Let the Spring Savings Begin

April 24th, 2015 | Written By Billy Pierce | Reviewed By William Pierce

How to Make Your Home Energy Efficient this Spring

While many people have moved towards green sustainable living for the environmental benefits that it brings, there is a real gain for homeowners financially as well.

Going green means reducing the amount of energy that you consume and saving money as a result. There are many ways to have your home be more energy efficient and, there is no way to start like the spring. This article will provide some tips for making your home more energy efficient.

Have Your HVAC System Inspected

Your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is likely the biggest drain on your home energy usage during the summer.

Start by having your HVAC inspected by a licensed plumber who can help to see how efficiently it is designed as well as if there are any pending issues with the system that can be resolved to help make your home more energy efficient.

Sometimes easy fixes can make a big difference while other times more significant changes are needed. Simple fixes can be as easy as having new filters installed or having the space around an outside air pump cleared of foliage, while more significant changes can involve a redesign of your system or cleaning clogged or damaged air tubes. Only a trained HVAC plumber would know the best course of action for your home.

Have a Plumber Review Your System for Leaks

Sometimes efficiency in your home can be undermined by leaks in your plumbing system. A small leak can lead to big damage to your home and also take a bite out of your efficiency rating.

Having a licensed and experienced plumber visit your home to inspect and search for leaks can make a big difference on the overall energy efficiency of your home.

Consider Other Energy Efficient Changes

Energy efficiency changes can come by having a plumbing specialist install newer and more energy efficient thermostats in your home that allow you to regulate the temperature of your home in a more effective way.

Alternatively, other fixes such as more energy efficient windows or house fans can be recommended. The exact recommendations will depend on your home setup and location. Contact a plumber to see what recommendations they have for you.

Spring time is the time for implementing new changes in your life as it is the season of renewal. Use a professional to find the right decisions for your needs and start saving with greater efficiency this coming year.

Interested in going green? Call Dalton Plumbing, Heating & Cooling at (319) 266-3513 to make your Cedar Falls home more energy efficient today.

Get Back to Breathing with Clean Air

April 17th, 2015 | Written By Billy Pierce | Reviewed By William Pierce

3 Ways To Allergy-Proof Your Home This Spring

The home is where a lot of allergies can build up. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to fight allergies in your home. This goes beyond taking medication whenever you suffer symptoms.

There are preventive measures that you can take so that you don’t even have to suffer allergies.

Many of these methods are rather simple and do not require all that much skill and time. It is very important to act sooner than later.

Avoid Tracking

A lot of allergies that you suffer in the home come from the outside. Often times, you pick up a lot of dirt and dust from the ground. When you get back home, you tend to track them into the home.

This can be prevented with welcome mats. When you walk into the home, you just have to rub your feet on the mats in order to avoid tracking any allergens in. Another option is to take your shoes off.

Have an Advanced Vacuum Cleaner

Your vacuum cleaner could actually be doing you and your home more harm than good when it comes to allergens. One type of vacuum cleaner that you need has a HEPA filter for trapping tiny particles and allergens.

Replace Air Filters

Those air filters in your air conditioner traps a lot of the allergens. At some point, they lose the ability to trap the dust and other allergens. As a result, the air conditioner will fill the room with all the dust and other things that you are allergic to.

The owners manual of the air conditioner should tell you when you should change out your air filter. If you don’t change out your air filter, not only will your air be dirty, but your air conditioner might break down a bit sooner.

Allergies are a big problem, but they do not have to be endured. These are a few of many ways to fight allergies in your own home. A good combination of methods can actually go a long way towards fighting your more severe allergies.

With a doctor, you can know what you need to watch out for when it comes to allergies. This will also help you with the methods that are the most effective for your allergies.

Constantly sneezing in your Cedar Falls home? Call Dalton Plumbing, Heating & Cooling at (319) 266-3513 today, and breathe in the fresh air.

Don't Use Cleaning Solutions! Call a Plumber!

April 10th, 2015 | Written By Billy Pierce | Reviewed By William Pierce

What Are Some of the Dangers of Chemical Drain Cleaning Solutions?

The most often used solution for clearing drains is a chemical drain cleaner. There are many caveats to using these solutions to clear drains.

The higher end products are caustic and heavily concentrated. They work intermittently and can be damaging to existing pipes.

This is especially true for pipes that are suffering from corrosion or that are made from PVC. Chemical drain cleaners can weaken PVC and cause metal pipes to fail.

Why Do People Buy These Solutions?

People choose these products to clear several types of clogs including hair, human waste, soaps and grease. However, these solutions are not effective on all types of clogs as their advertisements suggest. They do not clear drains in nearly the expedient manner that is suggested also.

Drain cleaner can be problematic to pets that may sneak a drink of toilet bowl water or standing water in sinks. These solutions can kill animals even in low concentrations. In addition, they give off noxious fumes that remain for a long time after the leak has been cleared or the solution is used. These fumes can be harmful to pets and humans. It can be inexpensive to use, but they can easily be used incorrectly and be completely ineffective.

Additionally, the product on the shelves may not clear certain clogs. The most effective method for clearing drains and applying the appropriate fixes are reputable plumbing companies.

Don’t Use Low End Products At All

Using lower end products may not be a good idea. These low end products are ineffective for many reasons. The product is mixed incorrectly or are too diluted to offer an effective clearing of the clog in most cases. Many professional companies offer considerable deals with simple drain clearing.

In addition, they can utilize fixes that use no chemicals at all. These mechanical methods are effective on all types of pipes without fear of damaging the existing pipes. Professional plumbing companies can institute repairs that can cause clogs to occur less frequently.

Mechanical Reasons

There may be mechanical reasons that cause clogs to occur more frequently. The issues can be rectified indefinitely by eliminating these problems. A professional is required to assess clogs and determine if they are cause by more severe problems.

This is not possible with chemical drain cleaners. Additionally, drain cleaners can negatively affect the surrounding structure of the drain like sinks, tubs and fixtures. This amounts to added costs with using the product. This is not an issue with professional plumbing companies.

Are your pipes all clogged up in your Cedar Falls home? If you’re having trouble, give Dalton Plumbing, Heating & Cooling a Call at (319) 266-3513, so we can get down to the root of the problem.

Get Informed on Your SEER Rating

April 3rd, 2015 | Written By Billy Pierce | Reviewed By William Pierce

What is a SEER Rating?

Do You Know What a SEER Rating is on Your AC?

A SEER rating given to an air conditioner is the explanation of how the unit uses fuel in an average year to convert into cooling. The SEER rating is the explanation of the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio.

The Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute rates a SEER based on its 2008 standard AHRI 210/240 performance rating.

SEER is figured by dividing the total energy input, in an average year, of the cooling season into the cooling output.

This Rating Affects Your Energy Consumption.

Your AC consumes almost half of your homes total energy bill. Knowing what SEER ratings are will help you decide what AC unit is best for your utility budget. A lower SEER rating uses more energy. A higher SEER rating uses less energy to operate but will cost more to purchase initially.

You will need to look at the monthly savings in operating cost verses the upfront investment cost to decide what SEER fits your short term or long term needs in your home. If you are staying in the home you will need to see how long it will take to recover your investment cost in savings.

It is Important to Know the SEER Differences and What it Means For You.

Not only does knowing what SEER is when considering a new HVAC unit but investigating the difference in SEER ratings brings you closer to seeing what your best option is. While getting a higher SEER is good for the environment how high to go is tricky.

The minimum SEER allowed to be sold in the U.S. since January 2006 is now 13 SEER. 13 SEER is the minimum but you have to go to a minimum of 14 SEER to obtain an energy star rated unit by the guidelines set in 2006.

So if you are hoping to cash in on the tax credits for the new system that is important to know as well.Places with a longer cooling season will obviously benefit from a higher SEER than say places with colder climates.

Now with this knowledge you can make a wise decision when buying a new AC unit. Places with a longer cooling season will obviously benefit from a higher SEER than say places with colder climates.

Go green with energy and money saving HVAC units. Call the experts of Dalton Plumbing, Heating & Cooling at (319) 266-3513 to make your Cedar Falls area home more efficient today.

Let the Professionals Handle the Hydrojetting

March 27th, 2015 | Written By Billy Pierce | Reviewed By William Pierce

Five Benefits of Hydrojetting You Should Consider

It is important to keep your drains clear of debris. Clogs can cause water backup that results in expensive water damage that can also lead to the development of harmful mold, fungus, and spores.

Professional plumbers can apply hydrojetting techniques which blasts water at a rate of approximately 4000 psi, quickly clearing debris and cleaning pipes, and there are five benefits you should consider.

Keep Your Money in Your Pocket

Hydrojetting is a very thorough process, and it is concluded with your plumber using a special camera to inspect the quality of the work.

Now, instead of having your sewage lines cleaned biannually, you can go longer in between cleanings. This makes hydrojetting an investment that quickly pays back.

Health Benefits You Likely Haven’t Considered

Your pipes can become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, and, aside from being the cause of foul odors that make your house less of a home, they can even cause illness when the problem gets out of hand.

Hydrojetting completely cleans your drains, leaving them highly clean and free of bacteria. If you have noticed unpleasant odors in your home, this could be the solution you’ve been looking for.

Good For Aging Homes

Many traditional drain cleaning techniques can pose risks to aging homes. Since hydrojetting relies on a pulse flow, however, it allows the hose to maneuver easily within the pipe.

Because of this, compromised areas of the pipe can be avoided. If you are not yet ready to replace your pipes but do require a cleaning, hydrojetting allows you to do this with confidence.

Targets All Common Residues

There are a number of residues that cause buildup within your sewage lines. From ice and mud to grease, soap scum, and more, these many sources of buildup can be difficult to pinpoint. When you rely on hydrojetting, however, the high power is enough to remove blockage and buildup in one shot.

An Overall Thorough Cleaning You Can Count On

If you have used a snake in the past to clear debris, you are only setting yourself up for future buildup. When you make the investment in drain cleaning, you deserve to get your money’s worth, and hydrojetting offers you the thorough, long-lasting job you are looking for.

Now’s the time to find a plumber with the equipment to offer you this valuable service.

If you suspect build-up in your lines, don’t hesitate to schedule hydrojetting services. Call (319) 266-3513 and let Dalton Plumbing, Heating & Cooling clear the pipes of your Cedar Falls home.

Upgrade Your Home with a Digital Thermostat

March 20th, 2015 | Written By Billy Pierce | Reviewed By William Pierce

What are the Advantages of Having a Digital Setback Thermostat?

Did you know that you can save hundreds of dollars a year on your heating and cooling bill simply by upgrading your thermostat? With traditional thermostats you must remember to adjust the temperature throughout the day.

Adjusting your temperature for when you are at work or are asleep can drastically lower heating and cooling costs. A digital setback thermostat has a clock built in and operates on a schedule you create so you can go through your day and save money without having to worry about adjusting your thermostat.

Digital Setback Thermostats Do the Thinking

Let’s say you work 9 to 5 and prefer your home at 72 degrees during the heat of the summer. On especially warm days your air conditioner will have to run more often to keep the house at this temperature.

You could tell your digital setback thermostat to start keeping the temperature at 76 degrees when you leave for work, and then have the house back to 72 degrees by the time you get home. During the winter you could tell your thermostat to keep the house a bit cooler while you’re sleeping so the heat doesn’t have to run as often.

Different Features of Digital Setback Thermostats

Digital setback thermostats come in a wide range of configurations and price points. On the more basic end, you’ll get what appears to be a standard thermostat but allows you to program a schedule into it. In the mid-end, you’ll get a thermostat with a larger display and options to create different schedules for different days.

At the higher end, you can get “smart” thermostats that can be controlled with your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Some thermostats in the mid to high range also include a touchscreen for easier programming. Digital setback thermostats range in price from $25 for basic models to $300 for high-end models.

You Can Easily Take Advantage

Digital setback thermostats come in a wide range of configurations and you’ll easily be able to find one that is compatible with your current HVAC unit. In most cases, you can change your thermostat yourself with only basic wiring experience.

Simply remove the old thermostat, make the proper connections to the new thermostat, and mount it to the wall. Thermostats typically come with simple to follow instructions. Once installed, you’ll be on your way to saving hundreds a year on your heating and cooling.

Upgrade your Cedar Falls home thermostat today! Just Call Dalton Plumbing, Heating & Cooling at (319) 266-3513, and see what advantages a new digital setback thermostat can do for your home.

Clean Your Drains Annually For Best Performance

March 13th, 2015 | Written By Billy Pierce | Reviewed By William Pierce

Drain Cleaning: What Are the Benefits of Annual Drain Cleaning?

Home maintenance is a responsibility that all homeowners should adhere to in order to see the greatest returns on investments. Home properties are considered to be among the most valuable assets individuals and/or families can own.

Therefore, properly maintaining the property will always work to their advantage. Let our professional plumbers help you.

Why Home Maintenance Is Important

There are many areas within a home an owner should regularly inspect to ensure their property is kept in proper working condition. If all of the home’s components are well maintained, they will have the opportunity of either retaining its value or potentially increasing it.

Wearing and Tearing is Inevitable

The inspection stages should consist of the homeowner looking over the areas that are utilized most often. Since a home’s amenities, appliances and components are utilized on a regular basis, they will become prone to undergoing the natural effects of wearing and tearing over time.

Therefore, it is imperative for them to ensure that they pay special attention to the areas that are used most often first. This way, they will prevent any possibilities of such areas deteriorating due to negligence.

The Complexity of a Home’s Plumbing System

Some of the most commonly utilized components are attached to a home’s plumbing system. The plumbing system is interconnected to a myriad of components, including: toilets, sinks, bathtubs, showers, pipelines, sewage lines, garbage disposals, refrigerators, outdoor sprinkler systems, swimming pools and water heaters.

Due to the vastness of connections, the plumbing system plays an important role in a home’s qualities of functionality and efficiency. A homeowner’s proactive measures of maintenance and due diligence can have a significant amount of positive impacts on the value of their home.

Why Every Homeowner Should Consider Acquiring An Annual Drain Cleaning Service

An annual drain cleaning is highly recommended for homeowners that not only care about maintaining the conditions of their home and retaining its overall value, but also for those that are seeking to keep costs of utilizing the home’s components on the lower end while living a comfortable life full of quality.

An annual drain cleaning alleviates the problems of accumulated dirt, grime and debris within a home’s plumbing system. By acquiring such a service, a homeowner will be able to avoid pipe clogs, bursts, leaks, floods and many other problematic occurrences.

Unclog that drain with the experts at Dalton Plumbing, Heating, & Cooling, just Call (319) 266-3513, we offer the best drain cleaning services in the Cedar Falls area.

No Heat? Might Need a Tune-Up!

March 6th, 2015 | Written By Billy Pierce | Reviewed By William Pierce

3 Signs Your Heating Unit Needs a Tune-Up

Being able to identify trouble with your heating system before it becomes a significant repair issue, that can not only help to save you money in costly emergency repairs. It can help to extend the overall life of your heating system.

The best way to be able to do this, you need to understand exactly what key signs to look for so you can get a HVAC technician at your home as soon as possible. Here are the top 3 signs that your heating unit needs a tune-up.

Increase of Dust in the Home

When you notice more dust particles all over your home, that is a clear indication that the air filter is clogged and it is no longer effectively removing dirt particles from the air before treated air is sent through the air vents.

Not only will replacing the air filter and calling your HVAC technician to tune-up the system improve the air quality in the home, it will reduce the strain being put on your heating system. Those moving parts have to work harder to push clean air through the filter, causing them to wear and break more easily.

Noise Coming from the Heating System

While it is perfectly normal for the heating system to make some sounds during operation, if you notice loud noises that seem out of place, it could be an indication something is wrong inside the heating system. Check first to make sure that the air handler panels are simply not loose, then pay close attention to where the noise is coming from.

The sooner you have a local repair company at the home the better. If a belt has broken or is about to break, this is a minor repair. If the bearings or belt has broken, the system is running dangerously close to seizing.

Cooler Air from the Air Vents

When the home is taking longer to reach the set temperature or cool air is coming from the air vents, this could be an indication that something is wrong with the air handler. Check first to make certain the thermostat is set to heat, and not fan or cool by mistake.

Then call your heating repair company so they can check all the moving parts and make certain that the problem is not serious. The sooner a technician is at your home, the less chance you have seizing up the heating system.

Is the heater in your Cedar Falls area home not working quite like it used to? Call Dalton Plumbing, Heating, & Cooling at (319) 266-3513 for a professional tuneup!

The Advantages of a Garbage Disposal

February 27th, 2015 | Written By Billy Pierce | Reviewed By William Pierce

Top 10 Reasons to Install a Garbage Disposal

Are you considering installing a garbage disposal in your kitchen?

Here’s the top 10 reasons why choosing the cost effective and efficient method of food disposal will improve your health, home, and life, in addition to having an impressive positive contribution to the environment.

1. Standing Food Waste

Old food sitting in your trash is prime real estate for bacteria and viruses. A sink garbage disposal can put potentially putrid waste in it’s place, holding disease causing bacteria at bay. A garbage disposal is a more healthy alternative to traditional trash.

2. Garbage Smell

Spoiled food stinks and the odors can linger for days. Garbage disposal is clean, convenient, and won’t leave you holding your breath.

3. Low Utility Cost

Modern garbage disposals are electrically efficient and inexpensive to operate.

4. Waste Incineration

Waste incineration can lead to the release of environmentally hazardous gaseous materials. Garbage disposal actively reduces the amount of solid waste incinerated, and limits the distribution of gaseous and particulate pollutants.

5. Waste Transport Emissions

Waste disposed down the drain won’t require collection and transport to a landfill. A garbage disposal would reduce the contribution by waste management vehicles to atmospheric carbon dioxide, the number one human contributor to climate change.

6. Methane Emissions By Landfill Waste

Decomposition of organic food waste in landfills releases greenhouse gasses like methane into the atmosphere. Methane is the second largest human contributor to climate change after carbon dioxide.

7. Production of Renewable Methane Energy

Water treatment facilities are increasingly adopting a method of collecting and treating methane gas emitted from food waste decomposition. This process utilizes methane gas as an alternative, renewable energy source. Food put through garbage disposals are a major contributor of organic waste necessary for methane production.

8. Recycled Food Waste Fertilizer

After methane collection, the remaining organic waste is processed and recycled. This product is used in agriculture and home gardening as an effective fertilizer.

9. Pests

Food waste and odor are major contributors to the attraction of insects and other pests. A sink garbage disposal will eliminate this factor and reduce the appeal of your home to harmful pests.

10. Fewer Trash Bags

Trash bags are non-biodegradable and not environmentally friendly. Reduced waste from a sink garbage disposal will decrease usage of trash bags and further reduce environmental impact.

The convenience offered by sink garbage disposal, in addition to the environmental and health benefits, make this decision easy. A garbage disposal would be a great addition to any home.

Smelling a stink in the sink in your Cedar Falls home? That means you need a garbage disposal, just Call Dalton Plumbing, Heating, & Cooling Inc. at (319) 266-3513, and have an expert install one today!

Is Your House Feeling Brisk? Time For Heater Maintenance

February 20th, 2015 | Written By Billy Pierce | Reviewed By William Pierce

Heating Services: Why Is It Important?

Heating services are one of the most important things you can work on within your home. As with any big investment, the more annual maintenance and repairs you can perform on your investment, the less it will cost in time and money in the long run.

Heating and cooling components can be ten to fifteen thousands dollars to completely repair. By conducting annual inspections and maintenance, as a home owner you can spend ten dollar instead of ten thousand when you conduct annual maintenance.

When Do I Need Heating Maintenance?

Many people believe that the only time a home or any other building needs its heating and cooling services inspected is when there are problems. However, this is a false belief in that the time to do preventative maintenance is before problems arise.

Quality HVAC companies can spot problems long before they occur and then take corrective action to prevent a problem from going.

Many HVAC companies will recommend quarterly or annual inspections for free or for a low cost, and if they find any cracks or any other issues they can repair them as they go, rather than letting them build up and cost the home owner much more money in the long run.

Factors of Importance

Heater maintenance is important because your heating and cooling unit is a machine. Any machine, such as a car, requires regular maintenance and repairs to keep it flowing smoothly. For some reason, many people think that once they buy a house, they no longer need to work on the building at all. However, this will end up costing more money in the long run.

Whenever you can find a problem and quickly solve it, you can save more money and time than if you had not completed regular maintenance. Overall, regular maintenance is important because it catches problems early, save money and time, and can prevent further damage in your heating unit.

What are the Signs That I Need Heating Maintenance

There are many signs of heating units needing maintenance. One of the biggest tell tale signs is weird noises whenever the heating and cooling unit is turned off and on.

Noises are a sign of corrosion being built up in the heating unit, and whenever this happens this is also a sign of possible further damage.

Another sign is pretty simple, your house or building is no longer heating as well or as fast as it was before. Any time this happens, it is apparent that the time for an inspection is near, or much more damage will be done in the future.

Heating services are important for your Cedar Falls home. Call Dalton Plumbing, Heating, & Cooling Inc. today at (319) 266-3513, and see what our experts can do to put the heat back in your home.