Cedar Falls, IA Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning Blog | Dalton Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, Inc.

What Are the Benefits of an Air Purifier?

February 14th, 2022

Did you know that your indoor air quality can actually be worse than the quality of the air outdoors? At least, this is the case if you don’t have the right indoor air quality products and services in place!

When folks hear “indoor air quality” they tend to think of their air conditioners and heaters–in other words, the temperature of their home. But air quality is about so much more than just temperature. It considers the humidity levels of the home, if there are contaminants present, and even how easily viruses can be transmitted.

The right mix of indoor air quality solutions, expertly installed by our team of professionals, will help ensure your home is as comfortable and as healthy as possible for the years to come. One such option is an air purifier, and there are many different types! The benefits of using an air purifier include cleaner, more breathable air, and reducing the risk of virus transmission.

How Long Does a Furnace Last in Iowa?

February 7th, 2022

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!

Signs You May Need Fireplace Repair

January 17th, 2022

Now is the time of year that homeowners all throughout Cedar Falls and beyond are starting to use their fireplaces on a more regular basis. This means that you want to make sure yours is in good shape! And while there might be a little rustic charm to an older fireplace, if your fireplace is literally falling apart due to old age combined with wear and tear, then something needs to be done about it.

Fortunately, to resolve this you don’t need to do much more than contact our team for quality and reliable fireplace repair! But, how do you know this service is even necessary? Read on to find out!

Furnace Symptoms You Don’t Want to Ignore

January 17th, 2022

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!

Busting a Common Heat Pump Myth

January 3rd, 2022

Heat pumps operate much like central air conditioners in that they have a refrigerant process that transfers heat. While other heaters generate heat, the refrigerant process makes a heat pump much more efficient as a heat source.

However, there is one myth that homeowners commonly believe that could be costing you more money than necessary if you believe it too. What is that myth?

That refrigerant needs to be refilled–what those of us in the industry call recharged–on a regular basis. This just isn’t true! Your heat pump is supplied with enough refrigerant during manufacturing to last its entire lifespan, and if your system is losing refrigerant, it means there is a leak. Read on to learn more about this problem!

Is Your Home Asking for an Electrical Panel Upgrade?

January 3rd, 2022

Your home’s electrical system simply could not function without this very important component–the electrical panel. Of course, you might still have a fuse box instead, so your electrical system may still be functioning–but not as safely as possible (more on that below!)

The electrical panel serves as the “central station” for all the voltage coming through your wiring that gets separated into different circuits. Breaker switches in the panel help protect the electrical system from electric shorts in your home.

The thing is, no electrical panel will last forever–this is especially true with the increasing demands that homeowners put on their electric systems these days. The panels wear down as electrical demands in a house grow, and it’s not a great combination. Read on as we uncover some signs that your home is basically asking for an electrical panel upgrade:

The Danger of a Cracked Heat Exchanger

December 20th, 2021

If you’re like many homeowners in our area, you are likely using a gas-powered furnace in your living space. This is, after all, the most commonly found heating system in homes throughout the country, and the Cedar Falls area is no exception.

Furnace use is cost-efficient, and using a furnace is a fantastic option for many homeowners. However, while they are not inherently dangerous, when you use an appliance with natural gas in your home, there is always the slightest risk of toxic gas leaks or combustion problems. The main concern in preventing this when it comes to your gas heater is protecting the heat exchanger.

A cracked heat exchanger should always be taken seriously. If you suspect you might have a cracked heat exchanger or if you have an older furnace that hasn’t had maintenance in the last year, then please give us a call right away! Otherwise, read on to learn more about this component and the harm of a damaged one.

Why Heating Maintenance Is Essential

December 20th, 2021

Winter is just around the corner, and when it hits you know just how fast the temperatures can take a turn. As you know, it’s already pretty darn chilly around here! So if you haven’t done so already, now is the perfect time to schedule heating maintenance, and this is a service you absolutely need to invest in.

Of course, you may be wondering if it’s really worth it. We wholeheartedly believe that it is. It’s important for your comfort, first off, as well as your home energy efficiency and utility bills, and even your safety. That’s not to say your heater is inherently dangerous, but not properly caring for a heater–especially a gas-powered system–could potentially lead to a dangerous scenario.

How to Boost Furnace Efficiency

December 6th, 2021

One of the greatest things about modern furnaces is that they are highly efficient! Homeowners across the country are choosing gas-powered furnaces as their main source of heat during the winter, and Cedar Falls residents are no exception. Today’s furnaces can have as high as a 95% AFUE rating, heating your home at a fraction of the cost and energy consumption as furnaces of the past.

That said, you could still use your furnace inefficiently, however unintentional that might be. If you’re going to invest the money in a high-efficiency furnace, then you deserve to get the most out of it for your money, right? Read on as we share some tips on how you can use your furnace even more efficiently than you already may be.

This Season, Don’t Overload Your Electrical System with Holiday Lights!

December 6th, 2021

Tis’ the season for festive holiday decorations! Perhaps you’ve already noticed that some homes in your area have adorned their houses with a few strings of lights, or maybe even really complex, professional holiday light displays aimed to win home decorating contests.

Putting up holiday lights outside your home is a really fun way to make your household and even your street look super festive. Colorful and playful lighting is also fun to see on snowy evenings. But, it’s important that you keep in mind, no matter how many or how few holiday lights you plan to put up around your home to brighten the season, you want to take proper safety precautions to prevent issues like shorting out your electrical system, accidentally triggering an electrical fire, or perhaps even causing a tripping hazard with loose wires around.

Read on for some tips on holiday light safety, and why you shouldn’t overload your electrical system with these lights.