Dalton’s HVAC Guide for Winter

September 26th, 2022
Relaxed woman leaning back on a sofa, enjoying a warm and comfortable indoor environment.

If there is any one piece of advice we would give to homeowners in the Cedar Rapids area about prepping their HVAC system for winter, it’s this: schedule heating maintenance ASAP! Maintenance allows our professionals to comprehensively inspect, clean, and adjust all the components in your HVAC system that need it. This ultimately helps your heater operate more safely. It also helps your heating system perform as efficiently and effectively as possible, for as long as possible. Explore our winter HVAC efficiency guide for even more ways to save energy and stay warm.

Read on to learn more about the benefits of heating maintenance!

What heating repairs should you address before winter?

  • Schedule professional preventive maintenance to inspect, clean, and adjust all heating system parts before winter sets in.
  • Fix small issues early such as leaks, faulty thermostat sensors, worn belts, before they become major breakdowns.
  • Ensure your furnace or heat pump filters are clean and properly replaced to improve airflow and efficiency.
  • Test the thermostat and safety controls: ensure the system turns on reliably, switches modes, and shuts off correctly.
  • Check for carbon monoxide leaks, gas line integrity, and proper venting to maintain safe operation.

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Why You Should Always Hire a Pro for Your Plumbing Services

September 26th, 2022
Plumber unclogging a tub drain with an electric auger.

Most homeowners are likely used to dealing with minor household problems and tasks on their own, and that can easily extend to certain plumbing issues. We’ve all at one time or another had to unclog a toilet with a little “elbow grease” and a plunger, or had to fish a clog or two out of a sink. This can lead many homeowners, especially those on a budget, to attempt bigger plumbing repairs.

However, in most cases, this can be a big mistake. Formal plumbing problems require proper licensing and training, like our professional Waterloo, IA plumbers receive, in order to perform plumbing repairs and services the right way. Even seemingly simple problems like a stubborn clog can benefit from the attention of a professional. In fact, your efforts to save a little money could actually end up costing you more, or at least can become a pretty big headache. Here’s why:

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“How Do I Save Money on My Heating Bill?”

September 19th, 2022
Technician wearing yellow gloves inspecting or tuning up a heat pump or furnace unit.

The best way to save money on your heating bill is with one important service–heating maintenance! If you’ve followed our blog for long, you know we talk about maintenance a lot, and it’s for good reason. Maintenance allows our technicians to comprehensively inspect, clean, and adjust the components that need it. Whether you’re maintaining a furnace or a heat pump, a timely tune-up can significantly improve system performance. This helps your system work as efficiently and effectively as possible, for as long as possible.

Ask about the Dalton Complete Home Comfort Membership Plan! We have multiple plan options; for plumbing, heating and cooling, electrical, and fireplace maintenance. We can help you ensure that your systems, including your heater, are in great shape. Also, members can count on a 100% comfort guarantee, discounts on parts and repair, and many more benefits. Contact us to learn more and enroll. In the meantime, read on to learn more about maintenance and how it helps you save money.

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Why Does My Water Heater Smell Like Eggs?

September 12th, 2022
water-heater

When it comes to caring for the appliances and systems in your home, one of the most important ones to think about is your water heater. After all, this is a system you rely on each and every day, and you really don’t want it to fail on you out of the blue. Of course, problems are a lot less likely if you have your water heater regularly maintained each year by qualified and experienced plumbers, such as the professionals on the Dalton team.

That said, whether you’ve been keeping up on maintenance or not, it’s a good idea to know about some of the warning signs that you might have a problem with your water heater. One of these signs is the smell of rotten eggs coming from the system. This smell is the result of a gas called hydrogen sulfide, and it can be hazardous if not addressed right away. Therefore, it’s important that you give us a call if you notice the odor. In the meantime, read on to learn how hydrogen sulfide can make its way into your water heater, and how to get rid of it.

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Is It Ever Too Late for AC Maintenance?

September 12th, 2022
Two workers wearing hard hats and masks servicing an outdoor air conditioning unit for AC maintenance.

If you’ve followed our blog for very long, you’ve probably seen us mention maintenance once or twice. Okay, maybe more than that.

The thing is, maintenance is absolutely vital to keeping your heating and cooling systems in great shape. Tune-ups help your air conditioner and furnace work as efficiently and effectively as possible, for as long as possible. We typically recommend air conditioning maintenance be done in the fall since this is right before you need the system the most.

Seeing as it is now late summer and temperatures are going to start cooling down soon, is it too late to schedule air conditioner maintenance? NO, actually! In fact, it’s a great idea to book early for a convenient AC tune-up before the busy season starts.

We do suggest that our customers have air conditioner maintenance done before summer begins. The truth is that it doesn’t matter when you have it done as long as you’re having it professionally tuned up at least once a year–twice a year if you’re using a heat pump system. Consistency matters the most here. Read on to learn why you should make this service a priority in your household.

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How Has Inflation Impacted the HVAC Industry?

September 5th, 2022
outside-ac-unit-sitting-on-top-of-money

“Inflation” is a word we’ve all become far too familiar with this past year. You probably know what it means–higher prices on things like gas, groceries, utilities, etc. Did you know, however, that it can also impact the cost of your HVAC equipment if you’re having a system installed or replaced soon?

When high inflation occurs, you might be wondering if you should hold off on replacing an older air conditioner, or if you should rush out and get one now. With no guarantee of when this inflation period will end, our advice is to consider an upgrade now–but don’t rush into it.

Rushing into a purchase of this scope can leave you with a system that is inefficient, ineffective, and/or just not properly matched for your home’s specific comfort needs. You should work with a qualified professional such as the folks on our team when you’re considering an upgrade.

And inflation or not, it’s good to know the signs that it is, in fact, time for an upgrade. This includes:

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5 Ways to Keep Your Mobile Home Cool

August 29th, 2022
mobile-home

When you are a mobile homeowner, you might imagine that your only choice when it comes to keeping your living space cool and comfortable is to use strategically placed fans. This is especially true if you are part of a Homeowners Association that won’t allow you to have a central air conditioner installed. Fortunately, you actually do have options, and our team is here to help you go through them.

We provide trustworthy and professional mobile home cooling services throughout the greater Cedar Rapids area, and we look forward to helping you keep your mobile home as cool and comfortable as possible. We also can help improve your indoor air quality, and help with your plumbing and electrical needs too!

As for how to make sure you’re doing everything you can to cool off your mobile home, read on!

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Tips to Improve Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality

August 22nd, 2022
Family enjoying a meal together in a bright dining room with large windows, symbolizing good indoor air quality.

Do you know how clean the air inside your home is? Did you know the quality of the air inside your living space can actually be worse than the quality of the air outside? At least, this is the case if you don’t have the right indoor air quality systems and solutions in place.

Homeowners often have an understanding that their HVAC systems have air filters in them. The problem is that these air filters aren’t designed for comprehensive indoor air quality problems. Rather, they are designed to protect the HVAC systems themselves from dirt, dust, and other debris that can harm their interior components.

For true indoor air quality maintenance and improvement, you want to look at other, stronger, solutions. Read on to learn what they are! One often overlooked approach is understanding the difference between air filters and air sanitizers, which can greatly affect how effectively your home’s air is purified.

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What Tonnage Is Your New AC?

August 15th, 2022
two-outside-ac-units

For anyone who isn’t entrenched in the HVAC industry, there are a number of terms and quite a bit of jargon that may not make much sense. There is some jargon you don’t need to know–but others that are helpful to have a basic understanding of. Tonnage is one of the latter.

Tonnage is an essential part of new air conditioning installation and AC replacement. You can always trust the Dalton technicians to successfully and reliably install your air conditioner, no matter what type of air conditioner you choose to have installed. But understanding a bit more about tonnage and how it applies to your new air conditioner can help you understand why it’s so important that you only trust the pros to service this system. Read on to learn more!

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How to Choose the Right Ceiling Fan

August 15th, 2022
ceiling-fan-in-modern-kitchen

Ceiling fans have an important purpose in the modern home. No, they cannot lower the temperature in a room. But, they can help circulate the air more effectively. This means that they can help your home efficiency since you can adjust your thermostat by a couple of degrees so you and your family will feel cooler.

Plus, the direction of your ceiling fan’s blades can be reversed using the small switch at the center of your fan, in order to push heat down in the wintertime and help your heating system keep you warmer. So ceiling fans have advantages no matter what time of the year it is!

But how do you choose the right fan or fans for your specific home? Read on as we share some pointers!

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