How Does Propane Delivery Work?

If you use propane to power the heating and cooling of your home, you’ll need to have a reliable source of that propane to avoid downtimes throughout the year. Propane delivery is the best way to meet those needs, and this article will cover the basics if you have never before used such a service.

 

For a propane supplier that you can trust to offer fair pricing and reliable service, Berico is the easy pick. Take a moment today to contact Berico and learn more about what they provide and why you should opt for their Greensboro propane service over the competition.

 

It Starts with a Tank

For propane delivery to be an option for you, a tank will be required. The size of that tank will depend on a number of factors, but a tank that is in good condition is necessary for you to receive an ongoing flow of propane deliveries. Even if there is a tank already on your property, it might actually belong to another supplier, so Berico may not be able to use it.

 

The best thing to do to clear up any tank confusion is to call Berico for help. As experts in the industry, they can point you in the right direction and help you understand the status of your current tank and what would need to happen next for deliveries to begin. Don’t worry about facing a big bill here – it’s possible to go through a free change-over process when you work with Berico.

 

Get Great Pricing

Establishing an ongoing relationship with a trusted supplier like Berico will allow you to get the best available pricing on your propane deliveries. While market prices do fluctuate, you can be sure you are getting a fair deal when Berico is bringing you fuel regularly. Since the cost of paying for fuel to power your home can get expensive over time, every last penny counts – and you never want to pay more than you have to for energy.

 

It’s Very Safe

If you are holding onto some concerns about having a large volume of propane delivered to your property, you can let go of those worries right away. Propane is very safe and has an excellent track record of being a safe and cost-effective fuel. Not only is propane inherently safe as a heating source, but you’ll also have the peace of mind that comes from using a proven supplier for your propane deliveries. Berico has been in this business for generations and has experienced and knowledgeable technicians that can help you with many aspects of your propane usage.

 

 

Berico Makes It Simple

You won’t have to worry about any propane delivery headaches when you partner with Berico for this service. Once your delivery service is set up and scheduled, you’ll need to do nothing else as the professional team will simply bring the propane at the scheduled time and in a safe manner. As time passes, the frequency of your deliveries can be adjusted to dial them in perfectly for your needs. Get started today to see what you have been missing.

 

How Often is HVAC Maintenance Needed?

All mechanical systems need maintenance. Even the best equipment needs to be maintained over time if it is going to continue to work properly. The HVAC system in your home is no exception to this rule, yet many people don’t know how frequently they are supposed to be providing that system with care. This post is going to outline some timing basics that you should keep in mind for Greensboro HVAC repair.

 

When the time comes to schedule some work on your HVAC system, Berico should be your first call. With great prices and an excellent reputation in the area, Berico is up to any challenge.

 

A Simple Starting Point

For a basic answer to the title question in this article, you should plan on having your HVAC system maintained twice per year. By bringing a professional team like Berico out regularly to go through the whole system, clean dirty parts, and address any issues that have popped up, you’ll be in great shape moving forward. It’s far better to stay ahead of the game and care for your system proactively than to respond to problems as they pop up and hope for the best.

 

Of course, many people in the Greensboro area have two systems working within their HVAC setup, as they have a heating side and a cooling side to deal with. In that case, you might want to split up the maintenance and have a total of two visits – one for heating and one for cooling. With this arrangement, it makes sense to do your heating maintenance in the fall before that system is pressed into action, and the cooling maintenance done in the spring right before the hot weather arrives.

 

Sign Up for a Service Plan

Perhaps the best way to address the maintenance needs of your HVAC system is to sign up for a service plan that will cover the cost of your various maintenance needs throughout the year. Berico offers a valuable plan that saves customers money while making sure they get the ongoing maintenance needed to get outstanding HVAC results. Instead of breaking up the service visits, as discussed above, you can have everything covered in a single annual visit, for a low monthly cost.

 

When you sign up for the Berico Premium Plan, you get both an annual heating and cooling tune-up service included in the price. This way, you aren’t surprised by those bills when they roll around, and you won’t forget to schedule an appointment. But you get much more than just maintenance with this plan. Also included in the price is a significant discount on things like diagnostic visits and repairs, after-hours repairs, and more.

 

Use the Right Partner

Having HVAC repair and maintenance performed regularly is important, as is picking the right contractor for the job. To make sure the maintenance done on your HVAC in Greensboro NC is handled properly, Berico is the right way to go. Get in touch today to schedule your appointment.

What Causes My AC to Freeze Up?

Freezing up is one of the most common issues to come up with air conditioners. For many homeowners, this is a confusing issue, as they will see ice accumulating on the side of their outdoor unit, despite warm temperatures all around. What is going on? This article will break it down to help you understand the problem.

 

If you have a frozen AC unit and need help from a professional and experienced team, call Berico today. AC repair is one of the many services that Berico offers, but no matter which service you need, you’ll always receive excellent pricing and reliable work. Call today to get started.

 

How Air Conditioning Works

The issue of an air conditioning unit freezing up starts to make more sense once you understand how the system is supposed to work and what is going on behind the scenes. At the heart of your air conditioning system is a set of evaporator coils. Those coils carry refrigerant, which is how heat is moved from one place to another in this system. Inside the house, the refrigerant takes heat out of the air before carrying that heat outside where it is dumped into the surrounding atmosphere.

 

When all is well, the fan in your outdoor unit blows over the coils, cooling them off and releasing heat into the air. Then, the cooled refrigerant runs back inside, picks up more warmth from the indoor air, and takes it back outside again. This looped system just keeps running for as long as the unit is on.

 

Problems Can Arise

With the background in place of how an air conditioner is supposed to work, we can then see what causes it to freeze up in certain situations. As a starting point, make sure your air filter is always clean since a dirty filter can directly contribute to this problem. A dirty filter is going to restrict airflow, and without enough airflow, the coils could wind up freezing. Stay ahead of the game on this point so you can get optimal performance from your system without any unwanted ice developing.

 

It’s also possible for dirty coils on the outdoor unit to lead to trouble with freezing. This is a problem that is often encountered with older units that have been sitting outside for many years. Having the whole system maintained by a professional team, including a cleaning of the outdoor unit, can go a long way toward preventing freeze-ups.

Another reason for your AC freezing up is leaking coils.  When an aged coil or improperly maintained coil begins to leak refrigerant, it can cause an HVAC coil to freeze up.  Depending on the location of the leak, it can either be repaired or replaced.  Due to HVAC standards, it is not legal to refill refrigerant in an HVAC system that is known to be leaking without repairing the leak.  Many less-reputable companies will add refrigerant to a leaking system, but never truly fix the leak.  This leads to continued complications and expense for the customer.

 

Yet another possibility is a blower fan that is not working as it should. Without the blower functioning correctly, the airflow over the coil won’t be sufficient, and it can get too cold and freeze. If you find yourself with a frozen coil for any of these reasons or another one entirely, it’s best to get help from an HVAC technician to properly unfreeze the A/C system and get it back up and running once again.

 

Solve the Problem Right Away

With your A/C frozen and no cold air flowing, the summer can quickly get uncomfortable. Reach out to Berico immediately to bring a qualified technician out to your home. Soon enough, the problem will be solved and the temperature in your house will begin to fall. Don’t wait any longer!

Which is Cleaner, Natural Gas or Propane?

To the general public, natural gas and propane seem like pretty much the same thing. If you aren’t familiar with the differences, you might believe that these are just two different names for the same fuel – but that is not the case. Natural gas and propane are two very different products, and as such, one is a cleaner option than the other. This article will get to the bottom of the matter and clarify any confusion.

 

If you have been searching for a propane supplier near me, Berico is the solution you’ve been looking for. With decades of experience and an outstanding track record, you’ll love the service and prices you are offered as a Berico customer.

 

Propane is the Cleaner Choice

As you look into this matter, you’ll find that both propane and natural gas are considered to be clean burning fuels. As compared to some of the other types of fuels that are used to power various pieces of equipment, both propane and natural gas are rather clean options.

 

With that said, propane is a cleaner fuel than natural gas when burned. As natural gas burns, it lets off methane as a byproduct. Propane, on the other hand, releases nearly zero greenhouse gas, making it kinder to the environment and a great choice for anyone who wants to power their home while taking their impact on nature into consideration.

 

Many Other Factors to Note

So, if clean burning is your only focus, propane is already a great pick. But there are even more factors to take into consideration that tip the scales even more dramatically toward propane.

 

For instance, propane delivery is easier and safer than moving natural gas through underground pipes. Propane can be delivered safely on trucks by professionals like the team at Berico. Proper safety procedures need to be followed when using propane, of course, but it is a very safe product overall.

 

With natural gas, a pipeline must be used to deliver the product. From a main pipeline, smaller lines will branch out to deliver the gas to homes or businesses. The infrastructure of natural gas lines limits who is able to use this product, and while uncommon, the threat of a pipeline explosion along a natural gas line is always a concern.

 

Get Started with Berico

Now that you know some of the advantages of propane, the only thing left to do is pick out a supplier and set up your delivery. Finding a reliable propane gas supplier near me can be a frustrating process until you come across the Berico team. Reliable delivery and fair prices are what you should expect from a supplier, and that’s exactly what Berico provides. Call today to get started.

What is the Inflation Reduction Act for HVAC?

The topic of inflation has been on the minds of many in recent years. In the aftermath of the pandemic, inflation has reached lofty levels, and many people are feeling the strain as a result. One of the biggest attempts to regain control over this issue has been the Inflation Reduction Act, which includes provisions that impact the HVAC industry. This article will go over the basics of what you need to know to take advantage of the programs featured in this bill.

 

If you have been thinking about HVAC replacement, or if you just need some A/C repair work performed, Berico should be your first choice. A known leader in the industry made up of a team of trusted professionals, you can be sure that Berico will exceed your expectations at every turn. Call today to get started.

 

A Great Opportunity

Simply put, the Inflation Reduction Act represents a great opportunity for homeowners to have new HVAC equipment installed in their homes at a discount. That discount comes in the form of a tax credit – more on that in a moment – and it will effectively lower the cost of upgrading to a new HVAC system.

 

So, for example, if you have an aging air conditioner serving your home and you have been thinking about upgrading for a while, doing it while this tax credit program is in effect makes a lot of sense. Not only do you get the improved performance and efficiency of a new system, but you get it at a lower price than would be able to get otherwise.

 

An Eye on Efficiency

So, why would the government want to subsidize the purchase of new HVAC equipment for countless Americans? Well, there can be plenty of complex economic arguments to be made here, but that’s outside the scope of this post. At least part of the motivation comes down to environmental concerns, however, as new HVAC equipment is going to be more efficient than HVAC equipment that was produced in years gone by.

 

In order to qualify for this program, the equipment you purchase needs to be ENERGY STAR-certified. Fortunately, it’s not hard to find such equipment, so you won’t have to pick from a narrow set of options to check that box – it will be easy to satisfy that requirement while getting a great system that can serve your home well for many years to come.

 

The Basics of the Credit

The part of the Inflation Reduction Act that is relevant to HVAC equipment is Tax Section 25C. In this section, you’ll find information about how much of a credit is available to those who have new, efficient HVAC equipment installed. As this is a tax issue, there are plenty of complicating factors and variables, but the basic concept is that you will receive a tax credit when you have qualifying equipment installed in your home.

 

Just how much of a credit is available? You can receive a credit of as much as 30% of the installation cost of HVAC equipment that meets the standards for the highest efficiency tier. That 30% mark is capped at $600 per air conditioner and furnace, and it is capped at $2,000 for heat pumps. If you decided to have a new air conditioner as well as a new furnace installed, you could claim the credit for both of those items.

 

It’s always important to point out that everyone’s tax situation is unique. While this credit is relatively straightforward by tax standards, you will still want to make sure you qualify and that everything you are purchasing fits with the requirements of the tax code. Take some time to read through the finer points if you plan on claiming this credit, or talk to your accountant just to be sure you are on the right track. It’s better to do some extra homework in advance than to find out later that you won’t actually be able to get the credit you were planning on receiving.

 

Upgrading Has Many Benefits

For some people, it’s hard to come to the decision to upgrade their HVAC equipment when the old system is technically still working. After all, this is a big expense, even with a tax credit, so it can be hard to make the choice to go ahead and schedule the installation of a replacement HVAC unit. However, if you take a moment to look at some of the many benefits that can come with this project, you might start to see it as an easier choice.

 

  • Better performance. Simply put, aging HVAC equipment doesn’t work as well as newer stuff. Even if you have maintained your old system properly over the years, time is going to take a toll and it eventually won’t work quite as well as it once did. By upgrading now, you’ll be able to enjoy better performance immediately, such as more even heating or cooling throughout your house.

 

  • Lower utility bills. Along with the savings that will come in the form of a tax credit, there is also the potential for lower monthly utility bills to consider. A new system will be more efficient than the older units, and as a result, you should find yourself paying less for energy month after month. These savings might seem modest at first, but they’ll just keep coming until they add up to a notable sum.
  • It might be quieter. This point will depend on how your current system is working and exactly how old it is, but you might find that new HVAC equipment runs quite a bit quieter than what you are used to, and often it takes up much less space, which is particularly nice if the system is in a closet or utility room that then has some extra space. Who doesn’t need more storage space?

 

Get Started Today

If you have been needing new HVAC equipment but are worried about the A/C replacement cost for your home, getting help from the Inflation Reduction Act is a great opportunity. Berico always offers transparent HVAC pricing, so you can reach out to the team today to get a quote on a system that will serve you well for years to come.

What are the Common Causes of Air Conditioner Failure?

It’s quite a frustrating experience to have to sweat through some hot days and nights at home because your air conditioner is no longer functioning.  Ideally, you’d have 24 7 air conditioning available in your home, so the system can automatically kick on when it is needed to keep the house at a comfortable temperature. If your air conditioner has recently failed, there are a number of possible causes.

 

When you need emergency AC repair, Berico is the right call to make. As a proven HVAC contractor offering 24 hour AC repair in Greensboro and the surrounding area, you can be sure the project will be in good hands when you call on this team to do the job.

 

A Refrigerant Leak

One of the first places to look for signs of trouble when an air conditioner isn’t working is the refrigerant line. If there is a leak in the line, the performance of the system will gradually degrade, and you won’t be getting the cold air that you expect when the unit kicks on. Fixing this issue is not a DIY project, so be sure to bring in the team at Berico to track down the leak and fill the system back up so it can get back to work.

 

Lacking Maintenance

Sometimes, what “does in” an air conditioner is simply a lack of maintenance over time. If the system isn’t maintained with regular service from a qualified technician, the various parts will wear down faster and you might wind up with a failure. While the maintenance that happens inside the system needs to be managed by a professional, there is one task that you can do on your own – changing the air filter. Make sure a fresh air filter is put into the system regularly during the hot part of the year so the air conditioner can breathe fresh air as it runs.

 

Electrical Problems

It’s possible that your air conditioner itself isn’t actually the issue. Instead, you might have problems with a circuit breaker, to the point where it trips each time the air conditioner tries to come on. In this case, it’s an electrician that you will need to solve the problem. Trying to fix electrical problems without the right training is a recipe for trouble, so let the pros handle this one.

 

Thermostat Issues

Another cause of failure that exists outside of the air conditioner is a problem with the thermostat. If it isn’t working correctly, the A/C unit won’t come on when it should, or it might not turn off at the right time. The first thing to check is the batteries in the thermostat.  Some thermostats run on battery power and the fix is as simple as putting in a couple new batteries.  If that doesn’t work, upgrading to a new thermostat is a relatively quick and affordable change that will make your system easier to use for years to come.  Berico has some excellent options.

 

Don’t Wait Any Longer

With Berico just a phone call away, there is no reason to sit through any more hot summer days without getting some relief. Get in touch right away to learn about the services offered by Berico and to set up your first appointment.

Why Is My AC Making a Noise?

If you have an air conditioner that serves your home, you are used to the sound it makes while running. It will typically make one louder noise when it first kicks on, then it will just hum in the background as the cool air is delivered. But what if your A/C is making weird noises? When things don’t sound like they should, it’s important to have the system checked out to see what the issue is and what needs to be done to fix it.

 

If you need A/C repair in Greensboro, whether your system is making a weird noise or not, Berico is the right choice for the job. You’ll get reliable work, fair pricing, and attentive customer service when you trust Berico with all of your HVAC needs. Call today to schedule your first appointment.

 

Listen Carefully

It’s common for companies like Berico to get calls about air conditioners making strange sounds. As a starting point, it’s important to identify the kind of sound that the unit is making, as there are a couple of possibilities.

 

  • When the air conditioner is buzzing loudly, it’s a pretty safe bet that something is wrong – but it can be hard to say what exactly without a closer look. For example, it could be a broken part that is leading to this noise, but it could be that a part is just loose. Or it might even be that the feet on your compressor unit are failing, and the unit is out-of-balance as a result. An experienced technician will likely be able to narrow down the possibilities by listening in person and can then proceed with an inspection to find the problem.

 

  • Belt problems are the most common reason for an air conditioner to make a squealing sound. While new air conditioners don’t use drive belts any longer, an old unit that you are still using might start to squeal if the belt is slipping. While it’s possible to replace the belt and get back up and running in many cases, this also might be a good time to think about replacing the whole unit with a modern system.

 

Maintenance is Valuable

One of the best ways to stay out of trouble with your air conditioning unit is to have it serviced regularly. A periodic visit from a company like Berico to perform standard maintenance and address any issues that have come up can go a long way towards helping the system work nicely well into the future. After you have the current noise issue addressed, make it a point to stay on schedule with maintenance visits to steer clear of further problems.

 

Start Now

Don’t wait around listening to your air conditioner make a strange sound without getting help. Even if the cool air is still flowing for now, that noise could be a sign that trouble is on the horizon. Reach out to Berico right away to bring out an expert to check on the system and determine the right course of action.

What Air Conditioner Qualifies for a Tax Credit?

Even when you work with a fair and honest contractor like Berico, upgrading to a new air conditioner is a significant investment. As you get ready to make such a purchase, it’s important to think about ways you might be able to offset the cost of the project – and looking at tax credits is one way to do just that. This article will help point you in the right direction on this matter so you can hopefully find a qualifying air conditioner that suits your needs.

 

If you are going to have a new system installed, or you just need some Greensboro AC repair, Berico is the easy pick. As a long-time leader in HVAC in Greensboro and the surrounding area, you can be sure your project will be in good hands.

 

Energy Efficiency Tax Credits

The idea behind the tax benefit for purchasing a new air conditioner is to motivate homeowners to upgrade to modern, more efficient pieces of equipment. Many homeowners continue to run systems that are decades old, and as a result, those homes burn far more energy than they would if the HVAC equipment was updated and met modern standards.

 

So, there are a variety of energy efficiency credits available to homeowners who decide to make improvements. One category of these credits applies to central air conditioners. If you have been thinking about upgrading to a new central air unit, the tax credit that is available might make the project more affordable than you imagined.

 

Some Basics

It’s important to understand some of the basic rules that apply to this credit program so you don’t wind up with an unwanted surprise later on. As a starting point, you’ll want to purchase an eligible air conditioner – and all ENERGY STAR certified packaged systems meet that qualification. If it’s a split system you’ll be installing, just make sure it’s ENERGY STAR certified and carries a SEER2 rating of at least 16.

 

Once you are sure that your new system is eligible, you can start to think about how much the project will save you on your taxes. For this kind of project, you can claim 30% of the total project cost, with a maximum credit available of $600. So, if the project cost was $3,000, 30% would be $900 – but you’d only be eligible for a credit of $600 as that is the cap on the program.

 

Ask a Professional

As is always the case with anything tax related, it’s best to speak to a qualified professional about your tax status to make sure you understand the current rules correctly and how they will apply to your return. If you already work with an accountant for your annual filing, a quick call or email to that individual about this air conditioning credit would be well worth your time.

 

Need More Information?

To learn more about this issue or anything else related to the HVAC system that serves your home, contact Berico right away. The friendly team of professionals that makes up the Berico staff will be happy to serve you.

The Truth About HVAC Myths: Debunking Common Misconceptions

For the average homeowner, the inner workings of their HVAC system are a bit of a mystery. When things are going well, the system simply comes on when it is supposed to and heats or cools the space, as necessary. Since many people don’t quite know how it works, it’s easy for plenty of myths to spring up around HVAC, and some of those myths can lead people to use their system incorrectly. This article will target a few of those myths and set the record straight.

 

When HVAC needs arise at your home, Berico is the right call for maintenance, service, and installation. Whether it’s an AC replacement in Reidsville, Eden AC repair, or anything in between, Berico is ready to answer the call.

 

Bigger is Always Better

It’s tempting to think that the biggest possible HVAC system is going to provide the best results for your home. That’s not actually how it works, however. You want to find the right-sized unit when adding a new HVAC system to your house, and working with experienced professionals is the best way to make that selection. If you wind up with a system that is bigger than what you need, it will use more energy than is necessary and you might struggle to maintain a comfortable temperature.

 

Making a Dramatic Thermostat Change Yields Faster Results

If you have ever felt yourself sweating inside on a hot day, it’s easy to reach for the thermostat and crank it way down to get the air conditioner working hard. Some people believe this will cool down their rooms faster, but that isn’t true. No matter where you set the thermostat, the AC is going to operate in the same manner.

 

With it set to a lower temperature, the only difference is it’s just going to keep on running until it hits that mark – which might take a while. It’s better to adjust your thermostat more modestly to make sure the unit doesn’t run too long, since the speed at which it cools your house is the same either way.

 

Changing Air Filters is an Annual Job

You might have heard that it’s only necessary to change the air filter in your HVAC system annually. Nothing could be further from the truth. Most homeowners should change their air filter at least every three months, and you might want to do it more often than that during the middle of summer and the dead of winter. Keeping a clean filter in your system is one of the best things you can do for your HVAC performance, and new filters are affordable, so this task doesn’t require a large investment.

 

You Can Save Money By Closing Vents

Have you ever heard that it’s a good idea to close vents in rooms you don’t use often so you can save on energy costs? This is a popular concept, and it is partly true to an extent.  It’s ok for one or two rooms to close the vents, but if you take it much further than that it can lead to problems.  Unfortunately, even with multiple vents closed, you are running a system that is larger than needed to cool (or heat) the space that is now allotted to it.  These can lead to any number of issues none of which are good for your HVAC system or your budget.  So when closing vents, just be careful not to close more than a couple rooms.

 

Reach Out Today

No matter what your HVAC needs may be, the team at Berico is ready to serve you. Get in touch today to schedule your first appointment.

HVAC Upgrades for Increased Home Value

When you spend money on your home, it’s always nice if you can make sure that spending is going to boost the value of your home in some way. Even if you aren’t planning on selling in the near future, adding to your home’s value allows you to recoup at least some of the money you spend at some point in the future. This article is going to take a look at some of the upgrades that you might consider when keeping home value in mind.

 

Of course, you’ll need an HVAC partner for these upgrades, and Berico is the right choice for all kinds of AC services in Greensboro and more. Reach out today for more information or to make an appointment.

 

A Smart Thermostat

The easiest and most affordable option on our list is a smart thermostat. By upgrading from a standard thermostat to a smart thermostat, you’ll gain plenty of advantages for a very minimal investment. Programming this kind of advanced thermostat is a breeze, and you should be able to better manage the temperature in your home to get exactly the results you desire. While such a simple upgrade shouldn’t be expected to deliver a significant jump in home value, it is a nice modern feature that potential buyers will like to see.

 

Energy-Efficient Equipment

This next point jumps up to perhaps the costliest upgrade you can make, but the one that is going to have the biggest impact. Having new HVAC equipment installed that meets modern efficiency standards is a significant improvement for the house as a whole. Not only will better efficiency mean you don’t have to spend as much on utilities each month, but it will also give you better results and improved comfort. Any potential buyer would love to know that the house comes with an up-to-date HVAC system.

 

Air Purification Capabilities

Adding an air purifier to your HVAC system might not be an upgrade you have previously considered, but it’s an addition that is well worth what it costs. When the air purifier is in place and running, it will cut down on pollutants and allergens in the air, allowing you to breathe easier and adding yet another appealing feature for would-be buyers to contemplate.

 

Add a Zoning System

Zoning systems are becoming more and more popular in residential HVAC installations, especially in larger homes. If your home typically struggles to stay consistent in terms of temperature from room to room, adding a zoning system will make it easier to dial in the results you get and balance out how the house feels. Although zoning is gaining in popularity, it’s still a relatively uncommon feature to have in your house – so this might be one amenity that helps convince a buyer that your house is the right one for their family.

 

Get Great Value

For an AC replacement in Greensboro, or for any other kind of HVAC project around your home, choose Berico to get great results and fair prices. Now is the time to get started!