Can I Do My Own Drain Cleaning?

February 21st, 2022
drain

When it comes to making home improvements, there are many, many things that you can do on your own, or at least with minimal help from a handyman.

Perhaps you think that drain cleaning is one of those things. After all, you can just grab a bottle of chemical drain cleaning solution from the store and call it a day, right?

Well, not quite–and we’ll talk about that more below.

But the truth is, if you want to not only relieve your clogged drain but prevent your plumbing system from having the same problem again soon, then you want to have professional plumbing done. Read on as we uncover signs of a clogged drain, the common things that cause it, and why you shouldn’t use chemicals to unclog your drain.

Continue Reading

How to Ensure Your Furnace Lasts Through the Rest of Winter

February 14th, 2022
Woman relaxing with a warm drink in a cozy room, enjoying heat from recent furnace installation.

Winter is definitely still plugging along, and we will all need our furnaces for several weeks still. So, what kind of shape is yours in? Is it ready to get you through the rest of winter? If you had it professionally maintained this past fall, and took care of any pending repair needs at this time, then you can probably say with confidence that yes, your furnace is going to make it through just fine. But if you’re unsure about its condition, check how AFUE ratings impact efficiency and what that means for your heating system.

But what if you skipped maintenance, have an aging furnace, or simply don’t know the signs that you might need repairs on your furnace? Use our guide to furnace issues to better understand the red flags and get ahead of potential breakdowns.

What steps should you take when planning furnace installation or replacement service?

When planning furnace installation or replacement service, choose a properly sized, high-efficiency unit that matches your home’s layout and ductwork. Schedule the service before peak season, ensure old equipment is safely removed, and follow up with regular maintenance to extend the life of your new system.

Well, that’s what we are here for! We want to help you ensure that your furnace will, indeed, last through the rest of the heating season. One of the best ways to do this is by staying on top of repair needs, even though you might stop using your furnace as much in a few weeks. Read on as we uncover the signs that it’s time for you to call for this service.

Furnace Repair vs. Replacement: What’s Best Mid-Winter?

  • If your furnace is over 15‑20 years old and technology improvements mean newer models are much more efficient.
  • When repair costs exceed about half the cost of a new unit.
  • If you frequently need repairs for major components (heat exchanger, blower motor, etc.).
  • When your utility bills are rising sharply despite regular maintenance.
  • If your existing furnace can’t maintain comfortable temperatures even after tune‑ups and repairs.

Continue Reading

What Are the Benefits of an Air Purifier?

February 14th, 2022
woman-looking-comfortable-on-her-couch

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.

Continue Reading

How Long Does a Furnace Last in Iowa?

February 7th, 2022
technician-working-on-furnace

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!

Continue Reading

Signs You May Need Fireplace Repair

January 17th, 2022
woman-and-child-by-fireplace-reading

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!

Continue Reading

Furnace Symptoms You Don’t Want to Ignore

January 17th, 2022
Red marker checking off boxes on a checklist, symbolizing steps in a heater replacement process.

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! If repairs are becoming frequent, it’s worth evaluating which home heating system is right for you and whether your current unit is past its prime.

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!

Continue Reading

Busting a Common Heat Pump Myth

January 3rd, 2022
insulated-refrigerant-line

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!

Continue Reading

Is Your Home Asking for an Electrical Panel Upgrade?

January 3rd, 2022
electrician-hands-working-on-wiring

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:

Continue Reading

The Danger of a Cracked Heat Exchanger

December 20th, 2021
furnace-burners

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.

Continue Reading

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.

Continue Reading