Dalton Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electric and Fireplaces, Inc. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Heating’

It’s Time to Get Your Furnace Checked

Monday, October 9th, 2023

A furnace isn’t just a tool you use during the fall, winter, and spring–it’s an appliance that we depend on to live our lives. Temperatures are likely to soon dip below freezing, and at that point, it’s going to be practically impossible to live your life at home without a fully functioning furnace system. Don’t worry, we’re not trying to scare anyone, but heating is an important part of daily living.

That’s why services like furnace maintenance and furnace repair are so vital. If you call early, our team can pinpoint any problems before the cold temperatures reach us, and early enough for you to save a bit of money as well.

So today we’d like to give a PSA for homeowners out there to invest in their furnace repairs. But we’d also like to give a few reasons why early furnace repairs in Waterloo, IA are going to save you money in the long run.

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Is a Bigger Furnace Really Better?

Monday, January 30th, 2023

Furnaces come in all shapes and sizes, but that’s for a very good reason. A furnace that is too large or too small will obviously cause problems, but many homeowners are in the dark as to what those problems might be. For instance, there’s a classic misconception that having a larger furnace is always better since you can’t go wrong with more heat in your home, right?

Well, you can, but not for the reason you would expect. No, your home won’t get swelteringly hot, and it’s not particularly unsafe, but it will lead to tremendously higher heating bills and a system that breaks down early on in its lifespan. This is what we call “short cycling” and it’s something that your furnace can be the victim of if you’re not careful.

So, let’s talk about why a furnace installation in Cedar Rapids, IA should be a specific size that fits your home.

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Dalton’s Guide to Mobile Home Heating

Monday, December 19th, 2022

It’s no secret that owning a mobile home is different in many ways from owning a multi-story house. In this crazy economy, they’re becoming more convenient as an option for homeowners who would like to own property, but can’t afford some of the very high prices for houses. They also tend to economize space very well, since you can have multiple bedrooms, a kitchen, a dining room, and a lot of space for a lower cost and without sifting through older houses that might not have those kinds of rooms.

Overall, if you’re happy with your manufactured home, then that’s what really matters. However, heating that home is what we’re going to talk about today. Mobile home heating in Cedar Rapids, IA is a specific topic that requires a bit of attention since it can be different from traditional home heating.

From choosing specific systems to some best practices that can help you stay energy efficient and happy this holiday season.

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Dalton’s Guide to Radiant Heating

Monday, November 21st, 2022
radiant-heating-tubes

Winter is really just right around the corner in Cedar Rapids and with it comes cooler temperatures and an increased emphasis on heating. We all need reliable heaters to get us through the cold months of winter, but for whatever reason, more traditional boilers and forced-air furnaces may not be right for you.

If you’re ready to replace an old heater or simply install a new one, you might consider a radiant heating system. The installation cost tends to be higher than more traditional heating systems, but there are substantial benefits that go along with it.

What is radiant heating? We’ve spelled out a few quick answers below.

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Is an Electric Ignition Better Than a Pilot Light in a Gas Furnace?

Monday, February 28th, 2022
jets-of-a-gas-furnace

Have you had the same furnace in your home for many years? If so, then you’re probably used to furnaces having pilot lights. If you’re planning on having a new furnace installed soon, however, it probably isn’t going to use a pilot light at all! Instead, it’s likely going to have an electronic ignition system that ignites the burners. In fact, it’s pretty rare today that manufacturers still make furnaces with pilot lights at all.

Why? We explore this below… read on!

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Can a Ceiling Fan Make Your Heater More Efficient?

Monday, January 21st, 2019

ceiling fan on grey beamed ceilingThe short answer to this is “yes.” But let us explain…

When it comes to Waterloo, IA heating, we understand you want a system that is cost-effective and powerful. This means finding the most efficient heating system on the market that’s within your budget and is perfectly matched to your home, and having that system professionally installed. Installation is literally just the beginning, though.

There are a number of steps you can take that cost you little to nothing that will boost the efficiency of your heater even more—installing weatherstripping on drafty windows and doors, closing your curtains to provide extra insulation to keep the heat in, and, that’s right, using your ceiling fan. Read on!

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Causes of Boiler Leaks

Monday, February 8th, 2016

Many 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.

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Signs of Heating Problems You Should Watch Out for

Monday, January 11th, 2016

Winter is here in full force in Cedar Falls, IA, which means you’re going to use your heating system now more than ever. Problems, when they arise, tend to come as a great shock to homeowners, which is a pity because most issues with a faulty heating system leave signs of trouble long before they break down. If you can spot these signs, you can summon a qualified repair service and treat the problem before it leaves your home without heat (and possibly saving money on a less expensive repair in the bargain).

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Consider These Upgrades to Your Heater

Monday, January 4th, 2016

Winter is in full force here in Cedar Falls, IA, and that means your heater is going to see use every day. You might not be able to replace your heater for a few more months – and if there’s nothing wrong with it, then obviously there’s no reason to – but you can still take steps to improve its functioning with the addition of one or more upgrades for your heater. They cost much less than replacing it, and the results can make you feel like yours is brand new. We’ve laid out a few options below for you.

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Why Is Low Air Flow a Problem for Your Heater?

Monday, December 21st, 2015

Here in Cedar Falls, IA, many homes still rely on forced-air furnaces for heat. They’re reliable systems and they can provide quality comfort levels at minimal cost. But like all appliances, they run into trouble from time to time, and you need to be able to spot the problems when they do. In particular, it’s important to know when the air flowing through your system is lower than normal, for it can create a serious issues for your entire system. Here’s a quick breakdown of why low air flow is a problem for your heater.

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