You may have heard that having a programmable thermostat can save you money on your heating and cooling costs. One type, the Nest Thermostat, is one of the most popular smart thermostats on the market. This product has a lot of benefits, but it is not the only option available. The Honeywell Pro 8000, for example, offers many of the same benefits with a few differences.

Consider this description of the Nest Thermostat to help you determine whether or not it’s worth it to get one.

How the Nest Works 

The Nest is a programmable, smart thermostat. The terms “programmable” and “smart” are not the same when it comes to thermostats. A programmable thermostat allows you to program it, such as setting specific temperatures for certain times of the day and according to the days of the week and even the monthly calendar. A smart thermostat can be controlled and programmed from a smartphone or other device, meaning you can control it when you are away from home.

The Nest can also be voice controlled through your Amazon Alexa, so you don’t have to get up to adjust the thermostat. It is also called a “learning” thermostat because it picks up on the habits of your household through motion sensors. It essentially learns when your family is home and not home and adjusts the temperature accordingly.

 

Comparing the Nest and the Honeywell Pro 8000 

Both the Nest and the Honeywell Pro 8000 are programmable, smart thermostats, but there are a few differences. The Honeywell Pro 8000 has a touch screen, which is one feature that customers say make it easier to use. Another advantage is the fact that the Honeywell Pro 8000 costs less than the Nest thermostat.

It also gives you more control over the programming. The Nest essentially programs itself, however, if you don’t like the Nest’s interpretation of your preferences, it can be difficult to override it. The Honeywell Pro 8000 takes more time to program, but it allows you to be more in control of your settings.

 

The Nest Gets Negative Reviews

Although the Nest is very popular (it happens to be the top seller of programmable thermostats on Amazon), it still has some negative reviews. The biggest complaints about the Nest are:

 

• It is difficult to install.
• It will not let you override the automatic setting. It “learns” and adjusts to your habits, but it won’t let you make changes if you don’t like it’s interpretation.
• It requires pre existing wiring. If you don’t have the necessary wiring in place, there are additional products to purchase that increase the overall installation cost.
• It does not produce the monetary savings that it boasts.

 

Which Product to Choose?

While the Nest thermostat has some positive features, Berico recommends the Honeywell Pro 8000 as the best programmable thermostat overall. It allows for more custom programming so you can experience greater home comfort. It also costs less than the Nest, which means you’ll save more money in total.

 

Berico Provides Programmable Thermostat Installation

Installation of programmable thermostats can be tricky. There are specific wires and electrical voltages that are required for proper operation. Berico provides professional installation of your smart thermostat as well as programming assistance to help you get the most energy savings possible.

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

Propane is a versatile energy source. It can be used for home heat, water heaters, cooking, and other household appliances. If your home uses propane in any capacity, you have a tank that exists somewhere on your property. Some tanks are above ground and some are buried. They come in different sizes based on your needs. But the bottom line is that one tank can only hold a finite amount of propane, so you will need refills now and then to keep from running out.

If you’re new to propane use you may be wondering, who delivers propane? A propane home delivery service in your area can provide you with automatic refills so that you never run out.

 

How Do Automatic Refills Work?

A Berico technician can evaluate your home to determine how much propane you will use over time. The number of propane appliances you have, the square footage of your home, the temperatures in the area, and other factors are used to calculate the amount of propane you will need. If you already have a Berico tank in place, refills can begin immediately. If your tank belongs to another propane supplier, Berico will swap it out for free.

 

Berico will schedule your refills according to your predicted usage. You will only pay for the amount you receive and not a full tank if your tank was not empty.

 

How Do I Pay for Automatic Propane Refills?

Propane customers may be used to paying for propane in full at the time of purchase. Some customers even carefully plan and calculate pricing to determine the best time to buy propane to save money. With automatic refills this is not necessary. Berico takes the stress out of purchasing propane by offering a monthly payment system to make the cost of propane more affordable. Berico also offers a pre-buy price protection plan and a fixed price plan that allow you to take advantage of low propane prices.

 

Benefits of Automatic Propane Delivery

When you sign up for automatic propane delivery, you have a lot to gain:

 

• Peace of mind. You never have to worry about running out of propane on a cold day. Berico has you covered.
• Save money. Automatic refills will save you money over time, reducing the overall cost of your propane.
• Easier budgeting. When you combine automatic refills with a monthly payment plan, it’s easier to budget your monthly bills.
• Additional perks. Combine your automatic propane deliveries with an HVAC maintenance plan, and you’ll get a discount on both as well as discounts on repairs and credits toward new equipment.

 

Berico Provides Propane Home Delivery Service 

If you live in the Greensboro, High Point, Burlington, Reidsville, or Eden area, Berico can provide propane delivery service to your home or business. Berico’s service area is wide and includes a large part of the Piedmont Triad and surrounding areas. Wondering who delivers propane to your area? Call Berico at (336) 273-8663 or fill out the new customer order form.

 

Two of the most common types of home heating systems are furnaces and heat pumps. They both work to produce heat to warm your home and ultimately they achieve the same purpose, though mechanically they work in very different ways.

Furnaces and heat pumps do have a few things in common. They require a duct system and blower in order to disburse heat throughout your home. They are both capable of highly efficient operation. And they both perform best with regular maintenance.

When it comes to Greensboro HVAC systems, furnaces and heat pumps are both widely used in the area. If you’re trying to decide which type would be best for your home, the following information should help you understand the difference so that you can make an informed decision.

Furnaces Use Fuel to Create Heat
The source of heat for a furnace comes from a fuel of some kind. Natural gas, propane, and heating oil are the three main types. Natural gas comes from a local source and reaches your home through a gas line under the ground. Propane and heating oil are stored in tanks and delivered to you by a fuel supplier.

A heat pump is an electric heating system that does not require any fuel. Although the energy source is electricity, heat pumps are highly efficient, much more so than electric heating systems of the past.

Heat Pumps Transfer Heat Energy
Rather than creating heat by burning fuel as a furnace does, a heat pump transfers air from the outside to the inside and vice versa. A heat pump moves cold air outside and collects heat from the outside air and brings it inside, all through the use of refrigerant filled coils. This is what makes a heat pump so efficient, the way it transfers heat and maximizes whatever available warmth there is.

Heat Pumps Can Have a Backup Furnace
Heat pumps work best in temperatures no lower than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes them best suited for moderate climates where winters are mild. However, heat pumps include a backup heating option for use when temperatures fall too low. This makes them a viable Greensboro HVAC option because temperatures do fall below the 40 degree threshold for only part of the year in this area.

Furnaces Only Create Heat, Heat Pumps Provide Both Heating and Cooling
A furnace is only capable of creating heat. An additional air conditioning system must be used during warm weather to cool your home. However, a heat pump provides both heating and cooling. The process used to transfer heat simply reverses when your home needs to be cooled. This makes a heat pump efficient for use in all seasons.

A Furnace Can Make Your Home More Comfortable in Cold Weather
Propane and heating oil both create more heat per unit than natural gas or electricity because they burn at extremely high temperatures. The type of heat created by heating fuel is a radiant heat, which is known to create a cozier feel that lasts longer than other types of heat.

Berico Can Install and Service Both Furnaces and Heat Pumps
Whatever type of HVAC system you choose, Berico provides installation and service for both types, as well as heating fuels such as propane and heating oil. Berico is a Greensboro HVAC service providing complete home comfort services. Call 336-273-8663 today or schedule a service appointment.