ACI Northwest Blog: Archive for February, 2013

Scheduling Professional Electrical Services

Monday, February 25th, 2013

Safe, dependable electricity is one of the most fundamental luxuries that we demand in our homes. It is inconceivable to most homeowners these days to imagine not having light in your home with the flip of a switch. From heating to cooking and providing the energy needed to operate your appliances and electronics, your electrical system is among the most important components in your home. It is also one of the most potentially problematic and, if not professionally installed and serviced, most dangerous. There is no reason that you should not be able to enjoy high-quality, safe electrical service in your home. Simply call the electrical experts at ACI Northwest to schedule electrical installation and repair services in Spokane.

The importance of scheduling your electrical system installation with a licensed, experienced electrician cannot be overstated. There are laws and regulations that must be met and complied with. More importantly, you must work with a qualified, professional Spokane electrician to ensure the safety and reliability of your electrical system. Electricity is a very common power source, and it can be extremely safe to use. In order to ensure this safe operation, though, you cannot cut corners during the electrical installation process.

The maintenance of your electrical system and all of its components is the most important factor in ensuring its continued reliability and safety of operation. Wires, electrical connections and other parts of the system will degrade over time. Only by allowing a professional electrician the opportunity to inspect and tune-up your electrical system can you hope to get the best performance possible from it. Routine maintenance is also a great opportunity for your professional electrician to discover, diagnose and resolve any problems with your electrical system early on. Waiting for a problem to come up with your electrical system is the worst way you can go about servicing it. Prevention is key.

To learn more about electrical services in Spokane call the experts at ACI Northwest. Our electricians are among the best in the business. Our goal is to ensure that you are able to use your electrical system confidently and safely. Contact ACI Northwest today for more information on installation and electrical repair service in Spokane, WA..

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Recognizing the Need for a Boiler Repair

Monday, February 18th, 2013

ACI Northwest Inc. offers boiler repair services in Hayden, ID and the surrounding areas, so don’t hesitate to call us if you need an urgent repair. We will send one of our Hayden ID heating technicians to your home to pinpoint the issue and take care of it. If you aren’t sure whether or not you need a repair for your boiler, you can always call for advice or tips. Here are some signs that you might need a repair service.

If your boiler simply isn’t providing enough heat for your home, there could be a few causes for this. First, make sure your thermostat is on the right settings. If it isn’t the thermostat, it could be the water level inside the boiler tank. When the levels are not correct, there’s less hot water to send to the radiators in your hydronic heating system. Sediment build-up or a broken pressure valve are two common causes of improper hot water levels, so you should call a heating repair technician if the problem persists.

Be sure that you know how to read the pressure gauge, and if it is off, one of our heating technicians will need to take a look and mostly likely flush out the boiler to remedy the issue. If you notice water leaking from the tank, this could be another cause of improper pressure levels and reduced heat.

Like hot water heaters, some boilers need a little recovery time after an extended period of high output, If your boiler takes longer to produce more heat, there could be an issue with the expansion tank, or it could be a warning sign of the system wearing down. Don’t wait until your boiler breaks down, call ACI Northwest as soon as you notice any problems. We offer Hayden boiler repair services that you can rely on.

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Boiler Repair FAQ: Is My Boiler Leaking?

Monday, February 11th, 2013

Boilers provide consistent and comfortable heat for many homeowners throughout the Hayden, ID area. In fact, boilers are one of the most common heating systems in the entire country. As opposed to forced air systems like furnaces, boilers use a series of hot water radiators or in-floor pipes to provide heat. Like all things that carry water your boiler will eventually need repairs. Perhaps one of the most common boiler repairs in Hayden, ID is a leak. At ACI Northwest, we’ve responded to many calls for boiler repair and wanted to share some insight on boiler leaks.

How Boilers Work

One of the best ways to know if your boiler is leaking is to understand how it’s supposed to work. While boilers are fairly complex pieces of equipment, their basic operation is pretty simple. The boiler heats up water—though it doesn’t actually boil the water—using a burner very similar to your hot water heater. A pump then circulates that hot water throughout your house. If you have radiators in your room then they are responsible for distributing the heat into your home. For floor heaters, a series of coils in your floor carry the hot water and provide heat.

Common Boiler Leaks

These are a few of the most common places for your boiler to leak.

  • The pump – When your boiler is turned on, the pump is working constantly. It has to circulate all of the water throughout your home. It isn’t uncommon for the pump valve or seal to break down and allow water to leak out.
  • Expansion tank – Your boiler has an expansion tank that allows it to compensate for the expansion of the water at high temperatures. If the expansion tank is old or rusting it could spring a leak.
  • Pipes – Any of the pipes leading into or out of your boiler could potentially leak.
  • Boiler tank itself – Another common place for leaks is from the boiler tank. If it has started to rust or if the pressure inside the tank is too high it could cause leaks.
  • Pressure relief valve – Your boiler should have a pressure relief valve on it that allows your boiler to safely expel water or air inside of it. If the pressure starts to build up too much the relief valve will allow water to leak out.

If you have a boiler leak or need boiler repairs, call the Hayden, ID heating experts at ACI Northwest. Contact ACI Northwest today!

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Furnace Tip: How To Get The Best Performance Out of Your Furnace

Monday, February 4th, 2013

Of all the home heating options available in the Spokane area, furnaces are one of the most popular. The great efficiency that furnaces are known for and the comfortable, even heating they provide with a professional installation has garnered them quite a reputation. Many homeowners do not enjoy the full potential of their furnaces, though, and oftentimes this is due to the fact that the make errors in the way in which they operate their furnace. Follow these simple tips from the furnace experts at ACI Northwest to get the best performance possible from your furnace.

First of all, make sure that you understand how to use your thermostat properly. Many homeowners either fiddle around with their thermostat too much or do not utilize capabilities such as programmability and wind up getting a less efficient performance from their furnace as a result. Take the time to read your owner’s manual and use your thermostat properly for increased heating efficiency.

It is also important that you keep the duct registers and grills that your duct system uses to distribute air throughout your home free of blockages. Furniture shifts around, and your furnace will have a much more difficult time circulating air throughout your home if it is trying to do so through a sofa. Allowing for open, easy airflow reduces the wear and tear on your furnace as well as energy expenditure. That can help reduce your energy bills at the same time.

By far the best tip that anyone can give you when it comes to your furnace is to schedule regular, professional maintenance service. There is no better way for you to keep your furnace working as efficiently and effectively as possible. Give your local heating technician a chance to tune up your furnace and enjoy the most reliable service that your furnace can offer. Schedule routine maintenance to heat your home with confidence.

Call the Spokane furnace experts at ACI Northwest to improve the efficiency and effectiveness with which your furnace works. Contact ACI Northwest today for more information. Your comfort is our top priority, and we look forward to the opportunity of improving your home heating experience.

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