Have you ever thought about having an HVAC expert evaluate your home’s energy efficiency? Air conditioning systems are becoming more energy efficient and Eden, NC homeowners are learning about various ways to save energy after completing a home energy audit. On www.energy.gov, the professional energy assessment is explained,

“Professional energy assessments generally go into great detail to assess your home’s energy use. The energy auditor will do a room-by-room examination of the residence, as well as a thorough examination of past utility bills.”

Home Energy Audits Include a Review of Utility Bills

Checking through previous energy bills will provide a very clear idea of your home’s energy efficiency. Careful inspection of each room will also allow the auditor to analyze your Greensboro home in detail. Carolina Fuels offer home energy audits in the Eden and surrounding areas to help homeowners save money and find the best solution for optimal efficiency. What is the best way to prepare for the home energy audit? At www.energy.gov, the following steps are recommended:

“Before the energy auditor visits your house, make a list of any existing problems such as condensation and uncomfortable or drafty rooms. Have copies or a summary of the home’s yearly energy bills. (Your utility can get these for you.) Auditors use this information to establish what to look for during the audit. The auditor first examines the outside of the home to determine the size of the house and its features (i.e., wall area, number and size of windows). The auditor then will analyze the residents’ behavior:

• Is anyone home during working hours?
• What is the average thermostat setting for summer and winter?
• How many people live here?
• Is every room in use?

Your answers may help uncover some simple ways to reduce your household’s energy consumption.”

An Energy Audit is a Preventative Step to Better Energy Efficiency

Prevent energy loss by scheduling a home energy audit today. Your savings will start to appear on your utility bills after steps are implemented to increase efficiency. At a home energy audit, the professional service expert will look for signs of energy loss in your home. Using diagnostic equipment, they can find areas that could be improved and be able to make recommendations for your overall energy use within your home. Some suggestions may include using insulated curtains or room darkening window treatments to maximize energy efficiency. The condition of existing vents, doors and walls will be inspected as well.

Benefits of a Home Energy Audit

There is cost saving reasons for having a professional conduct a home energy audit. According to www.energy.gov., you can save a significant amount of money by making the recommended upgrades, following an audit:

“A professional energy audit gives you a thorough picture of where your home is losing energy and what you can do to save money.
You can save 5%-30% on your energy bill by making upgrades following a home energy assessment.You may be eligible for state, local, or utility incentives to assist with your home energy audit.”

Create an energy efficient home environment and enjoy savings this year. Carolina Fuels provide thorough home energy audits to help you know exactly how to save more money on utility bills in your home. Carolina Fuels performs air conditioning repair service and installations for the Eden area. Have a comfortable summer with great cost savings, by calling us at 336-273-8663

(Source: Professional Home Energy Audits, energy.gov, Nov. 6, 2014)

In the middle of the summer season, are you afraid to look at your utility bills? Since you are running your Greensboro air conditioner every day in the hot summer months, there may be some reasons why your bill is higher than your neighbor’s energy bill. At Berico Fuels, we can help you find the causes of these higher payments, and help you on the path to cost savings. Here are 5 top reasons you may be paying so much each month for your air conditioning:

Your AC Unit is Older and Not as Efficient

Older cooling systems are not as effective at cooling, and the efficiency is much lower than today’s newer systems. This lower efficiency results in higher energy bills since the HVAC system requires more energy to get to the desired indoor temperature for your home. It may be time for a replacement system, which will be an initial investment that carries excellent cost savings over the years with significantly lower energy bills.

The Cooling System’s Fan is Set on the Thermostat to Constantly Run

If there is a fan setting on your programmable thermostat, it should be set to “Auto” instead of “On” for greater efficiency. If family members are constantly going back and forth with the temperature setting changes on the thermostat, they probably have also moved the fan switch to “on”. Achieve the best performance from your air conditioning unit by setting one main temperature setting for the hours that you are home and a few degrees’ warmer setting for when you are away from the house. Frequent changing of the temperature, even by a few degrees, not only creates an inefficient energy flow but puts more stress on your equipment as it constantly tries to adjust to these frequent changes. Agreeing on the most comfortable indoor temperature for everyone in your household and maintaining that level throughout the summer will help your system run more efficiently.

Your AC Unit is Inefficient as a Result of Skipped Maintenance

Regular annual maintenance is necessary to keep your air conditioner running efficiently. If you skip a year or two, it can result in a heavy collection of dust, dirt and other debris that will cause your system to not work at its best and most effective level. Contact Berico to schedule your HVAC maintenance visit in Greensboro, and we will check parts and connections while providing a complete cleaning.

Duct Blockages and Leaks in Your Cooling System Can Cause Higher Utility Bills

Trying to send air through blocked areas in your ductwork creates more pressure, and your cooling system needs to work harder to circulate the air, therefore using more energy. The quality of your ductwork is important because it provides the outlet to send cooled air throughout your home. When the ducts have holes or leaks, or connections are blocked off, this could result in higher energy bills. Regularly checking the ductwork in your home will help fix these issues before they become costly repairs and help to keep your energy bills down.

Keep Cool Air inside with Good Insulation

Your AC system may be working overtime to not only cool the inside of your home, but also the outside. Properly fitted windows or adding weather stripping around the windows will help the cool air from leaking to the outside and keep the hot air from coming in. Adequate insulation and weather stripping will help keep your HVAC system from running unnecessarily to accommodate the loss of cool air in your home. Keep the nice, cool air inside of your home and let the outside stay warm with added insulation. When you need service for your air conditioner in Greensboro, Burlington or Eden, contact Berico Heating & Air, Alamance Oil and Carolina Fuels at (336) 273-8663.

Comfort levels are different for each unique individual. One office employee may be wearing a scarf and jacket in the office, while a coworker is using a fan and wearing short sleeves. This can be challenging for business owners, since it has been proven that temperature affects office productivity. As the owner of a company, you want to find the right temperature that will keep the majority of your employees at the peak comfort level, while not making the others uncomfortable.

At Berico Fuels, we provide energy efficient HVAC systems that have programmable thermostats with numerous options for settings. You can optimize your office’s comfort levels by programming the thermostat to keep an ideal temperature setting during working hours. In a study by Andrews Sykes Hire, the following eye opening statistics were found for Greensboro business owners:

“…almost a third of employees lose productivity because they aren’t comfortable with the temperatures in their offices. The fact is, temperature affects people very differently thanks to a number of factors, including gender, clothing, and metabolic rate. And only 24% of survey-takers agreed that their office temperature was suitable for working through the entire year.”

Increase comfort levels and increase productivity

Why are 80% of employees complaining about the office temperature? There are personal factors and environmental factors that cause the variations, such as what you wear and your metabolic rate. Wearing heavier clothing in the winter and getting more exercise will help employees to stay warmer. The humidity level, air velocity differences, air temperature and radiant temperature also affect your comfort level indoors. It could be sunny and warm outside, with higher humidity levels inside, resulting in warmer than usual temperatures indoors. As a business owner, if you can spend a day in the various offices, cubicles and workstations to determine if the airflow and temperatures are sufficient, you will have gained insight into the problem areas or be able to move employees into spaces where they will be more comfortable. If you find that the Greensboro commercial heating and cooling system is not circulating the air properly to all of the work areas, it is time to make an HVAC service call.

Commercial heating and air repairs

A suspected problem with your commercial HVAC system should be followed up with a call to Berico Heating and Cooling. We will send a certified and dependable technician to perform a complete inspection and diagnostic evaluation of your system and determine if a repair is needed. Regular tune-ups are necessary to keep your commercial heating and cooling system performing at peak capacity. At Berico Fuels, our maintenance programs will provide you with our high quality, thorough inspections that prevent leaks and extend the life of your commercial HVAC system.

Increase office productivity levels by maintaining the optimal temperature in your office environment, adjusting slightly when humidity levels or radiant temperatures cause differing comfort levels. At Berico Heating and Cooling, we will help you with your commercial heating and cooling needs in Greensboro, including HVAC installations, repairs and maintenance. Call us today at 336-273-8663.

Since the first air conditioner was invented in 1902, technological advancements have made air conditioners in Burlington more efficient. This greater efficiency leads to cleaner air because of the increased ability to reduce humidity in homes and businesses due to stronger fan blowers to circulate the air. ASME.org, an engineering publication, commented on the variety of scientific and engineering improvements that have been made over the years to create the complex HVAC unit that we use today:

“These comfort units that homeowners activate with the ease of flipping a switch are complex electromechanical systems, the end products of nearly a century of engineering development in cooling, thermodynamics, controls, and energy efficiency. In 2000, air conditioning/refrigeration was named among the 10 greatest mechanical engineering achievements of the 20th century, according to a survey of ASME members.”

With the majority of Americans using air conditioning today, quality service and installations are consistently needed to maintain systems. At Alamance Oil, we provide cooling maintenance in Burlington so your air conditioner will be ready for the hot months of the summer. Programmable thermostats are available in a variety of configurations, allowing homeowners to increase energy efficiency in their homes and lower utility bills by adjusting the temperatures to accommodate their specific needs. The use of these sophisticated thermostats, the cleaner indoor environment, and the added safety measures are all a result of the engineering and technology developments that have shaped the AC system into what it is today.

New Controls on Air Conditioners in Burlington Create Greater Energy Savings

If you are not using your programmable digital thermostat in your home to program temperatures for specific time periods, you are missing out on an opportunity to save some serious money. At Alamance Oil, we can offer recommendations on how to program your thermostat to the best settings for energy savings. These suggestions include setting your temperature differently for when you are traveling or away from your home and keeping the temperatures slightly warmer during the summer months or when you are asleep. The U.S. government now requires that air conditioners in Burlington meet the seasonal energy efficiency ratings (SEER) that have increased to meet energy standards:

“Energy efficiency standards set by the U.S. Department of Energy are driving improvements in air-conditioning systems. “Minimum efficiency standards for a/c systems have progressively increased, particularly in the last five years, requiring manufacturers to optimize systems to reduce energy consumption,” says Dennis Thoren, vice president of engineering and technology at Ingersoll Rand, Davidson, NC, which markets the popular Trane line of air conditioners.”

The increased automation with easier to use controls have made a significant impact on the amount of energy that is used when running your AC unit. Manufacturer recommended cooling maintenance in Burlington results in more energy savings for you. Air conditioners that are cleaned and regularly inspected can last longer and provide healthier, comfortable cooling for your home and family.

A Cleaner Indoor Environment is the Result of Modern Air Conditioners

Harmful chemicals, such as Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), were used in refrigeration fluids until it was discovered that they cause damage to the ozone layer. Hydrochlorofluorocarbons or HCFCs are now used in modern air conditioners which are better for the environment indoors and outdoors. Refrigerants are necessary to produce cooler air in your home, and with the newer technology and controls, your AC system provides healthier and cleaner indoor air. At Alamance Oil, our knowledgeable service team provides helpful information when you are researching for a replacement air conditioning system in Burlington. We will analyze your budget, space requirements and layout to recommend a range of AC units that will meet your needs.

Safer Cooling is the New Mainstream

Sophisticated sensors are in place to add safety measures to your air conditioner in Burlington. Carbon monoxide alarms will go off if there are problems and additional humidity level and temperature sensors make sure the system is running at peak capacity. At Alamance Oil, our advanced diagnostic tools allow us to monitor your system and sensors for safety and effectiveness during annual maintenance visits. Our trained technicians will find leaks or any other equipment issues and repair them quickly and efficiently to restore your air conditioner to full safety and comfort. For reliable ac repair, contact Alamance Oil today at 336-226-9371.

(Source: Global Cooling: The History of Air Conditioning, asme.org, June 2011)

The record-setting low temperatures this winter have created the need for your heating system to work at full capacity to keep your business facility and home warm. Yet, did you know that it is actually the ideal time to schedule maintenance for your AC system? At Berico Fuels, we have good availability for scheduling your Greensboro AC maintenance, before the peak warm months during the spring and summer. According to www.buildings.com, a facility management website, now is the perfect time to have your cooling system maintenance visit:

“When it’s cold outside, cooling equipment is likely the last thing on your mind. However, winter can be a great time to upgrade, repair, or reset your cooling system.

Scheduling cooling adjustments during the heating season offers two advantages: HVAC technicians have more time available outside their peak season, and better wintertime maintenance helps you avoid the need for summertime emergency service.”

A maintenance visit by a trained technician will ensure that your air conditioning system is clean and energy efficient for the upcoming warm season. At Berico Fuels, we provide a thorough tune-up to help you save money on your energy bills and prevent the need for emergency AC service this summer. Dirty condenser coils and dirty filters can cause numerous problems, so it is best to stick to a regular maintenance program for your AC system:

“A 1997 study by Pacific Gas & Electric in California found that a dirty condenser coil can increase compressor energy consumption by up to 30%. In addition, dirty filters allow unfiltered air to bypass the clogged filter altogether and deposit grime on the evaporator coil, which is much harder to clean than a filter is to replace.”

Improve Cooling Efficiency Prior to the Warm Season

Your cooling efficiency can be greatly improved before the spring season with an AC maintenance visit during the winter months. By cleaning, lubricating, inspecting, and making small repairs, you can save an extra 15-30% on your energy bills. Your programmable thermostat will also be inspected to make sure it is working properly.

Regular Maintenance Will Extend the Life of your Air Conditioner

If your condenser coil is always dirty and your filters are constantly clogged, your AC system will have a shorter lifetime due to more frequent repairs and lower energy efficiency. At Berico Fuels, our annual maintenance programs will enable you to experience the most energy savings from your system and keep the indoor air quality at a higher level. Enjoy healthier air and minimal repairs with regular AC maintenance. Contact Berico Fuels at 336-273-8663 for your comprehensive and reliable Greensboro AC maintenance service.

(Source: Wintertime HVAC Maintenance Tips, buildings.com, December 28, 2012)