As fall approaches it’s time to start thinking about the condition of your furnace. It’s important to take the necessary steps to prepare your furnace for cold weather before the first chilly night. Don’t wait until it gets cold to change your thermostat to heat just to find out that it won’t come on or isn’t working properly. There are specific steps you can take on your own to prepare, as well as scheduling furnace maintenance in Eden, NC.

1. Change filters. If you typically change your filters every 1-2 months, you’re already doing what experts recommend to keep dirt and dust out of your system and improve airflow. If not, now is a great time to do that. Dirty, clogged filters allow dirt and dust to get through but not the air that should be able to get through. Low air flow and a dirty furnace can cause problems with your system from decreased efficiency to furnace failure.
2. Check carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure your carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. Change the batteries. Most detectors have a test/reset button. Push this button and hold it down until you hear 2 beeps. If your carbon monoxide detector is monitored by your security system, contact your security monitoring center for testing. Why is this important? Because furnaces produce carbon monoxide that should be minimal and vented outside of your home. Your CO monitor will sound if your furnace produces more than it should or isn’t venting properly.
3. Clean vents. Dust tends to collect around your vents, especially the intake vents. Use a simple duster to remove dust and debris from your vents before switching your furnace on for the first time this season.
4. Clean around your furnace. With experience, you may be able to clean the inside of your furnace, but it is safer to leave that up to the professionals. You can simply remove dust and debris from the outside of your furnace to prevent it from getting inside when your HVAC company comes to perform maintenance.
5. Schedule a furnace tune up with your HVAC company. The most important thing to do before turning on your furnace each season is to have your heating and cooling service come out to perform a tune-up. Furnace maintenance in Eden, NC, will help your furnace run more efficiently and prevent problems that could occur in the future.

Furnace Maintenance in Eden, NC, Saves You Money on Heating Costs

If you’re wondering if a furnace tune-up is worth the money, the answer from homeowners and HVAC experts alike is a resounding “Yes.” Just like your car or any other working machine, regular maintenance is necessary to keep it running properly. Your furnace needs to be cleaned, inspected, and sometimes repaired to keep it from breaking down. Furnace maintenance in Eden, NC, includes all of that and more. A well-tuned furnace uses less energy, saving you money on gas, electricity, propane, or oil. And you can avoid emergency and after-hours fees for unexpected breakdowns. Sign up for a Comfort and Protection Service Agreement and emergency fees are waived. You’ll also get a discount on propane or heating oil deliveries. Call Carolina Fuels and make sure your furnace is prepared well in advance for cold weather: (336) 623-9741.

Does your household run on propane? Propane can fuel many appliances in your home from your furnace to your hot water heater to your clothing dryer. If you use propane, you will need your tank refilled from time to time. Wondering when is the best time of year to buy propane in Greensboro, NC? That depends on a few different factors:

• The season you use the most propane. Do you use propane primarily to heat your home? If so, buying propane in the fall before the weather cools is a wise decision. If you use it all year for various purposes, then you may want to watch the prices and wait for the best time. You can also sign up for regular refills from your propane to supplier who can put you on a schedule for deliveries to ensure you never run out.
• The size of your tank. Depending on the size of your tank and how much propane you use, you may need refills multiple times a year. Your propane supplier can help you find a delivery schedule that works for you, or swap out your tank for a bigger one.
• Your budget. If getting the lowest price possible on propane is your top priority, one option is to watch the prices and order propane when you see the lowest price. Typically that will be during the summer or early fall when the demand for propane is low. If you wait until winter time when propane is in high demand, you will likely find that prices are higher. Be cautious with this method to be sure you don’t run out. A cold winter day is not a good time to suddenly find yourself with an empty tank. Then you will have to wait in the cold for a delivery, possibly pay emergency delivery fees, and accept whatever price you are offered. Regular refills from your supplier is a much less risky option.
• How much propane you use. Depending on the amount of propane your household uses, the right time for a refill may not always be the same time each year. You may need it in the fall this year, and find that you don’t need another delivery until the following spring. If the winter is particularly cold, you may go through propane more quickly as your furnace battles the extreme temperatures.

Be Proactive and Buy Propane in Greensboro, NC, this Summer or Early Fall

It is always wise to be prepared. If you use the bulk of your propane for home heat in the winter, having your tank refilled in the summer or early fall gives you peace of mind. You can sit back and relax as the cool weather rolls in, knowing you are ready for whatever fall and winter brings. Late summer or early fall is also a great time to have your furnace tuned up and cleaned to make sure it will run efficiently when needed. A Berico Comfort and Protection Service Plan combines HVAC system maintenance and propane delivery at a discount. In one affordable package, you can keep your home comfortable all year. Call (336) 273-8663 to schedule furnace maintenance and purchase propane in Greensboro, NC.

Are you in the market for a new furnace? Maybe your old one is starting to fail, or perhaps you are building a new home and need to install a furnace for the first time. Whatever the reason you are considering a furnace installation in Burlington, NC, there are many different types to choose from. Finding the furnace that is best for you depends on a few different factors.

• Do you have allergies? If dust is an allergy irritant for you, forced air systems with ductwork may exacerbate that issue. Try an air purification systems that can be added to help filter out allergens.
• Does your home have ductwork? If there is already ductwork in place in your home, installing any type of forced air furnace is much easier and cost effective. Ductwork is necessary for furnaces and heat pumps. If it doesn’t have ductwork and you wish to avoid installing ducts, try a radiant heating option or a ductless mini-split system, though this type of system is rare in this region.
• How cold does it get where you live? If you experience extremely cold temperatures, avoid a heat pump which does not perform well in those conditions. Consider a boiler or furnace that uses propane or oil. Propane and oil are said to offer a cozier heat that radiates longer.
• Do you want the lowest possible heating costs? To keep heating costs as low as possible, propane, heating oil, and gas furnaces are very cost effective. Heat pumps are a very energy efficient and cost effective option as they transfer warmth more than they create it using heating fuel. However, when it does get very cold, a heat pump would need to be supplemented with another source of heat.
• Do you want to save on installation costs? If you want to keep installation costs down, consider a ductless system such as a mini-split HVAC system. These are wall-mounted units that are installed in each room that connect to a very small outdoor unit. Installation is quick and not at all invasive. These systems are very visible and many homeowners opt for other options for aesthetic reasons.
• Is it necessary to heat each room separately? If you want individualized heat and air conditioning for each room of your home, the ductless mini-split system is the best way to achieve this. Each room can be set to a different desired temperature. Each person can heat their room to their preference and parts of the home that don’t need to be heated can do without a unit. These systems do require more upkeep, such as monthly filter cleaning, so be sure to consult an HVAC professional to ensure you pick the right system for your home and climate.

Alamance Oil Offers Reliable, Affordable Furnace Installation in Burlington, NC

Trust your home comfort to Alamance Oil. Proper installation is key to the successful operation of the furnace you are getting now, as well as any future furnace you will have installed. Ductwork, vents, and the system itself must all be configured accurately. Once you choose the right heating system for your home, be sure to have your furnace installation in Burlington, NC, done by Alamance Oil. Call (336) 226-9371 for a free estimate today.

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.

As the weather gets hot, the humidity seems to increase. Humidity is the moisture that gives the air a heavy, damp feeling that makes a hot day seem even hotter. Outdoor humidity is perfectly normal, but when you are experiencing a high level of indoor humidity, it can cause moisture-related problems. Mold and mildew growth in walls and carpets that lead to odors, allergies, and even structural damage are the direct result of excess indoor humidity. There are variety of ways to keep indoor moisture in check, including HVAC maintenance tips. Try any or all of these ways to reduce your home humidity.

1. Use vent fans in kitchens and bathrooms. Most kitchens are equipped with vent fans above the stove top, which can greatly reduce cooking-related humidity. Run your bathroom fan when you take a shower or bath to vent excess humidity that comes from using hot water.
2. Use a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers are machines that collect moisture from the air and turn it into water that can be drained or dumped out. Using dehumidifiers in damp areas like basements can prevent damage from too much indoor humidity.
3. Keep your air conditioner well maintained. Central air conditioning systems as well as window units and portables automatically control humidity when they are working properly. If you start to notice excess humidity all of a sudden (think fogged up windows and moisture collecting on metal surfaces), it likely means your air conditioner is not working properly. It could be a blocked drain pipe or some other issue with your system. Follow basic HVAC maintenance tips and get a tune up to keep your HVAC system running smoothly and properly controlling indoor humidity levels. If you notice humidity after installing a brand new system, it may mean your new air conditioner is not the right size for your home.
4. Make sure your clothes dryer is properly ventilated. Clothes dryers typically vent to the outdoors. If this is not the case or if your ventilation tube is blocked, the excess indoor humidity could be coming from your laundry room. Check your dryer to make sure it is in good working order and venting as it should.
5. Seal your basement and/or have a sump pump or French drain installed. If a damp basement is the root of your humidity issues, consider having it professionally sealed to keep out excess moisture from the ground that can seep through concrete walls. French drains and sump pumps remove moisture from your basement by pumping the water up and out.

A Dry Home is a Cooler, More Comfortable Home

Besides the obvious benefits of preventing mold and mildew, keeping humidity levels low in your home will make it feel cooler and more comfortable during the hot weather season. You can even raise the temperature in your home and still feel cool enough when the air is drier, which helps you save energy and keep your power bill lower. Follow the above suggestions and HVAC maintenance tips to keep your home dry and comfortable this summer. And call (336) 226-9371 to schedule AC maintenance with Alamance Oil, Carolina Fuels or Berico.