In the middle of the summer season, are you afraid to look at your utility bills? Since you are running your Greensboro air conditioner every day in the hot summer months, there may be some reasons why your bill is higher than your neighbor’s energy bill. At Berico Fuels, we can help you find the causes of these higher payments, and help you on the path to cost savings. Here are 5 top reasons you may be paying so much each month for your air conditioning:

Your AC Unit is Older and Not as Efficient

Older cooling systems are not as effective at cooling, and the efficiency is much lower than today’s newer systems. This lower efficiency results in higher energy bills since the HVAC system requires more energy to get to the desired indoor temperature for your home. It may be time for a replacement system, which will be an initial investment that carries excellent cost savings over the years with significantly lower energy bills.

The Cooling System’s Fan is Set on the Thermostat to Constantly Run

If there is a fan setting on your programmable thermostat, it should be set to “Auto” instead of “On” for greater efficiency. If family members are constantly going back and forth with the temperature setting changes on the thermostat, they probably have also moved the fan switch to “on”. Achieve the best performance from your air conditioning unit by setting one main temperature setting for the hours that you are home and a few degrees’ warmer setting for when you are away from the house. Frequent changing of the temperature, even by a few degrees, not only creates an inefficient energy flow but puts more stress on your equipment as it constantly tries to adjust to these frequent changes. Agreeing on the most comfortable indoor temperature for everyone in your household and maintaining that level throughout the summer will help your system run more efficiently.

Your AC Unit is Inefficient as a Result of Skipped Maintenance

Regular annual maintenance is necessary to keep your air conditioner running efficiently. If you skip a year or two, it can result in a heavy collection of dust, dirt and other debris that will cause your system to not work at its best and most effective level. Contact Berico to schedule your HVAC maintenance visit in Greensboro, and we will check parts and connections while providing a complete cleaning.

Duct Blockages and Leaks in Your Cooling System Can Cause Higher Utility Bills

Trying to send air through blocked areas in your ductwork creates more pressure, and your cooling system needs to work harder to circulate the air, therefore using more energy. The quality of your ductwork is important because it provides the outlet to send cooled air throughout your home. When the ducts have holes or leaks, or connections are blocked off, this could result in higher energy bills. Regularly checking the ductwork in your home will help fix these issues before they become costly repairs and help to keep your energy bills down.

Keep Cool Air inside with Good Insulation

Your AC system may be working overtime to not only cool the inside of your home, but also the outside. Properly fitted windows or adding weather stripping around the windows will help the cool air from leaking to the outside and keep the hot air from coming in. Adequate insulation and weather stripping will help keep your HVAC system from running unnecessarily to accommodate the loss of cool air in your home. Keep the nice, cool air inside of your home and let the outside stay warm with added insulation. When you need service for your air conditioner in Greensboro, Burlington or Eden, contact Berico Heating & Air, Alamance Oil and Carolina Fuels at (336) 273-8663.

Air Conditioning Repairs in Eden: Spring is the Ideal Time

Spring is almost here, and most people will be busy clearing out closets, scrubbing walls and washing windows. However, if you just clean the parts of your house that you can see, you may be doing only half the job. Preventative maintenance on your cooling system should be a part of your regular spring-cleaning activities. Air conditioning repair and maintenance check-ups will help your entire house be clean and dust free. The technicians at Berico Heating & Air get busy once summer hits, so spring is the ideal time for air-conditioning repairs in Eden.

Why Schedule an Air Conditioner Check Up

According to the Department of Energy,

“Annual maintenance can help improve your comfort and the efficiency of your air conditioner while prolonging the life of your unit.”

It is especially important to schedule this maintenance check up in the springtime because the severe weather of the winter months can have a negative impact on your cooling system. The number one cause of air conditioning system failures, as reported by HVAC professionals, is the lack of routine maintenance. Another reason to schedule annual air conditioner maintenance and repair in Eden is cost savings.

According to Energy Star, a division of the EPA,

“The percentage of the average household’s energy use that goes to space cooling is only 6%, yet this can increase during the warm months.”

Small problems can be detected and fixed before they become bigger, more expensive problems by scheduling regular check-ups. Fixing a small refrigerant leak shouldn’t cost much, however, purchasing a new compressor when low refrigerant levels damage your current one can cost thousands of dollars. The other way an annual spring check up saves money is by making certain that your cooling system is working at peak efficiency. When your air conditioner is running well, it uses less energy to cool your house. Lower energy use means increased savings for you on your monthly energy bill.

Typical Maintenance Checks to Ensure Optimum System Performance

• Thermostat settings should be examined to ensure the cooling system keeps you comfortable when you’re home and saves energy while you are away.

• Defective electrical connections can cause unsafe operation of your system and reduce the life of major components. Electrical connections should be inspected and tightened, and voltage and current on motors measured.

• Lubricate all moving parts. Parts that are not lubricated properly can cause friction in motors resulting in increased electricity consumption.

• One way an air conditioner cools your home is by decreasing the amount of moisture in the air or humidity. If the condensate drain is clogged in your cooling system, this can not only cause water damage but also affect humidity levels in your home.

• All system controls should be checked to assure the system starts, operates, and shuts off correctly.

• Evaporator and condenser coils remove heat and humidity from the air using a refrigerant. These should be checked and cleaned. Energy Star, a division of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), reports that dirt and neglect are the top causes of cooling system inefficiency and failure. Dirty coils prohibit the system’s capacity to cool your home. It can also cause the cooling system to run for an extended amount of time, inflating costs and reducing the life of the system.

• Blower and fan motors should be tested and inspected for greater comfort levels. Airflow difficulties can lessen your system’s efficiency by up to 15 percent as stated by the Department of Energy.

Do it Yourself Cost-Saving Tips

• Inspect, clean, or change air filters once a month in your air conditioner. A clogged air filter will restrict airflow and can cause refrigerant lines to freeze resulting in possible breakdowns and serious damage to other system components. According to the Department of Energy, this can lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5-15 percent.

• If you have a window air conditioner, inspect the window seals to keep cool air from escaping. According to Energy Star, homeowners typically save up to hundreds of dollars a year in cooling costs by air sealing their homes.

• Consider installing a programmable thermostat. This could help you save up to 10 percent on heating and cooling costs a year.

No matter what kind of cooling system you have in your house, you can save money and increase comfort by properly maintaining your equipment. Routine maintenance check ups lower energy bills, increase comfort in the home and extend the useful life of your equipment. Now is the time to schedule your air conditioner check up in Eden, Greensboro and Burlington, NC. Berico Heating & Air want to make your home comfortable and your life easier. Contact us today.

SOURCES: Energy Saver (www.energy.gov/energysaver), the Energy Department’s Building Technologies Office; A Guide to Energy-Efficient Heating and Cooling

Since the first air conditioner was invented in 1902, technological advancements have made air conditioners in Burlington more efficient. This greater efficiency leads to cleaner air because of the increased ability to reduce humidity in homes and businesses due to stronger fan blowers to circulate the air. ASME.org, an engineering publication, commented on the variety of scientific and engineering improvements that have been made over the years to create the complex HVAC unit that we use today:

“These comfort units that homeowners activate with the ease of flipping a switch are complex electromechanical systems, the end products of nearly a century of engineering development in cooling, thermodynamics, controls, and energy efficiency. In 2000, air conditioning/refrigeration was named among the 10 greatest mechanical engineering achievements of the 20th century, according to a survey of ASME members.”

With the majority of Americans using air conditioning today, quality service and installations are consistently needed to maintain systems. At Alamance Oil, we provide cooling maintenance in Burlington so your air conditioner will be ready for the hot months of the summer. Programmable thermostats are available in a variety of configurations, allowing homeowners to increase energy efficiency in their homes and lower utility bills by adjusting the temperatures to accommodate their specific needs. The use of these sophisticated thermostats, the cleaner indoor environment, and the added safety measures are all a result of the engineering and technology developments that have shaped the AC system into what it is today.

New Controls on Air Conditioners in Burlington Create Greater Energy Savings

If you are not using your programmable digital thermostat in your home to program temperatures for specific time periods, you are missing out on an opportunity to save some serious money. At Alamance Oil, we can offer recommendations on how to program your thermostat to the best settings for energy savings. These suggestions include setting your temperature differently for when you are traveling or away from your home and keeping the temperatures slightly warmer during the summer months or when you are asleep. The U.S. government now requires that air conditioners in Burlington meet the seasonal energy efficiency ratings (SEER) that have increased to meet energy standards:

“Energy efficiency standards set by the U.S. Department of Energy are driving improvements in air-conditioning systems. “Minimum efficiency standards for a/c systems have progressively increased, particularly in the last five years, requiring manufacturers to optimize systems to reduce energy consumption,” says Dennis Thoren, vice president of engineering and technology at Ingersoll Rand, Davidson, NC, which markets the popular Trane line of air conditioners.”

The increased automation with easier to use controls have made a significant impact on the amount of energy that is used when running your AC unit. Manufacturer recommended cooling maintenance in Burlington results in more energy savings for you. Air conditioners that are cleaned and regularly inspected can last longer and provide healthier, comfortable cooling for your home and family.

A Cleaner Indoor Environment is the Result of Modern Air Conditioners

Harmful chemicals, such as Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), were used in refrigeration fluids until it was discovered that they cause damage to the ozone layer. Hydrochlorofluorocarbons or HCFCs are now used in modern air conditioners which are better for the environment indoors and outdoors. Refrigerants are necessary to produce cooler air in your home, and with the newer technology and controls, your AC system provides healthier and cleaner indoor air. At Alamance Oil, our knowledgeable service team provides helpful information when you are researching for a replacement air conditioning system in Burlington. We will analyze your budget, space requirements and layout to recommend a range of AC units that will meet your needs.

Safer Cooling is the New Mainstream

Sophisticated sensors are in place to add safety measures to your air conditioner in Burlington. Carbon monoxide alarms will go off if there are problems and additional humidity level and temperature sensors make sure the system is running at peak capacity. At Alamance Oil, our advanced diagnostic tools allow us to monitor your system and sensors for safety and effectiveness during annual maintenance visits. Our trained technicians will find leaks or any other equipment issues and repair them quickly and efficiently to restore your air conditioner to full safety and comfort. For reliable ac repair, contact Alamance Oil today at 336-226-9371.

(Source: Global Cooling: The History of Air Conditioning, asme.org, June 2011)

Commercial buildings need to be equipped and ready to assist with firefighting efforts, should that be necessary one day. Fire dangers are present in commercial buildings, from equipment failures to human errors, and the quicker the firefighters can get in and do their job, the better the outcome. There are certain aspects to the air handlers, heating and cooling unit location and presence of exhaust fans that will either help or hinder the firefighting team’s efforts in putting out a fire in a commercial building. At Berico Fuels, we install Greensboro commercial HVAC systems so they are in a helpful location with tools and configurations that will assist firefighters if needed.

Air Handlers Play an Important Role in Firefighting

An article in www.firehouse.com focuses on commercial systems, and how firefighters use them to assist in firefighting efforts. Air handlers play a major role if the unit size is greater than 2,000 CFM and contains duct smoke detectors:

“The size of a unit is typically referred to in cubic feet per minute (CFM) and the amount of air the unit can move is measured in this way. So, a 30,000 CFM can move 30,000 cubic feet of air per minute. In units above 2,000 CFM, the unit will be provided with duct smoke detectors. Duct smoke detectors are special detectors that are located with the duct and generally span the entire width of the duct. These are tied into the fire alarm system and will activate the alarm just like any other detector. Units over 2,000 CFM are required to be shut down when the fire alarm is activated. It is important to remember that these are current code requirements and there are many buildings that do not have these features.”

When a fire alarm occurs inside of a commercial building, the ability to shut down the air handler instantly to prevent further spread of heat and smoke-filled air is beneficial to firefighters. Controlling unwanted ventilation of the fire is critical to keep it under control. At Berico Fuels, we make sure that our Greensboro commercial ac and heating components are installed properly to the current code requirements, and that they work safely and efficiently to provide comfortable airflow throughout the building.

Structure and Age are Considerations for HVAC Location

It is also essential to have the right-sized unit in the right location, depending on the age and structure of the commercial building:

“If no regard has been given to the structure of the building when the unit was installed, there are even greater chances that any substantial increase in heat may lead to failure of the roof structure and the unit falling on firefighters working in the building. Some units are powered natural gas or propane, and these hazards should not be treated any differently than we do every other time.”

At Berico Fuels, we consider the age of the structure and the roof when determining the best system for the building, along with the unit location. Through careful planning, analysis, and ductwork optimization, we provide a safe and comprehensive air conditioning and furnace installation for your commercial building.

Exhaust Fans Aid in Ventilation

The presence of exhaust fans is helpful to remove harmful gases and cool buildings quickly. According to firehouse.com:

“Exhaust fans can be very helpful in our ventilation practices. When used properly they can remove the hot gases of combustion from the spaces we are working in. If we are to use the buildings exhaust fans to assist us in this process we need to know where they are located and how they operate.”

Your commercial HVAC system needs to be working efficiently and according to building codes to ensure safety and long-lasting comfort. At Berico Fuels, we maintain, repair, and install these systems with expert knowledge and careful consideration for finding the best sized system in the right location for your Greensboro, Eden and Burlington business needs. Call us at 336-273-8663 today.