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.

“I want to pay more to heat my house this winter,” said no one ever. With energy costs at an all-time high, many homeowners are looking for ways to save on home heating. Before you give up and move closer to the equator, consider some alternative options to save on energy costs this winter. If you’re using electricity to heat your home, you are likely fighting a losing battle. Electricity is expensive and doesn’t deliver a very satisfying warmth. Homeowners are realizing the benefits of alternative sources of heat, and one of the top choices in Eden, NC, is propane.

Heating with Propane Offers Many Benefits

• Money savings. It is simply cheaper to heat your home with propane than with electricity. Propane is more efficient, meaning you get more warmth for each dollar you spend with propane.
• Warmer feel. Propane offers a warmer, more radiant heat than electricity. The heat created when propane burns goes further and lasts longer, making your home feel more consistently comfortable throughout each room.
• Safety. One of the safest heating fuels, propane burns clean, creates very little soot, and will not ignite except under extremely hot temperatures.
• Dependability. Even when the power goes out, your propane furnace will continue to heat your home. The same cannot be said for electric heat.

Switching to Propane is Easy and Affordable

Do you currently have a forced air gas or electric furnace? Forced air means there are ducts and vents in your home that the warm air moves through to heat your home. If the ductwork is already in place, that’s half the battle already. You will simply need to replace your old furnace with a propane furnace. You will also need a propane tank installed somewhere on your property either above or underground. A propane supplier and HVAC specialist like Berico can handle the entire process for you and continue to provide you with routine maintenance and propane deliveries as long as you need.

If you have electric baseboard heat or wall mounted units that do not require ductwork, you can still switch to propane. It requires just a bit more work to install ducts and vents throughout your home. The extra work to convert does raise the cost, but each individual case is different. For some it may be more affordable than for others. Berico will do a free estimate for you and recommend your best option from a financial standpoint, taking into consideration the cost now and your possible future savings.

Eden NC Propane is more Environmentally Friendly than Electric

The electricity myth, that it’s better for the environment, needs to be stopped. In most areas (certainly here in NC) electricity is made from burning coal. When coal burns, harmful elements like sulfur, mercury, lead, and arsenic are released into the air. Clean-burning propane is a much more earth-friendly option for energy. By switching to Eden, NC, propane you are doing your part to preserve our planet for future generations.

For a free estimate on switching to propane, call Carolina Fuels at (336) 623-9741.

Most of us know that air conditioning systems require routine maintenance to operate efficiently. But if you have pets, there are specific maintenance areas that need to be addressed. Whether you have cats, dogs, or other furry friends and regardless of whether they live inside or outside, certain steps and precautions should be taken to keep pets safe and your HVAC system running smoothly.

1. Change filters often. Pet hair and dander clog up filters, blocking air flow and allowing your system to get dirty inside. Typical households should change air filters every 6 months. Pet owners, especially those with multiple pets or long haired pets, should change filters quarterly or even monthly.
2. Protect the outdoor unit. If your pets, especially dogs, have free reign in the area that contains your outdoor AC unit, they are likely to use it as a place to lift their leg. Pet urine can cause corrosion and other damage to the unit. Pets may also claw the outdoor unit, causing damage or injuring themselves. Enclose your outdoor unit with fencing or some other barrier that allows for air flow.
3. Secure electrical cords. Pets like to chew on electrical wires and cords, which is dangerous for them and can cause damage to the wires. Enclose electrical wires in conduits.
4. Keep pets clean and well groomed. Bathing pets and brushing off excess hair, even having them professionally groomed can reduce the amount of hair that is loose in your home. Less hair laying around means less will end up in your filters and ducts.
5. Vacuum up pet hair regularly. Keeping pet hair in check with frequent vacuuming reduces the amount of hair and dander that can be sucked in by your intake vents.

Air Conditioning Systems Last Longer and Run More Efficiently with Regular Maintenance

A yearly tune up for your AC offers a range of benefits. A well maintained system will give you many more years of good operation than a system that isn’t. And keeping your AC tuned up means it will run more efficiently, using less energy and keeping your monthly bill lower. You won’t have to worry that your AC will break down in hot weather, because a typical yearly checkup will catch any potential problems like parts that are wearing out or loose.

Pets put an added strain on your air conditioning system because of the hair, dander, and dirt that invade your vents and ducts. But you can combat this with yearly maintenance and by following the tips listed above.

Carolina Fuels offers Comfort and Protection Service Plans that include yearly tune ups for your air conditioning, furnace, and any other HVAC equipment you own. Service plans can also be combined with fuel delivery such as propane, heating oil, and more. Your total home comfort can be managed by just one company. Sign up for a service plan today to keep your HVAC system in the best possible condition. Call (336) 623-9741.

So you’ve started seeing ice forming on your air conditioning unit. You’re wondering how it’s possible for it to freeze in the scorching heat of summer. This is actually quite common and there are a few potential causes to explore. The good news is that this problem can be fixed by a specialist in heating and air in Greensboro, NC. Use this troubleshooting guide to help you identify the problem. Then take any necessary steps that can be done from your end or call Berico for assistance.

1. Low air flow. Your air conditioner requires sufficient flow of air through the system in order to work correctly. The air that comes in and goes out passes over an important part called the evaporator coil. The coil is full of refrigerant that cools air down and transfers warm air out as it passes to keep your home cool and comfortable.

Possible reasons for low air flow:

• Clogged filters. Check your filters and replace them if necessary. Consider changing your filters monthly to achieve maximum air flow.
• Blocked or leaky ducts. Have a professional HVAC company check your ductwork for any blockages or leaks that may be interfering with proper air flow through your system.
• Blower failure. If the blower is not properly moving air over the evaporator coil, it can cause ice to form.

2. Low refrigerant. The evaporator coil must contain a very specific amount of refrigerant to properly cool incoming air and remove heat from outgoing air. If there is not enough refrigerant, it can cause your AC to freeze up.

Possible reasons for low refrigerant:

• Leaky coil. If there is a leak somewhere in the coil, the refrigerant level will be too low to transfer heat out and cool down the incoming air.
• Refrigerant line kinks or leaks. If there are any leaks in your system where refrigerant is getting out, or if there is a kink in the refrigerant line, it leads to an insufficient amount of refrigerant in the coil.

Trust Your Frozen Air Conditioner to Berico Heating and Air, Greensboro, NC

If you notice ice anywhere on your air conditioning unit, the only action to take on your own would be checking and changing your filters. Any other repairs should be handled by a professional HVAC service. Berico is a trusted name in heating and cooling services in Greensboro and the surrounding area and has been for decades. A frozen outdoor unit is a common problem with air conditioners, but it can be prevented with regular yearly maintenance. An AC tune up includes filter replacement, refrigerant charging, blower and ductwork inspection and repair, and more. A frozen AC unit is just one of many common problems that can be prevented with regular tune ups. Sign up for Berico’s Comfort and Protection Service Agreement and breathe easy knowing your system is in good hands. Call (336) 273-8663 for repairs or maintenance today.

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.