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

What Are the Benefits of an Air Purifier?

Monday, February 14th, 2022
woman-looking-comfortable-on-her-couch

Did you know that your indoor air quality can actually be worse than the quality of the air outdoors? At least, this is the case if you don’t have the right indoor air quality products and services in place!

When folks hear “indoor air quality” they tend to think of their air conditioners and heaters–in other words, the temperature of their home. But air quality is about so much more than just temperature. It considers the humidity levels of the home, if there are contaminants present, and even how easily viruses can be transmitted.

The right mix of indoor air quality solutions, expertly installed by our team of professionals, will help ensure your home is as comfortable and as healthy as possible for the years to come. One such option is an air purifier, and there are many different types! The benefits of using an air purifier include cleaner, more breathable air, and reducing the risk of virus transmission.

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How Long Does a Furnace Last in Iowa?

Monday, February 7th, 2022
technician-working-on-furnace

Everybody knows that it gets considerably colder in most of Iowa during the winter than it does in other parts of the country. Take Southern California, for instance, or central Arizona. They truly have no concept of what “cold” really is.

Therefore, furnaces must last a lot longer there, right? You probably have to replace yours a lot sooner than your Aunt in Phoenix has to upgrade hers. Well, it might please you to know, that this isn’t necessarily true.

When we talk about “how long a furnace lasts,” we are referring to its useful service life. A furnace might operate for decades, but whether it actually keeps you as warm as you expect, as affordably as you’d expect, is a whole different story. No matter where you live, routine professional maintenance will give a furnace about 10-15 years of useful service life.

Read on as we tell you more about furnaces, and when you’re ready for your next heating installation, please don’t hesitate to give our team a call!

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Furnace Symptoms You Don’t Want to Ignore

Monday, January 17th, 2022
Red marker checking off boxes on a checklist, symbolizing steps in a heater replacement process.

The last thing we want any of our customers to do is sit around worried that their heating system is going to break down at any given moment. However, unless that system has never had professional maintenance done, this is unlikely to happen. It’s also a great idea for homeowners to know the signs of a system that’s in disrepair.

What are those signs? We’re here to share them!

First off, we want to mention maintenance again–we really cannot understate the importance of this service. Whether it’s a gas-powered furnace or an electric heater, professional tune-ups are the single most important thing folks can do to keep their systems working as efficiently, and effectively, as possible, for as long as possible. Maintenance can also help prevent up to 85% of the repair needs a system may ever need in its lifespan! If repairs are becoming frequent, it’s worth evaluating which home heating system is right for you and whether your current unit is past its prime.

This doesn’t mean that well-maintained heaters will never need repairs, of course–there is that other 15% after all. These repair needs usually crop up due to natural wear and tear, and in rare cases due to manufacturer defects. Read on to learn what the signs are of a furnace in disrepair!

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Busting a Common Heat Pump Myth

Monday, January 3rd, 2022
insulated-refrigerant-line

Heat pumps operate much like central air conditioners in that they have a refrigerant process that transfers heat. While other heaters generate heat, the refrigerant process makes a heat pump much more efficient as a heat source.

However, there is one myth that homeowners commonly believe that could be costing you more money than necessary if you believe it too. What is that myth?

That refrigerant needs to be refilled–what those of us in the industry call recharged–on a regular basis. This just isn’t true! Your heat pump is supplied with enough refrigerant during manufacturing to last its entire lifespan, and if your system is losing refrigerant, it means there is a leak. Read on to learn more about this problem!

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Why Heating Maintenance Is Essential

Monday, December 20th, 2021

Winter is just around the corner, and when it hits you know just how fast the temperatures can take a turn. As you know, it’s already pretty darn chilly around here! So if you haven’t done so already, now is the perfect time to schedule heating maintenance, and this is a service you absolutely need to invest in.

Of course, you may be wondering if it’s really worth it. We wholeheartedly believe that it is. It’s important for your comfort, first off, as well as your home energy efficiency and utility bills, and even your safety. That’s not to say your heater is inherently dangerous, but not properly caring for a heater–especially a gas-powered system–could potentially lead to a dangerous scenario.

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This Season, Don’t Overload Your Electrical System with Holiday Lights!

Monday, December 6th, 2021
holiday-lights-on-gutter

Tis’ the season for festive holiday decorations! Perhaps you’ve already noticed that some homes in your area have adorned their houses with a few strings of lights, or maybe even really complex, professional holiday light displays aimed to win home decorating contests.

Putting up holiday lights outside your home is a really fun way to make your household and even your street look super festive. Colorful and playful lighting is also fun to see on snowy evenings. But, it’s important that you keep in mind, no matter how many or how few holiday lights you plan to put up around your home to brighten the season, you want to take proper safety precautions to prevent issues like shorting out your electrical system, accidentally triggering an electrical fire, or perhaps even causing a tripping hazard with loose wires around.

Read on for some tips on holiday light safety, and why you shouldn’t overload your electrical system with these lights.

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Sounds You Should Never Hear Your Furnace Making

Monday, November 22nd, 2021
woman-holding-hand-to-ear-to-listen

Sometimes it can be easy for homeowners to ignore some of the sounds that the systems and appliances in their homes make–especially if those systems and appliances seem to be running just fine despite the noise. 

It can be tempting, too, to deny that anything is even wrong, since oftentimes repairs are costly and time-consuming. However, there are simply some sounds that should never be ignored, especially when it comes to your furnace! 

These noises include screeching, clanging, banging or “booming,” and rattling. Read on as we uncover what may be going wrong with your furnace when you hear these sounds! 

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What’s the Best Method for Preventing Furnace Repairs?

Monday, November 8th, 2021
technician-working-on-furnace

With temperatures already dipping below freezing, we hope that you’ve given some thought to the condition of your furnace. After all, you’re using it on a regular basis and need it to work reliably, efficiently, and effectively. 

The last thing you need is to be dealing with a last-minute repair need in the dead of winter when you need the system the most. But, can this really be avoided? 

Yes, it can! The best method for preventing furnace repairs–well, the majority of them, anyhow–is to schedule annual maintenance for your furnace from a professional. Read on as we uncover just why this service is so important. 

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How to Prevent Frozen and Burst Pipes This Year

Monday, October 25th, 2021
frozen-and-burst-pipe

If you’ve lived in Idaho for even just a year, then you know we’ve had some pretty cold winters! And when winter comes along, you’re likely pretty consumed with staying warm in your home. 

But, are you ensuring that all areas of your home are staying warm? Specifically, have you given much thought to your plumbing system? 

When temperatures dip below freezing, the water in your pipes–especially exposed pipes–is likely to freeze as well, without proper precautions. The problem isn’t so much the freezing, but what happens as the pipes thaw… it creates a negative pressure that eventually leads to the pipes bursting. 

The good news is, this damage can be prevented! Read on to learn how to avoid your pipes falling victim to cold weather this year. 

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5 Signs Your Electrical Panel is Ready to Be Replaced

Monday, October 11th, 2021
hand-holding-sparking-plug

Imagine if all the electricity in your home went directly to your refrigerator. You probably wouldn’t have a refrigerator for very long. Thankfully, modern homes have electrical panels to manage and distribute our supply of electricity. 

As you can guess, the electrical panel is a highly important system–it helps us run our homes and protects our appliances’ well-being. This makes it even more important to be on the alert for when your electrical panel is on its last leg.

Having an electrical panel that needs to be replaced can sometimes be tricky to diagnose. We are here to help. Let’s look at some of the warning signs you might be seeing so you can figure out if they are alerting you to an electric panel that needs to be upgraded. 

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