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How Can I Improve My Indoor Air Quality?
/in Articles/by William HammerThis article will touch on some basic points for how you can improve air quality in your home. If you decide to upgrade your equipment as part of this project, turn to Berico for HVAC in Greensboro that you can trust.
Use the Right Equipment
Perhaps the first thing you can do for the air quality in your home is to upgrade the HVAC equipment in the home. On a basic level, just running your HVAC system and having the air pass through the air filter that is included in the system will help, but that’s not going to do enough to make sure your air is clean. For that, you’ll want to use a purifying device.
Berico is proud to offer a couple of different options to clients who want cleaner air. Those are the iWave and the Phenomenal Aire system, each of which can help by producing ions that will clean the air. Things that can be addressed by such air purifiers include pathogens, particles, smoke, and other odors. After the installation of one of these devices, you will immediately notice the incredible improvement in your air. And, since they work in the background without the need for you to do anything, you’ll just get to go about your normal life while breathing dramatically improved air.
Bring In Some Plants
In addition to using the right HVAC equipment, you can also benefit from the power of nature in your home. Plants are incredibly effective for improving the air, which is why the air in areas with lots of plants always feels and smells so fresh. Adding some indoor plants will not only help you get an immediate upgrade in air quality, but it will also bring your space to life and give it a nice aesthetic appeal.
Change Your Air Filter Regularly
We already mentioned that your air filter is going to do some of the work on this matter, but it can only do that work if you keep up with swapping it out frequently. This is an easy job and new air filters tend to be very affordable. Make it a point to change the air filter at least a few times per year, and do it more often in the summer when you are using your air conditioner frequently.
Beyond air quality projects, Berico can also handle AC repair in Greensboro, AC installation, and many other types of projects. Whatever your HVAC-related needs may be, the job starts by getting in touch with Berico to learn more.
What is the Most Common Part to Fail on an AC Unit?
/in Articles/by William HammerIn this article, we’ll get into a bit of HVAC maintenance by talking about common parts to fail on an AC unit. This information won’t make you an expert overnight, but it will help you understand what might be wrong with your system before you call for help.
Start with a Capacitor
It’s likely that this is the single most common issue to come up with an air conditioning unit. Fortunately, the news here isn’t too bad – in many cases, a capacitor can be replaced for a relatively modest cost. This part has the job of getting the electric motors to start and run within the system. If it goes bad and can’t get that job done, your air conditioner won’t be able to produce the cold air you are expecting to feel when it comes on.
Looking at the Blower Motor
This is a part that will be costlier to replace if it does go out. The blower moves the air around your home and allows the air conditioner to successfully distribute the cooler air that has been created. A blower going out isn’t necessarily as likely as a capacitor, but it can cost more to have it replaced when it does occur.
Low Refrigerant
This point is stretching the definition of a “part” a little bit, as it’s not something that you would think of as equipment necessarily. However, your air conditioner isn’t going to work without sufficient refrigerant in the system, so if it is getting low, this needs to be addressed. Often, the refrigerant will wind up low as the result of a tiny leak that drains it out of the line over time. The cost of addressing this problem will depend on whether there is a leak in the system, the coil, or in a valve within the unit.
Clogged Drain Line
Again here, this is a point that isn’t necessarily a part, but it is an important factor to understand. When your air conditioner runs, moisture is pulled out of the air and drained outside. If the drain line that takes the moisture outside becomes clogged for some reason, the water will back up and eventually trigger the safety switch to shut things down. Solving this problem comes down to clearing up the line and letting the water flow again.
Whether you are in need of an AC tune-up or you have an urgent repair that needs to be completed, Berico is the easy choice for the job. Take a moment today to call the team at Berico to learn more about the services that are available or to get your HVAC repair scheduled.
Why Are Propane Tanks Not Filled to 100%?
/in Articles/by William HammerThe propane service offered by Berico is the best in the region and the easy choice for anyone with a tank on their property. Among propane companies, Berico stands out for its ability to offer competitive prices while still delivering the best customer service in the business with no distant calling service handling the phone. One delivery is all it will take for you to know that you’ve made the right choice!
It’s All About Safety
As you might have guessed, the reason that propane tanks are left somewhere short of 100% full is rooted in safety. While propane has an excellent safety record, it is still a fuel that needs to be handled properly to make sure no one is put at risk. Generally, this means that propane suppliers will only fill tanks to a safe fill range of 70%-80% when doing a delivery.
The primary reason for this approach is thermal expansion. When temperatures warm up, propane expands and fills more space than it does at a colder temperature. So, if the propane was added during a relatively cold time – and the tank was filled to 100% – there would be no room for expansion. Should the tank then heat up, pressure would build, and the possibility of a rupture would exist. By going with a 70-80% fill, there will always be room in the tank for expansion, and that risk is mitigated.
Proper Planning is the Key
In the end, it doesn’t really matter much for your purposes that your tank is only going to be filled up to 80%. The key is understanding how long that fill will last based on your propane needs and the size of the tank, so you can schedule your deliveries accordingly. When you work with a team like Berico, you can easily get on a recurring schedule of propane delivery so you don’t run out and you don’t have to actively manage your tank’s levels. Just trust that the Berico team is going to arrive when expected and you’ll always have the fuel you need. The longer you own and operate a propane tank on your property, the more you will know about your seasonal requirements, and the more accurately you’ll be able to forecast your delivery times; or if you use a company like Berico they will be able to project your usage and make sure you are filled at the right time.
Propane tanks aren’t filled to 100%, but propane as a fuel is still an excellent choice for your property. Whether you need propane tank installation or a partner to handle recurring deliveries, the next step is the same – call Berico today to learn more.
How Long Should an AC Unit Last?
/in Articles/by William HammerSometimes, it’s not necessary to replace your air conditioner, as an AC tune up might be all you need to get things back on track. In other cases, AC installation will be needed, as the old unit just won’t be up to the job any longer. Either way, Berico is the right partner for the job, so take a moment today to get in touch and learn more about the services that are available.
Ten Years is a Good Starting Point
There is no one set amount of time that you can expect an AC unit to last, but looking at 10 years is a good general starting point. If you have an AC unit that is less than 10 years old, you should have a decent chance that it will be able to serve you for a while longer. It’s likely it will need a repair here and there – and all AC units require ongoing maintenance – but there should be some life left in the system.
Does this mean that you should automatically schedule an air conditioner replacement if your unit is more than 10 years old? Not at all – there is a good chance that you’ll get some more years of service out of it, just be aware that the need for repairs and maintenance will likely start to increase. A modern air conditioning unit will commonly last all the way to the 20-year mark or beyond, but that outcome is not guaranteed. The older your system is, the more attention you should pay to it day after day, and the more you’ll want to be prepared for a replacement when the time comes. Also, after 10 years, most manufacturers’ parts warranty expire, thus increasing the cost of repairs.
As you monitor the age of your air conditioning unit, one good point to pay attention to is the amount of energy you are consuming month after month. You will likely notice if your energy consumption is going up because your bill will do the same thing. If you find yourself paying more and more for energy and the underlying rates haven’t gone up significantly, it’s likely that a loss of efficiency within the system is to blame.
With each passing year, don’t be surprised if the efficiency of your air conditioner trails off and your bills rise. This is something to keep in mind with regard to replacing the air conditioner. Some of the cost of buying a new unit will be offset by bringing your energy bills back down to a more reasonable range. That doesn’t mean you have to upgrade to a new system immediately when the bill starts to rise, but keep an eye on it so the costs don’t go too high before you make a switch. Modern air conditioning units are incredibly efficient, so you will get better performance than ever before once you upgrade and have a new one installed. Berico is glad to send a comfort specialist to help weigh your options and has specific tools that can help you in your decision making process.
Do You Keep Calling for Repairs?
The other measuring stick you can use to keep track of how your system is doing is the frequency with which you need to call for repairs. With a new system, you’ll likely not have to call for any repair work at all – just some annual maintenance will be enough to get great results. Then, as the years go by, other problems will naturally start to pop up one at a time. If those repairs start to come around more often, and they are getting more expensive to manage, swapping out the old unit for a new one may be required.
You can have a conversation with your HVAC contractor about this important point. They can help you understand what has been going wrong with your current unit, how likely it is that new problems will keep popping up, and whether or not they recommend a replacement. An honest contractor like Berico won’t pressure you into a purchase but rather will help you understand the situation so you can make your own informed choice.
Understanding the Refrigerant Change
Unless you work in the HVAC industry, you probably aren’t aware that there has been a major change going on with regard to the refrigerant used in air conditioning systems. For years, the refrigerant of choice was R-22, commonly referred to as Freon. Due to environmental concerns, R-22 has been on its way out for a while now, and new air conditioning systems now run on R410A.
This is important to understand because if you have an old system that uses Freon, topping off such a system is getting harder and harder to do. The availability of Freon is limited and the cost of what is available has climbed significantly. If your current system uses Freon, that will be another factor that influences the math you have to do regarding whether or not to replace it with a new unit. Knowing that it’s only going to get tougher to replace the refrigerant moving forward, you might decide to get ahead of the game by upgrading to a modern unit that runs more efficiently and will be easy to maintain for years to come.
Getting the help of a professional HVAC contractor like Berico is critical if you are going to make a sound decision regarding whether to repair or replace your air conditioner. The experts at Berico have completed AC repair and installation for thousands of local homeowners and business owners and will be happy to come to your location to take care of the HVAC issues you are facing. Berico is your always dependable option when it comes to HVAC.
How Can I Save Electricity with My HVAC?
/in Articles/by William HammerOf course, using your HVAC system likely means using electricity, which can get expensive. This post will highlight some simple tips to reduce electricity consumption while still staying comfortable. And, if you need help with air conditioning repair or any other type of HVAC project, get in touch with Berico right away.
Have Routine Maintenance Performed
There are just so many benefits to going through routine maintenance on your HVAC system. Not only will the system be more reliable when it is maintained regularly, but it will also run more efficiently – meaning you will save electricity each time it comes on. Fortunately, routine maintenance is quite affordable and the money you spend on the work will likely be more than returned to you in the form of future savings on your electrical bill (and by avoiding or delaying future repairs).
Modify Your Thermostat Settings
It’s okay to experience some swings in temperature inside your home throughout the year. Sure, you want the HVAC system to keep you comfortable, but moving your set temperature up or down by a few degrees (depending on the season) will save electricity without a major difference in your comfort. For example, instead of trying to get your air conditioner to bring the temperature in your home on a hot day all the way down to 68, set the thermostat for 72 or 74 degrees. Those few degrees probably won’t make a huge difference in how you feel but they can make it so your system consumes significantly less energy.
Improve Your Insulation
The insulation in your home is actually the first line of defense that you have against the hot and cold temperatures outside. With good insulation, less thermal transfer will occur between outside and inside, and the air inside your home will tend to stay at a more neutral temperature. This is another way you can invest in your home and have that investment pay off in terms of savings on your utility bills each month. Another potential major issues is duct work leakage. Older homes often have leaking or disconnected ducts leading to over working your HVAC System and causing inefficiencies.
Upgrade to a New System
At some point, the HVAC equipment in your home is going to need to be replaced. If you feel like that day is drawing near, you might want to consider going ahead with it as soon as possible to start enjoying electrical savings. New HVAC equipment will run far more efficiently than your old gear, especially if that old system has been in place for a couple of decades or longer.
As masters of A/C repair and AC installation, you’ll always be in good hands with the Berico team. Take a moment today to reach out and learn more about the available services or to make an appointment to have your system checked out.
The Benefits of A/C Maintenance and Why It’s Worth the Investment
/in Articles/by William HammerFor the best AC repair Greensboro has to offer, take a moment today to get in touch with the team at Berico.
Staying Ahead of the Game
Each time your air conditioner (or furnace) comes on, it is experiencing at least a little bit of wear and tear on the various components that make up your HVAC system. This isn’t going to seem like much on a day-by-day basis, but it adds up over time. And, if you don’t have any maintenance performed, the accumulation of that wear and tear is eventually going to show itself in the form of problems with the A/C.
When you get on a regular schedule of air conditioner maintenance with Berico, you are able to address that wear and tear before it accumulates to the point that it causes issues. Rather than waiting for an A/C breakdown to call for help, you can prevent that breakdown in the first place through the use of preventive maintenance. During a maintenance visit, the professional technician will go through a series of tasks, checking on key components, cleaning the appropriate parts of the system, and making sure it’s ready for the hot summer season ahead.
The Financial Picture
Some people struggle with the idea of spending money on maintenance for a system that is currently working just fine. That kind of thinking is understandable, to be sure, but it misses the bigger picture. When you have maintenance performed, you are basically spending a small amount of money now to avoid spending much more money later on. It’s an investment in the future of your HVAC equipment, and it’s the type of investment that tends to pay off nicely.
Maintenance visits from the professional team at Berico are not particularly expensive, and they can be completed quickly at a time that is convenient for your schedule. On the other hand, repairing an air conditioner that has already broken down can be much more costly, and it will need to be done right away – even if it’s not convenient at the moment. In addition to avoiding expensive repairs, ongoing maintenance can also allow you to extend the life of your system, putting off the big expense of buying a whole new unit for potentially years. When you add it all up, what you save in money and convenience is more than worth the cost of maintenance on your A/C system.
If you need assistance with your AC in Greensboro, there is no better team than Berico to manage the project. Whether it’s a simple maintenance visit or A/C installation to put a new system in place, you can be sure that Berico is more than up for the challenge.