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

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

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

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

What’s the Best Method for Preventing Furnace Repairs?

Monday, November 8th, 2021
technician-working-on-furnace

With temperatures already dipping below freezing, we hope that you’ve given some thought to the condition of your furnace. After all, you’re using it on a regular basis and need it to work reliably, efficiently, and effectively. 

The last thing you need is to be dealing with a last-minute repair need in the dead of winter when you need the system the most. But, can this really be avoided? 

Yes, it can! The best method for preventing furnace repairs–well, the majority of them, anyhow–is to schedule annual maintenance for your furnace from a professional. Read on as we uncover just why this service is so important. 

Continue Reading

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.

Continue Reading

Safety Tips to Consider with Your Electric Furnace Installation

Monday, October 11th, 2021
checklist-with-red-marker

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.

Continue Reading

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.

Continue Reading

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

Monday, March 15th, 2021

three-natural-gas-burners-inside-furnaceThis is a question you might not have ever asked yourself. Perhaps you weren’t even aware this was an option. However, if you have an aging gas furnace, it’s something for you to consider as you explore your options for replacement.

Note, that we are not talking about an electric furnace. While there are certainly benefits to having an electric furnace installed, and we’re happy to answer any questions you might have about such installation, what we are discussing here is an electric ignition system within your gas furnace.

Continue Reading

Will Your Heater Make It Through the Rest of Winter?

Monday, February 15th, 2021

woman-in-parka-huddled-on-couch-drinking-of-of-mugWintertime temps are still here for a while—in fact if you believe in Groundhog Day predictions, it’s here for about four more weeks, at least! This means your heating system has some time before you shut if off for the season. So if you have repair needs, you should definitely take care of them sooner rather than later.

We understand how tempting it is to put off end-of-season heating repair needs. After all, can’t you just wait until you need the system again next fall?

You could, but if it’s a problem also impacting your air conditioner, you’ll find yourself in trouble later this spring. And if it’s a big enough problem, you might have a completely broken down heater by the time you go to turn it on next fall.

But how do you know you even have heater repair needs? Read on as we uncover some of the most common warning signs, and if you discover any of them, give us a call.

Continue Reading

Does My Heat Pump Have a Refrigerant Leak?

Monday, December 21st, 2020

white-question-mark-on-blue-backgroundHeat pumps are a great HVAC option for many homes, for a number of reasons! The ability to efficiently heat and cool your living space if of course a great benefit, plus heat pumps save space and money. Something to remember though is that since a heat pump does double the work of a standard air conditioner or furnace, it needs double the care!

This means ensuring that you have maintenance scheduled for the unit twice a year—once in the fall and once in the spring before you need the system the most. This will ensure it operates as effectively and efficiently as possible, for as long as possible. It also ensures that we can check on all the different components of your system to make sure they’re operating as they should. This includes the refrigerant line!

Heat pumps are different from standard air conditioners, or from furnaces that don’t use refrigerant. They use refrigerant in their cooling process during the summer, but unlike standard AC systems, the process is reversed in the winter to provide you with heat. So, refrigerant is pretty important! But what if your system is losing some?

Continue Reading