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

Should You Invest in Duct Testing Services?

August 14th, 2016

Many homeowners assume that if their HVAC system is sufficiently blowing conditioned air into their home, then their ducts must be working just fine. Ductwork should be much more than just functional though. They must also be efficient.

Air ducts aren’t as naturally visible as other components in your home, and as such many problems go undiagnosed and unresolved—sometimes for a long period of time. This is where duct testing services come in—our professionals can come in and make sure that your ducts are working as efficiently as possible, and then take the appropriate steps if they are not. But what are the signs that you need this service?

Take Care of Your AC System Now for Good Performance Next Summer

August 8th, 2016

However, this doesn’t mean that if you skipped an appointment you can’t make one now!

It’s never too late to call our HVAC professionals for a maintenance appointment. In the meantime though, there are steps you can take yourself to ensure that your air conditioner remains in good shape for the rest of the season and is ready to perform well next year as well. Keep reading to learn more.

Why Does Your Ductless System Need Bi-Annual Maintenance?

August 1st, 2016

Are you one of the many homeowners using a ductless system to stay cool this season? If so, you should ensure that it’s getting the proper maintenance. You may assume that just like any other type of air conditioning system, or ductless mini-split only needs maintenance once a year. However, ductless units need maintenance more often than that, for reasons we’ve highlighted below.

How Does Your Water Heater Avoid Rusting?

July 25th, 2016

It likely can go without saying that any appliance or plumbing system that deals with large amounts of water on a regular basis will be prone to the problem of rust. And with the amount of work that your water heater goes through on a day-to-day basis, it may come as a surprise that you aren’t dealing with rust on a more regular basis.

But how does this work? How does a water heater last so much longer than it should, without becoming a pile of rusty parts? Keep reading to learn the answer to these questions and more.

Why Should You Call a Professional Plumber?

July 18th, 2016

Plumbing issues are one of those things that nobody wants to deal with. But as one of the most important components in your home, your plumbing system is not one that should ever be ignored. You can’t get away without clean, working pipes, fixtures, and water heaters.

So if you find that your plumbing system is out of sorts at all, while you may be tempted to repair it on your own, you really do need to hire a professional plumber to have a look. We’ve listed a few scenarios below in which you should certainly call for professional plumbing services.

Going Solar: Investing in an Energy Efficient Water Heater

July 11th, 2016

In recent years, solar energy has become increasingly popular. Think about it: you are harnessing the power of the sun—a free and renewable resource. Using solar energy to power the appliances and devices in your home makes good financial sense, plus it’s ecologically friendly.

Your water heater is no exception. Solar water heating is right for pretty much any household in the country. Keep reading to learn of just a few benefits of going solar with your water heater.

Some Quick Facts You Should Know about Your Air Filter

July 4th, 2016

Most homeowners don’t give very much thought to the air filter within their HVAC system. This is natural, since it’s mostly out of sight. However, do you realize the importance of this component? Your air filter is what safeguards the inside components of your heating and cooling system from dust, dirt, debris, and other allergens.

Air filters much be changed or cleaned on a regular basis. Every three months is the general rule, so waiting for your annual or even bi-annual maintenance visit would be a mistake. Changing your air filter is a task you can do on your own, and that you should do in order to ensure that your air conditioner runs effectively and efficiently.

The Function of Your Air Conditioner’s Capacitor

June 27th, 2016

As summer is officially here, you’re probably using your air conditioner more and more already. As temperatures climb, it will likely be on constantly. As familiar as you are with using your AC however, you probably don’t know much about the individual components that allow your system to cool your home.

Of course, we don’t expect our customers to understand every detail of an air conditioning system; that’s our job! However, it can be advantageous to at least have a basic understanding of some of the important components of your home cooling system, so that when something does go wrong you understand the necessity for quick repairs. One component that people should be aware of is the capacitor.

Is Your Air Conditioner Icing Over?

June 20th, 2016

Summer is finally upon us, and as such you’ll be depending on your air conditioning system more and more in order to keep your home and your family cool throughout the season. When you do begin using your air conditioner more, you may notice ice forming on the evaporator coil of your system. Perhaps you’d brush this off as normal, or a good sign. However, you’d be wrong.

Unfortunately, if ice has developed on your air conditioner, your system is in trouble. You should call for repairs as soon as this happens. Keep reading for some information on why air conditioners ice over sometimes, why it’s a bad thing, and what you can do about it.

What AC Maintenance Tasks Can You Do on Your Own?

June 13th, 2016

We definitely live in more of a “do-it-yourself” atmosphere than we ever have before. There’s nothing wrong with tackling minor home projects on your own, when possible. It’s important to remember, however, that most air conditioning maintenance tasks should be left to the professionals for your safety and for the well-being of your HVAC system.

However, aside from the thorough annual inspection and cleaning that your HVAC professional will conduct during your maintenance appointment, there are other tasks that should be done throughout the year between your maintenance visits—even if you have two maintenance visits each year. These tasks—which you can and should do on your own—have been shared below.