Uh oh. There’s water puddled around your furnace. You’re thinking, “This can’t be good.” There are a few possible causes for a leaky furnace from normal wear and tear to faulty installation. Some of the causes can be easily repaired. Others may mean you need a new furnace. Before you worry too much or start Googling new furnace installation in Greensboro, NC, consider the possible reasons for the leak.

Common Causes of Furnace Leaks:

• Condensation. If the water is from condensation, the first question to ask is whether you have a high-efficiency furnace (90% or higher AFUE—Annual Fuel Efficiency Ratio). The easiest way to tell is that HE furnaces typically have a white PVC pipe for ventilation. High-efficiency furnaces do produce condensation due to their cool exhaust feature. That moisture is typically drained out unless the drainage tube is blocked or leaking. A standard efficiency furnace (with a metal exhaust pipe) would only have condensation if the flue pipe is the wrong size due to faulty installation.
• Furnace humidifier issues. If the internal furnace humidifier isn’t working properly it can cause condensation to form. Moisture inside your furnace can cause damage, so it’s important that this be repaired as soon as possible.
• Internal drain clog. Has your air conditioner been running? Does it share a drain system with your furnace? If so, it could be condensation from your air conditioner. An internal drain blockage could cause water from your AC to back up into your furnace.
• Faulty secondary heat exchanger. This is the big one, the problem that could result in whole furnace replacement. If the water is not due to condensation, it could be coming from the secondary heat exchanger. This is a significant part and it may not be worthwhile or possible to repair it without a furnace replacement in Greensboro, NC.

When to Call your HVAC Service for Repairs

If you see moisture around or under your furnace, the best thing to do is call a professional HVAC service. Whether the water is from condensation that is not properly draining or from a problem with an internal part, the situation should not be ignored. Letting a moisture problem go on too long can cause significant damage to your furnace or to your home. Excessive moisture in your home can lead to mold and mildew growth that can permanently damage your home and aggravate allergy sufferers. Too much moisture in your furnace can do irreparable damage to the system itself, resulting in the need for replacement.

Don’t Wait. Call Berico and Save Yourself from Expensive Repairs or Replacement

At the first sign of a problem, especially when excess water appears where it shouldn’t, it’s best to contact your heating and cooling company. Your expert technician will thoroughly inspect your furnace, locate the problem, and repair it if possible. If replacement is necessary, you won’t find a more reliable company to do your furnace installation in Greensboro, NC. Call Berico at (336) 273-8663.

Meteorologists are predicting a warmer than usual fall for the east coast this year. You can expect to feel summer-like temperatures through September and into October, with higher than normal temperatures through November as well. What does this mean for household heating and cooling? It’s likely your air conditioner will be running for a greater portion of this year, with your furnace sitting dormant much longer than usual. AC maintenance in Greensboro, NC, will be more important than ever before.

HVAC Maintenance Improves Efficiency which Reduces Energy Usage

Knowing that your air conditioner will be working overtime to beat the heat, you may be dreading your electric bills. During the fall you’re used to getting a short respite from those high energy bills before the cold weather kicks in and it’s the furnace’s turn to do the work. But you can keep your electric bill lower by getting your HVAC system tuned up this fall. Maintenance involves cleaning, inspecting, lubricating, and repairing the working parts of your AC unit to achieve maximum performance. Typically, you would have your air conditioner tuned up in the spring and your furnace done in the fall. But this year, it would be wise to have your AC inspected in the fall as well since it may still have a few extra months to run. This is especially advisable if it has not had any maintenance yet this year. Avoid potentially high energy bills with AC maintenance in Greensboro, NC.

Thinking About AC Replacement? This Could Be the Year

Is your air conditioner showing signs of age? Is it running louder, switching on and off more, and failing to keep your home at your desired temperature? Are your electric bills skyrocketing? If any of these symptoms sound familiar, it may be time for a new air conditioner. New technology has made air conditioners extremely efficient. Up to 18 and 20 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) models are available that use a fraction of the electricity of older machines. If you’ve been wondering if upgrading your system to a more efficient model would be worth the money, this year the benefit would certainly outweigh the cost. Weather trends are likely to continue in the next few years, meaning a long term seasonal shift will take place, making warmer falls the norm. In this case, a new air conditioning unit will pay for itself in energy savings within the first few years.

A Comfort and Protection Service Agreement from Berico Helps You Prepare for a Warmer Fall

Maintenance agreements are the best way to keep your HVAC system in good working order. When you sign up, Berico puts you on a schedule for twice yearly maintenance and heating fuel delivery as needed. You never have to worry about running out of propane or heating oil because Berico times refills based on the amount you typically use and the weather each season. Your well maintained system will be less likely to break down, keeping your home comfortable all year long and your energy bills low.

Sign up for a Comfort and Protection Service Agreement today and be prepared for a warm fall. Call (336) 273-8663.

Does your furnace seem to be on more than it’s off? Are you beginning to wonder if there’s a problem? You’re probably right. Your furnace should not be constantly running. It’s a definite sign of a system malfunction and there are few common causes for this. If it seems like your furnace never turns off, you should definitely call a reliable HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) service for furnace repair in Burlington, NC.

Possible Causes for a Furnace that Won’t Turn Off:

• Blower issues. Is the air coming from your vents warm or cool? If your furnace is running but you’re only getting cool air, you may have a blower issue. It’s possible that an electrical issue is causing your blower to constantly run, like corroded wires. Do not attempt to work on the electrical components of your furnace yourself. Stay safe and call an HVAC professional for repairs.
• Dirty/clogged filters. If the air coming from your vents is warm, but the air flow is weak, it’s likely your filters are clogged with dirt and dust. Clogged filters keep the necessary air from getting into your furnace, resulting in failure to adequately reach your desired indoor temperature. Replace your filters with new clean ones and see if the problem corrects itself. If not, call for furnace repair in Burlington, NC.
• Thermostat issues. Make sure your thermostat is set to your desired indoor temperature and that it is set to the “auto” setting, not the “on” setting. “On” tells your furnace to run constantly. “Auto” tells your furnace to run until the desired temperature is reached. It will then shut off automatically until the temperature falls below the set temperature, in which case it will turn on again. If your thermostat settings seem correct, but the furnace continues to run, it’s possible you have a faulty thermostat. Call an HVAC technician to inspect, calibrate, or possibly replace it.
• Pilot light issues. Old furnaces sometimes have a pilot light that is supposed to stay lit throughout the cold season. If this goes out, you may find your furnace constantly running and blowing only cool air. You can relight your pilot following the instructions for you furnace. Most furnaces these days have electric start pilots that light automatically when the furnace calls for heat. It’s possible that somewhere within that mechanism there is an issue causing the pilot not to light. This can be repaired by your heating repair service.

Furnace Repair in Burlington, NC, is Fast and Reliable

When your furnace is blowing cool air on a cold winter night or it keeps pumping heat without mercy, your home can become quite uncomfortable. If you find yourself in this situation, you need fast action. Alamance Oil Company responds quickly and offers reliable solutions to your furnace problems. Don’t suffer from the effects of a furnace that’s gone rogue. Call Alamance Oil Company at (336)226-9371 right away for furnace repair in Burlington, NC.

Do you have reason to believe your propane tank may be leaking? The most typical sign of a possible leak is the smell. Propane has an odor that has been described as “rotten egg, skunk, or dead animal.” This odor is added to the propane (which is typically odorless) for safety reasons so that you can detect a leak if it occurs. If you suspect that your tank or gas line is leaking, turn off all propane appliances and immediately contact your Burlington, NC, propane supplier.

How to Locate the Leak Safely:

There is a way to locate the leak yourself, if you are so inclined. Simply mix a solution of water and dish soap together and apply it liberally using a spray bottle or simply a sponge or rag. You will notice bubbles at the site of the leak, indicating that propane is seeping out at that location. The more bubbles you see, the faster the leak. You can also skip the soap step and call your propane supplier as soon as you smell propane. By allowing a professional to check your tank and gas line you can be absolutely certain that if there is a leak, it is properly detected and repaired. Do not use a lit match to detect a leak. That practice is extremely dangerous. You never want a flame anywhere near your propane tank or gas line.

What to Do if you Find a Leak:

If you detect a leak, it is best to call your propane supplier to repair the leak or replace your tank. Do not attempt to repair it yourself. If the repair is faulty and your tank or line continues to leak, you could lose an expensive amount of propane in a short period of time. It also jeopardizes the safety of your home and family to allow a leak to go unattended. Turn off all appliances in your home that use propane until your supplier can verify that it is safe to continue use.

Rely on Berico for All your Burlington, NC, Propane and HVAC Needs

Trust your propane tank, line, and furnace to Alamance Oil, your reliable Burlington, NC, propane supplier and HVAC specialist. One of the biggest advantages of being an Alamance Oil customer is that your furnace and propane tank are both maintained by the same company. Even your air conditioning can be maintained, making your propane supplier your whole home comfort service. When you can make one call for all your HVAC needs, you save time and money. Wouldn’t it be nice if you didn’t even have to call? You can sign up for a Comfort and Protection Service Plan that includes regular maintenance and propane deliveries on a predetermined schedule based on your typical propane usage. Propane deliveries and maintenance include tank inspection to detect any possible leaks or issues with your tank so that you can have worry-free home comfort.

Call Alamance Oil to inspect your propane tank today: (336)226-9371.

Do you spend a lot of time in your garage either working on cars or another hobby? If so, you may find times when your garage gets so hot that it’s unbearable to spend time there. Air conditioning a garage can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible. Garages typically lack insulation and ventilation and tend to have a lot of open space. Some have windows, some don’t. Some have only one door that opens on one side with the remaining 3 walls closed off. All of these characteristics make garages difficult to keep cool. But you can beat the heat with these cooling options.

Affordable Garage Cooling Options (In order from least expensive to most expensive).

1. Fans. One way to make your garage feel cooler is to install or use portable fans. Fans don’t cool the air, but they get the air moving, which can make a big difference in a hot, stuffy garage.
2. Window unit. If you have the luxury of a window in your garage, a window air conditioner can work well. Turn it on whenever you want to be in the garage yourself, otherwise leave it off. Your car doesn’t need AC.
3. Portable air conditioner. Since you can put it anywhere, a portable air conditioner is ideal for garages and any other space that lack AC. However, since garages lack proper insulation, a portable air conditioner may fail to cool sufficiently. If it seems that your portable AC isn’t keeping you cool, consider adding insulation to your garage.

Purchase Top AC Brands to Keep Your Garage Cool and Comfortable

Carolina Fuels installs air conditioning units from some of the top AC brands and best manufacturers including: Lennox, York, Goodman, Armstrong Air, and Thermopride. Add up the square footage of your garage and be sure to purchase an air conditioner that is designed to cool a big enough space. Pricing is determined by the size of the area the unit can cool. Many portable AC units double as dehumidifiers, which helps your garage feel cooler by drying out the air and making it feel less stuffy.

Most window units are designed to cool small rooms, so they may not be effective for a large garage space. A heavy duty window unit may be better for cooling a larger space. The higher the BTU (British Thermal Unit) rating, the bigger the space that can be cooled by the system. Be sure to purchase one that can handle the total square footage of your garage.

Garages with Finished Rooms Above Can Work with a Central Air Conditioning System

If you have a Mother-in-law suites or a FROG (Finished Room Over Garage), it can work well to install a separate HVAC system for those two spaces. Your garage and the space above can share one set of ductwork and one air conditioning unit. You can maximize energy usage and HVAC equipment by cooling both spaces at the same time.

Contact Carolina Fuels for tips on air conditioning your garage and other spaces. Call (336) 623-9741 to request a quote.