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

Sounds You Should Never Hear Your Furnace Making

November 22nd, 2021

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!

Higher Natural Gas Market Prices Expected in the Cedar Falls Area

November 15th, 2021

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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.

What’s the Best Method for Preventing Furnace Repairs?

November 8th, 2021

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.

Is It Time for a Water Heater Upgrade?

November 8th, 2021

Taking a nice, cold shower after a heavy workout or at the end of a long, hot day is nice. But getting assaulted by icy water hitting you when you were expecting a hot shower is not so nice.

This is clearly a sign that something is amiss, and it’s likely a problem with your water heater. In some cases, repairs will do, but eventually, you’re going to need a water heater replacement.

There are other signs that this might be the case in addition to a surprising cold shower. We’ve uncovered some of these signs below. If you notice any of them, please don’t hesitate to give us a call to talk about your water heater options.

How to Prevent Frozen and Burst Pipes This Year

October 25th, 2021

If you’ve lived in Idaho for even just a year, then you know we’ve had some pretty cold winters! And when winter comes along, you’re likely pretty consumed with staying warm in your home.

But, are you ensuring that all areas of your home are staying warm? Specifically, have you given much thought to your plumbing system?

When temperatures dip below freezing, the water in your pipes–especially exposed pipes–is likely to freeze as well, without proper precautions. The problem isn’t so much the freezing, but what happens as the pipes thaw… it creates a negative pressure that eventually leads to the pipes bursting.

The good news is, this damage can be prevented! Read on to learn how to avoid your pipes falling victim to cold weather this year.

One Furnace Hazard You Want to be Sure to Avoid

October 25th, 2021

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.

5 Signs Your Electrical Panel is Ready to Be Replaced

October 11th, 2021

Imagine if all the electricity in your home went directly to your refrigerator. You probably wouldn’t have a refrigerator for very long. Thankfully, modern homes have electrical panels to manage and distribute our supply of electricity.

As you can guess, the electrical panel is a highly important system–it helps us run our homes and protects our appliances’ well-being. This makes it even more important to be on the alert for when your electrical panel is on its last leg.

Having an electrical panel that needs to be replaced can sometimes be tricky to diagnose. We are here to help. Let’s look at some of the warning signs you might be seeing so you can figure out if they are alerting you to an electric panel that needs to be upgraded.

Safety Tips to Consider with Your Electric Furnace Installation

October 11th, 2021

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.

Does Your Generator Need Service?

September 27th, 2021

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When a storm rolls through town or high winds take out a power line, it can be a stressful situation. After all, you don’t want to be without power for an extended period of time. However, if you are the proud owner of a whole-home generator though you won’t have to worry about being without power anytime soon.

These systems are able to provide several hours and even days-worth of power for your home should something cut off the energy provided by the city.

With all that said, a generator in need of repairs won’t be able to provide the quality of service that you’d usually expect. It is vital to get generator repair in Cedar Rapids as soon as you notice a problem. The team at Dalton Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electric and Fireplaces, Inc. is here to help ensure your generator is as reliable as it is meant to be. We can start by letting you know what the warning signs are of a problem with your generator.

Why Fall Is No Time to Forget Your Air Conditioner

September 27th, 2021

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The official end of summer is upon us, and very soon it will be time to start thinking about your heating system–in fact, it’s not too early to schedule heating maintenance if you haven’t done so already!

But you’re probably still using your air conditioner pretty consistently in the meantime, and the last thing you need right now is a huge repair need or a sudden breakdown!

We have good news! Most AC repair needs show symptoms or signs well before the system breaks down. So, if you do notice any of the signs we’re about to share, it’d be wise to give us a call ASAP. This way you can rely on your system not only for the rest of whatever hot weather comes our way, but also when temperatures warm up again next spring.

Remember, it’s important that you not try to diagnose, and especially not try to do your own repairs on, an air conditioner problem. However, you can definitely pay attention to see if you notice any of the following symptoms or anything that we didn’t mention below but seems out of character for your AC system, such as strange noises.