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.

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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 Follow along to learn about the new SEER2 regulations and what that means for your old or outdated air conditioner.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New SEER2 changes mean older and outdated air conditioners are no longer as valuable and efficient as they used to be.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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Plumbing Emergencies 101: Do You Need Immediate Help?

August 19th, 2024

Any plumbing issue can feel like an emergency in the moment, and we’d argue that no matter what you should call for help. Our team has expert plumbers on call who can provide relief whenever you need it, even if the situation is not an emergency.

But we get it, if you’ve got plans or a busy day, you don’t necessarily want to ruin everything just because of a pesky leak or a drain clog. In that case, we’ve decided to give you some tips on how to determine if your plumbing issue is an emergency or not.

Keep in mind–plumbing problems still should be repaired, even when they’re not emergencies. But we’ll describe why certain issues are emergencies and why others aren’t. Just make sure you schedule plumbing in Cedar Rapids with our team of master and journeyman plumbers.

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The Long-Term Care of a Maintenance Visit

August 12th, 2024

We talk a lot about air conditioning maintenance on this blog–and for good reason! It’s a vital service that we provide for customers who are interested in extending the lifespans of their air conditioning technology. But maintenance is not just a simple service that does one thing.

The effects of AC maintenance in Cedar Rapids, IA extend broadly through multiple areas in your home, from air quality to your budget.

Simply put, a well-maintained air conditioner can make your life easier in a whole host of ways. This is considered long-term care for your AC unit, and you’ll feel the benefits for years (sometimes even decades) to come.

Let’s talk about some of the best ways that a maintenance appointment can impact your home comfort, and why AC maintenance is considered a powerful long-term solution.

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3 Upgrades Your Wiring System May Need

August 12th, 2024

It’s important to keep your home’s wiring system in top shape to keep with a safe and efficient electrical setup. When you upgrade your wiring, it can help prevent issues and makes sure your home’s electrical system runs smoothly.

At Dalton Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electric and Fireplaces, Inc., we know how important it is to keep your electrical system up-to-date. We are here to assist with expert wiring installation in Evansdale. Here are three key upgrades your wiring system might need.

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Covert Vs. Overt Problems in Air Conditioners

August 5th, 2024

There are many synonyms for these words, covert and overt. For overt, you can think of words like obvious, simple, and clear. And for covert, you probably assume this means something like hidden or indirect. This is true about air conditioner problems and how they can be split into categories like these.

The tricky thing with AC repair in Cedar Rapids, IA is that many customers think the overt problems they detect initially are all of the problems they’re dealing with. But in reality, that’s far from the case. Overt problems just constitute what you can easily see, smell, or hear. Covert problems can still have a huge impact on the condition of your air conditioner and your home comfort, but they can be hidden in plain sight.

So, let’s talk about a few examples of covert and overt AC problems, and how you can be more prepared for them.

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