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

Home Efficiency Boosting Tips

Monday, August 3rd, 2020

Summer is chugging right along, and the hottest temperatures are still ahead of us. That means as much as we’re running our home cooling systems right now, we’ll be doing it even more in the coming weeks. of course, this also means hefty energy bills. Air conditioners aren’t cheap after all–actually your HVAC use typically accounts for half of all your home energy use!

This doesn’t mean it needs to break the bank, though. You can take some steps that will help improve the efficiency of your air conditioner and help you out a bit on the financial end.

First, we have to mention maintenance–scheduling routine annual maintenance (or biannual, if you have a heat pump) is key to ensuring efficient AC operation. In addition to staying on top of your cooling system tune-ups, you can:

Tags: AC Repair, Waterloo
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What AC Repairs Do You Need?

Monday, May 25th, 2020

Your home’s central air conditioning system is one of the most important appliances there is when it comes to your family’s comfort and quality of life. It’s also one of the most specialized pieces of equipment! While the average homeowner can certainly take on tasks like minor plumbing fixes, replacing an electrical outlet, or doing some basic carpentry work, there are not many homeowners who have the specialized knowledge required to service or maintain their HVAC system.

Just like your vehicle or many other systems, your air conditioner need regular maintenance to keep working as it should, and it’s a lot easier (and cheaper) to address any problem when it’s barely begun than wait until it’s grown into something much bigger. Even the best, most well-cared for air conditioner has a lifecycle of about 10-15 years, but you can get the most out of those years by scheduling repairs as soon as you need them. So how can you tell you need them? Read on!

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End-Of-Season AC Repairs to Be Aware Of

Monday, September 2nd, 2019

The official end of summer is near, with many of us still using our air conditioners on a regular basis. The last thing you need right now is a sudden air conditioner breakdown and a repair call when temperatures are still fluctuating. Of course, if you had maintenance done—one of the most important AC services in Cedar Falls—then it’s less likely this will occur.

But if you do notice signs that your air conditioner is in disrepair, it’s best to take care of those repairs now, rather than waiting until next year when you need your cooling system again.

The fortunate part of all of this is as long as you know what to look for, most AC system repair problems give out signs and symptoms well before they force the air conditioner to break down. While you should never attempt to formally diagnose (or repair) a problem by yourself—they contain potentially harmful components, such as chemical refrigerant—you can fairly easily spot the signs that you need air conditioning repair, and take the appropriate steps from there. These signs include the following:

Tags: AC Repair, AC Services, Cedar Falls
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The #1 Way to Prevent Sudden AC Repair Needs

Monday, May 13th, 2019

We get it—when a professional HVAC company recommends maintenance for an air conditioning or heating system, we know it’s an easy suggestion to just dismiss. Unless something is obviously wrong with your system (such as, you can’t get any heat on a cold winter’s night), you may put off calling in a technician—particularly if things were working just fine with it last year.

But, what if you could prevent sudden air conditioning repair needs? Wouldn’t you want to? If the answer to this is “yes,” then maintenance is the way to go!

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Inexpensive Peace of Mind: Everything That Comes With Your A/C Tune-Up

Friday, May 11th, 2018

There are so many things to maintain in your home that it can feel like a full-time job! Don’t worry, the team at Dalton Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electric, and Fireplaces is here to help. Our expert technicians are standing by to take care of any issue in your home, including your air conditioner tune-up in Cedar Falls.

At Dalton, we want our customers’ hard-earned dollars to work for them. That’s why every service we offer is completely comprehensive, so you can get the most bang for your buck. Here are just a few things that come with your air conditioner tune-up.

What Comes with Your Air Conditioner Tune-Up?

Lubricate Moving Parts. Ensuring all pieces of your unit are properly lubricated will prevent wear. Even better, it will prevent your system from overheating, the typical cause of a mid-season breakdown.
Test Refrigerant Levels. Another common cause of overheating stems from a unit running low on coolant levels. Low levels can also indicate there is a leak, which requires maintenance as quickly as possible.
Test Starting Capabilities. We suggest having your air conditioner tuned-up before the heat of summer sets in. That way, the Dalton technician can ensure your unit is starting correctly and running efficiently.
Tighten Electrical Connections. As with lubricating parts, tightening electrical components will help your system run smoothly. Additionally, it will prevent safety concerns — like electrical fires — when promptly taken care of.
Check & Replace Air Filters. Air filters should be regularly replaced to ensure your unit is functioning properly and not spreading dust throughout your home.
Remove Dust & Debris. Your A/C technician will help keep your unit clean, including the condenser coils, evaporator, and other key components. We will remove all built-up debris to prevent overheating and decreased efficiency.
Clean Dryer Vent. Cleaning your dryer vents is a quick and easy way to prevent fires in your home.
Examine Safety Components & Proper Venting. During your tune-up, our technicians will inspect the electrical components, wiring, plugs to ensure your cooling system is free of frayed wires, loose electrical connections or any other safety concerns.
Apply Protective Coatings. At Dalton, we take safety very seriously. We elevate the standard of fire prevention by applying non-conductive coatings to the electrical components.
Calibrate Thermostat. Thermostats can lose their calibration season to season. Dalton technicians will readjust the settings, as needed, to make sure your unit is cooling your home to the correct temperature.
Measure for Proper Volts & Amps. We will test the volts and amps of your air conditioner to determine the amount of energy your unit consumes. If the compressor is operating normally, the unit should consume what is called the Rated Load Amps or RLA.
Check Blower Speed. Another key way to test your unit for functionality is to check the blower speed. If the speed is low, it could mean there is a bad blower resistor, or there is a problem with overheating or ventilation.

Peace of Mind All Summer Long

Are you ready to schedule your air conditioner tune-up? Or, do you want to take peace of mind to another level with a Complete Home Comfort Membership? Dalton Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electric, and Fireplaces is just one call away! Book your service now by calling (319) 266-3513.

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Dalton’s Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

Wednesday, April 4th, 2018

We know that during the winter it’s easy to hibernate instead of doing routine chores around your home. However, now that the coldest days of winter are behind us, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get to work on your home maintenance.

Don’t worry! You don’t have to comb the internet to find out which tasks need to be done this time of year, because the Dalton team is here to help. We have the expertise to assist you in sprucing up your home and getting it ready for summer. Take a look at the items we have on our helpful spring home maintenance checklist.

Call Dalton for your Preseason A/C Tune Up!

Any time is better than never, but we think spring is the ideal season to get your A/C tune-up. A preseason tune-up will cut cooling costs, lower the risk of future breakdowns and need for repair, and keep your system running longer.

Get a Chimney Checkup.

We suggest having your fireplace inspected and cleaned at least once each year, especially if you use it on a regular basis. Your Dalton technician will ensure the unit is properly clearing exhaust and waste. After, they will prepare your unit for summer, ensuring your cooled air stays indoors.

Stop the Beeping and Replace the Batteries in your Smoke and CO Detectors.

Even when your detectors aren’t indicating they are low, we suggest switching the batteries out every year. The batteries in these devices can make a life-or-death difference for your family, so it is absolutely worth the time spent replacing them.

Keep it Healthy, Pure, and Clear by Replacing your Water Filters.

To ensure clean drinking water for your family, we suggest changing your filter every three to six months. If you notice the water flow slowing down or altering to a darker color, consider replacing it early and get your water tested by a certified Dalton technician.

For help with any of your spring tasks, speak to the team at Dalton Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electric and Fireplaces! We are standing by to help you prepare for summer and keep your home’s systems in tip-top shape. You can reach us at (319) 266-3513.

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