ACI Northwest Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Boilers’

3 Reasons to Consider a Boiler

Monday, January 5th, 2015

Sometimes homeowners hear the word “boiler” for heating and think of an outdated, clunky old heating system; this simply isn’t true. A boiler may not use the latest technology to heat your home, but that’s because it doesn’t have to: the way a boiler heats is fairly simple and straightforward, so it doesn’t need to be the trendiest system around. The heating from a boiler system is gentle and radiant, which is very comfortable for a lot of people, and the long-time use of boilers means that it isn’t hard to find parts for repairs. If you are looking at installing a new heating system in Spokane, you may want to consider a boiler for some of the following reasons:

Reason #1: They are great systems for allergy sufferers.

Having allergies is no picnic, and they can be as frustrating during the winter as they are during the summer. Forced air systems can be very challenging for allergy sufferers because the blowing air kicks up dust every time the system turns on. With a boiler, there is no blowing air, so allergy sufferers don’t have to worry about constantly swirling dust every time the heat turns on.

Reason #2: They are durable, reliable systems.

Boilers were the first whole-home heating systems and they have endured as such because they are reliable, durable systems. While today’s boilers are far more efficient than ones from just 10 years ago, the way a boiler heats your home is the same.

Reason #3: They can be used in several ways.

Boilers can be used with hydronic radiant heating, radiators and baseboard heating. They can be used in houses that are 100 years old or brand new. The piping can be easily zoned and you can even mix the outlets to maximize on heating the different areas of your home.

You can also use different kinds of fuels for a boiler, including natural gas, propane, oil and even solid fuels. Think a boiler may be a good fit for your home? Call ACI Northwest today and schedule an appointment with one of our installation experts!

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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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Commercial Heating Tip: Why Schedule Commercial Boiler Maintenance

Monday, January 28th, 2013

Routine maintenance for your commercial boiler is beneficial in many ways. If you have not schedule annual maintenance yet this year, call the Deer Park commercial HVAC technicians at ACI Northwest! It’s never too late to get started with a routine maintenance plan. Contact ACI Northwest today!

Here are some reasons you should schedule maintenance on a regular basis:

1. Prevents Repair Needs

The industrial boiler in your commercial building is a complex system that needs to work properly at all times. This system keeps your entire building warm and comfortable. When it breaks down, you put tenants out or your business has to shut down temporarily while you get it fixed. Routine maintenance can help to ensure that you won’t need repairs in the future.

2. Ensures Efficiency

When you schedule routine tune-ups, the technician will test the performance to make sure your boiler is operating efficiently. This cuts down on operation costs and saves energy. Reduce your carbon footprint and lower your utility bills with routine maintenance.

3. Prevents Water Damage

Because your boiler system includes water pipes that run behind walls or above ceilings, it can cause a lot of water damage if something goes wrong. Routine maintenance will detect any issues early on. Water damage can be expensive and a hassle for you and the people in your building. If you own a commercial apartment or condo, ripping up floors and repairing dry wall is a huge inconvenience for your tenants.

Call ACI Northwest for all your boiler installation and maintenance services for commercial and residential.

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Boiler Tips: What You Should Know About Operating Your Boiler System

Monday, December 3rd, 2012

If you have a boiler system in your home, let the heating experts take care of routine tune-ups and repairs. You can help maintain your boiler by knowing how to safely operate the equipment.  Even if you schedule routine maintenance visits with us, there are some things you can do to maintain the boiler system in your home.

While a professional technician should handle tasks like measuring the pressure and sediment removal, you can check the pressure gauge every so often to make sure the levels are okay. Call the heating experts at ACI Northwest if you aren’t sure how to do this or what the proper levels are for your particular boiler model.

You can help ensure that your boiler is efficient by keeping a record of your heating bills. Other tasks for gas boilers include, making sure your carbon monoxide detectors are working. Carbon monoxide intrusion is a serious concern. You can also check the pilot light. Call a professional heating technician if your pilot light is not consistently a blue color. Yellow or orange could indicate a problem.

We recommend that you have your boiler checked by a Spokane Valley heating professional annually. This will help ensure that your boiler is running safely and efficiently. Always feel free to call the friendly heating experts at ACI Northwest if you have any questions about how to help maintain or operate your boiler. Contact ACI Northwest Inc. today for heating services you can trust.

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Heating Tip: Troubleshooting Boiler Problems

Monday, September 24th, 2012

If you have a boiler in your Coeur d’Alene home, whether it’s five years old or thirty-five years old, it’s important that you know how to troubleshoot common problems that might develop. These issues, when they occur persistently can represent a major issue with your system that could lead to extensive repair needs or early replacement. By noticing and responding to potential problems when they first occur, you can take action before the problem worsens.

Here are some common boiler problems and how to respond to them, whether taking action on your own or calling an ACI Northwest heating professional:

*  No Heat – This can be due to a number of problems. Start by checking your circuit breaker panel to see if a breaker is flipped. You should also check the pilot light and igniter to see if it works properly. If these are not problems and your thermostat is working properly, it may be a water or gas issue and you should call a professional.

*  Poor Performance – If your boiler is on a lot more than normal or your home simply isn’t getting comfortable, it can be due to improper water levels or a build up of minerals in the boiler. In either case, you should call a professional for an inspection.

*  Water Leak – If you notice water in or around your boiler, it can be due to a bad pump, valve or pipe connection. If it is a water pipe connection and you can find the source, call a plumber immediately. For any components related to your boiler, call an HVAC technician.

*  Radiators Not Heating – If your radiator is not getting hot, it may be because of trapped air in the line or because of air trapped in your radiator. Open the bleed valve to release excess air and see if it works. If not, it could be a bad zone valve or circulator and additional service may be needed.

The bottom line for most boiler issues is that a seemingly small problem can turn into a much large issue if not dealt with quickly. Follow the tips above and when you’re not sure or if work needs to be done on the actual boiler, call a Coeur d’Alene heating professional right away.

If you have any concerns or would like to schedule a boiler inspection, give ACI Northwest a call today!

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Pros and Cons of Various Heating Systems in Worley

Monday, December 12th, 2011

When it comes time to install a new heating system in your Worley home, there are a lot of options to consider. Many people get overwhelmed when confronted with all of the furnaces, boilers and heat pumps on the market these days. So, to help you get a handle on what each has to offer and which will offer you the best benefits, here is an overview of the modern heating system market.

Furnaces

Furnaces are the core of a forced air heating system and use gas, oil or electricity to heat air which is then circulated through your home by a blower in your air handler. Furnaces are among the most fuel efficient heating systems on the market today with options available at up to 95% AFUE (meaning it uses up to 95% of the fuel consumed to produce heat). They are also inexpensive to install and while they don’t last quite as long as boilers, they are highly efficient when well cared for.

Boilers

Boilers use gas, oil or electricity to heat water or steam which is then circulated through your home into radiators or baseboard heaters. The heated water or steam releases heat into your home and heats it in turn. While not quite as energy efficient as a high efficiency furnace, boiler heat is perfect for homes with existing radiators and no room for vents and ductwork. It also has less of an impact on indoor air quality since there is no air movement and boilers tend to last a very long time when well maintained.

Heat Pumps

Heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular, especially in milder climates where it rarely gets below 40 degrees F. A heat pump uses the same technology as an air conditioner to extract heat from outside using a compressor, evaporator coils, and condenser coils with refrigerant.

It is most efficient in the spring and fall when temperatures are mild, but it uses much less energy than either a boiler or furnace and it can be used in the summer to cool your home. When properly maintained, a heat pump will last 10-20 years and save quite a bit of money, though it is recommended that you have an emergency heat source for days when the temperature outside gets below 40 degrees F.

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