Most of the time your air conditioner probably works fine. With regular maintenance, an air conditioning system usually operates free of problems. However, when the occasional issue occurs, there’s often an easy solution. 

But in the event that it can’t be easily solved, Berico is here to help. Call (336) 273-8663 or schedule HVAC service. Berico provides maintenance, repair, and air conditioning installation in Greensboro.

Problem 1: Low Air Flow. Does it seem that the flow of air coming out of your vents is weak? If you can barely feel it or you have to stand on a stool and put your hand right in front of the vent to feel it, something is wrong. 

Solution: Change your filters. The most common reason for low airflow is dirty, clogged filters. If it’s been more than 6 months since you’ve changed your filters, you are likely to find a buildup of dust and dirt (and pet hair if you have pets). If changing your filters doesn’t improve airflow, call Berico. You may have a blower problem instead. 

Problem 2: Outdoor unit is frozen over. Is there ice on your outdoor unit? This is a common problem that occurs with air conditioners, but there may be an easy solution.

Solution: First, check your filters. You already know from problem 1 that dirty filters can impede airflow. Low airflow over the evaporator coil inside your AC unit can cause it to freeze over because it’s not getting enough warm air. If the filters are relatively clean, you may have a dirty evaporator coil. At this point, it’s best to call Berico for a thorough cleaning of your system. 

Problem 3: Short Cycling. Does your AC seem to turn on and off repeatedly? It doesn’t stay on or off for very long, and your home doesn’t feel cool. There are a few possible reasons and solutions for this behavior.

Solution: 

• First, check your filters. This should always be the first step when you have an AC problem. 
• Next, consider your thermostat. The placement of your thermostat plays a big part in the operation of your air conditioner. If it’s in an area where it gets direct sunlight or it’s near a door that opens frequently, it may cause your AC to run more often. Consider moving your thermostat to a more ideal location. 
• Another cause could be a refrigerant leak, which requires professional HVAC service to correct.
• And finally, your air conditioner might be oversized for your home. If you’ve just had air conditioning installation in Greensboro and your AC is short cycling, you might have the wrong size system. Call Berico if you’ve checked the filters and the problem still persists. 

Fast, Affordable Air Conditioning Installation in Greensboro

Common AC problems typically have simple solutions and can often be repaired. But in some cases an air conditioner can’t be fixed and needs to be replaced. If your system is over 10 years old, it should probably be replaced anyway, whether it can be repaired or not. An older system is significantly less efficient than a new system, which means it is wasting energy and running up your energy bill. Consider air conditioning installation in Greensboro by the experts at Berico and you could save money each month. Call (336) 273-8663 or schedule HVAC service. 

Air conditioners are amazing machines. They can keep your home comfortably cool on even the hottest summer days, transforming hot, humid air into crisp, cool air. That is, until the unfortunate moment that something malfunctions and your system stops working. Suddenly the coolness is gone and you’re left wondering what went wrong. This situation may have been avoided if the air conditioner was properly cared for. 

Immediately following air conditioning installation in Reidsville, start on these best practices for keeping your AC in top shape and you can extend the overall life of your system. 

Follow a Regular Maintenance Schedule

The best thing you can do for your air conditioner is to get a professional inspection and tune-up each year. Regular maintenance is necessary to keep all the moving parts in your AC working properly, the refrigerant levels right, and the electrical components connected. Cleaning is a big part of maintenance as well, because dirt, dust, and other debris can build up in your air conditioner over time causing a variety of problems from clogged filters to an ineffective evaporator coil. 

Keep the Area Around your Outside AC Unit Clear

A common mistake that many homeowners make is to try and conceal their outdoor unit by planting bushes or plants around it. This, unfortunately, causes plant debris, dirt, and pollen to get into the unit and inhibit the flow of air. You should keep the area around your outdoor AC unit completely clear. Periodically clear away leaves and other debris that may blow up against the unit. When mowing around the unit, mow in such a direction that the grass clipping will be blown away from it. If necessary after mowing or weed eating, use a broom or brush to clear off the unit. 

Change your Filters Regularly

One of the easiest, but most often forgotten, best practices for air conditioners is to change your filters regularly. Every 3 months is optimal, but every 6 months is the minimum. Clogged or even slightly dirty filters inhibit the flow of air into the intake vents. When your AC doesn’t get enough air, it won’t be able to effectively create cool air and disburse it throughout your home. If you feel you’re experiencing low airflow out of your vents or any other AC problems, try replacing your filters and see if it improves. Changing filters regularly will also reduce the amount of dust, pollen, and other allergens that blow around your home. 

Call your HVAC Service at the First Sign of a Problem

Do you have reason to suspect that your AC may not be working properly? Have you heard weird noises coming from your system, noticed uneven cooling in various areas of your home, or the circuit breaker for your AC unit keeps tripping? These are just a few of the many signs that your air conditioner is not operating properly. When you ignore these signs you are increasing the chances of a total system breakdown that may result in the need for new air conditioning installation in Reidsville. 

Carolina Fuels Offers Maintenance, AC Repair, and Air Conditioning Installation in Reidsville

Carolina Fuels is your complete home comfort service, offering maintenance, emergency repair, and air conditioning installation in Reidsville, Eden, and the surrounding area. Whatever HVAC services you need, Carolina Fuels is ready to respond. Call (336) 623-9741 to schedule an appointment today.

You probably already know that insulation is an important part of every home. It keeps your home warm in the winter and cools in the summer, whether your furnace or your AC is running. If your energy bill has been high, you may have insufficient insulation, or you could be in need of Greensboro AC repair. 

Wondering if insulation, or lack of sufficient insulation, maybe the culprit? Here are 7 ways your home’s insulation can affect your energy bill. 

Insufficient Insulation can Lower Energy-Efficiency

If any area of your home is not sufficiently insulated, outside air can seep in and inside air (the conditioned air you don’t want to lose) can seep out. These are the most common areas where the air is getting in or out, causing energy loss. 

• Attic. The attic is one of the most common areas of the home where sufficient insulation is very important. Many attics are ventilated in order to protect the roof, meaning outside air flows freely in and out. Insulation is installed between the attic floor and the ceiling below to prevent the outside air from seeping into the living areas of the home and to prevent loss of conditioned air. 

• Walls. Insufficient insulation in exterior walls can allow air to seep in and out, making it difficult for your furnace or AC to maintain the desired indoor temperature. This causes your HVAC system to use more energy, making your bill higher. 

• Floor. Whether your home is on a slab, crawlspace, or basement foundation, a lot of warmth can be lost through the floor and a lot of cold can seep in. Insulation in the floor is just as important as the other areas of your home. 

• Crawlspace. Even if your floor is well insulated, a lot of air can get in or out through the crawlspace. Consider having your crawlspace sealed and well insulated to save energy and lower your monthly bill. 

• Doors and Windows. Weatherstripping around doors is another type of insulation to keep air from seeping in and out through cracks between your door and the frame. Double-pane insulated windows prevent cold and heat from getting in through the glass. Properly insulated windows and doors can noticeably lower your energy bill. 

• Basement. A basement is often cooler because it’s below ground level. The cold is good in the summer, but not so much in the winter. Sufficient insulation and basement sealing can keep both cold and moisture out of your basement, which in turn keeps it from rising up into the main level of your home. 

• Ductwork. Leaky or poorly insulated ductwork can have a significant effect on the efficiency of your HVAC system. When the air is heated or cooled it is then blown through the ducts and out through the vents into your home. If the ducts are leaky or the insulation is weak you could be losing a lot of conditioned air and getting a lot of unwanted outside air blown into your home. Your HVAC system then has to work harder to achieve a comfortable indoor temperature, essentially fighting a losing battle. Greensboro AC repair services can inspect your ductwork and make any necessary corrections. 

Get a Free Home Energy Audit from Berico Heating and Air

If you feel that your energy bills are abnormally high, you are an ideal candidate for a free energy audit. Berico can inspect your home’s insulation and HVAC system to identify areas that could be more energy-efficient. Greensboro AC repair and some insulation upgrades may be all you need to lower your bills and have more money each month. Call Berico today to schedule your free energy audit: (336) 273-8663.

As the Earth travels around the sun the seasons inevitably change. And with the change of the seasons comes the need to change your HVAC system to the appropriate home comfort setting. Whether you’re going from heat to cool or vice versa, how do you know if your system is ready to make the switch? Is there any way to know ahead of time if you’ll need AC repair in Reidsville? There are 4 precise ways to be sure your HVAC system is going to operate properly on the first warm day.

• Inspect it. Look over your air conditioning system, both the indoor and outdoor unit. When checking the indoor unit, make sure there’s nothing sitting too close or on top of it. Dust it off, but don’t go inside of it or take anything apart unless you have the experience to do so without causing damage. Check the outside unit for leaves, sticks, or other yard debris that maybe have settled on top or around it. Remove any weeds or tree branches that have encroached on it during the offseason.

• Replace the filters. With each change in season, it’s a good idea to replace your filters. The dust, dirt, hair, and other debris will clog the filter and inhibit air flow into your air conditioner. It can even manage to get through or around the filter when it builds up excessively. You can replace your filters more often if you suffer from allergies to remove more allergens from the air. If your home is newly built or you’ve had a recent home renovation you should replace filters monthly for the first few months following construction.

• Turn it on. Test your AC by turning it on and setting the desired temperature lower than the current indoor temperature. Listen as it comes on and while it runs. Watch to see that it reaches the desired indoor temperature and shuts off properly.
• Schedule professional maintenance. The best thing you can do to be sure your HVAC system is ready for a new season is the schedule professional maintenance. Have a reliable HVAC service inspect and tune up your system with each change in seasons. Any potential problems will be discovered before the weather changes so that you can avoid unfortunate surprises that may result in the need for emergency AC repair in Reidsville.

Carolina Fuels Offers Seasonal Maintenance for your HVAC System

At each season change, call Carolina Fuels to schedule an inspection and tune-up for your system. Or to make it effortless, sign up for a Comfort and Protection Service Agreement and Carolina Fuels will contact you to schedule a maintenance appointment. The Comfort and Protection Service Agreement comes with additional benefits, such as:

• 20% off diagnostics
• 20% off repairs
• Priority service
• No additional after-hours charges on repairs
• $50 in Bonus Bucks that are good toward new equipment
• $500 off a new oil or propane furnace

Call today to schedule AC repair in Reidsville and become a priority customer when you sign up for a Comfort and Protection Service Plan at Carolina Fuels: (336) 623-9741.

It should come as no surprise that the temperature outside affects your air conditioner’s performance. The weather outside is the reason you have an air conditioning system in the first place. While the weather can affect your AC in a variety of ways, the best way to keep your system operating properly is to schedule professional AC repair in Greensboro each year.

• Performance. The outside temperature can affect your AC’s performance. When the temperature outside is in the middle range, your AC operates one way, using the heat exchanger to transfer heat from inside your home to the outside. When the temperature outside is hotter, your AC operates another way, where the compressor does more of the work to create cool air. The hotter it is, the harder your AC will have to work. An older system that is in need of maintenance will have a more difficult time operating in hotter temperatures. An extreme heat wave could send an air conditioner that is on its last legs right over the edge into system failure.

• Efficiency. The hotter the outside temperatures, the harder your AC will have to work to achieve your desired indoor temperature. It then requires more energy to perform and its efficiency lowers. Air conditioners are assigned a SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) that indicates the level of efficiency you can expect. The higher the SEER, the better its efficiency in hot temperatures. An air conditioner with a SEER of 14 or higher is considered efficient. A SEER of 18 or higher is a high-efficiency system.

• Can cause damage. Extreme weather can actually cause damage to the outdoor unit of your air conditioner. Hail can cause denting or other damage to metal of the outdoor unit. High winds and especially tornadoes can do significant damage to your AC from falling branches to upheaval. If lightning strikes your outdoor unit it can do damage to the electrical systems inside. Unfortunately, it is not possible to prevent acts of nature that can damage your system. But you can take a few precautions: turn off your AC during a thunderstorm and cover your outdoor unit with a tarp or a cover designed specifically for air conditioners if the forecast calls for high winds.

Help your HVAC System Battle the Weather with Preventative AC Repair in Greensboro

Is the weather outside keeping your AC from operating at peak efficiency? While it’s true that extreme heat can make your AC less efficient, you can optimize your system’s energy efficiency by keeping it tuned up. Yearly AC repair in Greensboro before the warm season begins can significantly increase the performance of your system and its overall energy usage. Battle the weather with a Comfort and Protection Service Agreement from Berico, which includes twice yearly maintenance for your AC and furnace, heating fuel discounts, 20% off diagnostic and repairs, priority service, and more. Eliminate the worry that your AC is not up to the task of keeping your home cool despite extreme weather. Trust your AC to Berico: (336) 273-8663.