Heating & Air Conditioning Blog | Dogtown Heating & Air

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 called warm mist humidifiers.

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

Replacing Galvanized Steel Pipes: PEX and PVC Lead the Way

February 5, 2025

For a long time, galvanized steel pipes were the standard for plumbing systems, but now, PEX and PVC are becoming the top choices. These newer materials have a lot of benefits over steel, like being more flexible, easier to install, and resistant to corrosion. At Dogtown Heating, Air & Plumbing in Urbana, IL, we’re here to explain why switching to PEX or PVC might be the best decision for your home’s plumbing needs. Problems with Galvanized Steel Pipes Galvanized steel pipes used to be the standard in plumbing, especially for homes built before the 1970s. These pipes are coated with

MERV vs. HEPA vs. Activated Carbon: Choosing the Right Air Filtration for Your Home

January 9, 2025

Indoor air pollution is a top environmental health concern for homeowners in Urbana, IL. Whole-house air filtration is often the most effective way to eliminate pollution in the home. Let’s explore three main types of filtrations that you’ll encounter. Air Filtration There are many different approaches to air filtration. The two we’ll focus on here are mechanical filtration, such as MERV and HEPA filters. We’ll also consider absorbent filtration, such as activated carbon. Many conventional air purifiers combine mechanical and absorbent filtration. Mechanical Air Filtration Pleated filters made with paper or

New HVAC Systems: How to Choose the Right One for Multistory Homes

December 5, 2024

Getting the right HVAC system for your home is important for your family’s comfort and reducing heating and cooling costs. However, those challenges compound when you’re dealing with a multi-story home because of how heat rises and trying to effectively circulate conditioned air through multiple levels. This guide will explore the HVAC systems typically considered for homes in central Illinois, getting the right size, what to consider about HVAC efficiency and advanced practices for comfort control. HVAC Options While there are nearly infinite options for keeping your home comfortable, full HVAC systems tend to be the

Insulating Your Plumbing Ahead of Winter

November 8, 2024

The temperatures in Urbana, IL, can get quite chilly in the winter months. The average temperature in the winter is just below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s not uncommon for temperatures to drop into the teens, especially at night and in the northern part of the state. When it comes to your plumbing system, it’s incredibly important that cold air doesn’t cause water in your pipes to freeze. This can lead to a plumbing disaster and extensive structural damage. Insulation is one way that you prevent plumbing issues in the winter months. What Is Plumbing Insulation?

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