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When to Schedule HVAC Service | ACI Northwest Coeur d'Alene, ID

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 23:04:44 GMT

How Often Should I Have My HVAC System Serviced?

TL;DR: Twice per year - once in the spring and once in the fall.

Your HVAC system works hard year-round to keep your home comfortable, and regular maintenance is key to keeping it running smoothly. At ACI, we recommend having your system serviced twice a year, once in the spring to prepare your air conditioner for the cooling season, and once in the fall to get your heating system ready for colder weather.

These seasonal check-ups ensure that both systems are clean, efficient, and ready to perform when you need them most. During each visit, a qualified technician will inspect, clean, and test the components of your HVAC system to catch any small issues before they become big problems.

Regular maintenance provides several important benefits:

Improved energy efficiency – A clean, well-tuned system uses less energy, which means lower monthly utility bills.
Extended equipment lifespan – Routine service helps prevent wear and tear, allowing your system to last longer.
Reduced risk of breakdowns and costly repairs – Preventive maintenance helps identify potential issues early.
Better indoor air quality – Cleaning coils and replacing filters removes dust, allergens, and contaminants from your air.
Warranty protection – Many manufacturers require annual professional service to keep your warranty valid.

It’s also important to remember that your air filter may need to be replaced more frequently depending on your environment. Homes with pets that shed heavily, people with allergies, or areas with high dust levels may need filter changes every one to three months. Keeping your filter clean helps maintain proper airflow and ensures your system doesn’t have to work harder than necessary.

Regular HVAC service is a small investment that pays off in comfort, reliability, and long-term savings.

Warning Signs You Need Heating Services in Spokane, WA

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 17:37:10 GMT

As the temperatures drop, a functioning heating system becomes essential for comfort and safety. Whether you're a homeowner, renter, or property manager, knowing when to call a heating contractor can save you from costly repairs and uncomfortable living conditions. Ignoring early warning signs can lead to a complete breakdown, especially during the coldest months. This article highlights 5 key warning signs that indicate you need heating services in Spokane, WA , including professional heat system repair to keep your home warm and efficient.

1. Strange Noises Coming From Your Heating System

One of the earliest and most common indicators that your heating system needs attention is unusual noises. If you hear banging, rattling, squealing, or grinding sounds when the system turns on or operates, it’s likely something is wrong. These noises could signal loose or broken parts, worn-out belts, or airflow obstructions.

Ignoring these sounds can lead to more severe damage over time. Scheduling heating services, as soon as you notice unusual noises ensures a heating contractor can diagnose the problem and perform necessary heat system repair before the issue worsens.

2. Uneven Heating Throughout Your Home

Do you find some rooms in your house uncomfortably cold while others are warm? Uneven heating is a clear sign that your heating system is struggling to distribute heat efficiently. This issue can stem from duct problems, blocked vents, or an aging system that’s losing its effectiveness.

If your home is not heating evenly, it’s time to call a heating contractor. They can inspect your system, identify the cause, and offer professional heating services to restore balanced warmth throughout your living spaces.

3. Higher Than Normal Energy Bills

If your monthly heating bill suddenly spikes without a change in your thermostat settings or usage habits, it’s time to investigate. A sudden increase in energy costs often signals that your heating system is inefficient or malfunctioning.

Possible causes for higher energy bills include:

Dirty filters restricting airflow and forcing your system to run longer.
Faulty or miscalibrated thermostats causing irregular cycles.
Worn or damaged components reducing system efficiency.

Ignoring these warning signs means throwing money away every month. Scheduling heat system repair with a trusted contractor can help identify inefficiencies and restore your system to optimal performance, saving you money in the long run.

4. Frequent System Cycling (Turning On and Off)

If your heating system keeps turning on and off frequently, known as short cycling, it indicates a problem that requires professional attention. Short cycling stresses your system, reduces its lifespan, and increases your energy costs.

Common causes include thermostat issues, overheating, or airflow restrictions. Contacting a reliable heating contractor for heat system repair, can pinpoint the root cause and fix it, preventing further damage and keeping your system running smoothly.

5. The Heating System Won’t Turn On or Struggles to Stay On

Your heating system not only warms your home but also affects the air you breathe. If you notice poor indoor air quality, increased dust, allergy flare-ups, or strange odors when your heat is on, it’s a warning sign your system needs professional care.

Common issues include:

Dust or mold buildup inside the ducts or furnace.
Overheating electrical components producing a burning smell.
Gas leaks posing serious safety hazards.

If you smell anything unusual, especially a burning or gas odor, turn off your system immediately and call a heating contractor. Prompt heat system repair can restore air quality and keep your environment safe and healthy.

Why You Should Act Quickly and Call a Heating Contractor in Spokane, WA

Addressing heating problems early with expert heating services in Spokane, WA, has many benefits:

Prevent Major Breakdowns: Small issues can escalate quickly, leading to costly emergency repairs or complete system replacement.
Improve Efficiency: A well-maintained heating system consumes less energy, reducing your utility bills.
Increase Comfort: Professional repairs restore consistent heat distribution for a cozy home environment.
Extend System Lifespan: Regular maintenance and prompt repairs help your heating system last longer.

By hiring qualified heating services, you ensure your heat system repair is done right the first time, providing peace of mind throughout the cold months.

Schedule Your Heating Services in Spokane, WA With ACI Northwest

If you recognize any of these warning signs in your home, don’t wait until a small problem turns into a major headache. Contact ACI Northwest, your trusted heating contractor , for fast and reliable heating services.

Our experienced technicians specialize in:

Comprehensive heat system repair in Spokane, WA.
Routine heating system maintenance.

We are committed to keeping your home warm, safe, and energy-efficient all winter long. Reach out to ACI Northwest today to schedule your heating service or inspection and avoid unexpected failures.

Exterior Lighting for Fun and Function

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 06:31:04 GMT

When you’re hoping to make an impression, show something off, help something look its best, or just accentuate it, lighting is the best way to accomplish your goals. And if you’re trying to improve safety and functionality around the house, lighting is your best option. It’s easy to achieve a practical and flattering effect by changing your home’s lighting.

The thing people don’t always consider is that outdoor lighting can achieve the same sorts of goals! What can you accomplish by giving your exterior lighting a glow-up? Here is just a sampling of the many things you can do.

Make It Easy to Find

A small, targeted light on your mailbox, a post at the end of your driveway, or the house numbers by your front door can make a huge difference. The entry will be easy for drivers to spot, and your address will be clear to anyone making a delivery or coming to visit.

Make It Safer

It’s easier to enjoy lovely weather and relaxing evenings if the area around your home is safe to navigate. Lighting along paths, on steps, at the edges of porches or railings, or anywhere that someone might bump into something can reduce the likelihood of accidents, inconvenience, and discomfort.

Make It Desirable

Your home’s resale value can be improved by upgrading your lighting, and outdoor lighting is no exception. When the functionality and safety are maximized and the outdoor area is made to look beautiful, potential homebuyers will be entranced.

Make It Inviting

One of the quickest, simplest ways to boost a home’s chances of selling is to give the front entrance a facelift. And new, cozy lighting is an affordable way to make a big impact. And it’s not just people who might want to purchase your home who could enjoy an inviting entryway, it’s your friends and family, and even you, on your way home to your sanctuary after a long day.

Make It Dramatic

Do you have a beautiful tree, an elegant garden, a unique sculpture, a water fixture, or something else in your yard that means a lot to you? Without lighting, you’re only able to enjoy it during the day. The simple addition of a single light could make this focal point dazzling and dramatic, no matter whether it’s day or night.

Make It High-Quality

While it can be tempting to DIY a lot of projects around the house, outdoor lighting is not one you should try. A qualified electrician has the expertise to choose fixtures that are appropriate for the area where they’re being used. They have the safety training to protect them—and your home—from the risks of electricity. And they can do the job smoothly and easily because of their extensive experience.

When you’re ready to give your home a small upgrade that makes a huge difference, you need reliable exterior lighting contractors in Hayden, ID . We’d love to help you love your home even more!

ACI Northwest is here to help. Contact us today with any questions about lighting.

Signs Your Electrical Panel Needs an Upgrade

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 06:21:13 GMT

The difficult truth of many things in life, especially homeownership, is that nothing lasts forever. Now, you’ve probably had to replace or upgrade many parts of your home over the years. Even if you haven’t owned your home for long, surely some essential appliance has reached the end of its life. But your electrical panel is something that can last quite a while.

It can’t last forever, though! This leads us to our topic today: answering your questions about whether you need to replace your electrical panel. You might be wondering how long an electrical panel lasts, why it might fail, and what the signs are that it’s time for an upgrade. We’ve got the answers.

How Long Do Electrical Panels Last?

Many estimates suggest that an electrical panel can last for 25-40 years. This is based on the equipment itself, which doesn’t have the same risk factors for failure as a lot of other appliances. For example, appliances that use or contain water experience corrosion because of that water.

One factor that can increase the lifespan of your electrical panel is maintenance, which should be performed periodically by a qualified electrician. On the other hand, do you remember what life was like 40 years ago? A factor that can shorten the lifespan of the panel is a greatly increased demand for power, causing frequent tripped circuits, and we certainly use more power in our homes these days.

Why Might an Electrical Panel Fail?

Other than wear and tear and aging, other things can cause an electrical panel to fail. Dust and dirt can be harmful to it, so always keep the door to the panel closed. Power surges due to electrical storms, trees hitting outside power lines, or even outdated home wiring can cause damage. And of course, physical damage or any contact with water could be very harmful to the panel.

There is one other possible reason, which is that the panel itself was unreliable or poorly manufactured to begin with. A company called Federal Pacific was a popular manufacturer of electrical panels until 1986. Unfortunately, their products are unsafe and if your home still has one, it definitely needs to be replaced.

What Are the Signs of an Electrical Panel in Need of an Upgrade?

It’s time to upgrade your electrical panel if you notice any signs of a problem with the panel itself. This could be corrosion, black or charred marks, soot, a smell of heat, or any buzzing or crackling sounds. And if you have frequent tripped circuits, your panel is no longer able to handle the demands of your home and family.

You may also spot signs in other parts of your home. These could be lights that flicker or dim, outlets that crackle or create sparks when you plug something in, or switch plates that feel hot to the touch or cause electrical shocks when you turn lights on or off. It’s definitely time to consider electrical panel upgrades in Coeur d’Alene, ID .

Finally, if you do not have an electrical panel with sideways-switching circuit breakers and instead have a fuse box with round fuses that must be pulled out and plugged in, you really need an upgrade! This equipment is at least sixty years old. Fuse boxes were phased out because circuit breakers are safer and more durable, so it’s long past time for a replacement.

ACI Northwest is here to help. Contact us today with any questions about your electrical panel.

Repair Your Old AC? Or Replace It?

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 06:18:10 GMT

An air conditioner is a good investment. It can last twelve or more years, under ideal circumstances. But at a certain point, it starts to be more trouble than it’s worth.

When your air conditioner is getting older, should you keep spending money on repairs? Or is it time for a replacement? Here’s some info to help you decide.

Many Factors to Weigh

It’s not as simple as a time limit, after which your air conditioner is no longer worth repairing. There are a variety of factors to take into account, because every situation is unique. Here are the main things to keep in mind.

Age: This is definitely a primary factor. After ten years, you can be sure that no matter what you do, you won’t get more than a few years of continued cooling from your air conditioner.
M aintenance: Not all ten-year-old air conditioners are in equally good or bad shape, though. Have you had professional AC maintenance done every year? If so, you’re in a good position to get those few more years from a ten-year-old AC unit. If you haven’t, you’re remarkably lucky it’s lasted this long! Without maintenance, your AC is more likely to fail in just 6 or 8 years.
Cost of Repair: If your air conditioner requires repair right now, how much will that repair cost? It’s perfectly reasonable to pay for a minor repair in the hope of getting another summer or two out of your air conditioner. But a major repair might be costly, and if you won’t have your air conditioner for very much longer regardless, it isn’t worth a huge investment.
Frequency of Repairs: Older air conditioners have minor issues and failed small components more and more often as they reach the end of their lifespan. Any one repair might be affordable and quick. But the costs add up when your air conditioner keeps needing more attention, and at that point, it’s also more likely to have an inconvenient major breakdown just when you need it most, like during a heat wave.

Considering the Factors Together

As you can see, no one item on this list should be the only thing that matters when it comes to choosing whether to keep your old air conditioner or get a new one. But how can you weigh the factors together? There are a couple of simple bits of math you can do. First, determine the cost of the repair your air conditioner needs. Then try either or both of these methods.

The 50% Rule: No single repair should cost more than 50% of the price of a new air conditioner. If the repair is that costly, you would be better off choosing air conditioning replacement in Spokane, WA .
The 5000 Rule: This one is a little more detailed. Multiply the age of the air conditioner by the projected repair cost. If the answer is less than 5000 (for example, a ten-year-old air conditioner needing a $200 repair gives you 2000) it is worth getting the repair. If the answer is over 5000, such as if that same air conditioner needed a $600 repair, it’s time to invest in a new system instead.

Whether you’re looking into your replacement options, deciding to get your old unit repaired, or hoping for a little more help as you make that choice, we’ve got you covered.

ACI Northwest is here to help. Contact us today with any questions about your air conditioning.

Does Your Ductless Mini Split Need Repair?

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 06:13:25 GMT

If an air conditioner is having a problem, it’s truly best to have it repaired as quickly as you can. This can save you a lot of time and money in the long run, as you’re much less likely to end up dealing with breakdowns, more expensive repairs, or even an air conditioner that fails completely well before you thought you’d need to replace it.

One of the best things about a ductless mini split is its impressive efficiency. But when an AC or heat pump system needs repair, it almost always becomes much less efficient. You certainly don’t want to deal with skyrocketing electric bills! The important thing is to notice a problem right away, so you can get it fixed promptly. But what are the signs that your ductless mini split needs repair?

Noises

Just like any other complex system, whether it’s your furnace or your car, unusual noises mean you need professional help. Banging, booming, rattling, clattering, hissing, whistling, bubbling, dripping, buzzing, and clicking are all sounds that an air conditioner or heat pump might make when something is wrong. Really, any change in the sounds you’re hearing are cause for concern.

Smells

A refrigerant leak might leave your home smelling like sweet chemicals. Bacterial growth smells sour, like vinegar, and can happen if there’s a clog in your AC’s condensate drain. If you smell mildew, there’s mold growing somewhere, probably inside an air handler. And anything that smells hot, like burning dust or melting plastic, is a sign of an overheating motor and an urgent repair need.

Short Cycling

Your system should run a cooling cycle a few times an hour, bringing the temp down and then turning off for a while. A variety of problems can cause short cycling, when the system shuts down too soon and starts up again right away. This isn’t just a sign of an existing problem, it’s also a cause of more problems, like rising utility bills and a strained compressor, so get repairs straightaway.

Moisture

One of the biggest differences between ducted and ductless AC systems or heat pumps is about moisture. Since there are evaporator coils in each and every air handler, condensation develops in each air handler, and needs to be safely conducted out of your home. That means each air handler has a condensate pan and a drain line, while a central AC or heat pump only has one for the whole system.

This simply increases the odds of something going wrong with the drainage mechanisms of your ductless system. Algae, bacteria, or mold can grow in a condensate pan and block the drain, or damage or deterioration can allow water to leak out of the pan. Excess humidity, dripping water, moisture stains on the wall near an air handler, or odors from a specific air handler all mean you need repairs now before you have serious water damage.

For these or any other concerns about your ductless mini split in Hayden, ID , don’t hesitate to reach out.

ACI Northwest is here to help. Contact us today with any questions about your air conditioning.

How Maintenance Prevents Air Conditioning Problems

Mon, 20 May 2024 06:10:01 GMT

You may have noticed that in this blog, we often talk about the amazing benefits of maintenance for all parts of your HVAC system. And one of the biggest benefits is that maintenance reduces the risk of repair needs and breakdowns. Right now, before you start using your air conditioner for the summer, it’s time to have that maintenance done.

Once you’ve gotten your air conditioner maintained, it will be more effective and more efficient. Your indoor air quality will be better. You’ll be on track to keep that air conditioner running for as many summers as possible. And your likelihood of needing repairs this summer will be cut by 85%. But how does air conditioner maintenance prevent problems and repair needs? Let’s explain.

Reducing Wear and Tear

It stands to reason that the more you run your air conditioner, the more wear and tear it will accumulate. But there are other factors that increase how severely normal operation will strain your AC system. And the maintenance process eliminates or minimizes the things that cause additional wear and tear.

The first step in AC maintenance is cleaning. All the grit and grime of a summer’s hard work and a winter’s disuse and dust will be meticulously wiped away. Having a clean air conditioner reduces wear and tear in two different ways.

There won’t be particles of dirt or other contaminants working their way into moving parts, literally grinding away at your AC components. And components that need to dissipate heat, like the blower fan motor, won’t be wearing dusty blankets which insulate them and keep that heat in. Overheating is a major cause of AC repair needs.

The next step in AC maintenance is lubrication. Those moving parts, now clean of debris and grit, need to glide smoothly against each other. Over the course of the year, the lubricant has worn away, so it needs to be replenished. This keeps friction to a minimum, preventing wear and tear and overheating.

Catching Small Problems Early

The rest of the AC maintenance process involves carefully inspecting every component throughout the whole system and testing the electrical parts such as motors, wiring connections, and the thermostat. This allows your technician to discover any tiny concerns with your air conditioner. If you’d started to run it for the summer without addressing those issues, they’d get much worse.

Your technician might notice a worn section of coil starting to allow refrigerant to leak. They might determine that the blower fan motor is drawing the wrong amperage of power or that a capacitor needs to be replaced. They might need to recalibrate your thermostat so it gives accurate signals for when the AC should turn on and off. Or they might simply need to tighten some screws.

Now that your air conditioner is cleaned and lubricated, with all parts inspected and tested and any minor concerns resolved, you’ll be ready to have a cool, comfortable summer without worrying about needing AC repair in Coeur d’Alene, ID . So schedule your maintenance today!

ACI Northwest is here to help. Contact us today with any questions about your air conditioning.

HVAC Repairs We Can Help With

Mon, 06 May 2024 06:06:53 GMT

HVAC systems can have many components. Naturally, homeowners are usually not HVAC experts, which means the experts need to be consulted whenever you need HVAC repairs. But how can you tell when HVAC repairs are necessary, or guess what HVAC services you might need? Here’s some basic information that will help.

Heating Repairs

If your heating system was struggling during the winter, you shouldn’t wait to have it repaired until it starts to get cold again next fall. Have it checked out now while there’s plenty of time to plan for repairs. Signs of a heating problem include short heating cycles, uneven or inconsistent temperatures, strange noises or smells, or increasing energy bills.

Ventilation Repairs

The ventilation portion of your HVAC system can include many different things that help you have good indoor air quality without having to keep your windows open all year. This includes heat recovery ventilators, energy recovery ventilators, air filters and purifiers, dehumidifiers, and more. If you’re concerned about any of these, prompt repair can make a huge difference.

Ventilation also includes the ducts themselves, the system your air passes through while it’s being heated, cooled, purified, dehumidified, or anything else. Duct leaks can cause a large amount of your treated air to be lost, potentially increasing your heating and cooling bills by 30% or more. And they can pull in dirty air from unoccupied spaces like within your walls.

Don’t hesitate to have your ducts inspected for leaks if you are concerned about your energy bills, or if you notice a problem that might be caused by duct leaks. This could include low airflow or lukewarm air from your vents, sour or mildew smells, or rattling or whistling sounds.

Air Conditioning Repairs

This time of year, air conditioning repairs are what you’re most likely to need in the near future. Of course, you’ll be much less likely to require AC repair if you have routine annual maintenance done every spring, so don’t forget about that HVAC service. And when repairs are needed, it’s important to have them done right away. Delaying repairs can strain the compressor and cause irreparable damage.

How do you know if you need AC repair? Often, the first sign people notice is an unusual noise, such as booming, grinding, bubbling, hissing, clicking, or rattling. You should also have your air conditioner professionally repaired if you notice very short cooling cycles, insufficient cooling, increasing energy bills, or ice building up on the refrigerant coils.

Trust the Professionals

To have your HVAC repairs done accurately, effectively, and quickly, you need a professional. They have the training to make the job straightforward, and the experience of having done this every day for years. This will also ensure that you don’t risk your safety or void any warranties in the process of DIY repairs. When you need HVAC repair in Spokane, WA , use a contractor you can trust.

ACI Northwest is here to help. Contact us today with any questions about your heating, ventilation, or air conditioning.

Signs Your Radiant Heating System Needs Help

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 06:03:56 GMT

Radiant heating systems are wonderful. The heat they provide is usually more even and consistent than what you’d get from a forced-air furnace. They operate more quietly, too. They last a long time. And perhaps the best part is how rarely they require repairs! They have fewer moving parts than furnaces, which means less wear and tear, and fewer opportunities for things to go wrong.

However, it’s always possible for something to go wrong. And since many years may go by between repair needs for your radiant system, you might not even know what to keep an eye out for. We’ll give you a simple list of signs that your radiant heating system needs help from a qualified technician. If you spot any of these, get repairs!

Cold Spots

If you have baseboard registers, a “cold spot” could be a section of register that isn’t getting hot, or a room that never seems as cozy as the rest of the house. If you have in-floor radiant heating, you might have a cold spot on the floor where it’s simply not warming up.

Slow Heat

When you’ve let the temperature drop a bit—say, when you’re away at work all day—it can take a little bit of time for your radiant system to bring the temperature back up. But within a minute or so of turning the heat on, you should start to feel that the registers or floors are heating up. If more time is passing and you’re not feeling any warmth, it’s a sign of trouble.

Noises

As we mentioned, radiant systems tend to be pretty quiet. So if you’re hearing much of anything from the system—the boiler itself or the registers or in-floor pipes—and especially if you hear something sudden, surprising, or new, pay attention. Sounds like rumbling, hissing, humming, bubbling, or anything else mean you need radiant heating repair in Hayden, ID .

Smells

If your system uses natural gas, any eggy gas smell is an emergency. Evacuate your home and call your gas company’s emergency number from elsewhere. Either a gas or electric system can have electrical problems that cause a hot smell like burning plastic, which is another very serious problem.

Increase Your Home’s Value

It’s very rare for leaks to occur in the piping of a radiant heating system, but if it was poorly installed or has suffered damage somehow, it’s possible. It’s somewhat more likely for the boiler itself to leak. If you notice puddles, dripping, or water damage, get help right away before the issue gets any worse or causes more harm to your home.

Rising Energy Bills

If you haven’t asked your system for more heat, you shouldn’t be paying more. Suddenly, steeply rising energy bills can indicate that something is wrong with your heating system. If it’s struggling to function and having to work harder just to get the same job done, it will consume more energy. Don’t keep paying more than you should! Get your system repaired.

ACI Northwest is here to help. Contact us today with any questions about radiant heating.

Enhance Your Yard & Enjoyment of Summer with Outdoor Lighting

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 05:59:38 GMT

As springtime arrives, we can’t help but be excited about all the time we are going to spend outdoors. Travel can be great, but this is also the perfect time to enjoy your yard. Cookouts, gardening, playing in the pool, inviting friends for a potluck and lawn games, or just relaxing in a lawn chair or hammock with a book—all these things can make ordinary life feel like a luxurious vacation.

We’d like to help you enjoy your yard and your summer even more by offering some suggestions. Outdoor lighting for your home and lawn has many benefits. What are some ways it could enhance your life? Here are some of the possibilities.

Extend Your Time Outdoors

With good outdoor lighting, you won’t be forced to choose between being indoors and being in the dark. You can read, socialize, or play games late into the evening, still able to see your companions and your hand of cards. You can serve a late outdoor dinner, or coffee and dessert on the patio. Or, if you struggle to fit gardening into your busy lifestyle, you can keep planting flowers after the sun goes down.

Improve Your Home’s Aesthetic

The right lighting can make your lawn seem larger, highlight features like sculptures or trees, and make water features luminous and beautiful. Whether you want a clean, modern look or a mystical, fairy-tale mood, options abound that could help you achieve the outdoor aesthetic of your dreams.

Stay Safe

During late summer evenings, it’s all too easy for someone to take a spill because they couldn’t see an obstacle such as a staircase, a low garden wall, or even puddles of water from the pool. We recommend lighting the edges of stairs, railings, garden beds, gates, doors, and more. This can make it easy for everyone to move around safely in the dark, especially children or folks with visual impairment or limited mobility.

Home Practicalities and Security

Is it hard to see your home’s address? A simple light could mean the difference between getting your pizza promptly or waiting in frustration! Do animals get into your trash bins? A motion-sensor light might make your trash much less appealing. Are you concerned about burglaries or vandalism? Having lights that turn on and off automatically can deter criminals when you’re not home.

Increase Your Home’s Value

Whether or not you plan to sell your home in the near future, knowing that your choices today could yield significant financial benefits in the meantime is always a step in the right direction. In addition to the possibilities mentioned above, one great way to sell your home more easily for more money is to upgrade your front door area. Lighting that’s visually pleasing and also reliable makes a big difference.

If you’d like to discuss the many possibilities for outdoor lighting services in Coeur d’Alene, ID , we’d love to help you brainstorm your perfect summer yard.

ACI Northwest is here to help. Contact us today with any questions about lighting.

Common Heat Pump Repairs

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 05:54:47 GMT

While folks who have owned a home for many years may be pretty accustomed to the repairs that their familiar home systems commonly need, we’d like to provide some information for people in slightly different situations. Maybe you’re a newer homeowner. Or maybe you’ve recently replaced your air conditioner with a heat pump, or are considering doing so.

You probably know that heat pumps work as air conditioning systems and are also able to provide heating for the home. What does that mean in terms of maintenance and repair needs? Do heat pumps commonly require the same repairs as air conditioners? What are the differences? We’ll give you some helpful information.

Repair Needs Air Conditioners Also Have

Many of the problems a heat pump can encounter are the exact same as air conditioner problems. This is because many of the components are exactly the same between the two systems, and they work in the same way, absorbing heat from one place and then releasing it in another. Here are some common repair needs that both heat pumps and air conditioners encounter.

Refrigerant Leaks: Refrigerant is the chemical that flows through the coils, absorbing and releasing heat. A break or crack in a coil can allow refrigerant to escape. It must be patched up and the refrigerant must be refilled, or the system won’t work well enough and the compressor will be strained trying to work with insufficient refrigerant.
Ice on the Coils: This can happen for a variety of reasons, including loss of refrigerant, dust and dirt on the coils, a malfunctioning thermostat, poor airflow from a broken fan motor, or blocked condensate lines. It can also happen from a clogged air filter, so you can check that before deciding you need heat pump repair in Spokane, WA .
Electrical Problems: Issues with the electrical components of the system could affect any part of the wiring, from the thermostat to the blower fan motor. Clicking can be a sign of electrical problems. The most serious issue is the risk of fire, so if you smell burning, turn the unit off immediately and get professional repairs.

An Issue Unique to Heat Pumps

The main difference between air conditioners and heat pumps is that the refrigerant flow in a heat pump can be reversed. This is how it switches from cooling to heating: it simply changes where it is absorbing heat from and where it is releasing that heat. This is done with a component called the reversing valve, which opens or blocks flow in specific directions.

If your heat pump is stuck in one mode and won’t switch between heating and cooling, it’s a problem with the reversing valve. While this component is unique, it is also straightforward to repair. Often, the cause is a solenoid (a type of electromagnet) which needs to be replaced.

Heat Pump Maintenance

The maintenance requirements of your heat pump are more significant than the maintenance that an air conditioner requires. This is because it spends more of the year working hard to keep your home comfortable. It’s strongly recommended that maintenance be done twice a year.

If you have a concern about your heat pump, don’t ignore it or put it off. Prompt repairs can prevent a problem from worsening.

ACI Northwest is here to help. Contact us today with any questions about heat pump maintenance or repair.

Can My Boiler Repair Wait Until Fall?

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 05:51:53 GMT

Spring is creeping ever closer. It won’t be much longer until we can throw open our windows and let in the fresh, warm air. Does that mean you can stop worrying about your heating system? If something seems to be wrong with your boiler, can you put off having repairs done until fall? We urge you to get prompt boiler repair. Here’s why.

Small Problems Worsen with Time

Whenever something starts to go wrong, things can go downhill fast. Think about when you get a tiny hole in your jeans. Before you know it, the whole knee is ripped out! The same is true of heating systems. The first hint of a small problem is often just the tip of the iceberg, and if it doesn’t get addressed right away, you can end up needing much more extensive (and expensive) repairs.

Running a Struggling Boiler Is Inefficient

When a heating system is struggling, it needs to work harder just to create the same amount of heat. For example, if you have air bubbles in your pipes, it can’t conduct heat the way the water can. This means your home won’t heat up as well, and the thermostat will keep demanding that the boiler provide more heat. Instead of getting to cycle off and cool down, the boiler is forced to keep running.

What happens when your boiler spends more and more of the time running? It uses more and more energy. This means your utility bills will go up, and in some cases, they’ll go up very sharply. Don’t pay extra to keep warm for the last weeks of winter! Get boiler repair in Hayden, ID .

System Lifespan Is Affected

One of the most wonderful things about a boiler is just how long the system can last. Because it has fewer moving parts than a furnace and is less susceptible to corrosion, it might be able to keep chugging along keeping your home cozy for up to 20 years! You don’t want to do anything to compromise that.

But all that extra strain from working harder and working more of the time does something else, besides just wasting energy. It adds considerable wear and tear to the boiler. The longer it goes on, the greater the likelihood that the lifespan of the system will be shortened. Don’t let this happen to your boiler! Get it repaired right away.

Don’t Forget Maintenance

Because boilers rarely require repair, it can be easy to forget that they need maintenance just like any other heating system. Maintenance helps to prevent repair needs and keep the boiler running effectively and efficiently for as many years as possible. Don’t put your repairs off until fall—get them done right away. But then, in the fall, make sure you do schedule boiler maintenance.

If you have any concerns about your boiler or need to schedule an appointment, a member of our team would be delighted to assist you.

ACI Northwest is here to help. Contact us today with any questions about boiler maintenance or repair.

Don’t Ignore These Late-Season Furnace Issues!

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 06:59:54 GMT

It might seem like winter has been going on forever, but we’re really getting there. It’s almost springtime. However, in the meantime, we still need our heating systems to work. It would be lovely if they just kept chugging along until the seasons change. But when they’ve been working so hard for so many months, problems can crop up.

There are some specific furnace issues that are more likely to happen this time of year from all the wear and tear of the winter. Here’s what to watch for.

Dirty Burners

A furnace that lights loudly after a bit of a delay, with a whoomp or boom noise, is allowing too much gas to accumulate before the burners light. This can happen due to the buildup of carbon from a winter’s worth of constant combustion. The carbon obstructs the oxygen flow and makes it harder for the burners to light. It can even stop them from lighting entirely, leading to a furnace that tries to start but immediately stops.

While this is a simple issue, it’s not one you should try to fix with some cleaning products and elbow grease. It requires professional furnace repair in Coeur d’Alene, ID to address the issue safely and accurately.

Motor Strain

A screeching or grinding sound, an overheating smell, or a furnace that short cycles—turning on briefly, shutting down within moments, and turning on again minutes later—can all be caused by a blower fan motor that’s seen too much strain over the winter. One probable culprit is the bearings which keep the motor moving smoothly. They may need lubrication, or to be replaced if they are grinding down.

Loose Wiring

While it is true that electric furnaces have a lot of electrical components, gas furnaces have some, as well. So no matter what kind of furnace you have, there’s wiring that needs to be in good condition. There’s wiring to connect the electronic igniter of a gas furnace, or to connect the sequencer and heating elements of an electric furnace. And there’s wiring to connect the furnace to the thermostat.

One byproduct of the heating process is vibration. Your furnace shouldn’t be very loud, but it does hum as it works, and that hum is caused by sound waves or vibrations. And over the course of the winter, there have been a lot of vibrations. This can cause electrical wiring to slowly work its way loose. Connections may fail, and what looks like a broken-down furnace might just be a disconnected wire somewhere.

The Importance of Maintenance

The reason these problems are more likely to crop up late in the winter is that it’s been months since you’ve had furnace maintenance done. And if you didn’t have it done during the fall, you’re much more likely to encounter these issues (as well as others) because your furnace is still trying to cope with the wear and tear from last winter as well as this one! Being diligent about maintenance can cut repair needs by 85%.

ACI Northwest is here to help. Contact us today with any questions about furnace maintenance or repair.

Maintenance Tips for Ductless Heating Systems

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 06:52:01 GMT

The biggest benefit of a ductless heating system is the incredible efficiency it offers. But if it’s in poor repair, the efficiency will start to suffer and decline. What a waste it would be to have such a great system and not have it operating efficiently! In order to keep your ductless system running smoothly, it will need regular maintenance.

Why is ductless heating maintenance necessary? When does it need to be done? What maintenance can you do yourself? We’ll tell you all about it.

What Ductless Maintenance Involves

When you get heat pump service in Spokane, WA , your technician will be specially qualified to work on systems like yours. They’ll know exactly what to look for, and they’ll be able to maintain your heat pump and ductless system in a streamlined and knowledgeable way.

The basic parts of the maintenance routine are as follows.

Cleaning: All parts of the system will be cleaned. This reduces wear and tear during system operation, and it also makes it so your technician can easily see all components and what condition they’re in.
Inspecting: With everything clean and visible, your technician will check on all the parts of the system, including running tests such as making sure the motor is drawing the correct amperage of power and the thermostat is correctly calibrated.
Lubricating: When a system has moving parts, friction is created, and excess friction causes the system to work harder to keep the parts moving. Your technician will lubricate these parts so they glide smoothly.

Benefits of Ductless Maintenance

Regular heat pump maintenance, as you can see, cuts down on friction and wear and tear. This helps the system to run efficiently and effectively. It also reduces the likelihood that repairs will be needed and even lengthens the potential lifespan of the system.

It also provides an opportunity for minor problems to be caught early. Your technician can get things back on track and prevent serious malfunctions from occurring.

Frequency of Ductless Maintenance

You would have your AC system or your furnace maintained once a year. Your heat pump should be maintained twice a year because it is providing both those services, doing twice the job that either of those other systems do.

Maintenance to Do Yourself

This in-depth maintenance we’ve been discussing must be done by a trained, qualified professional. But there are a few things you can do to help your heat pump function as well and as efficiently as possible.

Air Filters: Each air handler has an air filter, usually reusable, which should be removed, washed, dried, and put back each month.
Condenser Unit: The condenser or outdoor unit also needs to be kept clean so it has the air circulation it requires. Trim away plants, rake up debris, and wash any mud, dirt, or dust off the unit with a hose—gently, not with a high-pressure nozzle.
Keep a Watchful Eye: If something doesn’t seem right with your ductless system—a noise, a smell, dripping moisture, poor performance—don’t ignore it. Have a technician take a look as promptly as possible so a small issue won’t worsen.

ACI Northwest is here to help. Contact us today with any questions about ductless systems.

Why Boilers Are Still Popular Heating Systems

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 06:34:03 GMT

Around fifty years ago, it became common practice to construct new homes with ductwork for the central air conditioners that were suddenly all the rage. This meant that the ductwork could also be used for forced-air heating systems like gas or electric furnaces. Naturally, those increased in popularity as well.

However, they didn’t completely replace the heating systems that were common before. In fact, home heating boilers continue to be a favorite with many Americans, and for good reason. Here’s why they’re still so popular.

Geography

One of the factors in whether a home has a furnace or a boiler is geography. In the northern US, people were slower to adopt ductwork than those in the south. We simply weren’t feeling that it was quite so urgent to get a central air conditioner! While homes that were built before the 1970s didn’t have ductwork, in our area, ducts may not have been part of new construction even much later than that.

Comfort

The way that boilers provide heat is quite different from furnaces. Temperatures fluctuate more, and cold spots without good heat circulation are more likely to occur when the heat source is forced air. A boiler, on the other hand, uses registers, radiators, or radiant piping under the floorboards to provide heat that is exceptionally even and consistent.

Reliability

The two forces that are most likely to cause a furnace to require repair or break down entirely are mechanical failure and corrosion. Mechanical failure is a term for components breaking or ceasing to work, and this is most likely to happen with moving parts, which endure much more stress and wear and tear. And corrosion is when the metal components or furnace cabinet itself begin to rust.

Boilers encounter far less of both of these problems. Compared to a furnace, a boiler hardly has any moving parts at all—just the circulator pump, really. And while you’d think a boiler full of water is at risk of rust, a furnace will actually rust more quickly. Why? They produce a lot of highly acidic condensation which accumulates in the furnace and slowly eats away at the metal. Boilers very rarely require any repairs.

Longevity

Once upon a time, a boiler was an enormous hulk of cast iron, tremendously expensive, and outrageously heavy to move into position for installation. These monsters might seem inconvenient, but they lasted up to fifty years! Today’s boilers are affordable and much, much lighter. While they don’t survive quite as long, they often keep running reliably for 20 years or even longer, which is much longer than a gas furnace’s lifespan of 10-15 years.

We believe that a boiler is still the ideal choice for many homes and families, which is why we specialize in installing them and providing boiler service in Hayden, ID . If your boiler needs maintenance, repair, or replacement, we’re ready to help you get back to experiencing all these boiler benefits as soon as possible.

ACI Northwest is here to help. Contact us today with any questions about boilers.

Make a Resolution to Get These Home Wiring Problems Fixed

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 09:55:43 GMT

Studies show that the most common type of New Year’s resolution has to do with personal health: eating better, going to the gym, drinking more water, etc. But have you considered the well-being of your home? For a refreshing approach to your New Year’s resolution, how about addressing the issues with your home’s electrical wiring? Here’s what you should know.

Aluminum Wiring

Since the late seventies, when a home has been built or rewired, that wiring has been copper. But if your home is older than that, it may still contain aluminum wiring. When aluminum is used to conduct electricity, it oxidizes much more easily than copper, which means it poses a much higher risk of overheating and causing a fire. A qualified electrician can assess your home’s wiring and tell you if there’s any aluminum.

Tripping Circuit Breakers

A tripped circuit breaker will happen once in a while, perhaps if you plug your vacuum cleaner into the same circuit your air conditioner is running on. But if you’re regularly tripping circuit breakers, you’ve got an electrical problem. It could simply be that your usage needs are exceeding what your electrical panel was meant for, and you need it replaced.

Lighting Problems

Flickering lights or lightbulbs burning out frequently can be caused by the wiring of the fixture itself or, if it’s happening in more than one fixture, overall home wiring problems or an overloaded electrical panel. Don’t blame it on ghosts! Get professional electrical wiring services in Coeur d’Alene, ID.

Outlet and Switch Issues

If you’ve got an outlet or light switch that simply doesn’t work, this is a problem you shouldn’t ignore. Because improper wiring can be a fire hazard, any electrical outlets or switches that aren’t functioning should be checked out by an electrician.

Shocks and Hot Spots

Getting shocked by appliances, fixtures, outlets, or switches is not fun. But it isn’t just a minor irritation. It can indicate a serious problem that needs to be addressed in order to prevent electrical fires or serious damage to appliances or electronics. Similarly, if there are areas of your walls that feel warm to the touch, there could be an electrical current that’s flowing somewhere it shouldn’t.

Lack of GFCIs

GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter and can be recognized by the two buttons between the outlets. This is the type of outlet that is safe for areas that need extra protection. Mostly, this means places where outlets are near water, such as in bathrooms, kitchens, garages, and outdoors. If those places lack outlets, or have outlets that are not the GFCI type, resolve to improve your safety by having GFCI outlets installed.

Other Concerns

If you have any other questions about your wiring, if anything gives you pause or makes you worry about your home’s electrical system, take this concern seriously. In our modern lives, we rely so much on electricity for entertainment, communication, working from home, and more. This year, set your home up for success with the help of a qualified electrician.

ACI Northwest is here to help. Contact us today with any questions about electrical wiring.

AFUE Ratings for Furnaces: What You Should Know

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 09:51:39 GMT

When you’re researching new furnaces to replace your old one, efficiency is probably one of your top concerns. This may be partly for environmental reasons to keep your carbon footprint from getting too big. But it’s also for financial reasons because an inefficient heating system will cost a lot more money to run.

Looking at the details of any furnace, you might have spotted the acronym “AFUE” and wondered what exactly it means. AFUE is a rating system for measuring the efficiency of a furnace. Knowing what rating to look for will help you choose the right furnace. Here are the details.

Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency

AFUE stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. It’s a ratio of the amount of fuel a heating system uses over the course of a year’s heating compared to the amount of heat it produces. You’ll see it expressed as a percentage. The higher the percentage, the more heating energy is produced by the same amount of fuel or power. Sounds simple, right? But there’s a little more to it.

Gas Furnaces

For many decades, gas furnaces tended to convert about 70% of the energy they consumed to heat in the homes they were in. This means that 30% was wasted, allowed to escape with the exhaust. This percentage did gradually improve, and chances are, if you have a gas furnace that you’re considering replacing, it’s more than ten years old and has an AFUE of around 80%.

Since then, major advances have been made. 86-90% is considered mid-range for gas furnace efficiency. Some gas furnaces, called condensing furnaces, use a slightly different system and can have an AFUE as high as 98.5. The good news is that it will be easy to find a gas furnace replacement in Spokane, WA that is more efficient than your old one. But is that the best choice?

Electric Furnaces

The AFUE rating here is very simple. Electric furnaces don’t allow heat to escape with exhaust. They operate at 100% efficiency. No energy is lost. It all becomes heat for your home. Amazing, right? But there is a catch. Natural gas and electricity don’t cost the same amount.

Utility Costs

It would be pretty unusual to find electricity that is more affordable than natural gas in any given area. Almost always, natural gas will be the cheaper option. However, if your home is not connected to your local utility company’s natural gas lines, it would need to be connected, which is an added cost you should weigh. In some places, it might not be possible at all.

Environmental Impact

Another piece you might want to weigh is where the electricity your furnace would consume comes from. Sometimes people assume electricity is a cleaner energy source than natural gas without realizing their electricity comes from something like a coal plant. On the other hand, if you have solar panels, electricity would definitely be the greener option.

If you have specific questions about how to weigh these factors in considering what furnace to get for your home, a member of our team would be happy to help you get answers.

ACI Northwest is here to help. Contact us today with any questions about furnace efficiency.

Why a Whole House Generator Is a Great Gift for the Family

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 09:48:29 GMT

There’s nothing worse than watching kids open gifts on Christmas and then realizing you don’t have the batteries they need, is there? What about having the power go out on a major holiday? That’s definitely worse! But if you had a whole house generator, a power outage wouldn’t even dim your Christmas lights.

There are a lot of families realizing they have enough (or too many!) things in their homes already and considering giving gifts that improve the quality of life without filling their houses with more stuff. A whole house generator is a perfect gift, one that can keep everything running smoothly under challenging circumstances. Consider these benefits.

Continuity of Power

If you have a portable generator, you have to fuel it up and get it started after you realize the power has gone out. With a whole house generator, it comes on automatically when an outage happens. There’s nothing you need to do about it. So if you’re asleep, or away from home, your refrigerator will stay cold and your heat will keep running with no interruptions.

Whole House Power

Portable generators usually only create a small amount of power. You must choose between things you would otherwise consider essential, because you can’t power them all, and you have to connect things with extension cords. Do you want to keep the heat going? Or do you want to prevent the freezer full of food from spoiling? Do you even have enough extension cords? Are they long enough to reach?

A whole house generator can power your whole house. No difficult choices, no spoiled food, no scurrying to connect the things that are your top priorities. Everything from the air conditioner to the coffee maker can operate as usual.

Safety

Portable generators come with a wide array of safety concerns. If they’re not vented properly, carbon monoxide poisoning can result. You need to keep highly flammable fuel in your home at all times in case you need it. If you don’t have that fuel, you need to hurry out to get some in whatever foul weather caused the outage. And of course there’s the minor hazard of tripping over extension cords.

A whole house generator is professionally installed with a safe, permanent ventilation system, so there’s no risk of exhaust getting into the air you breathe. There’s no need for jugs of fuel because it connects to your local natural gas supply line. You won’t even need to step out into a storm to start it up. And there are definitely no extension cords to worry about.

The Professional Touch

The process of assessing your home’s electrical needs and selecting and installing the right whole house generator in Hayden, ID requires a qualified professional. A member of our team would be delighted to get you started on that path so that you can impress your family with your amazing choice of holiday gift.

ACI Northwest is here to help. Contact us today with any questions about whole house generators.

6 Signs You Need Boiler Repair

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 09:45:21 GMT

A boiler is a fantastic heating system. Not only does it provide even heat throughout your home, it can keep doing it for twenty years! (Of course, it will only last that long if you have regular maintenance done.) Boilers even require fewer repairs than furnaces. But no system works perfectly forever.

If you do have boiler problems, it’s important to address them promptly. Make sure you notice right away by reviewing these signs that you need boiler repair.

1: Noises

This is the most noticeable indicator of a boiler problem. Another positive thing about boilers is how quietly they operate. If it’s not as quiet as usual, and you’re hearing crackling, clunking, or kettling like an enormous kettle boiling, it’s time for boiler repair in Spokane, WA .

2: Cold Areas

Your boiler circulates hot water throughout a system of radiators, baseboard registers, or under-floor piping. If part of your home is feeling chilly, chances are, the hot water is not reaching that part of the system. Whether it’s a problem with the pipes themselves or with the circulator pump, get it checked out by a professional right away.

3: Cycling Off

Like any heating system, a boiler runs in cycles. It comes on when the thermostat registers that the temperature has reached the lower threshold, and once your home reaches the upper temperature threshold, it turns off. But if those cycles are very short, or the boiler shuts off within a minute or two of starting up, repairs are needed. This can indicate low water pressure or a problem with a pump.

4: Leaks

If you spot dripping or puddles around your boiler, don’t panic, but do get a technician in right away. There are three possible causes: the boiler itself failing, a more minor leak from a loose connection or the pressure relief valve, or a simple buildup of condensation. Water damage is not something you want to deal with, so don’t delay in addressing the issue.

5: Pilot Problems

A pilot that goes out frequently is a definite cause for concern. Chances are, the assembly just needs professional cleaning, but it needs to be done urgently to avoid a gas hazard. And if the pilot light is any color other than blue, you’re at serious risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, so shut off the gas entirely and get emergency repairs.

6: Utility Bill Spikes

Many issues with heating systems of all kinds cause the system to be inefficient. As the heater, furnace, or boiler tries harder and harder to operate despite the problem it’s struggling with, it will consume more and more energy. If you spot a spike in your utility bill, your boiler is a likely culprit.

Operating despite an unrepaired problem causes a lot of wear and tear to the boiler. This will lead to minor issues becoming major ones, or total breakdowns happening. It will also make it much harder for your boiler to reach its 15-20 year lifespan. Avoid bigger problems by promptly addressing problems while they’re just starting.

ACI Northwest is here to help. Contact us today with any questions about your furnace.

Is Your Heating System Holiday-Ready?

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 09:40:13 GMT

Happy autumn! It’s the season of cozy holiday gatherings. But if your home isn’t cozy, it can really spoil the season. Is your heating system ready to perform well and keep your family and your guests warm and festive? Here’s how to make sure.

Schedule Regular Fall Heating Maintenance

This should always be your first order of business as you prepare for the weather to get chilly. There might be a lot of things on your fall to-do list, but don’t let this one be forgotten. Heating maintenance is absolutely critical for many reasons.

Safety: If you have a gas furnace, maintenance ensures that there are no leaks, that the ignition system is working properly, the fuel is being fully combusted, and the heat exchanger is in good condition. If your heating system is electrical, maintenance will help prevent other safety hazards such as an electrical fire.
Efficiency: A year’s hard work will decrease heating efficiency by about 5%, but maintenance will bring it back up so you won’t have increased utility bills.
Effectiveness: Airflow problems, blocked ducts, and many other issues can prevent your heating system from creating enough heat or from circulating it effectively. Maintenance will keep you cozy.
Reduced Repair Needs: Up to 85% of potential repair needs can be eliminated because maintenance addresses issues like dusty buildup and lack of lubrication. It’s also a chance to catch small problems early before major repairs are needed.
Extended System Life: Put off replacing your heating system for as long as possible by making sure it stays in tip-top condition.

Get Repairs as Promptly as Possible

If your heating system is behaving oddly, a quick check-up from a qualified technician should be done right away. Prompt heating repair in Coeur d’Alene, ID can save you from a holiday-disrupting breakdown or from having to replace your heating system. Get repairs right away if you spot any of these concerning signs.

New noises such as rattling, booming, groaning, grinding, whining, or screeching
Strange smells such as rotten eggs, fish, or burning plastic
Insufficient heat in general or from certain vents
Cold spots or rooms that simply never quite get cozy enough
Shortened heating cycles when the system turns on, off, and on again in a span of just a few minutes

Consider Replacement Before an Emergency

If your heating system is getting old, has rarely been maintained, needs frequent small repairs, or is currently in need of a major repair, replacement is on the horizon. Waiting could mean having to schedule replacement in a huge rush during a cold snap in January. Planning replacement on your terms might be better than continuing to invest in costly repairs for an old or failing furnace.

If you’re not sure what condition your furnace is in or how much longer you can reasonably expect it to function, these are great questions to ask your technician during a maintenance or repair appointment. Having as much information as possible about the system that keeps your home warm and welcoming will help you to be the best holiday host this season.

ACI Northwest is here to help. Contact us today with any questions about your furnace.

6 Spooky Sounds Your Furnace Shouldn’t Make

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 09:36:11 GMT

As Halloween approaches, you’re surrounded by creepy sights and sounds. You might even be staying up late and re-watching your old favorite scary movies. You’re more likely than usual to get jumpy when you hear a strange sound coming from your basement!

You can expect to hear spooky sounds coming from your neighbor’s collection of outdoor Halloween decorations, or from your children as they try on their costumes and practice frightening each other. You should not hear spooky sounds from your furnace! If you do, the furnace needs repair. Keep an ear out for these warning signs.

The way to have a heating system that you’ll be happy with for many years to come is to carefully evaluate your options. Different approaches to heating will work better for different homes, families, and budgets. Radiant heating systems are a fantastic choice for many people. Take time to consider the pros and cons of this option. It might be right for you!

1: Groaning

If you think you hear the groan of a ghoul, or perhaps something more like grinding, chances are, this is coming from the furnace’s motor. There are bearings which keep it moving smoothly, and if they wear down, it can make a groaning sound. Have the bearings replaced and re-lubricated promptly so you don’t end up burning out the whole motor and having to replace that!

2: Rattling

Is it the chains of a ghost? No, the rattling sound is probably a loose component in your furnace. A fan wobbling off-kilter, for example, can make quite a clatter. Chances are, this is a sound that can be stopped with a simple repair, but if it’s allowed to continue, and a loose component breaks free entirely, it can end up being a more complex repair.

3: Shrieking

A sudden screech is certainly an alarming noise to hear! It’s possible for the worn bearings we already mentioned to make this noise, but it can also be from the belt that connects the fan to the motor. If this is tearing or slipping out of position, this is another case of a prompt repair preventing disaster. You don’t want the belt to fly loose and damage other components!

4: Booming

Sssss-WHOOSH! The initial release of gas followed by the ignition should be pretty quiet. If the boom of ignition is loud, that’s because of a delay: too much gas is being released before the burners are lit. This wastes fuel and can be hazardous, so that sound is a clear sign that it’s time for furnace repair in Hayden, ID.

5: Whistling

Distinct from the mechanical shrieking mentioned above, this is a sound of air being forced through a small opening, just like how a whistling sound is produced by a mouth. Check your air filter first. It may be that it’s so clogged, that air is being pulled around the filter instead of through it. If not, there may be a crack or tear in your ductwork, wasting costly energy and letting your precious heat escape.

6: Hissing

No, it’s not a black cat. This is the sound of something that is under pressure leaking out of a line. If you have a heat pump, chances are, a hiss indicates a refrigerant leak, which is a definite problem but not a serious safety hazard. But with a gas furnace, that sound could be a gas leak. Turn off the furnace and get help immediately, even if it’s the middle of the night on a holiday weekend.

Any unexpected noise from your furnace should be taken seriously, so if you hear something that wasn’t on this list, just ask, and we’ll figure out what’s wrong.

ACI Northwest is here to help. Contact us today with any questions about your furnace.

Pros and Cons of Radiant Heating Systems

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 09:32:28 GMT

When you’re building a new home, or remodeling your home, there are so many different things to consider. It can start to be completely overwhelming! You might be tempted to make quick decisions about certain aspects, going with whatever option is familiar just to simplify your process. But when it comes to your heating system, you don’t want to rush your decision.

What Is Radiant Heating?

When most people talk about radiant heating, they mean a system that is laid under flooring, often called radiant floor heating or just floor heating. It can use electric heating cables, sort of like an electric blanket or heating pad, but more often it uses a hydronic or liquid system. Hot water runs through pipes under the floor to provide warmth.

Hot water systems that use radiators or registers are another common form of radiant heating that you might be more familiar with. Hydronic radiant floor heat uses the same principles with a different approach to where the pipes full of hot water are installed.

The Pros of Radiant Heating

Evenness: Other common forms of heating such as furnaces (whether gas or electric) rely on air to distribute the warmth throughout the home. This can be ineffective or unpredictable, leaving some rooms extra warm while others have cold spots. Radiant systems, whether in-floor or through registers, provide heat that is more consistent and even.
Air Quality: The forced air of other heating systems stirs up dust and contaminants in your home. Systems of ductwork provide places for moisture to pool and mold to grow, or for pollen to accumulate, and when the heat comes on, the airflow distributes these allergens through your home. Radiant heating is often preferred by people with allergies or respiratory concerns.
Maintenance and Repair: The boiler which provides hot water to the radiant system only has one major mechanical component, the circulator pump. Furnaces have many more parts that can break down. Boilers require less maintenance, repairs are rare, and the boiler can have a life expectancy almost twice that of a gas furnace—30 years compared to 15!

The Cons of Radiant Heating

Installation: Whether you’re considering floor heating or baseboard registers, the installation of these systems is more complex, time-consuming, and expensive than the installation of a furnace.
Heating Speed: If your home’s temperature has dropped significantly, it takes a radiant system longer to bring the whole home to a comfortable temperature than it would take for a forced-air system to do the same job.
Space: If you do choose radiators or baseboard registers, they will be visible and take up some space in every room of your house.

If you have questions about how radiant heating could be integrated into your home, a member of our team would be happy to talk with you about radiant heat service in Coeur d’Alene, ID.

ACI Northwest is here to help. Contact us today to discuss home heating options.

When to Repair Vs Replace a Water Heater

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 09:28:52 GMT

Any time a major appliance starts to act up, a homeowner starts to worry. Is this an urgent problem? Do I need to schedule an appointment right away? Is it something that can be repaired? Or will I have to replace the whole thing?

When it comes to water heaters, you’ll have the same questions when something goes wrong. The good news is that many water heater issues are often repairable. Here are some pointers on when you need repair and when it’s time to think about replacement.

It’s Time for Repair When…

You hear an odd noise: The most common odd noise to hear from a tank water heater is a rumble. It might sound like the water is boiling in there. Chances are, it’s sediment in the tank that has settled out of the water. This makes a strange sound when water percolates through it, and it can be flushed to wash the sediment out. Any other odd noise also indicates that it’s time for repair.
The temperature drops: Water heaters have multiple heating elements. If one of them fails, you’ll still have warm water, just not hot water. When you get water heater repair in Spokane, WA , your plumber can replace the broken element.
The hot water runs out too quickly: If it used to last longer, it might be that pesky sediment again, taking up space in the tank that should be holding plenty of hot water.
Your water and energy bills increase: While a utility bill that covers other appliances might increase for many reasons, and of course leaky plumbing would account for wasted water, if they both go up, your water heater is likely the culprit.

It’s Time to Consider Replacement When…

You see puddles below the water heater: Cracks in metal can close up tight when the metal cools down, so you might not see a crack in your tank that is opening up when it gets hot. But you will see the puddles. Your water heater can’t be patched. A plumber can make sure the leak isn’t coming from a loose connection, but if it’s the tank itself, it needs to be replaced.
Your hot water is discolored: A component called the anode rod helps to delay the day when the tank itself begins to rust. Eventually, though, the tank will succumb to corrosion. A plumber can make sure the source of the discoloration isn’t elsewhere in your plumbing and then help you consider your replacement options.
Your water heater is getting old: A well-maintained tank water heater might last 10-12 years. A tankless system might last twenty. Lack of maintenance will shorten those lifespans. If you’ve got problems that need repair, but your water heater is near the end of its life expectancy, replacement may be a better investment.

The Importance of Professional Installation

It’s all too common for plumbers to be called to repair water heaters whose problems began with amateur or DIY installation. Don’t let this happen to you! Proper professional installation will help your water heater run effectively and efficiently and without frequent repairs. In the case of a gas water heater, installation by a licensed plumber is a legal requirement in many jurisdictions to avoid gas line hazards.

ACI Northwest is here to help. Contact us today to discuss water heater repair or replacement.

Problems Associated with Poor Commercial Lighting

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 09:24:36 GMT

Is it time to evaluate the lighting in your business or commercial property? People can become very accustomed to whatever lighting they are used to experiencing day in and day out. But being accustomed to something doesn’t mean there aren’t problems associated with it. It can be absolutely remarkable how much of a positive impact better lighting can have! There are two categories of problems with poor commercial lighting: technical issues and human resources issues. Here’s what we mean by that.

Technical Issues

These are problems that have technical causes. This can encompass a wide variety of things that require the attention of a qualified electrician.

Wiring Problems: If you simply have a flickering light, try tightening the bulb while the light is off and you’re wearing a heavy glove. If that doesn’t resolve it, or if many lights flicker or you also notice that switch plates are warm to the touch or there is a smell like overheated plastic, you should be very concerned about the wiring. Wires can become kinked, pinched, or shorted, or connections can become loose. This can cause a devastating electrical fire. You need commercial lighting services in Hayden, ID to prevent that horrifying outcome.
Electrical Panel Problems: While flickering lights may be the first sign you spot when you need an electrical panel upgrade, you might also notice circuit breakers tripping frequently or a crackling sound or burning smell coming from the electrical panel itself. Again, this is a fire hazard and needs to be addressed immediately.
Outdated Technology: Older generations of commercial lighting used a lot more energy than today’s options and gave a poorer quality of light. Cut your electric bill and brighten things up by modernizing your lighting.

Human Resources Issues

These are problems that affect your employees or tenants that could be eliminated or improved with a lighting upgrade.

Decreased Productivity: When workers struggle to see or are frustrated with dim or flickering lighting, they can’t do their best work. Tasks may take longer, have to be redone, or be completed with less precision.
Decreased Wellbeing: Dim, flickering, or poorly-placed lighting can lead to eyestrain, headaches, and bad moods. Employees are more likely to take time off work if they aren’t feeling their best. Customers are less likely to enjoy spending time—and money—in your businesses.
Safety Hazards: Poor lighting can lead to difficulty assessing risk or being precise enough to avoid risks. This is of greatest concern when dangerous equipment is in use, but in any business, tripping over or bumping into something because of poor lighting can lead to injuries.

Our electricians are highly trained and qualified to assess problems with commercial lighting and propose solutions that resolve the problems while staying within your budget. Whether you have outrageous electric bills from your old-fashioned lighting, serious electrical safety concerns, or a desire to improve the aesthetics of your space, the happiness of your employees, and overall company culture, our team is ready to assist you.

ACI Northwest is here to help. Contact us today to discuss your commercial building’s lighting.

Common Repair Issues With Rooftop HVAC Units

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 09:17:04 GMT

Commercial buildings widely rely on rooftop HVAC units. This is because they are truly ideal for a long list of reasons: they’re effective, they’re quiet, they have excellent air circulation, they’re out of the way, and more.

But no system is flawless. Every complex system requires maintenance and there’s always a chance that something will go wrong. What can go wrong with rooftop HVAC units? Here are some of the repair needs that are most likely to come up.

Why DIY Wiring Is a Bad Idea

In a residential air conditioner, the condenser coils are in the outdoor unit, and are thus vulnerable to getting messy from mud splatters or sprayed-on lawn clippings. In a commercial HVAC unit, both the condenser coils and the evaporator coils are in the rooftop unit. There’s not likely to be a lot of lawn mowing going on up there on the roof, but there is considerable opportunity for dirt and mess.

The evaporator coils soak up heat from the building, and the condenser coils disperse that heat. When either is caked with dirt, it’s as though the coils are insulated, slowing down the absorption or the dispersal of that heat. This makes the whole system work harder and can result in breakdowns of the motors or even compressors.

Refrigerant Leaks

The refrigerant flows through the coils, and these are often made of copper tubing. As the system ages, this tubing can deteriorate, leading to cracking that lets the refrigerant leak out. In a system that has become degraded from advanced age, it may be a better investment to replace the system than try to fix it. But sometimes refrigerant leaks occur in newer systems, often because of accidental damage to the coils. In this case, the leaky spots can be sealed, and the system can be refilled with refrigerant.

Overblown Blower

If the blower just won’t stop, it’s likely an electrical issue. This could be a stuck relay, a failing limit switch, or because the thermostat is miscalibrated, has wiring issues, or is just plain dying and in need of replacement. A qualified commercial HVAC technician can diagnose the exact cause.

Preventing Repair Needs

The best way to make sure your commercial building’s HVAC system encounters as few problems as possible is to have regular maintenance done. This will keep the coils clean, reduce friction and wear and tear, improve efficiency, maximize cooling power, and catch problems while they’re still very small, before they have a chance to cause expensive damage or inconvenient HVAC failures.

ACI Northwest is here to help. Contact us today to discuss your commercial building’s HVAC system.

4 Common Ductless AC Repairs

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 10:38:47 GMT

Ductless systems—whether just for air conditioning or with a heat pump for home heating as well—are impressive feats of engineering. Benefits include very high efficiency, zone control both for customizable comfort and for reducing energy use, and their ability to be used in homes without ducts that would otherwise not have access to whole-home air conditioning.

But because of their unique configurations, they do experience some unique problems. While major repair needs are rare, they do happen, and if you know the signs and can catch them early, you can minimize their impact. Here are four of the things about ductless systems which differ from central AC systems, and where problems can occur.

1: Condensate Drainage

Any time refrigerant runs through coils, condensation will collect on the outside of those coils because of the difference in temperature between the refrigerant and the air—just like the difference in temperature between your icy beverage and the air causes moisture to develop on the outside of your glass. With multiple air handlers throughout your home, ductless systems have refrigerant coils in multiple locations.

Any AC system can have condensate leaks or clogs in its drainage systems, but with more places for condensate to collect, there are more chances for something to go wrong. Get AC repair in Spokane, WA right away if you notice dripping from a ductless air handler, water stains on the wall below an air handler, or a mildew smell that indicates mold is growing in moisture in your system.

2: Refrigerant Coils

As mentioned above, while the evaporator or indoor refrigerant coils of a traditional central air conditioner are concentrated in a single location, in ductless systems, the refrigerant travels to each air handler separately. With refrigerant flowing to more places, you need to be alert to any possibility that a coil has been damaged and could be leaking.

Refrigerant leaks can cause hissing or bubbling sounds, a sweet chemical smell, decreased cooling power, and increased energy usage (and thus increased electric bills). They must be addressed promptly to avoid straining the compressor.

3: Blower Fans

Again, each air handler has its own blower fan, which means there are more fans—and more motors powering those fans—than you would have in a central air conditioner. And if your ductless system is a heat pump, those fans are used all year round rather than just in the summer. Clattering sounds, lack of airflow, or the system short cycling can all be signs of a problem with the blower fan or motor.

4: Installation

As you can certainly tell by now, ductless systems are complex. Any miscalculations or misalignments during installation can lead to major problems down the line. Always make sure that a new ductless system is installed by qualified, experienced technicians, and if you have concerns about your system or questions about how well it was installed, get professional help right away.

ACI Northwest is here to help. Contact us today to discuss your ductless AC system or heat pump.

6 Wiring Services a Professional Electrician Can Help With

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 10:35:43 GMT

You may be surprised to hear all the things a qualified professional electrician’s job can include. If you’re a new homeowner or a homeowner with a new reason to consider your electrical systems, it can help to know exactly what services electricians offer. Take a look at this list and when you have projects or concerns that may overlap with these services, it’s time to consult an electrician.

1: New Wiring

If you’re building a home, it’s obvious that you’ll need an electrician to do your wiring. But you’ll also need an electrician for wiring services in Hayden, ID if you’re building an addition, remodeling a room, or enclosing an attic or garage to be used as living space. The existing wiring may be insufficient and the layout will not be ideal for the space’s new use, so new wiring will be necessary.

2: Updating Wiring

There are many reasons to give your wiring an upgrade. Perhaps it’s quite old, and you’ve spotted antique-looking, cloth-wrapped electrical wiring. Maybe you’ve got reason to be concerned such as flickering lights or outlets that don’t work. Or it could just be that you’re not happy with the layout. After all, our electrical needs have changed a lot in recent decades, and even pretty recently, homes were not built with 2020’s technological needs in mind.

3: Installing Lighting

Whether indoors or out, lighting requires modifications and additions to your home’s electrical wiring. Make sure it’s done right the first time and avoid the risks of damaging your new lights or creating safety hazards by hiring a reliable and highly trained professional electrician.

4: Installing Fans

Many of the fans in a home are wired directly into the electrical system. When you need to put in or upgrade ceiling fans, bathroom vent fans, or kitchen exhaust fans, it’s time to call an electrician.

5: Safety Systems

Whether it’s a whole-house surge protector to avoid major electrical damage or irreparable harm to your expensive electronics, or hard-wired smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, you should never gamble with your safety by choosing to DIY important electrical work.

6: Pool and Hot Tub Wiring

If you haven’t had a pool or hot tub installed before, it might not have occurred to you that you’ll need the help of an electrician. As you plan for your pool or hot tub, don’t forget to take that into account.

Other Services Electricians Provide

The above services all have to do with running wiring. But there are other things electricians do: installing appliances, upgrading electrical panels or circuit breaker boxes, doing safety inspections of electrical systems, auditing a home’s electrical use to determine the cause of excessive electric bills, and troubleshooting a wide array of electrical issues. If you have any questions or concerns about your home and you think an electrician might be the right person to discuss it with, don’t hesitate to reach out!

ACI Northwest is here to help. Contact us today to discuss your electrical needs.

5 Benefits of Ductless Mini Split AC

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 10:30:27 GMT

What kind of air conditioning system do you have? A traditional central air conditioner? Window units? While these are quite common and useful, sometimes people are inclined to just use what they’re familiar with rather than try something new.

But a different option might actually be so much better! With a little information, you might find that you do want to try something new, and that something might be a ductless mini split. Here’s why.

1: No Need for Ducts

While most homes built from the 1970s onward have ductwork, not all of them do, and older homes definitely don’t. Also, old ductwork that’s been in place for decades may have been damaged throughout the years, or might just be deteriorating from age, leading to air leaking out, dust coming in, and major inefficiency.

A mini split system involves mounting ductless air handlers on the walls of your home, with no need for ductwork. It’s perfect for homes that never had it and for homes that would require significant duct repair or replacement in order for the ducts to function.

2: Zone Control

When we use the term “mini split,” what it means is that instead of having a single central indoor AC unit, the cooling power is split between multiple air handlers. The amazing part is that each air handler has its own thermostat! This means you don’t have to keep your whole home at the same temperature. Family members who prefer different climates for their rooms or work areas will all be perfectly comfortable.

3: Reduced Utility Bills

Zone control provides more than just comfort. If you’re able to keep just certain portions of your home at ideal temperatures—for example, if you’re home alone and will only be in one part of the house for the day—you can eliminate the cost of using all that cooling power to chill your whole home unnecessarily.

And that’s not the only way that a ductless mini split can save you money. Even at full power, they are very efficient, mostly because they use smaller fan motors that require much less energy. And without ducts, you won’t have duct leaks, which can allow up to 30% of your conditioned air to escape, forcing you to pay for AC you don’t get to enjoy.

4: Improved Air Quality

Remember that dust we mentioned that can be pulled into your ductwork? If ducts are damaged, the pressure can suck in air from unoccupied areas like your attic. That air can include all kinds of contaminants besides the innocent-sounding dust: stuff like rodent mess and insulation fibers. Another way that ducts can deliver dirty air is when mold grows inside them! With a ductless system, you won’t have any of these air quality issues.

5: Heating and Cooling

Maybe all you really need is AC installation in Coeur d’Alene, ID , but maybe you’re concerned about your heater as well. While a ductless system can just be an air conditioner, the heat pump version can provide year-round climate control by reversing the flow of the refrigerant, bringing warmth into your home when it’s chilly outside.

ACI Northwest is here to help with your AC needs. Contact us today to learn more about ductless mini splits.

The Benefits of an Electrical Service Plan in Spokane, WA

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 10:26:58 GMT

You probably know that routine annual maintenance is strongly recommended for air conditioners and heating systems, and in fact required in order to keep those systems in compliance with warranty requirements. But you might not have thought about the electrical system in your home. Perhaps it only crosses your mind when you have an electrical problem, like an outlet that doesn’t work, lights that flicker, or a tripped circuit breaker. Maintenance is important for the electrical work in your home and can prevent serious problems. We urge you to consider an electrical service plan.

Electrical Problems Are Extremely Hazardous

While having maintenance done on your air conditioner will have many benefits, such as improving efficiency and decreasing repair needs, the air conditioner is extremely unlikely to burn your house down. When it comes to electrical problems, there are some very serious dangers.

First, let’s discuss electric shock. Now, homes in the US have electrical current running through their wires at 120 volts. Exposure to this is unlikely to be fatal under most circumstances. But for a person with a cardiac vulnerability—and many people have heart conditions they don’t know about—it is much more dangerous. Also, salt water is an amazing conductor of electricity. This means that a dry person is at fairly low risk from 120 volts, but that same exposure to a sweaty person could be lethal.

Second, electricity produces heat. While wiring that is in good condition keeps that heat contained, wiring that is fraying or connections that are coming apart allow that energy to escape. In addition to electric shock, the big risk here is fire.

According to one statistic from the National Fire Protection Association, 6% of house fires and 11% of house fire-related deaths were caused by electrical wiring and related equipment. Another way electrical problems can contribute to house fires is that modern smoke detectors are hardwired. They do have backup batteries, but as we all know, it’s hard to remember to change out smoke detector batteries regularly. If your electrical problem affects your smoke detectors, you might not have enough warning to escape your home if there is a fire.

Electrical Maintenance is Safe and Sensible

When an electrician performs maintenance, the unacceptable risks listed above will be dramatically reduced. Your electrical panel (also called a circuit breaker) will be cleaned, inspected, and tested. Switches and outlets, including GFCI outlets both interior and exterior, will be checked for secure wiring.

Surge protectors will be inspected, smoke detectors will be tested, and the electrician will even check on built-in electrical appliances such as ceiling fans. They’ll also note anything that poses a risk—for example, Electrical Safety Foundation International states that 3,300 house fires are caused by extension cords each year—and help you come up with a safer solution.

We have a variety of maintenance plans and would love to help you select an electrical service plan in Spokane, WA that is ideal for your home. Then you can enjoy the vast array of benefits like discounts on repairs and priority customer status as well as safety and peace of mind.

ACI Northwest is here to help with your electrical needs. Contact us today to learn more about our maintenance plans.

How an Energy Recovery Ventilator Helps Your Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 10:23:47 GMT

Heating and cooling a home uses a lot of energy. In fact, according to the EPA, 53% of the energy usage of the average American single-family home is due to heating and cooling!

That means that keeping your climate control more efficient can save you a ton of money. And the best way to heat and cool more effectively is to weatherize your home, sealing up every draft and crack, right?

But if you seal your home up tight, humidity, contaminants, and allergens will be trapped inside. How can you get fresh air without wasting energy? An energy recovery ventilator might be exactly what you need to improve your indoor air quality while maintaining your efficiency.

Causes of Poor Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air quality, or IAQ, can be negatively impacted by a wide variety of things. Some of these are natural, though natural does not necessarily mean good. For example, mold spores are perfectly natural, but you don’t want to be breathing them, and if they build up in your home, you can end up with a very unpleasant mildew problem.

Smelly foot bacteria from shoes and cooking odors from yesterday’s fish are natural too, but not very nice. And some indoor air contaminants are not so natural, like chemical compounds that off-gas from carpet or linger after you use cleaning products. You don’t want these things to stay trapped in your house forever.

How Energy Recovery Ventilators Work

An energy recovery ventilator or ERV can be installed as part of your home’s HVAC system. It allows fresh air to enter your home and stale air to be vented out. But it does not just let cold air in to waste your energy and drive up your heating bills in winter, or let hot air in during the summer. It actually adjusts the temperature of the incoming air in an extremely energy-efficient way.

The two streams of air, incoming and outgoing, are contained in separate channels. However, those are contained against one another in such a way that the outgoing air will affect the temperature of the incoming air.

So in the summer, cool, conditioned air on its way out of your home is held against the incoming hot air to lower its temperature, and in the winter, the reverse is true. And while heat recovery ventilators only affect the temperature of the air they cycle, energy recovery ventilators in Hayden, ID also control for humidity.

How Indoor Air Quality Is Improved

With fresh air coming in and stale air going out, you’ll be able to get rid of contaminants of all varieties. Outdoor air has much lower levels of contamination than indoor air. Pet odors, sneaker stink, and other unpleasant aromas will be wafted away and you’ll be breathing fresh-smelling air.

And when humidity is kept at reasonable levels, those mold spores will have a much harder time reproducing and growing mold colonies in your home. When indoor air quality is poor, people report more frequent asthma attacks, allergy symptoms, and headaches, as well as low energy levels, difficulty sleeping, and bad moods. When that air quality is improved, the improvement in those symptoms can be absolutely amazing.

ACI Northwest is here to help with your indoor air quality. Contact us today to learn more about energy recovery ventilators.

Why You Need an Electrician for a Hot Tub Installation

Mon, 22 May 2023 10:16:43 GMT

Congratulations on your decision to get a hot tub! What a wonderful addition that will be to your home. But first, you need to make some more important decisions. Who will install your hot tub? Can you do it yourself? For many reasons, this is a job for a qualified electrician. Here’s why.

The Risks of Amateur Hot Tub Installation

When considering whether to DIY a job around the house or enlist the help of a professional, one of the most important factors to weigh is what the risks are if doing it yourself goes badly. There are a few aspects of risk to keep in mind: safety, potential damage, and additional cost. Here are some of the risks you would face if you chose to install your hot tub yourself or if you hired an amateur to help you.

Safety: The hazard of electric shock should never be taken lightly. When it comes to any appliance that has electrical components, and especially the installation of equipment that involves connecting directly to your home’s wiring, only a person with extensive training and experience can do the job safely.
Potential Damage: Amateur electrical work can lead to other terrifying outcomes in addition to immediate electric shock and one of the worst is electrical fires. This kind of damage could destroy your home. It makes the other risks, like water damage and subsequent mold infestation from a poorly installed hot tub, seem minor in comparison.
Additional Cost: Any amount of money you invest in a DIY project or pay to an amateur is wasted as soon as you realize you need to call in a professional to do the job properly. But worse than that, if you damage the hot tub or any of its components, you may end up needing to replace them.
The Warranty: And finally, your hot tub probably came with a warranty, and most warranty agreements require that the installation be done by a professional. Voiding your warranty before you even get to use your hot tub would mean sacrificing the money-saving benefit of having the manufacturer potentially pay for parts or repairs at some point in the future.

The Benefits of Professional Installation by an Electrician

In addition to avoiding those risks, there are other benefits to working with a qualified electrician in the process of getting your hot tub installed.

Knowledge of Legal Requirements: Local electrical codes are there for safety reasons, and your electrician will know them and be prepared to comply with them. The benefit here is not just safety-related, though. If, for example, you ever sell or rent your home, it will need to be inspected, and failure to meet these codes could cause hassle and expense then.
Streamlining the Process: Because of your electrician’s training and experience in hot tub installation in Coeur d’Alene, ID , they will not have to take their time and figure things out as they go. The whole process will be as straightforward and quick as possible.
Decreasing Repair Needs: When tiny things go wrong with an amateur installation, they might not be spotted right away. But these little errors can lead to growing problems. Amateur installation is one of the leading causes of the need for repairs of any appliance.

Make sure your new hot tub experience is one of enjoyment, not disappointment, by relying on a professional electrician for installation.

ACI Northwest is here to help with your hot tub installation. Contact us today .

Why Opt for Newly Fabricated Ducts?

Mon, 08 May 2023 10:11:29 GMT

If you are building or remodeling a structure for your business, the HVAC system is a critical part of planning for the people using the space. Many companies use prefabricated ducts which is a reasonable solution. However, there are some significant drawbacks. We’d like to share some of the major benefits of having commercial HVAC ductwork newly fabricated to suit your exact needs.

Saving Space

When your ductwork is able to be created to fit the existing space or design, you can avoid bulky intrusions. This will allow more of your square footage to be used for your business as well as being streamlined and visually pleasing.

Efficiency

To make prefabricated ducts fit into a space or design, it’s likely that more joints and bends will be required. This opens up the possibility of more points of potential failure and more leaks, allowing the heated or conditioned air to escape in places where it isn’t needed.

Also, if the ducts are too wide or too narrow for the needs of the space but were chosen because they were readily available, it can cause the HVAC system to work harder, leading to higher utility bills.

3: Accessibility

When an HVAC system is working harder than it needs to, it accumulates more wear and tear. This leads to more frequent breakdowns and repair needs. This is both costly and inconvenient, and can even disrupt the operation of your business.

Worse, that system strain will take a toll on the life expectancy of your heating and air conditioning systems, forcing you to replace them sooner than you otherwise would have needed to. Commercial HVAC system replacement is a huge expense, so it’s critical to ensure that the system lasts as long as possible.

Comfort

Your employees will be happier and more productive, and your customers will spend more time and money in your building and return again sooner, if they are comfortable while they’re in your building. One major risk of prefabricated ductwork is a lack of balance in the distribution of the heated or conditioned air.

This means that some areas are likely to be too hot and others too cold. Not only does this mean a lack of comfort, but it can also mean increased inefficiency and utility bills if space heaters or other means of adjusting temperature end up being used.

Ease of Construction

When qualified commercial HVAC technicians assess your property and your needs and fabricate new ducts to suit them exactly, you won’t have the same struggles during construction or remodeling as you would with prefabricated ducts. You won’t have to compromise on your design in order to accommodate pre-made ducts. Your HVAC system and ductwork will fit smoothly into your plan.

When you’re planning to build or remodel your commercial property, work with a company that specializes in sheet metal ductwork fabrication in Spokane, WA , and rest assured that you’ll be delighted with both the process and the result.

ACI Northwest is here to help with your commercial building’s HVAC needs or concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact us for helpful advice. Contact us today .

3 Reasons Why Whole-House Generators Are a Great Investment

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 10:06:04 GMT

Having your power go out is a huge hassle. Whether it’s ice and snow, a summer electrical storm, or a utility pole taken out by a car accident, power outages can happen at any time. Being prepared for this means having a backup generator. While many people use portable generators, we’d like to offer three reasons to consider a whole-house generator instead.

1: Fuel Considerations

When you have a portable generator, you must have fuel on hand when the power goes out. Otherwise, you’ll be out in whatever weather caused the outage, trying to get fuel while everyone else scrambles to get fuel, too. It’s not convenient and defeats the purpose of the generator–to make dealing with a power outage easier.

Whole-house generators don’t require you to purchase tanks of fuel or keep them on hand. They run on natural gas, and like any natural gas appliance in the home, they are connected to your local provider with gas lines. This means the fuel will always be there when you need it.

2: Safety Considerations

Whole-house generators provide a much higher degree of safety than portable generators. There are several ways that you will avoid risks and hazards by having a whole-house generator in Coeur d’Alene, ID .

Ventilation: Portable generators create a lot of exhaust, and if they’re not safely vented far enough away from your home, they can contaminate your air with carbon monoxide. Whole-house generators are installed with safe and effective ventilation systems.
Outdoor Risks: When you have a portable generator, you need to go outdoors in whatever unsafe weather conditions may have caused the outage just to get the generator started up. And if you’re out of fuel, you may need to drive in hazardous weather to purchase more.
Fuel Risks: Keeping containers of highly-flammable fuel in your home, garage, or shed in order to be prepared to use your portable generator poses a fire hazard. With a whole-house generator, you won’t need to keep hazardous materials on hand.

3: Convenience-Related Considerations

Not only will a whole-house generator save you from trekking outdoors to procure fuel or turn your generator on, you won’t have to turn it on at all. It is integrated into your home’s systems so that it comes on automatically as soon as the power goes out.

That means you won’t have to wake up cold in the morning to discover that the power has been out all night. If you have a sump pump to prevent flooding, you won’t have to worry that if a storm takes out the power when you’re not there to turn on the generator, your basement will flood with stormwater.

And it has the capacity to power your entire home. With a portable generator’s limited capacity, you may be forced to choose between keeping your refrigerator running and keeping your home heated. A whole-house generator is just that: it generates power for your whole house.

ACI Northwest is here to help with your home comfort needs or concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact us for helpful advice. Contact us today .

Understanding Upflow and Downflow Furnaces

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 09:59:45 GMT

There are so many things to take into consideration when you’re purchasing a new furnace. What size do you need to keep your whole home cozy? What fuel will it use and is there anything you have to do to get that fuel, such as having your home connected to natural gas lines? How efficient is it and how much will it cost to run? One thing that you should definitely decide early in the furnace-shopping process is whether to get an upflow or downflow furnace.

What are the differences? What would be the reasons for choosing one over the other? Here is a primer for you so you can determine which makes the most sense for your home.

How Upflow Furnaces Work

What is meant by “flow” is the direction the air passes through the furnace. In an upflow furnace, air is drawn in from the bottom. When the air is heated, it comes out through the top and flows upward into the ductwork. The vents in the home are typically situated on the floors or low on the walls, allowing the heat to rise through the rooms.

How Downflow Furnaces Work

In a downflow furnace, the blower pulls air from above the furnace and it’s forced down to the combustion chamber. Once heated, the air goes down into the system of ductwork and is directed to vents that are often on the ceilings or upper portions of the walls of the home.

Considerations for Your Home

Upflow furnaces are almost always installed in basements, and downflow furnaces are usually installed in attics, though it’s possible to place them in the living space. If your home doesn’t have a basement, a downflow furnace in your attic is probably the easier, less-expensive choice.

If your home’s attic space doesn’t have a floor and is simply crossbeams and insulation, a floor will need to be installed in order for a downflow furnace to be an option. Even if there is a floor in your attic, the weight of a furnace is a great deal more than that of typical attic contents like boxes of holiday decorations. This means that the attic floor may need to be reinforced.

If your home already has vents placed in the floor or low on the walls, it may be more effective to stick with an upflow furnace, and to choose a downflow furnace if your home has vents placed in the ceiling or high up on the walls.

Considerations about Climate

Generally speaking, downflow furnaces are better suited to climates with short heating seasons and extremely hot summers. The reverse is true for upflow furnaces: they’re generally better for climates where temperatures often don’t rise above freezing for months. In our climate, where neither the summers nor the winters are very extreme, either could be a reasonable choice.

The Best Way to Choose

Consulting a professional to discuss your home and your heating needs is the only way to be certain exactly what all your options are. When you need more information about upflow vs downflow furnaces in Spokane, WA, our team will be happy to talk over all the details with you.

ACI Northwest is here to help with your home comfort needs or concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact us for helpful advice. Contact us today .

Why A Cracked Heat Exchanger Is Worrisome

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 05:44:54 GMT

Even when your furnace has received annual maintenance, it can still develop a need for expert repairs. Tune-ups can prevent a majority of repairs, just not all of them.

It makes sense that you’d want to address any furnace repair in Hayden, ID quickly, no matter what they are. This applies to repairs even at the end of the heating season. There are some repairs that are a bit more problematic. That’s what we’ll focus on today.

A cracked heat exchanger in your furnace can prove to be a problem for both your comfort and your safety. Read on to learn more and schedule your repair with a professional today.

The Problem With a Cracked Heat Exchanger

The heat exchanger is a component in a gas-powered furnace that holds combustion gas and allows the air to be warmed. The issue with a crack is that it allows those combustion gases, which can include toxic carbon monoxide, to escape the heat exchanger and into the air.

This is a problem for two reasons

Firstly, as you can likely imagine, exposure to carbon monoxide is extremely unhealthy. This can lead to CO poisoning which may include nausea, fatigue, dizziness, loss of appetite, and if exposed enough, coma or death. While a cracked heat exchanger will start out small, the sooner you address it, the better, as you’ll be less likely to encounter this kind of risk to your well-being.

Secondly, if the gas is escaping your heat exchanger, it cannot properly warm up the air that is blown into your home. This can lead to increased energy and fuel usage, increasing your energy bills even as your comfort level decreases.

The Warning Signs of a Cracked Heat Exchanger

Do you suspect that you have a cracked heat exchanger? If so, you want to address it before the symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure start to show up. Watch out for earlier warning signs of this issue such as:

Hissing noises: As gas escapes the heat exchanger it may cause a hissing noise.
Vibrating sounds: As the heat exchanger expands and the crack opens up, you may hear the sound of the cracked metal vibrating as the gas passes through it.
Reduced heating: A big red flag for any furnace issue will be when the furnace is unable to heat the home well.
Bad smells: Natural gas is infused with a chemical that creates a smell of sulfur or rotten eggs when it’s in the air.

What You Want Your Heat Exchanger To Do

Let’s work together to get your furnace working right again. If you notice any warning signs that you may have a cracked heat exchanger, reach out to us. We can assess your system and address the crack. This can get your heater back into prime operating condition, with the heat exchanger holding all combustion gases in order to safely heat the air before those gases are vented outside where they belong.

ACI Northwest is here to help with your home comfort needs or concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact us for helpful advice. Schedule your furnace repair today .

Does Your Heat Pump Need Expert Attention?

Mon, 01 Aug 2022 09:07:03 GMT

If you’ve checked out our blog before now, you’ve probably noticed that we don’t encourage people to attempt DIY maintenance or repairs on their home comfort systems. This is for good reason: without the right tools and training, you will put yourself and your system at risk!

And, yes, this applies to a heat pump.

While we encourage everyone to learn how to check and change their system filter, we advise you leave any other heat pump services in Coeur d’Alene, ID to experts like us. Not sure if you need to reach out to us? Here are some examples of issues we can help to address in your heat pump mini split. Let’s work together to make sure that your heat pump sees you through the summer and is ready to take on the fall season.

When to Reach Out for Heat Pump Services

If your heat pump requires expert service, you can reach out to us to get the job done. Here are some of the many issues we can address.

Address a dirty evaporator coil

Your heat pump’s indoor air handler holds an evaporator coil to absorb heat from the air pulled out of your house. However, when your evaporator coil becomes too dirty, it will hinder that heat transfer. Regular filter changes can help to reduce the severity of this build-up, but it is worthwhile to have a professional clean the coil at least once a year (usually done during a tune-up).

3. Someone messed with the thermostat

Have you noticed that your air conditioner is getting noisier than usual? Rattling, clanging, or buzzing may all be indicators of loose or broken parts. This is something you should address ASAP. Parts that are left loose to bounce around in the heat pump can create additional damage, increasing the chances that you’ll need larger repairs. You can count on one of our technicians to tighten loose parts and fix broken ones.

Detect and fix a refrigerant leak

Refrigerant is vital to the proper function of your heat pump, all year long. Finding a refrigerant leak now protects you throughout summer and winter as well. If you notice that your heat pump is short cycling, unable to cool the air properly, or hissing during operation, it may mean that you have a refrigerant leak. This is something that you should absolutely reach out to a professional technician to address.

Make Things Easy With Maintenance

We know it can be hard to figure out if and when your heat pump has a bigger problem it is battling against. This is why we strongly encourage maintenance services and regular checks. With a maintenance service from our experts, you can rest easy knowing that your system will be thoroughly examined for any problems, and we will alert you to any repair needs that must be addressed.

Our advice? Get your heat pump maintenance appointment scheduled soon. The earlier you set up your appointment, the easier it will be to choose your ideal day and time.

ACI Northwest is here to help with your home comfort needs or concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact us for helpful advice. Contact our team today to schedule your heat pump services.

Let’s Get Your Outdoor Lighting Set-Up!

Mon, 06 Jun 2022 08:59:31 GMT

We may still get some cooler temperatures around here but the extra hours of sunlight as a sure sign that summer is coming up quickly. But even with all those extra daylight hours, it can feel like the sun sets too early on a day full of fun activities and good company. With the right kind of outdoor lighting set-up, you can get some added time outside even after the sun sets.

We aren’t just talking about security lights over your garage or Edison bulbs strung across your backyard. You can work with our team of electricians in Spokane, WA to get the best types of hard-wired outdoor lighting for your home’s needs so you can enjoy the benefits that come with a well-lit home.

The Benefits of a Good Outdoor Lighting Set-Up

While some homes can get by with a nice porch light, other homeowners want a more comprehensive outdoor lighting setup. When you work with a professional to get your outdoor lighting taken care of, no matter how much or how little lighting there is, you’ll enjoy several benefits.

Increased safety when outdoors. A dark driveway or poorly lit walkway to your front door makes for plenty of tripping hazards. This is one of the reasons why outdoor pathway lights, a good patio light, or even some small driveway lights can be a great investment to improve your safety when you’re outside.
Increased security throughout the evening. Whether you are sitting outside on the porch or tucked in bed, you want to do what you can to ward off intruders. Security lights and motion sensor lights can help to provide some extra security. Well-lit homes are far less likely to fall prey to break-ins.
Increased activity time outside of your home. We’ve touched on this already, but that is because it is something that almost everyone enjoys. When the weather warms up there is something special about getting to spend some extra hours outside talking, playing games, or just enjoying the environment.

Why Work With a Professional Electrician

If you are looking to get a good outdoor lighting set-up for your home, it pays off to get the work done by an electrician. While plugging in a string of lights takes care of things more quickly, this approach is less energy efficient and less safe overall when compared to hard-wired outdoor lights.

Whenever you want to have any wiring work or other electrical work done, it is best to have an electrician do it. This is going to ensure things are taken care of safely and in a timely manner. Our electricians can work with you to choose the right type of lighting to install around your home to meet your needs. When you work with us, you’ll always enjoy competitive pricing and honest advice.

ACI Northwest is here to help with your home comfort needs or concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact us for helpful advice. Schedule your appointment with a professional electrician today.

The Importance of Professional Electrical Wiring

Thu, 24 Oct 2002 09:11:39 GMT

Imagine being in the thick of a sale to an important customer and suddenly the lights go out. Or perhaps imagine getting complaints from office employees who are struggling with eyestrain due to poor lighting throughout the workspace.

Issues like these can undermine your ability to keep your commercial space working the way you need it to. That’s why working with a professional pays off. Problems like these can be addressed promptly or can be prevented altogether.

Read on to find out more about why working with a trained electrician to handle your commercial electric wiring in Hayden, ID is so important.

Why DIY Wiring Is a Bad Idea

Wiring work can seem deceptively simple. However, handling wiring or running wires to connect to a new outlet is more complicated and hazardous than you might think.

If you are trying to work with live wires of course, then you run the risk of getting shocked if they are handled poorly. Additionally, if you try to run feed wires to new parts of your commercial space, there is a risk that you may not realize they are laid out improperly, increasing the risk of electrical arcing and power surge issues.

DIY wiring work often creates more trouble and added repair costs, meaning that ultimately it will cost more to fix than what you would save by avoiding working with a professional.

What a Professional Electrician Provides

Scheduling electrical wiring work for your commercial space, whether it is a shopfront, restaurant, office space, or another type of facility, is well worth the money. This is an investment into your commercial space.

Working with a professional means that you are going to be able to rely on the person who arrives to have the knowledge, tools, and experience to get the job done. This means they’ll also know how to figure out or diagnose the issue to determine what needs to be repaired, replaced, or adjusted.

A professional is also going to do things safely and legally. These are two highly important factors. A professional electrician will know how to set up the wiring for space safely, meaning less risk of fire hazards over the years. They also know how to do this while keeping themselves safe too.

As for the legality aspect, it is important to know that every state has different electrical codes that a professional electrician knows and is licensed to follow while an amateur does not. That protects you, your building, and the person performing the work.

Work With ACI Northwest

Whether your commercial wiring needs are for a big space or a small one, you can count on our team to provide the work you need. We’ve provided our expertise to commercial businesses throughout Spokane, Coeur d’Alene, and other areas for many years.

ACI Northwest is here to help with your home comfort needs or concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact us for helpful advice. Schedule your next electrical service with our team of experts.

4 Reasons You Can’t Keep Your Home Cool

Thu, 04 Jul 2002 09:03:05 GMT

Summer has arrived. Many of us are seizing the chance to enjoy the extra sunshine and warmth by getting outside. Whether that means spending time poolside, hiking, or another fun activity in town, once you wrap up at the end of the day, you want to be able to get home and cool off.

The problem that you don’t want to run into is discovering that your air conditioning in Hayden, ID isn’t working the way it should. But ignoring the warning signs of a troubled AC isn’t going to do you any favors.

Let’s get ahead of the problem by discussing some of the reasons your air conditioner may not be able to cool your home the way it is meant to

1. There is an overly-dirty air filter in your return air duct

The air filter is responsible for trying to keep dirt and debris out of your HVAC system. This helps reduce the speed at which your AC’s evaporator coil becomes coated with dust, which would otherwise reduce its ability to cool the home. If the filter in your system becomes too clogged with debris, it will slow down the flow of air into the system and make it just as hard for it to create cool air.

2. Your vents are closed or blocked by something

Even if air is flowing through your AC effectively, it may not be making it into your home the way you’d expect. This might be due to vents being closed by mistake. Or perhaps you’ve rearranged recently and accidentally placed furniture or decor in front of a vent, reducing the strength of the cool air that enters the rooms in the home. Issues like these with your vents can undermine the AC’s ability to cool the house.

3. Someone messed with the thermostat

Different people have different temperature preferences. This can lead to some wild battles over the thermostat. Make sure to check out your thermostat when your home seems hotter than usual. There is always a chance that someone set the temperature higher than everyone else likes

4. There is a repair needed deeper in the system

Of course, there is a likely chance that what your system needs is a bigger repair. Maybe you have a poorly lubricated blower motor or a broken fan blade. Whatever the core cause, it is negatively affecting your ability to keep your home cool. We can get to the root of the problem and fix it quickly so that you can enjoy a cool home again.

We want to address the worst-case scenario: your AC can’t be repaired. In this case, you’ll need a full system replacement. You can count on us for that too. We can help pair your home with the right system and get it installed in no time … once it arrives. Please note that current supply chain delays can add to the amount of time it takes to get some systems. The sooner you get started, the less you’ll have to wait!

ACI Northwest is here to help with your home comfort needs or concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact us for helpful advice. Schedule your next AC service with our team.

5 Reasons to Choose a Rooftop HVAC System

Tue, 24 Apr 2001 10:08:49 GMT

You’ve surely seen rooftop HVAC units, if not by admiring commercial rooftops, at least by watching action movies, which have a surprising number of fight scenes set among these units. But you might not know why they’re so common.

In short, it’s because of the many benefits that make them the best choice for many buildings. Here are five of the top advantages that rooftop HVAC systems can provide for your commercial building.

1: Space

Rooftop HVAC units were originally designed to be added to existing buildings. There was a limit to the amount of available space within the buildings for additional systems, and keeping the bulky HVAC units on the rooftops prevented the systems from occupying large portions of the space in the buildings.

This allowed for the usable space to remain usable for the businesses housed in the buildings. Today, buildings are designed with HVAC needs in mind. But keeping the units on the rooftops is still the best way to maximize usable space in a building.

2: Noise

HVAC units make noise. While it might be easy enough to ignore the whoosh and hum of a residential air conditioner or furnace, HVAC systems that supply heating and cooling to large buildings are processing a great deal more air.

This means that they do make more noise. If the units were inside the buildings, the tenants, workers, customers, and other users of the buildings would be very aware of the noise. With the units on the rooftops, the noise inside the buildings is minimized.

3: Accessibility

It might not seem like having your HVAC units on your rooftop would make them easy to access. But it does! Nearly everything that an HVAC technician would need to access is right there, in one place. And that place is completely out of the way of the day-to-day traffic of the commercial spaces below it.

Maintenance and repairs on commercial rooftop HVAC units in Hayden, ID can take place without inconveniencing the users of the building. There’s also a benefit to the lack of access by unauthorized persons. An HVAC unit sitting on the ground beside a building is vulnerable to both unintentional damage, such as being hit by a car, and intentional damage, like vandalism. Rooftop units are safe from these risks.

4: Potential for Expansion

Rooftop HVAC units are modular, which means that they are designed to connect to each other. If you build an extension on your home, and your home’s air conditioner is not powerful enough to cool the larger space, you need to replace it with a larger model. If your commercial building is expanded, or the HVAC needs of the space change, the system can simply be modified by adding another unit, with no need to replace the whole thing.

5: Efficiency

Rooftop units are manufactured to meet higher energy-efficiency standards than other HVAC systems, which is to say you can get a rooftop unit with a higher SEER rating than any standard unit. And beyond that, the fact that they are out in the open, with ventilation on all sides, means that they are more effective at releasing heat, thus requiring less work (and less energy) to accomplish their task.

ACI Northwest is here to help with your commercial building’s HVAC needs or concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact us for helpful advice. Contact us today .