It’s easy to fall in love with a historic home. Whether it’s been well maintained or needs to be fully renovated, the allure and enchantment prevail. But old homes come with unique challenges, such as incorporating modern comforts like air conditioning. It is possible to add AC to an historic home without disturbing the architecture or the integrity of the home? There are a few options to choose from when it comes to central AC installation in an older home, and your choice will likely come down to pricing and aesthetics.

Central Air Conditioning: The Cost Effective Option

Pros: Less expensive than more specialized systems, energy efficient, and controls humidity.

Cons: Ductwork takes up space in both rooms and closets and the outdoor unit may distract from the historic look.

Pricing for central air conditioners comes down to efficiency or the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating. The more efficient the system, the higher the price. A SEER of 16 or higher is considered to be a high-efficiency system, but the ratings go as high as 18-20 for some models. More expensive models also do a better job of controlling humidity, which is important to the preservation of historic homes.

Installing ductwork in an existing home means sacrificing closet space and may require boxing in corners of rooms or lowering ceilings. This may disrupt the authenticity of the historic interior design.

Mini-Duct Air Conditioning: The Space Saving Option

Pros: Small ducts take up less space and are less intrusive to install.

Cons: Strong air flow from vents means less flexibility for furniture arrangement.

Mini-duct systems use 3 inch ducts that can be snaked through walls and floor joints so they are less conspicuous. No need to sacrifice closet space or square footage of rooms.

The small ductwork causes the cool air to come out fast and furious. You wouldn’t want to be sitting or sleeping right next to or under one of these vents. You may have to arrange your furniture accordingly.

Ductless Air Conditioning: The Quiet Option

Pros: Quiet operation, very little construction, and room-by-room cooling.

Cons: Pricier and modern looking.

Ductless systems mount to the wall and only require a small hole through which a pipe can fit to connect the indoor unit to the outdoor unit. Each room to be cooled requires its own indoor unit that can be set to whatever temperature is wanted on a room-by-room basis. No ductwork is required, meaning very little indoor construction. Fans operate quietly, making ductless systems as unobtrusive as possible.

Ductless systems are more expensive than central air conditioning, but the fewer number of rooms that require cooling, the less it will cost. If you can get away with only cooling bedrooms and most frequently used rooms, you can save a lot. The only other downside to ductless systems is that the wall unit looks very modern, which distracts from the historic look of the home and décor.

Trust Your Historic Home to Carolina Fuels

Every decision you make when renovating a historic home matters. Once you make a permanent change it can never be undone. Trust the beauty and integrity of your priceless home to the experts at Berico. Whether you choose central AC installation, a mini-duct system, or a ductless unit, you can count on your HVAC contractor to install it right. Call Berico for a free estimate: (336) 273-8663.

Have you been hearing unusual noises coming from your AC unit? Central air conditioners emit a variety of noises that range from normal to abnormal. Sounds like blowing air, soft whirring, one soft click when your system comes on, are all normal for a properly operating HVAC system. But if you hear a persistent clicking sound coming from your AC, it might be an indication that something isn’t right and professional air conditioner repair may be necessary. Here are some probable causes.

First, Determine Where the Clicking Sound is Coming From

The source of the noise is an important factor in determining the cause. Depending on where the sound is coming from, the problem could be mechanical or electrical, possibly serious or more minor. Locate the source of the sound and consider the possible causes.

• Outside unit: When the clicking sound comes from the outside unit, it could mean there is a loose part somewhere. It could be a bolt, a wire, a refrigerant tube, or some other part that may just need to be tightened. It’s best to call an HVAC technician to diagnose the problem and repair it.
• Inside unit: If the clicking sound seems to coming from the inside unit, whether it resides in your attic, basement, or a closet, it is likely the fan that is part of the air handler. An obstruction to the fan blades will cause a clicking sound every time the blades hit the obstruction as they spin. If the clicking starts out slow and gradually gets faster and then persists, you most likely have a fan-related problem. It could also be a bent fan blade causing the clicking sound. Call your AC repair service to find the reason for the clicking and repair it.
• Electrical system or circuit box: Each time the indoor temperature gets too high and your air conditioner comes on, you may hear a click (and see a slight dimming of the lights) as the AC pulls the voltage it needs to start up. If you hear a click but your AC doesn’t come on, you likely have an electrical problem. Sometimes wires can corrode and get stuck together. Other parts like the capacitor or control board switch could be bad and need to be replaced. If you hear a click in your circuit box it means something has tripped a circuit breaker. If it happens to be your air conditioner, it could indicate a problem, especially if it happens frequently. Never attempt to fix electrical components yourself, always call for professional air conditioner repair.

Calm the Click with Reliable Air Conditioner Repair from Alamance Oil

Anytime you hear unusual sounds coming from your AC, the best thing to do is call Alamance Oil. Trained, experienced technicians will identify the problem and repair it quickly and accurately. Don’t ignore the sound or you could end up with a broken down air conditioner on a hot day. A simple repair done at the right time can save you from having to replace your entire system. Don’t wait, call Alamance Oil today: (336) 226-9371.

As the sun shines brighter and the temperatures rise, you might be thinking about having air conditioning installed in your home. North Carolina summers are hot and having AC is essential for a comfortable home. Whether you have an existing home that needs air conditioning or a new home currently being built, Greensboro air conditioning installation is an important step that adds value. But before you have AC installed, there are some things you should know.

1. Choose the best type of AC for your home. There are many different types of air conditioners for residential use from central air to individual room units. It is important to choose the type that will work best in your home and help you achieve the optimum level of comfort. Your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) company can recommend the best system for you.
2. Have the right size system installed. Air conditioner models are designed to cool a certain number of square feet. The size of your home determines what size your AC unit needs to be. Zone cooling makes a difference in the size of system you need as well. Explain your cooling needs to your HVAC company and they will properly match your system to the size of your home.
3. Make sure your electrical system can handle the extra load. Most air conditioners run on electricity. If you are adding an AC unit for the first time, it is important to make sure your home’s electrical system and circuit box can handle the additional amps. Your HVAC company should be able to handle this for you, but it is possible that an electrician may need to be called to accurately assess your electrical system and make any necessary adjustments.
4. Get an efficient system to save money. Air conditioners have a SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the system is. You may pay more up front for a system with a higher SEER, but you will save money on your energy bill in the long run. And some states, including North Carolina, offer incentives for installing efficient AC units.

Greensboro AC Installation by HVAC Experts at Berico   

You can trust experienced Berico technicians to be sure these four things are taken into consideration when installing your new air conditioning system. Enjoy a cool, comfortable home this summer with an efficient AC unit installed by Berico. Call (336) 273-8663 for a free estimate today.

Air conditioning is a must have commodity in the business world. The comfort of your employees and customers as well as the protection of your inventory depends on temperature regulation. North Carolina weather is often hot and humid, making cooling equipment necessary for up to 9 months of the year. If something goes wrong with the AC in your office, warehouse, store, restaurant, etc. the effects can be catastrophic. You can avoid unexpected AC failure with routine maintenance.

Greensboro AC Maintenance Offers Many Benefits:

1. Save money. One of the biggest benefits to having your Greensboro AC service perform regular maintenance on your air conditioning system is that it saves you money. A quick tune up before the weather gets hot prepares your AC unit for the long, hot summer ahead. Parts are cleaned and any necessary repairs or replacements are done. If there are any potential problems they will be found and taken care of, preventing future problems. And your system will run much more efficiently, meaning you save money on your monthly energy bill.
2. Reduce down time. In extreme heat, an AC malfunction can lead to close of business until a repair service can correct the problem. And in the heat of summer it can be difficult to get an appointment as most HVAC companies are busy responding to other emergencies. Preventative maintenance means you avoid down time due to air conditioning problems and you know your inventory and assets are safe.
3. Increase productivity and sales. In a comfortable work environment, workers are more productive and experience higher levels of job satisfaction. Customers are more satisfied and purchase more, eat more, and drink more—and you, the business owner, reap the benefits.
4. Service agreements come with added perks. When you enter into a service agreement with your Commercial HVAC company, a technician automatically comes each year to give your system a tune up, and you get extra benefits such as 20% off diagnostic fees and repairs, priority service, waived emergency fees, and more.

Commercial Greensboro AC Services from a Name You Can Trust

Berico serves businesses in Greensboro and the surrounding area. As a local business, Berico understands the needs of other local businesses and strives to provide excellent, prompt service to all customers. Put the comfort of your business in the capable hands of trained, experienced technicians. Call (336) 273-8663 to schedule maintenance today.