Dalton Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electric and Fireplaces, Inc. Blog: Archive for October, 2018

Watch for These Furnace Problems This Winter

Monday, October 29th, 2018
Smoke rising from a chimney on a snowy roof, indicating an active heating system after furnace replacement service.

The more you rely on your furnace this winter, the more stress it is going to undergo. That’s just a fact. But this does increase the odds of problems cropping up over time, especially if you skipped maintenance this year! Maintenance allows our technicians to fully inspect, clean, and adjust your heating system to make sure it performs as efficiently and safely as possible throughout the winter and the years to come.

What warning signs mean it’s time to consider a furnace replacement service?

You should consider furnace replacement service if your system short-cycles frequently, delivers weak heat even after maintenance, makes loud banging or clanging noises, or has repeated ignition issues. These signs indicate your furnace may no longer be reliable or cost-effective to repair.

Maintenance is also our chance to spot repair needs, and alert you to these needs so you can get them on your schedule sooner rather than later. Naturally, if you skip this annual furnace service in Hudson, IA, you can find yourself with a broken down system or increased wear and tear you weren’t expecting. So, what if you’ve already started using your heater, despite skipping maintenance? For guidance on dealing with a malfunctioning electric furnace, it’s essential to understand the early signs and know when to take action.

Well for one, it’s not too late to schedule it now, so give us a call! In the meantime, read on for some signs to look out for that indicates you may have a problem.

When to Replace Your Furnace Due to Winter Issues

  • If your furnace short‑cycles (turns on and off rapidly), it may be oversized or too worn to function efficiently.
  • When heating output drops significantly even after filter changes and burner cleanings.
  • If you hear loud or unusual noises like banging, scraping, or clanging, which often signal major internal issues.
  • When ignition or burner failures become frequent, especially in older gas furnaces.
  • If heating remains unreliable or unsafe across multiple winters despite repeated repairs.

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4 Benefits to Owning a Fireplace in Your Home

Tuesday, October 9th, 2018

 

New models of fireplaces are easy to install. Most will slide into your existing fireplace, leaving you with no excuse to not update your outdated, dirty fireplace into a new, cozy and romantic one.

If you’re still unconvinced, here are a few more benefits on owning a fireplace.fireplace in cedar falls

1. A Cozy Ambience

This one’s an easy benefit. Who doesn’t like to get cozy? A fireplace doesn’t just provide a physical warmth. It provides an emotional one, too. Similarly to candlelight setting a romantic mood, we invite you to lounge in front of your fireplace without getting a warm, tingly feeling and relaxing with your family.

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How to Prevent Pipe Freeze This Winter

Monday, October 1st, 2018
Frozen metal pipe with long icicles, indicating risk of burst pipe in freezing temperatures.

We still have about a month to go before our temperature lows dip below freezing, but as anyone who has lived here for even just a year knows, our weather is unpredictable. So if you’re thinking of waiting on any winter preparation this year for your home, we urge you to reconsider. Especially when it comes to your plumbing in Hudson, IA!

Plumbing systems and subsequent frozen pipes aren’t something many homeowners give a lot of thought to as winter approaches, particularly if they’ve never had to deal with it. But it certainly happens to enough homeowners to warrant some preparation on your part. Remember, even just a few days in a row of below 30° weather can result in frozen and burst pipes in Hudson. But you can prevent it!

What steps can you take to prevent a burst water pipe in your home?

To avoid a burst water pipe, insulate exposed pipes, especially in unheated areas like basements and crawlspaces. Keep cabinet doors open to let warm air reach pipes, drain outdoor spigots, disconnect hoses, and maintain consistent indoor heat. These steps help prevent freezing that leads to pipe bursts.

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