Cedar Falls, IA Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning Blog | Dalton Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, Inc.

New Heater Vs New Insulation

December 12th, 2022

Every time the cold temperatures roll around, the first thought in many homeowners’ heads is that they might need a new heating system. It’s true, if your heating system is in rough shape, is a decade old, or if it’s just not working the way that you want it to, then you are going to need a heating system replacement. However, the conversation shouldn’t start and stop there, it’s actually a lot more complicated.

Sometimes, your home needs a bit of extra help in other areas, not just with your heating system. A heating installation in Cedar Rapids, IA is certainly going to give you a boon in energy efficiency and comfort, but without proper insulation, it’s not going to do very much. Insulation is used to keep the heat inside of your home, and without it, your heat would quickly escape into the atmosphere around your home.

When do you purchase a new heater and when do you get new insulation? Keep reading to find out!

“How Do I Know If I Need Water Treatment?”

December 5th, 2022

adult-holding-child-hands-at-sink-faucet

We have some good news, and some not-so-great news when it comes to the quality of the water you drink, bathe with, and use for various other tasks in your home. The good news is, if your water comes from a city main then it goes through heavy filtration before it reaches your faucets and taps. This means that you usually do not have to worry about harmful contaminants reaching your home.

The not-so-great news is two-fold. First off, that water has a long way to go from the municipal plant to your house—it can pick up stuff along the way such as minerals causing hard water, and other pollutants. Secondly, if you’re getting your water from a well, then the quality of your water is even more unpredictable.

Back to that good news though! You can tell what shape your home’s water is with professional water testing in Cedar Falls, from our experienced team. From there, we can make recommendations for you to improve the health and safety of your water. In the meantime, here are some signs to watch out for that indicate you need such a service.

Don’t Let a Broken Furnace Give You Wintertime Blues

December 5th, 2022

Of all the appliance repair needs you may have in your home throughout the course of a year, few are more concerning than that of a broken down or malfunctioning furnace in the middle of winter. When you live where we do, a fully effective and efficient heater is essential. To accomplish this, it’s first important that you schedule routine maintenance, once a year, for your furnace. If you haven’t done so already, now’s the time to schedule this service!

Next, you’ll want to ensure that any Janesville, IA furnace repair needs that come up during maintenance are addressed right away. Otherwise, you could find yourself facing one of the two common furnace complaints calls we get—that the system either won’t start or that the furnace won’t stop running.

What You Need to Know about Frozen Pipes!

November 28th, 2022

Temperatures are already getting quite chilly, and that means it’s time to winterize your home! You may have already taken some steps towards this, like ensuring that your heater is maintained and ready for the season. But what about your pipes? After all, temperatures can and will drop below 30°F this winter.

This means that the unthinkable could very well happen. That’s right, you can find yourself dealing with frozen pipes. While we have the resources you need to find a professional we’re happy to help you by sharing some tips on how to defend against frozen pipes before they even occur.

Drain Cleaning: Don’t Rely on Store-Bought Solutions

November 21st, 2022

When you’re searching for a solution for clogged drains in your home, the simplest answer is to buy a jug of chemical drain cleaner from the store down the street. After all, these are marketed towards homeowners and renters looking to quickly clear up a drain that has slowed or stopped, particularly a bathroom drain that could be stopped up with hair or soap scum. But any professional plumber with experience in drain cleaning in Evansdale, IA is going to advise against this.

Chemical drain cleaning solutions are simply not the best solution for your clogged drains. In fact, they’re not a solution at all! We think some other products and services are a much better fit, but why?

Dalton’s Guide to Radiant Heating

November 21st, 2022

Winter is really just right around the corner in Cedar Rapids and with it comes cooler temperatures and an increased emphasis on heating. We all need reliable heaters to get us through the cold months of winter, but for whatever reason, more traditional boilers and forced-air furnaces may not be right for you.

If you’re ready to replace an old heater or simply install a new one, you might consider a radiant heating system. The installation cost tends to be higher than more traditional heating systems, but there are substantial benefits that go along with it.

What is radiant heating? We’ve spelled out a few quick answers below.

Dalton’s Guide to Winterize Your HVAC System

November 11th, 2022

Winter is fast approaching, but is your HVAC system ready for it? Winterization helps you protect yourself against high energy bills and protect your physical HVAC unit from ice and melting snow.

It’s time for HVAC maintenance in Cedar Rapids, IA before winterizing your home. Tune up your unit, protect it, and use these winterization tips to protect it until it’s ready to use when spring rolls around.

Does Your Boiler Need to be Replaced?

November 7th, 2022

Technician beginning to replace a water boiler.

Your boiler never stops working. It’s day in, day out, with no paid sick time or holiday leave. That’s a lot of constant stress on an integral part of your home. So how do you know when you have to replace it with an upgraded unit?

The goal is to know when it needs to be replaced before your hot water runs out, or your boiler completely breaks down on you. Let’s find out if you need boiler service in Cedar Rapids, IA for a replacement right now.

Is a Ductless Heater Right For Your Home?

November 7th, 2022

If you are shopping for a new heating system this time of the year, chances are that you’re in a bit of a rush to find one. We really want to discourage you from rushing into this decision though, since doing so could leave you with a system that isn’t well matched to your specific home or needs. Choosing the right heater can seem like an overwhelming task, but we are here to help! It’s important that you consult with a professional as it’s the only way you can make an informed decision about what’s best for your needs. And a ductless heating system, otherwise known as a ductless mini-split, might be the answer!

Ductless systems are great for keeping homes not only warm in the wintertime but also cool in the summer. They operate on heat pump technology and serve as more efficient heaters than electric furnaces. Read on to learn more and to get help deciding if this would be the right choice for your household.

22 FOR 22 IN 22

November 1st, 2022

Did you know that on average, 22 veterans take their life each day due to mental health challenges?

That is why, as a Veteran-owned company, Dalton is saying THANK YOU this Veteran’s Day. Central and Eastern Iowa have the highest concentration of Veterans in the State, so we are giving back by donating $22,000 worth of improvements to 22 local Veteran Service Organizations in 2022.

Dalton will evaluate each of the 22 organization’s electrical, plumbing, and HVAC needs, then choose 3 winners to receive their needed upgrade.

Please join us in supporting those who fought for our freedom.

An additional incentive for VSOs – 22% of any work they choose to do with Dalton from Nov. 11th and December 31st will be donated directly to Iowa Veterans Mental Health- 11% in Daltons’ Name and 11% in the VSO’s name.