While we’d like to think that most HVAC technicians are friendly and professional, we know that calling for air conditioning repair can be a hassle. First, you have to locate a good technician, and then you must find the time to set aside for the repair. While most repairs are far too difficult to complete without the help of a trained technician, there are a few things you should check before calling for repairs to save yourself a little trouble.
ACI Northwest Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Air Conditioning’
What to Check before Calling for AC Repair
Monday, June 1st, 2015Could Your Air Conditioner Be the Wrong Size for Your Home?
Monday, May 25th, 2015If you need a new air conditioning system, the size of the unit is more important than you may think. Sizing an air conditioner does not really refer to the amount of space it takes up. When we talk about sizing an air conditioner for new installation, we are referring to its cooling capacity. The cooling capacity of your new AC system must be just right for your home or else it can require repairs early on and possibly fail prematurely. Professionals take special considerations when sizing an AC; take a look at why.
3 Benefits of a Ductless Air Conditioner
Monday, May 4th, 2015Is your home one of many without a working duct system built in? Have you recently added on a room to your home that needs air conditioning, or are you using an unconditioned space like a garage or shed as a workshop? If so, a ductless air conditioner may be just right for your home. Ductless air conditioning systems contain all of the same components of a conventional air conditioning system, including an outdoor compressor unit and an indoor air handler. The difference is that indoor air handlers are fixed on the walls and blow air directly into that room. Here are just a few of the benefits of this system.
Don’t Wait Too Long: Now Is the Time for an Air Conditioning Maintenance Visit
Monday, April 6th, 2015Air conditioning systems contain multiple complex electro-mechanical parts which can run into trouble at any time. But it’s far less likely that you’ll have to deal with the unexpected air conditioning problem this summer if you take preventive action now. Air conditioning maintenance helps to ensure that your AC system is in top shape for the cooling season, and you may not encounter any problems for the rest of the cooling season.
The Steps of a Maintenance Visit
An air conditioning maintenance visit involves several steps, which we’ll sort into three basic categories: cleaning, adjusting, and inspection.
- Cleaning – Some of the parts will gather dirt and debris over time, especially the outside condenser unit since these components are exposed to the elements. And when these parts become too dirty, the air conditioner can no longer efficiently exchange heat. Cleaning essential components such as the condenser coil makes it so that heat can absorb from the air in your home and effectively release outside.
- Adjusting – You probably ran your air conditioner quite a bit last summer, which means that parts may have become worn down, loose, bent, or otherwise damaged. Making a few adjustments can bring your unit back to peak condition. For example, the technician may use a special comb to straighten bent condenser coils, which can make heat exchange more efficient.
- Inspection – A problem with an air conditioning system may not always make itself known, but a technician can use experience and training to determine whether there is a repair that needs to be completed sometime soon.
Why Now Is the Best Time
Once the air conditioning season begins, it will be difficult to go without a reliable AC system for too long. During a maintenance visit, the technician may discover some issues with your unit, but it’s better to schedule service now than to wait for a major breakdown. Scheduling service on your own time means that you will not have to worry about staying home on a busy day to schedule a lengthy repair. Besides, the upcoming energy savings alone is worth the call for maintenance.
Call the AC experts at ACI Northwest for air conditioning maintenance or AC repairs in Coeur d’Alene, ID.
Upgrades That Can Make Your AC More Energy Efficient
Friday, July 25th, 2014Many homeowners will do anything possible to lower their energy bills. But when you turn off your air conditioner or raise the temperature to save money, you give up your family’s comfort. Fortunately, there are other ways to save on cooling costs this summer without making your family feel the heat.
There are a few simple ways to make your AC more energy efficient, such as cleaning the air filters once a month and scheduling maintenance with an air conditioning technician. Dirty air filters can block airflow, causing your AC to run longer. An air conditioning maintenance technician can clean the components of your system for increased efficiency.
But another great way to increase the efficiency of your AC is by calling a technician to install money-saving upgrades for your system. A new programmable thermostat or zone control system may be the most enjoyable way for you to take advantage of the increased efficiency of your air conditioner this summer.
Thermostat Options
One upgrade you might consider is a digital, programmable thermostat. Manual thermostats are occasionally difficult to read which means your temperature reading is often inaccurate, raising your energy bills. If the temperature is even one or two degrees lower than you needed it to be, it can cause your bills to be significantly higher.
Digital, programmable thermostats have a clear display, so you’ll never set the temperature higher or lower than you want. Furthermore, you can program your digital thermostat to adjust the temperature throughout the day to save money when you are not home or during peak hours. For example, you can set the AC to switch on twenty minutes before you arrive home to avoid spending money on your AC bill when you’re not there.
Zone Control Systems
Another energy-saving upgrade is a zone control system. Zone control allows you the opportunity to choose the temperature in various areas of your home. If your family members rarely use every room at once, zone control is a great opportunity to save money by raising the temperature in unoccupied rooms while keeping others cool.
If you want air conditioning upgrades in Coeur d’Alene, call the professionals at ACI Northwest today!
Air Conditioning Upgrades to Consider
Friday, June 27th, 2014Your air conditioning works hard to keep you feeling cool and comfortable all summer long in Coeur d’Alene. But did you know that you can get even more out of your AC system? Our air conditioning experts are ready to give your AC some new upgrades this summer for increased comfort and accuracy with your system. You may even be able to reduce your monthly energy bills.
Technicians at ACI Northwest are ready to talk about any air conditioning upgrades that interest you. Here are a couple of options you should consider.
Digital Thermostat
Are you still relying on a manual thermostat to sense the temperature in your home? Manual thermostats can be unreliable and difficult to read. If you notice your home is constantly cooler or warmer than you want it to be, it may be due to an inaccurate thermostat reading. The thermostat essentially tells your AC system when to turn on and off. If you’re constantly readjusting your thermostat, you may be paying more in energy bills than is necessary.
A digital thermostat can help you avoid these readings with a reliable digital display and advanced settings. You can set your AC to turn on and off at certain hours of the day when cooling your home is not needed. This can save you money and ensure the temperature is always set to your preference.
Zone Control
Another option that can be added to your system is zone control. A technician will install dampers in the ductwork of your home, allowing you to choose the temperature in different areas of your home with separate thermostats that sense the temperature in each room or zone. There may also be a master thermostat to control multiple rooms in the home. This can keep your family members more comfortable by allowing individuals to set their room temperatures according to their own unique preferences. This can also lower your energy bills; you can decide to adjust the temperature in rooms that are unoccupied in order to avoid cooling an empty space unnecessarily.
ACI Northwest has the expertise and experience to assist you in selecting the best upgrade for your home air conditioning system. Call now for professional air conditioning service in Coeur d’Alene.
How Dust and Dirt Contribute to Air Conditioning Problems
Friday, June 20th, 2014Dust and dirt are a common problem in households, so it is no surprise they can cause problems with your air conditioner, too. Our beautiful Spokane alpine woods have enough dirt to keep us vacuuming for months.
Air conditioning manufacturers know that dirt and dust are common problems with air conditioners, so your air conditioner comes with a built-in air filter that helps to strain out much of the dirt and dust that get into your system – but it can’t get all of it. And, if left to build up, dirt and dust can create some potentially serious problems with your air conditioning.
Dirt and Dust: Not Your Air Conditioner’s Friends
ACI Northwest has been servicing customers in Spokane and the surrounding area for over 20 years, and in that time, we’ve seen what dirt and dust can do to a system when left to accumulate:
- Dirty vents – the main job of your system’s built-in filter is to collect as much dirt and dust as possible, but it simply isn’t possible to get all of it – especially if your filter isn’t changed regularly. Dirty vents can obstruct air flow, increase air loss, and greatly decrease air quality in your home, something that could be bad for any allergy sufferers.
- Clogged air filters – your AC’s air filters need to be changed regularly in order to avoid becoming clogged. When the air filters become clogged, a number of things can happen, including decreased air flow, decreased air quality and greater stress on the system.
- Accumulation on coils – dirt and dust love to cling to your AC’s coils. Unfortunately, when left to accumulate, a layer of insulation can form, inhibiting the coils from doing their job of releasing heat. The heating and cooling process in your air conditioner’s coils is a delicate one, and once the balance is tipped, the entire cooling process can become irregular and possibly malfunction.
Get Rid of Dust and Dirt with Regular Maintenance
During a routine maintenance appointment with ACI Northwest, your entire air conditioning system is inspected, cleaned and adjusted as needed. This means that vents are visually inspected for build-up and/or problems, air filters are changed and coils are cleaned.
Are you seeing dust and dirt build-up somewhere in your system? Then call ACI Northwest and schedule air conditioning maintenance in Spokane – your air conditioning system will thank you!
Should I Install a New Air Conditioning System?
Wednesday, April 30th, 2014If you have considered replacing your current air conditioning system during the last year, then the approaching summer should make the decision feel more urgent. Spring is a good time to have a new system installed: you can beat out the heat as well as have time to discover any malfunctions with the new air conditioner. Plus, installers have less busy schedules between winter and summer.
So… it’s time to get down to brass tacks and answer the question: Should you install a new air conditioning system?
Wait, wait, don’t panic… this isn’t a choice you need to make on your own. You can find professional assistance in Spokane, WA for air conditioning services from the skilled team at ACI Northwest. With more than 85 years of experience, we can zero in on the troubles with your current air conditioner and help you decide if the time has come to replace it.
Some Air Conditioning Replacement Considerations
- System age: Central air conditioners have estimated lifespans between 10 to 15 years, depending on the model. Some can last longer than this if they receive regular maintenance. However, any air conditioner over 15 years is at high risk for becoming inefficient. If your air conditioner is this old, any sign of malfunction should warn you that it’s time to schedule new installation.
- Repair costs: Air conditioners (as well as heaters) require the most amount of repairs during their last two years of operation. As your AC starts to rack up repairs in order to keep running, it’s usually a sign that The End Is Nigh. Here’s a simple metric to help: if you need to spend $500 per year on repairs for your air conditioning to keep it operational, than you are better off replacing it.
- Better options are available: During the time your current air conditioner has cooled down your house, the technology of ACs has made major leaps. New air conditioners have superior efficiency to the ones manufactured only 10 years ago. Other advances include features like increased humidity control, better sound insulators, and more durable construction material. Even if your aging air conditioning system seems to work without major malfunctions, maybe it’s time to take advantage of new technology for superior comfort and energy efficiency.
Installation of a new central AC is a large job, but if you place the work in the hands of trained professionals, it will go smoothly and you will end up with the ideal new system keeping you cool. If you are ready to make the choice in time for summer, contact ACI Northwest and speak to our specialists in air conditioning in Spokane, WA today.
How Do You Detect a Problem with Your Air Conditioning System
Monday, July 29th, 2013During the heat and humidity of summer, you need to make certain that your air conditioning system in Spokane is working well at all times. But it can be difficult to figure out whether your AC is slow because it is getting old, or whether there is an actual problem with one of its components. Your AC is a complicated system of parts and mechanisms, of refrigerant and coils, and it needs to work well at all times if you want to stay comfortable. At ACI Northwest, we provide professional air conditioning services. Call us today to learn more about our services.
So, how do you detect a problem with your AC?
- Keep an eye on your energy bills. Make sure you keep an eye out for any unexpected spikes in your energy consumption without a corresponding increase in cooling. You need to make certain that you’re getting exactly what you pay for when it comes to cooling, which is surely one of the major expenses of the summer season. If you notice anything unusual, it’s probably an indication that you need to hire a professional to investigate further.
- Listen for any strange sounds. You should expect some noise from your AC. It’s an inevitable fact of a mechanical operation. But you should not neglect any strange or loud sounds. While your AC may get a little louder as the years go on, any hissing, banging, whistling, or grinding should be reported to your local HVAC technician. These could be evidence of a serious problem with your system that could lead to dire consequences for your future comfort.
- Check your air filter. The air filter is designed to protect your system components from accumulating dust, dirt, grime, and other debris that can get in the way of the cooling process. But when the filter itself becomes clogged or excessively dirty, then it actually begins to impede air flow, which can cause all sorts of issues.
Call ACI Northwest today if you need professional air conditioning services in the Spokane, WA area.
Ducts or No Ducts: How to Choose the Right Air Conditioning System
Tuesday, July 16th, 2013During the Spokane summer, you need to make sure that you have an air conditioning system that is both reliable and effective. It needs to be responsive to your temperature adjustments and to deliver a powerful cooling experience on those particularly hot days. But if you’re in the market for a new model, making the right decision can feel overwhelming. It can be difficult to figure out what type of system is right for you, whether you are building the home of your dreams from scratch or looking to replace your previous system. One of the major choices you’ll have to make is between ducts and no ducts. First and foremost, however, make sure you’re dealing with an HVAC technician who has the experience and knowledge to make your new AC installation a success. Call ACI Northwest today if you need air conditioning services.
Let’s take a look at some of the advantages of each system.
- Ducts. Most homeowners in America have a forced-air distribution system. This means that an extensive network of air ducts is installed throughout the walls, floors, and ceilings of your home. These ducts extract the warm indoor air from your home, cool it, and then return it for circulation. They can be made out of sheet metal or flexible plastic coils. In some cases, they are insulated to reduce the chance of energy loss. The layout of a ducted system involves an outdoor unit comprising the condenser coils and compressor, and an indoor unit comprising the evaporator coils and air handler. The refrigerant circulates through the compressor, coils and an expansion valve to move thermal energy out of the house and provide cool air.
- Ductless. Ductless mini split air conditioners have long been the standard in other areas of the world where they are prized for their energy-efficient operation and compact size. But they are gradually becoming a popular alternative to ducted systems such as central air. They operate on the same principle of cooling by refrigerant cycle, but they do not used ducts to circulate air throughout the home. Instead, the indoor units sit directly in the living space. By removing the intermediary, they tend to offer efficiency ratings far exceeding those possible with the use of air ducts.
For more information about ducts versus ductless air conditioning systems, call the Spokane air conditioning technicians at ACI Northwest.