It’s easy to fall in love with a historic home. Whether it’s been well maintained or needs to be fully renovated, the allure and enchantment prevail. But old homes come with unique challenges, such as incorporating modern comforts like air conditioning. It is possible to add AC to an historic home without disturbing the architecture or the integrity of the home? There are a few options to choose from when it comes to central AC installation in an older home, and your choice will likely come down to pricing and aesthetics.

Central Air Conditioning: The Cost Effective Option

Pros: Less expensive than more specialized systems, energy efficient, and controls humidity.

Cons: Ductwork takes up space in both rooms and closets and the outdoor unit may distract from the historic look.

Pricing for central air conditioners comes down to efficiency or the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating. The more efficient the system, the higher the price. A SEER of 16 or higher is considered to be a high-efficiency system, but the ratings go as high as 18-20 for some models. More expensive models also do a better job of controlling humidity, which is important to the preservation of historic homes.

Installing ductwork in an existing home means sacrificing closet space and may require boxing in corners of rooms or lowering ceilings. This may disrupt the authenticity of the historic interior design.

Mini-Duct Air Conditioning: The Space Saving Option

Pros: Small ducts take up less space and are less intrusive to install.

Cons: Strong air flow from vents means less flexibility for furniture arrangement.

Mini-duct systems use 3 inch ducts that can be snaked through walls and floor joints so they are less conspicuous. No need to sacrifice closet space or square footage of rooms.

The small ductwork causes the cool air to come out fast and furious. You wouldn’t want to be sitting or sleeping right next to or under one of these vents. You may have to arrange your furniture accordingly.

Ductless Air Conditioning: The Quiet Option

Pros: Quiet operation, very little construction, and room-by-room cooling.

Cons: Pricier and modern looking.

Ductless systems mount to the wall and only require a small hole through which a pipe can fit to connect the indoor unit to the outdoor unit. Each room to be cooled requires its own indoor unit that can be set to whatever temperature is wanted on a room-by-room basis. No ductwork is required, meaning very little indoor construction. Fans operate quietly, making ductless systems as unobtrusive as possible.

Ductless systems are more expensive than central air conditioning, but the fewer number of rooms that require cooling, the less it will cost. If you can get away with only cooling bedrooms and most frequently used rooms, you can save a lot. The only other downside to ductless systems is that the wall unit looks very modern, which distracts from the historic look of the home and décor.

Trust Your Historic Home to Carolina Fuels

Every decision you make when renovating a historic home matters. Once you make a permanent change it can never be undone. Trust the beauty and integrity of your priceless home to the experts at Berico. Whether you choose central AC installation, a mini-duct system, or a ductless unit, you can count on your HVAC contractor to install it right. Call Berico for a free estimate: (336) 273-8663.

Has your air conditioner been giving you reason to wonder if it’s working properly? You may think (and hope) that you are wrong, but it’s usually best to trust your gut and find out for sure. There are some typical clues that your AC may be on its last legs. But if you’re not sure if it’s time to call your HVAC company in Burlington for air conditioner replacement, look for these signs.

1. Decreased comfort. Does your home feel less comfortable even though your AC seems to be running normally? This may mean something is not right with your system.
2. Uneven cooling. Are some rooms cooler than others? When your air conditioning is working properly this should not happen.
3. Strange noises (or simply louder operation). If you hear new noises or your AC seems to run much louder than it used to, be prepared for the possibility of system failure.
4. Low air flow. Is your AC running but you can’t feel any air coming from the vents? Low air flow can be the result of a few different problems.
5. Circuit breakers repeatedly tripping. A rare occasion of your AC tripping the circuit breaker is nothing to be concerned about. However, if it happens repeatedly, you may have a problem.
6. Humidity or condensation. Does it feel humid inside? Is there water dripping or collecting in places it never did before? These are signs of an AC malfunction.
7. Unusual odor. Weird smells coming from your vents or the AC unit itself? This is not normal and may be a sign of an ongoing issue.

These signs do not necessarily mean that your air conditioner needs to be replaced immediately. It does mean that you should call your HVAC service right away to get your AC checked out. In some cases the strange noises you hear may be a loose part that simply needs tightened. Excess moisture may mean your condensate drain is blocked and needs cleaned out. Whether or not these common problems mean it is necessary to replace your entire air conditioning system is something you and your HVAC technician can decide together. One of the most important factors in this decision will be the age of your air conditioner. If it is over 10 years old, it may be in your best interest to replace it rather than repair it, if repair is even possible. Your technician will give you their best recommendation.

If you notice any of the signs above, call Alamance Oil at (336) 226-9371.

Have you wondered if there is a better way to heat your home? Are you thinking about switching to propane? There are many benefits to heating your home with propane, from cost to comfort. And switching is easier than you think. Berico is your propane supplier in Greensboro NC, and can help you decide if propane is right for you. Consider the following:

You buy it in bulk. Propane is stored in a tank on your property, which is often buried under the ground. You pay upon delivery and get refills only as needed. No monthly payment like you get from the natural gas company. You can save money by purchasing propane when the prices are lowest.

It is environmentally safe. Propane is a clean-burning fuel that does not harm the environment when it burns or if it leaks.

Easy to convert. You don’t have to buy a new furnace to switch to propane. Conversion kits can turn your natural gas furnace into a propane furnace with ease.

Available where you live. Natural gas lines don’t always reach all areas. If you live in an area where gas is not available, propane is a good alternative as it can be delivered anywhere.

Creates cozy comfort. Propane creates warmer air that radiates from your vents. Many people who have compared propane and gas find that propane makes their home feel cozier and more comfortable in the winter.

Switch to Berico: A Propane Supplier in Greensboro that Offers Complete Home Comfort Service

Whether you are switching from another heat source to propane or simply switching propane suppliers, Berico offers a wide range of benefits. Berico is a full home comfort service offering heating and air conditioning services as well as fuel delivery. And when you switch to Berico from another propane supplier, the tank swap out is free. Save money with a fuel delivery and maintenance agreement that ensures you never run out of fuel and keeps your furnace and air conditioner running smoothly and efficiently.

Call (336) 273-8663 to make Berico your propane supplier in Greensboro.

Propane is an efficient home heating fuel. It is a clean burning natural resource that is an excellent source of energy. When used properly, it is a safe source of energy for home heating and other household uses. They key is to follow safety tips and regulations and to work with a reliable Reidsville propane supplier like Carolina Fuels.

Safety Tips for Propane Use:

1. Know the smell. Make sure you know what propane smells like so that you can detect a leak if you ever have one. Your propane supplier can help you familiarize yourself with the smell when you get your tank refilled.
2. Do not move your propane tank. You should never attempt to move your propane tank yourself. Moving your tank can cause leaks or other damage to tank or gas lines. Contact your propane supplier for assistance.
3. Keep your furnace tuned up. Regular maintenance for your furnace is important for safe operation. A furnace tune up typically includes a thorough cleaning and inspection to make sure every part is in good working order. Any necessary repairs can be done at the same time to prevent problems and keep your furnace running efficiently. Schedule a yearly tune up with your Reidsville propane supplier.
4. Avoid running out of propane. Have your tank refilled before it gets empty. This prevents leaks that can occur in the piping due to a lack of pressure. Most propane suppliers can put you on a regular delivery schedule to make sure you never run out.

Get Complete Reidsville Propane Heating Services from Carolina Fuels

Have your furnace tuned up and your tank refilled yearly with just one visit from your supplier. Carolina Fuels offers complete HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) services along with fuel delivery. Service agreements combine heating and air conditioning maintenance and fuel delivery in one convenient package so that you never have to worry about home comfort.

Call (336) 623-9741 to schedule service today.

Choosing the right HVAC system (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) may seem like a daunting task. But it doesn’t have to be. There are some simple factors that will help you decide what brand of central air conditioning system best suits your home.

Some brands get better reviews than others in various categories, but the most important factor is installation. Proper installation by a reliable HVAC contractor employing certified technicians is crucial to the performance of any heating and cooling system. Whatever system you choose, you can be sure you’re in good hands with Berico. Berico is a certified dealer of Lennox, Armstrong Air, York, Goodman and Thermo Pride products. This guide to the best HVAC systems, along with your Berico technician, will help you choose the right system.

An excellent HVAC system should rate well in the following categories: energy efficiency, comfort, reliability, noise level and life cycle. Choosing the right model will also depend on size and other factors that are unique to each home and homeowner. But this article will address each brand in general, taking all models into account.

Lennox

Lennox is a well-known name in heating and air conditioning. With a range of Energy Star products, consumers can easily choose an efficient model designed to use a minimal amount of energy to keep your home comfortable. From furnaces to air conditioners and more, Lennox heating and cooling systems rate well in consumer studies.

Efficiency: Air conditioner efficiency is measured by the SEER rating (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). Lennox offers a range of models that have excellent SEER ratings, the highest being a 26. Anything above 16 is considered energy-efficient, and Lennox offers many models rated at 16 or above.

Furnaces have AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) ratings, measuring how much fuel they use each year to heat your home. The goal is to achieve an AFUE rating as close to 100% as possible. Lennox has furnaces that can reach a 98.7% AFUE. And the majority of its models have ratings of 80 to 90%.

Comfort: This category is not as easy to measure. There’s no mathematical or scientific way to express how comfortable your home feels. Achieving optimal comfort comes down to choosing the right size system for your home, which your expert technician can help you with. Lennox offers air conditioners, furnaces and heat pumps in a variety of sizes, making it easy to find one that will fit your home.

Reliability: Lennox HVAC systems are engineered to work efficiently with little maintenance. You can expect your home to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer with little thought and effort on your part. Years of technological advances and design tweaks have made Lennox systems extremely reliable.

Noise level: The best Lennox systems are virtually silent. You won’t even notice when your HVAC system turns on and off. Even the outdoor air conditioner unit, which tends to be the loudest part of your central air system, operates at as low as 62 decibels.

Life expectancy: Lennox HVAC systems fall in the normal range for life expectancy. Air conditioners and heat pumps tend to last 10 to 12 years, while furnaces average 15 to 20. It is likely that with regular AC maintenance you will get more than the average number of years of good performance from your system.

Environmental Impact: Lennox takes seriously the environmental impact of its products. Lennox complies with environmental laws and uses non-polluting technologies and recycled materials whenever possible. The use of solar panels in some products further supports Lennox’s commitment to environmental protection.

Armstrong Air

Armstrong Air is a division of Lennox, meaning products share common design and manufacturing. You will see a lot of similarities between Armstrong and Lennox products.

Efficiency: AFUE ratings range from 83% to 97% for Armstrong furnaces. Air conditioners by Armstrong hit a SEER of 20 at the highest, with most products achieving at least a 16, putting them just below Lennox in efficiency.

Comfort: Efficiency has a bearing on how comfortable your home will feel. The more efficient your HVAC system, the more comfortable you will be. Armstrong air conditioners have variable capacity performance which allows for automatically adjustable cooling output. Armstrong products with high SEER and AFUE ratings will make your home feel warm and cozy in the winter and refreshingly cool in the summer.

Reliability: As Armstrong is linked with Lennox, the products are equally reliable. You can expect to avoid the sorts of problems that occur with lower quality HVAC systems.

Noise level: The Armstrong Pro Series is known for extremely quiet operation. Furnaces built with adjustable fan speeds allow for maximum efficiency and quieter operation.

Life expectancy: You can expect to get 10 to 12 years out of your air conditioner or heat pump and 15 to 20 years out of your Armstrong furnace. Systems often exceed the average life expectancy when properly maintained.

York

York is known for manufacturing both residential and light commercial HVAC products. York’s parent company, Johnson Controls, also manufactures replacement parts for HVAC systems.

Efficiency: When it comes to furnaces, York boasts AFUE ratings as high as 98%. York air conditioners top out at 18 SEER, which is still very energy efficient.

Comfort: York furnaces are designed with a self-adjusting burner that will make small changes as needed to provide the proper level of comfort. Air conditioners are designed with precise temperature control and advanced compressor technology to keep your home comfortably cool no matter how hot it is outside.

Reliability: Any unit offered by York requires regular maintenance to prevent common home AC problems and to ensure top efficiency. This brand will run smoothly when cleaned and tuned up yearly.

Noise Level: York air conditioners operate very quietly using fans and sound enclosure to reduce noise levels, as well as a composite base to reduce vibrations.

Life Expectancy: The average life expectancy of 10 to 12 years for the AC unit or heat pump, and 15 to 20 for the furnace applies to York products as well.

Thermo Pride

When it comes to oil furnaces, Thermo Pride is a reliable choice. Thermo Pride makes both gas and oil furnaces, but their oil furnaces are historically rated the best in the industry. Air conditioners and heat pumps are among the other HVAC systems manufactured by Thermo Pride.

Efficiency: Thermo Pride air conditioners achieve a top SEER of 16. While this is still considered quite efficient, some other brands are achieving much higher SEER ratings, meaning they use less energy to cool your home. Gas furnaces by Thermo Pride have AFUE ratings as high as 97%.

Comfort: Thermo Pride oil furnaces achieve a higher temperature rise, meaning the air coming through the vents is warmer than what the average furnace creates, making your home feel warmer and more comfortable in cold weather. This is why some consumers prefer oil to gas heat.

Reliability: As with any HVAC system, regular maintenance is the key to reliability. Having a professional yearly tune-up levels the playing field between different manufacturers when it comes to reliability.

Noise Level: All moving parts are designed for quiet operation and specially mounted to reduce noise output.

Life Expectancy: Average life span can be expected from Thermo Pride products with yearly maintenance.

Goodman

Goodman makes both residential and commercial heating and cooling products, and is known for being an affordable option.

Efficiency: Goodman furnaces achieve AFUE ratings of 80% to 95%. Air conditioners top out at a SEER rating of 18.

Comfort: Goodman heating and air conditioning products are known for being affordable as well as reliable. You can expect to achieve comparable comfort from a system that is most likely priced lower than the competition.

Reliability: As with all other systems, Goodman HVAC equipment operates reliably with routine maintenance. Yearly tune-ups are recommended for all central air systems to run smoothly and efficiently without common home AC problems.

Noise Level: The top line AC units operate at between 71 and 74 decibels, which is about average.

Life Expectancy: The average life cycle that applies to all of the above brands holds true for Goodman. AC units and heat pumps are good for 10 to 12 years, and furnaces for 15 to 20 years. Keep up regular maintenance and you may extend the life of your system well past the average.

Environmental Impact: Goodman has made the switch from the older CFC-based coolants to the new, more environmentally friendly R-410A refrigerant.

When the Best HVAC Systems are Compared, it Comes Down to Efficiency

The most important factor between major manufacturers of heating and cooling systems boils down to efficiency. For the most part the life expectancy and reliability are pretty much the same across all brands mentioned as long as the system is properly maintained throughout its lifetime. Some manufacturers focus more on environmental impact than others, but all are bound by the same environmental regulations and laws. There may be slight differences in noise levels, but that applies more to individual models, rather than the brand as a whole.

When it comes to efficiency in air conditioners, Lennox and Armstrong Air have the highest SEER ratings. Goodman and York closely follow, and Thermo Pride still offers efficient models at a 16 SEER. Efficiency is important because this factor directly affects your energy bill. In most cases, the more efficient the system is, the more expensive it will be up front. But the more efficient your air conditioner, the lower your monthly energy bill will be, which will add up to tremendous savings in the long run.

Where heating systems are concerned, the manufacturers compared were all pretty equal in AFUE percentages. The real difference shows in the fuel type used – gas versus oil versus propane. The cost of heating your home and the type of furnace you should choose comes down to fuel costs and availability in your area. Natural gas is not available for all residences, in which case propane and oil are comparable alternatives. You may find that these alternative fuel types are more cost effective than gas, even if it is available to you. Your trusted HVAC specialist, Berico, is more than happy to help you to determine what fuel option is best for you.

Don’t Let Poor HVAC Installation Cost You More

The ultimate difference between a good HVAC system and an excellent HVAC system is the installation. An air conditioner or furnace can only work efficiently if is properly installed. The system itself and the accompanying ductwork should be installed by a professional HVAC company with well-trained technicians. Some brands only allow certain companies to install their products. The company and the technicians must be certified by the manufacturer to install the equipment. This ensures that every aspect of the installation is done correctly.

Another important part your HVAC contractor plays in the process is the sizing of the system. The comfort of your home depends on having the right size system installed. The sizing is based on the square footage and the layout of your home. The total HVAC installation cost will be determined from a combination of the model purchased and the size of your home.

Berico technicians are certified to install Lennox, Armstrong Air, York, Goodman and Thermo Pride systems. You can trust the professionals at Berico to recommend the best HVAC system for your home and install it with the precision and accuracy that will allow you to get the highest efficiency and the longest life out of your equipment.

Contact Berico at (336) 273-8663 for a free estimate.