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

The Function of Your Air Conditioner’s Capacitor

Monday, June 27th, 2016

As summer is officially here, you’re probably using your air conditioner more and more already. As temperatures climb, it will likely be on constantly. As familiar as you are with using your AC however, you probably don’t know much about the individual components that allow your system to cool your home.

Of course, we don’t expect our customers to understand every detail of an air conditioning system; that’s our job! However, it can be advantageous to at least have a basic understanding of some of the important components of your home cooling system, so that when something does go wrong you understand the necessity for quick repairs. One component that people should be aware of is the capacitor.

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Is Your Air Conditioner Icing Over?

Monday, June 20th, 2016

Summer is finally upon us, and as such you’ll be depending on your air conditioning system more and more in order to keep your home and your family cool throughout the season. When you do begin using your air conditioner more, you may notice ice forming on the evaporator coil of your system. Perhaps you’d brush this off as normal, or a good sign. However, you’d be wrong.

Unfortunately, if ice has developed on your air conditioner, your system is in trouble. You should call for repairs as soon as this happens. Keep reading for some information on why air conditioners ice over sometimes, why it’s a bad thing, and what you can do about it.

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What AC Maintenance Tasks Can You Do on Your Own?

Monday, June 13th, 2016

We definitely live in more of a “do-it-yourself” atmosphere than we ever have before. There’s nothing wrong with tackling minor home projects on your own, when possible. It’s important to remember, however, that most air conditioning maintenance tasks should be left to the professionals for your safety and for the well-being of your HVAC system.

However, aside from the thorough annual inspection and cleaning that your HVAC professional will conduct during your maintenance appointment, there are other tasks that should be done throughout the year between your maintenance visits—even if you have two maintenance visits each year. These tasks—which you can and should do on your own—have been shared below.

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The Importance of Improving Your Commercial Indoor Air Quality

Monday, June 6th, 2016

When it comes to indoor air quality in the workplace, most tenants and/or employees will likely think about the temperature of their workspace. Is it too hot? Too cold? There is so much more to adequate indoor air quality however.

For example, the air might be too drafty or too still. Or there could be too little or too much humidity in the office. Lastly, there may be occupants who are suffering from allergies which is exacerbated by pollutants coming into the building through the HVAC system: dust, dirt, pollen, etc.

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A UV Air Sanitizer Can Help Your AC This Summer

Monday, May 30th, 2016

There are a number of fantastic indoor air quality devices we carry that remove harmful contaminants from circulating through your indoor air. One of the most powerful of these devices is the UV air sanitizer. This system specifically targets organic pollutants such as mold spores, bacteria, viruses, germs, and more.

The ultraviolet rays emitted from the lamps in a UV air sanitizer disrupt the cellular functions of the cells, killing off microorganisms and preventing them from spreading. It does this without even slowing down the airflow through your ventilation system or using harmful chemicals.

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When Did You Last Have AC Repairs Done?

Monday, May 23rd, 2016

With spring upon us and summer soon on its way, you’ll soon be turning on your air conditioner and have it running for large portions of the day. Right now your AC use is probably pretty minimal, but it could be a good idea to turn it on now and make sure it doesn’t have any obvious problems.

If you do notice issues that are anything short of full system breakdown, you’re likely tempted to wait for repairs until a time you really need your air conditioner to work. However, this could be a mistake since your AC could end up quitting on you when you need it the most. Below we’ve listed a couple reasons you should schedule AC repairs in advance, before you actually need the system.

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Is your Geothermal System Ready for Replacement?

Monday, May 16th, 2016

Geothermal cooling is one of the most efficient ways to condition your air during the summer. This type of ground-source cooling uses the steady temperature of the earth, which varies only slightly no matter what the surface temperature is. Geothermal systems are remarkable durable, however just like any other type of appliance they wear down over time.

If you do have a geothermal system you use for cooling, then it is important to be aware of the signs that it is in disrepair, or possibly is even ready to be replaced. Keep reading for some common indicators.

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Why Isn’t My Air Conditioner Cooling My Home?

Monday, May 9th, 2016

When summertime hits, the last thing you want to be stuck with is a malfunctioning air conditioner. So when you go to turn in on the first time the weather warms up to discover it’s blowing out lukewarm air, your initial reaction may be to panic and start shopping for a new air conditioner. Before you jump to any conclusions though, be sure to read below to discover some common reasons that your AC might not be cooling. Sometimes it’s as simple as a quick repair!

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Don’t Be Stumped By These Common AC Problems

Monday, May 2nd, 2016

As we approach warmer temperatures, you want to ensure that your air conditioner is working as effectively and efficiently as possible. Of course, in order to do so it must be installed by a professional and properly maintained to ensure you don’t run into any issues. Even with this however, your air conditioner may have repair needs from time to time. We’ve highlighted some of the most common air conditioning problems that homeowners face below.

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Is it Time to Install a Dehumidifier?

Monday, April 25th, 2016

If you’ve lived in Iowa through even one summer, then you are familiar with high humidity. Excess humidity can make the hottest of days seem even that more miserable. In addition to making you uncomfortable, too much humidity can actually lead to home damage and require you to run your air conditioner more often. The relative humidity level in your home should be between 30-50%, as any higher than this is inefficient and unhealthy. We’ve listed some benefits of dehumidifier installation below.

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