When your air conditioner breaks down in Burlington, NC, you may be faced with a difficult decision; to repair it or replace it. In some cases the decision is easier than in other cases. The best way to decide is to consider the problem itself and a few other factors about your system. And enlist the help of a professional heating and air company to help you make the decision. First, ask the following questions:

Will the repair cost more than a new system? In most cases a repair is cheaper than buying a new system, but not always. If the repair will cost more or even the same amount as a new system, the choice is obvious; install a new system. If the repair is going to cost more than a few hundred dollars, consider the age of your system. If it’s more than 8 years old, it’s probably not worth the money to repair.

How old is your air conditioner? If your air conditioner is more than 8 years old, don’t waste money on repairs. Replace your system and take advantage of all the improvements in technology in the past few years. New air conditioners run twice as efficiently as systems that were made even 5 years ago. And because you have the existing ductwork from your old system, you will save money on installation. But be sure to have the technician test your ducts for leaks and seal any that are found. Leaky ducts can cause you to lose up to 30% of the cool air that should be cooling your home. Another issue with an old system is that it most likely uses Freon as its refrigerant, which is being phased out by the federal department of energy in lieu of a new refrigerant that is more energy efficient and safer for the environment.

Is your current system the right size for your home? It is not uncommon for the wrong size air conditioner to be installed in a home. If your system is too small it is most likely not cooling your home as well as it should and is probably working twice as hard as it should be. If this is not your first repair and your system isn’t very old, the size may be the problem. A system that is too large may cause excessive humidity in your home. A professional HVAC company can assess your home and your system and let you know if the system is the wrong size. If it is, then replacement is the only option.

How efficient is your current air conditioner? The efficiency of central air conditioners is measured by SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). It used to be that a system had to rate at a SEER of 10 or higher, but now the federal regulation is no less than 13. Air conditioners that rate at a SEER of 16 or higher are more expensive, but qualify you for a $300 tax credit when you install one. You will also save a significant amount of money on your energy bill.

If you find yourself faced with the difficult decision for air conditioner replacement in Burlington, the professionals at Alamance Oil can help. Alamance Oil serves Burlington and the surrounding areas. They can help you decide what to do and can repair or replace your system, whatever you decide.

Has your central air conditioning been acting up lately? As with most mechanical things, air conditioners need to be tuned up periodically. You can’t expect it to work perfectly for years without any kind of maintenance. Sometimes all that’s required is a simple cleaning of the system. Other times there are a few parts that may need replaced or reconnected. So how do you know if your system needs a tune up?

Excessive Noise. You may have noticed that your air conditioner is making more noise than usual. If you hear any unusual noises coming from your system, it may be time for a tune-up. Noise can mean disconnected parts that need to be reconnected or replaced. It can mean friction between moving parts that need to be lubricated or replaced due to wear. A tune up can get your air conditioner running quietly again.

Humidity. If your home feels humid or you see condensation gathering on windows or metal surfaces, you may have a problem with your air conditioner. This is most likely due to a blocked condensate drain. If the condensate drain becomes blocked, the excess moisture is not able to drain out of the unit as it should. Instead the moisture ends up inside the home. A technician can clear the blockage and have your system filtering out moisture again.

Not cooling. Your air conditioner is running, but your home isn’t cooling. This happens when the evaporator coil becomes dirty. When dirt builds up on the evaporator coil, it is not able to absorb heat and cool the air down as it should. Another possible cause is low refrigerant. If refrigerant levels are low due to a leak or some other problem, the air won’t cool down before it blows out through the ducts and vents. The evaporator coil can be cleaned to correct that problem, and the refrigerant can be refilled and any leaks repaired. This should be done be a professional heating and air conditioning technician.

Thermostat issues. There are various problems that can occur with your thermostat. If the thermostat sensor is out of place then the system will not be able to keep the temperature in the home regulated. Sometimes the thermostat itself fails and does not call for cool air when it is needed or doesn’t tell the system when to shut off. The thermostat can be just as much of a problem as the rest of the system. A technician can repair or replace the thermostat.

If you are experiencing these or any other issues with your air conditioner, it may be time for an AC tune up. It is important that you find a reputable heating and air conditioning company to tune up your system. Carolina Fuels has served Reidsville and the surrounding area since 1924. Technicians at Carolina Fuels are trained to check every part of your air conditioning system and clean or repair it so that it runs as efficiently as possible. Carolina Fuels is a company you can trust.

Installation of a central air conditioning unit in Greensboro is a job that is extremely critical to the efficient operation of your system. Proper installation will ensure the best performance from your air conditioning system. Poor installation can cause your air conditioner to break down more often and run less efficiently. Find a reputable contractor who can recommend the best air conditioning unit for your home and install it correctly.

One of the most common mistakes that is made when installing a new central air conditioner is incorrect size. It is crucial that a thorough assessment of the home is done in order to determine the right sized air conditioner. An air conditioner that is too small will not be able to fully cool the home and keep it comfortable. The system will have to run harder and more often, which will shorten its overall lifespan and require more repairs. It will also be less energy efficient and cause energy bills to go up. An air conditioner that is too big will have problems with humidity control and will be more expensive to run.

Another part of installation that can be an issue is the size of the ductwork. The same assessment that is done to determine the size of the air conditioner should also be used to determine the size of the ductwork. Improperly sized ductwork can cause too much or too little airflow in and out of the unit. This can cause your compressor to be overworked, resulting in early equipment failure. It will also impede efficiency.

A common problem that can occur with the ductwork is poor sealing. If the ductwork is not properly sealed, the cool air that should be blowing out of your vents to cool the lived in rooms in your home will escape into the attic or some other area instead. Of course this causes poor cooling of the home and higher energy bills.

Condensate drains are an important part of air conditioning installation that is often done wrong. If excess moisture cannot drain properly out of the AC unit it will cause humidity in the home and will eventually cause other problems. Also, if an emergency drain pan is not installed, any water that overflows from the main drainage pan will leak out into walls and ceilings causing damage to drywall and other problems.

Sometimes air conditioner installation in Greensboro is done with an incorrect level of refrigerant. Refrigerant level has to be very accurate to ensure the best performance from an air conditioner. If the refrigerant is low by even 10% it will cause the energy bill to go up by 20%.

With so many things that can go wrong with installation, be sure to hire a reputable company to do yours. Berico Heating and Air Conditioning has been serving Greensboro since 1924. Certified Berico technicians will accurately assess your home to be sure that the right size system is installed in your home. They have the experience necessary to install the ductwork properly, as well as the drains and refrigerant. You can rely on Berico to do it right the first time.

Each fall you likely receive dozens of direct mail advertisements on specific HVAC services, such as annual furnace check-ups. Although it may seem like a trivial money-wasting idea, an annual furnace inspection has several benefits. You see, over the years your furnace is susceptible to harsh weather which can wreak havoc on its performance. Fortunately, an annual inspection and tune-up can ensure that your furnace lasts through the winter – and for many years to come. Although that is reason enough to have an annual check-up, many homeowners simply forgo the process. But there are several other benefits to having an annual furnace check-up. Here are just five:

• Guarantees proper airflow. During a yearly check-up, our technicians will examine your entire heating system to ensure it is receiving – and offering – the right airflow. A furnace with limited airflow may not only cause your heating bills to spike, but it may also cause unnecessary strain on your heating or cooling system. It may not sound important, but proper airflow is crucial to preventing the need for furnace repair.
• Keeps your family safe. A furnace burns fuel to produce heat for your home. In order to maintain safety and efficiency, the process of combustion must be exact. Even the smallest issue can lead to a gas or carbon monoxide leak, both of which are dangerous. Although it may seem like a money-saving idea to do an annual inspection yourself but because of safety issues, it’s best left to the professionals.
• Reduces the need for repairs. Furnaces tend to go out in the dead of winter, leaving homeowners panicked. Just like all mechanical devices, furnaces seem to know when we most need them and break down at that time. Oftentimes, these issues could have been prevented with an annual inspection and tune-up.
• Improves energy and fuel efficiency. An annual inspection and tune-up doesn’t just look for potential issues, it also includes cleaning. Over the months, your furnace collects dust, dirt, and debris. If left uncleaned, these debris can really take a toll on your furnace including your energy and fuel bills. But, with a quick cleaning from our professionals your furnace will be running as good as new, saving you both time and money.
• Maintains the manufacturer’s warranty. If your heating system is under a manufacturer’s warrant, it is important that you have annual inspections and tune-ups. Most manufacturer’s state that the warranty becomes null and void if the system is not regularly maintained. Fortunately, an annual furnace check-up can meet the requirements set within your manufacturer warranty.

As you can see, there are several benefits to having your furnace regularly inspected and tuned-up. Not only does it save you time and money, but it also helps to keep your family safe. At Berico, Alamance Oil and Carolina Fuels, we believe in flexibility; which is why we offer a variety of different furnace repair, inspection, and tune-up options as well as on-going maintenance programs. From basic inspections to complicated repairs, we have you covered. We even offer completely free energy audits, which are designed to help you save even more on your energy bills. So if you’re in need of a furnace check-up in Greensboro, repair, or tune-up contact us today!