Heating & Air Conditioning Blog | Dogtown Heating & Air

Troubleshooting a Furnace That Blows Cold Air

December 8, 2025

Few things can seem more frustrating than your furnace not blowing hot air during the frigid winter months. Unfortunately, it can happen from time to time due to various issues. Below, we’ll address how to troubleshoot this problem on your own and when to contact our experienced technicians for professional assistance. Dirty Air Filter One of the most common culprits behind a furnace that seems to be blowing cold air is a dirty air filter. When the filter clogs with debris, it restricts airflow through your ducting. When your system can’t pull in enough air, it can overheat

Catch Plumbing Issues Early With Professional Sewer Camera Inspections

November 25, 2025

Sewer problems don’t usually develop overnight. Most are small, concealed leaks deep within your plumbing system. If left unattended, they rapidly evolve into expensive repairs or replacements. At Dogtown Heating, Air & Plumbing, we serve Paxton, Urbana, and the surrounding areas of Illinois by enabling homeowners and businesses to prevent these issues. We do this with expert sewer camera inspections. This state-of-the-art service enables us to locate and repair potential problems in advance, before they cause emergencies. Our team believes that prevention is always better than repair. Maintaining regular maintenance with sewer camera inspections will keep your plumbing system protected so that

Heat Pump Water Heaters: An Alternative to Traditional System

October 5, 2025

When it comes to efficient water heating, today we have more options than ever before. While traditional electric and gas water heaters are still widely used, many homeowners are turning to heat pump water heaters for a more cost-effective solution. Traditional electric water heaters rely on electrical resistance to generate heat. Gas models use combustion to generate heat. In both cases, the system will consume energy to create heat. Heat pump water heaters use electricity differently. Rather than producing heat directly, they transfer warmth from the surrounding air into the water. Comparing Heat Pump and Traditional

Radiant Floor Heating vs. Forced-Air: Which Heating Method Suits Your Home?

September 9, 2025

Your home’s heating method shapes how you feel stepping out of bed on a cold morning or moving from room to room. Radiant floor heating delivers warmth from below, while forced-air systems push hot air through ducts. At Dogtown Heating, Air & Plumbing, in Urbana, IL, we guide you through the choices so you find the right fit for your space. How Radiant Floor Heating Delivers Even Warmth Radiant floor heating weaves warm water pipes or electric coils beneath your floor surface. As the floor surface heats, it radiates warmth upward into the room. This approach eliminates cold

Enzyme vs. Chemical Drain Cleaners: Which Is Safer and More Effective?

August 4, 2025

When many homeowners encounter a clogged drain, they instinctively reach for the closest bottle of drain cleaner. Unfortunately, not all products are made equally. Choosing between chemical and enzyme drain cleaners is a decision that has a lasting impact on the environment, your household health, and your home plumbing system. Read this guide from our plumbing services experts on the pros and cons of each type, and the verdict on which is best. How Chemical Drain Cleaners Work Chemical drain cleaners are usually made using potent acidic or alkaline compounds, such as sulfuric

Smart Water Monitoring Devices: Detecting Leaks Before They Cause Damage

July 2, 2025

A small leak can quietly waste gallons of water, ruin your floors, and invite mold before you even notice a problem. Traditional leak detection usually starts after the damage is done, but smart water monitors flip the script. These compact tools give you alerts before leaks become expensive repairs. From vacation homes to busy households, early detection makes a big difference. Why Catching Leaks Early Matters Small leaks don’t always look like a big deal at first. You might hear a faint drip, or maybe you notice your water bill going up. The problem is, leaks

HRVs vs. ERVs: Understanding Advanced Ventilation Options

June 17, 2025

Indoor air can get stuffy fast, especially in homes sealed tight for energy efficiency. That’s where advanced ventilation systems come in. Heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) and energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) offer two smart ways to bring in fresh air without wasting what you’ve already heated or cooled. Dogtown Heating, Air & Plumbing in Urbana, IL helps homeowners choose the right layout, lifestyle, and climate system. How Both Systems Bring Fresh Air Indoors HRVs and ERVs pull out stale indoor air and bring fresh air in. But they do it while keeping as much comfort as possible. Rather than letting all your heated

Zoned HVAC Systems vs. Single-Zone: Is Zone Control Worth the Investment?

May 6, 2025

There are often key decisions to make when it comes to heating and cooling efficiency. One major one is installing a single-zone HVAC system or investing in a zoned one. Single-zone systems condition the entire space uniformly, which may work well for smaller homes or open floor plans. Zoned systems, on the other hand, divide your home into separate areas, each with its own thermostat. Understanding the differences between these systems is essential when selecting the most cost-effective and comfortable solution for your space. In this guide, we will look at each to help you decide

Steam vs. Evaporative Humidifiers: Which Is Better for Indoor Air Quality?

April 2, 2025

Keeping your home’s indoor humidity at proper levels is crucial to the health and comfort of everyone under your roof. It can also affect the longevity of parts of your home and household items. When adding moisture to otherwise dry indoor air, you can use a steam humidifier or an evaporative model. Each increases humidity levels in your home, but they operate differently and offer unique pros and cons. Knowing the differences makes it easier to pick the best kind for your home and needs. About Steam Humidifiers Steam humidifiers are also

Should You Invest in Geothermal for Your Home?

March 5, 2025

When it comes time to invest in a new heating or cooling system for your home, many options exist. One that’s gaining a lot of traction lately is the geothermal heat pump. We will dive into what this is below and help you make a better-informed decision about whether or not investing in one is right for your home. What Is a Geothermal Heat Pump? Geothermal heat pumps, also known as ground-source heat pumps, can provide both heating and cooling for your home. These systems rely on the fact that the soil temperature remains relatively regular