How is your furnace performing lately? If that question made you stop and think and you realize that you hardly even notice it, then your furnace is most likely operating well. However, if you have been noticing some unusual changes around your home lately, it’s possible your furnace is on its last leg. If you’re wondering whether you need furnace repair in Burlington or a complete furnace replacement, consider these signs that you may need a new furnace.  

1. You notice unusual or increased noises coming from your furnace. Is your typically quiet furnace starting to sound like a jet plane taking off every time it fires up? Are you noticing a bunch of rattling, humming, or buzzing that you never noticed before? New or increased noises are a sign that your furnace is not operating properly.  
2. Your furnace runs but never reaches your desired temperature. Does it seem like your furnace is always on, but you still feel chilly and your thermostat is not reaching the desired set temperature? A furnace that is producing insufficient heat will run overtime and eventually burn itself out. 
3. Your energy bills have been higher than usual. Are you looking at your gas bill and thinking that it seems quite high compared to last year’s bill? Increased energy usage is a sign your furnace is starting to fail. A furnace in poor condition will use more energy and cause your bills to noticeably increase.  
4. Frequent furnace repairs have been necessary. Does it seem like you’ve had to call for furnace repair much too often lately? Frequent repairs are a sign that your furnace may need to be replaced sooner than later.  
5. You see visible signs of damage or wear. If you look at your furnace and see obvious rust, cracks, or other signs of age, its likely time for a new system. By the time the outside shows the damage, the inside is worse.  

Furnace Replacement can Save you Money and Offer you Peace of Mind 

It’s common to dread the cost of a furnace replacement. It seems like a lot of money up front, but furnace replacement can be a blessing in disguise. When you replace your old furnace with a new one, you save money in a lot of different ways. Remember those high energy bills? With the latest technology, your new furnace will be so much more efficient than your old system, it will noticeably lower your energy bills. Tired of paying for furnace repair in Burlington every season or every few months? Put that money toward a new furnace that will run for many years with only periodic maintenance required. Would you like to stop worrying that your furnace might fail on a cold night and know for sure that your home will be consistently comfortable? A new system offers you that peace of mind. Alamance Oil can expertly replace your old furnace with a new, high-efficiency furnace. Call (336) 226-9371 to get a free estimate today.

The three most common types of home heating fuels in Greensboro are natural gas, propane, and oil. You may not give much thought to which fuel your home uses. Most likely you have continued to use whatever fuel your home was equipped with when you moved in. But maybe you’ve been wondering if there is a better way to heat your home. Maybe you’re looking at new homes or building a custom home and have the opportunity to choose. Maybe your furnace has died and needs to be replaced. Whatever the reason, consider this comparison between home heating fuels to help you make your decision. 

• Propane: Propane offers a radiating warmth on cold days. And while it is perceived to cost more than natural gas, that is not always the case. One advantage of propane is that it can be delivered to any location. So, if your home doesn’t have access to natural gas, propane is a worthy alternative. You have your choice of suppliers from a few different options in most areas. Propane can also power other appliances besides your furnace. Your range, dryer, water heater, generator, and even some other appliances can run on propane, which could save you money. And you’ll still be able to cook and take hot showers if the power goes out.  
• Oil: Homeowners who use oil enjoy the cozy warmth it offers on cold winter days. While heating oil tends to get a bad rap because the cost seems to be higher than other fuels, the important cost factor to remember is that it burns hotter and heats faster. This means you get more heat out of a smaller amount of oil. You won’t use as much oil as you would propane or gas in the same amount of time. It may seem pricey when you fill your tank, but rest assured you won’t need deliveries as often. You also have a choice of suppliers in your area. 

Berico Offers Reliable Delivery of Heating Fuels in Greensboro 

If you like the benefits of alternative heating fuels such as propane or oil, Berico is a top supplier of heating fuels in Greensboro and beyond. Berico offers regular delivery agreements that can save you money on fuel, especially when combined with furnace maintenance. Call (336) 273-8663 for more information about home heating fuels and a Comfort and Protection Service Agreement from Berico.  

Do you ever wonder why your propane tank gauge never shows more than 80% full, even after a refill? There is a reason for that, and it requires just a simple scientific explanation. When it comes to heating fuels in Burlington, propane has some unique properties that set it apart from other fuels. Read on to learn why your tank should never be filled to 100%. 

Propane Expands with Heat 

The entire explanation revolves around this one fact: propane expands with heat. This is true of most substances, but with propane, there is an extra factor to consider. You probably know that water expands some when heated. Apply the same amount of heat to propane, which is also a liquid, and its volume increases 17 percent more than water. So what does this mean for your propane tank? 

Overfilling a Propane Tank Doesn’t Leave Room for Expansion 

Propane suppliers know they must leave space in the tank for propane to expand. Overfilling the tank could lead to problems when the propane expands, such as leaks or even explosions. By federal regulation, every tank must be installed with an OPD (over pressure device) to alert the user if the pressure inside the tank reaches a dangerous level.  

Tank Location Affects the 80% Fill Rule  

If your propane tank is buried underground it is partially insulated from the heat. Due to this fact, your underground tank may be filled a bit over the typical 80%. Don’t worry, there is no cause for alarm in this case. 

Tank Size Does Not Affect the 80% Fill Rule 

No matter the size of your tank, it is still safer for it to be filled to no more than 80%, even a small cylinder such as the ones typically used for backyard grilling. In fact, a tank used for a backyard grill is more likely to come in contact with extreme heat from the grill itself and the outside heat, so the risk for expansion is greater.  

Tank Percentages in Gallons 

Use this chart to determine what 80% in gallons would be for your tank size. Make sure your tank is not negligently overfilled.  

Tank Size (gallons)	80% (gallons)
120	96
150	120
200	160
250	200
500	400

 

Why You Should Get your Heating Fuels in Burlington from Alamance Oil 

If you currently (or plan to) heat your home, cook your food, or run any of your other household appliances with propane, consider making Alamance Oil your regular supplier. Alamance Oil abides by the 80% fill rule with every refill to keep you and your family safe. You can count on quality and consistency when it comes to your tank and heating fuels in Burlington when you choose Alamance Oil as your supplier. You don’t have to worry that you’re not getting the full amount of fuel for your money, as you will only be charged for the number of gallons your tank receives in a delivery. Regular deliveries ensure you will never run out of propane. Call Alamance Oil today: (336) 623-9741.