Is It Worth Fixing an Old Air Conditioner?

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Having an air conditioner that works properly is the only way to comfortably enjoy the summer season. When your air conditioner is new, it works wonderfully and keeps your home at a nice temperature – but in time, that performance will fade, and the unit will struggle to get the job done as it once did. At some point, you’ll need to confront the difficult choice of whether you should fix your old air conditioner or simply upgrade to a new one. The article below is going to offer some insight into that decision.

 

No matter what you decide, it’s important to have the right team on your side for AC installation or AC repair – and the answer is always Berico. Thanks to a long history of proven performance, and a dedication to friendly service, Berico is the easy choice for this kind of project. Reach out today to learn more.

 

Spotting Signs of Trouble

Before you can think about whether or not it’s worth fixing your old air conditioner, you first need to notice that something is wrong with the existing unit. There are a few signs to watch for on this point, including sluggish performance that leaves the house feeling warmer than you would like, or a unit that just seems to continue to run without ever taking a break. Also, an air conditioner that is making loud or unusual noises could be on the verge of failure, so that’s a warning sign that shouldn’t be ignored, either.

 

Consider the Age of the Unit

Once you get to a point where your existing AC needs to be repaired, it’s largely the age of the unit that is going to be the determining factor in whether you fix or replace it. If it’s a relatively new air conditioner, fixing it can make sense – especially if the cost of the fix is relatively modest. However, for an older air conditioner, it’s typically going to be better to simply go for a replacement.

 

So, what counts as an “older” air conditioner? You can use 10 years as a good starting point for that discussion, but there is no clear line in the sand. If your AC is older than 10 years, there is a decent chance that replacing it instead of fixing it will be the smarter move. And, as that age gets closer to 15 or even 20 years, it’s almost certain that replacement is going to be the way to go.

 

Don’t Make the Decision Alone

To make an informed choice on this matter, you need to work with a qualified professional who can assess the situation and give you their perspective. The choice will be yours to make in the end, of course, but getting direction from the pros is going to allow you to move forward with confidence and know that you are spending your money appropriately.

 

Ready to get started on some much-needed HVAC maintenance? Or is it time to have a new air conditioner installed? Either way, get in touch with Berico at your convenience to learn more about the options and to schedule an appointment. Don’t wait any longer!

Does Propane Expire?

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gas stove litWhen you go through a long period without needing to use it, it’s easy to have propane sit in a tank on your property for an extended period. At some point, the question of whether or not propane expires, or goes bad in some way, is often asked. The answer to that question, along with some related questions, can be found below.

 

To schedule propane delivery for your home, turn to the propane company that people in this area have been trusting for generations – Berico. With Berico, you’ll get reliable service, fair pricing, and the expert guidance you might need along the way. Take a moment today to reach out and learn more.

 

A Simple Answer

You shouldn’t have to go digging through this article for the answer to the title question, so here it is – no, propane does not go bad. This is a product that is stable and does not degrade over time, so any propane you have that has been stored properly should be good to use whenever you get around to it. Even if the propane has been around for many years, the gas itself should be perfectly usable and ready to power whatever it is you have in mind.

 

Not the End of the Story

It would be great if the article could just be ended right there, but life is rarely that simple. The important point to note here is that while the propane gas itself is not going to go bad, the propane tank that it is stored in certainly could. So, if you have a tank full – or partially full – of propane and you haven’t used that tank for an extended period, the concern should be on whether or not the tank is still in good condition and safe to use.

 

Obviously, using a propane tank that is damaged in some way or is showing signs of age could be a dangerous choice. Instead of putting yourself and others at risk, it’s better to turn to the professionals for help. You can bring in a team like Berico to inspect a large propane tank that serves your property and make sure it is still safe to use. If not, you can discuss replacement options and how to move forward in a safe and affordable manner.

 

In the case of a small, portable propane tank, it’s again better to play it on the safe side. You can likely swap out the old, degrading tank for a new one, and that way you won’t have any worries about the age and condition of the tank leading to a risky situation.

 

Trust the Professionals

Ready to order Burlington propane to be delivered on a regular schedule to your home or business? Berico is the easy choice for such a job. Whether you know exactly what you need to order, or you want to work with the Berico team to figure out the right schedule, it all starts with a phone call. Get started right away!

Should Ductwork Be Replaced After 20 Years?

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Although it plays a vital role in your HVAC system, the ductwork in your home probably gets next to no attention day after day. In fact, you might not think much about your HVAC system at all until a problem comes up, and even then, you are probably focused on the units that actually produce the warm or cool air. But can your ducts really be left alone for decades, or do they eventually need to be replaced? This article will take a closer look.

 

To work with a High Point HVAC company on ductwork concerns or any other issues you may be facing, make sure to call Berico before the competition. You’ll love the value that you get from Berico, and the company has been earning the trust of customers in this area for generations.

 

Ductwork Is Not Permanent

Despite not having any electronic components or other parts that you would think about as needing to be repaired or replaced, ductwork doesn’t last forever. The title of this article asks whether or not ductwork needs to be replaced after 20 years, but the reality is that you might want to think about having your ducts replaced even sooner than that. Getting efficient performance out of your HVAC system relies on having good ducting in place, and the ability of your ducts to deliver warmed and cooled air throughout the house will gradually decline over time.

 

Movement is the Problem

Ducts aren’t supposed to move. Once put in place, the idea is that they should stay as still as possible while they carry air around the building. That’s not quite how it plays out in the real world, however, as ever-changing temperatures cause shifts not only in the ducts but also in the building that they are connected to. These shifts will be subtle, but over time they can lead to cracks at the seams that allow warmed or cooled air to escape the ducts and degrade the performance of the whole system.

 

In addition to cracks opening up at the seams, you might also find problems that develop as a result of condensation. Good insulation can help to limit this issue, but it is still possible that you’ll run into trouble at some point in the future.

 

Watch for Signs of Trouble

Even if you can’t see the ducts in your house, you can pay attention to indications that they might need to be replaced sooner rather than later. As a starting point, think about the age of your home. If the home is rather old and you know the ducts haven’t been replaced, doing so is almost certainly going to be a useful project. Also, if the air quality inside your home isn’t what you expect it to be, the culprit could be cracks along the seams in the ducts that are letting dirty air into the system on the downstream side of the filter.

 

Heating and cooling a home is far more successful when the ductwork is up to the challenge. Of course, ducts aren’t the only piece of this puzzle, so get in touch with Berico if other help is needed, such as AC repair in High Point. The Berico team would love to serve you!

Will Upgrading My Furnace Save Money?

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When you think about upgrading the HVAC equipment in your home, you don’t think about saving money – you think about spending it. This is a project that comes with a cost, of course, and that cost might be the primary thing holding you back from having the job done. But what if it was possible that a furnace upgrade might actually be a money saver in the end? This article will address just that possibility.

 

If you are looking online for Burlington furnace repair or any other HVAC services, Berico is the right call to make. Thanks to a long history in the industry and a great reputation for service, Berico can be trusted to deliver time after time.

 

How It Could Work

At first, the prospect of saving money by spending a significant amount of money seems a bit off. How could spending thousands on a new furnace wind up being a financial win for you in the long run? The key word in this entire discussion is efficiency. A new furnace is almost certainly going to be considerably more efficient than an old one, and when the efficiency of your furnace goes up, the cost of running it goes down.

 

With a new furnace installed and running in your home, you’ll find that you are spending less money each month on energy to power the furnace. Of course, you aren’t going to make up the cost of the new furnace in just a single month – not even close – but every month that goes by with a lower bill will be another little bit that you have essentially made up against the original cost of the equipment.

 

Exactly how much money you save month after month is going to depend on a range of different factors including the size of your home, the cost of energy, and what temperature you set your thermostat for during the winter.

 

The Potential for More Savings

It’s not only the efficiency boost that is going to allow you to save money in this situation, but you can also save by avoiding needing to pay for furnace repairs that might have come up with your old unit. If you don’t upgrade and you keep using the old furnace in your home, there are likely to be repair projects that come up from time to time, and the cost of those services can also be considered in the math that you are doing here. Pretty soon, when you combine the energy savings and the avoidance of extra repair costs, it might start to be pretty clear that purchasing an upgraded furnace is a smart choice.

 

In some cases, Burlington heating repair will be the right option for your HVAC system, while simply upgrading to a new unit will be the right choice in other cases. Only by working with the pros at Berico will you be able to confidently determine how you should proceed – so call now to get started!

Are Furnace Tune-Ups Necessary?

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If we are being honest, you’d probably rather ignore your HVAC system most of the time. You want it to do what it is supposed to do, of course, but ideally, it will do that work in the background while you go on with your day-to-day life. With that said, it is important to pay your system some attention from time to time, as doing so will lead to far better results in the long run. Furnace tune-ups are the best way to care for your system to make sure it has the best possible chance of delivering a long and useful life in your home.

 

For everything from furnace repair in Greensboro to furnace installation and much more, Berico is the contractor to call. Take a moment to reach out today to learn more about service plans and other offerings from these reliable pros.

 

The Simple Answer is Yes

While it might not be the answer that you are hoping to hear, yes, furnace tune-ups are a necessary and important part of owning this piece of equipment. Given the important role a furnace plays in keeping your home warm and comfortable all winter long, an annual tune-up is actually a pretty small step that can lead to big gains in longevity and performance.

 

When you provide your furnace with periodic care, you can expect it to last longer and run into fewer problems along the way. It’s better to have a scheduled service visit to tend to the furnace than to need to scramble in the middle of a cold snap when the unit stops running. And, given the cost associated with replacing your furnace entirely, getting the longest possible life out of the one you already own is critical.

 

Tune-Ups Are Affordable

It’s not free to have your furnace maintained by a professional team like the one at Berico, but the cost is modest compared to what you get in return. Not only will investing in an annual tune-up ensure that your furnace is ready to keep working for as long as possible, but it will also run more efficiently. And, when efficiency goes up, energy consumption goes down – meaning your utility bill shrinks. As you add up the savings from reduced energy consumption over time, you might find that these annual tune-ups are pretty much paying for themselves.

 

Warranty Issues

There are more than enough reasons to justify keeping furnace tune-ups on your to-do list as a homeowner. If you need one more, however, you might be able to look at your warranty. The coverage that comes with your furnace may depend on providing that furnace with annual maintenance, so check your documentation and you may find yet another reason to make an appointment for this kind of service right away.

 

No matter what type of HVAC service you need, life will be easier with Berico on your side. All it takes to get started is to reach out to the Berico team by sending a message or picking up the phone. Don’t wait any longer!

Why Is My AC Running But Not Cooling?

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As you make your way through a hot summer in North Carolina, one of the biggest luxuries you can have available is a functioning air conditioner in your home. With AC on your side, those roasting afternoons and evenings are far more enjoyable – but only if your Greensboro air conditioning is working correctly. This article is going to address some reasons why you might be hearing your AC running without getting the cooling performance you expect.

 

If you need air conditioning maintenance in Greensboro NC, or if you need repair work performed urgently, Berico is the right team for the task. Get in touch today to schedule your appointment.

 

A Simple Starting Point

It’s always a good idea to start off with the basic, fundamental possibilities before getting into the potentially bigger issues. In this case, that means making sure your thermostat is on the right setting. It’s possible that your air conditioner is running but not producing cool air because it is set to “fan” and not “cool”. It’s possible that this setting got changed accidentally without your knowledge, so be sure to double-check the settings before going any further.

 

Change Out the Filter

Many air conditioner owners fail to change the filter on their AC unit often enough. If you don’t change the filter regularly, it is going to get clogged up, and the reduced airflow will make it hard for the system as a whole to perform as it should. Simply switching out the filter – which is an affordable job that most people can handle on their own – might cause the cool air to start flowing once again.

 

Age Has Become a Problem

Older air conditioners aren’t going to work as well as newer units. If you have been using your current system for a very long time, it might not be capable of producing the cool air you expect anymore – and if it does produce that air, it could take a long time for it to start flowing. Any system that is around 15 or 20 years old is a strong candidate for replacement. Not only will you get better performance from a new system, but you also might save money in terms of reduced energy consumption.

 

Check the Evaporator Coils

Do you see signs of freezing on the evaporator coils? If there is ice building up on the outdoor unit, even in the middle of summer, there is a problem that needs to be addressed. While you can look for signs of freezing on your own, don’t attempt to make any fixes by yourself – this is a job that should be left to an experienced professional.

 

Turn to Berico to Cool Off

Don’t spend any longer sweating in your home when the AC fix you need could just be a phone call away. Reach out to Berico today to learn more about the services that are available and to schedule the work that you need to have completed.

How Does Propane Delivery Work?

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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?

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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?

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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?

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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.