us!

There are two main types of heating systems when you think about it… a forced-air system such as a furnace or heat pump, or a radiant heater such as a boiler or in-floor system. Each of these system types has its benefits, and finding the best one for your specific home and needs depends on a number of factors, which we can help you with. Read on to learn about the key differences!

Continue Reading

Tags: , ,
Posted in Cedar Rapids Blog, Heating | Comments Off on “Which Home Heating System Is Right for Me?”

Is an Electric Ignition Better Than a Pilot Light in a Gas Furnace?

Monday, February 28th, 2022
jets-of-a-gas-furnace

Have you had the same furnace in your home for many years? If so, then you’re probably used to furnaces having pilot lights. If you’re planning on having a new furnace installed soon, however, it probably isn’t going to use a pilot light at all! Instead, it’s likely going to have an electronic ignition system that ignites the burners. In fact, it’s pretty rare today that manufacturers still make furnaces with pilot lights at all.

Why? We explore this below… read on!

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Cedar Falls Blog, Heating | Comments Off on Is an Electric Ignition Better Than a Pilot Light in a Gas Furnace?

How Long Does a Furnace Last in Iowa?

Monday, February 7th, 2022
technician-working-on-furnace

Everybody knows that it gets considerably colder in most of Iowa during the winter than it does in other parts of the country. Take Southern California, for instance, or central Arizona. They truly have no concept of what “cold” really is.

Therefore, furnaces must last a lot longer there, right? You probably have to replace yours a lot sooner than your Aunt in Phoenix has to upgrade hers. Well, it might please you to know, that this isn’t necessarily true.

When we talk about “how long a furnace lasts,” we are referring to its useful service life. A furnace might operate for decades, but whether it actually keeps you as warm as you expect, as affordably as you’d expect, is a whole different story. No matter where you live, routine professional maintenance will give a furnace about 10-15 years of useful service life.

Read on as we tell you more about furnaces, and when you’re ready for your next heating installation, please don’t hesitate to give our team a call!

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Cedar Rapids Blog, Heating | Comments Off on How Long Does a Furnace Last in Iowa?

Furnace Symptoms You Don’t Want to Ignore

Monday, January 17th, 2022
checklist-with-red-marker

The last thing we want any of our customers to do is sit around worried that their heating system is going to break down at any given moment. However, unless that system has never had professional maintenance done, this is unlikely to happen. It’s also a great idea for homeowners to know the signs of a system that’s in disrepair.

What are those signs? We’re here to share them!

First off, we want to mention maintenance again–we really cannot understate the importance of this service. Whether it’s a gas-powered furnace or an electric heater, professional tune-ups are the single most important thing folks can do to keep their systems working as efficiently, and effectively, as possible, for as long as possible. Maintenance can also help prevent up to 85% of the repair needs a system may ever need in its lifespan!

This doesn’t mean that well-maintained heaters will never need repairs, of course–there is that other 15% after all. These repair needs usually crop up due to natural wear and tear, and in rare cases due to manufacturer defects. Read on to learn what the signs are of a furnace in disrepair!

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Cedar Rapids Blog, Heating | Comments Off on Furnace Symptoms You Don’t Want to Ignore

Sounds You Should Never Hear Your Furnace Making

Monday, November 22nd, 2021
woman-holding-hand-to-ear-to-listen

Sometimes it can be easy for homeowners to ignore some of the sounds that the systems and appliances in their homes make–especially if those systems and appliances seem to be running just fine despite the noise. 

It can be tempting, too, to deny that anything is even wrong, since oftentimes repairs are costly and time-consuming. However, there are simply some sounds that should never be ignored, especially when it comes to your furnace! 

These noises include screeching, clanging, banging or “booming,” and rattling. Read on as we uncover what may be going wrong with your furnace when you hear these sounds! 

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Cedar Rapids Blog, Heating | Comments Off on Sounds You Should Never Hear Your Furnace Making

Higher Natural Gas Market Prices Expected in the Cedar Falls Area

Monday, November 15th, 2021
money-and-green-house-on-seesaw-animation

Cedar Falls Utilities recently alerted customers that natural gas market prices are expected to increase, impacting utility bills during the upcoming heating season. These prices have more than doubled from this same time last year, which has increased the cost for utilities throughout the country to purchase natural gas that is provided to customers.

The good news is that Cedar Falls Utilities has agreements in place that shield customers as much as possible from price volatility, working with their gas supplier to stabilize daily and monthly gas prices.

But what does this all mean for you, our customers? You certainly aren’t going to go without using your heater over the coming months, right?

Read on as we uncover some ways you can use your gas-powered heating system, and water heater, more efficiently and potentially mitigate too much of a financial loss from these rising utility costs.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Cedar Falls Blog, Heating | Comments Off on Higher Natural Gas Market Prices Expected in the Cedar Falls Area