The warm weather season can bring out the worst in Mother Nature. From thunderstorms to hurricanes and even tornadoes, weather can sometimes be severe and the outdoor unit of your air conditioner could be at risk for damage. There are some measures you can take to protect your AC unit during storms so that you can avoid unnecessary AC repair in Burlington. Try these tips when extreme weather is headed your way. 

1. Turn off your AC during a thunderstorm. This is a very basic step that can go a long way in protecting your system from an electrical surge due to lightning. Air conditioners run primarily on electricity, and outdoor units are susceptible to lighting strikes. By turning off your AC during a thunderstorm, it is less likely to be damaged by lightning. It may get a little warm inside your home, but thunderstorms usually pass quickly so your discomfort should be short-lived. 
2. Get a cover for your outdoor AC unit. There are covers specifically designed for air conditioner units that will keep debris out. When storms bring high winds, all sorts of things can blow into your AC unit that can cause damage. The cover will save you from having to clean out your unit after each storm. An AC cover can be especially helpful if you have a vacation home that you don’t year-round. As part of your closing ritual for the season, put the cover on your AC unit after it’s been turned off. Never put the cover on when the air conditioner is running, and be sure to turn it off through your thermostat so that it won’t come on at all when the cover is on it. If your system has a master power switch for the unit, turn it off. Only use a proper AC cover. Never use plastic, such as a trash bag or plastic wrap, because it will seal in unwanted moisture.  
3. Remove hazards from the area. One of the best things you can do is to be proactive before a storm. If you know severe weather is coming, secure things like outdoor furniture and put away any heavy items that could be blown against your AC unit and cause damage. Look for dead trees or dead limbs in your yard and remove them before the storm.  
4. Take precautions for flooding. Flooding from heavy rains or hurricanes can damage your outdoor unit. Make sure you have adequate drainage to prevent water from pooling. In severe flooding, use sandbags or other methods to divert water away from your AC unit. If you live near the water, consider installing your outdoor unit on a raised platform.  

If your AC Unit Gets Damaged by Storms, Call Alamance Oil for AC Repair in Burlington 

In the unfortunate event that a storm causes damage to your air conditioner unit, Alamance Oil can repair or replace it. When it comes to AC repair in Burlington, Alamance Oil is a trusted name with decades of experience in the HVAC industry. Call today: (336) 226-9371.  

Is it time for a new air conditioner? Whether your old system has died or you’re building a new home that needs its first system, there are some important things to take into consideration. Before you schedule Greensboro air conditioning installation, consider these five things.

• Type of System. There are many different types of air conditioners from heat pumps to ductless systems. The type of system you choose should be determined based on factors such as climate (for example, heat pumps work best in mild temperatures), your home (two-story houses and larger houses can benefit from multi-zone systems), and your budget (HVAC systems range in prices).

• Size of System. The size of your system should be based on the size of the area you need to cool, such as how many square feet your home has. An air conditioning system that is too big or too small can cause a variety of problems. The HVAC contractor you choose to handle your Greensboro air conditioning installation can help you determine what size you need.

• Energy Rating. Every air conditioner is assigned a SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating. This gives you an idea of the level of energy efficiency you can expect to experience, so long as you keep your equipment properly maintained. Anything above a 14 SEER is considered to be an efficient air conditioner, and the higher the number the better the efficiency. Systems with higher SEER ratings tend to be more expensive, but your energy bill will be lower. Therefore, in the long run, a higher SEER rated air conditioner can actually save you money.

• Ductwork. Whether you’re having AC installed in an existing home or a new structure, ductwork is important. If your home already has ductwork, a forced air system would be best to use the ducts available without additional construction. If your new home is currently being built, consider the type of HVAC system you want and whether or not ductwork will be a necessary part of your home’s construction. Consider what type of heating system you have or wish to use as well, because a forced air furnace, for example, will use also use ducts.

• Installation Service. The HVAC service you choose to install your new air conditioning system can make all the difference in the performance of your system. Proper ductwork installation, if you choose a forced air system, is a huge part of the overall project. Quality installation by an experienced, certified HVAC installer is critical. Your careful choice of the type, size, and energy rating of your system can all be for naught if the installation is faulty.

Quality Air Conditioning Installation by Berico

You can count on Berico to take all of these things into consideration and then some. When it comes to planning your Greensboro air conditioning installation, you can trust your home and equipment to the experts at Berico. With decades of experience and numerous successful installation projects resulting in satisfied customers, you can be sure your home is good hands. Call Berico today to schedule your Greensboro air conditioning installation today: (336) 273-8663.

Is it necessary to have your air ducts cleaned? It may not be necessary, but it is certainly beneficial. If you have a central HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system, your home has a series of ducts that lead from your air conditioner to the vents throughout your home. Over time dust, dirt, pet dander, and other debris will accumulate in your ducts, contaminating your indoor air and causing your HVAC system to run less efficiently or possibly even malfunction. If your HVAC service in Burlington offers duct cleaning, you would be wise to take advantage of that service. Consider the top 5 benefits of duct cleaning.

• Improve allergies. If you or anyone else in your household suffers from allergies, duct cleaning will be a major benefit. Allergy sufferers see immediate improvement once allergens like dust, pollen, pet dander, and more are removed from the ducts in their home.

• Improve indoor air quality. Besides allergens, other contaminants can build up in your ducts and lower your indoor air quality. Pests may have built nests in your ducts that you are unaware of, contaminating your air with droppings. Soot from your furnace can also build up in your ductwork and be circulated through your home. A thorough duct cleaning will improve the quality of your indoor air.

• Freshen your air. Improving the quality of your indoor air will also freshen your home. Eliminate the odors that are caused by some of the previously mentioned contaminants in your ducts. You’ll notice a difference immediately and you can discontinue use of potent air fresheners.

• Save energy. Perhaps the biggest benefit of duct cleaning is the energy savings. By having your ducts professionally cleaned and your system cleaned as well, you improve the efficiency of your HVAC system. Your monthly energy bills will be noticeably lower.
• Dust less often. Who likes to dust their home? Not many people. Once your ducts have been cleaned you’ll notice much less dust settling on furniture and floors. You’ll find you can go a lot longer between dusting.

Finding an HVAC Service in Burlington that Offers Duct Cleaning

Looking for duct cleaning services? Not every HVAC service in Burlington offers duct cleaning, but Alamance Oil does. Most homeowners know the importance of regular maintenance and cleaning for HVAC systems, but not everyone knows how important duct cleaning is. The HVAC experts at Alamance Oil know that cleaning your air conditioning unit is only part of the routine cleaning that needs to be done. If your system is cleaned but your ducts are not, your HVAC system will be dirty again in a very short time. These services should go hand in hand for the best possible results. Cleaner, fresher air, fewer allergy symptoms, energy savings, and more can only come from a completely clean system, including the ductwork. When it’s time for yearly maintenance, call an HVAC service in Burlington that will thoroughly clean your entire HVAC system, such as Alamance Oil: (336) 226-9371.

Does your home run on propane? Whether you use it for home heat or other appliances, propane is a safe, clean-burning, efficient energy source. But just like any other type of fuel, it’s important to follow basic safety tips during use. Winter is prime usage season for propane, which makes it a great time to check on your tank and appliances. And if you haven’t already had your Reidsville furnace repair company out for an inspection and tune-up, the sooner the better. Keep these 6 winter weather safety tips in mind throughout the year.

• • Get your tank refilled before you run out of propane. It’s always best to stay on top of propane refills. When a tank gets completely empty, there’s a risk of leaks and other problems due to internal tank pressure (or lack of). A gas line and tank inspection is absolutely crucial before a completely empty tank is refilled. Not sure you can remember to schedule refills? No problem. Sign up for a regular delivery plan with Carolina Fuels and you’ll never run out of propane.
  • Keep the area around your propane tank clear. Don’t let vegetation encroach on your tank for a variety of reasons. For one, plants growing on and around your tank can cause premature corrosion of your tank from the outside, which can eventually reach the inside. Clear snow off and away from your tank as well to avoid added stress on your tank. A damaged tank is a potentially dangerous tank. Also, keeping the area clear makes it easier for Carolina Fuels to check and refill your tank, especially in the case of an emergency such as a gas leak.
  • If you smell gas, leave the home and call Carolina Fuels. If you smell gas inside or outside your home, turn off all appliances and lights and get everyone out of the house and to a safe distance away. Then call Carolina Fuels. Don’t use your phone until you are at a safe distance from the house. If you don’t reach anyone right away, call 911.
  • Never use a propane grill inside. Your backyard grill is not meant to be used indoors for any reason, cooking or space heating. It requires outdoor ventilation of carbon monoxide.
  • Never use your propane range as a heat source. If the power goes out or your furnace quits working, never attempt to use your oven to heat your home.
  • Schedule routine Reidsville furnace repair and appliance inspection. Yearly inspection for your furnace is an important step for safe propane usage. A properly working furnace will efficiently use propane and vent carbon monoxide outside the home. A dirty or malfunctioning furnace can cause carbon monoxide to contaminate the air inside your home, which can cause all sorts of health problems and even death.

Carolina Fuels Supplies Propane and Performs Routine Reidsville Furnace Repair

Carolina Fuels wants you and your family to be safe while enjoying all the benefits of propane. Follow these safety tips and you can safely heat your home, cook your food, dry your clothes, heat water, and more with propane. Call Carolina Fuels today to schedule Reidsville furnace repair: (336) 623-9741.

A fireplace is one of the most important features in a home. Homebuyers are looking for them in real estate searches and homeowners who don’t have them are adding them. If you dream of having a fireplace, consider these design options and find the one that sets the tone you want for your home. Reidsville propane suppliers Carolina Fuels can help you choose the right style for you and install gas logs and a propane tank to keep your home cozy this winter.

The Traditional Fireplace Never Goes Out of Style – Whether brick or stone, the traditional living room fireplace complete with hearth and mantel is a classic look. Even an old wood-burning fireplace can be fitted with propane logs for convenience and cleanliness. The mantel allows room for decorative items and offers a place to hang Christmas stockings during the holidays.

Modern Fireplaces are Sleek and Stylish – The modern looking fireplace can be crafted with marble or polished stone tile and clear glass to showcase the beauty of the flames. Some are fitted with propane logs that mimic wood, but current trends are moving toward stones and embers that glow beneath the flames. The positioning of modern fireplaces in the home has even changed from the traditional style.

The Built-In Style Makes the Fireplace Look Like a Piece of Art on the Wall – Modern fireplaces can be built right into the décor of a room so that it looks like a piece of art on the wall, but with actual moving, warming flames. A propane fireplace can be built in a kitchen island or a support wall between two rooms. The ever-popular below-the-television style puts the focal point of the room in one location.

A Multi-Sided Fireplace Shares its Ambience with Multiple Rooms – Though the concept is not modern, the styles of today’s multi-sided fireplaces are. Built into a wall between rooms with clear glass encasing up to four sides, the beauty and warmth of the flames can be enjoyed from multiple rooms at once. This style is in tune with the open-concept floor plans that are so popular in homes today.

Ventilation Options Provide Versatility of Styles

One of the factors that have changed the look of propane fireplaces is new ventilation technology. Reidsville propane suppliers can help you choose the system that works best in your home. But in general, there are three basic options for venting your fireplace:

• Natural – Utilizing an existing chimney with traditional masonry or a metal chimney pipe, the gases created during combustion are vented outside.

• Direct Vent – These sealed-combustion fireplaces draw air for combustion in from the outside and pump waste gases outside through a nearby wall or ceiling to minimize heat loss.
• Vent-free – A catalytic converter cleans the air as it leaves the combustion chamber so that it can be vented directly into the room without releasing harmful gases. Vent-free technology has made many of the modern design options possible.

Contact your Reidsville propane supplier to make your fireplace dreams come true.

To be sure the equipment you want will work properly in the space you want to install it, and to make sure you get the safest and most efficient equipment, contact Carolina Fuels, your Reidsville propane supplier. Carolina Fuels will install your gas fireplace as well as the propane tank. Propane experts will estimate the size of tank you will need for the amount of propane you plan to use and can deliver propane on a predetermined schedule so that you never run out. If you’re thinking of getting a new propane fireplace, call Carolina Fuels today at (336) 623-9741.