ACI Northwest Blog : Posts Tagged ‘Heating Repair’

Why Does the Furnace Keep Tripping the Circuit Breaker?

Monday, February 15th, 2016

If your heating system trips the circuit breaker, it’s typically a pretty easy fix. All you have to do is find the breaker that leads to that area and reset it. In an older fuse box, you’ll have to replace the fuse. And you may want to label the various parts so that you know exactly where each one leads, which you can find out by testing each one individually.

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My Heater Won’t Work: What Can I Do?

Monday, January 25th, 2016

At ACI Northwest, we pride ourselves on excellent customer service. But we know that, even if you have the best technicians working with you, you don’t want to call them over to fix your heater if it turns out you could have repaired it on your own.

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How a Clogged Air Filter can Cause Furnace Problems

Friday, March 13th, 2015

The air filter is a relatively small part of the overall structure of a furnace. It is basically just a woven mesh, stretched over a frame and installed in the air return duct. Despite its small and simple construction, however, the air filter plays a very important role. Let’s take a look at how the air filter works, and why neglecting yours could lead to problems with your furnace.

The Role of the Air Filter

There is a lot of dust and other debris that is frequently circulated through the ductwork of a home. If that debris is allowed to infiltrate the furnace, it can cause all sorts of havoc with the system. The air filter is there to prevent that from happening. As the air from the ducts flows into the furnace, any airborne debris is captured in the fibers of the filter. The air itself passes through the filter and into the furnace, now free of harmful debris.

There is one problem with these air filters, however: they have no way to rid themselves of the particles they capture. This means that if they are not cleaned or replaced every few months, they can become so clogged that they restrict the flow of air into the furnace. That’s where things start becoming problematic.

Furnace Issues

There’s one very big problem resulting from clogged air filters that you should be aware of: short-cycling. This is when your furnace keeps turning itself on and off over and over again throughout the day. When the air filter restricts airflow into the furnace, heat becomes trapped inside the unit. When that happens, the internal temperature of the furnace rises to dangerous levels. This activates the limit switch, a safety device that monitors the temperature of the furnace. The limit switch shuts down the system to prevent it from damaging itself by overheating.

Unfortunately, this doesn’t solve the original problem. When the furnace cools off enough to start again, the clogged air filter causes it to overheat again and the short-cycling repeats indefinitely. This puts the entire system under a lot more strain than it is designed to handle, increasing the likelihood of a breakdown. If allowed to continue for a long enough period of time, short-cycling may damage the furnace beyond repair.

If you notice your furnace short-cycling, call ACI Northwest immediately. We provide furnace repair services throughout Sandpoint.

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Common Heat Pump Repairs to Look Out For

Monday, December 9th, 2013

In a Spokane winter, a heat pump is one of the best choices for home heating. Heat pumps work as both heaters and air conditioners, and they have enough heating efficiency to get through a Washington winter. They are also dependable and sturdy, but they can suffer from a number of repair needs that will cut down on their effectiveness.

This list contains some common repairs that heat pumps may require. Contact ACI Northwest, 24/7, if you need have any of these repairs done. We have 85 years of experience behind us to make sure you have only warm days ahead of you, so look to us for professional heating repair service in Spokane, WA.

  • Leaking refrigerant: Heat pumps operate through the process of heat exchange, and this requires a chemical compound called refrigerant. Refrigerant shifts heat from outdoors and moves it indoors. During normal operation, refrigerant does not get used up. However, if a leak develops along a refrigerant line, it will cause the heat pump to lose its ability to draw heat from outside and bring it inside to warm your home. You will need a technician to seal the leak and recharge the refrigerant.
  • Broken reversing valve: One of the main differences between a standalone air conditioner and a heat pump is the reversing valve. This valve changes the direction of refrigerant, allowing a heat pump to switch between heating and cooling. A broken valve will cause the heat pump to become stuck in one mode, and it will need to be replaced. If your heat pump will only give you cool air, then you probably need to have professionals replace the reversing valve.
  • Burned out compressors: Compressors are at the heart of a heat pump, since they are responsible for sending refrigerant through the unit and carrying out the heat exchange. However, compressors work in a way similar to a piston motor, and can wear down the same way that motors do. If you start hearing grinding noises from your heat pump and notice a loss of heating power, then the compressor may be at fault and will need to be replaced.

ACI Northwest has NATE-certified heating technicians ready to help you with your heating repair in Spokane, WA, whether it’s a malfunctioning heat pump with leaking refrigerant or burnt-out motors in a gas furnace. Contact us any time of the day or night.

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Can Hard Water Affect My Boiler?

Monday, November 11th, 2013

Hard water refers to water than contains high amounts of minerals, usually calcium and magnesium. Here in Hayden, ID, our water treatment system is very good, but it still lets traces of hard water through sometimes. If you live outside the city proper or get your water from a private source, the chances of hard water increase considerably. That can affect more than just your drinking water, to the point of interfering with certain appliances in the house. The boiler you use to heat your home, in particular, can be vulnerable. “Can hard water affect my boiler?” you ask. The short answer is “absolutely.”

Most boiler water needs to be filtered before it can be used, and boiler feedwater requires different characteristics than potable drinking water. That’s a fancy way of saying that hard water isn’t something to just casually dismiss when it comes to your boiler. The mineral deposits in the water will coalesce on the interior surface of the boiler, causing scaling and build up throughout your heating system. That results in innumerable problems. The boiler could suffer from corrosion on the sides. The build-up could interfere with flow through the pipes, retarding the heating process considerably. In some cases, it can also serve as unwanted insulation against the heating, forcing your boiler to work harder in order to heat the water to the temperature it needs to be.

You can prevent this by ensuring that the water you use has been purified and adheres to the standards your boiler requires. You can contact a trained technician to deal with any existing deposits and to help ensure that no hard water is used in your system. At ACI Northwest, we can remove the deposits created by hard water and ensure that the problem doesn’t recur in the future.  Our service area includes Hayden, ID, heating repair is a specialty of ours, and we conduct all our operations with your complete satisfaction in mind. If you’re asking “can hard water affect my boiler?” give our Hayden, ID heating repair technicians call to set up an appointment today. You’ll be glad that you did.

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Why Professional Heating Repair Service is Important

Tuesday, October 29th, 2013

In Spokane, heating repair needs to take our wet weather into account as well as our need for warm, cozy homes. Mold and mildew can wreak havoc with your heating system, and a well-maintained unit can do wonders for keeping both moisture and chills at bay. When trouble arises, it can be tempting to attempt repairs yourself, using a few trips to the hardware store and a couple of instructional videos from the Internet. This is invariably a mistake. Not only can professional heating repair service keep your unit functioning as effectively as possible, but it can actually save you money and heartache in the bargain. Here are a few reasons why professional heating repair service is important.

  • Experience. If you try to correct a heating issues yourself, you’re more or less flying blind. You need to pinpoint the source of the problem, then figure out what needs to be replaced or repaired. Even the most enthusiastic layman probably hasn’t dealt with a serious furnace repair issue more than a few times in his or her life. A professional, on the other hand, handles such issues every day. He or she knows what to look for, and can move swiftly to enact repairs without wasting a lot of time and effort hunting down the culprit.
  • Security. Along those lines, if something unexpected arises, a professional repair service can roll with the punches. Licensed service personnel are insured in the event of a catastrophe, and if the repair takes a turn into new obstacles, they can adjust their efforts accordingly. If you’re working on your own, you have to face those obstacles without anything to fall back on.
  • Cost. Heating repair could involve resources you’ve never used before and may never use again: lengths of duct, specific tools and the like. Professionals carry such equipment as part of their regular duties. For the layman, it means making purchases out of hand for items they may never have further need for, and which they probably need to learn to use regardless.

If you understand why professional heating service is important, then don’t wait. Call upon the Spokane heating repair service technicians at ACI Northwest for your heating issues. We can take the worry out of the process and are completely dedicated to your satisfaction.

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Heating FAQ: Should I Get Heating Maintenance Before Switching to AC?

Monday, April 1st, 2013

Even for those of us that like the cold weather, the end of the heating season is usually a welcome change of pace. Before you switch over to running your air conditioning system, though, you should give some serious thought to scheduling routine heating maintenance. While it may seem counter-intuitive to schedule heating maintenance at the end of the Spokane heating season, it can actually help you protect your comfort come the start of the next one. If you have any questions about end-of-the-season heating maintenance, contact the heating professionals at ACI Northwest. Our Spokane heating technicians have the knowledge and experience to answer any questions you may have.

It should be fairly obvious that most of the strain put on your heating system is during the heating season. If you had just run a marathon, you would probably make a point of stretching and hydrating, right? Over the course of the heating season it is likely that your home heating system has incurred some damage. If you simply shut it down for the last time and allow it to sit there, untouched, throughout the entire cooling season, then there is a good chance it will have some issues when the time comes to power it up again. Any strange noises, operational issues or wear and tear are not going to simply be resolved by giving the system a rest.

Plus, there is a very practical matter to consider here. Come the end of the heating season, your maintenance and heating repair provider is much less likely to be booked up than when the cold is starting to get in again. Schedule routine heating maintenance, have your system thoroughly inspected and tuned up, and reduce the risk of an unpleasant surprise at the start of the next heating season.

For more information about heating maintenance, contact the Spokane heating pros at ACI Northwest. We can be trusted with your comfort. Our technicians are highly skilled and extensively trained to ensure that you are able to keep your home warm and comfortable with consistency throughout the heating season. Contact ACI Northwest today!

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Heating FAQ: What Do I Get with an HVAC Maintenance Plan at ACI?

Monday, March 11th, 2013

At ACI Northwest, we offer Hayden ID heating and air conditioning maintenance services and maintenance plans to ensure that you get all of your new and existing equipment needs met. This week, we’ve included a rundown of all the benefits of our service plan.

New Equipment

For new heating and cooling equipment you get the following:

  • Free home comfort and energy savings analysis
  • Complete home heat loss & heat gain worksheet to ensure proper sizing of equipment
  • Multiple options to fit the needs of both the home and customer
  • On the spot financing with multiple payment options
  •  All rebate paperwork completed by sales staff to ensure maximum dollar amounts.

For repairs you get, 24/7 Emergency service on all heating, air conditioning and heat pump systems, in addition to discounts for seniors and active and retired members of the military. Repairs for tank and tankless water heaters are also covered and you get a one year warranty on all repairs, labor and parts.

Premium Agreement Benefits

  • 20% discount on repairs and priority service
  • No overtime fees and 24/7 service
  • One year guarantee on repairs and transferable agreement
  • Two scheduled tune-ups per year and inflation protection
  • $50 towards a new unit per year of agreement

Maintenance helps to maintain efficiency for heat pumps and other air conditioning systems. No matter what type of heating and air conditioning system you have, keep in mind that a clean system is an efficient one. As a homeowner, you should change air filters, vacuum out vents, clean off coils, and make sure nothing is blocking the airflow to the outdoor unit. Call Hayden ID heating experts if you aren’t sure how to properly clean your air conditioning system.

We also offer commercial maintenance services, and our Hayden ID heating technicians are on call 24/7 for any emergency heating repairs. Call ACI Northwest if you have questions or would like more information about the maintenance plans or heating repair services that we offer in Hayden, ID.

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Hope HVAC Contractor Tip: Poor Heating Performance with Your Boiler

Monday, December 5th, 2011

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist or a Hope HVAC contractor to troubleshoot – and possibly diagnose – the problems with your boiler when its heating performance is erratic or non-existent.

The good thing about boilers is that they are typically reliable and long-lasting. There aren’t a lot of working parts that can break down and cause problems, compared to other home heating equipment. When problems do arise, they are usually related to the expansion tank or circulating pumps. But a problem can be much simpler – like a tripped circuit breaker.

The most common problems can be noise, no heat, or poor/erratic heating. Before calling a heating contractor, take a moment to see if you can figure out the what’s wrong.

If you have a noisy boiler it might be because of two things – a faulty circulating pump or water trapped in the return lines. If the pump breaks it will make a loud noise when its motor runs. Water can be trapped in the return lines, which may require “re-pitching” the lines to allow for a flow back to the boiler. You may be able to adjust the flow by positioning hangers on the piping but replacing a pump is better left to a professional.

If your boiler is producing no heat, it could be because of something as simple as a circuit breaker being tripped or a fuse being blown. Check your circuit breakers and fuse and reset or replace if necessary. Is your boiler thermostat in the heat mode? It should be but if it isn’t, make the switch. If your boiler has a standing pilot you should check to see if it is lit and if not, re-light it.

Other problems would take a professional to fix. For example, no heat can be traced to low water levels in the boiler. The boiler should always be half-full of water and if it isn’t, it is likely because of leaks or a faulty pressure reducing valve. Don’t try and fix the problem by yourself.

Low water levels may not cause the boiler to lose its heating capabilities, but may cause fluctuations in its heating capacity. Again, it is advisable to call a professional to diagnose and fix the problem. Poor heating can also be traced to mineral deposits in the boiler. Consult your owner’s manual on instructions how to flush out the boiler.

As always, read the owner guide or operating manual for your boiler. You should get some good tips on proper maintenance and troubleshooting. And have the phone number of a qualified professional taped to your boiler – just in case.

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Furnace Fan Doesn’t Run? Why Is That? What Should You Do? A Guide from an Elk Contactor

Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011

There are several reasons that a furnace fan might stop working at one point or another. While many of these do require an Elk professional’s attention, there are probably some things you can check on your own before you go and call in the pros. After all, if you can address the problem on your own, it will at least save you from having to pay a technician to come out.

The first thing to check when your furnace is running but the fan isn’t turning is whether or not the fan is actually switched on. Certain models of furnaces have a separate switch to turn the fan on and off. While there is probably no reason that you would want to turn off the fan by itself, it’s worth taking a look just in case. If that really is the problem, you’ll be up and running and back to dealing with better things in no time.

If that’s not the problem, you might try looking to see if any wires leading to the fan are loose or the fuse is blown. If the fan has no power, of course, it won’t be able to work but the rest of the furnace likely would work just fine as long as it doesn’t run on electricity as well.

Of course, the problem very well may be beyond your power to solve on your own. Don’t despair though. Even though you need to call in a professional, that doesn’t mean that the problem will be expensive to fix. In fact, it may be as simple as replacing your thermostat or the motor for the fan itself.

Just because a fan isn’t working doesn’t mean that you’re going to be paying an arm and a leg to have work done on your furnace. If you can’t easily discover the problem on your own, however, or if you’re not comfortable inspecting this type of equipment at all, you’re generally better off just calling in an expert and letting them do the dirty work for you. Paying for simple furnace fan repairs is definitely preferable to having to pay someone to fix the fan and the stuff you broke yourself while trying to fix the fan on your own.

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