The last thing you want to experience is a broken furnace on a cold winter day or night. Sometimes furnaces break down without warning, but in many cases there are signs that indicate your furnace may not be working properly.

Avoiding an unexpected furnace breakdown is always preferable, so how can you prevent it? According to the best heating and air in Greensboro, here’s what to look for so you can be prepared.

 

Repeated Cycling On and Off

Does it seem as if your heat comes on, turns off, and turns on again without much time in between? Perhaps it doesn’t run very long each time before shutting off, then comes right back on again. This is a sign that something is not working correctly within your furnace. It could be that there are parts in need of cleaning, repair, or replacement. There may be a problem with the blower motor. Any number of mechanical or electrical issues could cause this to happen. If you notice this, it’s time to schedule a service appointment.

 

Uneven Temperatures Throughout Your Home

Do some rooms feel warm and others cool? Uneven heating is another sign that your furnace is not operating properly. It could be failing to produce enough heat to effectively warm your entire home. There could be issues with air flow through the ducts or other problems that could prevent heat from disbursing evenly. Start by checking your filters and replace them if necessary. If the problem persists, contact the best heating and air in Greensboro, Berico.

 

Unusual or Increased Noises

Have you noticed more noise or unusual noises coming from your furnace or vents? You may think it’s just in your head, but it’s probably not. You get used to the way your HVAC system sounds when it runs, and if you’re suddenly noticing it when you didn’t before, the noises are probably new. Excessive or strange noises coming from your furnace could mean any number of mechanical problems from loose parts to electrical issues. Schedule a service appointment to have your system evaluated.

 

High Energy Bills

Your furnace may run on natural gas, propane, heating oil, or electricity. If your gas or energy bill seems to keep going up, it may be a sign that your furnace is not operating properly. A properly working furnace should operate efficiently, depending on its efficiency rating. Regardless, soaring energy bills are not normal and may indicate that your furnace is on its way out.

 

How Will I Know if My Furnace Should be Repaired or Replaced? 

When your HVAC technician inspects your furnace they will diagnose the problem as well as assess the condition of your system.

 

They will most likely recommend repair if:

 

• Your furnace is less than 10 years old.
• The repair is easy and inexpensive.
• The overall condition of your furnace is good.

 

The technician may recommend replacement if:

 

• Your furnace is more than 10 years old.
• The repair required is a major, expensive part.
• The overall condition of your furnace is poor.

 

Want to Avoid a Breakdown? Have Your System Assessed by Berico

If you’re concerned about the performance or condition of your furnace, call 336-273-8663 today to schedule a service appointment. Find out why customers consistently rate Berico as the best heating and air in Greensboro.

Have you ever had a service technician of some kind in your home and had difficulty understanding what they were saying because they used a lot of technical terms you didn’t know? This can make you feel confused and maybe a bit unsure of what you’re paying for. Before you call for furnace repair in Eden, here are some technical HVAC related terms you might want to know.

 

HVAC: This is the abbreviation for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. An HVAC system is also known as central air or a forced air system.

 

AFUE: Stands for Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. The AFUE rating tells you how efficient a furnace is.

 

BTU: Stands for British Thermal Unit. This is the measurement for the amount of heat created by a specific heating fuel, such as propane or heating oil.

 

Capacity: This is the amount of heat or cool air your HVAC system can produce. It is used to determine what size system a home requires.

 

Condenser Coil: This is part of your outdoor air conditioner unit. It allows heat to transfer out of the AC unit to cool it down.

 

Ducts/Duct Work: The ducts or duct work are metal tubes that connect your HVAC system to all of the vents in your home. This is how the warm or cold air is distributed throughout your home.

 

Evaporator Coil: An important part of your air conditioner, the evaporator coil is a metal tube filled with refrigerant that absorbs heat and cools the air.

 

Heat Exchanger: An important part of your furnace, the heat exchanger creates warm air. The heating fuel burns to warm up the heat exchanger which heats the cold air as it passes over.

 

Heat Pump: This is a specific type of heating and cooling system that transfers heat back and forth between the inside of your home and the outside. It is highly efficient and works best in mild temperature climates.

 

Refrigerant: Otherwise known as coolant, this is the liquid substance in HVAC systems that absorbs heat and creates cool air.

 

SEER: Stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The SEER rating of an air conditioner tells you how efficient it is. A system with a 16 SEER or better is considered to be highly efficient.

 

Thermostat: This is the panel on your wall that measures the temperature in your home and tells your HVAC system when to run in order to achieve the desired indoor temperature. Some thermostats are programmable, which allows you to save energy by setting different temperatures for different times of the day.

 

Zone System: Homes can be divided into zones for heating and cooling. This allows you to set different temperatures for different areas of your home.

 

Technicians You Can Understand 

Berico technicians won’t confuse you with techno babble when you call for furnace repair in Eden. It is of utmost importance that you understand what your system needs and the estimate to repair it. If a technician needs to replace a part, it is clearly explained so that you know what is happening. Berico technicians are happy to answer any questions you have to make sure you have no concerns about the service being done to your HVAC system.

Call 336-273-8663 or schedule service today.

 

Of the heating fuels available, propane is one of the most environmentally friendly. In today’s world many homeowners and business owners are doing their part to reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a cleaner environment. Climate change concerns are at an all time high, and heating fuels are a factor in that matter.

 

If you’re comparing heating fuels, it may help you to know that propane is considered a “green” gas. When choosing an option for a new home, it’s easy to get started with propane delivery in Burlington.

 

Propane Qualifies as a Green Fuel Because:

 

• Propane Burns Clean. When propane is burned to create heat, it releases very little greenhouse gases into the air. Greenhouse gases are known to trap heat in the atmosphere leading to global warming. Propane is considered to be a green fuel because it’s greenhouse gas emissions are minimal, almost non-existent, earning it’s approval by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).
• Propane is Non-Toxic. Another green characteristic of propane is that it is non-toxic. It won’t contaminate soil, ground water, plant life, wildlife, or any part of the ecosystem where it is used or stored.
• Propane Cannot Spill. Propane is stored as a liquid under pressure in a tank. If propane gets released from the tank, it immediately evaporates into the air and disappears. It doesn’t pool on the ground or soak into the soil, meaning it won’t contaminate the natural environment.
• Propane is Efficient. Propane is an efficient source of energy, beating out natural gas and electricity in terms of the amount of heat it can create. Propane is created as a byproduct of natural gas from crude oil. Electricity is created by a variety of methods, one of which is burning coal, which is not environmentally friendly. As an energy source, propane is easy on the environment.
• Propane’s Carbon Content is Low. Propane contains very low levels of carbon, which is why it doesn’t release greenhouse gases when it burns. A low carbon content is a key feature in a green gas, because it is the carbon that results in negative emissions when the fuel is burned.
• Propane is a Renewable Resource. Current propane supplies are a product of crude oil, which is a limited resource. But engineers are currently perfecting the process of creating propane from plant oils, animal fats, and biomass, turning it into a renewable resource.

 

Propane is the Fuel of the Future 

By choosing to use propane as an energy source in your home, you are making a responsible decision for the future of the world, as well as your own personal corner of the world. You’ll have an efficient source of energy that can save you money over time and you can feel good about the fact that you are reducing your impact on the environment.

 

Berico is Burlington’s Propane Supplier

Are you ready to get started with propane? Berico provides propane delivery in Burlington, Greensboro, Reidsville, Eden and the surrounding areas. With the option for automatic refills and price lock in, you can save money and ensure you never run out. Propane prices fluctuate throughout the year, and if you let your tank get too low at an inopportune time, you could get stuck paying a higher price for a refill.  Propane delivery in Burlington is convenient with Berico.

Call (336) 273-8663 today or schedule service.

One of the wonders of the modern world is the ability to control the temperature in your home with just a push of a button or even speaking into your phone or your smart speaker. It’s easy to take the control your thermostat gives you for granted, but this powerful tool has transformed the way we live. Given the control you have over your home’s climate, what temperature settings are optimal throughout the year? The right answer is a little different for everyone, but there are some guidelines you can follow.

 

To keep your home’s air conditioning and heating systems working properly all year long, contact Berico for Greensboro HVAC service. Ongoing maintenance from Berico can optimize efficiency and help you dial in the ideal temperature and avoid costly repairs.

 

Understanding the Goal

Whether you are heating or cooling your home, one important goal is to avoid major temperature swings in either direction. Trying to change the temperature of your home dramatically – by more than several degrees or more – requires your air conditioner or furnace to work very hard and uses a lot more energy. A better plan is to consistently maintain your home’s temperature in a comfortable narrow range so the air conditioner and the furnace never has to work too hard.

 

 

Managing Your Air Conditioning

When the temperatures outside soar into the 90s and beyond, it’s tempting to crank down your AC even lower to combat the additional heat.  However, just like warming your home on a cold day, it will take a lot of energy to cool your home dramatically on a hot day. So, cranking the thermostat down is not recommended as it will not cool the home faster.  It’s a good strategy to set your AC to a moderate temperature that is still comfortable without demanding too much from your air conditioner.

 

Try 72* F as a starting point for your AC setting. You might even be comfortable going up to 74* F or so, or you may find that 68* F is necessary to keep everyone happy. Once you determine where you are comfortable, set your air conditioning at that temperature and leave it there. Since your home could get rather hot at night with the AC off, making it harder to sleep, you’ll want to leave it set close to the same temperature throughout the day and night.

 

A Winter Heating Strategy

While you are awake in your home, you’ll likely want to have the temperature of your thermostat set somewhere around 68* to 70* F. This is a comfortable temperature for most people, but you and your family might like to keep it a little higher or lower, depending on your preferences.

 

With that said, there is likely no reason to maintain that temperature all night. Keeping the indoor temperature at higher than 70 * F when the weather outside is much cooler does require more energy. Some people allow their home temperature to drop to the mid to low 60s while they sleep, keeping warm with a blanket. As an added bonus, studies have shown that humans tend to sleep better in cool temperatures, so you might find that you get better sleep in a home a little cooler than you might think.

Does your home need a new air conditioner? Whether you’re replacing an old system or installing AC for the first time, it’s very important that you get the right unit for your house. If you get the wrong size or the wrong type for your home, you could end up constantly calling for AC repair in Greensboro.

 

How do you know what AC unit would be best for your home? Here’s what to consider.

 

The Square Footage of Your Home

When it comes to the sizing of air conditioners, the biggest factor is the square footage of your home. You need a system that is big enough to cool the total square footage of your home that you want to cool. That does not include any unfinished areas like basements, attics, or garages. However, if you have plans to finish your basement or attic in the near future, you’ll want to take that square footage into consideration when you purchase a new AC unit.

 

The Weather Where You Live

The type of AC unit that would work for your home also depends on the weather in your area. A traditional air conditioner unit can typically handle the hot summer temperatures in North Carolina. A heat pump would also be effective. Heat pumps are very efficient when it comes to heating and cooling because they transfer heat in and out of your home. The only time that a heat pump is not as effective is in areas where the weather is extremely cold.

 

Whether or Not Your Home has Ductwork

If you are replacing an old air conditioning unit, is there already existing ductwork? It would work to get a central air conditioner in that case because the ductwork is already in place. If your home does not have ductwork, you could potentially get ducts installed, or you could get a ductless air conditioner.

 

How Much Shade Your Home Gets

Homes that get a lot of shade from trees tend to stay cooler than those that are always in direct sunlight. When the sun shines directly on your home the majority of the time, it can heat up quickly. You may need a more powerful air conditioning system if your home lacks natural shade.

 

The Height of Your Ceilings

If you have high or vaulted ceilings, you may need a more powerful air conditioner unit to help your home feel consistently cool and comfortable. It may also play a part in how your ductwork needs to be configured so that the cool air reaches all parts of the house equally.

 

Windows and Insulation

If you have old windows or your insulation is not very efficient, you may find that you need a more powerful AC unit to keep up with the heat that is passing through. It would be in your best interest to upgrade your windows and insulation to save energy before you invest in a new air conditioning system.

 

Ask the Experts at Berico 

When it comes to choosing an air conditioning and heating system for your home, you should get a professional recommendation. Berico is an experienced HVAC company that handles installation and AC repair in Greensboro and the surrounding area. If you’re having problems with your current AC unit, it may be time to replace it. Berico will recommend the best AC unit for your home and provide complete installation services.

 

Call 336-273-8663 today or request a quote for a new AC unit.