There are two primary types of HVAC systems – ducted systems and ductless mini splits. This article will explain the difference and highlight the benefits that you can enjoy if you opt for the ductless version.

 

For any type of Greensboro HVAC work that you need to have completed, be sure to make Berico your first call. With a history that dates back a century and thousands of happy customers throughout the region, you’ll never go wrong with Berico.

 

What is a Ductless Mini Split System?

First, it’s important to get on the same page regarding the definition of a ductless mini split system. A traditional HVAC system operates by using air ducts that run throughout a building to carry heated or cooled air to the various rooms. This system works great but is obviously only possible when ducts are in place.

 

For buildings without ducts, a ductless mini split system is an excellent solution. The system features an outdoor compressor unit that is connected to one or more indoor air-handling units that are mounted on walls or ceilings.

 

Enjoy Four Big Benefits

So, what are the benefits of opting for a mini split system instead of the traditional HVAC approach using ducts to carry air? Here are four notable advantages –

 

• Energy efficiency. As heated or cooled air travels through ducts, it loses some of the heating or cooling that it has been provided, meaning the energy that was used in the system is partially wasted. Mini splits are more efficient because the air that is cooled or heated doesn’t pass through ducts. Also, you can more easily control which rooms in the house are being heated or cooled, so you don’t have to waste energy in spaces that aren’t being used.

 

• Easy installation. If your building doesn’t have ducts, you would have to go through an expensive and time-consuming process to add those ducts before a traditional HVAC system could be installed. With a mini split, that part of the job is eliminated, meaning the timeline can be shorter and the total cost can be reduced.

 

• Quiet operation. Some traditional HVAC systems can be rather noisy as they run, but mini splits tend to be extremely quiet. This is a nice feature, especially in places like bedrooms where the system might need to run frequently on a hot summer night to keep you cool.

 

• Effective all year long. You can opt for a mini split system that functions both as a heater and air conditioner, so you’ll be able to dial in the right temperature no matter what season it is in the Greensboro area.

 

Using a ductless mini split system can be an excellent way to keep your home or business comfortable throughout the year. If you need any AC repair to get your system back to working correctly – or if you need any other type of HVAC repair performed – reach out to Berico and schedule an appointment today.

A frozen pipe is one of the worst things that can happen to a plumbing system. When the pipe freezes, not only will that pipe no longer be able to take the water wherever it was supposed to be going, but the water will expand as it turns to ice and the pipe may rupture. This can quickly turn into a messy, expensive plumbing emergency.

Taking steps to avoid frozen pipes is important, and will be the subject of the discussion below. Should you need help from qualified Greensboro plumbers to keep your system on track during cold (or warm) weather, reach out to the team at Berico right away.

 

Insulation is the Key Starting Point

Without a doubt, the best way to keep your pipes from freezing is to add insulation to them wherever you can. There are pipe insulation products meant just for this purpose and the task of wrapping up your pipes is a simple one. Insulating your pipes is going to slow down the transfer of cold air into the pipe and will make it far less likely that one of the pipes will freeze and burst. Reviewing the condition of your pipes and checking out which ones might need to be insulated is a good task to put on your to-do list or if you would like to have Berico take care of this for you, that can be arranged.

 

Seal Up Cracks and Openings

You can also limit the chances of a frozen pipe by sealing up any cracks or openings that might be allowing cold outdoor air to get in and surround the pipes. Take a walk around your house and look for any small openings that shouldn’t be there – if you can see light coming through a crack, it’s a sure bet that cold air is streaming in, as well. Once you spot some of these openings, use caulk or weather stripping to seal them up, and your pipes will immediately stay warmer and be at less risk of freezing.

 

Open Cabinet Doors to Keep Pipes Warmer

This is an interesting strategy that just might be able to help you avoid problems with your pipes during cold weather. You are certainly using a furnace to keep the interior of your home warm, but there are no vents inside your cabinets where much of your plumbing can be found. That means those spaces – such as under the kitchen sink – won’t get nearly as warm as the rest of the house. Consider opening up those cabinets for a while so warmer air can circulate and keep the pipes at a higher temperature.

Whether you need to call in Berico for emergency plumbing services or just for a regular repair or installation job, you’ll be met with a friendly team that offers outstanding work for a fair price. There is no reason to keep putting off important plumbing work when Berico is ready to get everything in your home back to proper working order.

When you have any type of plumbing work done on your home – whether it is a repair or a new installation – you have a variety of choices to make. One choice, of course, is which of the many Greensboro plumbers you are going to call in for the job. On that point, simply pick Berico and know that you are in good hands.

You’ll also need to decide if you would like to improve your home’s eco-friendly performance while having this work done. Green plumbing is the concept of making small improvements to the way the water system works in your house in order to consume less and help the environment. This type of environmental plumbing is an excellent way to get the performance you need while doing your part for the world around you, as well. This page will take a closer look at this topic and why it’s so important.

 

An Introduction to Green Plumbing

If you stop and think about it, the way your home utilizes water is likely pretty inefficient. A significant amount of water is used up each time you flush the toilet, for example. Added up over the course of a month, or a year, countless gallons of water are wasted in the average residential plumbing system that could have been saved with a bit of careful planning and through upgrading a few key components.

This is the foundation of green plumbing. More and more people are looking to find ways that they can save water while still having a plumbing system that is able to get the job done. That goal is within reach when green plumbing is employed, and the rest of this page will explain why this is such a worthwhile project and how you can make it happen in your house.

 

A Number of Notable Advantages

The primary advantage of green plumbing is the way that reduced water consumption can benefit the environment. Modern life places a tremendous strain on the limited water resources we have available, so if every home was able to reduce how much water it went through on a daily basis, the difference would be enormous.

Cutting down on water consumption is far from the only advantage, however. Some green plumbing measures also help to reduce energy consumption – more on that later – so that’s another benefit to the earth that can be enjoyed. Between using less water and using less energy, it’s easy to see how green plumbing can lead your entire household toward having a smaller environmental footprint.

Finally, you might also enjoy a longer useful life out of some of your appliances when you reduce water consumption. When less water is moving through the system, less wear and tear will accumulate, and you should be able to get an extended life span out of some of your components as a result.

 

Help the Environment – And Save Money at the Same Time

You might be primarily motivated to explore green plumbing because of the environmental benefits, but that doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate the financial savings that will come along with it. In fact, you can go a long way toward offsetting the cost of the plumbing upgrades when you start to see savings on your utility bills moving forward.

Using less water simply means you will spend less on that resource month after month. Cutting down on your water bill is a great start, and if you include upgrades that reduce energy consumption, you can reduce the size of that bill, as well. Even if these savings are modest at first, they just keep coming month after month, and the cumulative effect over the coming years will end up being significant.

You could also wind up saving some money by avoiding plumbing repairs after you upgrade your system. Once many of your fixtures have been replaced by new, green fixtures, you’ll be well-positioned for potentially many years of hassle-free plumbing performance.

 

Types of Green Plumbing Fixtures

So, what kinds of upgrades to your plumbing system will fall into the category of “green plumbing”? There are many to consider, including those listed below –

• Low-flow toilets. If you were to break down the water consumption in your home, you would likely find – perhaps to your surprise – that your toilets are the main water usage feature. An inefficient toilet can use several gallons of water in just one flush, so you can easily imagine how that will add up over time. Upgrading to low-flow toilets can save more than 10,000 gallons of water in your home in just one year!
• Low-flow showerheads. While your toilets might lead the way in terms of water consumption, your showers aren’t far behind. This is particularly true in a home with several family members. Adding low-flow showerheads will cut down on the volume of water that is used during showers, without any significant loss of performance. You’ll be able to get just as clean in a shower with a low-flow head, and you’ll be saving water – and money – at the same time.
• Tankless water heaters. While this is a bigger investment than a low-flow toilet or showerhead, making the switch to a tankless water heater is a great way to make your plumbing system far more green. The value here is found in the reduced energy consumption of the tankless system. Rather than continuously using energy to keep a big tank of water warm, tankless models only heat the water when you are going to use it, meaning significant energy savings are enjoyed. There is also a functional benefit to tankless water heaters that shouldn’t be ignored – since there is no tank and the water is heated on demand, you won’t run out of hot water during a long shower or an extended dishwashing session.

If you would like to have some green plumbing fixtures added to your home, or if you simply have some repairs that need to be made, Berico should be your first pick. Give the friendly Berico team a call today and get started on this important project.