If you have never had a new heating system installed, you probably have a lot of questions about which system to choose. At Berico, we want you to be informed. If you are knowledgeable, you’ll be able to make smarter decisions about your heating needs. We offer energy inspections for free to help you in selecting a new heating system. One of our experienced comfort specialists will come out to your home or business and talk to you about your choices. In addition to installing your first furnace, we can also replace your existing one. There are many reasons it may be time to upgrade your Greensboro heating system. Some factors to consider are:

Furnace Age

The average life expectancy of a furnace is 16 to 20 years. Is your furnace this old or older? It’s probably time for a new one. And you don’t want to wait until it breaks down to start shopping.

Numerous Repairs

Has your furnace required a lot of repairs recently? That’s a strong sign that it needs to be replaced.

Higher Bills

As they age, furnaces frequently lose their efficiency. This is especially true if they haven’t been maintained properly. Your furnace may have to run longer to provide the same amount of heat it used to. As a result, you’ll be paying higher gas and electric bills.

Noises

If you’ve heard banging, rattling, or squealing noises coming from your furnace, they’re probably not normal sounds. Another bad sign is if you hear the furnace blower running excessively.

Temperature Changes

Do you constantly have to adjust your thermostat to make your home or office more comfortable? Are some rooms too hot while others stay colder? If so, your furnace is not properly distributing air.

Sickness

As furnaces age, they can develop cracks in the heat exchanger, which can cause a carbon monoxide leak. If you or the people who share your home or office have experienced frequent headaches, nausea, or flu-like symptoms, this could be related to carbon monoxide. This is a very serious issue that needs to be addressed immediately.

At Berico Heating and Air Conditioning, we believe that your home or business should be as comfortable as possible. And as we head into autumn, we know that comfort begins with the right heating system. Our goal is to help you find that heating system and also provide the quality and support you need. For nearly 100 years, the experts at Berico have been installing and replacing furnaces for the residents and businesses of Greensboro, Burlington, High Point, Eden and the surrounding North Carolina area.

Increasing HVAC efficiency helps homeowners save money and maintain cleaner in-home air quality. This is very important for the hot summer months in Greensboro when your air conditioner is running constantly. The U.S. Department of Energy states that taking simple steps to improve efficiency can save households up to 30 percent a year on their bills.

To start, a homeowner should look for air leaks. It is best to begin by pressurizing the house. This means closing all doors and windows, as well as fireplace flues if present. Turn off the water heater and furnace. Lastly, turn on the exhaust fans in the home, typically located in the kitchen and bathrooms. This will make it easier to detect where air leaks are occurring. Most leaks can be sealed by proper application of caulking or weather-stripping.

Air leaks typically occur around:

• Window frames
• Door frames
• Electrical outlets
• Light switches
• Fireplaces
• Window-mounted air conditioners
• Mail slots
• Faucets
• Pipes
• Wiring

Another area that can contribute to central air loss is a home’s insulation. A home’s builder typically installs enough insulation to meet requirements at the time, but as improvements are made in heating and cooling systems, there have been advances. For the same reason homeowners might want to consider replacing a HVAC system if it was installed more than 15 years ago, homeowners should consider when insulation was installed.

Testing for air leaks, insulation and HVAC evaluation can be performed by the experts at Berico Heating and Air Conditioning. Our experts have the knowledge and equipment to help you evaluate and improve your HVAC system.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues. We want to help you avoid air conditioning repair in Greensboro whenever possible. Give us a call today for a free home energy audit. We can find any air leaks and problems with your HVAC system.

Berico services Greensboro, Burlington, Eden, Reidsville, Mebane, Brown Summit, Summerfield and other areas. Visit our specials page for our current air conditioning offers.

With the summer heat in full force, especially in Eden, you’re probably using your home’s air conditioner 24-7. You’ve probably also seen the effect it’s had on your utility bill. And that bill is bound to only increase in the years ahead as fuel costs rise. Even if your home’s air conditioning system is relatively new, an upgrade to a high-efficiency model can certainly be worth your investment. Avoiding Eden AC repairs is our first priority.

Here are a few reasons why upgrading your air conditioning now is actually a good idea:

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a high-efficiency system will use significantly less energy than a system built in the 1970s, and noticeably reduce your monthly bills.
A new system will cool your home more efficiently and can regulate humidity, making those Eden summers much more bearable.
Installing a high-efficiency air-conditioning system qualifies you for federal tax credits that expire at the end of this year, potentially saving you hundreds of dollars.
Air conditioners are rated according to their Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER), a rating that reveals the efficiency of a unit. In essence, SEER is a number that shows how much energy the unit consumes in watt-hours (W/H) to produce cool air, and cooled air is measured in British Thermal Units (or Btu’s). So, a SEER 13 unit will produce 13 WH/Btu (or watt-hours per British thermal unit).

High-efficiency units start at SEER 16 and reach SEER 23, and these systems often include advanced features that increase energy efficiency, such as dual-stage compressors, Electronically Commutated Motors (ECMs) for blowers and condensing fans, as well as better refrigerant flow through high-tech expansion valves.

If you have any questions about high-efficiency air conditioning systems, contact Carolina Fuels for help or to discuss ways you can save energy and lower your utility bills. At Carolina Fuels we’re happy to help you stay cool at a price that will keep you happy.

Are you thinking about skipping over the air conditioner tune-up in Greensboro this year? While summer may seem far away, it will be here soon. Putting off AC tune-ups can lead to long term problems and needed repairs, plus cause you and your family to be uncomfortable when you need cool air the most.

Unpleasant Conditions

Especially in Greensboro, summer time heat can be brutal. It’s very unpleasant when you walk out of the summer heat outside into a home where temperatures are even higher. Your family’s comfort is very important in the summer, especially for children who may be home all day while they are on a break from school.

While an appointment will cost money, it will make the conditions in your home better and well worth it. Look at the cost as an investment that may last for several summers to come. While the heat outside may seem unbearable, your home will be the perfect place to cool off for your entire family.

Causing More Damage

You may be tempted to put off an air conditioner repair because you think the system is working okay. Your unit isn’t in tip top condition nor running at the best efficiency, but you don’t think it requires a call to the experts just yet. In this case, you may be causing more damage than you realize. It might not only feel less than cool at home, but also damaging the system and the equipment.

If you continue to drop the thermostat temperature knowing that the system isn’t running well, there’s a problem. The system struggles to work harder to produce the same results. You can end up needing a completely new AC unit instead of just a Greensboro air conditioner repair appointment with a professional. This is such an important issue that some people even schedule regular maintenance checkups to ensure that there are no hidden problems.

Avoiding the Busy Season

You certainly do not want to put off Greensboro air conditioner repair until the middle of the summer. If you are aware of a problem before the temperatures outside begin to rise, quickly take care of it. Companies like Berico are more likely to become busy when its hot outdoors and AC units aren’t working. A lot of people are calling us needing a technician to visit their home right away.

As soon as you notice a problem, call Berico for an appointment. Even if the weather is fine and you think it isn’t a big deal, your wallet and family will thank you once the temperatures outside rise. Remember, it will be a big deal when everyone is unhappy and hot and you have to wait for a routine repair appointment. Call Berico today and let us solve your small problem before it becomes a bigger one.

Routine maintenance is the best thing you can do for your central air conditioner. A simple AC tune up can make a huge difference in the performance of your system. Annual tune ups keep your air conditioner running efficiently and extend its overall lifespan. Most Heating and Air Conditioning companies have a checklist that their technicians follow to be sure that every part is as it should be. Some of the most important things to be checked are:

Evaporator Coil. The evaporator coil will be thoroughly cleaned and checked for problems. When the evaporator coil gets dirty (and it will over time), it cannot absorb heat and produce cool air as it should. Replacing your filters often will keep more dirt out, but some will still get through. The evaporator coil should be cleaned each year by a professional before the onset of hot weather.

Condensate Drains. The condensate drains will be checked to be sure they are allowing moisture to drain out. The emergency drain pan will be checked to be sure it is not getting any overflow from the primary drain pan. If the condensate drains are not working properly, your house could become overly humid or water could leak into floors and walls.

Electrical Components. All electrical wires will be checked to be sure none are disconnected. All other electrical components will be checked for proper voltage and operation. If electrical wires are loose or disconnected, it effects the starting of the air conditioner. It can cause breakers to repeatedly trip or fuses to go out. It can also be a safety issue.

Ductwork. All of the ductwork needs to be checked for blockages. Blockages cause low air flow from the unit out through the vents, causing your home to cool slower than it should. Blocked ducts also cause low air flow into the unit which can cause ice to build up on the evaporator coil. The ducts also need to be checked for leaks. Leaky ducts cause the cool air to leak out into the attic or even outside where it won’t do any good toward cooling your home. Any of these problems mean your air conditioner won’t be able to cool your home as well as it should.

Lubrication. All moving parts must be well lubricated for the air conditioner to work properly. This is something the technician will take care of during a routine tune up.

Blower. The blower needs to be cleaned and adjusted each year. If dirt and dust builds up in the blower, it won’t be able to take in enough air and may allow dirt and dust to get into the system and into your home.

Refrigerant. If the refrigerant level is low, the system will not be able to produce cool air. Part of a regular tune up should be to check the refrigerant level and refill it if necessary.

Yearly tune ups are a must for all central air conditioning systems. Alamance Oil Co. provides regular service to Burlington and the surrounding area. Have a technician from Alamance Oil Co. tune up your air conditioner before the weather gets hot.