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.

HVAC systems (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) are not all the same. Choosing the right one is a very important decision. Follow these tips and get an expert recommendation from Alamance Oil before you schedule air conditioning installation in Burlington.

Bigger is Not Always Better

It’s a common myth that a bigger HVAC system will make your home more comfortable and will run more efficiently. In fact, the opposite is true. Buying a system that is too big or too small for your home will cause it to fail to achieve the desired indoor temperature and can cause other issues from constant cycling to icing over. Ask the HVAC experts to recommend the right size system for the square footage and layout of your home before you purchase any equipment.

Some Systems Boast Unrealistic SEER Ratings

SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) is a rating assigned to every HVAC system that suggests what kind of energy efficiency you can expect over a season of use. Similar to the gas mileage on a car, the number is not definite, but a suggestion or an estimate. Any system above a 14 SEER is considered efficient, with some systems being rated as high as 18 or 20 SEER. Some systems claim to reach a SEER of 21-25, but that is really an unrealistic rating. Those systems are also priced on the high end of the spectrum where the efficiency rarely ever makes up for the cost. It may be in your best interest to consider a system with a realistic SEER of between 14 and 18.

Online Reviews are one of the Best Sources of Information about HVAC System Quality

Take the time to research HVAC systems. Read reviews, compare brands, and see what real consumers are saying about some of the systems out there. Certain brands are known for quality and longevity, and you’ll see that some models always get the best reviews. Don’t purchase a system for which there is little or no information to be found. That should be a red flag to you that the manufacturer or model isn’t very popular, and probably for good reason.

Get a Recommendation from your Trusted HVAC Company

Alamance Oil has decades of experience repairing and installing a wide variety of HVAC systems. The best advice is likely to come from a professional heating and air conditioning specialist, who knows which systems break down often and which don’t, which systems last for 20 plus years and which ones will give you barely 10, and which are the most energy efficient.

Alamance Oil Offers more than just Air Conditioning Installation in Burlington

When you work with Alamance Oil you also get the benefit of HVAC expertise. Alamance Oil will recommend the best system for your home based on size, SEER, reviews, past performance, and any other helpful information. You can rest assured that you’ll be purchasing the right system in addition to quality air conditioning installation in Burlington. If you need a new HVAC system, call Alamance Oil first: (336) 226-9371.

It’s that time of year. The temperatures are warming up, the days are getting longer and soon enough you’ll need to turn on your air conditioner. What kind of shape is yours in? Are you confident that it’s up to the task of cooling your home for another scorching summer? If not, it may be time to consider replacing your system. But before you schedule your AC replacement in Eden, here’s what you need to know about getting a new air conditioner.

How do you Know When it’s Time to Replace your AC?

There are some signs that can alert you to the fact that your air conditioner may be on its last legs. The warning signs include:

• Unusual noises. This is a sign of parts wearing out or getting loose, vibrations, and other malfunctions.

• Uneven cooling. A struggling AC will fail to cool your home consistently throughout.

• Frequent cycling on and off. If your AC comes on and goes off repeatedly without ever reaching the desired indoor temperature, you have a malfunctioning system.

• Indoor humidity. Your air conditioner should naturally remove humidity from your home. If your windows fog up or you find condensation on metal surfaces indoors, your AC isn’t doing its job.
• Circuit breaker trips. Frequent tripping of the circuit breaker that corresponds to your air conditioner is a sign of an electrical issue that may or may not be repairable.

These or any other non-typical behavior from your AC are common indicators that your system is not operating properly. Repair may be possible, but a complete system replacement could be the only option.

The Age of your System is an Important Factor

Depending on the manufacturer and model of your air conditioning system, it likely has an expected lifespan of 10-15 years. Often systems will last between 15-20 years when well maintained. But past about 20 years and you’re really running on borrowed time. Another point to consider is that older systems are not nearly as energy efficient as newer systems. Major advancements in technology have led to the development of high-efficiency air conditioning systems that can operate using significantly less energy. Replacing your old system can save a lot of energy and noticeably lower your monthly electricity bill. If you’re facing an expensive repair, it may be in your best interest to replace your system instead.

Carolina Fuels can give you an Expert Recommendation on AC Replacement in Eden

When you think you may need AC replacement in Eden, it’s important to get an evaluation from an experienced, knowledgeable HVAC service. Carolina Fuels can inspect your system and evaluate its condition to formulate the best possible course of action. If your AC can be easily repaired so that it can operate efficiently for longer, that may be the best choice. But if the repair is only buying you time until the inevitable replacement is necessary, it might be smarter to go ahead and get it done. Your technician will take everything into consideration when making a recommendation, including your budget.

Call Carolina Fuels to schedule an AC inspection by a certified technician: (336) 623-9741.

A propane gas leak is a very serious matter, and should not be taken lightly. While propane is a safe fuel that only burns at very high temperatures, a leak could lead to a high concentration of gas in a certain area and a spark could cause it to ignite. If you smell gas or suspect a leak for any reason, your Reidsville propane supplier, Carolina Fuels, recommends taking the following steps.

Step 1: Put Out Any Source of Flame or Spark. If you’re grilling, turn off your grill. If you’re home, turn off your furnace. Put out candles and any other source of flame. Do not use electricity.

Step 2: Turn off the Gas Valve on your Propane Tank. If you can, turn your propane off at the tank valve. Simply turn it clockwise until it won’t turn any further. If you can’t figure out how to turn it off or if you are having trouble turning the valve, proceed to the next step.

Step 3: Get Away. If you smell propane inside your home, get yourself and your family out immediately. If you smell propane outside, leave the vicinity. Do not go back inside your home. Get to a safe distance before proceeding to the next step.

Step 4: Call your Reidsville Propane Supplier. Once you are a safe distance away, use your cell phone or another phone to call your propane supplier and alert them that there may be a leak. If you can’t get your propane company on the phone, call 911. Your local fire department will respond to a potential gas leak if necessary.

Step 5: Stay Away until the Area is Deemed Safe. Do not return to your home until it is determined to be safe according to your propane supplier or another emergency responder. Only take the word of a professional in this case.

Prevent Propane Gas Leaks with Regular Inspection and Maintenance

Propane gas leaks are not common, but unfortunately they can happen. However, you can help prevent them by scheduling routine inspection and maintenance for your tank and gas line. Your Reidsville propane supplier will typically do an inspection when refilling your tank. But if it’s been a while since your last refill, it would be wise to have an inspection. Large tanks won’t necessarily need to be refilled every year; it depends on the amount of propane your household uses. For ultimate safety, an inspection should be done yearly whether or not you get a refill.

Carolina Fuels Performs Propane Tank and Gas Line Inspections

Safe propane use is a top priority for Carolina Fuels. Whether you’re new to propane use or you’re a seasoned pro, always exercise proper safety precautions when it comes to your propane tank, gas line, and appliances. If you’re ever unsure about any aspect of your propane, contact your Reidsville propane supplier, Carolina Fuels: (336) 623-9741. Consider signing up for a Comfort and Protect Service Plan for regular HVAC maintenance and propane delivery. Your inspections and tank refills will be automatic, meaning you don’t have to try and remember to call. Let Carolina Fuels handle all of your propane and home comfort needs.