Upgrade Your Home with a Digital Thermostat

March 20th, 2015

What are the Advantages of Having a Digital Setback Thermostat?

 

Cedar Falls PlumberDid you know that you can save hundreds of dollars a year on your heating and cooling bill simply by upgrading your thermostat? With traditional thermostats you must remember to adjust the temperature throughout the day.

Adjusting your temperature for when you are at work or are asleep can drastically lower heating and cooling costs. A digital setback thermostat has a clock built in and operates on a schedule you create so you can go through your day and save money without having to worry about adjusting your thermostat.

Digital Setback Thermostats Do the Thinking

Let’s say you work 9 to 5 and prefer your home at 72 degrees during the heat of the summer. On especially warm days your air conditioner will have to run more often to keep the house at this temperature.

You could tell your digital setback thermostat to start keeping the temperature at 76 degrees when you leave for work, and then have the house back to 72 degrees by the time you get home. During the winter you could tell your thermostat to keep the house a bit cooler while you’re sleeping so the heat doesn’t have to run as often.

Different Features of Digital Setback Thermostats

Digital setback thermostats come in a wide range of configurations and price points. On the more basic end, you’ll get what appears to be a standard thermostat but allows you to program a schedule into it. In the mid-end, you’ll get a thermostat with a larger display and options to create different schedules for different days.

At the higher end, you can get “smart” thermostats that can be controlled with your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Some thermostats in the mid to high range also include a touchscreen for easier programming. Digital setback thermostats range in price from $25 for basic models to $300 for high-end models.

You Can Easily Take Advantage

Cedar Falls Digital ThermostatDigital setback thermostats come in a wide range of configurations and you’ll easily be able to find one that is compatible with your current HVAC unit. In most cases, you can change your thermostat yourself with only basic wiring experience.

Simply remove the old thermostat, make the proper connections to the new thermostat, and mount it to the wall. Thermostats typically come with simple to follow instructions. Once installed, you’ll be on your way to saving hundreds a year on your heating and cooling.

Upgrade your Cedar Falls home thermostat today! Just Call Dalton Plumbing, Heating & Cooling at (319) 266-3513, and see what advantages a new digital setback thermostat can do for your home.

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Clean Your Drains Annually For Best Performance

March 13th, 2015

Drain Cleaning: What Are the Benefits of Annual Drain Cleaning?

 

Cedar Falls PlumberHome maintenance is a responsibility that all homeowners should adhere to in order to see the greatest returns on investments. Home properties are considered to be among the most valuable assets individuals and/or families can own.

Therefore, properly maintaining the property will always work to their advantage. Let our professional plumbers help you.

Why Home Maintenance Is Important

There are many areas within a home an owner should regularly inspect to ensure their property is kept in proper working condition. If all of the home’s components are well maintained, they will have the opportunity of either retaining its value or potentially increasing it.

Wearing and Tearing is Inevitable

The inspection stages should consist of the homeowner looking over the areas that are utilized most often. Since a home’s amenities, appliances and components are utilized on a regular basis, they will become prone to undergoing the natural effects of wearing and tearing over time.

Therefore, it is imperative for them to ensure that they pay special attention to the areas that are used most often first. This way, they will prevent any possibilities of such areas deteriorating due to negligence.

The Complexity of a Home’s Plumbing System

Some of the most commonly utilized components are attached to a home’s plumbing system. The plumbing system is interconnected to a myriad of components, including: toilets, sinks, bathtubs, showers, pipelines, sewage lines, garbage disposals, refrigerators, outdoor sprinkler systems, swimming pools and water heaters.

Due to the vastness of connections, the plumbing system plays an important role in a home’s qualities of functionality and efficiency. A homeowner’s proactive measures of maintenance and due diligence can have a significant amount of positive impacts on the value of their home.

Why Every Homeowner Should Consider Acquiring An Annual Drain Cleaning Service

Cedar Falls Drain CleaningAn annual drain cleaning is highly recommended for homeowners that not only care about maintaining the conditions of their home and retaining its overall value, but also for those that are seeking to keep costs of utilizing the home’s components on the lower end while living a comfortable life full of quality.

An annual drain cleaning alleviates the problems of accumulated dirt, grime and debris within a home’s plumbing system. By acquiring such a service, a homeowner will be able to avoid pipe clogs, bursts, leaks, floods and many other problematic occurrences.

Unclog that drain with the experts at Dalton Plumbing, Heating, & Cooling, just Call (319) 266-3513, we offer the best drain cleaning services in the Cedar Falls area.

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No Heat? Might Need a Tune-Up!

March 6th, 2015

3 Signs Your Heating Unit Needs a Tune-Up

 

Cedar Fallls HeatingBeing able to identify trouble with your heating system before it becomes a significant repair issue, that can not only help to save you money in costly emergency repairs. It can help to extend the overall life of your heating system.

The best way to be able to do this, you need to understand exactly what key signs to look for so you can get a HVAC technician at your home as soon as possible. Here are the top 3 signs that your heating unit needs a tune-up.

Increase of Dust in the Home

When you notice more dust particles all over your home, that is a clear indication that the air filter is clogged and it is no longer effectively removing dirt particles from the air before treated air is sent through the air vents.

Not only will replacing the air filter and calling your HVAC technician to tune-up the system improve the air quality in the home, it will reduce the strain being put on your heating system. Those moving parts have to work harder to push clean air through the filter, causing them to wear and break more easily.

Noise Coming from the Heating System

While it is perfectly normal for the heating system to make some sounds during operation, if you notice loud noises that seem out of place, it could be an indication something is wrong inside the heating system. Check first to make sure that the air handler panels are simply not loose, then pay close attention to where the noise is coming from.

The sooner you have a local repair company at the home the better. If a belt has broken or is about to break, this is a minor repair. If the bearings or belt has broken, the system is running dangerously close to seizing.

Cooler Air from the Air Vents

Cedar Falls Heater Tune-UpWhen the home is taking longer to reach the set temperature or cool air is coming from the air vents, this could be an indication that something is wrong with the air handler. Check first to make certain the thermostat is set to heat, and not fan or cool by mistake.

Then call your heating repair company so they can check all the moving parts and make certain that the problem is not serious. The sooner a technician is at your home, the less chance you have seizing up the heating system.

Is the heater in your Cedar Falls area home not working  quite like it used to? Call Dalton Plumbing, Heating, & Cooling at (319) 266-3513 for a professional tuneup!

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The Advantages of a Garbage Disposal

February 27th, 2015

Top 10 Reasons to Install a Garbage Disposal

 

Cedar Falls PlumberAre you considering installing a garbage disposal in your kitchen?

Here’s the top 10 reasons why choosing the cost effective and efficient method of food disposal will improve your health, home, and life, in addition to having an impressive positive contribution to the environment.

1. Standing Food Waste

Old food sitting in your trash is prime real estate for bacteria and viruses. A sink garbage disposal can put potentially putrid waste in it’s place, holding disease causing bacteria at bay. A garbage disposal is a more healthy alternative to traditional trash.

2. Garbage Smell

Spoiled food stinks and the odors can linger for days. Garbage disposal is clean, convenient, and won’t leave you holding your breath.

3. Low Utility Cost

Modern garbage disposals are electrically efficient and inexpensive to operate.

4. Waste Incineration

Waste incineration can lead to the release of environmentally hazardous gaseous materials. Garbage disposal actively reduces the amount of solid waste incinerated, and limits the distribution of gaseous and particulate pollutants.

5. Waste Transport Emissions

Waste disposed down the drain won’t require collection and transport to a landfill. A garbage disposal would reduce the contribution by waste management vehicles to atmospheric carbon dioxide, the number one human contributor to climate change.

6. Methane Emissions By Landfill Waste

Decomposition of organic food waste in landfills releases greenhouse gasses like methane into the atmosphere. Methane is the second largest human contributor to climate change after carbon dioxide.

7. Production of Renewable Methane Energy

Water treatment facilities are increasingly adopting a method of collecting and treating methane gas emitted from food waste decomposition. This process utilizes methane gas as an alternative, renewable energy source. Food put through garbage disposals are a major contributor of organic waste necessary for methane production.

8. Recycled Food Waste Fertilizer

After methane collection, the remaining organic waste is processed and recycled. This product is used in agriculture and home gardening as an effective fertilizer.

Cedar Falls Garbage Disposal Services9. Pests

Food waste and odor are major contributors to the attraction of insects and other pests. A sink garbage disposal will eliminate this factor and reduce the appeal of your home to harmful pests.

10. Fewer Trash Bags

Trash bags are non-biodegradable and not environmentally friendly. Reduced waste from a sink garbage disposal will decrease usage of trash bags and further reduce environmental impact.

The convenience offered by sink garbage disposal, in addition to the environmental and health benefits, make this decision easy. A garbage disposal would be a great addition to any home.

Smelling a stink in the sink in your Cedar Falls home? That means you need a garbage disposal, just Call Dalton Plumbing, Heating, & Cooling Inc. at (319) 266-3513, and have an expert install one today!

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Is Your House Feeling Brisk? Time For Heater Maintenance

February 20th, 2015

Heating Services: Why Is It Important?

 

Cedar Falls HeatingHeating services are one of the most important things you can work on within your home. As with any big investment, the more annual maintenance and repairs you can perform on your investment, the less it will cost in time and money in the long run.

Heating and cooling components can be ten to fifteen thousands dollars to completely repair. By conducting annual inspections and maintenance, as a home owner you can spend ten dollar instead of ten thousand when you conduct annual maintenance.

When Do I Need Heating Maintenance?

Many people believe that the only time a home or any other building needs its heating and cooling services inspected is when there are problems. However, this is a false belief in that the time to do preventative maintenance is before problems arise.

Quality HVAC companies can spot problems long before they occur and then take corrective action to prevent a problem from going.

Many HVAC companies will recommend quarterly or annual inspections for free or for a low cost, and if they find any cracks or any other issues they can repair them as they go, rather than letting them build up and cost the home owner much more money in the long run.

Factors of Importance

Heater maintenance is important because your heating and cooling unit is a machine. Any machine, such as a car, requires regular maintenance and repairs to keep it flowing smoothly. For some reason, many people think that once they buy a house, they no longer need to work on the building at all. However, this will end up costing more money in the long run.

Whenever you can find a problem and quickly solve it, you can save more money and time than if you had not completed regular maintenance. Overall, regular maintenance is important because it catches problems early, save money and time, and can prevent further damage in your heating unit.

Cedar Falls Heater Maintenance What are the Signs That I Need Heating Maintenance

There are many signs of heating units needing maintenance. One of the biggest tell tale signs is weird noises whenever the heating and cooling unit is turned off and on.

Noises are a sign of corrosion being built up in the heating unit, and whenever this happens this is also a sign of possible further damage.

Another sign is pretty simple, your house or building is no longer heating as well or as fast as it was before. Any time this happens, it is apparent that the time for an inspection is near, or much more damage will be done in the future.

Heating services are important for your Cedar Falls home. Call Dalton Plumbing, Heating, & Cooling Inc. today at (319) 266-3513, and see what our experts can do to put the heat back in your home.

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Broken Faucet? Might Be That Time for Replacement

February 13th, 2015

Faucet and Sink Fixture Services

 

Cedar Falls PlumberFaucets are one of many things that people take for granted. They make it possible to wash dishes, pots, pans, hands, and make water available in general. However, overtime, faucets start to wear down and lose their top performance.

A bad faucet may show symptoms such as rusty water, clogs, or in extreme cases, leaks. There are a few signs to look out for in determining whether or not it’s time to get a new faucet.

It’s important to note that replacing a bad faucet all together is a whole lot more cost effective than simply fixing the faucet.

When Is It Necessary to Replace My Faucet?

One of the biggest signs of a bad faucet is leaking water. Over long periods of time, the inner washers become shot and rusted, causing leaks. If this is the case then the faucet definitively needs to be replaced.

However, uncommon sings of a needed faucet replacement are air bubbles and rust water. Another symptom of a bad faucet is weak water output. In time, debris builds up inside the water faucet, which in turn reduces the amount of water that comes out. The faucet then needs to be replaced in this case.

What Are Some Signs of Damage?

Again, signs of damage to a faucet include problems such as low water output, rusty water, or leaks. Visibility of a large amount of water deposits such as calcium also count as damage.

Basically, anything that is different about the water faucet than when it was first installed counts as a sign of damage. In any case where the faucet isn’t functioning properly, a faucet replacement should be considered.

How Can I Avoid My Faucet from Being Broken in the Future?

Cedar Falls Faucet and Sink FixtureGentle use of anything is the best way to prevent damage. One should turn the faucet valves gentles instead of abruptly.

Also, sometimes big pots and pans have the tendency to hit the faucet while washing dishes.

This can dramatically reduce the life of a faucet. On the other hand, avoiding it can dramatically increase faucet life. Having a clean water system can also increase faucet life by preventing water deposits, thus preventing blockage.

Having the proper faucet and sink fixture is vital for your Cedar Falls home. If this needs repairing, Call Dalton Plumbing, Heating, & Cooling Inc. at (319) 266-3513, we have the best pair of experts to get the job done.

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A New Furnace Means a New Wave of Heat

February 6th, 2015

The True Benefits of a New Furnace System

 

Cedar Falls New FurnaceWhy Install a New Furnace?

There are many reasons to install a new furnace in your home. Perhaps the most obvious is that your current furnace is old and worn out or is completely dead.

If a furnace is older and has been poorly maintained, it might become too expensive to repair. While many furnace problems can be fixed with minimal expense, some problems necessitate replacement such as a cracked heat exchanger.

Another common reason for replacing your furnace is to increase your overall heating efficiency in order to reduce your utility costs. This makes the most sense for homeowners who plan to be in the home for many years to come, making it a wise investment.

Replacing an older furnace with a more efficient model is also a good choice if you’re thinking about resale value. Some other reasons for getting a new furnace are concern for the environment, building an addition to the house that requires different size furnace, and even just the desire for a much quieter system.

What are the benefits of a new furnace?

One of the most important benefits of a new furnace is the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have a solid heating system in place that will serve you well for many years to come. Other benefits include reduced utility bills due to increased efficiency, a lower carbon footprint, a higher resale value for your home, and a significantly quieter system.

How do you choose the right furnace?

To choose the best furnace, you need to consider fuel economy, efficiency, size and location, and cost. One of the best ways to start your furnace selection process is to talk to a trusted HVAC professional. One of the decisions you will need to make is the type of fuel.

Cedar Falls New Furnace This is usually natural gas, but there are other options. This decision is best made by considering fuel economy as each fuel type varies in cost and efficiency and depends in part on your location.

It is also important to consider the size of your home and the furnace location, as this will impact your choice. Finally, the cost needs to be considered.

Your budget combined with your needs will narrow your decision. Your HVAC professional will help select the best model based on all of these factors.

Is the furnace in your Cedar Falls home not pushing out the proper heat? Get this taken care of by Dalton Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc., and Call (319) 266-3513 today to get the furnace replaced.

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If It's an Emergency, Call the Plumbers Today!

January 30th, 2015

Emergency Plumber 101

 

Cedar Falls PlumberWhy Use an Emergency Plumber

Chances are you have never needed to use an emergency plumber. If this is the case than that is good.

However, should you find yourself in an emergency, than knowing who you can call and having this option is necessary as it is going to save you thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars in potential repairs later on down the road.

Of course, not all problems constitute an emergency, so if you are able to wait a day without your home sustaining damage, than chances are you cain wait for the traditional plumbing service.

However, if your home is sustaining damage or if there is a potentially life threatening problem at hand, you need to bring in the emergency plumber.

What are the Advantages of Emergency Plumbing Services?

Naturally, the main one is to help you save thousands of dollars by avoiding costly repairs. In the event of a burst pipe or similar situation, it can cause hundreds of gallons of water to fill up in a basement or other room.

This may force you to remove the flooring, walls, insulation and even later remove other elements of the room due to the development of mold. This all becomes extremely expensive and is why you need to use an emergency plumbing service should you find yourself in such a situation.

How Can I Prevent an Emergency Plumbing Incident?

There are a few ways you can do this. If you are leaving on vacation during the winter months, make sure the heat for your home is not turned off but left in the low 50s range.

Cedar Falls Emergency Plumbing 1This is going to prevent your pipes from freezing. Freezing makes the water expand, which can potentially burst a pipe. It is also a good idea to have someone stop by occasionally and have them run the water for a bit.

This keeps the water from settling too long, which can also help prevent the water from freezing. Beyond this, you need to have a regular inspection of your plumbing.

This way, you can avoid costly problems and repairs later on down the line. It also can help you identify problems you have now, so you can take care of the issues before it develops into a major situation and you need to contact the emergency plumbers.

For an Emergency Plumbing job in the Cedar Falls area, Dalton Plumbing, Heating, & Cooling Inc. is the company for you! Call (319) 266-3513 and get the experts on it.

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Get the Purified Air You Deserve

January 23rd, 2015

How Does an Air Purifier Work?

 

 

Health Benefits of Air Purifiers

Without air purifiers, tons of dust, mold, and other debris would build up in the air and vents of a family’s home. This in turn can cause a wide range of health problems such as asthma, bronchitis, lung infection, and all sorts of other illnesses.

This is why having a good working air purifier is vital to the health of all inhabitants inside a house. Immediate benefits of a good working air filter include better breathing, less dust accumulations, and cleaner air. Air purifiers use very effective methods of cleaning air, such as using activated charcoal.

How Air Purifiers Work

There are many different types of air purifiers such as air cleaners, HEPA cleaners, ionizing purifiers, ozone generators, and absorbent air purifiers. However, they all use the same principle to purify air by running air through some sort of filter. For instance, air cleaners runs air through a fabric that filters and strains out all debris and dust particles, leaving fresh, clean air.

These type of air purifiers are in almost every heater/cooler system inside a house. On the other hand, there are air filters that use activated charcoal to filter air. More advanced air purifier systems use ionized electric charges to purify air.

Are All Air Purifiers the Same?

All air purifiers are definitely not the same. They may all clean air, but some do a much better job than others do. An activated charcoal based air purifier will clean air far better than a simple air cleaner, due to activated charcoal’s large surface area. An ionized filter may perform even better than an activated charcoal filter. However, it’s important to keep in mind that with better quality comes greater price.

The filters in air purifiers to need to be changed every so often. Some of the better ones can last longer before changing is needed, hence, the price. In other words, what type of air purifier a person wants will depend on their budget and needs. Although the better purifiers may cost more, they may pay off in the long run.

Want the fresh purified air in your Cedar Falls home? Call Dalton Plumbing, Heating, & Cooling Inc. at (319) 266-3513 and breathe in the purified air you deserve.

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Heating Your Home Properly Requires the Right Size Furnace

January 16th, 2015

What is the Importance of a Properly Sized Furnace System? 

 
Everyone needs a furnace in their home or office. However, people often make a big mistake when it comes to actually purchasing it. A common assumption among many people is that bigger is always better.

On the other side, many people feel that a smaller and less expensive option is always the right choice. In reality, one of the most important aspects of a new furnace is how well it fits certain size specifications.

Associated Costs

The most practical reason for buying a furnace that’s properly sized is related to cost. The general costs for a furnace vary heavily through a number of different factors. However, it’s important to remember that the initial differences with any furnace are minor compared to a larger associated cost.

Actually operating the furnace is where the expenses really begin to build up. And a furnace which isn’t properly sized to what the building requires will come with much higher operating costs. It will either use far more power than is needed, or it will end up struggling to provide for a building’s needs.

A Refreshing Silence

Many people assume that a furnace will always be loud. This is just based on their personal experience. And they are, of course, correct in assuming that a furnace will always make noise. However, much of what people assume is normal for a heating system is actually due to a improperly sized furnace. Both one that’s too small and one that’s too large can contribute to general noise pollution within a building.

It’s either going to be struggling to keep up with the building’s requirements, or it will be blasting out a level of power which is overwhelming. What’s needed is a nice middle ground which will allow for a much quieter level of operation.

Cedar Falls Furnace SizeAn Appropriate Amount of Space

Of course another element of the size of a furnace is the space it takes up. People often forget that a furnace can take up a rather sizable portion of an area.

And because the furnace’s size will scale to the area it needs to heat, this often means that a larger home isn’t much protection from lost space. Space is always a precious and scarce commodity. One needs to ensure that his home is as efficiently run as possible if he wants to maximize it’s value.

Are you looking for the right furnace size for your Cedar Falls home? Dalton Plumbing, Heating, & Cooling Inc. can help, just Call (319) 266-3513, to get reliable service from the professionals.

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