ACI Northwest Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Coeur d’Alene’

Reasons to Install a Whole-Home Generac Generator

Friday, September 12th, 2014

We can lose power for a number of reasons: weather-related events, environmental events like wildfires, road construction or a blown substation. Whatever the reason, it makes our lives exponentially more difficult when we don’t have the power we need to run our homes. One of the best ways to prepare for any event that can result in loss of electrical power is to install a Generac whole-home generator in your home. Since 1959, Generac has been the leader in home generators, and hiring the trained technicians from ACI Northwest for your generator installation means that you won’t have to be without power ever again.

Reasons to Install a Whole Home Generac Generator

Having the best equipment is part of being prepared. Generac generators are designed to seamlessly transition you to your back-up power should you lose yours. Here are some reasons why you will want to consider the installation of a Generac generator:

Automatic operation – each Generac whole-home generator is equipped with a sensor that will instantly switch your home’s power to the generator as soon as power is lost, whether or not you are home. The generator will also turn off automatically once power is restored.

No manual refueling – Generac whole-home generators are made to work with three fuel types: natural gas, liquid propane (LP) or diesel. For natural gas and LP generators, the fuel is piped directly to the generator. The diesel model has a tank below it that manages the diesel fuel, so there’s no running back and forth with gas cans. Simply have the diesel tank refueled by a fuel company as needed.

Connected directly to your electrical panel – Generac whole-home generators are wired directly into your home’s electrical panel, so there’s no need for long extension cords through windows.

Overload protection – in the rare case that your Generac generator gets overloaded, it is equipped with overload protection: the generator’s circuit will trip, which disconnects the unit from the load.

Being prepared means having the best tools at your disposal for the worst possible circumstances. Losing power isn’t a usual thing, but when it happens, it can disrupt our lives entirely. With a Generac generator in your home, you won’t have to worry about this kind of disruption. Need more information? Call ACI Northwest and schedule the installation of a Generac generator in Coeur d’Alene with one of our specialists today.

Tags: Coeur d'Alene, Generators
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Why Consider Ductless Air Conditioning?

Wednesday, July 30th, 2014

Ductless air conditioning is a great cooling option that is often overlooked by homeowners. Many homes come equipped with ducts that join with an air conditioning system to provide cool air. But sometimes, homes don’t have any pre-existing ductwork, or a homeowner may choose to add a new room in which extending the ductwork may be cumbersome.

Ductless air conditioning systems provide homeowners another option for air conditioning in Coeur d’Alene. Instead of using ducts to distribute air, ductless systems use multiple indoor air handlers at various locations throughout the home. The indoor air handlers do the job of the indoor evaporator unit of conventional systems, but also distribute cool air into the rooms directly. While these systems may be more expensive than central air conditioning systems, the benefits may be worth the cost.

No Major Renovations Required: Ductwork installation creates an unwanted disturbance for many homeowners. Besides, many homes cannot accommodate ductwork due to the layout of the home. Ductless installation only requires a small hole be drilled into the wall for the refrigerant line.
Eliminate Duct Loss: Unfortunately, a lot of energy is often lost in many ducted systems due to leaks, holes, and poorly installed ducts with loose connections. This means that most homeowners lose money cooling an unoccupied area of the house like the attic, a problem you’ll never have when you go ductless.
Higher SEER: The SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio), which you can find printed on the EnergyGuide label of all air conditioners, can help you determine how efficient your air conditioner is and how much money you’ll save every month. Ductless air conditioners have significantly higher SEERs than many other systems, meaning you’ll pay a lot less than homeowners with central air.
Zone Control: Another reason to consider ductless air conditioning is zone control. Each indoor air handler is controlled by its own thermostat, which allows you to vary the temperature throughout the house according to each person’s temperature needs. You can also save money by shutting off the AC in unoccupied areas of the home.

To hear from an expert about the benefits of ductless air conditioning in Coeur d’Alene, call ACI Northwest today!

Tags: Coeur d'Alene, Ductless Air Conditioning
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Upgrades That Can Make Your AC More Energy Efficient

Friday, July 25th, 2014

Many homeowners will do anything possible to lower their energy bills. But when you turn off your air conditioner or raise the temperature to save money, you give up your family’s comfort. Fortunately, there are other ways to save on cooling costs this summer without making your family feel the heat.

There are a few simple ways to make your AC more energy efficient, such as cleaning the air filters once a month and scheduling maintenance with an air conditioning technician. Dirty air filters can block airflow, causing your AC to run longer. An air conditioning maintenance technician can clean the components of your system for increased efficiency.

But another great way to increase the efficiency of your AC is by calling a technician to install money-saving upgrades for your system. A new programmable thermostat or zone control system may be the most enjoyable way for you to take advantage of the increased efficiency of your air conditioner this summer.

Thermostat Options

One upgrade you might consider is a digital, programmable thermostat. Manual thermostats are occasionally difficult to read which means your temperature reading is often inaccurate, raising your energy bills. If the temperature is even one or two degrees lower than you needed it to be, it can cause your bills to be significantly higher.

Digital, programmable thermostats have a clear display, so you’ll never set the temperature higher or lower than you want. Furthermore, you can program your digital thermostat to adjust the temperature throughout the day to save money when you are not home or during peak hours. For example, you can set the AC to switch on twenty minutes before you arrive home to avoid spending money on your AC bill when you’re not there.

Zone Control Systems

Another energy-saving upgrade is a zone control system. Zone control allows you the opportunity to choose the temperature in various areas of your home. If your family members rarely use every room at once, zone control is a great opportunity to save money by raising the temperature in unoccupied rooms while keeping others cool.

If you want air conditioning upgrades in Coeur d’Alene, call the professionals at ACI Northwest today!

Tags: Air Conditioning, Coeur d'Alene
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Signs That Your Home Needs Electrical Repair

Tuesday, July 15th, 2014

Electricity is so essential to daily life, but it is also something we seldom think about because we are accustomed to receiving it with a flick of a switch or a touch of a power button. Your home may have electrical malfunctions that require repair, but unless you watch out for the signs you may not realize there are issues—until you suffer a major power loss or an electrical fire breaks out.

Should you notice any of the signs below, don’t ignore them and don’t attempt to fix the problem on your own. Call up professional electricians to handle the necessary electrical repairs. You can reach ACI Northwest any time of the day or night for emergency service from highly-trained professionals who will keep the electricity flowing safely through your home.

Watch for These Warning Signs of Electrical Repair

Flickering lights: If you spot lights in your home that occasionally flicker like candle flames, don’t dismiss the occurrences—especially if it occurs to a few lights at the same time. This indicates a power surge running through the electrical system, likely because a large appliance (the refrigerator, the air conditioner) has put excessive demand on the system. Small power surges like this will cause cumulative damage to appliances in your home, and could warn of bad circuits.
Warm or sparking outlets: Increased heat coming from outlets, or outlets that cause sparking whenever you plug an appliance into them, are suffering from bad wiring that can risk an electrical fire. Do not unscrew the outlet to look into it yourself; call for repairs.
Repeatedly tripped circuit breakers: The circuit breaker panel that has an occasionally tripped breaker is not usually a sign of a serious problem. But if you have tripped breakers occurring on a regular basis when appliances come on, then you may have repair issues within the panel itself (it may need a full upgrade) or trouble with the wiring. Call for an electrician to investigate the trouble and find a solution.

Remember, should you encounter any of these signs, turn off any of the affected appliances and unplug them. Do not attempt to use the suspect parts of the electrical system until after you have had an electrician examine and repair them.

Trust to Professional Electricians

Qualified electricians are a must for repairs: only trained electricians will know how to keep your home safe and up to local electrical code. Whatever your needs for electrical repair service in Coeur d’Alene, WA, you can put your trust in ACI Northwest. We provide comprehensive service for home electricity.

Tags: Coeur d'Alene, Electrical Repair
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Air Conditioning Upgrades to Consider

Friday, June 27th, 2014

Your air conditioning works hard to keep you feeling cool and comfortable all summer long in Coeur d’Alene. But did you know that you can get even more out of your AC system? Our air conditioning experts are ready to give your AC some new upgrades this summer for increased comfort and accuracy with your system. You may even be able to reduce your monthly energy bills.

Technicians at ACI Northwest are ready to talk about any air conditioning upgrades that interest you. Here are a couple of options you should consider.

Digital Thermostat

Are you still relying on a manual thermostat to sense the temperature in your home? Manual thermostats can be unreliable and difficult to read. If you notice your home is constantly cooler or warmer than you want it to be, it may be due to an inaccurate thermostat reading. The thermostat essentially tells your AC system when to turn on and off. If you’re constantly readjusting your thermostat, you may be paying more in energy bills than is necessary.

A digital thermostat can help you avoid these readings with a reliable digital display and advanced settings. You can set your AC to turn on and off at certain hours of the day when cooling your home is not needed. This can save you money and ensure the temperature is always set to your preference.

Zone Control

Another option that can be added to your system is zone control. A technician will install dampers in the ductwork of your home, allowing you to choose the temperature in different areas of your home with separate thermostats that sense the temperature in each room or zone. There may also be a master thermostat to control multiple rooms in the home. This can keep your family members more comfortable by allowing individuals to set their room temperatures according to their own unique preferences. This can also lower your energy bills; you can decide to adjust the temperature in rooms that are unoccupied in order to avoid cooling an empty space unnecessarily.

ACI Northwest has the expertise and experience to assist you in selecting the best upgrade for your home air conditioning system. Call now for professional air conditioning service in Coeur d’Alene.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Coeur d'Alene
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Electrician Tips: Repair Issues from Faulty Wiring

Monday, June 23rd, 2014

People often take for granted that the wiring in their home is sufficient for their power needs and has no major faults that could make it either ineffective or dangerous. Although it’s true that modern homes are built with durable electrical systems, faulty wiring is still something that can occur, and it needs repair work the moment it’s detected. Poor wiring can lead to needless energy drain, power loss, and fire hazards. It’s especially important to watch for wiring issues in older homes where full electrical upgrades may be necessary.

Here are some of the repair issues that faulty wiring can cause in a home. Make sure that you call for professional licensed electricians for any of your needs for electrical repair service in Coeur d’Alene. Contact the experts at ACI Northwest any time of the day or night for the quality work you need.

Some Problems Due To Faulty Wiring

Power surges: Power surges are one of the least understood of electrical problems. They don’t only come from catastrophic events like lightning strikes; they also occur because the wiring in a home is incapable of handling the demands placed on it by more powerful appliances. If you notice flickering lights in your house every time that the compressor in the refrigerator or air conditioner switches, then you may have bad wiring that is leading to a power surge. These surges will eventually cause serious damage to the system and anything plugged into it, and you need to have electricians track down and fix the problem.
Charred and failed outlets: Faulty wires inside outlets are a frequent issue that can afflict even newer homes. When bad wiring causes a spark or a fire, it will char or discolor the outlet. Should you notice this, it means you need to have electricians replace the outlet and find out what went wrong with the wiring behind it. Outlets that cease providing electrical current also call for repairs.
Constantly tripped circuit breakers: An occasional tripped breaker is usually nothing more serious than a momentary large demand from a malfunctioning appliance. However, if the problem persists, you may have a serious issue with a circuit somewhere, and it could become an electrical fire hazard if it is left unattended.

Schedule Service with Licensed Electricians Only!

Never attempt electrical repairs on your own: the risk of a high voltage shock is too great, and you might create further trouble from faulty wiring. You need to rely on electricians who are familiar with the local electrical code and who can handle the work fast and right.

For any wiring faults in your home that need electrical repair, the Coeur d’Alene specialists can take care of you. We have staff ready 24/7 to keep your home safely wired.

Tags: Coeur d'Alene, Electrical Repair
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Signs You Need Repairs for Your Outlets

Monday, June 16th, 2014

The outlets in your home are your conduit into the electrical system and are therefore one of the most important parts of your daily life. If an outlet stops working, you need to have it looked into and repaired as soon as possible.

However, an outlet failing to work is an obvious sign that something is wrong. There are other warnings your outlets can send to you that they require professional repairs or replacements that are not so obvious. We have a list of a few to look out for.

We need to emphasize professional repairs: do not tamper with any part of your electrical system on your own. You risk dangerous high voltage shocks, as well as causing further damage to the electrical system. Only allow licensed electricians to work on outlet repairs. Call ACI Northwest for any repairs or electrical installation in Coeur d’Alene that you need. Our experienced Electricians Are on Call 24 Hours a Day.

Warning Signs of Outlet Repair Needs:

Charring and discoloration: If you notice marks of charring on the front of an outlet, or if the outlet has developed a yellow or brown discoloration, it means an electrical fire has broken out inside the outlet due to bad wiring. This needs immediate repairs; the potential for the outlet to become a significant fire hazard is high.
Frequently tripped circuit breakers: If you notice that plugging an appliance into a particular outlet causes a circuit breaker to trip, the problem is either the appliance or the outlet itself. If different appliances of varying voltage demands are triggering the problem, then the outlet is probably in need of replacement. (Do not, however, start plugging in different appliances as a way to “test” if the outlet or the appliance is the problem. Call for an electrician.)
Sparking outlet: If the outlet sparks every time you put a plug into it, the outlet is wearing down and perhaps coming loose. This is often due to years of plugging and unplugging. In this case, the outlet will probably need to be replaced entirely and upgraded. Call an electrician right away.

In general, we advise that you have outlet replacement and rewiring done if your home still has old non-grounded (two-prong) outlets. You should also consider updating three-prong outlets to GCFI outlets to increase safety. At ACI Northwest, we offer fast and excellent electrical installation in Coeur d’Alene, WA for new outlets, as well as any necessary repair work.

Tags: Coeur d'Alene, GFCI Outlet Installation
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What Are GFCI Outlets and Why Should I Have Them Installed?

Tuesday, May 6th, 2014

Electrical outlets continue to improve with each decade. Old two-prong outlets gave way to grounded three-prong outlets. And now GFCI outlets are overtaking the standard three-prong model.

You have already encounter GFCI outlets before, although you perhaps did not know that is what they are called or what they do. GFCI outlets have two buttons, usually color-coded red and yellow, between their two sockets. A small difference, but an important one.

If your home still has standard three-prong outlets (or archaic two-prong ones), you should make installation of new GFCI outlets a priority. ACI Northwest specializes in this installation work. We have served Couer d’Alene with electrical services for many years. Call us today to schedule an appointment to improve your home’s electrical safety.

GFCI outlets: protecting people from electrical shocks

GFCI stands for ground-fault circuit interrupter. It performs a function similar to a fuse. But where a fuse is designed to protect your electrical system from an overload and prevent fires, a ground-fault circuit interrupter is designed to protect you from a direct electrical shock.

A GFCI outlet can detect a subtle change between the flow from the “neutral” and the “hot” slots in an outlet. (The hot slot is the smaller of the two slots.) Power flows from the hot slot through an appliance and to the neutral slot during regular operation. The ground-fault circuit interrupter outlet monitors the amount of current moving from hot to neutral, and should it detect a change in the balance—as small as 4 or 5 milliamps—it will immediately trip an internal circuit breaker that cuts off power to the outlet. An imbalance like this means that the power from the hot side is going into something other than the appliance, and that usually means it is going into a person. With a correctly working GFCI outlet, the power will shut off before you can even notice the shock. You can then reset the circuit by pressing the “reset” button on the outlet.

Although modern homes have sturdier electrical systems capable of handling large electrical loads, this doesn’t lessen the danger from electrical shocks due to malfunctioning appliances or from accidents. Installing GFCI outlets will greatly reduce the potential for electrical injury in your home.

Call ACI Northwest for all your Couer d’Alene, WA electrical needs. We can perform fast and effective installation of new outlets that will keep you and your family safe.

Tags: Coeur d'Alene, Electrical
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Why Would You Consider Installing a Geothermal Heating System?

Wednesday, April 2nd, 2014

Geothermal systems require extensive installation work and a solid parcel of land for their underground coils in order for them to operate properly. They also cost more to install than other heating systems like furnaces, air-source heat pumps, and boilers. So why would you put geothermal on your shopping list for home heating system in Coeur d’Alene, WA?

We can think of a few reasons that might sway you toward using the power of the earth to heat your home (and cool it). To find out more about installing a geothermal heat pump for your home, talk to our geothermal specialists at ACI Northwest. We offer a written unconditional one-year money-back satisfaction guarantee on all our residential installations.

Reasons to have a geothermal heat pump installed

Energy savings: Although installing a geothermal heat pump (a.k.a. a “ground source heat pump”) does cost more than other home comfort systems, their high energy-efficiency from using the earth’s natural heat means they will pay back their installation costs in a period of 5–10 years… and after that, it’s all savings.
Longevity: To help with those energy savings, geothermal systems have extremely long lifespans. The indoor heat pump unit will usually last 20+ years, while the coils—the most expensive part of installation—can last more than 50! A geothermal heat pump is a long-term investment in comfort and efficiency.
Reliability: Air-source heat pumps have one major drawback, which is that they will lose heating efficiency as the air temperature outdoors drops below freezing. Ground-source heat pumps never have to worry about this, since the temperature in the earth 6–10 feet below the surface remains stable around 55°F regardless of the temperature above ground. The geothermal system will also have ample heat to draw on for heat exchange.
Help the environment: Geothermal systems have reduced emissions, so they will not cause extra damage to the environment because of ozone-depleting or global warming gases.

Find out if geothermal will work for your home

Before you get too excited about having a geothermal system installed for your home, you need to know if your house and property will allow a geothermal heat pump to work. Hard rock ground, for example, makes it impossible to put in the underground loops. It will probably turn out that if you won’t benefit from a geothermal system, there is another option that’s ideal. Call a heating and cooling professional for an opinion.

ACI Northwest has more than 85 years of experience installing, repairing, and maintaining heating in Coeur d’Alene, WA. Give us a call when you want to find out if geothermal is the best option for your home comfort.

Tags: Coeur d'Alene, Geothermal Heating
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How Air Handlers Work in Your Heating System

Monday, March 3rd, 2014

If you used a forced-air system to heat your home, such as a furnace or a heat pump, one of the essential components of the unit is the air handler. The air handler performs the crucial task of air distribution through the ventilation system and into the rooms of your house. Without the air handler, the heat from the burners or heating elements in the furnace, or the coils in the heat pump, would go nowhere and you would receive no comfort from your system.

Care and maintenance of an air handler is a major part of the job of heating repair technicians. Contemporary air handlers are too complex and intricate devices for amateur work. When you need repairs for the air handler to restore your heating in Coeur d’Alene, WA, you must call up experienced heating contractors. ACI Northwest has the training and years of experience to help you with any trouble you may have in your air handlers or any other part of your heater.

The operation of the air handler

The main component of an air handler unit is a large blower fan inside a durable casing connected to a blower fan motor. Some air handlers have variable speed motors that can run at lower power to reduce noise and to assist with even air distribution. The blower sends out air into the ventilation system; sometimes this is air from the outside or sometimes from the return vents that re-circulate air. Blower fans can sometimes require repairs if the blades become bent from debris that enters the air handler. A filter rack or filter chambers in the blower help keep dust and debris picked up from the re-circulated or outside air from entering into the ductwork. Sound attenuators help reduce the noise from the blower.

For heat pumps, air handlers also contain the coils necessary for conditioning the air in heating and cooling mode, making it not only essential for air distribution, but also for providing a comfortable temperature. (With a furnace, the air handler usually plays no role in generating heat.) For ductless mini split heat pumps, the air handlers are often referred to as terminal units, and contain fewer components: usually an air filter, coil, and blower.

Keep your air handler working

Because an air handler is a major mechanical part of your heating system, it needs regular maintenance and prompt repairs to make sure it does not wear down and threaten you with a loss of heat. Should you hear loud banging sounds from the air handler, or if the airflow from your vents drops, you should call for professional repairs as soon as you can.

ACI Northwest has many years of experience handling heating system services in Coeur d’Alene, WA. Contact us any time of the day or night when you need help.

Tags: Coeur d'Alene, Heating
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