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

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.

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.