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

Common Furnace Problems To Be Aware Of

Monday, October 10th, 2022

It may still be warm enough to use our air conditioners during the day, but the colder days are right around the corner, and soon enough you’ll be running your furnace pretty consistently. So, it’s important to ensure that yours is in great shape. The last thing you need in the middle of winter is a sudden furnace breakdown.

Of course, the best way to prevent furnace problems is with professional maintenance. Maintenance tune-ups allow our technicians to comprehensively inspect, clean, and adjust components that need it, making sure that your furnace works as effectively and efficiently as possible, for as long as possible.

The other way to prevent furnace problems is to understand the following signs of small problems and give us a call for furnace repairs before those small problems turn into catastrophes.

Tags: Cedar Rapids, Furnace Repair
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“Which Home Heating System Is Right for Me?”

Monday, October 3rd, 2022

One of the most commonly asked questions we get when it comes to installing a new heating system is “Which one is best for me?” There are so many options on the market today that it can seem pretty overwhelming to make choice, but we’re here to help! It first helps to choose what kind of heat you want.

What?! you might be wondering at this point… bear with us!

There are two main types of heating systems when you think about it… a forced-air system such as a furnace or heat pump, or a radiant heater such as a boiler or in-floor system. Each of these system types has its benefits, and finding the best one for your specific home and needs depends on a number of factors, which we can help you with. Read on to learn about the key differences!

Tags: Cedar Rapids, heating installation, Heating Service
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Is an Electric Ignition Better Than a Pilot Light in a Gas Furnace?

Monday, February 28th, 2022

Have you had the same furnace in your home for many years? If so, then you’re probably used to furnaces having pilot lights. If you’re planning on having a new furnace installed soon, however, it probably isn’t going to use a pilot light at all! Instead, it’s likely going to have an electronic ignition system that ignites the burners. In fact, it’s pretty rare today that manufacturers still make furnaces with pilot lights at all.

Why? We explore this below… read on!

Tags: Cedar Falls, Heating
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How Long Does a Furnace Last in Iowa?

Monday, February 7th, 2022

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!

Tags: Cedar Rapids, Furnace Service
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Furnace Symptoms You Don’t Want to Ignore

Monday, January 17th, 2022

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!

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!

Tags: Cedar Rapids, furnace services
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Sounds You Should Never Hear Your Furnace Making

Monday, November 22nd, 2021

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!

Tags: Cedar Rapids, Furnace Repair
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Higher Natural Gas Market Prices Expected in the Cedar Falls Area

Monday, November 15th, 2021

money-and-green-house-on-seesaw-animation

Cedar Falls Utilities recently alerted customers that natural gas market prices are expected to increase, impacting utility bills during the upcoming heating season. These prices have more than doubled from this same time last year, which has increased the cost for utilities throughout the country to purchase natural gas that is provided to customers.

The good news is that Cedar Falls Utilities has agreements in place that shield customers as much as possible from price volatility, working with their gas supplier to stabilize daily and monthly gas prices.

But what does this all mean for you, our customers? You certainly aren’t going to go without using your heater over the coming months, right?

Read on as we uncover some ways you can use your gas-powered heating system, and water heater, more efficiently and potentially mitigate too much of a financial loss from these rising utility costs.

Tags: heating services, Waterloo
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What’s the Best Method for Preventing Furnace Repairs?

Monday, November 8th, 2021

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.

Tags: Cedar Rapids, Furnace Maintenance, Furnace Repair
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One Furnace Hazard You Want to be Sure to Avoid

Monday, October 25th, 2021

Perhaps you read the title of this blog post and are now wondering, “Wait, is my furnace hazardous?”

The answer is, “No, not inherently.”

The problem is that many homeowners invest in a gas-powered furnace, but not the maintenance and care that goes into safely operating it. Or they’re not aware that a gas-powered furnace can start experiencing problems with age that may lead to potentially hazardous consequences. One consequence in particular that we’re going to talk about today is a cracked heat exchanger.

Tags: Heating Service, Waterloo
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Safety Tips to Consider with Your Electric Furnace Installation

Monday, October 11th, 2021

For many homeowners, the decision to purchase an electric furnace over a gas-powered system comes down to safety. It’s not that gas furnaces are inherently unsafe. However, there’s always going to be a slight risk when gas lines are involved, at least if that gas furnace isn’t very well maintained over the years.

Still, though, let’s address this assumption that electric furnaces are safer. It’s true, they do not post any threat of toxic gas leaks the way a natural gas furnace may. However, electric furnaces are large, powerful, pieces of electrical equipment and have the potential to create problems. Fortunately, problems with electric furnaces are relatively easy to avoid! Read on to learn how.

Tags: Cedar Falls, furnace services
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