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.

Does your home need a furnace? Whether you’re replacing an old furnace or you’re building a new home that will need a furnace, it is important that you choose the right one. The wrong furnace could leave your home feeling chilly, humid, or dry. You could also end up paying too much for heating energy.

There are a variety of factors that should be considered when choosing a home furnace. A reliable Burlington furnace installer can evaluate your home and give you a professional recommendation. Here’s what to take into consideration.

Size
One of the biggest factors to consider when choosing a furnace is the size. It is crucial that you get a furnace that is the right size for your home. The size of the furnace needed is calculated based on the number of square feet you need to heat. Another factor is the climate where you live, because of the average temperatures and humidity. The quality of your insulation and windows will also play a part in the size of furnace your home needs. It is necessary to purchase a furnace that can produce enough heat with all of those factors considered.

Efficiency Rating
Heat is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units). The number of BTUs a furnace can produce determines how many square feet it can heat. Another rating to consider is the HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor), which is the amount of heat delivered divided by the amount of electricity used to produce it. This number is typically used for heat pumps, which are electric.

Heating Energy Source
There are a few different sources of energy used for heating, the most common of which are:

•Electricity. A heat pump uses electricity to absorb heat from the outside air. It is not the same as a furnace that burns fuel of some kind to create heat. Heat pumps work particularly well in milder climates where the temperatures do not get below freezing as often. They are usually equipped with a backup furnace for extreme cold.
•Natural Gas. One of the most common heating fuels is natural gas. If your home has access to natural gas, it is an efficient heating energy source. Natural gas is usually delivered through an underground pipeline connected to a local source. You pay for it monthly based on your home’s usage.
•Propane. An efficient, clean burning option for those who don’t have access to natural gas or who simply want the benefits, propane is delivered to you and stored in a tank on your property. Propane produces more heat per unit than natural gas. It also provides a warm, resonating heat that lasts.
•Heating Oil. Heating oil is also highly efficient, producing more heat per unit than any other heating fuel. New furnaces are designed to burn oil very cleanly without producing soot the way old furnaces once did. Oil can be delivered to your home and stored in a tank on your property.

Manufacturer and Model
Some furnace manufacturers are known for making quality equipment. Lennox, Goodman, ThermoPride, Armstrong, and York are just a few of the top brands of HVAC systems. Do your research and read reviews on some of the makes and models that are available.

Ask the Experts at Berico
Choosing the right furnace is not a decision to take lightly. Get a professional recommendation from a Burlington furnace installer you can trust. Berico can evaluate your home and offer a few different options for systems that will work well for you.

Call (336) 273-8663 or request a quote today.

Heat pumps are a popular type of HVAC system. They are known for being energy-efficient and providing effective home comfort. A heat pump is different from a furnace in the way that it operates, yet the cooling portion is basically the same.

You may have heard good things about them, but if you’re thinking about buying a heat pump, you should know how they work before you make your decision.

How a Heat Pump Warms Your Home 

A heat pump transfers heat rather than creating heat. A furnace uses some type of fuel (propane, heating oil or natural gas) to create heat that is dispersed throughout your home. But a heat pump collects heat from the outside air (even when it is cold outside), draws it in, and disperses it throughout your home.

How does it collect heat when the air outside is cold? The key is pressure. Refrigerant is used to absorb heat from the outside air. As the refrigerant warms up and the pressure increases, it evaporates into gas form. As the heat is blown out through the forced air system to warm your home, the refrigerant is cooled and is ready to absorb more heat to repeat the cycle.

How a Heat Pump Cools Your Home 

The cooling cycle of a heat pump is simply the reverse of the heating cycle. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the air inside of your home. As the refrigerant warms and pressurizes, it is moved outside of your home where it is cooled down. Then the blower distributes the cool air through your ducts and out through your vents.

Heat Pumps Transfer Heat

The essence of a heat pump is that it transfers heat from the outside to the inside when you need to warm your home, and it transfers heat from the inside to the outside when you need to cool your home. This is what makes heat pumps so efficient. They make good use of the heat that is available.

Benefits of Heat Pumps

• Heat pumps are extremely energy efficient because they transfer and maximize available heat energy.
• Heating and cooling in one system. A heat pump uses the same equipment for both the heating and cooling cycles, minimizing parts and footprint.
• Reduce carbon emissions. Heat pumps use electricity rather than heating fuel, which means they create less carbon emissions than furnaces.
• Low maintenance. Heat pumps require less maintenance and cleaning than fuel furnaces.
• Long lasting. A heat pump can last for up to 50 years depending on the quality, installation, and maintenance.

Top Brands of Heat Pumps

If you’re thinking about buying a heat pump, there are a few brands that stand out in terms of quality and longevity. A Carrier heat pump is one of the most environmentally friendly HVAC systems on the market. Lennox heat pumps are known for efficiency and affordability when compared to Trane, which is also efficient but tends to be higher in price. So do your research before deciding whether it’s worth it to pay more.  Standard, Lennox, and Rheem are reliable and efficient systems with an excellent track record.

Berico Provides Reliable Heat Pump Installation 

To get the most efficient operation from a heat pump, it needs to be installed properly. The experienced technicians at Berico will install your heat pump for optimal energy efficiency and long lasting performance.

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

Power outages can happen for any number of reasons from storms to accidents. It can be frustrating, but if you’re lucky your power will be back on before too long. When it does come back on, there’s a possibility your furnace won’t restart automatically. If your home is still cold after a power outage and your furnace isn’t back up and running, don’t panic. This is actually quite common.

You may be tempted to immediately call for furnace repair in Burlington, but wait. There are a few things to try first.

Check Your Thermostat

The first step should always be to check your thermostat. Make sure it is on, set to heat, and that the temperature is set to something below the current indoor temperature. Notice if there are any warnings listed on the screen that would indicate that something is wrong with the system. If all seems well, proceed to the next step.

Check the Circuit Breakers

Sometimes when the power goes out, it causes a power surge that can trip circuit breakers. Locate your electrical box and notice if any breakers are flipped the opposite way from the others. If your electrical box is labeled, find the breaker that is labeled “furnace” or “HVAC system.” If it is flipped to the off position, flip it back the other way to the on position. This should allow your system to turn on if that was the problem.

Check the Pilot Light

If you have an older furnace, it may have a pilot light that stays lit during the cold weather months. Newer furnaces automatically light the pilot light when the thermostat calls for heat. But if yours is the older variety that typically has a permanently lit pilot light, check to see that it is still lit. If not, relight it. If it won’t stay lit, there may be a separate problem that needs to be addressed by a professional.

Reboot Your Furnace

If the breaker wasn’t already tripped before, you can restart your furnace by flipping the breaker off, waiting a few minutes, and then flipping it back on. This gives the system an opportunity to reboot itself and start fresh, which will sometimes do the trick.

Call Berico for Furnace Repair in Burlington 

If you’ve tried everything and your furnace is still not running, call for furnace repair in Burlington. Berico can inspect your system to determine why it is not restarting. There’s a possibility that something was damaged in your furnace or the electrical system, especially if the power went out due to lightning. If the power is back on for the rest of your home, your furnace should be back up and running as well. Berico provides repair and replacement services for all HVAC systems, including gas, propane, and oil furnaces.

Call (336) 273-8663 or schedule furnace service today.