If you are in the farming or construction industry, you probably use a lot of machines that have non road diesel engines. If you are looking for a low-cost fuel with clean emissions and great fuel economy, low sulfur diesel fuel is a great choice. At Berico Fuels, we carry a variety of commercial fuels, including low sulfur diesel fuel for off road vehicles and #2 heating oil for home and business heating systems. What types of machines can benefit from the use of low sulfur diesel fuel? The EPA lists some of the construction vehicles and farm equipment that use this type of fuel:

“Nonroad diesel engines are used in machines that perform a wide range of important jobs. These include excavators and other construction equipment, farm tractors and other agricultural equipment, heavy forklifts, airport ground service equipment, and utility equipment such as generators, pumps, and compressors.”

When you need delivery of low sulfur diesel fuel, contact Berico Fuels to get the most competitive pricing and excellent service. Our knowledgeable service team will make sure the fuel is correct for your equipment, to ensure safety and reliability. If you need #2 heating oil, we can deliver it directly to you.

Decreased Emissions and Newer, More Efficient Parts

Forklifts, compressors, excavators and other machines will greatly reduce emissions while using low sulfur diesel. From the EPA’s initiative in reducing emissions:

“Low sulfur (500 ppm) and Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuel will be phased in for nonroad, locomotive, and marine (NRLM) engines from 2007-2014. These fuel requirements, coupled with advanced emission control technologies, will decrease emissions from these engines by more than 90%.”

A 90% reduction in emissions from agricultural and construction equipment will help to make the air less polluted. At Berico Fuels, our “green” initiative involves keeping our customers informed of newly available fuels and equipment to keep emissions minimized while increasing efficiency. Along with low sulfur diesel for outdoor vehicles, #2 heating oil is readily available for your family’s heating comfort, and can be delivered quickly to keep you warm during the winter months.

Whether you need residential heating oil or commercial fuel, contact Berico Fuels to schedule your fuel delivery: 336-273-8663. We are helping the agriculture and farming industries with fuel supplies and integrative solutions and are the trusted source as your commercial fuel supplier.

(Source: Diesel Fuel, http://www.epa.gov//, 2014)

Fires in your home can happen because of a lack of furnace maintenance. They can also happen because of carelessness and dangerous practices. Follow FEMA’s fire safety tips to keep your business and home safe this winter. Some of these fire safety tips include:

• “Avoid using electrical space heaters in bathrooms or other areas where they may come in contact with flammable items.
• Frozen water pipes? Never try to thaw them with a blow torch or other open flame, (otherwise the pipe could conduct the heat and ignite the wall structure inside the wall space). Use hot water or a UL labeled device such as a hand held dryer for thawing.
• If windows are used as emergency exits in your home, practice using them in the event fire should strike. Be sure that all the windows open easily. Home escape ladders are recommended.”

As another safety measure, it is recommended to prepare your home for the harsh winter months by scheduling annual maintenance. At Berico Fuels, our technicians perform comprehensive furnace tune-up’s in Greensboro, making sure that your heating system is working at peak performance. Toxic fumes can build up inside of a home if the furnace is not vented properly, and our certified technicians will check every area of your furnace to ensure complete safety.

Follow these other safety precautions to help prevent home fires:

• “• Never discard hot ashes from a fireplace inside or near the home. Place them in a metal container outside and well away from the house.
• • Never use a range or an oven as a supplemental heating device. Not only is it a safety hazard, it can be a source of potentially toxic fumes.
• • If you use an electric heater, be sure not to overload the circuit. Only use extension cords which have the necessary rating to carry the amp load. TIP: Choose an extension cord the same size or larger than the appliance electrical cord.”

With a high performing furnace, you will not need supplemental heating or space heaters. An efficient heating system will provide warmth in all of the rooms of your house and provide good air quality. Berico Fuels can help you maintain safety and warmth all winter long. At Berico Fuels, we offer complete and exceptional heating system and furnace repairs, installations and maintenance in the Greensboro region. Call us today to stay healthy and safe this winter: 336-273-8663.

(Source: Winter Fires: Safety Tips for the Home, http://www.usfa.fema.gov/, 2014)

https://www.berico.com/staging/fire-prevention-with-furnace-maintenance-in-greensboro/

Want to add beauty and warmth to your home with a fireplace that looks elegant and is easy to light? A gas fireplace provides ambiance and style to your home, along with a natural flame look. Gas fireplaces have improved greatly over the past 25 years, and are a top choice among homeowners, according to the Wall Street Journal:

“Many insist nothing beats the flicker and crackle of a wood fire. But the gas fireplace, which entered the market about 25 years ago, has become mainstream by offering the ease of push-button ignition and less mess. In its early years, the gas flame often looked “too blue,” says Mike Pennington, vice president of engineering and product development at Lennox Hearth Products, a unit of Innovative Hearth Products. Today, technology has evolved to create a gas fire that is practically indistinguishable from a wood-burning fire. “Dancing, billowy, yellow flames are typically the target,” he says.

Today, 69% of fireplaces sold are gas-fueled and of those, most are “direct vented,” not requiring a chimney. Vents can be installed through almost any exterior wall, so that even multi-unit apartment and condominium buildings can have fireplaces. Direct-vent fireplaces are sealed combustion systems: Air from the outside—rather than inside—fuels the fire, and byproducts are vented back outside. The sealed combustion process requires a glass cover on the front of the firebox, to provide a barrier that can keep carbon monoxide from entering the room.”

An inviting fireplace is a pleasant, central focal point for an entertaining room, such as a living room or family room, and it provides value to your home. In Greensboro and Burlington, realistic looking gas logs are the main accessory needed to create the perfect look for your gas fireplace. With a push of a button or the flip of a switch, and instant warm fire will appear, making the room cozy and sophisticated. The WSJ explains the benefits of having a fireplace in your home:

“Whether powered by a remote control or twigs and a match, a fireplace creates a zone not only for warming cold hands and feet but also for cuddling or celebrating in the primal glow. While no longer an essential provider of light and heat, “it’s still conceptually the center of the home,” says Seattle architect Betty R. Torrell, who has written about the hearth’s history in architecture. “It dominates the room that it’s in; chairs are organized around it, it’s the focal point.” The beauty of fire remains “emotionally sustaining,” she adds, “even if it’s not physically sustaining anymore.”

With a huge variety of vented and vent-less gas logs available at our gas log showroom, you can select the perfect set of gas logs for your home. The elegance and design of a gas fireplace will bring beauty to your home for many years, with little maintenance required. At Berico, our experienced technicians will inspect your vent duct to make sure it is safe, and provide a comprehensive installation of the gas log kit, compliant with local regulations and ordinances. We even include a demonstration of how to use your new kit, along with an overview of best practices regarding your natural gas or propane heating. Call us to find out about the variety of sizes and designs that we have available for your new gas log kit: (336) 273-8663.

(Source: Homes: Sleeker Designs Bring Modern Cool To The Fireplace, www.online.wsj.com, October 31, 2012) http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052970204840504578086822060244366?mg=reno64-wsj

It’s deadly, without a smell, taste or color. And it could become a huge problem if your furnace is not properly maintained. Carbon monoxide can become trapped in a room or entire house, leading to a very dangerous situation. Found in a variety of sources, such as gas stoves and gas water heaters, leaking furnaces and chimneys, this gas can cause huge problems if the level becomes high. Similar to flu symptoms, thousands of people who are poisoned from carbon monoxide annually do not realize the cause of their illness right away, leading to greater danger.

Hotels in North Carolina require carbon monoxide detectors after three deaths occurred as a result of high carbon monoxide levels inside of a hotel room in NC. How can this type of poisoning be prevented? The Consumer Product Safety Commission has preventative steps that will help you stay safe, and avoid carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Make sure appliances are installed and operated according to the manufacturer’s instructions and local building codes. Most appliances should be installed by qualified professionals. Have the heating system professionally inspected and serviced annually to ensure proper operation. The inspector should also check chimneys and flues for blockages, corrosion, partial and complete disconnections, and loose connections.
• Never service fuel-burning appliances without proper knowledge, skill and tools. Always refer to the owner’s manual when performing minor adjustments or servicing fuel-burning equipment.
• Never operate a portable generator or any other gasoline engine-powered tool either in or near an enclosed space such as a garage, house, or other building. Even with open doors and windows, these spaces can trap CO and allow it to quickly build to lethal levels.
• Install a CO alarm that meets the requirements of the current UL 2034 safety standard. A CO alarm can provide some added protection, but it is no substitute for proper use and upkeep of appliances that can produce CO. Install a CO alarm in the hallway near every separate sleeping area of the home. Make sure the alarm cannot be covered up by furniture or draperies.
• Never use portable fuel-burning camping equipment inside a home, garage, vehicle or tent unless it is specifically designed for use in an enclosed space and provides instructions for safe use in an enclosed area.
• Never burn charcoal inside a home, garage, vehicle, or tent.
• Never leave a car running in an attached garage, even with the garage door open.
• Never use gas appliances such as ranges, ovens, or clothes dryers to heat your home.
• Never operate unvented fuel-burning appliances in any room where people are sleeping.
• Do not cover the bottom of natural gas or propane ovens with aluminum foil. Doing so blocks the combustion air flow through the appliance and can produce CO.
• During home renovations, ensure that appliance vents and chimneys are not blocked by tarps or debris. Make sure appliances are in proper working order when renovations are complete.

Have your furnace in the Greensboro, High Point and Burlington, NC areas inspected and maintained by a professional. At Berico Fuels, we recommend routine HVAC inspections to eliminate the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning from old furnaces that are not operating properly. Leaky and older furnaces are potential problems that need to be addressed at an inspection. Your heating system repair in Greensboro, NC will be done by a certified and qualified technician, who has the experience and knowledge to locate existing problems and potential future malfunctions with your furnace. Determine your risks now, before the weather turns cold. At Berico Fuels, our Greensboro HVAC systems specialists have the expertise to prevent your heating system from having problems this winter. Stay safe, and stay warm this winter season.

(Source: Carbon Monoxide Questions and Answers, http://www.cpsc.gov/, 2014)

http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Carbon-Monoxide-Information-Center/Carbon-Monoxide-Questions-and-Answers-/

Thinking about replacing an old and inefficient furnace? You may be considering the various types of furnaces that are available. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy shares the following information to help you know when it is time to replace your old furnace:

• If your furnace or boiler is older than 10 years, chances are it is a good investment to replace it with a high-efficiency model with the guidance of a good contractor. Also consider a replacement now if your system is one of the following:
  • Old coal burner that was previously switched over to oil or gas
  • Old gas furnace without electronic ignition. If it has a pilot light, it was probably installed prior to 1992 and has an efficiency of about 65% (the least efficient systems today are 80%)
  • Old gas furnace without vent dampers or an induced draft fan (which limit the flow of heated air up the chimney when the heating system is off).
• If your furnace or boiler is 10–20 years old, and you are experiencing discomfort or high utility bills, hire a highly-qualified home performance or heating contractor who can help you evaluate your existing system. Often it will be more cost-effective to improve house insulation and air-tightness, repair or insulate ductwork, or tune up your system before purchasing a new one.

With all of the available options out there, it’s time to narrow down your choices. For the hottest heat available, we recommend a heating oil furnace, which has 140,000 British Thermal Units (BTU’s) per gallon. This type of system heats faster than gas furnaces, reducing the total amount of fuel that will burn. When comparing BTU’s, note that one BTU of oil burns less pollutants than one BTU of natural gas, making it a clean choice for your home. On cold, freezing mornings, your oil furnace will heat up quickly and bring comfort to your home in a safe way.

In Burlington, Eden, Greensboro and High Point, your oil furnace should get regularly scheduled maintenance to keep it safe and reliable. At Berico, we not only install the furnace, we supply the fuel oil, maintenance and tune-up’s necessary to keep your heating system running at peak performance. How about cost savings? Using the information below, you can calculate return on investment (ROI), noticing that $100’s of dollars can be saved by replacing your old furnace with a new energy efficient oil furnace:

If you have an idea of how much it will cost to install a new system, use the chart below to calculate how much money you are likely to save each year with a more efficient system, and what your return on investment is likely to be. Remember, when fuel prices go up, your savings will go up.

1. Calculate Dollar Savings per $100 of Annual Fuel Cost
To determine savings from the table to the right, find the horizontal row corresponding to the old system’s AFUE, then choose the number from that row that is in the vertical column corresponding to the new system’s AFUE. That number is the projected dollar savings per hundred dollars of existing fuel bills. For example, if your present AFUE is 65% and you plan to install a high-efficiency natural gas system with an AFUE of 90%, then the projected saving is $27 per $100. If, say, your annual fuel bill is $1,300, then the total yearly savings should be about $27 x 13 = $351.

2. Calculate Return on Investment
ROI = first year savings ÷ installed cost
Example:
ROI = $351 ÷ $2,500 = 0.14 = 14%

There are new dual fuel furnace options available today, so you can have flexibility and benefit from getting heat from a heat pump when temperatures are more moderate and an oil burn when temperatures go below freezing. At Berico, we sell heating oil to our Greensboro and High Point clients. Call 336-273-8668 today for more information on oil furnaces and heating oil.

(Source: Consumer Resources: Heating, www.aceee.org,) http://www.aceee.org/consumer/heating