Dalton Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electric and Fireplaces, Inc. Blog: Archive for the ‘Des Moines Blog’ Category

Why Efficiency Matters

Monday, October 23rd, 2023

The HVAC industry has changed a lot in the past few decades. If you could see the air conditioners that were being manufactured just 20 years ago, you’d realize that we’re far into the future at this point. If your favorite genre is science fiction, then we’re happy to tell you that the modern HVAC industry is basically like a science fiction book at this point. With high-efficiency air conditioners and heat pumps that can handle cold weather, things are looking bright!

However, one thing that has become prominent in the past few years has been efficiency. You can’t really escape it, and it’s on the forefront of everyone’s mind, from a climate activist to a renter who is trying to save money to pay bills. The more efficient you can be, the less money you have to spend on a regular basis and the better off you’ll be in the long run.

So, what is efficiency and how does it relate to HVAC in Des Moines, IA? We’ll get to that down below. Hopefully, after reading this blog post, you have a new appreciation for high-efficiency HVAC system and the professionals who maintain them!

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4 Tips: Getting Your Furnace Ready for Heating Season

Monday, October 9th, 2023

It’s officially fall and for many people, it’s their favorite season. From planning Halloween costumes to enjoying pumpkin-spiced treats, there’s a lot to look forward to.

However, there’s one crucial element you need in order to get the most enjoyment out of autumn, and that’s a well-functioning furnace in Grimes, IA. With our frigid winters and extended heating season, it’s essential to make sure your furnace is ready to tackle the cold weather headed its way. 

So here are some of our top tips for making sure your furnace will sail through the heating season. From something as simple as changing the air filter to making sure you schedule furnace maintenance with our team, here are 4 essential tips.

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How to Tell Your Furnace’s Condition

Monday, September 25th, 2023

Furnaces can be in all different kinds of shape, from great to bad. Unfortunately, it’s nearly impossible to diagnose your unique furnace online, since it takes a full inspection or a maintenance appointment to understand all of the ins and outs of your particular system. What we can do, is provide you with a list of factors that might point you toward one direction over the other.

For instance, if your furnace is shaking, booming, and smelling foul every time it operates, then we’re pretty sure you need furnace repair in Des Moines, IA since your system is in very rough shape. However, if your unit is brand-new and works silently and effectively throughout the night to the point where you forget it’s there, then your system is probably fine.

This is the art of diagnosing a problem, and we’re going to go through some signs you can use to figure out whether your furnace needs help or if it’s good to go for another winter.

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What’s Going on With Your Leaky Pipes?

Monday, September 11th, 2023
two hands of plumber with pliers and radiator

Leaky pipes are synonymous with being a homeowner. Seriously, if customers weren’t constantly getting leaks in their homes, then we wouldn’t be in business for this long. It’s just a natural part of homeownership, and it’s also something that can get a bit tricky when you try to fix a leaking pipe on your own.

Sure, a valve or PVC pipe might be loose and you can twist it to ensure the leak stops, but that’s a rare type of leak. Most leaks come from corroded pipes, frozen and thawed pipes, or even pipes that have been broken or moved due to issues like settling. In these cases, you’re going to have some trouble if you try to do this work on your own.

Instead, trust a professional for your plumbing services in Des Moines, IA. Our team can replace your old pipes, fix existing leaks, and ensure that no ill effects come from the leaking water.

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A Guide to Knob and Tube Wiring

Monday, August 28th, 2023

If you’re reading this blog, you’re likely one of our many customers who have discovered knob and tube wiring in their homes. Not only is this ancient technology something that is too old to reliably use, but it’s also a safety hazard. Even insurance companies can hike up their premiums when they discover you’ve got knob and tube wiring in your old home.

So, what is it about this kind of wiring that makes people so nervous? And why is it such a big deal to get it replaced? Well, in order to understand the answers to these questions, we’ve got to do a deep dive on what knob and tube wiring is and how it’s still in homes across the country. And then, when you feel confident that you need the problem addressed, you can call our team for an electrician in Des Moines, IA.

Only a licensed electrician should handle the removal and replacement of knob and tube wiring when it’s found in homes.

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An AC Upgrade Might Be in Your Future

Monday, August 7th, 2023

Air conditioning is all over the news these days. It’s not by accident either, there are record-breaking heatwaves happening all over the country–and we’re still barely in August.

This means that you’re likely getting inundated with advertisements about central air conditioners, heat pumps, ductless systems, and more. But why can’t you just rely on your old window air conditioner?

Well, you can, but it’s not going to be as reliable as a more robust system. Window AC units are not as powerful, efficient, or as convenient as central air conditioners.

In fact, central air conditioners are almost better in every single way, and window units are only better in very specific situations (like small apartments and tiny homes).

We’d like to talk about all of the ways a central AC upgrade in Cedar Rapids, IA is going to be a great decision, and when it might not be.

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Big Tips: Saving Money During a Heatwave

Monday, July 31st, 2023

You’ve probably seen the news over the past few days or weeks. Half of the country is encountering record-breaking heat and, in some cases, extreme weather warning. This is causing some serious strain on the power grid as everyone begins running their air conditioners throughout the days and nights.

There’s no escaping this heat if you live where we do. Air conditioning in Cedar Rapids, IA is necessary at this point, and while we’ve just made it to August, there’s likely a lot more heat to come.

So, how can you get through a heatwave and record-breaking temperatures without breaking the bank? We’ll go over some tested tips and best practices that can help you tremendously over the next few weeks–and some of these tips are free!

Just be sure to call a team of professionals if you encounter any problems, from blown-out compressors to ice forming on your coil. We can be the technicians to help you.

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How Do I Know Where My Water Leak Is Coming From?

Monday, July 24th, 2023

This question gets at the heart of an issue we call “leak detection.” In the plumbing industry, this is a difficult subject to approach, because everyone has their own methods and strengths when it comes to finding a leak and having it dealt with.

Some folks, for instance, have very sharp ears and can detect even the slightest “dripping” sound coming from their basement in the middle of the night. Other people might be losing their hearing, but they’ve got great vision where they can see the moisture of a pinhole leak developing on a pipe.

In fact, there are several different methods for water leak detection in Cedar Rapids, IA, and many of them can be done either by professionals or for free at home. We’re going to go over a few methods of water leak detection, from audio cues to exact measurements using your water meter. Then, we’ll let you decide if you should call us for professional services when it’s finally time to plug that leak.

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