Is your propane furnace ready for winter? When the weather turns cold you want to be sure you can count on your furnace to keep you warm. Getting stuck without heat on a cold winter day is an experience you won’t soon forget. Want to avoid such unpleasantness? Here are 6 winter readiness tips from your propane supplier in Reidsville. 

Have your tank refilled

Don’t wait for your tank to run low or run out on a cold winter day. The coldest days will have your propane supplier in Reidsville as busy as possible, so you may have to wait for a while in the cold. And running out of propane completely can cause problems with your tank and gas lines that will require extra procedures to be done. Be prepared by getting your tank refilled early. 

Have your tank inspected

Propane tanks can rust and deteriorate over time, which can cause problems with your home heat and pose a safety hazard. Whenever you have your tank refilled, your supplier should inspect your tank for any signs of damage. 

Have your furnace inspected, cleaned, and tuned up

Yearly maintenance for your furnace ensures that it is in good working order and that it is operating at peak efficiency. The best time for a furnace tuneup is late summer or early fall, but even into the winter is still fine, and better than not at all. You can avoid heating problems and save some money by making furnace maintenance a priority. 

Change your filters

At the very least you should change your filters twice a year when you switch from AC to heat and vice versa. Changing them quarterly is even better for your system and can keep more dust and dirt out of your ducts. Most HVAC companies will replace your filters as part of your regular maintenance appointments. 

Upgrade to a programmable thermostat

Now is a good time to switch to programmable thermostats. Save energy and money by setting your thermostat to automatically adjust your indoor temperature based on the time of day. When no one is home or at night while everyone is under the covers it isn’t necessary to have the heat set as high as you do during other times of the day. 

Check your insulation

Is your home’s insulation sufficient? It’s important to inspect insulation occasionally for deterioration and for cracks or gaps that may be letting in outside air. You may want to add insulation to your home and weather stripping around door frames. Seal up any cracks or gaps you find where cold air could be seeping in and lowering the efficiency of your furnace. 

Carolina Fuels Can Help Make Sure Your Furnace is Ready for Winter

Are you looking for a propane supplier in Reidsville that can not only fill up your tank but tune-up your furnace as well? Call Carolina Fuels at (336) 623-9741 to schedule a winter readiness check-up for your propane furnace and tank. The sooner you do so the better to avoid paying too much for home heat this winter. 

Are you a propane customer in Greensboro, NC? Whether you already use propane, are thinking of switching to propane, or you have become a propane customer due to moving into a new home – it’s important to have the right size tank. Here are 5 reasons why the size of your propane tank matters. 

Vaporization

Propane exists as a liquid in tanks until it is boiled and turns into a gas. This process is called vaporization. In order for vaporization to take place, there must be enough propane in a large enough tank. A small tank, such as a cylinder, will not be able to fuel a residential furnace. A home using propane for heat will need a tank that is at least 500 gallons. 

Efficiency

A tank that is too small will require refills too frequently, causing your energy costs to rise. A tank that is too big will cost more to refill when you may not need that much propane. Having the right size tank for the average projected use of propane is as efficient as you can possibly be. 

Size of your home

When using propane for home heat, the size of your home will dictate the size of the tank you need. If your tank is too small for the square footage of your home, you’ll run out of propane too soon. If you have a tank that is bigger than what you need you’ll pay too much for refills. And if your refills are few and far between, your propane tank’s condition could deteriorate without you being aware of it and without your supplier inspecting it during regular refills. 

Household usage

It’s important to take every propane appliance into account when calculating household propane usage. Furnace, stove/oven range, water heater, generators, clothes dryers, and anything else that uses propane will need to be entered into the calculations. You’ll need a tank that is big enough to supply energy for all of your household appliances. 

Commercial usage

Besides residential, commercial propane use also requires the right size tank. With such a wide variety of commercial uses for propane, it can be complicated to determine what sizes of tanks your business may need. From small cylinders to 1,000-gallon tanks, you may need a combination of tank sizes for different applications. Some may need to be easily portable, others not. 

Not Sure What Size Tank You Need for your Propane in Greensboro, NC?

Berico can help. Berico has been supplying propane in Greensboro, NC since 1924. Using experience and precise calculations it can be easily determined what size tank you’ll need for your home or business. Save money and increase efficiency with a tank that will hold enough propane to get you through without excessive refills. 

Thinking of switching suppliers? Berico offers free tank swap-outs for new customers, making switching easy. Call (336) 273-8663 today to speak with a Berico representative about propane tank sizes and how to save money with automatic deliveries. 

As the weather begins to change and you contemplate whether or not to turn on the heat on that first cold night, you may be hesitant for a good reason. No one wants to start paying to heat their home unless they have to. Heating energy can be costly. 

However, there are ways to reduce your energy bill, and some of them can be done simply by making some adjustments to your thermostat. Carolina Fuels, your Reidsville furnace repair service, wants you to be aware of these 4 thermostat tips and tricks that can help keep your heating costs lower this winter. 

Adjust the temperature when you’re away

Why heat an empty house? Consider turning the thermostat down when everyone’s going to be at work or school. It’s especially helpful if you’ll be gone for a few days or more to turn down the thermostat and save some energy.

Some people even prefer to sleep in cooler temperatures and just snuggle up under the covers, making it possible to turn the thermostat down a few degrees overnight. 

Install a programmable thermostat

Don’t want the hassle of turning the thermostat up and down all the time? Is it hard to remember to do so? Consider installing a programmable thermostat in your home. A programmable thermostat allows you to set specific temperatures for specific times of the day. The thermostat keeps the time and adjusts itself accordingly, so you don’t have to. Your Reidsville furnace repair company, Carolina Fuels, can install your programmable thermostat and teach you how to use it. 

Consider changing the location of your thermostat

You’ve probably never given much thought to the location of the thermostat in your home, but it can have a major effect on your home’s energy usage. A thermostat near a door that opens frequently can misinterpret the temperature and overheat your house. Try relocating your thermostat to a more central location away from doors and windows for a more accurate reading. If moving the thermostat isn’t an option, make your desired temperature a few degrees lower.

Implement zone heating in your home

 Does the upstairs always feel warmer than downstairs in your home? Do you prefer your bedrooms to be cooler than your main living areas? Zone heating allows you to set different temperatures for different areas of your home. Common configurations for zone heating are an upstairs and a downstairs zone. Other arrangements are possible as well, like bedrooms and living area zones. Each zone has it’s own thermostat for optimal temperature control.

Reduce your Heating Costs with Reidsville Furnace Repair

One of the best ways to keep heating costs low is to schedule preventive maintenance with your Reidsville furnace repair service. Routine maintenance at the start of the heating season will ensure your furnace is operating efficiently, which can reduce energy usage and cost. It can also help you avoid unexpected furnace problems once the cold weather sets in. 

Call Carolina Fuels today at (336) 623-9741 to discuss thermostat options and schedule furnace maintenance or request service here. 

Have you been giving some thought to the type of heating fuel you use? Whether you’re considering replacing your furnace, switching fuels or your house hunting – you need a basic comparison of the available heating fuels in Burlington. This article will compare the pros and cons of 4 different types of heating fuels. 

Propane

Pros: 

• Efficient. Propane burns very hot, which means it is capable of creating a lot of heat with a small amount of fuel. 
• Comfortable. Propane creates a warm, radiant heat that lasts, making your home feel cozy. 
• Versatile. Propane can do more than just heat your home. It can be used for cooking, drying clothes, grilling, heating water, and more. 
• Accessible. Propane can be delivered anywhere, even to rural areas where natural gas may not be available. 
• Works without electricity. If the power goes out you still have heat and any other appliance that runs on propane. 
• Burns clean. Propane won’t harm the environment from emissions or spills. 

Cons: 

• Prices fluctuate. However, many suppliers offer price protection plans to reduce this risk. 
• Periodic refills are necessary. Most suppliers offer automatic refills to ensure you never run out. 

Heating Oil

Pros:

• Efficient. Heating oil is one of the most efficient heating fuels as is the most efficient of the liquid heating fuels. 
• Comfortable. Like propane, heating oil provides a radiant heat that lingers and makes your home cozy.
• Accessible. Like propane, heating oil can be delivered anywhere.
• Works without electricity. Even when the power goes out, your oil furnace will keep your home warm. 
• Burns clean.

Cons:

• Although oil burns clean, it produces more carbon monoxide than propane. 
• Oil prices tend to be more volatile, but suppliers may offer price protection plans to alleviate this. 
• Old oil tanks are prone to leaks. 

Natural Gas

Pros:

• Affordable. Natural gas is known as one of the most affordable heating fuels.
• Constant supply. Natural gas is available as long as the natural resource holds out. There’s no tank, no refills, and no danger of running out. 
• Common. You’re much more likely to find homes with natural gas heating, especially newer homes.

Cons: 

• Not available everywhere. Rural areas do not always have access to natural gas resources. 
• Not as comfortable. It’s more of an opinion, but it is said that natural gas doesn’t feel as warm as propane or oil and the warmth doesn’t linger as long. 

Electricity 

Pros:

• Efficient when used in conjunction with a heat pump. In milder climates, a heat pump uses electricity to transfer heat, which is extremely efficient. 
• Ductless electric heating systems are convenient. You can place individual heaters in each room for customizable comfort throughout your home. 

Cons: 

• Expensive. As far as affordability goes, electricity is low on the list. 
• When the power goes out, so does the heat. 

Still Trying to Decide Between Heating Fuels in Burlington?

If you’re still not sure after reading this comparison, call Alamance Oil and speak with a representative who can help you decide between heating fuels in Burlington. Alamance Oil supplies both propane and heating oil to customers in Burlington and the surrounding area. Even if your heating system runs on natural gas or electricity, Alamance Oil provides comprehensive service and maintenance for your HVAC system. Call (336) 226-9371 today to speak with a heating fuel expert about your options. 

There is not a clear cut answer to this question. The best time of year for HVAC maintenance in Greensboro depends on a variety of factors. In general, in a climate where there all four seasons are represented, it is best to service your HVAC system twice a year: once in late summer or early fall for your heating system, and once in late winter or early spring for your cooling system.

Fall Heating Maintenance Prepares your System for Cold Weather

No matter what the forecast is for the weather this winter or what the farmer’s almanac has to say about the chance of snow, you can expect some cold weather in North Carolina. Is your furnace, heat pump, or other heating system ready to battle cold temperatures and keep your home feeling cozy?

If you’re not sure what condition your heating system is in, you could find yourself with a frigid house, in need of emergency service. Without central heat, your home can get cold quickly and become unlivable. During a cold snap, it is quite common for many people to experience problems with their heating system at the same time. You could be waiting a while for service. After-hours services, you have to pay higher fees.

Another reason to be proactive and schedule maintenance in the later summer or early fall is to save money. HVAC maintenance in Greensboro can help your heating system run more efficiently, which will reduce your energy bill, whether you use natural gas, propane, heating oil, or electricity.

Spring Cooling Maintenance Prepares your System for Hot Weather

Just as a fall maintenance appointment gets your heating system ready for winter, a spring maintenance appointment gets your air conditioning ready for summer. You don’t want to wait and find out that your AC won’t work on the first hot day of the season. Just as the first cold day, the first really hot day is when many customers find out that their AC needs service. You can avoid a long, sweltering wait and emergency service fees by scheduling maintenance early in the spring.

Maintenance of your air conditioner and furnace is important for energy efficiency. It’s amazing what a simple cleaning can do to save energy and lower your bill in the summer.

Why is it Important to Schedule Maintenance Early in each Season?

It comes down to scheduling. If you want to be able to schedule a maintenance appointment at a convenient time for you, you’re more likely to be successful if you call early in the season. Reliable local companies, such as Berico, are in high demand as the weather begins to change. Don’t settle for a cut-rate company just because they can show up immediately. Ask yourself why their schedule is so wide open.

Call Berico today at (336) 273-8663 to schedule HVAC maintenance in Greensboro or request service here. Make sure your furnace is ready for the season and save yourself some money on your heating bill this year.