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.

As the main control panel for your HVAC system, you come to rely on your thermostat to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. And, most of the time, it will do just that. So, it can be rather alarming to head to your thermostat and find that the screen is blank. If your thermostat is currently displaying no information on its screen, there are a few potential problems to consider. Explore the article below to see if you can solve this issue on your own or if professional help will be required.

To bring in professional help with furnace repair in Eden or any other type of HVAC task, call on the team at Berico today. In addition to HVAC service, Berico also offers fuel delivery, tank installation, and more.

Reasons for a Blank Thermostat
You may be dealing with a blank thermostat for one of the reasons below –

•It needs new batteries. If you have a thermostat that runs on batteries as opposed to power provided by the electrical system, it’s possible that those batteries are dead. It’s quick and easy to pop new batteries into the thermostat, so this is the best place to start when trying to solve the problem.
•Safety issues. As a protective measure, your thermostat may include the capability to shut itself down when a problem is detected in the HVAC system. In other words, if something is wrong with your furnace or air conditioner, the thermostat may shut off so you can’t continue trying to use the equipment. This type of problem would need to be addressed by a professional team like that at Berico.
•Tripped breaker. Another good place to look for a solution is in your electrical panel. As the breaker that serves your HVAC system tripped? If so, reset that breaker and see if the thermostat comes back to life.
•It’s broken. Unfortunately, a blank thermostat will sometimes mean that the unit is simply broken and in need of replacement. While that’s probably not what you want to hear, the good news is that a replacement thermostat is relatively affordable and easy to install. Also, if you have been using an older model thermostat for many years, you may enjoy upgrading to a modern device with advanced features.

Why Update Your Thermostat
Whether your current thermostat is broken or just in need of a simple fix like new batteries, it’s still worth considering upgrading that model to a newer version. With a new thermostat, you can pick up features like detailed programming, smartphone control, and more. Being able to exert more control over how your HVAC system operates will not only help you keep your home at a comfortable temperature throughout the year, but it could also help you save money on energy by running the system more efficiently. Reach out to Berico to learn more about what modern thermostats have to offer and whether or not a new unit would be a good choice in your situation.

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.

One of the wonders of the modern world is the ability to control the temperature in your home with just a push of a button or even speaking into your phone or your smart speaker. It’s easy to take the control your thermostat gives you for granted, but this powerful tool has transformed the way we live. Given the control you have over your home’s climate, what temperature settings are optimal throughout the year? The right answer is a little different for everyone, but there are some guidelines you can follow.

 

To keep your home’s air conditioning and heating systems working properly all year long, contact Berico for Greensboro HVAC service. Ongoing maintenance from Berico can optimize efficiency and help you dial in the ideal temperature and avoid costly repairs.

 

Understanding the Goal

Whether you are heating or cooling your home, one important goal is to avoid major temperature swings in either direction. Trying to change the temperature of your home dramatically – by more than several degrees or more – requires your air conditioner or furnace to work very hard and uses a lot more energy. A better plan is to consistently maintain your home’s temperature in a comfortable narrow range so the air conditioner and the furnace never has to work too hard.

 

 

Managing Your Air Conditioning

When the temperatures outside soar into the 90s and beyond, it’s tempting to crank down your AC even lower to combat the additional heat.  However, just like warming your home on a cold day, it will take a lot of energy to cool your home dramatically on a hot day. So, cranking the thermostat down is not recommended as it will not cool the home faster.  It’s a good strategy to set your AC to a moderate temperature that is still comfortable without demanding too much from your air conditioner.

 

Try 72* F as a starting point for your AC setting. You might even be comfortable going up to 74* F or so, or you may find that 68* F is necessary to keep everyone happy. Once you determine where you are comfortable, set your air conditioning at that temperature and leave it there. Since your home could get rather hot at night with the AC off, making it harder to sleep, you’ll want to leave it set close to the same temperature throughout the day and night.

 

A Winter Heating Strategy

While you are awake in your home, you’ll likely want to have the temperature of your thermostat set somewhere around 68* to 70* F. This is a comfortable temperature for most people, but you and your family might like to keep it a little higher or lower, depending on your preferences.

 

With that said, there is likely no reason to maintain that temperature all night. Keeping the indoor temperature at higher than 70 * F when the weather outside is much cooler does require more energy. Some people allow their home temperature to drop to the mid to low 60s while they sleep, keeping warm with a blanket. As an added bonus, studies have shown that humans tend to sleep better in cool temperatures, so you might find that you get better sleep in a home a little cooler than you might think.