Dalton Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electric and Fireplaces, Inc. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Air Conditioning’

Big Tips: Saving Money During a Heatwave

Monday, July 31st, 2023

You’ve probably seen the news over the past few days or weeks. Half of the country is encountering record-breaking heat and, in some cases, extreme weather warning. This is causing some serious strain on the power grid as everyone begins running their air conditioners throughout the days and nights.

There’s no escaping this heat if you live where we do. Air conditioning in Cedar Rapids, IA is necessary at this point, and while we’ve just made it to August, there’s likely a lot more heat to come.

So, how can you get through a heatwave and record-breaking temperatures without breaking the bank? We’ll go over some tested tips and best practices that can help you tremendously over the next few weeks–and some of these tips are free!

Just be sure to call a team of professionals if you encounter any problems, from blown-out compressors to ice forming on your coil. We can be the technicians to help you.

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What Do I Do About a Hot Upstairs?

Monday, May 1st, 2023

If there’s one universal law we deal with on a regular basis, it’s that heat rises. No matter where you are or what you’re doing, the heat you create or encounter in your life will always drift to the upper area of your home. It’s really that consistent.

However, homes are a little different. For one, we treat them to be cooler or warmer than the outside depending on our comfort preferences. Your air conditioner, for instance, is designed to cool all of the space in your home so that the air feels good, even the upstairs air.

So, if there’s an issue with a hot upstairs in your home, then you might have a problem with your air conditioning in Cedar Rapids, IA. Keep reading or call our team to schedule an appointment and figure out what’s going on.

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Is It Ever Too Late for AC Maintenance?

Monday, September 12th, 2022
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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!

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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When It’s Time for AC Replacement, Consider a Heat Pump

Monday, July 18th, 2022
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We’re in the midst of summer, and if you’re reading this blog post now, then chances are that you’re in a bit of a hurry to get a new air conditioner! This isn’t, however, a purchase you want to rush into. Doing so could leave you with an inefficient system, or an air conditioner that isn’t correctly matched for your specific home and needs. It may not even be sized correctly, which causes a whole host of other problems.

Plus, you may find that you would benefit from a whole different type of air conditioner altogether–the heat pump system! This is actually a 2-in-1 HVAC system that not only cools your home but also efficiently heats your home. When you’re ready to learn more about air conditioning in Cedar Falls, IA, don’t look any further than our team. Read on to learn more about these highly efficient and effective HVAC systems.

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3 Important Questions to Ask Your AC Technician

Monday, May 30th, 2022
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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.

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Tips for Keeping Your Home Cooler

Monday, August 2nd, 2021
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It’s no secret that we’re dealing with an especially warm summer this year. If you’ve been outside at all, you already know that temperatures are stifling. This means your air conditioner is going under a lot of stress to do its job, right? If you had maintenance done this past spring, you don’t likely have much to worry about. Maintenance helps your air conditioner work as effectively and efficiently as possible, for as long as possible–especially if you keep up on any repair recommendations we make during this service.

Having a great air conditioner installed is also a good step in keeping your home cool. This means working with a professional to ensure your home is properly matched with the right air conditioner and a correctly sized air conditioner as well. Too big of an AC can be just as detrimental to your comfort and the system itself as too small of one.

So when you’ve got professional installation and professional maintenance under your belt, there’s nothing more you can do, right? Wrong! There are plenty of additional steps you can take to make sure your household stays cool this summer–potentially even cooler than you thought possible. Read on to learn more!

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Unique Ductless Needs to Be Aware Of

Monday, June 21st, 2021
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When it comes time for you to replace your outdated air conditioner, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by all the options available to you. After all, there are many! You might find it easier to go with the same cooling system you’ve always had–but what if this isn’t the most efficient way to go about it? In other words, what if it’s cheaper for you to go with another option?

It might very well be time for you to consider going ductless for your cooling (and heating) needs. Ductless HVAC systems are made up of a single outdoor unit, which is connected to up to four indoor air handlers. Each air handler can be controlled independently, making for a highly efficient and powerful option for homeowners looking for year-round comfort.

If not properly installed or serviced, however, you might run into a few repair needs that are unique to ductless systems.

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Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking?

Monday, August 31st, 2020

Before you panic, know that we’re here to help. While a leaking air conditioner definitely isn’t a good thing, it’s not entirely uncommon. AC systems start to leak for a variety of reasons, and we’d like to go over what exactly is happening when you encounter this type of problem.

Since we’re pros, we know a thing or two about AC services in Waterloo, IA. Leaking air conditioners can be repaired when repairs are called for, which is why it’s so important that we cover this topic. When homeowners can detect that their AC is leaking when it’s not supposed to, they can call us and we can get to the bottom of the problem.

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Cut Down On Your Air Conditioning Bills This Summer

Monday, March 28th, 2016

The weather can be up and down this spring, as it is most springs in Elk Run Heights, IA, but winter is on its way out and summer will be here before you know it. A good air conditioner will keep your home cool when temperatures rise, but it shouldn’t have to do the job alone. You want reliable cooling power without the pinch of those high monthly bills. The good news is that there’s a number of ways you can cut down on your costs by improving your air conditioner’s efficiency. Some of them require a little investment, while others are common sense approaches that anyone can do with a little foresight.

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How Does Sizing a New Air Conditioner Work?

Monday, March 21st, 2016

Spring is the time to replace old air conditioners with new ones, and if you’ve made the decision to put yours out to pasture, congratulations! As spring turns to summer here in Hudson, IA, this makes the perfect time of year to plan for a new air conditioner: before the heat really hits, when you can shop around and plan for the installation of your new system the right way. While doing so, speak with your technician about sizing your new air conditioner. By that, we mean the system’s output and power levels, not physical size. It’s very important that your new air conditioning system be sized properly, but how does that process work? Here’s a quick primer for you.

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