There is never a bad time to save money. Whether the economy is going strong or in a recession, it’s always smart to cut back where you can in order to leave more money in the bank at the end of each month. This article will look at some simple steps you can take to cut back on utility spending for your home. Even modest savings can add up in a big way by the end of the year.

If you need reliable AC service in Greensboro, turn to Berico for help. As one of the leading HVAC companies in the area, Berico can provide HVAC installation, AC repair, regular maintenance, and much more.

1 – Consistently Change Your Air Filter

This is one of those cases where you need to spend a little bit of money to save more money in the long run. It’s important to regularly change the air filter in your HVAC system because a fresh filter allows your system to perform at its optimal level. When the filter gets dirty, airflow through the system is reduced, and it does not perform as well. In other words, the HVAC system winds up using more energy than necessary to achieve the desired level of heating or cooling. Keep up with changing out the filter and you’ll keep your system running as cost effectively as possible.

2 – Smart Programming

It’s important to set the program that controls your HVAC system so that it accurately mirrors the realities of your life. If the thermostat is set to cool the home down in the summer when you are at work, you might want to consider having it run a little less cool when you know no one will be home. Check on the timing of your program each time the seasons change to make sure your current plan makes sense for your lifestyle and the schedule of everyone in the home.

3- Replace Old Appliances

Our “test-everything-and-record-the-results” friends at Consumer Reports have the data that shows that replacing your old appliances with newer more efficient ones is a great way to lower your utility bills. And there is an added bonus that it can also reduce greenhouse gases.

For Example; Newer Energy Star washing machines use 25 percent less energy and up to 75 percent less water than machines that are just 20 years old according to Consumer Reports.  And while we are on the topic of replacing appliances, your HVAC system is your largest appliance and if it has some age on it, replacing it might reduce your energy consumption considerably. If you want to have it evaluated

4 – Be flexible with a little higher and lower temperature

You might be tempted to crank your thermostat way down into the 60s on a scorching hot summer day, but that’s just asking to spend a ton of money on energy. As a good rule of thumb, don’t ask your air conditioner to bring the indoor temperature down more than 20 degrees lower than the temperature outside. So, if it’s going to be 95* outside, set your thermostat in the mid-70s and you should still be quite comfortable.

5 – Annual Maintenance Matters

Here is another point where it’s important to spend some money to help your system work well and run efficiently. Call in a team like Berico for an annual maintenance visit to keep your equipment running properly and avoid the kind of inefficiency that can lead to mounting utility bills. Also, keeping up with annual maintenance should help your equipment last longer, which is another way to save money in the long run.

6 – Manage Your Vents

Whether you are running the cooling system in the summer or the heat in the winter, pay attention to the position of your vents to avoid wasting air on rooms that aren’t being used. For instance, if you have an extra bedroom or two in your house that are not regularly used, close the vents and don’t bother cooling them day after day. This will allow your system to conserve energy while still properly serving the parts of the house that are actively used.  You generally don’t want to shut off the vents to more than one or two rooms because it can create problems for the system if too many vents are closed.  So while shutting off one or two is OK, closing more than that is not recommended.

When you think of putting a log on the fire, you probably think first about a piece of wood that you burn up with a natural flame. That’s one option, but more and more homeowners are preferring propane or natural gas over burning wood. If you are going to go with a gas fireplace, or if you already have one that you’d like to update, finding the right gas logs is an essential step.

To order gas logs in Greensboro, look no further than Berico. As a trusted HVAC contractor with a long history of great service throughout the area, Berico will always exceed your expectations.

What Do Gas Logs Do?

In this application, the word “log” is a bit of a misnomer – these aren’t actually logs in the traditional sense. Instead, they are products that have been designed to look like logs and allow gas to flow through them and out of designed openings. When the gas fire is lit, the flames will come out of those openings and closely replicate the look of an actual wood fire. Quality gas logs will allow you to enjoy a beautiful fire day after day with impressive durability and minimal loss in performance over the years.

Some Key Considerations

So, when picking out gas logs for a fireplace, what should you be looking for? The final choice is up to you, but here are some important considerations to keep in mind.

• Some people like to have a rather full fireplace, with plenty of flames and plenty of logs for aesthetic effect. But that’s not the only option – you could also choose to have a limited number of logs in the fireplace, favoring a clean, minimalist look. It’s up to you but think about what will fit your style best before deciding what set of logs to purchase.
• While all of the logs you can pick from are going to imitate the look of natural wood in some way, there are varied shades available. You might opt for a lighter wood tone, or you may favor something darker, with plenty of faux bark showing on the front. Again here, there is no right answer, so just think about what will look best with your décor and what will match your tastes.
• How much flame you want to show. The layout of some log sets will obscure quite a bit of the flame, while other log arrangements are more open and allow for easy viewing of the flame. Yet again, it’s a matter of personal preference for how you want it to be set up.

Getting the Right Help

Once you have picked out the appropriate gas logs for your fireplace, the last step will be having them installed so you can get the fireplace up and running right away. For that, you’ll want to turn to the professional help of a team like the one at Berico. This is a job that isn’t well-suited to the average homeowner, as mistakes made in the installation could lead to a safety hazard. Trust the Berico team and know you’ll have many cozy nights in front of the gas fireplace ahead of you.

How old is your HVAC (heating and cooling) system? If it’s more than 10 years old, it may be time for HVAC replacement. But why invest money into replacing an appliance that isn’t broken? Because replacing your old HVAC system with a new one can actually save you money. Here’s how.

Efficiency

Advancements in technology have made new air conditioners and furnaces much more efficient than they were just 10 years ago. Every new model is more efficient than the last. By upgrading to a new HVAC system, you can save money every month on your energy bill. Your electricity bill will be lower in the summer and your gas bill will be lower in the winter. If you upgrade to a propane or gas furnace, you could save money on fuel prices.

Fewer Repairs

A new HVAC system will require fewer repairs than an older system. In fact, a brand new system shouldn’t need any repairs for many years after installation, just basic yearly maintenance. If your older HVAC system is prone to repairs, you know how expensive they can be, especially when they occur after hours or on the weekends when repair rates are higher and there are extra fees.

Avoid Unexpected System Failure 

An older HVAC system is often like a ticking time bomb, ready to give out at any moment. All it takes is a heat wave and your air conditioner suddenly gives out, leaving you in a difficult spot. Your home can become dangerously hot in just a few hours without AC on a sweltering summer day. You need HVAC replacement fast, but a financial decision of this magnitude should be something you take your time with. You may find yourself accepting your first estimate without having time to compare estimates and find a better price. All of this hassle could have been avoided if you replaced your old system when you had the chance.

Take Advantage of Tax Incentives

Purchasing a new, energy efficient HVAC system can make you eligible for tax incentives and rebates. The key to qualifying for these is to get an Energy Star rated system or one with a high SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). You can receive your rebate after HVAC installation or file it as a deduction on your tax return.

Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat

Another way to save energy with a new heating and cooling system is to get a smart thermostat as part of your HVAC installation. A smart thermostat is programmable so that you can preset temperatures for different times of the day. This way you won’t have to heat or cool your home as much when no one is there. You can also adjust the temperature for nighttime when you’re sleeping. Smart thermostats can be controlled from your smartphone or other mobile device in case you forget to set your thermostat while you’re away from home.

Berico Can Help You Save Money with HVAC Installation

If you’re thinking about upgrading your HVAC system, Berico can evaluate its current condition and provide you with an estimate. Berico installs a wide range of makes and models to suit all homes and budgets. Start saving money now with a new, efficient HVAC system.

Call 336-273-8663 or request a quote today.