Common Air Conditioning Electrical Problems

June 18th, 2013

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

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

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

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How to Cool Your Home with Geothermal Air Conditioning

June 13th, 2013

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

Types of Geothermal Systems

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

Ground Source Heat Pumps

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

Water Source Heat Pumps

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

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

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How to Install a New Electric Water Heater

June 13th, 2013

Has your water heater tank simply become a water tank? If you need to install a new electric water heater on the fly, don’t panic. Even if you just need to replace an old tank, the process of getting a new water heater tank installed isn’t as difficult or draining as you may believe. Let’s discuss how to remove your old tank and install your new water heater.

Removing Your Old Heater

Before you can even think about installing a new heater, you have to dispose of the old tank. You probably aren’t looking forward to this, but luckily, a professional will have no issues removing your old water heater. By shutting the circuit off that powers your water heater, your service professional can drain the old heater tank, and open up the faucet for your hot water. This will allow air to enter the system and will drain tank rapidly.

Once drained, your handyman will remove the heater from its connections to your water pipes. While some heaters come with pipes which are connected with a removable and threaded fitting, others are not and will require a hacksaw to remove your pipes. Once they have undone your fittings or sawn your pipes, they will need to completely drain your pipes. At this point, feel free to take your old heater tank to your local recycling center.

Installing Your New Heater

With nothing but space to work with, you’re primed to install your new heater tank. Your technician will grab a dolly and carefully set your new tank next to the installation location. Then, they will place your tank near your piping to make it easier to connect them later.

Once your heater has been positioned in place, you’re ready for the hot and cold water connections. Most technicians will use flexible connectors – they’re easier to manipulate and make it much easier to connect when ready. You may need to a specialty fitting based upon the pipe which is fitted in your home, so make sure your technician knows what type of connection to grab ahead of time. No matter the material or pipe size, you will need to fit your heater tank with a cold water gate valve. This will be placed in your water pipe so as to prevent any debris from clogging your pipe.

If you have threaded pipes to attach to your heater tank, your service professional will use removable, threaded fitting atop your water lines – both hot and cold – and make sure to replace your old fittings. Next, they will install new nipples atop your tank, but the right nipple length will vary depending on the location of your fittings in regards to your water lines. So, if it seems like your technician is installing new nipples that are too small or too big, don’t worry; they know what they’re doing.

If you’re working with plastic piping, you’ll use transition fittings and place them between your pipes and the water heater threadings. It’s recommended that you use threaded steel nipples that are at least one foot long to connect between the water heater and transition fittings, as this will allow the heat to disperse more effectively. If your technician tries to use a shorter steel nipple, ask him about the nipples heat dispersion abilities compared to a longer alternative.

If you’re purchasing new piping, please take note that ABS, PE, and PVC plastic piping does not work with hot water, and these plastics will deteriorate, leaving you with another project to attend to when your pipes deteriorate.

Added Relief

Once your heater tank is securely in place, it’s equally important that your technician installs a temperature relief valve and another valve to release pressure in the tank. These relief systems will release heat and pressure from your system automatically once their respective indicators determine you’ve gone past their thresholds. After installing your plumbing for your new water heater, your technician will close the tank’s drain valve and turn open your cold water inlet valve – allowing your tank to fill with water. They will then turn open your hot water faucet to release any air remaining in the top of your tank, close the faucet, and inspect for leaks.

Powering Up

Now that your water heater and its system are installed properly, it’s time to connect the power to your tank. First, your technician needs to make certain that the wires that power your tank are the right size, while providing ample voltage and amperage to your heater. The electrical work involved is not an easy task that anyone can tackle. If you don’t have proper training or experience with electrical wiring, please do not attempt this on your own. You can cause serious damage to yourself and your home.

Lastly, turn on your circuit which powers your heater and make sure to inspect your electrical meter. If you see the dials spinning, this is a great indication that your heater is wired properly and that your technician completed a successful installation. Now, tell everyone in the family they can take a hot shower and enjoy hot water at every faucet in your home.

Rachael Jones is a blogger for DIYMother, where women aren’t afraid to use power tools in a dress.

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Electrical Tip: Why Use an Attic Fan?

June 3rd, 2013

When the heat of summer really sets in, your home can heat up fast. No matter how hot it may get in your home, though, the rest of the house probably pales in comparison to the heat level in your attic. Heat rises naturally, so it only makes sense that your attic is going to be extremely hot during the summer months. The problem, though, is that this pent up heat in your attic can radiate throughout your home, driving up temperatures in other areas. With an attic fan installation from the electrical pros at ACI Northwest, you can help keep this problem to a minimum.

Attic fans are a great, effective way to reduce energy costs in your home. An attic fan uses a thermostat to monitor the temperature in your attic, and when the temperature exceeds the target temperature your attic fan will vent heat out of your home. This will help to reduce the risk of heat in your attic heating up the rest of your home, which will cause your air conditioning system to work harder in order to keep you cool and comfortable. The harder that your air conditioner has to work, the more energy it will consume and the more money it will cost to operate.

Additionally, an attic fan may actually be able to help prolong the life and protect the condition of your air conditioner. If your AC has to run with increased frequency due to heat radiating from your attic, it is possible that it will lead to increased wear and tear on your system. The more wear and tear that your air conditioner suffers, the more likely damage to your system becomes. This means that an attic fan can help reduce the risk of problems with your air conditioner that will require costly air conditioning repairs.

For more information about why you may want to consider an attic fan installation, contact the Spokane Electrical technicians at ACI Northwest. We have the answers you need to decide if an attic fan is right for you. Call now to speak with one of our attic fan technicians.

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Memorial Day

May 27th, 2013

During the final Monday of May every year, we commemorate those military personnel who have died in service to their country. Formerly known as Decoration Day, probably because of the way that graveyards were decorated with flowers, Memorial Day came to prominence in the wake of the American Civil War, which left the country war-torn, with many casualties on both sides. Since that time, it has been a day of remembering those who have given up the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

As you go about town on your day off from work, you’ll probably see an abundance of flags and flowers, as well as public commemorations such as parades. While this day has been turned into the last leg of a three-day weekend, it’s important to reflect on the way that our military personnel have shaped our country, and to remember their contribution to the way we live today. We at ACI Northwest wish you all the best on Memorial Day.

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

May 22nd, 2013

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

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

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

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

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

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Air Conditioning FAQ: What is a Ductless Mini Split?

May 16th, 2013

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

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

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

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

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

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Furnace Tip: Take Care of Your Furnace Before the Heating Season Ends

May 6th, 2013

During the heating season in Spokane, WA, you put your home heating system under a lot of stress. All of that use can really take a toll on your heater. Many people understand that they should have their furnace inspected and maintained regularly. What many homeowners fail to realize, though, is that their furnace should be serviced at the end of the heating season, as well as beforehand. If you think that your furnace can just be shut off and forgotten about after a season of operation, think again. Contact the furnace pros at ACI Northwest to learn more.

Towards the end of the heating season, your furnace has seen a lot of action. Over the course of operation, some general wear and tear has no doubt built up. While it may be tempting to think that you’ll just take care of it at the start of the next heating season, this is just not a good idea. What happens if a sudden cold snap hits after a week or two of mild temperatures? Have you ever gone for a long run or bike ride without stretching before or after? Getting up the next morning may not have been a pleasant experience. If your heating system is compromised and then given some time off, you cannot expect it to jump right back to action again, whether it has been a week or an entire season.

Plus, there are a number of components that your heating and air conditioning systems share, such as your thermostat and ductwork. By having any damages that may have developed over the course of the heating season resolved, you can begin the process of getting your cooling system ready for summer. Not to mention the fact that, if there is a problem with the gas supply or pilot in your furnace, you should not be waiting months to have it addressed. You may not notice it in the off season.

For more tips on how to care for your furnace, call the Spokane, WA heating experts at ACI Northwest. We have all the information you need. Let us help you protect your comfort and your HVAC equipment.

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Electrical Home Improvement: On the Benefits of an Attic Fan

April 30th, 2013

If you’ve ever had to retrieve an old box from the attic during the peak heat of the summer, then you know how hot it can get in the summer. Up to 160 degrees Fahrenheit in some cases. You may think that this is ok, so long as you don’t have to live up there. Yet, a hot attic space can actually begin to impinge upon your cooling system and home comfort unless you take action. The radiant energy of the sun is powerful, and as your roofing heats up, so does the rest of your home, even with attic insulation. So if you’re looking for a cost-effective way to improve your air conditioning performance and efficiency, then consider an attic fan. In this post, we’d like to review some of the potential benefits. For more information about Spokane, WA electrical services, call ACI Northwest today!

An attic fan works by ventilating the hot air outside and bringing the cooler air inside. They work best in combination with adequate insulation and ventilation. If air can freely move from your home into your attic without having to pass through a thermal barrier, then it may actually be counter-productive.  Speak to your electrician about whether an attic fan works for your home. Let’s review some of their benefits.

  • Reduce heat in the home. Ventilation is an important passive cooling tactic for the entire home, but sometimes it just isn’t enough. A professionally installed attic fan can reduce stifling temperatures in the attic to just over the ambient outdoor temperature. This can be a dramatic temperature reduction, sometimes up to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Decrease need for cooling. Your air conditioning system works hard during the dog days of summer to keep your home full of crisp, cool air. An attic fan can help to reduce the amount of cooling it needs, and therefore the amount of energy it uses.

To learn more about attic fans and what they can do for your home, speak to a local professional. Call ACI Northwest for excellent electrical services.

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Electrical Tip: Benefits of Whole Home Surge Protection

April 22nd, 2013

We rely on electricity now more than ever before. We need it to eat fresh food, to listen to music, to watch our favorite movies, to check our email, and to keep ourselves clean. While mostly invisible and hidden within our walls, our electrical system is increasingly important to our well-being and the comfort of our home. It’s no wonder, then, that many homeowners are looking to protect their appliances and electronic equipment with whole home surge protection. While small portable strips come in handy sometimes, they do little to protect the whole home. In this post, we’d like to share with you some benefits of whole home surge protection. For more information, or to schedule Hayden, ID electrical services, call ACI Northwest today!

  • Comprehensiveness. Because the whole home surge protection device is installed at the electrical panel, it protects not just one receptacle, or even one room, but every receptacle and wired appliance in the home. This gives it a comprehensiveness unmatched by any portable unit. While many of us use portable units to protect our computers or expensive stereo equipment from surges causes by storms or circuit imbalances within our home, only comprehensive whole home surge protection covers appliances that are directly wired and do not use standard receptacles, such as central air or a furnace.
  • Improved protection. Small power stripes cannot match the surge protection of a whole home system. Most surge damage comes not from catastrophic lightning damage close to the home, but from the slow deterioration of sensitive electronic equipment by small surges within the circuit of the home. When you use a high-powered appliance in one room, your stereo in another may be at risk of a surge, depending on the layout of your home, and the condition of the electrical system.
  • Convenience. Imagine having to use a portable surge protector on every single electrical receptacle in the home. Not only would it be tedious to ensure that every single one was working properly at all times, but it still would not provide your wired appliances with enough protection. The fact is that whole home surge protection is incredibly convenient. It allows you to feel good about plugging directly into your wall receptacles without having to deal with lots of visible and entangled wiring.

Contact ACI Northwest today to learn more about Hayden, ID electrical services, such as whole home surge protection.

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