ACI Northwest Blog: Archive for September, 2014

Common Causes of Heating Problems

Friday, September 26th, 2014

Our temperatures are starting to cool, which brings our attention to heating in Coeur d’Alene. Fall is a great time to test your heating system for problems and repair them before the cold weather sets in. There can be a number of reasons your heater experiences problems, and knowing what to look for can help expedite repairs to your system. It’s important to always call a trained specialist for your heating repairs, as a heating system shouldn’t be handled by anyone who doesn’t have training. ACI Northwest has helped customers in Coeur d’Alene with heating repair for over two decades, so if you need heating repair, call us today!

Common Causes of Heating Problems

Here are some common causes of heating problems:

  • Clogged/dirty components – clogged and/or dirty components do not work as they should. Parts that commonly become dirty in a heating system are the burner, the air filter, the coils (in a heat pump system), etc.
  • Faulty ductwork (in forced-air systems) – faulty ductwork can account for uneven heating or hot and cold spots. Common problems with ductwork are obstructions, holes and cracks, broken seals and damaged sections.
  • Ignition problems (for combustible systems) – when your combustible heating system doesn’t light, it can’t provide heat. Several things can require repair with a burner assembly, including a faulty igniter, a malfunctioning or cracked thermocouple or dirt in the burner or pilot area.
  • Thermostat issues – your thermostat controls when your heating system cycles on and off, so if it is malfunctioning, it can cause problems with your whole system. Thermostats can get dirty, wires can loosen or corrode, or the unit can be mounted in a poor location. Thermostat problems can be tricky, so it’s best to call for a professional’s help.

If you are concerned about your heating system, now is a great time to test your system for problems. Even if your system appears to be running fine, fall offers a great time to schedule maintenance, which can help reduce the incidence of repairs. No matter your heating needs, ACI Northwest has the technicians who can help, so call us today and schedule your heating service in Coeur d’Alene!

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Signs You Need Outlet Repair for Your Home

Friday, September 19th, 2014

The electrical system in your home is a complex network of circuits. However, you don’t see most of this: the primary way you access the electricity is through switches and power outlets. If the outlets in your home malfunction, the situation will develop into a major inconvenience… and it might even become a fire hazard.

Because outlets are one of the more visible parts of the electrical system, you will feel a temptation to grab a screwdriver, remove the outlet cover, and try to solve any problems on your own. Don’t do it! This is a job that you must leave to professional electricians. Amateur work on electrical systems risks high voltage shocks and it could cause a fire. Instead of reaching for the toolkit, reach for the phone and call for electrical repair service in Sandpoint, ID from ACI Northwest. We are available 24/7 for emergency repair service.

Here Are Some Signs of Defective Outlets That Need Repairs

  • Charring and discoloration: If you notice what appears to be burn marks or brownish discoloration on the outlet covers, it is usually a sign that an electrical fire has occurred inside the outlet, probably because of a loss of insulation along the wiring. Don’t ignore this: call for an electrician right away.
  • Warm or hot outlets: An outlet cover should not feel warm to the touch. This can indicate a number of different problems. One of the most likely is that there are loose or damaged wires behind the cover. It could also mean that the outlet is wearing down with age. Whatever the cause behind it, do not use the outlet again until you have had electricians look into the problem.
  • Sparking outlets: When you plug in an appliance to a wall outlet, you may see a momentary blue spark. This is the start of the flow of electrons, and isn’t anything to worry about if it is an occasional occurrence. If and outlet begins sparking frequently, and the sparks are larger than usual, it probably means there is a short in the outlet, and you will need electricians to deal with it.

When you call for professional electrical repair for outlets, you will often have the option to upgrade the outlets to GFCI models if you don’t already have them. For older homes, it is a good idea to have an update to these outlets because they will help protect everyone in your household from electrical shocks. We specialize in GFCI outlet installation at ACI Northwest, so when you contact us for electrical repairs because of faulty outlets, ask us about this service.

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Reasons to Install a Whole-Home Generac Generator

Friday, September 12th, 2014

We can lose power for a number of reasons: weather-related events, environmental events like wildfires, road construction or a blown substation. Whatever the reason, it makes our lives exponentially more difficult when we don’t have the power we need to run our homes. One of the best ways to prepare for any event that can result in loss of electrical power is to install a Generac whole-home generator in your home. Since 1959, Generac has been the leader in home generators, and hiring the trained technicians from ACI Northwest for your generator installation means that you won’t have to be without power ever again.

Reasons to Install a Whole Home Generac Generator

Having the best equipment is part of being prepared. Generac generators are designed to seamlessly transition you to your back-up power should you lose yours. Here are some reasons why you will want to consider the installation of a Generac generator:

  • Automatic operation – each Generac whole-home generator is equipped with a sensor that will instantly switch your home’s power to the generator as soon as power is lost, whether or not you are home. The generator will also turn off automatically once power is restored.
  • No manual refueling – Generac whole-home generators are made to work with three fuel types: natural gas, liquid propane (LP) or diesel. For natural gas and LP generators, the fuel is piped directly to the generator. The diesel model has a tank below it that manages the diesel fuel, so there’s no running back and forth with gas cans. Simply have the diesel tank refueled by a fuel company as needed.
  • Connected directly to your electrical panel – Generac whole-home generators are wired directly into your home’s electrical panel, so there’s no need for long extension cords through windows.
  • Overload protection – in the rare case that your Generac generator gets overloaded, it is equipped with overload protection: the generator’s circuit will trip, which disconnects the unit from the load.

Being prepared means having the best tools at your disposal for the worst possible circumstances. Losing power isn’t a usual thing, but when it happens, it can disrupt our lives entirely. With a Generac generator in your home, you won’t have to worry about this kind of disruption. Need more information? Call ACI Northwest and schedule the installation of a Generac generator in Coeur d’Alene with one of our specialists today.

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