Efficiency is a key trait to monitor in an HVAC system. When an HVAC system is able to get the job done without using a ton of fuel, it is cheaper to run – and kinder to the environment, as well. But it’s not always easy to determine what kind of HVAC system is the most efficient, so this article will aim to clear things up a bit.

Looking for the best HVAC company available in the Greensboro area for installation or repair projects? You’ve already found it – Berico has been an industry leader in this region for generations and can be trusted to deliver time after time.

A Few Contenders

The good news on this topic is that there are a few different possible choices to consider when looking for an HVAC system that is going to be efficient for years to come. Anything that you are buying today is going to be far more efficient than a system that was made 20 years ago, for example, so simply starting with a new system in your home will be a nice upgrade.

When talking about efficient systems, propane and natural gas are always going to be near the top of the list. A good gas-powered system is going to perform well while still giving you nice efficiency ratings. To make sure your house stays nice and comfortable even when the weather gets particularly cold outside, you can’t go wrong with propane or natural gas.

With that said, a geothermal heat pump is another strong option in the efficiency category. Since these types of systems tap into the natural stability of the underground temperature of the earth, they are able to transfer heat efficiently between the house and the ground. One downside to going with a geothermal system is while they are quite efficient, the upfront installation cost tends to be significant.

An Alternative Plan

For some homes, a central HVAC system – no matter how it is powered – just isn’t going to work. In those cases, a mini-split system with no ducts can be an excellent choice for efficiency and performance. Since only a few select rooms are going to be served by the system, you won’t be wasting any energy by heating or cooling parts of the house that are rarely used.

How Do You Make This Choice?

The best way to decide which type of HVAC system is right for you is to team up with an experienced company like Berico to get personalized answers to all of your questions. There are a number of factors that come into play here, and a trained professional is your best bet to sort through the noise and get to the heart of what kind of HVAC equipment will serve you well over the long run.

Whether you need the best furnace maintenance Greensboro has to offer, or you need someone to complete some timely AC repair, the answer is always Berico. Take a moment now to get in touch and learn more.

When your furnace comes on, there are probably some things that you get used to happening shortly after. For example, you’ll naturally feel some air coming out of the vents, and you may hear a bit of noise that comes from the equipment running somewhere in the house. What you probably aren’t used to, however, is a smell developing in the area of the furnace. Why would it smell, and is this a sign of trouble? The answers can be found below.

As one of the leading HVAC contractors Burlington has to offer, Berico is no stranger to the various issues that can pop up with a furnace. Whether you need furnace repair in Burlington or any other kind of HVAC service, your first step is to reach out to the Berico team to schedule an appointment.

The Matter of Burning Dust

When a furnace hasn’t been used for a while – such as in the fall after a long, warm summer when a heater wasn’t needed – there will likely be dust that has settled on many of the surfaces. Then, when it is turned on, that dust will quickly burn off and let a musty odor escape into the air. If you are standing near a vent when the furnace first starts after a long period of inactivity, you will almost certainly notice this smell.

The good news is this smell is nothing to worry about. It’s perfectly normal for some dust to be burned up when the furnace is started, and the smell should go away quite quickly. As long as the smell fades away and the furnace seems to be operating normally, you can safely assume that it was the result of dust and just move on.

Other, More Serious Problems

Unfortunately, not every bad smell coming from a furnace is going to be so harmless. There are smells that can point to more serious issues, including those listed below –

• Rotten egg smell. This is a serious matter if you use natural gas and should be addressed right away, as the smell of rotten eggs, or sulfur, typically points to a leak of the Don’t try to use any of your appliances when you notice this smell, and you should get out of the house while also calling the gas company for help.

• Electrical odor. If you smell something metallic while also noticing that your furnace isn’t running quite right, it could be overheating issues in your electrical components. There is obviously a fire hazard to be concerned with when any electrical parts are compromised, so stop using the furnace and call Berico for assistance.

• Moldy smell. If it seems like there is mold being spread around the house while the system is running, that might be an issue in your ducts. Have them cleaned and look for any signs of leaks that could be helping mold develop.

Getting the Right HVAC Contractor

If you have been looking for a Burlington HVAC contractor to help you deal with whatever types of repair and maintenance projects are coming up in your home, Berico is the ideal solution. You’ll benefit from the generations of experience that stand behind the Berico name and will appreciate the honest pricing and friendly service that this company always delivers. Take a moment today to reach out and learn more.

In essentially every market, equipment tends to get better as time passes. These improvements can come from advances in technology, new materials becoming available, better design, and on and on. Most of the time, it’s safe to assume that something new is going to be more effective in every way at getting the job done.

But does this line of thinking apply to the efficiency of HVAC systems? This article will explore that important question. When you are ready to have HVAC repair completed, or when you need to install a new Eden HVAC system, call Berico right away to put the right experts on your side.

A Definitive Answer

As you would expect, and are probably guessing, yes – newer HVAC systems tend to be far more efficient than systems from years past. If you are currently using a rather old, worn-out system and you have new equipment installed in your home, you can expect to enjoy a notable improvement in efficiency.

The exact size of your efficiency improvement is going to depend on many different factors, such as the age and condition of your current system and the new equipment you choose to purchase. It’s a virtual guarantee that you will experience more efficient performance, with that improvement ranging from moderate to downright incredible, depending on the circumstances.

What to Look for in Efficiency Ratings

If a major part of your motivation for upgrading your HVAC system is tied to efficiency, you’ll want to know how to shop for equipment to maximize the impact. The best way to do this is to check the SEER rating attached to any piece of equipment you may purchase. The SEER ratings are easy to understand, with higher numbers indicating a more efficient system.

New systems are all required to have a rating of at least 14, whereas you might still be using an older system that was rated at only 8 or 10. Investing in good equipment with a strong SEER rating will cut down on your energy consumption for years to come.

Look for Other Great Features

Efficiency is an important part of picking out HVAC equipment, but it shouldn’t be your only concern. There are many other factors that will influence which model you pick, such as additional features that can give you even better performance. Those include variable speed motors and the ability to control zones within the house. You may also want to attach your new HVAC equipment to a smart thermostat so you can control the system remotely and easily dial in the right settings for your needs.

There is a lot to like about being able to use a new HVAC system in your home. Of course, if you aren’t quite ready to upgrade and are still using an older system, you’ll likely need a trusted partner to keep that system in working order. For the best AC repair Eden has to offer, or any other kind of HVAC maintenance, make a call to Berico and know that you are in good hands.

Nothing impacts human comfort quite like humidity. Sure, temperature has a lot to do with how comfortable you feel, as well, but humid conditions can make things miserable. Even a day with relatively mild temperatures can be miserable if the humidity is soaring.

With that said, problems can arise when indoor humidity dips too low, so it’s really about finding the right balance. Below, you’ll find some guidelines on the ideal humidity for a home. And when you are ready to work with a professional Greensboro HVAC team to dial in your humidity just right, reach out to Berico to get started. As one of the best furnace repair companies Greensboro has to offer, you’ll be in good hands with this team.

The Comfortable Range

In most homes, and for most people, the ideal humidity range is going to be somewhere between 30% – 50%. When the humidity in your house is within those limits, you are likely to feel pretty comfortable throughout the day and night.

Sometimes, the humidity in your house will naturally fall into that range and you won’t need to do anything to keep it there. At other times, however, the humidity may stray either too low or high, and you’ll want to consider using modern HVAC equipment to bring it back into the sweet spot.

Why Humidity Matters

The introduction mentioned how humidity plays a major role in human comfort, and that certainly is true. But the comfort of you and your family is only part of the reason that humidity is so important. Keeping your humidity levels under control will also help your HVAC system not work as hard throughout the year. It’s hard to cool moist air, and hard to heat dry air, so your HVAC equipment is going to have to work harder – and use more fuel – when your humidity strays from the ideal range.

It’s also possible to develop problems with things like mold and mildew when your indoor humidity remains high for extended periods. Having so much moisture in the air will make it possible for organic growth to occur in places where you don’t want it, and the damage to your home could potentially be serious.

A Seasonal Problem

Fighting the battle against humidity problems is a job that changes throughout the year. During the summer months in the Greensboro area, it’s all about keeping the moist air outside – the humidity rises throughout this part of the country during the summer, and you’ll want to have a solution like a dehumidifier to keep your house comfortable.

Then, in the winter months, the cooler air will be much drier, and you might find that your humidity levels dip surprisingly low. Residents of the Greensboro area don’t have to worry as much about low humidity as people in northern climates, but it’s still something to monitor.

The installation of a whole-home dehumidifier is a great step toward remaining comfortable all year long, and Berico is ready to take on that project as soon as you call. Of course, the Berico team offers much more, including Greensboro furnace repair and many other services. Get started right away!