ACI Northwest Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Air Conditioning’

What You Should Know about Commercial Air Conditioning

Wednesday, July 10th, 2013

Is your business or commercial property heating up this summer? Is the indoor climate uncomfortable for your tenants and employees, not to mention your clients? You need to make sure that you have a cooling system that matches your needs so that your commercial property or business does not suffer unnecessarily during the hottest time of the year. Whether you’re in the market for a new system, a replacement for your old one, there are some things you should know about commercial air conditioning in Hayden, ID. As a leaking provider of cooling solutions in your service area, the team at ACI Northwest can help you with your commercial AC. Call us today to find out more about our services.

  • Size. Commercial AC units are built for durability and performance, and the most obvious way they are able to accommodate larger spaces is to increase the footprint of the machine itself. Bigger coils, bigger compressor, and more ductwork.
  • Packaged. When you own a commercial air conditioner, it’s the workhorse of your building or business. You need to ensure that it operates effectively at all times, but is also accessible for routine maintenance and periodic repair needs. A packaged system groups both parts of a split system together to cut down on service time.
  • Operation. Commercial air conditioners endure much more wear and tear than your average residential system. They are not only larger to accommodate a more intense schedule of cooling output, but they may also require professional attention on a more regular basis to keep them clean and well adjusted.
  • Repair. You need to make sure you have an excellent, reliable repair technician on call who can take care of your commercial AC problems, should they arise. Keep his number close to hand during the summer months.
  • Maintenance. Because of how much use and abuse they endure day-in and day-out, it’s no wonder that they may develop problems. However, with routine professional maintenance, you can significantly reduce any such issues.

ACI Northwest is the Hayden, ID air conditioning company to take care of all of your commercial HVAC needs. Call us today to learn more about what we can do for your commercial air conditioning.

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How Does Air Conditioning Affect Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality?

Wednesday, June 26th, 2013

Is your home hot, stuffy, and uncomfortable? Do you have contaminants circulating throughout the air in your home? While many homeowners enjoy cool air flowing throughout their homes, some are unaware that cool air does not alone give them home comfort. Much of the comfort of the home depends on the relative humidity inside the house, as well as the levels of dust, dander, mold spores, pollen, and other contaminants moving around. To stay comfortable during the summer, as well as year-round, consider integrating an indoor air quality device with your existing HVAC system. In today’s post, we’d like to look at the relation between air conditioning and indoor air quality. Call ACI Northwest today for comprehensive air conditioning services in Spokane, WA.

While your air conditioner has an air filter, it is not intended for the purpose of those inside the house. Rather, the air filter is there to protect the equipment from accumulating excessive debris, and only has the side effect of removing some particles from the air that you breathe. Keeping the air filter clean is part of your duties as a homeowner (check it about once a month during the cooling season), but in order to reap the benefits of filtered air throughout the home, you may need something more comprehensive, such as a mechanical air filter, or an electronic air cleaner. Another important aspect is relative humidity. A whole-house humidifier or dehumidifier can give you another way to optimize your home comfort.

Ventilation is incredibly important, but the design of the modern home favors energy efficiency over the circulation of fresh air throughout the home. Homes with central air or a heat pump can often experience stale air that requires ventilation. Although fresh air is critical to your health and comfort, you probably want to avoid letting your conditioned airflow out of the window to keep energy costs low. When professionally installed, an energy recovery ventilator (ERV) gives you excellent ventilation while reducing the energy inefficiency associated with fresh air coming into the home.

Call the air conditioning technicians at ACI Northwest today to learn more about our services.

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Common Air Conditioning Electrical Problems

Tuesday, June 18th, 2013

Does your AC fail to start up on cue? Do you find that your AC works only intermittently? If you have a problem with your air conditioner’s electrical system, the result can be a serious lack of cooling as well as high energy bills. It’s important that you take care of any such problems immediately so that they do not continue to disrupt your home comfort. Moreover, neglecting them can allow them to fester and can result in major repairs. There are some common air conditioning electrical problems worth keeping an eye out for. Call ACI Northwest today if you suspect that you might need professional air conditioning services in Hayden, ID.

  • AC won’t turn on. This can be truly disconcerting if it happens to you during the peak summer heat. There are numerous reasons why your AC fails to start, but it could be electrical. Before calling for professional help. Make sure to check your circuit breaker or fuse box to see if your AC hasn’t tripped a circuit or blown a fuse. Alternatively, make sure that your thermostat is working properly and calling for cool air.
  • AC won’t turn off. While you may never want your AC to turn off during the cooling season, it should by no means run continuously without stopping. If your AC fails to turn off even though it has apparently reached the designed temperature setpoint, then there could be a problem with the control board, or the thermostat. This may be driving up your energy costs and can cause your compressor to overheat.
  • Intermittent start-up. If it seems as though your AC lacks the reliability and consistency of starting up every time you need it to, there could be a problem with the capacitor. This small device is responsible for making sure that your AC has enough voltage to power up immediately, without hesitation. But if it is beginning to fail, then you may have intermittent start-up.

Get in touch with a friendly Hayden, ID air conditioning specialist at ACI Northwest immediately if you think your AC has an electrical problem. Call us today.

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How to Cool Your Home with Geothermal Air Conditioning

Thursday, June 13th, 2013

We all want to stay cool in our homes and we want our air conditioners to work as efficiently as possible. One of the most efficient AC systems on the market is geothermal air conditioning systems. These types of systems use the free and endless energy of the earth to provide cooling to your home. The air conditioning professionals at ACI Northwest have years of experience working on all different kinds of geothermal systems. We know that homeowners are looking for any way to reduce their energy usage and we wanted to share with you how geothermal systems are able to do that in an efficient and environmentally friendly way.

Types of Geothermal Systems

There are a few different types of geothermal systems available on the market. But the general idea behind them is that they are heat pumps: they move heat from one area to another. Their major differences are where the move that heat to.

Ground Source Heat Pumps

Probably the most common geothermal air conditioning systems are ground-source. If you dig down about 10 feet into the ground the temperature there is around 55° F—and it stays that temperature all year long. Ground source heat pumps use that consistent temperature to provide cooling to your home. However, in order to take advantage of that temperature, ground-source heat pumps need to have a lot of space available for the installation of a long series of coils. The coils are filled with refrigerant which is what actually carries the heat from your home into the ground. The Spokane air conditioning professionals at ACI Northwest offer fast and accurate installation services for homeowners that are interested in this type of system.

Water Source Heat Pumps

Water source heat pumps operate in a similar fashion to ground-source heat pumps. But as their name implies, they use a body of water to provide cooling. This means that as a homeowner you will need to have consistent access to a body of water like a stream, pond or lake. Water source heat pump coils are submerged in the body of water where the refrigerant will be able to deposit heat from your home. If you would like to learn more about geothermal systems just call the Spokane air conditioning installation experts at ACI Northwest.

Here at ACI Northwest, we know that you’re looking to stay comfortable in your home and use as little energy as possible. Geothermal air conditioning systems are a great option for homeowners that have the capacity for them.

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Air Conditioning FAQ: What’s the Best AC for My Home?

Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013

New homeowners investing in their first air conditioning system, or those homeowners looking to replace their existing AC, may be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of air conditioning system options available to them. Choosing the right home cooling system can be a daunting task, but it is much easier to make an informed decision about your air conditioning options when you work with a qualified air conditioning professional. The Spokane air conditioning technicians at ACI Northwest have the knowledge and experience necessary to ensure that you get the right air conditioner for your home. Call today to discuss your air conditioning installation options in Spokane, WA.

Split central air conditioning systems are still the most popular AC option, and with good reason. Modern central air conditioners are able to cool homes with outstanding efficiency and effectiveness, and their durability allows you to keep cool with the confidence you deserve. However, traditional central air conditioners also rely on ducted forced air distribution systems in order to circulate conditioned air throughout your home. While ductwork can be quite efficient, poor design, installation and air duct condition can lead to energy losses resulting in reduced efficiency.

With a ductless mini split air conditioning system installation, you can enjoy the convenience of central air conditioning without risking the energy loss commonly associated with poor air duct condition and performance. Ductless mini splits connect and outdoor condenser to individual, wall mounted blowers using a simple conduit containing power and refrigerant lines. This design eliminates the risk of energy loss via air ducts, allowing for great efficiency and zone controlled cooling for outstanding comfort.

Should you be interested in an alternative cooling option, a geothermal system may be right for you. By using an underground geothermal loop system and a geothermal heat pump, you can transfer heat between your home and the ground outside. This allows for year round comfort and an incredibly efficient, environmentally friendly air conditioning performance.

For more information about your air conditioning options, contact the Spokane air conditioning professionals at ACI Northwest. We are always happy to answer any questions that you may have. Call today to get started.

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Air Conditioning FAQ: What is a Ductless Mini Split?

Thursday, May 16th, 2013

If you are in the market for a new air conditioning system, remember that it is always a good idea to consider all of your options. Just because you have always used a traditional ducted split central air conditioner does not mean that you cannot try something new. There are a lot of air conditioning options available for installation in your home, and the air conditioning professionals at ACI Northwest can help you sort through them all. One great system to consider for installation in your home is a ductless mini split air conditioner. Contact us today to learn more.

When properly installed and professionally maintained, ducted forced air distribution systems can be a very efficient and effective way to circulate air throughout your home. Of course, it is difficult to know when there is a problem with a ductwork system, and in many homes air ducts are a serious cause of energy loss. By eliminating the need for air ducts altogether, ductless mini split air conditioning systems also eliminate the risk of this energy loss.

Ductless mini splits feature an outdoor unit much like central split systems. Rather than using ductwork to distribute cooled air throughout your home, though, ductless mini splits instead rely on individual, wall mounted blowers to do so. This means that you can cool different rooms in your home directly, without the use of air ducts. In doing so, you can cool your home more efficiently. All that is needed to connect the indoor and outdoor components of this type of system is a conduit containing refrigerant and power lines.

The individual wall mounted blowers used by ductless mini splits also make zone controlled air conditioning quite simple. This allows you to different areas of your home to different temperatures, increasing comfort while reducing the amount of energy that you use. With a ductless mini split installation, you don’t have to sacrifice comfort in order to cool your home with great efficiency.

To learn more about the operation of ductless mini splits and the many benefits they have to offer, contact ACI Northwest today. We are happy to answer any questions that you may have. Call us for any Spokane, WA air conditioning services you need completed.

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Air Conditioning FAQ: AC Systems Available

Monday, March 4th, 2013

Keeping your home cool is a huge priority for every homeowner. If you’re interested in replacing your current AC system with a new one there are several different options from which to choose. ACI Northwest provides comprehensive air conditioning services in Spokane, WA, including installation and air conditioning repair.  We thought it would be helpful for our customers if we put together some of the most popular air conditioning systems. If you have any questions about air conditioning system installation or repair, call the air conditioning specialists at ACI Northwest today!

Central Air Conditioning in Spokane WA

Probably the most popular air conditioning system is the traditional central air conditioning system. This type of system is basically a heat pump that can only provide cooling. These offer consistent and efficient air conditioning in Spokane, WA for homes of all different sizes.

Ductless Split Systems

Ductless mini split cool your home in a similar to central AC systems. Their three main differences are the use of individual room units, the lack of ducts and their ability to also provide heating. Ductless mini split systems have individual units mounted to the wall of each room in your home. This allows you to only heat or cool only the rooms that you are using. Depending on how you use this feature it could reduce the amount of energy that you use in your home.

Spokane WA Geothermal Air Conditioning

For people who are interested in seriously reducing the amount of energy that you have to buy to cool or heat your home, a geothermal system is the next step. Heat pumps are able to provide cooling by moving heat out of your home and exhausting it into the air. With a geothermal system, the heat is actually exhausted into the ground or into a water source (like a river, lake or pond). Geothermal air conditioning in Spokane, WA is one of the most efficient.

Spokane WA Air Conditioning Services

For all your Spokane, WA air conditioning repair or installation, contact ACI Northwest. Our technicians have years of experience working with all types and brands of air conditioning systems. We can help you pick out the system that’s right for your home and then install it for you. If you need air conditioning repair in Spokane, WA call us too.

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Air Conditioning Tip: Save Money with AC Maintenance

Monday, August 20th, 2012

Regular air conditioner maintenance can help save you money and keep your AC system working effectively.  Over time, the mechanical parts in your air conditioner can wear out or break.  When one piece has a problem it can easily begin to affect the other components, so it’s important that any issues be addressed as soon as possible to prevent further damage to your air conditioner. During a professional AC maintenance inspection, any air conditioning problems that are present will be found and fixed before they can get worse.

Air conditioning maintenance will keep your home cooling system working efficiently and operating at its highest performance levels.  This will result in monthly savings with lower energy bills.  You can help your air conditioning maintain its energy efficiency with regular, professional maintenance.

Regular air conditioner maintenance will keep the vital parts working as they were designed to, and they will not wear out as quickly as they would if they were forced to operate when damaged or in any way compromised.  When the internal parts of your air conditioning system are all operating together properly you will enjoy longer life expectancy from the AC, putting off the costs of an eventual replacement for longer.

AC maintenance in Coeur d’Alene from the air conditioning technicians at ACI Northwest consists of a full inspection of the air conditioning system: the coils and fins are cleaned, bearings get lubricated, filters are replaced, mechanical systems are checked, and electrical wiring is inspected and tightened.  Each system will be checked independently as well as a final check to ensure the air conditioner works as it was designed to.  Contact ACI Northwest for your professional AC maintenance today and ensure efficient, reliable operation of your home air conditioning system.

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Air Conditioning Guide: Common AC Electrical Problems

Monday, August 6th, 2012

There are a number of quite common AC electrical problems which can occur at any time immediately after an AC installation or after years of air conditioner.  ACI Northwest is an air conditioning company in Coeur d’ Alene that understand the electrical systems of air conditioners and can help to determine which AC electrical problem you are encountering..

Common Air Conditioning Electrical Problems

A loss of power could mean electrical controls have failed after years of use and electrical wiring could need to be replaced.

Unusual odors such as a burning smell could indicate faulty wiring where the insulation has come off internal wires, leaving them exposed and unsafe.  Exposed wiring can result in short circuits or even the potential for an electrical fire.

Thermostat sensors can be knocked out of place and can malfunction, causing the AC to cycle constantly or turn on and off in an unpredictable manner.

The AC compressor must have the proper amount of electricity running to it in order to function adequately.  If improper electricity amounts continue to flow to the compressor it can eventually seize up and stop working.  Restoring this balance is essential.

Tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses can also be the reason for an air conditioning to stop running.  However, the root cause of this type of electrical problem should also be addressed so that the breakers are not tripped on any sort of regular basis.

Each of these air conditioner electrical problems is something that the skilled Coeur d’ Alene air conditioning technicians at ACI Northwest can diagnose and resolve.  Contact ACI Northwest today and have the electrical system in your air conditioner running properly once again.

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Air Conditioning Repair Question: What Are Limit Switches and How Do They Work?

Monday, July 30th, 2012

We use our thermostats and air conditioning systems all the time without wondering how they actually work.  But the time will come when you need a repair and might want to know about limit switches and how they work.  ACI Northwest has well-trained AC technicians that handle all sorts of air conditioner repairs, even with something as simple as a limit switch replacement.

Limit switches are found in a wide range of devices throughout industrial and home applications.  Limit switches are designed with two main functions: to activate or deactivate an electrical circuit.  They begin and stop specific electric currents, allowing certain functions to occur only under very specific circumstances, so that electronic appliances or device remain safe and are only in use when needed.  Limit switches are like the light that turns on only when you open the fridge door and then shuts off again when the door shuts.

In air conditioning systems, the limit switch is the link between the blower of the air handler and thermostat.  When the thermostat reaches the desired indoor temperature it stops, the AC from using energy to create more cold air, while also flipping a limit switch that shuts off the air handler as well.

It is amazing how one of the smallest pieces of an air conditioning system could have such a big impact on maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures, as well as how efficiently our AC system operates.

ACI Northwest provides quality air conditioning services in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and Spokane, Washington.  Our certified technicians have years of field experience working with every aspect of air conditioning systems, including limit switches.  If your AC shuts off before your home reaches the desired temperature, or if it cycles on and off too often, call the professionals at ACI Northwest to schedule a routine air conditioner inspection. We can determine whether it is an easy limit switch repair, or some other problem with your system.

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