ACI Northwest Blog: Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Our Maintenance Services Keep You Comfortable and Safe

Friday, April 24th, 2020

technician-with-toolsCurrent events have made life a lot more worrisome and in many cases a lot more complicated. With that said, your home comfort isn’t something that should add to your stress. That is why we want to make sure you know you can still schedule your yearly maintenance appointment with our team.

Your safety and your comfort are our priority which is why we want to assure you that we handle each and every service call with the utmost care. We ensure the safety of our team members and our customers with every call by utilizing the following safety measures:

  • Our technicians wear gloves and booties at each home they visit.
  • We use disinfectant and paper towels to wipe down surface areas.
  • We disinfect our offices multiple times a day.
  • We are diligent to disinfect our trucks after each service call.

The sooner your schedule your maintenance appointment the better. No one wants to have to wait for 80 other residents to collectively realize that they need to hop on their HVAC maintenance at the same time. When you schedule your service with ACI Northwest, you’ll be able to stay ahead of the crowd and stay safe in the process.

You can learn more about our carefully crafted safety measures here: CORONAVIRUS UPDATE FROM ACI NORTHWEST

Contact ACI Northwest today to schedule your maintenance appointment so you can stay safe and comfortable, without compromise.

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Common Causes of Boiler Repair

Friday, February 27th, 2015

Many homeowners and business owners prefer the comforting heat of their hydronic heating system (heating systems that circulate hot water from a boiler through a home) to the kind of heat you feel from a forced-air heating system like a furnace. Furnaces only heat up the air, while boilers have the ability to heat up an entire room, evenly distributing heat to the objects and people nearby using convective heat transfer.

Besides the all-around comfort a boiler delivers to a home, there are a couple of other benefits as well. Boilers do not contain many mechanical parts, meaning they may be more efficient than many other heating systems, and they should not break down very easily. If you own a boiler, you may be surprised when it does encounter trouble. The folks at ACI Northwest can diagnose the trouble and provide boiler repair in Post Falls, and we’ve put together a brief list of some of the most common boiler trouble.

  • Faulty Circulator Pump – The circulator pumps help to bring water to the rooms in your home, either circulating it through an endpoint like a radiator or through a set of pipes underneath your floorboards. Your circulator pump may run into mechanical trouble over time, and you may notice you don’t get enough heat in one or more rooms.
  • Broken Aquastat – The aquastat keeps the boiler tank from overheating, so it should shut off the system as soon as temperatures rise too high. Your system may shut off too soon if something is causing it to overheat, the aquastat is damaged, or if the temperature limit is set too low.
  • Oversized Unit – Unfortunately, sometimes the trouble with your boiler is beyond fixing. If you never seem to get enough heat in the home, it may be that the boiler is too small. But if the boiler is too large, it will use too much fuel, and will likely fail long before the end of its expected lifespan. Professional installation is key to having a unit that continues to live up to its potential.

Our trained technicians replace or repair faulty boiler parts to the best of their ability, ensuring that your boiler is in the best shape possible. Call ACI Northwest today for quality boiler repair in Post Falls.

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Lupercalia: The Origin of St. Valentine’s Day

Saturday, February 14th, 2015

Many people may think of Valentine’s Day as a holiday essentially created by card and gift companies, but the truth is that the holiday has long-standing roots going back to the Roman Empire. The name “Lupercalia” has its origins in the word “lupus”, which means wolf, and the reason for this is that according to Roman pagan religion, the she-wolf Lupa nursed the two orphaned infants Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome.

The Festival

The Festival of Lupercalia spanned two days each February, from February 13th to 15th. The festival was about fertility and was led by Luperci priests, known as “brothers of the wolf”. The festival was serious with intention (fertility) but was executed as quite a romp for both the priests and citizens of Rome. The process was this: two male goats and a dog were sacrificed at the beginning of the festival by the priests; two young Luperci were then anointed with the blood from the animals, and the hides of the animals were cut into straps. As food and drink flowed, the male priests would run around the city wearing nothing but thongs made from the animal skins, and they also carried a strap from one of the sacrificed animals. The strap was used to strike the palms of Roman women waiting for the priests in the city, as it was believed that being hit with the strap could help with infertility issues and a safe, healthy labor for women who were pregnant.

The Transition to St. Valentine’s Day

The Christian influence of the holiday came around the 5th century. The Roman Empire was still strong, but Christianity was rapidly taking hold throughout the world. It is believed that to try and remove the paganism from the holiday, the deaths of two men, supposedly both named Valentine, were added into the mix. During the 3rd and 4th centuries, a law created by Claudius II forbade young men eligible for military service to marry, because Rome wanted a strong army. The two men named Valentine were priests, and married young couples in secret. Both were found out and executed on February 14th, although in separate years. The Church made Valentine a saint (they chose one), and Lupercalia became St. Valentine’s Day.

Here’s wishing you and your loved ones a Happy Valentine’s Day!

 

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Experiencing One of These Common Heater Problems?

Wednesday, April 9th, 2014

Heaters are an indispensable part of life in the Pacific Northwest. With our chilly winters and constant cloud cover, we rely heavily on heating units of all varieties to keep our homes comfortable and warm. A good heater can last you for many years, but like all appliances, it will need repairs from time to time. Here in Spokane, WA, heating service companies can usually correct the problems for you. Are you experiencing one of the common heater problems in Spokane? Don’t hesitate to call upon an expert.

Most heater problems boil down to one of three basic issues:

  1. The air isn’t blowing, or is blowing with insufficient speed. This is often caused by a blockage in the ducts or lines somewhere, though it also crops up if the fan or the fan motor is experiencing problems. It’s troublesome because it forces your heater to work harder and longer to do its job. Not only do you need to wait for a longer period of time for your home to warm up, but it will cost you more in monthly heating bills in the bargain.
  2.  The air is blowing, but there’s no heat. A lack of heat often means a problem with the burners, such as a clog or more substantial damage. It could also mean trouble with the blower or a breach in the ducts that pulls the heated air out. Again, the end result is the same: less heat means the heater must work harder, costing you more money with fewer overall results.
  3. Bills are going up. Sometimes, there doesn’t appear to be anything wrong overtly, but a faulty component or general wear and tear will force the heater to work harder. That costs you money unnecessarily, as well as increasing further strain on the heater and making future repairs increasingly likely. If your heating bills are going up for no apparent reason, that’s usually cause for concern.

If you’re experiencing one of the common heater problems, call on ACI Northwest to help. Fast and effective heating services in Spokane, WA if one of our specialties, and we’re dedicated to your complete satisfaction at every step. Pick up the phone and give us a call today!

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Happy 4th of July!

Tuesday, July 2nd, 2013

There are few things more “American” than baseball, apple pie and Independence Day. On this day over 200 years ago the second Continental Congress voted to approve the Declaration of Independence. The document, which was primarily authored by Thomas Jefferson, was a written explanation of why America wanted to be free from Great Britain. This bold move by the American colonies would start the Revolutionary War where many brave women and men would give their lives for the freedom that we now hold dear.

Over the years, our celebration of Independence Day has remained largely unchanged. John Adams, the 2nd president of the United States, said this about celebrating Independence Day: “It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.” We all remember going to family barbecues, watching fireworks, attending parades, picnics and fairs, building bonfires, and playing baseball.

However you celebrate this 4th of July, make sure that you take a moment to remember why we’re celebrating.

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Memorial Day

Monday, May 27th, 2013

During the final Monday of May every year, we commemorate those military personnel who have died in service to their country. Formerly known as Decoration Day, probably because of the way that graveyards were decorated with flowers, Memorial Day came to prominence in the wake of the American Civil War, which left the country war-torn, with many casualties on both sides. Since that time, it has been a day of remembering those who have given up the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

As you go about town on your day off from work, you’ll probably see an abundance of flags and flowers, as well as public commemorations such as parades. While this day has been turned into the last leg of a three-day weekend, it’s important to reflect on the way that our military personnel have shaped our country, and to remember their contribution to the way we live today. We at ACI Northwest wish you all the best on Memorial Day.

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The Importance of Having Smoke Detectors in Your Home

Monday, January 7th, 2013

Being able to live comfortably in your home is a great feeling. At ACI Northwest, though, we believe that you can never be truly comfortable in your home unless you know that you are safe. That is why we are so passionate about promoting the use and maintenance of high quality smoke detectors in homes throughout the Spokane area.

When it comes to keeping your home and your family safe there are few devices that you must be able to depend upon as much as your smoke detectors. They are your first line of defense against the dangerous situation that a fire in your home creates. That is why they must be professionally installed, maintained and tested regularly. In the event of a fire you need to know that even in a dead sleep you will be made aware of the danger in your home.

The smoke detector that you depend on to alert you of a fire in your home must be tested every month to ensure that its battery backup is in working order. Having your smoke detectors centrally wired into batter backups will keep them operating even in the event of an electrical outage. Make sure that your home is protected no matter what else may be going on.

Many smoke detectors double as carbon monoxide detectors. If you are unsure if you have carbon monoxide detectors or if your smoke detectors also detect carbon monoxide you must find out immediately. Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, and it can be deadly due to the difficulty in detecting it. The only way to know if there is a carbon monoxide leak in your home is with the help of a high quality carbon monoxide detector. Remember, a fire is not the only danger that you may face in your home. Be safe, and keep your smoke detectors and CO detectors in good working condition.

If you have any questions about the installation or maintenance of the smoke detectors in your home, contact ACI Northwest today. We can help keep you safe in Spokane. Let us keep your smoke detectors effective with our professional services.

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Happy New Year’s Eve!

Monday, December 31st, 2012

Everyone at ACI Northwest wants to wish you a very happy New Year! We hope you have a fun (and safe!) time saying goodbye to 2012 and welcoming in the New Year!

If you are a person who makes resolutions, why not try to make your home more environmentally-friendly next year? Upgrading your heating and air conditioning system can reduce the amount of energy you need to keep your home comfortable. You can also save energy by adding insulation and sealing any air leaks. A greener home is not only better for the environment, but it also saves you money by reducing your utility bills. Contact ACI Northwest to learn more about the benefits of upgrading your HVAC system.

Have a great New Year’s Eve!

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Happy Holidays from your Local Heating and Cooling Specialists!

Friday, December 21st, 2012

Everyone at ACI Northwest wishes you a very happy holiday! We would like to take a moment to thank all our wonderful customers who make it possible for our business to thrive. We look forward to working with you in the New Year. Have a wonderful celebration, and enjoy this time with friends and family!

As a quick reminder, if you haven’t yet scheduled your heating maintenance yet, you could be losing money this winter. Annual maintenance will not only cut down on repair costs, but it also ensures that your home’s heating system is running as efficiently as possible, which lowers utility bills. A comfortable, efficient home is a gift that everyone can appreciate.

Happy Holidays from ACI Northwest!

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Tip: Do You Need Custom Ductwork?

Monday, November 5th, 2012

The installation of a new home comfort system, such as a central heating and air conditioning system should not be a stressful experience. Unfortunately, as we all know, things don’t always go according to plan. Some homes may seem like a great candidate for a central heating and cooling system, but as the system is being designed someone realizes that there are spots where standard ductwork simply cannot fit. Don’t let this get you down, though. When you work with the custom ductwork experts at ACI Northwest you’ll find the ductwork solutions you need provided by professional ductwork service providers in the Coeur d’Alene area.

Ductwork generally comes in rectangular and circular shaped pieces. This is not always going to work for every home, though, and in that case you will need to enlist the help of a professional to design and fabricate some custom ductwork for your heating and air conditioning installation project. It is very important that this custom ductwork is provided by a qualified professional. Just because a piece of ductwork is made for you does not mean that it is a quality piece of work.

If you allow an unqualified service provider design your heating and air conditioning ductwork system you may experience any of a number of different issues. Poor ductwork design can lead to inefficient heating and air conditioning performance, resulting in utility bills that are higher than necessary. Your heating and air conditioning system will have to work harder than it should to push the air through the poorly designed or fabricated ductwork system and using more energy than it otherwise would.

While increase operational costs may seem bad enough, this harder work that your system is being forced to do can actually degrade the system over time, making it less and less efficient until it finally is damaged or breaks down altogether. Well designed and fabricated custom ductwork can help you avoid this and other problems.

If you already have existing ductwork in your home keep an eye out for indicators that your ductwork is not working efficiently and effectively. Unusually high heating and air conditioning bills are one warning sign to look out for. Uneven heating and the development of hot or cold spots throughout your home is another. You may want to go around your home and compare the output of different registers. If any seem to be underperforming it is possible that you need some custom ductwork to fix the problem.

For more information about custom ductwork, call the experts at ACI Northwest. We can help you improve the performance of the comfort systems in your Coeur d’Alene home. Let us know what we can do for you.

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