Silent Signs Your Generator Needs Repair

October 7th, 2024

Generators play a big role in keeping our homes powered during outages. When storms hit or the power goes out, you want your generator to work seamlessly. But what happens when it starts to show signs of trouble? This blog will highlight some silent signs your generator needs repair. If you’re looking for generator repair in Waverly, IA, we’re here to help.

Continue Reading

Diagnosing an Electrical Issue in Your Furnace

September 30th, 2024

Did you know that a gas furnace relies on electrical components too? Unless you’ve got a very old and outdated system (we’re talking older than 20 years, and at that point it needs to be replaced ASAP), your furnace relies on some electrical switches, an electrical connector to the thermostat, sensors, and electrical ignition. Depending on how complex your specific model is, it might have more electrical parts like lights.

One thing is for certain, when your furnace runs into a problem, it needs to be fixed. We can help you try and figure out what might be going wrong with your furnace, especially if it’s an electrical issue. But we can’t help you fix it–that’s dangerous and could lead to some serious problems. Furnace repair in Coralville, IA should always be done by a licensed professional.

So, keep reading to learn more about electrical concerns in a gas furnace, but call our team if you suspect a problem.

Continue Reading

How Does a Plumber Detect a Water Leak?

September 23rd, 2024

Moisture can infiltrate your home in many different ways, and we’d argue that it’s one of the most insidious problems you can have. Long-term exposure to moisture can cause severe damage to practically every material that constructs your home, and it can also cause mold to grow. All of these problems are not only safety risks for you and your family, but they’re extremely expensive to fix when the damage is done.

That’s why water leak detection in Cedar Rapids, IA is one of the most powerful tools at your disposal. If you can detect a water leak before it deals damage to your home, then you can mitigate the worst effects and affordably fix the problem. Especially when you have a master plumber on hand like the ones on our team, we can address the problem right the and there.

So, how does professional water leak detection work, and why is it worth the money? That’s what we’re here to find out!

Continue Reading

Is Your Furnace Struggling to Heat?

September 23rd, 2024

Winter is on its way, and that means you need a working gas furnace in Cedar Falls, IA. When your furnace starts to struggle, it can make your home uncomfortable and lead to higher energy bills. Understanding the signs of a struggling furnace is key to keeping your home warm and cozy. Let’s dive into some common furnace problems and what you can do about them.

Continue Reading

The Last AC Blog of the Season: Reminder to Get Annual AC Maintenance!

September 16th, 2024

When was the last time you scheduled an AC tune-up in Cedar Rapids? If you can’t remember, it’s time to think about annual maintenance. Air conditioning systems work hard during the summer season, and regular service keeps them running smoothly. At Dalton, we believe in providing dependable, high-quality service at reasonable prices. Here’s why it’s never too late to schedule your end-of-season maintenance visit before the cold strikes.

Continue Reading

Why the SEER2 Rating Really Matters: A Mathematical Breakdown

September 9th, 2024

In January of 2023, the HVAC industry changed with new standards and ways to measure efficiency. The SEER measurement was essentially upgraded to SEER2 which made it so that the standards were quickly raised for what constituted an energy-efficient air conditioner.

If this is the first time you’ve heard about the SEER2 regulations, don’t be alarmed. Many people are far too busy to be up to date on the ins and outs of the HVAC industry, let alone why these decisions are made. But that’s what we’re here for!

Air conditioning in Cedar Rapids, IA can be complicated, but we hope to make things a bit easier for our customers. Follow along to learn about the new SEER2 regulations and what that means for your old or outdated air conditioner.

The Decision to Replace

New SEER2 changes mean older and outdated air conditioners are no longer as valuable and efficient as they used to be. This is a big deal because it means that a system that’s been working dutifully for 10-15 years in your home might now be the perfect target for a replacement.

We know that replacements are expensive, and if the system works, the new regulations don’t affect you yet. But if the unit is running inefficiently, you could be wasting money month after month while the system is on borrowed time. It can’t last forever, and it will eventually break down entirely, which means you might be better off getting it replaced now.

And the good news is that with new SEER2 guidelines, the choice to replace it is much easier to make with so many highly efficient and powerful systems on the market.

How Efficient Is a New SEER2 System?

The minimum standard for air conditioning systems in the SEER2 system is 13.4 in our area, which signifies the lowest efficiency level an AC can be. If you have an older air conditioner, you could be getting efficiency levels that are even lower than this.

If you replace this system with a newer, higher SEER2 value system, you might be getting some serious savings. Here’s an example.

An Upgrade

Newer AC models can have SEER2 ratings anywhere between 13.4 and 21. Let’s say you splurge on a new AC system with a SEER rating of 19, and your old system is running at 13-14. This is around a 25% increase in efficiency, which could mean saving a quarter of your recurring energy bill or more every month.

As an example, if you’re spending $100 a month on energy for your AC, a highly efficient AC with 19 SEER2 compared to 13-14 would turn that into $75 every month. You could save this much money every single month, and with routine maintenance, you’d get this return for the next decade or more!

Want to know more about the returns you might get with a new, high-efficiency AC upgrade? Talk with our team of experts to do the math and see the incentives for improving your home efficiency.

At Dalton Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electric and Fireplaces, Inc., your comfort is our promise! To set up an appointment in the Cedar Rapids area, give us a call at the number above, email customerservice@daltonphc.com or schedule an appointment online. 

Continue Reading

Safeguard Your Home: Gas Piping Maintenance Essentials

September 9th, 2024

Gas piping is a vital part of your home, powering everything from your heating system to your kitchen appliances. Regular maintenance is key to keeping your system safe and working efficiently. At Dalton, our certified professionals offer a range of gas line services, including maintenance, repairs, and installations. If you need help with gas piping in Waterloo, we have three service options, so you can choose what works best for your needs and budget.

Continue Reading

HVAC Scams to Steer Clear From: A Guide

September 2nd, 2024

HVAC work can seem complicated. There are many expensive components of an air conditioning system, and depending on how large or intricate the system is, even a slight repair could be a hundred dollars when performed by a talented HVAC technician.

But this should never be a good reason to go with something that sounds too good to be true. Scams are all over the place in the 21st-century HVAC industry, from unlicensed and uninsured technicians to pricing structures that make no real-world sense. Without a PSA from your local HVAC team, it could be hard to differentiate what’s a legitimate purchase and what’s more likely a scam.

Well, we’re here to provide tips on differentiating between scams and good AC repair in Cedar Rapids, IA. Just make sure you keep this information handy and schedule repairs with a team you can trust.

Continue Reading

Flushing Your Water Heater: A Great Idea for Professional Maintenance

August 26th, 2024

Our water heaters work very hard. Think about it, when was the last day you can remember that you didn’t need hot water from that system? It was probably the last time you were on vacation or even out of the house for a day, and it still probably kept water hot just in case you came back home.

These systems work tirelessly, and whether you’ve got a gas water heater or an electric one, you owe it to this reliable unit to get it maintained every once in a while. And yes, maintenance usually also involves the flushing of the system.

But why is water heater maintenance so important? For details we’ll get into down below, maintenance helps to reduce water heater repairs in Cedar Rapids such as leaks, sediment build-up, and corrosion. Let’s talk about scheduling this powerful service and avoiding some worst-case scenarios.

Continue Reading

How Does AC Repair Combat Rising Humidity?

August 26th, 2024

Rising humidity can make your home feel sticky and uncomfortable. But did you know that your air conditioner plays a big role in controlling that humidity? Here’s how expert AC repair in Waverly can help manage rising humidity and keep your indoor air comfortable.

Continue Reading