While it is easy to forget all about the air ducts in your home, these play a vital role in the operation of your HVAC system, but when the air ducts are dirty it can have a deleterious effect on the quality of air in your home and the operation of your HVAC system.  That’s why a really thorough cleaning of the ducts can quite literally improve your life.

The air ducts enable the air from your HVAC system to circulate to all of the rooms in your home and provide air of the right temperature. And although your HVAC system has filters, it is easy for dust, debris, and pollutants to build up in the ducts particularly in the return ducts, which in many systems are carrying unfiltered air.  This build up can in turn be a catalyst to create more build-up.

If you can’t remember the last time the air ducts were cleaned in your home, it is probably time to find an Eden HVAC company to help get the Air Ducts properly cleaned so that you can maintain the healthiest home environment possible.   Fortunately Berico offers duct cleaning and you won’t have to search to find just the right Eden company to handle this for you, because Berico is it.

There are numerous reasons to get your air ducts cleaned.  Here are just a few:

• Improves the air quality in your home: The air that circulates through your home will only be as clean as the air ducts through which it travels. If the ducts are dirty over time, your ducts will contain contaminants like dust and pet dander, all of which get pulled into your HVAC system. Cleaning out your ducts will remove these contaminants and keep them from being circulated throughout the home.

• Improves the efficiency of your HVAC system: Once debris accumulates in your ducts, it is going to impede your airflow and fill up your filter faster. This can make your HVAC system work harder and will end up costing you more to heat and cool your home. When the particulate, dust and debris is cleared out of the air ducts, the system becomes more efficient.

• Gets rid of the bad smells: All of the fumes in your home can get sucked into the air ducts and travel to other rooms. Stale odors, food, smoke, and cleaning agents can repeatedly be circulated throughout your home and even mold and bacteria can grow in the ducts lead to the creation of a bad smell. Often the occupants of a home will become desensitized to the smell that smacks a visitor in the face when they first enter the home. You definitely don’t want to be that homeowner.  A thorough cleaning of the air ducts will help alleviate this.

• Prolongs the life of your HVAC system: You will have less need for AC repair in Eden if you can keep your air ducts clean. You will have fewer strains on the system and less wear and tear, which helps the system keep going, without breaking down on you.

Having your air ducts cleaned can provide you with cleaner air and a more efficient HVAC system and one that will last longer.   Berico, known as one of the absolute best Eden HVAC companies is available to help you take care of the duct cleaning, inspecting and tuning up your AC or anything else you might need. When you trust the Berico team to clean out your ducts it is easier to feel comfortable and safe in your own home. Contact Berico today to set up your appointment.

Spring is a beautiful time of year. The birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming, and the grass is getting greener. But if you have allergies, the blooming flowers are not your friend. Yellow pollen blows on the breeze and settles on every surface. It even finds its way into your home.

If you or someone in your household suffers from allergies, you need to know how to reduce the amount of pollen in your house. Here are some of the best ways to manage pollen and help reduce allergy symptoms for you and your family.

• Replace your air conditioner filters often. The filters in the intake vents of your central air conditioner are there to remove dust, pollen, and other particles from the air before it enters your HVAC system. Replacing them often will filter more pollen from the air.
• Use high efficiency filters. Consider buying high efficiency air conditioner filters for your HVAC system. Some are even designed specifically to filter pollen from the air.
• Take shoes and jackets off at the door. A lot of the pollen in your home comes in with you and your family when you enter your home. It helps to remove shoes and outerwear at the door to keep it contained.
• Wash hands after getting home. Pollen settles on surfaces that are frequently touched. Have everyone wash their hands as soon as they arrive home to prevent the spread of pollen throughout the home.
• Keep windows and doors closed. When the weather gets nice it can be tempting to open the windows and doors, but screens can’t block out pollen. Leave the windows and doors closed and use your HVAC system to keep your home feeling comfortable.
• Don’t dry laundry on a clothesline outside. Nice weather also makes it tempting to hang your laundry on the line. But pollen will settle on your clothes and sheets while they’re blowing in the breeze and all you’ll bring it inside.
• Dust, vacuum, and mop more frequently. Pollen that does get inside will settle on floors and surfaces, so cleaning more often will help eliminate it. If you suffer from allergies, consider wearing a mask while you clean to keep from breathing in the pollen. You can also get a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter in your vacuum to remove more particles, including pollen, from your home.
• Have your ducts professionally cleaned. If you’ve never had your ducts cleaned, there could be pollen, dust, and other debris that is blowing around your home whenever your HVAC system runs. Consider hiring a duct cleaning service (such as Berico) to thoroughly clean out your ducts.
• Get an air purification system. Air purification systems can improve your indoor air quality by removing particulates from the air, like pollen, and creating fresh air.

Berico Offers Duct Cleaning Services and Air Purifiers 

Berico is one of the only Burlington HVAC companies that provides both of these services:

• Duct Cleaning Service. Berico provides duct cleaning services to remove dust, pollen, and other debris from your ducts to improve your indoor air quality and the efficiency of your HVAC system.
• iWave Air Purification System. Berico offers installation of iWave air purification that works with your HVAC system to remove particles and pathogens from the air and produce fresh, clean air for your home.

Call (336) 273-8663 today to schedule service or get a quote on one of these services.

You may have heard that having a programmable thermostat can save you money on your heating and cooling costs. One type, the Nest Thermostat, is one of the most popular smart thermostats on the market. This product has a lot of benefits, but it is not the only option available. The Honeywell Pro 8000, for example, offers many of the same benefits with a few differences.

Consider this description of the Nest Thermostat to help you determine whether or not it’s worth it to get one.

How the Nest Works 

The Nest is a programmable, smart thermostat. The terms “programmable” and “smart” are not the same when it comes to thermostats. A programmable thermostat allows you to program it, such as setting specific temperatures for certain times of the day and according to the days of the week and even the monthly calendar. A smart thermostat can be controlled and programmed from a smartphone or other device, meaning you can control it when you are away from home.

The Nest can also be voice controlled through your Amazon Alexa, so you don’t have to get up to adjust the thermostat. It is also called a “learning” thermostat because it picks up on the habits of your household through motion sensors. It essentially learns when your family is home and not home and adjusts the temperature accordingly.

Comparing the Nest and the Honeywell Pro 8000 

Both the Nest and the Honeywell Pro 8000 are programmable, smart thermostats, but there are a few differences. The Honeywell Pro 8000 has a touch screen, which is one feature that customers say make it easier to use. Another advantage is the fact that the Honeywell Pro 8000 costs less than the Nest thermostat.

It also gives you more control over the programming. The Nest essentially programs itself, however, if you don’t like the Nest’s interpretation of your preferences, it can be difficult to override it. The Honeywell Pro 8000 takes more time to program, but it allows you to be more in control of your settings.

The Nest Gets Negative Reviews

Although the Nest is very popular (it happens to be the top seller of programmable thermostats on Amazon), it still has some negative reviews. The biggest complaints about the Nest are:

• It is difficult to install.
• It will not let you override the automatic setting. It “learns” and adjusts to your habits, but it won’t let you make changes if you don’t like it’s interpretation.
• It requires pre existing wiring. If you don’t have the necessary wiring in place, there are additional products to purchase that increase the overall installation cost.
• It does not produce the monetary savings that it boasts.

Which Product to Choose?

While the Nest thermostat has some positive features, Berico recommends the Honeywell Pro 8000 as the best programmable thermostat overall. It allows for more custom programming so you can experience greater home comfort. It also costs less than the Nest, which means you’ll save more money in total.

Berico Provides Programmable Thermostat Installation

Installation of programmable thermostats can be tricky. There are specific wires and electrical voltages that are required for proper operation. Berico provides professional installation of your smart thermostat as well as programming assistance to help you get the most energy savings possible.

Call (336) 273-8663 today or request service.

Propane is a versatile energy source. It can be used for home heat, water heaters, cooking, and other household appliances. If your home uses propane in any capacity, you have a tank that exists somewhere on your property. Some tanks are above ground and some are buried. They come in different sizes based on your needs. But the bottom line is that one tank can only hold a finite amount of propane, so you will need refills now and then to keep from running out.

If you’re new to propane use you may be wondering, who delivers propane? A propane home delivery service in your area can provide you with automatic refills so that you never run out.

How Do Automatic Refills Work?

A Berico technician can evaluate your home to determine how much propane you will use over time. The number of propane appliances you have, the square footage of your home, the temperatures in the area, and other factors are used to calculate the amount of propane you will need. If you already have a Berico tank in place, refills can begin immediately. If your tank belongs to another propane supplier, Berico will swap it out for free.

Berico will schedule your refills according to your predicted usage. You will only pay for the amount you receive and not a full tank if your tank was not empty.

How Do I Pay for Automatic Propane Refills?

Propane customers may be used to paying for propane in full at the time of purchase. Some customers even carefully plan and calculate pricing to determine the best time to buy propane to save money. With automatic refills this is not necessary. Berico takes the stress out of purchasing propane by offering a monthly payment system to make the cost of propane more affordable. Berico also offers a pre-buy price protection plan and a fixed price plan that allow you to take advantage of low propane prices.

Benefits of Automatic Propane Delivery

When you sign up for automatic propane delivery, you have a lot to gain:

• Peace of mind. You never have to worry about running out of propane on a cold day. Berico has you covered.
• Save money. Automatic refills will save you money over time, reducing the overall cost of your propane.
• Easier budgeting. When you combine automatic refills with a monthly payment plan, it’s easier to budget your monthly bills.
• Additional perks. Combine your automatic propane deliveries with an HVAC maintenance plan, and you’ll get a discount on both as well as discounts on repairs and credits toward new equipment.

Berico Provides Propane Home Delivery Service 

If you live in the Greensboro, High Point, Burlington, Reidsville, or Eden area, Berico can provide propane delivery service to your home or business. Berico’s service area is wide and includes a large part of the Piedmont Triad and surrounding areas. Wondering who delivers propane to your area? Call Berico at (336) 273-8663 or fill out the new customer order form.

The heat exchanger in your furnace plays a vital role in warming your home to a comfortable temperature. Simply put, without the heat exchanger, your furnace would not be able to do its job. With that background, it’s easy to understand why a cracked heat exchanger would be a problem. But what does this component do, exactly and why would it crack? This article will dive into those questions and more.

If you need professional furnace repair in Burlington, NC for a great price, contact Berico today to make an appointment. Berico offers a knowledgeable team of friendly experts who will get your system back up and running right away.

Understanding a Cracked Heat Exchanger
A cracked heat exchanger is a unit that has developed a crack large enough to interfere with normal, safe operation. When the heat exchanger becomes cracked, it is likely that the flame within the unit will struggle to remain lit, or will flutter significantly. As a result, the furnace system will notice a safety risk and turn itself off. Therefore, if you have a furnace with a cracked heat exchanger, you may be dealing with a situation where you have no warm air flowing in your home.

You may be wondering why a heat exchanger would crack in the first place? Isn’t it designed to deal with heat? Yes, it is, but when it gets too hot, the unit can crack. Normally, proper airflow will keep the exchanger from reaching temperatures that are dangerous to its health. However, if that air is not flowing as it should, temperatures will rise and a crack may develop. This is why it is so important to regularly replace the air filter that serves your furnace. When a dirty filter remains in use, airflow will be reduced and the temperature of the heat exchanger could get out of control.

Can a Cracked Exchanger Be Repaired?
No – once it is determined by a professional that the heat exchanger has developed a crack, it will need to be replaced. The challenge that comes with replacing a heat exchanger is not found in the process of swapping it out for a new one, but rather the task of gaining access to that part of the furnace. Most of the unit will have to be taken apart to get to the heat exchanger, meaning labor costs for this kind of project can be expensive.

May Lead to a Furnace Replacement
You might be surprised to learn that in some cases, it’s better to simply replace the entire furnace than it is to have a new heat exchanger installed. Between the cost of a new exchanger and the significant labor expense to have it put in, going with a new furnace may be the better choice. Remember, with a new furnace, you’ll get the latest technology, improved efficiency, and likely some warranty coverage. Talk to the professional team at Berico to determine whether it is better to replace your heat exchanger or have a new furnace installed in your home.