Two of the most common types of home heating systems are furnaces and heat pumps. They both work to produce heat to warm your home and ultimately they achieve the same purpose, though mechanically they work in very different ways.

Furnaces and heat pumps do have a few things in common. They require a duct system and blower in order to disburse heat throughout your home. They are both capable of highly efficient operation. And they both perform best with regular maintenance.

When it comes to Greensboro HVAC systems, furnaces and heat pumps are both widely used in the area. If you’re trying to decide which type would be best for your home, the following information should help you understand the difference so that you can make an informed decision.

Furnaces Use Fuel to Create Heat
The source of heat for a furnace comes from a fuel of some kind. Natural gas, propane, and heating oil are the three main types. Natural gas comes from a local source and reaches your home through a gas line under the ground. Propane and heating oil are stored in tanks and delivered to you by a fuel supplier.

A heat pump is an electric heating system that does not require any fuel. Although the energy source is electricity, heat pumps are highly efficient, much more so than electric heating systems of the past.

Heat Pumps Transfer Heat Energy
Rather than creating heat by burning fuel as a furnace does, a heat pump transfers air from the outside to the inside and vice versa. A heat pump moves cold air outside and collects heat from the outside air and brings it inside, all through the use of refrigerant filled coils. This is what makes a heat pump so efficient, the way it transfers heat and maximizes whatever available warmth there is.

Heat Pumps Can Have a Backup Furnace
Heat pumps work best in temperatures no lower than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes them best suited for moderate climates where winters are mild. However, heat pumps include a backup heating option for use when temperatures fall too low. This makes them a viable Greensboro HVAC option because temperatures do fall below the 40 degree threshold for only part of the year in this area.

Furnaces Only Create Heat, Heat Pumps Provide Both Heating and Cooling
A furnace is only capable of creating heat. An additional air conditioning system must be used during warm weather to cool your home. However, a heat pump provides both heating and cooling. The process used to transfer heat simply reverses when your home needs to be cooled. This makes a heat pump efficient for use in all seasons.

A Furnace Can Make Your Home More Comfortable in Cold Weather
Propane and heating oil both create more heat per unit than natural gas or electricity because they burn at extremely high temperatures. The type of heat created by heating fuel is a radiant heat, which is known to create a cozier feel that lasts longer than other types of heat.

Berico Can Install and Service Both Furnaces and Heat Pumps
Whatever type of HVAC system you choose, Berico provides installation and service for both types, as well as heating fuels such as propane and heating oil. Berico is a Greensboro HVAC service providing complete home comfort services. Call 336-273-8663 today or schedule a service appointment.

The heat exchanger in your furnace plays a vital role in warming your home to a comfortable temperature. Simply put, without the heat exchanger, your furnace would not be able to do its job. With that background, it’s easy to understand why a cracked heat exchanger would be a problem. But what does this component do, exactly and why would it crack? This article will dive into those questions and more.

If you need professional furnace repair in Burlington, NC for a great price, contact Berico today to make an appointment. Berico offers a knowledgeable team of friendly experts who will get your system back up and running right away.

Understanding a Cracked Heat Exchanger
A cracked heat exchanger is a unit that has developed a crack large enough to interfere with normal, safe operation. When the heat exchanger becomes cracked, it is likely that the flame within the unit will struggle to remain lit, or will flutter significantly. As a result, the furnace system will notice a safety risk and turn itself off. Therefore, if you have a furnace with a cracked heat exchanger, you may be dealing with a situation where you have no warm air flowing in your home.

You may be wondering why a heat exchanger would crack in the first place? Isn’t it designed to deal with heat? Yes, it is, but when it gets too hot, the unit can crack. Normally, proper airflow will keep the exchanger from reaching temperatures that are dangerous to its health. However, if that air is not flowing as it should, temperatures will rise and a crack may develop. This is why it is so important to regularly replace the air filter that serves your furnace. When a dirty filter remains in use, airflow will be reduced and the temperature of the heat exchanger could get out of control.

Can a Cracked Exchanger Be Repaired?
No – once it is determined by a professional that the heat exchanger has developed a crack, it will need to be replaced. The challenge that comes with replacing a heat exchanger is not found in the process of swapping it out for a new one, but rather the task of gaining access to that part of the furnace. Most of the unit will have to be taken apart to get to the heat exchanger, meaning labor costs for this kind of project can be expensive.

May Lead to a Furnace Replacement
You might be surprised to learn that in some cases, it’s better to simply replace the entire furnace than it is to have a new heat exchanger installed. Between the cost of a new exchanger and the significant labor expense to have it put in, going with a new furnace may be the better choice. Remember, with a new furnace, you’ll get the latest technology, improved efficiency, and likely some warranty coverage. Talk to the professional team at Berico to determine whether it is better to replace your heat exchanger or have a new furnace installed in your home.

Does your home need a furnace? Whether you’re replacing an old furnace or you’re building a new home that will need a furnace, it is important that you choose the right one. The wrong furnace could leave your home feeling chilly, humid, or dry. You could also end up paying too much for heating energy.

 

There are a variety of factors that should be considered when choosing a home furnace. A reliable Burlington furnace installer can evaluate your home and give you a professional recommendation. Here’s what to take into consideration.

 

Size

One of the biggest factors to consider when choosing a furnace is the size. It is crucial that you get a furnace that is the right size for your home. The size of the furnace needed is calculated based on the number of square feet you need to heat. Another factor is the climate where you live, because of the average temperatures and humidity. The quality of your insulation and windows will also play a part in the size of furnace your home needs. It is necessary to purchase a furnace that can produce enough heat with all of those factors considered.

 

Efficiency Rating

Heat is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units). The number of BTUs a furnace can produce determines how many square feet it can heat. Another rating to consider is the HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor), which is the amount of heat delivered divided by the amount of electricity used to produce it. This number is typically used for heat pumps, which are electric.

 

Heating Energy Source

There are a few different sources of energy used for heating, the most common of which are:

 

• A heat pump uses electricity to absorb heat from the outside air. It is not the same as a furnace that burns fuel of some kind to create heat. Heat pumps work particularly well in milder climates where the temperatures do not get below freezing as often. They are usually equipped with a backup furnace for extreme cold.
• Natural Gas. One of the most common heating fuels is natural gas. If your home has access to natural gas, it is an efficient heating energy source. Natural gas is usually delivered through an underground pipeline connected to a local source. You pay for it monthly based on your home’s usage.
• An efficient, clean burning option for those who don’t have access to natural gas or who simply want the benefits, propane is delivered to you and stored in a tank on your property. Propane produces more heat per unit than natural gas. It also provides a warm, resonating heat that lasts.
• Heating Oil. Heating oil is also highly efficient, producing more heat per unit than any other heating fuel. New furnaces are designed to burn oil very cleanly without producing soot the way old furnaces once did. Oil can be delivered to your home and stored in a tank on your property.

 

Manufacturer and Model

Some furnace manufacturers are known for making quality equipment. Lennox, Goodman, ThermoPride, Armstrong, and York are just a few of the top brands of HVAC systems. Do your research and read reviews on some of the makes and models that are available.

 

Ask the Experts at Berico

Choosing the right furnace is not a decision to take lightly. Get a professional recommendation from a Burlington furnace installer you can trust. Berico can evaluate your home and offer a few different options for systems that will work well for you.

 

Call (336) 273-8663 or request a quote today.

 

When it’s working properly, your furnace is not something you have to think about often during the winter months. You simply set your thermostat and let the furnace come on and off automatically based on those settings. Unfortunately, like all other pieces of equipment, furnaces can run into trouble from time to time. One type of trouble you may encounter with your furnace is water leaking from the unit. The article below will offer some insight into why this can happen and what it may mean.

If you need the best HVAC service Burlington has to offer, contact Berico today for assistance. Whether it is furnace repair, replacement, or any other HVAC task, you can be sure that Berico is up to the challenge.

Why Does My Furnace Leak Water?
There are a few potential causes of a furnace water leak, including the following –

• The hose that is meant to carry away the condensation from the unit could be leaking. This hose may leak as a result of damage, or it could be clogged up, giving the water no way to pass through to the drain.
• A drain line is used to get the water away from the furnace. Like the drain hose, the main drain line could leak if it is damaged or clogged, or it could not be properly attached.
• It’s also possible for the pump that moves the condensate could leak. Specifically, if the drain that serves this pump is blocked up, the water will collect and leak.

Why in the Winter?
The reason that you may deal with furnace leaks in the winter is simply that your furnace is working so much harder during the winter months. In the summer, it probably doesn’t come on at all, and it may only need to run from time to time in the spring and fall seasons. In the winter, however, your furnace jumps to the foreground and it puts in plenty of working hours to keep your house comfortable. Knowing that it will be working hard on cold days, be sure to check in regularly to make sure no leaks have occurred.

A Specific Type of Furnace
The type of furnace that you need to worry about developing a leak is a high-efficiency furnace. This type of furnace uses two heat exchangers, and that design introduces the development of condensation. A single heat exchanger model won’t create condensation, so water leaks are not a concern. More and more homes and other buildings feature high-efficiency units these days, so leaks are something that the average homeowner should monitor if they have a high-efficiency model.

Consider Other Possibilities
It’s worth noting that there is a possibility that your water leak is not coming from your furnace. If you have an air conditioner in the same space as the furnace, that unit could actually be the cause of the leak – although it is not likely operating during the winter months. Also, it could be something completely unrelated, like a roof leak that happens to be coming through the space where the furnace is located. Getting the help of a professional team like Berico will allow you to get to the bottom of the problem and have it resolved as quickly as possible.

The last thing you want to experience is a broken furnace on a cold winter day or night. Sometimes furnaces break down without warning, but in many cases there are signs that indicate your furnace may not be working properly.

Avoiding an unexpected furnace breakdown is always preferable, so how can you prevent it? According to the best heating and air in Greensboro, here’s what to look for so you can be prepared.

 

Repeated Cycling On and Off

Does it seem as if your heat comes on, turns off, and turns on again without much time in between? Perhaps it doesn’t run very long each time before shutting off, then comes right back on again. This is a sign that something is not working correctly within your furnace. It could be that there are parts in need of cleaning, repair, or replacement. There may be a problem with the blower motor. Any number of mechanical or electrical issues could cause this to happen. If you notice this, it’s time to schedule a service appointment.

 

Uneven Temperatures Throughout Your Home

Do some rooms feel warm and others cool? Uneven heating is another sign that your furnace is not operating properly. It could be failing to produce enough heat to effectively warm your entire home. There could be issues with air flow through the ducts or other problems that could prevent heat from disbursing evenly. Start by checking your filters and replace them if necessary. If the problem persists, contact the best heating and air in Greensboro, Berico.

 

Unusual or Increased Noises

Have you noticed more noise or unusual noises coming from your furnace or vents? You may think it’s just in your head, but it’s probably not. You get used to the way your HVAC system sounds when it runs, and if you’re suddenly noticing it when you didn’t before, the noises are probably new. Excessive or strange noises coming from your furnace could mean any number of mechanical problems from loose parts to electrical issues. Schedule a service appointment to have your system evaluated.

 

High Energy Bills

Your furnace may run on natural gas, propane, heating oil, or electricity. If your gas or energy bill seems to keep going up, it may be a sign that your furnace is not operating properly. A properly working furnace should operate efficiently, depending on its efficiency rating. Regardless, soaring energy bills are not normal and may indicate that your furnace is on its way out.

 

How Will I Know if My Furnace Should be Repaired or Replaced? 

When your HVAC technician inspects your furnace they will diagnose the problem as well as assess the condition of your system.

 

They will most likely recommend repair if:

 

• Your furnace is less than 10 years old.
• The repair is easy and inexpensive.
• The overall condition of your furnace is good.

 

The technician may recommend replacement if:

 

• Your furnace is more than 10 years old.
• The repair required is a major, expensive part.
• The overall condition of your furnace is poor.

 

Want to Avoid a Breakdown? Have Your System Assessed by Berico

If you’re concerned about the performance or condition of your furnace, call 336-273-8663 today to schedule a service appointment. Find out why customers consistently rate Berico as the best heating and air in Greensboro.