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

Is It Difficult to Install a Ductless Mini Split?

June 6th, 2022

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When homeowners are looking to purchase a new air conditioner, they go into it knowing it’s a huge investment. Therefore, they may be tempted to cut corners and do an installation on their own to save money. However, the thing about big investments is that you really need an experienced professional on your side to make sure it operates as effectively and efficiently as it’s meant to. So, our answer to “Is it difficult to install a ductless mini-split” is going to be, “For you, maybe not… for one of our professionals, definitely not!”

Installing a ductless system on your own could leave you with a system that doesn’t operate as well as it could have otherwise or with broken air handlers later on down the line, which we’ll elaborate on below. Read on as we uncover what you need to know about ductless installation.

Why Is My Air Conditioner Freezing Up?

June 6th, 2022

Air conditioners cool down indoor environments. This is an irrefutable fact. What’s less well known, however, is how an air conditioner actually does this. It will depend on the type of system–for example, an evaporative cooler uses a much different process than a central air conditioner–but for the sake of this blog post, we’re going to make the assumption that you have a refrigerant-based air conditioner like a central air conditioner or heat pump system.

This being the case, you might, at some point, notice ice development on your air conditioner. We hope this is never the case because it’s actually bad news for the system. That’s right, an air conditioner cools, but ice is never part of the process. So then, if you do see ice forming on your air conditioner, why is it a problem? And, what causes the problem? These are questions we’re going to answer below. Read on!

3 Important Questions to Ask Your AC Technician

May 30th, 2022

Whether you’re having a new air conditioner installed or you need a repair for your existing cooling system, it’s never a “set it and forget it” kind of deal. In order to operate as effectively and efficiently as possible, your air conditioner needs to be properly maintained, throughout the years. This means that you need an experienced professional to inspect, clean, and adjust the components that need it.

How often should this service be done? For a typical air conditioner, this service is needed once a year. It’s a biannual service, though, for year-round heat pump systems.

When you have an AC technician over, to install, repair, or maintain your system, it’s a perfect time to ask them some questions in order to gauge how to best care for your air conditioner to keep it operational for as long as possible. Read on as we uncover what some of these questions could be, and provide you with some brief answers for now.

Which AC Unit Should I Buy?

May 23rd, 2022

Temperatures are starting to warm, and with that change in the weather, you may be wondering if your air conditioner is ready for another hot season ahead. Of course, if you’re making that decision now, it could be tempting to rush into a purchase before summertime hits in earnest. Rushing a decision like this, however, can be a mistake, leaving you with a potentially inefficient air conditioner and/or an improperly installed air conditioner.

We’re going to assume that you’re not rushing into this purchase, and this is why you’ve decided to read this blog post. With that, we’re happy to share some information that may help you make a careful, educated decision about your next air conditioner purchase. Read on!

Common AC Repairs to Be Aware Of as the Weather Warms

May 23rd, 2022

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Do you know if your air conditioner is in good enough shape to handle the warmer temperatures coming our way? Before you say “mine is fine,” let us ask you a follow-up question… have you scheduled spring maintenance for your system yet?

Maintenance allows our technicians to fully inspect, clean, and adjust the components that need it, helping your system operate as effectively and efficiently as possible, for as long as possible. So, if you answered “no” to our follow-up question, now is the time!

Maintenance has a ton of benefits, not the least of which is helping you avoid up to 85% of the repairs your air conditioner might ever need! But regardless of whether you’ve had maintenance done recently or not, it’s still wise to be aware of the signs that you need AC repair. Read on as we cover some of those signs.

How Long Does a Heat Pump Last in Iowa?

May 16th, 2022

If you’ve been considering a new air conditioner lately, and you believe you might need a heating system too, then a heat pump installation may be just what your Vinton area home needs. Heat pump systems are versatile and energy-efficient, which we will get into more below.

One of the common questions get about heat pumps though, is how long should they last? Given that these are year-round systems, do they last less time than a traditional central air conditioner? Not necessarily!

When properly maintained–this means getting a professional tune-up every 6 months–your heat pump should have a useful service life of 10-15 years. Read on to learn more about these systems, and when you’re ready to schedule installation, go ahead and give our team a call!

What Type of Water Heater Is Right for My Home?

May 9th, 2022

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When you start exploring the different types of water heaters that are on the market, the options can seem overwhelming. There are heat pump water heaters, electric-powered or gas-powered water heaters, solar water heaters, and even tankless water heaters.

When considering what type to get, it’s easier to start with just two options in mind–a tank or tankless system. Storage tank model water heaters are what you’re most likely used to seeing in the average home, and may even be what you currently have. They come in different sizes based on capacity, and constantly store water which they heat up using elements inside the system. Tankless systems, however, are “on-demand” systems. We’ll explain what that means below. Read on to learn more!

Signs That Your Home Has Hard Water

May 9th, 2022

If you’ve never heard the term “hard water” before, then you may wonder why it even matters if your home has it. The thing is, it’s not necessarily harmful to you or your household. But, it is potentially harmful to your plumbing system and your quality of life as result.

Hard water is water that has a high level of minerals in it–namely magnesium, calcium, and sometimes iron too. These minerals are harmless to ingest, but cause sediment buildup that can be bad for your drains. But how do you know if your home has hard water? Read on for some telltale signs.

4 Common Causes for AC Repair

May 2nd, 2022

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Summer is not quite here yet, but soon enough temperatures will warm, and you’ll want to ensure that your air conditioning system is in good shape. Of course, this means paying close attention to any indicators of a problem and calling in a professional right away to service your system.

But, what if you are not familiar with the kinds of issues that an air conditioner might face? Well, you’re in luck. We’ve listed 4 of the most common AC repair issues; read on and learn about the issues your air conditioner could face–and schedule a tune-up with us so we can inspect and clean your system to help you avoid unexpected repair needs!

Making the Choice Between Central Air Conditioning and Going Ductless

April 25th, 2022

As temperatures start warming up, air conditioning talk is happening more and more. If you are in the market for a new cooling system, now is a great time to make that investment. It’s never wise to rush into a purchase of this nature, since doing so could leave you with an inefficient or improperly matched AC system for your home.

There are many factors to consider when replacing an old air conditioner. Do you also need to replace your furnace or boiler? Are you looking for ways to increase efficiency throughout the year rather than just in the summertime? Then a ductless system may be a great choice. If your heating needs aren’t urgent though, and you’ve always had a central air conditioner, you might want to stay the route.

Read on to learn the benefits of each and to get our viewpoint on which type of AC is best!