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

Before You Start Your Bathroom Remodel, Consider This!

Monday, February 17th, 2020

beautiful-bathroomIf you’re reading this post, chances are that your bathroom doesn’t look the way you want it to. Maybe it’s not as functional as it could be, or you’re having trouble getting around it with ease.

Depending on your particular circumstances, a bathroom remodel can definitely be the answer. After all, bathrooms are the most used rooms in the home next to kitchens, and remodeling can give you a whole new space.

For a job of this caliber, it pays to work closely with a plumbing contractor you can trust. Preparation and planning make a world of difference in the results you’ll achieve with your bathroom remodel. In fact, there might even be factors you haven’t considered yet, if you were thinking about tackling this bathroom remodel on your own. These considerations include:

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Should You Have a Whole-House Generator Installed?

Monday, February 3rd, 2020

technicians-installing-whole-house-generatorWe’re right smack in the middle of the coldest season of the year, which means it’s the last possible time you want to be stuck without power. Could you imagine being without your heating system right now? Not only would it be uncomfortable, it could even be dangerous and unhealthy.

If your home is at risk of a power outage—and let’s face it, if you live in the Waterloo area then stormy weather puts you at risk quite often—then you’ll absolutely benefit from contacting our certified electricians for generator installation. Read on to learn more!

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Why Your Heater Replacement Requires a Pro

Monday, January 20th, 2020
technician-working-on-furnace

Do you need a heating system replacement in Waterloo, IA? We’re going to guess, since you decided to read this blog post, you already know that it requires a professional to do the job. But perhaps you’re skeptical, can’t you just do the job on your own? After all, there are so many “do it yourself” videos out there nowadays…

Sure, DIY projects are great. They’re great for things like repainting furniture, maybe building a planter box, or installing a new DVR, but they simply are not the solution for HVAC installation. There are a number of things that can go wrong, and these factors affect not only your comfort, but your safety too. The following factors, such as the complexity of the system, home size, and the condition of your current unit, all influence the difficulty and safety of a boiler replacement.

Still not convinced? Read on!

Introduction to Heater Replacement

Heater replacement is a vital part of keeping your home comfortable and energy efficient, especially as older systems become less reliable and more costly to operate. Upgrading to a new boiler or heating system can make a significant difference in your monthly energy bills and overall comfort. With energy prices on the rise and a growing focus on sustainability, homeowners are increasingly looking at replacing outdated, inefficient boilers with high efficiency models. Homeowners can potentially qualify for rebates and tax credits when installing high-efficiency boilers. A professional boiler installation ensures that your new system is properly matched to your heating needs and hot water needs, taking into account factors like boiler size, fuel source, type, and efficiency rating. By understanding the various elements that affect boiler replacement costs, you can make an informed decision that balances upfront investment with long-term savings and comfort.

Choosing the Right Heater

Selecting the best heater for your home involves more than just picking a model off the shelf. Your heating needs, available fuel source, and budget all play a role in determining the right fit. Natural gas boilers are a popular choice for their high efficiency and lower operating costs, making them ideal for homes with access to natural gas. Oil boilers are often considered in areas where natural gas isn’t available, offering reliable heat but sometimes at a higher cost. Heat pumps provide an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly alternative, especially in milder climates. To ensure your new system delivers the right heating capacity, it’s important to consider the British Thermal Units (BTUs) required for your space, the boiler size best suited to your home, as well as whether you need an indirect water heater for hot water supply. Consulting with an HVAC professional can help you navigate these options, ensuring your new boiler or heating system is perfectly tailored to your home’s unique requirements. A licensed contractor can also walk you through both the boiler installation process and a breakdown of the expected boiler replacement cost for your project, while highlighting the advantages of replacing older units before they fail.

Energy Efficiency Considerations

When replacing your heater, energy efficiency should be at the top of your priority list. High efficiency boilers, such as condensing boilers, are designed to extract more heat from the same amount of fuel, resulting in lower energy consumption and reduced utility bills. High-efficiency boilers can achieve an AFUE rating between 95% to 98%, making them a smart choice for homeowners looking to save on energy costs. The Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating is a key metric to look for, higher AFUE ratings mean greater efficiency and more savings over time. Installing zoning systems can further boost energy efficiency by allowing you to control heating zones independently, so you only heat the areas you need. Regular maintenance, including cleaning and inspecting the heat exchanger, is essential to keep your system running at peak performance. While efficiency is key, you’ll also want to factor in long-term boiler installation costs, since higher efficiency units may cost more upfront but save more in the long run. By focusing on high efficiency options and proper maintenance, and timely boiler replacement homeowners can enjoy reliable heat, lower costs, and a smaller environmental footprint.

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How It Pays to Be Enrolled in a Maintenance Plan

Monday, December 23rd, 2019

animated-checklistWould you drive your car for 10 t0 15 years without having an oil change or ever taking it in for a tune-up? We’re going to guess not, since even if you tried, eventually your car would just cease to function.

If this is unacceptable for your vehicle, then it should be unacceptable for your HVAC systems, which can absolutely suffer the same fate. If you want reliable and efficient cooling in the summer, and effective heating in the winter, then you owe it to your HVAC systems and to your family to schedule routine maintenance, and to do so by enrolling in a regular heating maintenance plan.

But what are the benefits of this? Is it really worth it?

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Improve Your Heating Efficiency with This One Tip

Monday, December 9th, 2019

heating-vent-low-on-wallWhat’s that tip, you ask? Use your ceiling fans!

You may be wondering about this tip—aren’t ceiling fans just good in the summertime? And even if you used your ceiling fan, isn’t that just eating up more electricity? How can you be boosting energy efficiency, then?

Hear us out! Below we’ve outlined just how ceiling fans work, and why they make a great addition to your home in the summertime in addition to the wintertime. Read on, and don’t forget to contact our team when you need expert heating services in Waterloo, IA.

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Heed These Signs You Need a Water Softener

Monday, November 25th, 2019

water-softenerNobody wants to be told there could be something wrong with their water. In fact, it may even be hard for you to believe something is, in fact, wrong with your water. After all, doesn’t it go through heavy filtration at the water treatment plant in your city? Well, yes, but the water has many miles to travel from that plant before it reaches your faucets, and in that time can pick up a number of particles, including minerals that lead to hard water.

Hard water is a name given to water that has high concentrations of calcium, magnesium, and even sometimes iron in it. These minerals are not harmful to ingest. However, they can absolutely affect your quality of life. Hard water can be managed with a water softener as it enters the home. Water softeners are just one of the many water treatment options in Waterloo, IA we offer. How do you know if you need one, though? By checking for the following signs in your home:

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Do Tankless Water Heaters Need Maintenance?

Monday, November 11th, 2019

tankless-water-heaterTank water heaters are the conventional types of water heaters found in most homes—large, noticeable, and sometimes noisy, they’re pretty hard to ignore! As such, you probably know they need professional water heater services every now and then—particularly, maintenance. Scaling, after all, which is the buildup of hard water minerals, can have a major effect on the tank. It leads to problems with pressure, temperature, and eventually, corrosion.

What many homeowners don’t realize, though, is that if they have a tankless water heater, they don’t get to escape the need for maintenance. And much of the maintenance that is done for tank water heaters is also done for tankless systems. Keep reading to learn more!

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Do You Need an Electrical Panel Upgrade?

Monday, October 28th, 2019

electricians-working-on-electrical-panelAlso referred to as the circuit breaker panel of your home, the electrical panel is the central hub of your entire electrical system—where the incoming electricity is routed to the different circuits. The breakers are designed to shut off circuits in case of voltage overload. If you have an older circuit breaker panel, you should ensure you aren’t overdue for having it replaced.

If you suspect or wonder if it is time for you to upgrade your electrical panel, the best thing you can do is call in a professional electrician in Cedar Falls. In the meantime, we’ve provided some questions below for you to ask yourself when determining whether or not your electrical system could use this type of upgrade.

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When Did You Last Schedule Professional Drain Cleaning?

Monday, September 30th, 2019

bubbling-drainIf your answer is, “Well… I don’t… I just use store-bought liquid drain cleaner,” then we urge you to read on!

The thing is, using one of these chemical drain cleaners is the worst thing you can do for the health of your plumbing system. It may solve your problem in the short term, but it will only exacerbate the problems you’ll run into later on. Keep reading to learn more about why you shouldn’t use these store-bought “solutions,” and why you should call for professional drain cleaning service instead.

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Going Pro: When to Call for Help

Monday, September 16th, 2019

plumber-tightening-pipeSometimes, it’s quite obvious when you need the assistance of a professional plumber. Burst pipes sending water all throughout your kitchen? A toilet that won’t flush? A clogged up kitchen drain that you can’t clear with a sink plunger? These are all reasons to call a plumber.

But what about the more subtle plumbing issues? Some are quite sneaky—particularly when the problems start off small. The trick is to learn how to catch them early when they’re still small, so they are easier for a plumber to fix and won’t cause damage to your home in the meantime. Keep reading for some quieter signs you have a plumbing problem that needs professionals with extensive experience with plumbing in Hudson, IA.

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