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Prevent frozen pipes this winter with a few simple steps that protect your home from costly damage. Every fall, folks around the Des Moines Metro start getting ready for winter, we know what’s coming: cold mornings, hard freezes, and the kind of weather that can freeze a water line solid if you’re not prepared. When pipes freeze, they expand, and sometimes they burst, turning a little water problem into a big mess fast.

Most of those problems can be prevented. At Bell Brothers Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, we’ve been helping Central Iowa homeowners protect their homes for decades. Here are the five mistakes we see the most, along with simple ways to keep them from happening to you.

Why Do Pipes Freeze in Des Moines, Iowa?

When Iowa temperatures stay below freezing, water sitting in the lines can turn to ice. That ice blocks flow and puts pressure on the pipe walls until they split.

Pipes most likely to freeze:

Things that make it worse:

Mistake #1: Not Insulating Exposed Pipes

Older houses in the Des Moines area are especially at risk for frozen pipes, with bare plumbing often exposed in basements, garages, or crawl spaces. Those uninsulated lines sit right in the cold, making it even more important to take steps to prevent frozen pipes before temperatures drop.

How to prevent it:

Mistake #2: Turning the Heat Too Low

Trying to save a few dollars on the heating bill sometimes ends up costing a lot more. We see it every year when folks turn the thermostat way down or off while they’re gone. One cold night and the pipes freeze solid.

How to prevent it:

Mistake #3: Forgetting the Outdoor Faucets and Hoses

This one gets people every fall. They drain the sprinkler system but forget the garden hose still hooked up out back. Water sits in that hose, freezes, and pushes ice back into the house,  exactly the kind of situation proper prep can stop. Disconnecting hoses early is one of the simplest ways to prevent frozen pipes and avoid costly damage once the temperatures drop.

How to prevent it:

Mistake #4: Skipping Fall Plumbing Checkups

A quick inspection in the fall can save a huge headache in January. It’s easy to miss a pipe that runs along an outside wall until it’s too late.

How to prevent it:

Mistake #5: Waiting Too Long to Call for Help

When you turn on a faucet and only get a trickle, that pipe is already starting to freeze. Waiting won’t make it thaw; it will make it burst.

How to prevent it:

How Bell Brothers Helps Prevent Frozen Pipes

We’ve seen just about everything an Iowa winter can throw at a plumbing system. Our licensed plumbers handle:

We’re local. We know how quickly the temperature can swing here and what it takes to keep a home safe when it does.

Schedule Your Frozen Pipe Prevention Service

Winter in Iowa is never simple, it can be thirty degrees one day and below zero the next. All it takes is one cold night for unprotected pipes to freeze and burst. The best time to get ready is right now, before the first real freeze.

Schedule a fall inspection with Bell Brothers Heating, Cooling & Plumbing to add insulation, check vulnerable lines, and prevent frozen pipes before the cold sets in. Our team is here to keep your plumbing safe, your water running, and your family comfortable through every Iowa winter.

Every winter when the temperature drops, you rely on your furnace to keep your home warm and comfortable all season long. While it is normal for this to result in a higher monthly energy bill, costs have been much higher this year than in years past.

This is because the market price for natural gas has more than doubled from where it was last year. In October 2021, MidAmerican Energy warned customers that they could expect their heating bills to increase by 46-96%.

One of the reasons for the price increases is that when the COVID-19 pandemic began and businesses started shutting down, the demand for natural gas decreased. As a result, less was produced and stored. When businesses started re-opening, the demand outpaced the supply and has led to higher prices.

Another reason is that production in Texas was disrupted when a polar vortex and ice storm struck Texas in February 2021 and drove prices to historic highs. MidAmerican Energy has had to pass these costs on to its customers.

In addition to rising natural gas prices, the cost of propane, which is used to heat many rural homes in Iowa, also soared. In October 2021, the U.S. Energy Information Administration projected the price to rise by 83%.

There are some things you can do, both on your own and with the help of a professional HVAC contractor, to conserve energy and save money on your heating bill while potentially improving home comfort.

Complete a Home Energy Audit

A home energy audit should be your first step before implementing any energy- or cost-saving home improvements. It can help you determine how much energy your home uses, where it is inefficient, and which problem areas you should prioritize to save power and money.

Home energy audits can be performed by a professional or by yourself. The HomeCheck® Online assessment tool from MidAmerican Energy analyzes the effects of your home energy use based on your lifestyle and habits. It provides information on what uses the most power in your home and personalized tips to reduce your energy use.

Improvements You Can Make On Your Own

Once you’ve completed a home energy audit, there are some simple solutions you can do on your own. The No. 1 thing you can do without calling a professional is to change your filter regularly.

Read More: When and How To Change Your Furnace Filter

Another thing that can reduce your furnace’s energy efficiency is negative pressure. This means that there is less air in your home than outside and, in the winter, cold dry air will be pulled inside.

A few simple ways to balance out the pressure on your own are to:

How Can an HVAC Contractor Help

For more intricate home improvement tasks, you will want to enlist the help of a professional HVAC contractor.

Sealing Your Air Ducts

The average home’s air duct system leaks 25% to 40% of the air that flows through it. This can lead to frigid temperatures on your second floor in the winter, dusty furniture and high utility bills.

You may be able to seal some air ducts on your own, but it’s possible there are leaks hiding behind the walls, floors or ceilings. This is why you should call a professional to help you out.

Sealing your ductwork using a product called Aeroseal® can help improve comfort, reduce leaks by up to 90% and improve air quality in your home.

Have Annual Maintenance Completed

Annual maintenance keeps your furnace working efficiently and reduces the chances of an unexpected midwinter breakdown. By not properly cleaning your furnace every year, your HVAC system can lose up to 40% of its heating efficiency.

Annual furnace maintenance performed by a trained technician should include:

Read More: Why Annual Furnace Maintenance is Important

Upgrade To a High Efficiency HVAC System

If the time has come for you to replace your furnace, consider upgrading to a high-efficiency system. The energy and cost savings over the life of the unit will offset the upfront cost and reduce your monthly utility bill.

Have you been spending more time in your home lately? It has always been your place to relax and a safe haven from your daily grind. But, these days, it could also be where you work.

Either way, the performance of your HVAC system is essential to helping you feel comfortable in your home. Your annual HVAC maintenance program is an investment in home comfort, but is your current program tier giving you all the benefits you need?

Read More: What To Look For in an HVAC Maintenance Program

Is It Time to Level Up Your HVAC Maintenance Plan?

Many HVAC maintenance plans have multiple tiers with increasing benefits. Over time, you may find that you can maximize your investment in home comfort by exploring the benefits of a higher tier.

Here are three situations where you should consider upgrading your maintenance program:

1. Your HVAC system is aging.

Most HVAC units last between 15 and 20 years. Your system may begin to experience more issues and unexpected repairs when it has been in your home for 10 or more years.

When this starts to happen, you may want to consider looking for a program tier that includes the following:

2. You have a high-efficiency HVAC system.

If you have a high-efficiency HVAC system, you may need to use and replace HEPA filters once a year. These filters can cost more than $200 each, so upgrading your maintenance program level to include HEPA filter replacement at no additional cost is usually worth the investment.

3. You have a humidifier.

If you have installed a whole-home centralized humidifier to work alongside your HVAC system, you should consider upgrading your plan. Many mid-tier and higher tiers of an HVAC maintenance plan will include one free humidifier pad replacement per year during a routine maintenance. This will help keep your humidifier operating at peak performance all year long.

Invest in Your Home Comfort

Your home is a place to relax and enjoy time with your family. And these days, it may also be where you work. You spend a lot of time in your home, so making sure it’s comfortable is important.

The Bell Brothers Comfort Club membership offers three tiers to meet your needs, whether your system is new or aging, standard or high-efficiency. All three tiers include:

As you upgrade tiers, the perks get sweeter with benefits like same-day priority status, an extended 2-year warranty on repairs, HEPA filter and humidifier pad replacement and more.

Whether it happens on the first hot day of the summer, the first cold night of the winter or any time in between, it can be a big surprise when your HVAC system needs to be serviced, repaired, or even replaced. If this happens to you this year there may be another surprise in store: the higher cost.

It’s normal for HVAC manufacturers to raise their prices each year, but this year the prices have gone up at a faster rate than usual. Unfortunately, this means that HVAC service providers have finally had to pass the costs along to their customers.

Let’s explore the reasons for the price increases and what you can do to avoid costly repairs to your home HVAC system.

HVAC Materials and Labor On The Rise

The main reason for the price increases is that the costs of HVAC materials have risen. This includes parts we use to repair your systems and the parts used to build new systems, making repairs and replacements more expensive.

The affected raw materials include:

In addition to the rising costs of raw materials for HVAC equipment, a truck driver shortage is also contributing to the price increases. Equipment and materials are sitting on docks undelivered because there aren’t enough workers to transport them, leading to higher demand and higher prices.

Another factor at play is the national labor shortage at HVAC manufacturer facilities. This has led to a shortage of the parts they produce, resulting in higher demand and an overall increase in price.

The semiconductor chip shortage that has affected thousands of electronics from cars to smartphones has also played a role in impacting HVAC prices. These chips are used in high efficiency units.

Perform Routine Maintenance Regularly

With HVAC costs on the rise, it’s important to have routine maintenance performed on a regular basis. Just like with your vehicle, having things checked out periodically can extend the lifespan of your system, keep things running smoothly and help you avoid the more costly repairs that could pop up from time to time.

When you join the Bell Brothers Comfort Club, a service technician will visit your home twice per year to perform routine maintenance, change your filter, complete a 21-point inspection and much more to make sure everything is running smoothly.

When the time finally comes to replace your HVAC system, we can help you manage the cost with flexible financing options. Special interest rates are available for periods of 12 months to five years. Some of our options include no payments and no interest for 12 months on some purchases.

Traditionally our strategy has been to purchase larger quantities of parts and equipment in the spring and fall to be prepared for the busy season. Due to the equipment shortage, this past year we’ve had to adopt a purchasing strategy that goes above and beyond in order to ensure we have equipment. And unfortunately, we have had to raise our prices this year due to the multiple increases from the manufacturers.

At the end of the day, we don’t want there to be any surprises when it comes to the final costs or your repairs or new HVAC system. We want to be transparent because we take service personally and we value your trust above all else.

During Iowa summers, it’s not uncommon for temperatures to break into the 90s with heat index levels occasionally breaking 100. To keep your home at a comfortable temperature, your air conditioner could be working overtime.

During these times, you may notice your HVAC unit leaking water and ask yourself “is that normal?”

It is normal for your HVAC system to form water, but only to a certain extent. If your air conditioner has been leaking all day or you notice a puddle beneath your system that’s getting bigger and bigger, it could be a sign of a problem.

Let’s explore why your HVAC system produces water and the potential causes for an unwanted leak.

Why Air Conditioners Produce Water

Your HVAC system has an evaporator coil that cools the warm air being blown over it and into your home. This causes condensation to form on the coil, very similarly to the way it forms on a cold glass of water on a hot day.

This water drips onto a pan and drains into a condensate drain line, which leads outside. So water shouldn’t pool beneath your unit unless there’s a problem with your system.

Here are some of the reasons your air conditioner could be leaking water.

5 Reasons Your HVAC System Is Leaking Water

1. Your air filter is dirty.

This is an easy one for you to check and fix yourself. If your air filter is dirty, it will partially or completely block the flow of warm air. This causes the evaporator coil to freeze up, and when the system stops running, water will melt, drip down and pool under the system.

2. Refrigerant levels are low.

If your AC refrigerant level is low, your system’s air pressure will drop. Much like when your air filter is dirty, this will cause the evaporator coil to freeze over and leak water.

3. The condensate pan is damaged.

This is particularly prevalent in units that are more than 10 years old. The condensate pan catches the water dripping off the evaporator coil, but if the pan is corroded or rusted, the water may leak through the holes and onto the floor beneath the unit.

4. Your condensate drain line is clogged or your condensate pump is broken.

Normally after the water drips into the condensate pan, it funnels through the drain line and outside. If this line is clogged, the water will have nowhere to go but the floor. If your unit is in the basement of your home, a condensate pump will normally take the water upstairs and outside. If the pump is damaged, the water will leak beneath the unit.

5. Temperatures outdoors are cool.

If you’re trying to cool your home when it's not hot outside (60 °F or lower), this could also cause the evaporator coils to freeze up and leak water onto the floor.

As our culture continues to shift toward a mindset of “instant gratification,” our ideas about long-term planning and major purchases have changed. Many are content to let things run through their lifespan and replace them when the time comes. But that’s not the right approach with your HVAC system.

The average cost of a new HVAC system is roughly the same as a used car, so why not give them the same treatment? Performing routine maintenance on your vehicle extends its lifespan and it will do the same for your air conditioning unit and your furnace. On top of that, it can also lower your monthly energy bill.

In this guide, I will show you the benefits of preventative maintenance, what is included, some basic do-it-yourself tips and why an HVAC maintenance program is worth the investment.

Learn More: Why You Should Think Of Your HVAC System Like A Car

Benefits of HVAC Preventative Maintenance

Preventative maintenance is critical to improving the lifespan of your heating and cooling system, so why would you ignore it? It’s as simple as regularly changing your air filter and having annual HVAC tuneups done.

Here are the five main benefits to having HVAC preventative maintenance performed on an annual basis:

  1. Longer lifespan

  2. Improved home safety and comfort

  3. Better air quality

  4. Lower energy costs

  5. Reliable operation

Get More Details: Five Benefits Of HVAC Preventative Maintenance

What’s Included in Furnace Preventative Maintenance

Homeowners in Iowa typically use their furnace six months of the year. For the other six months, it sits idle. The dust and dirt accumulated during this time may prevent it from working at peak performance when it’s time to turn it back on.

Annual maintenance should be performed to extend the life of your furnace and ensure it is running safely. Maintenance performed by a trained professional should include:

Stay Warm: Why Annual Furnace Maintenance Is Important

Do-It-Yourself HVAC Maintenance Tips

If your system has stopped working, don’t panic. We know it's uncomfortable when the heat stops working in winter, or when your air stops working in summer. Your instinct may be to call a professional, but there are a few troubleshooting steps you should take on your own first. These could end up being a quick solution and can save you money.

DIY Troubleshooting Tips

Do It Yourself: Five Things To Check Before Calling A Pro

Additionally, you can check out our guide to troubleshooting common air conditioner problems for tips on deciding when you can make an easy fix, or when it’s time to call a technician.

HVAC Maintenance Programs

The easiest way to keep your furnace and AC in prime condition is to sign up for an HVAC maintenance program. The money you save by extending your system’s life span and lowering the cost of your energy bills usually outweigh the investment. Plus, getting regular tuneups can reduce future HVAC maintenance costs by avoiding the need for major repairs.

But not every maintenance program is the same and you’ll want to do your research. Here are four questions you should ask as you’re weighing your options:

  1. Does this HVAC maintenance program include cleaning?

  2. What additional benefits will I receive?

  3. Does the company provide advice and recommendations?

  4. How do I know which membership level is right for me?

Get Your Questions Answered: What To Look For In An HVAC Maintenance Program

Join the Comfort Club Today

At Bell Brothers, we want to provide you with the peace of mind that your HVAC system is running at optimal safety and efficiency. Not only that, we will make sure you understand your needs and help you choose an annual HVAC maintenance program that works best for you.

Bell Brothers Comfort Club offers three levels of annual maintenance service to fit your needs and budget. Each level includes:

How HVAC Maintenance Can Extend Your System’s Lifespan

HVAC lifespan is often overlooked in today’s “instant gratification” culture. Over the last decade or so, our ideas about long-term planning and purchasing have changed as well. Rather than maintain things, many of us tend to wait and replace them when the time comes. And for some things, that’s fine.

But you wouldn’t just buy a different car every time your current one has a problem, would you? And you wouldn’t jump into that decision without saving some money and doing some research, right?

So why treat your heating and cooling system any differently? After all, the average cost for a new system is $7,500 to $10,000 – that’s like a used car!

Investing in an HVAC maintenance program is important, it can extend your HVAC lifespan and bring down your energy bill, both of which could cover the investment pretty quickly.

The maintenance your system requires depends on its age, your usage and some other factors around the home (for example, the age of your windows). Don’t assume you need the most expensive maintenance program just because your house is older. An HVAC provider can help you pick the right membership package for your specific home and heating and cooling needs.

So what should I do?

It’s pretty simple: Keep up on the maintenance of your HVAC system. Just like you get regular oil changes and tire rotations on your car, you need to schedule regular maintenance for your heating and cooling equipment.

Remembering to have annual maintenance on your AC and furnace is easier when you join a membership program. Bell Brother’s membership program is the Comfort Club. Members of the Comfort Club receive two system cleanings per year to keep things running smoothly, and diagnostic fees are waived for any issues we may discover. It also includes priority status when something goes wrong and up to two years of warranty on repairs made.

Protecting your HVAC lifespan means planning ahead. Here’s an insider tip: HVAC pros get pretty busy in the summer and winter, so it’s a great idea to schedule your AC checkup in the spring and furnace maintenance in the fall. That way, you aren’t stuck waiting, and you can trust that your system will be ready for the hottest and coldest days of the year.

What if I don’t enroll in a maintenance program?

Many heating and cooling equipment manufacturers’ warranties specify that if you don’t keep up on routine maintenance, your warranty can be voided. So, if you choose to forgo regular maintenance, be ready for the potential inconvenience of a some extra hot or cold – and expensive – days if your system fails.

Regular furnace and AC service help extend the life of your heating and cooling equipment, so it can save you big money in the long run. Plus, you’ll be happier with your air quality and temperature when things are working the way they’re supposed to, and you get the peace of mind that everything is running safely.

Annual maintenance programs typically run from about $180 to $575 a year, which isn’t much at all when you consider that $10,000 sticker shock you might face if you ignore the problem for too long.

What maintenance can I do on my own, and when do I need a professional?

You can handle changing your furnace filter monthly – that’s an easy one. It also helps not to run your furnace or AC at extremes. We recently wrote a post outlining the ideal temperatures for your home, which provides a helpful guide. Make sure the seals on your ducts are intact, and don’t block vents with furniture. Finally, be sure to keep the batteries in your thermostat up to date.

For anything more complicated than these tasks, you may want a technician to take a look, so you don’t hurt your chances of warranty coverage if something isn’t right. Sure, the internet can show you all kinds of “hacks,” but you’ll kick yourself later if things go awry.

As always, feel free to contact us with your HVAC questions, to schedule annual maintenance or to learn more about the Comfort Club. We’re here to help!

When you buy a new car, do you run it 100,000 miles without getting the oil changed or rotating the tires? Not a chance. So, why ignore your HVAC system? Annual AC and furnace maintenance keeps your equipment working efficiently and reduces the chances of an unexpected breakdown.

Taking care of your HVAC system is as simple as regularly changing your furnace filter and signing up for an annual maintenance program such as the Bell Brothers comfort club.

How to Select the Best HVAC Maintenance Program for Your Home

Joining an HVAC maintenance program is an investment in your heating and cooling system. It’s important to select a program that provides the most benefit to you as a homeowner. Annual furnace and AC maintenance performed by a trained technician should include:

But not every maintenance program is the same, so we’ve put together a few questions you can ask yourself when comparing your options.

Question 1: Does the HVAC Maintenance Program Include Cleaning?

Look for an HVAC maintenance program in Des Moines that includes a full cleaning of your HVAC system. The main benefit of having your equipment serviced twice a year is ensuring everything is in tip-top shape – and that includes cleaning. Having your furnace and AC cleaned properly by a technician extends the life of the equipment and helps it run more efficiently. By not properly cleaning your furnace and AC every year, your HVAC system can lose up to 40% of efficiency.

Question 2: What Additional Benefits Will I Receive?

When signing up for an HVAC maintenance program, it’s important to look at what additional benefits are included. Members of the Bell Brothers Comfort Club are automatically enrolled in our Loyalty Program, receive either 24-hour or same-day priority service when an unexpected breakdown occurs, and up to a two-year warranty on repairs. Comfort Club members also have diagnostic fees waived, which can be a significant cost savings for homeowners faced with a repair.

Question 3: Does the Company Provide Advice and Recommendations?

Not all HVAC companies give free advice or recommendations to homeowners. Before signing up for an HVAC maintenance program, ask whether or not the company will provide advice and recommendations based on either what they discover during a maintenance check or what questions you have.

When a Bell Brothers technician is with a homeowner, we provide recommendations based on the age of equipment, new products that would be beneficial, and most importantly we always discuss safety – especially if there is aging HVAC equipment in the home.

We also frequently receive questions from homeowners about how they can improve indoor air quality or combat dry air during the winter. Our technicians are always ready and happy to discuss these questions or any other concern a homeowner might have about improving comfort levels in their home.

Question 4: How Do I Know Which Membership Level Is Right for Me?

When selecting the membership level that fits your budget and home it’s important to think about the age of your equipment. If your entire HVAC system is only one to five years old, you can probably join at a lower membership level. Once the warranty on your new equipment ends, it’s a good idea to move to a membership level that provides cost savings on diagnostic fees and repair warranties.

If you have equipment that is past the ten-year mark and you want to keep your furnace and AC running efficiently for as long as possible, the highest membership level is likely going to provide the most value. For example, our Premium membership level provides a full diagnostic check twice a year and includes additional cleaning of the blower wheel, burner, condensate pan and chemical coil cleaning. These additional services will help extend the life of your equipment and keep it running safely.

Why Choose Bell Brothers for Your HVAC Maintenance Program?

At Bell Brothers, our primary objective is to help provide homeowners with the peace of mind that their HVAC systems are running at optimal safety and efficiency. We work closely with homeowners to understand their needs and challenges and help them choose an HVAC maintenance program that works best for them.

If you’re looking to upgrade your current HVAC system and are researching the difference between a heat pump and a gas furnace, there’s a good chance you are finding articles online that discuss the pros and cons of a heat pump vs a gas furnace.

In this blog post, Bell Brothers wants to share the option for a heat pump with a gas furnace backup, which is known as a hybrid heat pump.

What is a Hybrid Heat Pump?

A hybrid heat system uses a conventional gas furnace in conjunction with an electric-powered air source heat pump. The heat pump looks like the outdoor air conditioning unit and works similarly. While an air conditioning unit moves warm air from inside the house outside, a heat pump does just the opposite. In the winter, it gathers heat outside, concentrates it and moves it inside. Moving heat is much more efficient than creating heat.

3 Reasons to Consider Heat Pump with Gas Furnace:

Cost Savings

​When customers are considering a hybrid system, a common question we hear is, “Do you really save money with a heat pump?” Since heat pumps are powered by electricity, homeowners have the flexibility of switching between gas and electricity to heat the house. For example, when gas is less expensive a homeowner can set the system to run the gas furnace more and the heat pump less. There are many hybrid heat options available that are Energy Star® qualified and that will provide energy-efficient heating and cooling to help reduce your energy costs.

Comfortability

Combining a high-efficiency gas furnace with an electric air source heat pump will provide continuous temperature control in your home. Most gas furnaces kick on and off trying to reach the right temperature. A heat pump has a much longer run cycle, which keeps temperatures more constant in the home. Some deluxe models feature variable capacity, which allows them to run on a lower speed for longer cycles and provide higher energy efficiency and comfort. This reduces those four- to five-degree swings in temperature that come with single-speed furnaces.

Live in a Mild Climate

Due to the design of heat pumps, they will heat your home most efficiently when the outside temperature is 25 to 60 degrees. The gas furnace is more efficient when temperatures are below 25 because it is designed to handle that load. If you live in a location where it’s colder than 25 degrees the majority of the time (e.g., Alaska), a heat pump may not be the most efficient choice. In Iowa, the hybrid system makes perfect sense. The heat pump provides heat the majority of the time, when the temperature is moderate, and the gas furnace takes over when the weather is severe.

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