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

When It’s Time to Choose Replacement: Our Comprehensive Guide

Monday, March 11th, 2024

Air conditioners and heating systems don’t last forever. If they did, we’d live in a much different world. But machines break down over long periods of time, from cars to HVAC systems, and this is just a physical reality of the world we live in. We don’t want to lie to our customers and tell them that their air conditioner will be fine going into its 16th year of service, but we also don’t want to be too pessimistic and force anyone into a replacement.

In truth, there’s a middle ground between repair and replacement, and customers need to find that for themselves. But there’s no reason why we can’t guide you!

Today, we’d like to focus on air conditioning replacement in Cedar Rapids, and more specifically, when it’s time to finally call it quits. A replacement could not only be the most cost-effective choice for you currently, but it could relieve a lot of stress and make your life easier going forward.

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It’s Time to Upgrade Your Window AC

Monday, August 28th, 2023

For years, many customers have had one or two small window AC units that cooled specific rooms like bedrooms and offices for exceptionally hot days. These units are cheap and easy to use, making them good for budget decisions that keep you comfortable during the hottest days of the year.

But record-breaking temperatures are only continuing to get worse and window AC units aren’t actually as good as you might think. Sure, they feel better than having no air conditioning, but what if we told you that a central air conditioning system, or other AC installation in Waterloo, IA could actually be more energy-efficient and convenient?

Yep, it might finally be time to retire that old window unit and upgrade it to a system that keeps you and the entire family comfortable. Let’s talk about some reasons why an upgrade is such a good idea.

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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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What Is a Ductless System?

Monday, July 17th, 2023

We talk a lot about ductless HVAC systems on this blog. In fact, people are just talking about these systems everywhere nowadays and it’s important to know why. The honeymoon phase of this new technology being “exciting” and “innovative” has slowly gone away, but their absolute dominance in the field of comfort and efficiency is here to stay.

Ductless heat pumps are powerful mounted systems that can run both air conditioning and heating. They don’t require air ducts and they function via air handlers in your home. This is what they are on the surface, but once you dig a bit deeper, they get a lot more enticing if you can believe it!

Just remember that a ductless system isn’t for everyone and every budget. They tend to run more expensive than standard central AC or heating systems. Be sure to speak with an expert for your ductless air conditioning in Cedar Rapids, IA.

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What Tonnage Is Your New AC?

Monday, August 15th, 2022
two-outside-ac-units

For anyone who isn’t entrenched in the HVAC industry, there are a number of terms and quite a bit of jargon that may not make much sense. There is some jargon you don’t need to know–but others that are helpful to have a basic understanding of. Tonnage is one of the latter.

Tonnage is an essential part of new air conditioning installation and AC replacement. You can always trust the Dalton technicians to successfully and reliably install your air conditioner, no matter what type of air conditioner you choose to have installed. But understanding a bit more about tonnage and how it applies to your new air conditioner can help you understand why it’s so important that you only trust the pros to service this system. Read on to learn more!

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How Much Does an AC Installation Cost?

Monday, July 11th, 2022
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Buying a new air conditioner is a huge investment. We get it! We do applaud you for looking into this purchase now rather than waiting for temperatures to warm up. This gives you time to truly explore your options, looking at not only the initial cost of your system, but how much it will likely cost you to operate from month to month, the type of system you want, and how efficient of equipment you want.

These are all factors we’ll go into when we help you with your purchase and installation–because you should only ever trust a pro for this job. Trained and experienced HVAC professionals, like the members of our team, will be able to adequately match and size the right air conditioner to your specific home, for your specific needs. Read on as we uncover the factors that go into your AC installation cost.

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Dalton’s Guide to Geothermal Systems

Monday, June 13th, 2022
geothermal-lookps-on-lot-for-building

More and more homeowners throughout the Cedar Rapids area are seeking ways to cut expenses and explore alternatives to their current HVAC methods in order to do so. Geothermal energy can often get overlooked, with folks assuming that it’s “just as expensive” as any other type of air-source heating and cooling applications.

But this simply is not the case. Geothermal cooling and heating may be the perfect solution for your home. Below, we’ve outlined how this might be the case. If you want to keep your home as comfortable as possible, as affordably as possible, read on!

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Is It Difficult to Install a Ductless Mini Split?

Monday, June 6th, 2022
hand-holding-remote-for-ductless-air-handler

When homeowners are looking to purchase a new air conditioner, they go into it knowing it’s a huge investment. Therefore, they may be tempted to cut corners and do an installation on their own to save money. However, the thing about big investments is that you really need an experienced professional on your side to make sure it operates as effectively and efficiently as it’s meant to. So, our answer to “Is it difficult to install a ductless mini-split” is going to be, “For you, maybe not… for one of our professionals, definitely not!”

Installing a ductless system on your own could leave you with a system that doesn’t operate as well as it could have otherwise or with broken air handlers later on down the line, which we’ll elaborate on below. Read on as we uncover what you need to know about ductless installation.

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Which AC Unit Should I Buy?

Monday, May 23rd, 2022
outdoor-ac-unit-sitting-on-top-of-money

Temperatures are starting to warm, and with that change in the weather, you may be wondering if your air conditioner is ready for another hot season ahead. Of course, if you’re making that decision now, it could be tempting to rush into a purchase before summertime hits in earnest. Rushing a decision like this, however, can be a mistake, leaving you with a potentially inefficient air conditioner and/or an improperly installed air conditioner.

We’re going to assume that you’re not rushing into this purchase, and this is why you’ve decided to read this blog post. With that, we’re happy to share some information that may help you make a careful, educated decision about your next air conditioner purchase. Read on!

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Unique Ductless Needs to Be Aware Of

Monday, June 21st, 2021
woman-sitting-on-couch-using-remote-to-turn-on-ductless-air-handler

When it comes time for you to replace your outdated air conditioner, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by all the options available to you. After all, there are many! You might find it easier to go with the same cooling system you’ve always had–but what if this isn’t the most efficient way to go about it? In other words, what if it’s cheaper for you to go with another option?

It might very well be time for you to consider going ductless for your cooling (and heating) needs. Ductless HVAC systems are made up of a single outdoor unit, which is connected to up to four indoor air handlers. Each air handler can be controlled independently, making for a highly efficient and powerful option for homeowners looking for year-round comfort.

If not properly installed or serviced, however, you might run into a few repair needs that are unique to ductless systems.

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