Are you considering trying heating oil for your home? Or perhaps you’ve moved into a home that has an oil furnace. Either way, you may have some questions about heating oil if you’ve never used it before. Consider the following common questions home heating oil suppliers are used to being asked in order to help you gain a better understanding of this fuel and its benefits.

Does Home Heating Oil Evaporate?

Heating oil reaches its vapor point at 140 degrees Fahrenheit. It won’t evaporate until it is heated to that point, whether inside or outside of the tank. Heating oil ignites at 160 degrees Fahrenheit, which means that in its liquid form it won’t light. You could drop a match into a cup of heating oil and it won’t ignite.

Does Heating Oil Smell? 

Heating oil does have a smell. It is a diesel product, so it smells just like diesel fuel. However, you won’t typically smell the oil. If your tank was recently refilled or when you first turn your furnace on in the fall, you may smell oil for a short time. It will dissipate quickly. If the smell lingers, contact your home heating oil suppliers.

Can Heating Oil Freeze?

Heating oil has a freezing point that is below that of water. Heating oil won’t start to freeze until the temperature dips below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. It won’t necessarily become a problem unless it freezes enough to clog up your lines or filter. Installing the filter indoors can help prevent a freezing problem, as well as insulating the outdoor lines, but in this area of North Carolina it is not a problem at all.

Is Heating Oil Efficient?

Heating oil is very efficient. It burns hotter than natural gas, allowing it to create more heat for your home in a shorter amount of time with less fuel. A single gallon of heating oil creates 125,000 BTUs (British Thermal Units), which surpasses propane at 84,000 BTUs and natural gas at 20,000 BTUs. And on top of that, heating oil furnaces operate more efficiently than ever before.

How Does Heating Oil Compare in Price?

Pricing of heating fuels always varies due a number of factors from supply and demand to the weather conditions of the season. In general, heating oil usually costs more per unit than propane or natural gas, however, it goes further. Although you may pay more up front to refill your tank, that tank of oil will last a long time. And many home heating oil suppliers offer payment plans to make refills more affordable by spreading the cost out into monthly payments.

How Long Does an Oil Furnace Last?

Heating oil furnaces have the longest lifespan of home furnaces. You can expect to get 30 years or more out of your oil furnace, which is significantly longer than a propane or gas furnace is expected to last.

Need a Heating Oil Supplier? Berico is Reliable and Affordable

Berico has been supplying heating oil to Greensboro and the surrounding area for decades. Automatic refills and payment plans make it more affordable than ever to heat your home with oil. If you have additional questions, the experts at Berico would be glad to answer them and help you make the best decision for your home.

Call (336) 273-8663 today to inquire about heating oil delivery or schedule a delivery.

If you are in need of more living space for your family, but you don’t want to leave your current home, you may have thought about transforming the attic into a finished space where you can spend time doing various activities. With that in mind, adding AC to your attic would be a big help, as it would make the space comfortable even in the hot summer months. But how much of a challenge is it to cool this part of your home?

Working with Berico is the best way to overcome any HVAC challenge. Long respected as a leader in HVAC in Burlington and surrounding areas, Berico has the experience and knowledge necessary to take on even complex projects.

The Inherent Challenge

As a homeowner, you may not have a detailed understanding of how the HVAC works in your home. By default, the attic is typically not a climate-controlled space, meaning it isn’t serviced by the heating and cooling that moderates temperatures in the rest of your home. So, if you want to add air conditioning to the attic, there are some hurdles to overcome.

Specifically, the lack of ducts serving the attic is something that would need to be addressed. Depending on the design of your home and the current state of the HVAC system, you might be able to tie in new lines that can serve the attic. However, this will be expanding the number of square feet that your HVAC has to serve, meaning your current equipment might then be underpowered for the job.

Another Option

Going with a different kind of air conditioning system altogether might be the best bet if you want to cool your attic. A mini-split air conditioning system allows you to place air handling units in various rooms of the house, rather than cooling down the entire house all at the same time. So, for example, you could add cooling to a living room, a couple of bedrooms, and the attic, all through the same mini-split system. Without the need for ductwork, this might be a more manageable install than a traditional system.

Don’t Forget Insulation

Currently, your attic is probably not insulated like the rest of your home. So, if you were to add air conditioning without addressing the insulation, the cooling in your attic would be inefficient and rather ineffective. Before you even get to the point of putting in an AC system, be sure you have first addressed the insulation issue.

Proper insulation in your air-conditioned attic is important because of how hot an attic can get in the summer months. Sitting at the top of your home, the attic is naturally going to heat up quickly when the sun beats down – and without insulation acting as a barrier, even the best air conditioner is going to face an uphill battle. There are many considerations for turning your attic into a useable space, but Berico can work with you to either expand your existing HVAC or install one specifically for that space.  Don’t hesitate to reach out to Berico today, to get the help you need.

When was the last time you had your furnace serviced? If it takes you a moment to remember, it has probably been too long. Your furnace, like any other working machine, needs occasional maintenance to operate properly and efficiently. There are many reasons why maintenance is important for your furnace in Greensboro.

Avoid Unexpected Repairs

No one wants to wake up or come home to a cold house in the middle of the winter. When the temperatures are freezing, you need your furnace repaired as soon as possible. That could mean you’re calling for service in the middle of the night or on a weekend, which typically results in higher fees for after hours or emergency service.

Would you rather avoid this uncomfortable, expensive situation? Regular furnace maintenance can reduce your risk of furnace failure at an inopportune time. Furnace maintenance includes inspection, cleaning, and repair of your system to locate any potential problems and repair them before they lead to a breakdown.

Increase Energy Efficiency

Would you like a warmer home with less energy usage? Regular furnace maintenance ensures that your system is operating efficiently and using the least amount of energy possible. You may have heard that brands and models of furnaces have efficiency ratings. Whether it’s a York furnace, a Lennox, Carrier, Goodman or another reputable brand, it can only achieve it’s advertised efficiency if it is regularly serviced and kept in good condition.

Experience a Higher Level of Comfort

When your furnace is operating efficiently, you can feel the difference. Your home will be noticeably warmer with an even heat across all of the rooms in your home. The warmth will last longer, meaning your furnace will run less often to keep the desired temperature. If you have an oil or propane furnace, keeping it well maintained can help you get more heat out of your fuel and allow you to achieve a higher level of comfort.

Safety

A furnace that is in need of maintenance can be dangerous. A dirty furnace with a build up of soot and dust can be a fire hazard. It can also release carbon monoxide into your home, which is a major health concern. It is important to have a carbon monoxide detector in your home. If it goes off, your furnace is most likely the culprit.

Save Money

Regular furnace maintenance can help you save money. A finely turned furnace will operate more efficiently and use less fuel. It will run less often to achieve the desired temperature. And a well maintained furnace is less likely to break down unexpectedly, which will save you from paying after hours or emergency fees. A furnace that is regularly tuned up will also last longer, allowing you to get the most years possible from your system before needing to replace it. When problems are addressed as soon as they are discovered, which is more likely to happen with yearly maintenance, it prevents small problems from becoming bigger problems.

Save More Money with a Comfort and Protection Service Plan from Berico

You can increase your savings by signing up for a Comfort and Protection Service Plan from Berico. The plan includes the following:

• Two tune-ups per year, one for your furnace and one for your air conditioning
• 20% off repairs
• 20% off diagnostic fees
• 20% off after hours fees
• $50 bonus bucks
• Priority service

These are just a few of the ways a maintenance plan can save you money. Berico provides maintenance for all makes and models, including York furnaces, Carrier, Goodman, Lennox, and other major brands.

Call (336) 273-8663 today to sign up for maintenance for your furnace in Greensboro or schedule service.

Living in a neighborhood or residential community that is governed by a homeowners association (HOA) has its advantages. The HOA establishes and upholds specific rules and regulations that residents in the neighborhood must uphold. The main purpose of an HOA is to preserve the value of the homes in the neighborhood.

Can your homeowners association control the type of heating and cooling systems you use in your home? Yes, in many cases it can. This means that any HVAC equipment you install in your home or on your property must meet the HOA guidelines for your neighborhood. Before you call your Burlington furnace repair service, here are some of the specific ways that your HOA may dictate the type of HVAC equipment you can have.

Air Conditioning Systems

The number one rule that HOAs tend to have about air conditioners is that window units are forbidden. Because of the way they extend outward from the window, it is decidedly unattractive. Some HOAs may allow them in windows of the home that are in the back or less visible. Contact your HOA if you have questions about window AC units.

Another typical HOA regulation on air conditioners pertains to the outdoor unit. The HOA may dictate where, how many, and what type (noise can be a factor) of outdoor units you can have for your central air conditioning. Again, contact your HOA or review the bylaws before having any new HVAC equipment installed to make sure you are keeping within your neighborhood’s regulations.

Heating Systems 

Most central air furnaces are primarily contained inside of the home but may have an outdoor unit as well. Ductless mini split systems connect to an outdoor unit and your HOA may regulate where the outdoor unit can be installed.

Another consideration with heating systems is fuel. If your neighborhood has natural gas lines supplying the homes, you likely won’t have anything to worry about. However, if you wish to have a propane or heating oil furnace, your HOA may have regulations regarding the placement and size of the fuel tank. Contact your HOA or carefully review the bylaws to be sure of the neighborhood regulations before choosing a type of heating fuel or switching fuels.

HVAC Systems and HOA for Attached Communities

If you live in a patio home, townhome, or some other type of residential community where the homes are attached in some way, your HVAC system may be shared with other units. Before any repairs or maintenance can be done, you may need to contact your HOA to make sure it is within the regulations. You may not even have the freedom to hire your own HVAC company for Burlington furnace repair if you live in a multi-unit residence.

Berico Will Work with Your Homeowners Association 

If you need repair or replacement of any HVAC equipment, Berico will work within the limitations of your homeowners association. Berico technicians are familiar with many of the typical HOA bylaws and will help you ensure that any equipment installed meets your neighborhood requirements.

Call 336-273-8663 for Burlington furnace repair or schedule service today.

Heating oil may seem like an old fashioned option for home heat, as many older homes are equipped with oil furnaces and storage tanks. However, heating oil is still one of the most popular heating fuels for a variety of reasons. What are some of the benefits of heating oil?

Clean Burning

Heating oil is a clean burning fuel. It produces significantly less soot than in years past. And its greenhouse gas emissions are so small and insignificant that the Federal Clean Air Act doesn’t regulate the emissions for heating oil. Current oil furnace systems even reburn oil, further reducing its emissions and improving efficiency.

Economical

Heating oil can save you money in a variety of ways. For one, you get more heat out of a smaller amount of heating oil than you do from natural gas. Heating with oil is a wise financial choice for your home.

Efficient

As stated above, you can get a lot of heat out of a small amount of heating oil. Oil burns 300 degrees hotter than natural gas, meaning a single gallon of heating oil offers 125,000 BTUs (British Thermal Units, the standard unit of measurement for home heat). Natural gas comes in around 20,000 BTUs per pound, making it significantly less efficient. Since the early 1970s, heating oil has become 95% more efficient thanks to advancements in technology.

Safe

Heating oil is extremely safe. You can store it safely inside or outside of your home. There are no carcinogens (cancer-causing agents) in oil. It won’t burn in liquid form, as it must be converted to a vapor by your furnace before it can be burned to create heat. Leaks are uncommon, but easy to detect as heating oil is stored as a liquid.

In Supply

Don’t believe the myth that heating oil is no longer available. Heating oil is a petroleum based product that is still commonly processed. Supplies far surpass the demand for oil, which also helps the price per gallon stay within a reasonable range.

Oil Furnaces Last a Long Time

Another benefit to heating oil is that oil furnaces last longer than other types of furnaces, like natural gas furnaces. Oil furnaces have been known to last for 30 years or more, where others need to be replaced after an average of 10 to 15 years.

Heating Oil Delivery is Convenient

Heating oil is delivered directly to your home and stored in a tank on your property. Whenever you need a refill you can schedule a delivery, or sign up for automatic deliveries from your heating oil supplier. Your supplier can calculate how much heating oil your home will need and schedule refills accordingly to ensure you never run out.

Berico is Your Local Heating Oil Provider

Berico has been providing heating fuel and home comfort services to Greensboro and the surrounding area since 1924. If you want reliable service and automatic refills to ensure you never run out of heating oil, Berico is your supplier. Berico also provides yearly furnace maintenance as well as air conditioning services.

Call (336) 273-8663 today or request fuel delivery.