Ductless cooling systems eschew the traditional centralized model for cooling your home. Most air conditioners have just a single large unit that generates the cool air, then distributes it through your home using a series of ducts. Ductless systems, as the name implies, eschew that model in favor of something more diffuse. A group of smaller units is placed in each room or section of your house, charged with cooling that section only. The benefits are self-apparent: you can set different temperatures in different rooms for greater individual control and turn off the air in rooms you aren’t using (cutting down on monthly energy bills in the bargain). But given the added cost of installing a ductless system, it’s worth asking whether such a system would be good for your Denver, IA home or not. We’ve provided a few things to consider on that front.
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Is a Ductless Mini Split System a Good Fit for Your Home?
March 14th, 2016Consider the Benefits of a UV Air Purifier
March 7th, 2016As we approach the end of winter here in Waterloo, IA, prudent homeowners may want to start considering any repairs or upgrades on their systems for the spring. Spring means pollen, which in turn means a rise in allergic reactions and general misery for family members who may be vulnerable to colds. You can take steps to protect them from such attack and improve the overall quality of your indoor air with the installation of a UV air purifier. We’ve included a quick breakdown of how it works and why you should consider its benefits this spring.
Federal HVAC Credit – Available for Equipment Purchased and Installed in 2012 – 2016
March 4th, 2016In 2015, the U.S. government renewed the 25C tax credit for high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment. This credit is offered as part of a larger energy-efficiency incentive for home improvements.
What it covers
- Up to 10% of the cost to $500, or a specific amount from $50 to $300
- $300 maximum credit available for qualifying central Air Conditioners, Heat Pumps, Packaged Units and Ductless Mini-Split Systems
- $150 maximum credit available for qualifying Furnaces and Boilers
Qualification details
- Equipment must be installed in an existing home and your principal residence; rentals or new construction do not qualify
- If you claimed $500 or more for enhancements to your home’s exterior (windows, doors, skylights, insulation, roofing, etc.) from 2006 to 2014, your HVAC purchase made in 2012-2016 will be ineligible
- If you claimed $500 or less, you may qualify for a credit, but you may not get the full dollar amount specified
Call Dalton Plumbing, Heating and Cooling for more information on these fabulous rebate opportunities!
Protect Yourself Against Spring Floods with a Sump Pump
February 29th, 2016Winter is coming to an end, and here in Evansdale, IA, that means rains and flooding will be here soon. Heavy rain is part and parcel of the Midwest, but when it floods your basement or other part of your property, it can be a huge problem to clean up and repair the damage. The solution is to install a sump pump at the lowest point in your property, which can safely remove floodwater as it enters your property. A quality plumber is needed to perform the installation, but if you schedule a session now, before the rains start in earnest, your new sump pump will be ready to go when you need it. Here’s how it works.
How to Detect a Slab Leak
February 22nd, 2016A slab leak is one of the most serious problems your home will face here in Cedar Falls, IA, though it’s not through anything unusual about the pipes themselves. Rather, it’s the location that causes all of the trouble: a leak buried under (or sometimes inside) the concrete foundation of your house or porch. That means is can go for months or even years undetected and wreak all kinds of havoc in the meantime. Over time, leaking water can crack your foundation in two. A good plumber can usually correct the problem, either by digging into the concrete or (more efficiently in many cases) reroute the pipe so that the water runs through a more accessible path. But before that happens, you have to detect the slab leak in the first place, which can be tricky to do. Here’s a few signs to help you out.
Time to Get Your Air Conditioner Ready For Spring
February 15th, 2016It’s still winter here in Cedar Falls, IA and that means our heaters are currently keeping our homes warm and cozy. But the thaw will be here before you know it and soon enough, temperatures will be high enough to demand your air conditioner. Now is the time to prep your air conditioner for regular service. It gives you plenty of flexibility to adjust things according to your schedule, and in case there are any surprises, you have plenty of time to deal with them before you have need of your system. Here’s a few tips to help you out.
Causes of Boiler Leaks
February 8th, 2016Many homes in the Cedar Falls, IA area rely on boilers to do the job in the winter, and while they are eminently reliable systems, they suffer from problems from time to time. Timely maintenance can help with that, but sooner or later a repair call will be necessary. Among the most common repairs we receive is a leak in the system, which not only creates puddles and other problems, but can severely affect your system’s ability to do its job. There are several possible causes of boiler leaks, which need to be addressed by a trained technician over and above simply sealing the leak. Otherwise, the problem will recur elsewhere in your system. Here are some possible causes of boiler leaks for you to watch out for.
Be Careful What Your Pour Down the Drain This Winter
February 1st, 2016Your kitchen sink is the sight of a lot of food activity, and with the Super Bowl on its way, you might be using it a lot to prepare food for your guests. Whatever your food-based plans are, however, they would benefit from a little care and foresight as far as what you pour down your drain. The wrong foods or liquids can damage your garbage disposal or clog up your pipes, forcing you to call a plumber when you should be enjoying the game. If you watch what you pour down the drain this winter, you can avoid an awful lot of hassle. Here’s a quick list of some foods you should dispose of in other ways.
Lower the Amount of Dust in Your Home
January 25th, 2016Here in Cedar Falls, IA, we pay a great deal of attention to keeping our homes warm in the winter, as is only proper in a town as cold as ours can get. But it’s not the only factor in determining your household comfort levels. High amounts of dust can circulate through the air, leading to irritation of the nose and throat as well as increased chances of illnesses and increased effort to keep your house clean. Dust becomes an even bigger issue in the winter because we close our homes up tight to keep the heat in, which means the dust just keeps circling in your home until it’s removed. And if you have an infant in your home or someone suffering from asthma, the health issues can be serious indeed. Luckily, you can lower the amount of dust in your home with help from a qualified technician.
How Can Ductless Heating Benefit Me?
January 18th, 2016Ductless heating systems stand as a viable alternative to more traditional heaters, which typically use a centralized unit to generate heat for the entire household. Ductless systems, on the other hand, set up a series of smaller heaters throughout your home, each designed to warm a single room or section. Each heater can be operated individually through its own thermostat and control panel. The system doesn’t work for every Cedar Falls, IA home – smaller houses, for instance, can probably do with the centralized unit just fine – but for larger homes or those without the ability to support a centralized duct system, they can offer a number of benefits. “How can ductless heating benefit me?” you ask. Here’s a quick breakdown of some answers.