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

When Do You Need AC Service?

Monday, July 17th, 2023

The answer might seem simple when you ask us. You need AC service any time your air conditioner exhibits any strange noises or problems that require fixing. While this sounds easy enough, it’s actually a lot more complicated than that.

For instance, what exactly is a problem? Is that little squeaking noise in an otherwise perfectly fine air conditioner an issue? Or what constitutes a bad noise when compared to good noises, like the sound of air coming from your air vents? These are all good questions, and ones that make this process a lot harder for homeowners than many people initially think.

Even a customer who might have an otherwise working air conditioner could see a terribly high energy bill every month–which constitutes a definite need for AC service in Cedar Falls, IA. These things require a bit more thought, which is what we’re going to cover today.

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5 Common DIY AC Repair Mistakes

Monday, June 26th, 2023

We’d like to start this blog post with a handy PSA: Air conditioning repair should never be done DIY. It’s not like other repairs where you can try your hand at a few fixes yourself. An AC is complex and usually covered by a dealer’s or manufacturer’s warranty that can be immediately voided if you’re not careful.

That being said, we’d like to talk about the other main reason why we advise homeowners to steer clear of DIY AC repair in Cedar Rapids, IA. We’re talking about mistakes.

It’s incredibly easy to mess something up, break something, or even forget something when you try to fix your AC yourself. And since these systems are large, expensive, and extremely complicated, that chance is very likely and can lead to some unintended results.

From broken parts to a completely botched unit, we’re going to highlight some of the most common mistakes we see when customers try to fix their AC units themselves.

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Why Short Cycling Is Not Good

Tuesday, June 6th, 2023

Your ears have perked up at the fact that your air conditioner has started running more frequently. You can tell when it starts up and shuts down multiple times, and it’s piqued your interest. It can’t be that bad right? After all, it’s natural for the system to do this.

Well, not exactly. The only thing natural about your air conditioner is the fact that it turns on, cools air, and turns back off again. The amount of time it spends doing this should be a very specific duration, known as a cycle. If it runs this cycle in quicker succession, you’re going to see the results in broken components, higher energy bills, and even an early AC replacement.

Keep reading to learn more about the causes of a short cycling AC, and why this is never a good sign. And don’t forget to call us for AC repair in Evansdale, IA.

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It’s Time to Talk About Your Filter

Monday, May 22nd, 2023

Ah, the air filter. Every air conditioner has one, and so many customers have no idea how important they are. We don’t blame them, it’s not like it’s easy to find this kind of information unless you’re following a blog like ours.

AC systems routinely go through massive amounts of air circulated through your home. They cool this air as it passes through the system, and they do so regularly in cycles. That means that all of the dust, dirt, and pet dander that’s existing in your home’s air will get cycled through the system. Or at least it all would if it weren’t for the air filter!

The air filter is a protective component that keeps the sensitive area inside your AC from being damaged by contaminants. If it’s not changed out regularly, then you could see AC repair in Waterloo, IA sooner rather than later.

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What Do I Do About a Hot Upstairs?

Monday, May 1st, 2023

If there’s one universal law we deal with on a regular basis, it’s that heat rises. No matter where you are or what you’re doing, the heat you create or encounter in your life will always drift to the upper area of your home. It’s really that consistent.

However, homes are a little different. For one, we treat them to be cooler or warmer than the outside depending on our comfort preferences. Your air conditioner, for instance, is designed to cool all of the space in your home so that the air feels good, even the upstairs air.

So, if there’s an issue with a hot upstairs in your home, then you might have a problem with your air conditioning in Cedar Rapids, IA. Keep reading or call our team to schedule an appointment and figure out what’s going on.

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Our Guide to a Refrigerant Leak

Monday, April 10th, 2023

Air conditioners use refrigerant in a closed-loop system. What this means is that by the time the system is fully installed, it’s been set up with all the refrigerant it will ever need for the rest of its lifespan.

Refrigerant in an air conditioner is not like gasoline in a car, it shouldn’t need to be refilled and it should have the same amount next year that it has this year.

However, as you can clearly tell by your system leaking refrigerant, and other people needing a refrigerant “recharge” for their systems, this isn’t how it works out in real life. Air conditioners can leak refrigerant. So, what do you do?

First of all, the problem needs to be diagnosed before we can recharge the refrigerant. AC repair in Cedar Rapids, IA is going to be necessary to have the issue diagnosed and fixed. Then we can worry about replacing the refrigerant and getting you back to normal.

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5 Signs You Need Central AC Repair

Monday, April 3rd, 2023

A central air conditioner is a great investment for your home, but it’s not going to run the full extent of its lifespan without a few hiccups.

Any appliance is going to have components break down due to wear and tear, so it’s only natural that you’ll need to invest in central air conditioning repair in Cedar Rapids, IA. But detecting those problems is a whole ordeal itself.

So, let’s cut right to the chase. We’ll help you locate and diagnose a problem if you call us to have it fixed. Do we have a deal? This ensures that you stay in total control of your air conditioning system and budget, and you get licensed professionals to handle the difficult part of the repair. Only a pro has the tools and expertise to fix these kinds of problems.

If any of these signs sound familiar, then you should get our team to fix them before the summer arrives.

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5 Signs You Need Expert AC Repairs

Monday, March 27th, 2023
air-conditioner-being-repaired

So, you’re frustrated with your air conditioner. We get it! Most of the time, when customers or other readers get to this blog, it’s after a long and complicated ordeal with their air conditioning systems.

Perhaps it’s not cooling certain rooms, it’s making noises, or worse, it’s shutting down completely. What gives?

Well, many things can give. Unfortunately, it’s nearly impossible to diagnose an air conditioning system via blog post, or even on the phone. A professional HVAC technician will almost always need to take a closer look at the system and check under the hood.

With that in mind, there’s no problem with informing our customers about some of the potential problems that could be happening, and giving them a few strategies to help deal with them.

Here’s a hint though, the best strategy you could do right now is invest in repairs for your central air conditioning in Cedar Rapids, IA.

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4 Common Causes for AC Repair

Monday, May 2nd, 2022
two-technicians-working-on-air-conditioner

Summer is not quite here yet, but soon enough temperatures will warm, and you’ll want to ensure that your air conditioning system is in good shape. Of course, this means paying close attention to any indicators of a problem and calling in a professional right away to service your system.

But, what if you are not familiar with the kinds of issues that an air conditioner might face? Well, you’re in luck. We’ve listed 4 of the most common AC repair issues; read on and learn about the issues your air conditioner could face–and schedule a tune-up with us so we can inspect and clean your system to help you avoid unexpected repair needs!

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Why Fall Is No Time to Forget Your Air Conditioner

Monday, September 27th, 2021
two-technicians-working-on-outside-ac-unit

The official end of summer is upon us, and very soon it will be time to start thinking about your heating system–in fact, it’s not too early to schedule heating maintenance if you haven’t done so already!

But you’re probably still using your air conditioner pretty consistently in the meantime, and the last thing you need right now is a huge repair need or a sudden breakdown!

We have good news! Most AC repair needs show symptoms or signs well before the system breaks down. So, if you do notice any of the signs we’re about to share, it’d be wise to give us a call ASAP. This way you can rely on your system not only for the rest of whatever hot weather comes our way, but also when temperatures warm up again next spring.

Remember, it’s important that you not try to diagnose, and especially not try to do your own repairs on, an air conditioner problem. However, you can definitely pay attention to see if you notice any of the following symptoms or anything that we didn’t mention below but seems out of character for your AC system, such as strange noises.

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