It’s easy enough to understand that an efficient HVAC system is better than an inefficient system. When your HVAC equipment operates efficiently, it tends to deliver better results, and it saves you money by consuming less energy. Also, there is the added benefit of reducing the impact of the system on the environment. But how do you know what the ratings mean and what to look for when shopping for an HVAC system? The article below has the details.

 

For an HVAC company you can trust to deliver outstanding results over and over again, Berico is the only name you need to know. Simply pick up the phone, call Berico to schedule an appointment, and you will be well on your way.

 

Starting with Cooling

If you are looking at the efficiency of your cooling system, the metric that is relevant to the discussion is SEER. This stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, and it is a number that demonstrates the energy efficiency of a piece of equipment that was designed to cool an indoor space. It can be applied to either an air conditioner or a heat pump.

 

This scale is designed to be simple for everyone to understand, so what you need to know is this – the higher the number, the more efficient the system. Current standards dictate that all new cooling equipment be rated with a SEER of at least 14 in the warmer states in the U.S. So if you buy a new system, it will be rated at least at a 14, but you could shop for a unit with a higher rating for even better efficiency. Plus 14 SEER may be today’s minimum, but manufacturers now produce HVAC equipment up to 21+ SEER.  Call a Berico representative today who can help you better understand your system’s SEER rating and the potential return on investment for a higher efficiency system.

 

Remember that if you are using a rather old air conditioner currently, it could be operating with an effective SEER number of well under 10. So, by installing any type of new equipment, even if it only meets the standard of 14, you’ll be dramatically improving the efficiency of the setup.

 

A Couple of Heating Measures

Things are a little more complicated when it comes to the measurement of heating equipment, but it’s still simple enough to understand. If measuring a furnace that uses oil or gas to heat an indoor space, its Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, or AFUE, should be checked. Again here you want a higher number, as the percentage reflected in this measurement shows how much of the fuel is actually converted to heat. Modern equipment can actually perform at a level of 95% or above, which is incredible efficiency, while older units might barely surpass the 50% mark.

 

There is a separate measure to track the performance of the heating side of a heat pump system. That number is HSPF, or Heating Seasonal Performance Factor, and the minimum rating is 8.2, although you can find products up to 10 on this scale if you want to be as efficient as possible.

 

Is it time for HVAC repair at your home or business? Do you need HVAC maintenance completed so you can avoid costly repairs later? Whatever the case may be, you are only one phone call away from getting the help you need for a fair price. Reach out to Berico and get started today.

In February, and all of 2024, Berico will be celebrating it’s 100-year anniversary in the triad community.  Evolving from what was originally “Berry Coal” company in 1924, today Berico has expanded in the fuel, propane, lubricant, and HVAC industries.  Over the years Berico has grown their portfolio through organic growth as well as multiple acquisitions.  Today, Berico’s 113 employees help serve the triad from three locations in Greensboro, Burlington, and Eden.  Additionally, Berico’s wholesale fuel company, Gateco Oil Co., maintains a terminal position at Greensboro’s fuel terminals.

Berico upholds William N. Berry’s motto of “Always Dependable” as proven by it’s multiple Reader’s Choice Awards, BBB Torch Award for Ethics, and it’s generosity to the community.  Particularly Berico’s “Gift of Warmth” program helps raise (and match) donations to help support those in need of heat each winter.

Founded by William N. Berry, the company has successfully transitioned into its 4^th generation of family ownership.  After William N. Berry, the company was owned and operated by Joseph L. Berry, who was succeeded by the late John F. Fuquay and current CEO, Thomas A. Berry.  In 2011, current President, Will Berry joined as a 4^th generation Berry leader.

“We are extremely proud to enter our 100^th year supporting customers in the triad. I give credit to our great staff over the years, previous leadership, and dedication to our community for helping us reach this great milestone!” – Will Berry, President

Submitted by: Will Berry, President and Thomas A. Berry, CEO

 

 

When you hear your furnace kick on in the background while going about your normal life, you naturally expect to feel warm air blowing through the house a few moments later. If that doesn’t happen – and cold air comes out of the vents instead – you’ll immediately know that something is wrong. This article will take a look at some possible causes of your furnace failing to produce the warm air you need to stay comfortable all winter long.

 

Should you wind up needing furnace repair in Greensboro NC, there is no better option than the professionals at Berico. With a century of experience as a trusted HVAC company in this region, you can be sure you’ll be treated fairly and get the results you deserve. Call today to schedule an appointment.

 

Faulty Ignition Leading to No Fire

There needs to be a flame within your furnace to heat the air that is being run through the system. If you don’t have a flame due to an ignition problem, you won’t have the warm air you expect while the furnace is on. Fortunately, this is a problem that is a pretty easy issue to fix for a professional technician, so if this is the only issue with the furnace, it could be back up and running rather quickly.

 

Problems with the Control Board

It is the job of the control board to act as the brain for the furnace and send out the right signals to trigger proper operation. That usually goes fine, but if something goes wrong with the control board, it could send out signals that aren’t in line with what the system should be doing. If a faulty control board is diagnosed by your technician, having it replaced is another pretty simple fix.

 

A Clogged Air Filter

One of your most important jobs as a homeowner is to make sure the air filter that serves your heating and cooling system is replaced regularly. Through ongoing use, the air filter is going to gradually clog up, and less and less air will be able to make it through the filter. That restricted airflow will make it harder to efficiently distribute heat around the home, and the furnace will struggle to keep up with what the thermostat is demanding. Swap out your air filter frequently to avoid running into this problem.

 

The Vents Are Closed

This isn’t an instance of a furnace blowing cold air, but it happens enough to warrant mentioning: Did you or someone else in the home close some or all of the vents recently? This is an easy mistake to make, and if you forget that the vents are closed, you won’t be getting the airflow or the warming that you expect. Of course, you won’t need a technician to come in to solve this problem – just get all of the vents opened back up and you should be all set.

 

Don’t live in a cold home for long without calling for HVAC repair from Berico. The fair rates and excellent service that Berico offers make it easy to get back up and running right away. Reach out now to get the warm air flowing once again!

An HVAC tune-up is one of the best things you can do for the system that serves your home. By keeping up with HVAC maintenance on a regular basis, you can keep your home properly warmed or cooled throughout the year. When you schedule this kind of service, how long can you expect it to take? The article below will take a closer look.

 

As a leader in HVAC in Greensboro, Berico will be happy to handle all of your maintenance needs for fair prices and in a timely manner. Get in touch with Berico today to ask any questions you may have, or to schedule your first appointment.

 

It’s Not a Long Process

While the exact amount of time that the contractor will be in your home to complete an HVAC tune-up will vary, you can plan on roughly an hour for the work to be completed properly. A professional technician like those provided by Berico will have plenty of experience completing this kind of work and will know exactly where to look for all of the various components that need to be serviced.

 

So, if you have been putting off this type of maintenance because you are worried about how long it will take, you can set that concern to the side. It’s not going to take very long at all to have your HVAC system serviced, and given the many benefits that are associated with consistent tune-ups, you would be wise to take this step right away.

 

A List of Important Points

There are a few different important steps that will be taken during a tune-up visit to make sure your HVAC system is ready to go for the season to come. Some of the points you can expect to be addressed include the following –

 

• Replace air filter. This is a simple step, but one that is extremely important for the health of your HVAC system. A fresh air filter will keep the system running properly and make sure the air quality in the home stays high.

 

• Check for damage. The whole unit will be inspected to make sure no signs of damage or wear and tear are present, and any issues that are spotted can be addressed now before they become a bigger problem later on.

 

• Address refrigerant. If it is an AC system that is being maintained, the refrigerant pressure and level will be checked to make sure it is sufficient to keep the system running properly and cooling the house as it should.

 

• A variety of moving parts may need to be lubricated, depending on the unit at hand, to keep it all working nicely and running properly for months or years to come.

 

While the need for furnace repair is bound to come up from time to time, you can make such repairs far less likely if you keep up with maintenance on your system. As you’ve seen above, a proper HVAC tune-up doesn’t have to take very long, and it’s one of the most valuable investments that you can make in your home. Reach out to Berico right away to get started.

As a homeowner, every choice you make has an impact on the world around you. In today’s landscape, where everything is seen through an eco-friendly lens, the decisions you make regarding how to operate your house can be considered from the perspective of how they will impact the environment as a whole. From the equipment you use for heating and cooling to the landscaping you have around the property and much more, it all plays a role in your environmental impact.

 

This article will highlight some of the many eco-friendly practices that all homeowners should at least consider. If any of the changes you decide to make require the help of an HVAC company, Berico is the right choice for the job. Take a moment to get in touch today and learn more about the possibilities.

 

Switch to LED Lighting

As one of the easiest possible ways to improve your home’s performance and make it more eco-friendly, consider switching all of the lights in the house to LEDs. With LED lighting, you get excellent lighting performance, versatility in the look and feel of your lights, and dramatically lower energy consumption. Traditional light bulbs use a ton of energy for how much light they actually produce, but the story is different with LEDs. You will notice on your power bill that less electricity is being used to light up the house, yet it will be lighter than ever before.

 

Cutting down on power consumption is a great start, but that’s not where the benefits end with LEDs. These kinds of lights are also incredibly durable and long-lasting, so you will very rarely need to replace your LEDs once the switch has been made. That means purchasing new lighting on only a rare occasion, and it will also be nice not to need to access your fixtures that are harder to reach and require a ladder or pole to swap out the bulb.

 

Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat

Reducing energy usage is one of the biggest components of being eco-friendly as a household. That point was already addressed above with switching to LED lights, and it can go a step further by making the change to a smart thermostat to control your HVAC system. When an HVAC system is tied to a smart thermostat, it can be operated optimally to make sure the house is heated and cooled as needed without any wasted energy along the way.

 

As was seen with LEDs, this is an upgrade that doesn’t just help your home be more environmentally friendly but also makes it a more comfortable, convenient place to live. With a smart thermostat, you can easily set programs that dictate how your HVAC system operates, and you can even operate the whole thing through your smartphone. Given the modest cost of modern smart thermostats, this is another switch that is easy to make.

 

Strategic Landscaping to Save Water

It’s not all about energy consumption to do your part for the planet. Cutting back on how much water is used on the property is another good step, especially during the summer months when certain types of landscaping require a lot of water – and that resource can be at a premium.

 

Consider switching up your landscaping to include more area that doesn’t have to be watered all throughout the summer months. Even if you are going to continue to have a lot of grassy areas on your property, you could work on balancing out the landscape so there are also large areas that don’t need any water at all. “Natural Areas” have become very stylish in some circles, and they can also be quite attractive. This switch benefits the environment as well as your bank account – it can be expensive to water a vast yard of grass; so save that money and do the planet a favor at the same time.

 

Upgrade Your Appliances

Modern appliances use less energy than older models. If you have some old appliances in your house and have noticed that they seem to draw quite a bit of power, consider upgrading to new models to bring down your power use and get better performance at the same time. The cost of new appliances will be a bit of an initial outlay of money at the start, but you’ll gradually benefit from that expense as your appliances use less energy month after month moving forward.

 

Adding Power Generation

This last point is one that is certainly more dramatic than the other steps and might not be for everyone, because of the initial cost. To be sure, this option is one of the most powerful things you can do to make your house eco-friendly, but it is a sizable project. To make a major move to help the environment around you, consider adding solar panels to the roof of your house to make your own power and reduce your reliance on the grid.

 

Solar power technology has come a long way in recent years. Modern solar panels are able to grab as much available energy from sunlight as possible, and that energy can be captured and fed back into your home. For all of the power that you can create on your roof, you won’t need to draw that equal amount of power out of the grid. Therefore, your energy bill goes down, as does the footprint you leave on the energy system in your area. To accurately do the environmental impact though you do need to consider the impact on the environment of building the solar panels and then of disposing of them after their useful lifespan.  Most calculations of the reduced carbon footprint that you will find online do not fully consider the full consequences of solar energy.  This is a big step to take, and there will be a meaningful initial expense to consider, but those who are serious about being eco-friendly will at least want to take a look at this option and make a fully informed decision.

 

 

 

You don’t have to make dramatic moves to become more eco-friendly as a homeowner. It might be best to make small, steady changes over time to improve the way your house treats the surrounding environment without putting too much of a burden on you or your family. If a new furnace installation or another HVAC project is on your agenda as part of this process, be sure to check in with Berico right from the start. You’ll be in good hands!