Two of the most common types of home heating systems are furnaces and heat pumps. They both work to produce heat to warm your home and ultimately they achieve the same purpose, though mechanically they work in very different ways.

Furnaces and heat pumps do have a few things in common. They require a duct system and blower in order to disburse heat throughout your home. They are both capable of highly efficient operation. And they both perform best with regular maintenance.

When it comes to Greensboro HVAC systems, furnaces and heat pumps are both widely used in the area. If you’re trying to decide which type would be best for your home, the following information should help you understand the difference so that you can make an informed decision.

Furnaces Use Fuel to Create Heat
The source of heat for a furnace comes from a fuel of some kind. Natural gas, propane, and heating oil are the three main types. Natural gas comes from a local source and reaches your home through a gas line under the ground. Propane and heating oil are stored in tanks and delivered to you by a fuel supplier.

A heat pump is an electric heating system that does not require any fuel. Although the energy source is electricity, heat pumps are highly efficient, much more so than electric heating systems of the past.

Heat Pumps Transfer Heat Energy
Rather than creating heat by burning fuel as a furnace does, a heat pump transfers air from the outside to the inside and vice versa. A heat pump moves cold air outside and collects heat from the outside air and brings it inside, all through the use of refrigerant filled coils. This is what makes a heat pump so efficient, the way it transfers heat and maximizes whatever available warmth there is.

Heat Pumps Can Have a Backup Furnace
Heat pumps work best in temperatures no lower than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes them best suited for moderate climates where winters are mild. However, heat pumps include a backup heating option for use when temperatures fall too low. This makes them a viable Greensboro HVAC option because temperatures do fall below the 40 degree threshold for only part of the year in this area.

Furnaces Only Create Heat, Heat Pumps Provide Both Heating and Cooling
A furnace is only capable of creating heat. An additional air conditioning system must be used during warm weather to cool your home. However, a heat pump provides both heating and cooling. The process used to transfer heat simply reverses when your home needs to be cooled. This makes a heat pump efficient for use in all seasons.

A Furnace Can Make Your Home More Comfortable in Cold Weather
Propane and heating oil both create more heat per unit than natural gas or electricity because they burn at extremely high temperatures. The type of heat created by heating fuel is a radiant heat, which is known to create a cozier feel that lasts longer than other types of heat.

Berico Can Install and Service Both Furnaces and Heat Pumps
Whatever type of HVAC system you choose, Berico provides installation and service for both types, as well as heating fuels such as propane and heating oil. Berico is a Greensboro HVAC service providing complete home comfort services. Call 336-273-8663 today or schedule a service appointment.

When it’s working properly, your furnace is not something you have to think about often during the winter months. You simply set your thermostat and let the furnace come on and off automatically based on those settings. Unfortunately, like all other pieces of equipment, furnaces can run into trouble from time to time. One type of trouble you may encounter with your furnace is water leaking from the unit. The article below will offer some insight into why this can happen and what it may mean.

If you need the best HVAC service Burlington has to offer, contact Berico today for assistance. Whether it is furnace repair, replacement, or any other HVAC task, you can be sure that Berico is up to the challenge.

Why Does My Furnace Leak Water?
There are a few potential causes of a furnace water leak, including the following –

•The hose that is meant to carry away the condensation from the unit could be leaking. This hose may leak as a result of damage, or it could be clogged up, giving the water no way to pass through to the drain.
•A drain line is used to get the water away from the furnace. Like the drain hose, the main drain line could leak if it is damaged or clogged, or it could not be properly attached.
•It’s also possible for the pump that moves the condensate could leak. Specifically, if the drain that serves this pump is blocked up, the water will collect and leak.

Why in the Winter?
The reason that you may deal with furnace leaks in the winter is simply that your furnace is working so much harder during the winter months. In the summer, it probably doesn’t come on at all, and it may only need to run from time to time in the spring and fall seasons. In the winter, however, your furnace jumps to the foreground and it puts in plenty of working hours to keep your house comfortable. Knowing that it will be working hard on cold days, be sure to check in regularly to make sure no leaks have occurred.

A Specific Type of Furnace
The type of furnace that you need to worry about developing a leak is a high-efficiency furnace. This type of furnace uses two heat exchangers, and that design introduces the development of condensation. A single heat exchanger model won’t create condensation, so water leaks are not a concern. More and more homes and other buildings feature high-efficiency units these days, so leaks are something that the average homeowner should monitor if they have a high-efficiency model.

Consider Other Possibilities
It’s worth noting that there is a possibility that your water leak is not coming from your furnace. If you have an air conditioner in the same space as the furnace, that unit could actually be the cause of the leak – although it is not likely operating during the winter months. Also, it could be something completely unrelated, like a roof leak that happens to be coming through the space where the furnace is located. Getting the help of a professional team like Berico will allow you to get to the bottom of the problem and have it resolved as quickly as possible.

Are you in need of a residential propane supplier? If you have a propane furnace or if any other appliances in your home use propane, you must have a propane tank somewhere on your property. That tank, whatever the size, can only hold a certain amount of propane before needing to be refilled. Whether you’re a new propane customer or you’re thinking of switching suppliers, you may be wondering what to look for in a propane supplier. Here are the most important things to consider.

Ask for Recommendations for a Propane Delivery Company 

Talk to your neighbors, friends, coworkers, and anyone else you know and ask if they use propane and who their supplier is. Neighbors are an excellent source for this because you will know that their supplier already serves your area. Ask what they like about their supplier and why they continue to be customers.

Check Safety Ratings 

Propane is a fuel, and although it is only flammable at very high temperatures, it must be handled safely. All propane suppliers are issued a safety rating based on a variety of factors regarding safe transport and storage of propane. Any reliable supplier should easily be able to provide you with their current safety rating.

Do They Provide Automatic Refills?

Give yourself the peace of mind that comes from knowing you will never run out of propane. Find a supplier that offers automatic refills based on the size of your propane tank and your home’s projected usage. When properly calculated, your tank will never be empty.

 

Do They Offer Payment Plans?

Would it help to be able to pay for your propane on a monthly basis rather than in one lump sum? Look for a supplier that offers monthly payment plans so you can budget your bills and expenses more accurately.

 

Can You Pre-Buy or Lock-In Your Propane Price?

Propane prices fluctuate throughout the year and over the long term. If your supplier offers a pre-buy or price lock-in option, you can take advantage of low prices when the market value drops. You can purchase your propane before you need it when the prices are low, or lock-in a low price by committing to a certain amount of propane and paying monthly.

 

How Do They Handle New Customers?

If you currently have a propane tank but you want to switch suppliers, choose a new supplier that will swap out your tanks for free. Switching suppliers can be easy when your new supplier is willing to do the work in order to earn your business.

 

Why Choose Berico as Your Residential Propane Supplier? 

Berico is a reliable residential propane supplier in Greensboro, High Point, Burlington, Reidsville, Eden, and the surrounding areas. When you ask for recommendations, the name Berico will come up again and again. Berico offers pre-buy and price protection plans as well as monthly payments to make propane more affordable. Automatic refills will ensure you never run out of propane when you need it. And when you become a Berico customer, the switch is easy for you with a free tank swap out.

Call Berico today at (336) 273-8663 or fill out the new customer order form.

The last thing you want to experience is a broken furnace on a cold winter day or night. Sometimes furnaces break down without warning, but in many cases there are signs that indicate your furnace may not be working properly.

Avoiding an unexpected furnace breakdown is always preferable, so how can you prevent it? According to the best heating and air in Greensboro, here’s what to look for so you can be prepared.

 

Repeated Cycling On and Off

Does it seem as if your heat comes on, turns off, and turns on again without much time in between? Perhaps it doesn’t run very long each time before shutting off, then comes right back on again. This is a sign that something is not working correctly within your furnace. It could be that there are parts in need of cleaning, repair, or replacement. There may be a problem with the blower motor. Any number of mechanical or electrical issues could cause this to happen. If you notice this, it’s time to schedule a service appointment.

 

Uneven Temperatures Throughout Your Home

Do some rooms feel warm and others cool? Uneven heating is another sign that your furnace is not operating properly. It could be failing to produce enough heat to effectively warm your entire home. There could be issues with air flow through the ducts or other problems that could prevent heat from disbursing evenly. Start by checking your filters and replace them if necessary. If the problem persists, contact the best heating and air in Greensboro, Berico.

 

Unusual or Increased Noises

Have you noticed more noise or unusual noises coming from your furnace or vents? You may think it’s just in your head, but it’s probably not. You get used to the way your HVAC system sounds when it runs, and if you’re suddenly noticing it when you didn’t before, the noises are probably new. Excessive or strange noises coming from your furnace could mean any number of mechanical problems from loose parts to electrical issues. Schedule a service appointment to have your system evaluated.

 

High Energy Bills

Your furnace may run on natural gas, propane, heating oil, or electricity. If your gas or energy bill seems to keep going up, it may be a sign that your furnace is not operating properly. A properly working furnace should operate efficiently, depending on its efficiency rating. Regardless, soaring energy bills are not normal and may indicate that your furnace is on its way out.

 

How Will I Know if My Furnace Should be Repaired or Replaced? 

When your HVAC technician inspects your furnace they will diagnose the problem as well as assess the condition of your system.

 

They will most likely recommend repair if:

 

• Your furnace is less than 10 years old.
• The repair is easy and inexpensive.
• The overall condition of your furnace is good.

 

The technician may recommend replacement if:

 

• Your furnace is more than 10 years old.
• The repair required is a major, expensive part.
• The overall condition of your furnace is poor.

 

Want to Avoid a Breakdown? Have Your System Assessed by Berico

If you’re concerned about the performance or condition of your furnace, call 336-273-8663 today to schedule a service appointment. Find out why customers consistently rate Berico as the best heating and air in Greensboro.

HVAC, or heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment can be expensive. Whether you need a repair or a complete replacement for your heating or cooling system, the cost may be more than you can pay out of pocket. But HVAC financing is a potential option to make the cost more affordable.

 

Your HVAC system is not just a luxury, especially during the winter months. You need a heating system to keep your family warm on cold days and nights. No one should have to go without heat, which is why financing is available to help pay for repairs and new equipment.

 

HVAC Financing Options

There are a few different types of loans that can be used to finance HVAC equipment, including:

 

• Financing through your HVAC company. Most HVAC companies offer financing through a lender they partner with in the area. This is typically a good option because approval is highly likely and there is often a promotional rate negotiated to encourage the business partner relationship. In many cases you can apply and be approved in minutes for same day service.
• Credit card. Most types of credit cards can be used to pay for anything, including HVAC equipment. You can use a credit card you already have or apply for a new card to pay for your HVAC repair or replacement. Some credit cards offer a zero rate for a promotional period, but be sure to pay it off before it starts accruing interest, as the rate may be high when the promotion ends.
• Personal loan. A personal loan can be used for HVAC purchases. It is usually established as a set amount for a specific purpose. You make payments each month until you have paid off the full amount, then the loan is usually closed. It is not a revolving line of credit like a credit card.
• Home Equity line of credit. A home equity loan allows you to use the equity you have in your home as collateral for a line of credit. The limit can be as high as the total amount of equity you have in your home at the time of the application. Home equity loans are most often used to pay for home improvements, and HVAC system replacement would qualify. However, this type of loan can be risky, because if you fail to make payments you could lose your home.
• Federal loan programs. There are loan options under FHA (Federal Housing Administration). The PowerSaver loan program allows you to use the equity in your home up to $7,500 to finance energy-saving upgrades without risking your home as collateral. Replacing your HVAC system with a new, energy-efficient system, would qualify in most cases. Just be sure to check the requirements and purchase a system that qualifies.

 

Berico Offers Affordable Options for Financing HVAC Equipment

If you need an expensive repair or a system replacement, you can finance it through Berico. Berico partners with Wells Fargo to offer affordable financing with competitive rates and convenient monthly payments. Your home can be comfortable again in no time with the help of Berico services and financing.

 

Call (336) 273-8663 or apply for financing today.