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.

Your furnace works tirelessly throughout the winter to keep your Greensboro home warm and comfortable. However, like any mechanical system, it has a lifespan. Over time, even the most well-maintained furnace will experience decreased efficiency and increased wear and tear. Recognizing the signs that it’s time for a replacement can save you from unexpected breakdowns, costly repairs, and higher energy bills. In this post, we’ll explore some key indicators that it might be time to invest in a new, more efficient furnace.

To work with a proven Greensboro HVAC contractor on the potential upgrade to a new furnace, take a moment now to reach out to the experienced Berico team. Everything from furnace repair to new furnace installation can be handled by the friendly, talented pros and Berico.

 

Use Age as a Guideline

While the age of your furnace isn’t an absolute answer to the question of whether or not you need to upgrade to a new unit, it is a starting point. Generally speaking, you can expect to get 10 to 20 years of service out of a furnace under normal conditions. So, if yours is reaching that point, it’s probably about time to make the switch. With that said, there are other factors that need to be considered, such as those discussed below.

 

Watch for Frequent Breakdowns

It’s not a big deal if you have one thing go wrong with your furnace and you have to have a repair completed by the Berico team. However, if those breakdowns keep happening – and they get more and more frequent – you should start thinking about just replacing the furnace instead. After all, every dollar that is spent repairing the old furnace is a dollar that could have gone toward purchasing the new one.

 

Track Your Energy Consumption

An aging furnace is going to get less and less efficient as time passes, and it will consume more energy as a result. So, a good way to see how your furnace is going is to keep track of your energy consumption on your utility bill from month to month. For example, find your bill from a month last winter and compare it to how much energy you used during a month this winter. Has consumption gone up significantly? When you upgrade to a new model, you’ll find that you use far less energy, meaning your utility costs will go down, and those savings will somewhat offset the cost of the furnace.

 

Listen As the Furnace Runs

One other way to determine if your furnace needs to be replaced is by listening to what it sounds like as it runs. A properly functioning furnace will be relatively quiet, and the noise it produces will be steady. On the other hand, when a furnace is nearing the end of its useful life, it’s likely that there will be some strange, loud noises produced from time to time. Consider those noises a sign that you should replace the unit soon.

Teaming up with the right heating and air contractors is fundamental to your comfort in and around the Greensboro area. Make sure your system is living up to its potential by connecting with Berico today and learning more about the many services that are available. You’ll be in good hands from the start!

By its very nature, a furnace is meant to be able to handle cold temperatures. After all, that’s the point of having this unit in your home – to warm up your spaces while it is cold outside. But what if it gets particularly cold? This article will look at what you need to be concerned with if the weather outside dips even lower than normal for a few days.

If you need furnace maintenance from an experienced HVAC contractor with an excellent reputation in the Greensboro area, turn to Berico today. Of course, the Berico team is ready to take on many other projects beyond furnace maintenance, so don’t hesitate to get in touch no matter what job is on the agenda.

 

It’s About Stress

As a homeowner, you should understand that particularly cold weather is going to put your furnace under a lot of stress. Basically, the conditions outside are demanding the furnace to work harder than usual, and that workload can cause things to break down. Some of the components that may be at risk include the blower motor, the heat exchanger, and the burners.

One way to help reduce the stress on your furnace during extremely cold weather is by ensuring that your home is properly sealed. Check for drafts around windows and doors, as these can allow cold air to enter, forcing your furnace to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. Adding weatherstripping or using draft stoppers can help keep the warm air inside and reduce the workload on your heating system. This simple step can make a big difference in your furnace’s efficiency and longevity during a cold snap. Additionally, make sure your furnace filter is clean and clear of debris to ensure optimal airflow and prevent unnecessary strain on the system.

 

Watch for Airflow Problems

If there is a lot of snow outside, or if some ice has formed around your home, it’s possible that the exterior vents that serve your furnace could be blocked. That will lead to reduced airflow, and again, additional stress on the system. Quickly clearing away these vents to make sure the air can move freely will go a long way toward getting the performance you need without causing the furnace to break down.

 

Frozen Drain Pipes Are a Concern

Along the same lines as the previous point, you might also find a situation where the condensate drain line that serves your furnace freezes up and can no longer drain water away. This could lead to a problem if the water backs up through the pipe and causes the furnace to shut down. When you know a cold snap is coming, you can install some pipe insulation to keep the line from freezing, or you could just check it periodically during the cold weather and thaw it out to open the line, if necessary.

Have you been searching for “Eden furnace repair near me” without any luck? That search can stop now by calling Berico and getting exactly the type of service you deserve. As soon as you start chatting with the Berico team about your needs, you will know you are in the right hands. Don’t wait any longer!

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that everything is getting more expensive all the time. And, to a certain extent, it’s true – costs rise steadily across most of the things that you have to buy regularly. But does that apply to propane? This article will take a closer look at the cost of propane and what the future may hold.

To work with a Greensboro propane supply company that you can trust to always deliver on time and for a fair price, call Berico as soon as possible. As a propane supplier, Berico has a long and respected history in the Greensboro area, and you’ll be in the good company of many friends and neighbors that rely on Berico for their “Always Dependable” service.

 

A Steady Energy Source

There are price fluctuations in the propane market just like any other market. Propane is purchased and sold like anything else, and based on supply and demand – along with other economic factors – the price will move up and down. With that said, if you look at the historical trends in the price movement of propane, you’ll see an encouraging chart that indicates rather predictable pricing.

Picking out a couple of historical data points is a handy way to understand just how steady propane prices can be. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the price of propane in March of 2024 was $2.56 per gallon. If you go all the way back to March of 2008 – a full 16 years ago – the price was $2.60 per gallon. Of course, that price has moved around in between those two points, but those snapshots show just how flat the overall trend is for propane pricing.

 

Many Other Reasons to Like Propane

When choosing a fuel as an energy source for your home, picking something that is going to have a steady price over time is a great starting point. But that’s not the only thing to think about. As you take a closer look at some of the other factors, you’ll see that propane scores well across the board.

For example, propane is a very efficient fuel, meaning you will get a lot of value for your money in terms of performance. Also, that efficiency means propane is kind to the environment, which might be something that is personally important to you while making this choice. There is also the matter of safety to consider. Propane is very safe, especially when you partner with a team like Berico to handle all aspects of your system. If you have had any worries in the past about keeping a tank of propane on your property to run your systems, you can set those thoughts to the side – propane is known to be a very safe option and is one worth your consideration.

Ready to set up propane delivery service that won’t let you down? Berico is the easy pick, and you can get started by calling directly or reaching out through the website. Either way, you’ll be getting consistent propane service before you know it!

During the summer months, your air conditioning unit is working hard day after day to keep your house cool. Specifically, the fan in the outdoor unit is spinning around and around, dumping heat outside so you and your family can stay comfortable.

 

Of course, when summer turns to fall, the days you need the air conditioning unit to run gradually decrease, and eventually its job is done for the year. When your AC is not needed, should you cover the outdoor unit to protect it? The answer is below.

 

When you need to work with the leading company for the best AC repair Greensboro has to offer, pick up the phone and call Berico right away. A leading HVAC contractor in the area for decades, Berico will always deliver.

 

A Sound Idea

There is some merit to the thinking of covering your AC in the winter months, at least on the surface. It’s always possible that some rough weather will come in during the winter, and cold overnight temperatures are assured. So, wouldn’t it be a good idea to cover your AC unit and protect it as much as possible?

 

In some situations, the answer could be yes. For example, if you have some large trees on your property that drop all of their leaves each fall, covering your AC could keep all of that debris from piling up on and in the unit, eliminating the need to clean it out again in the spring. That would be a nice benefit if it plays out that way, and given the modest cost of an AC cover, it could be all the motivation you need to take this approach.

 

Two Important Points

If you are going to use an AC cover – which is certainly not a requirement but more of an optional step – there are two things to keep in mind. The first is that you should shut down the power to the system before you add the cover. The last thing you want is to have the system kick on unexpectedly while the cover is on, so make sure there is no power available to confirm that nothing is going to happen that can cause damage.

 

Along those same lines, you’ll need to confirm that you have taken the cover off in the spring before you power things back up and run it once again. For example, if you move the breaker that controls the AC circuit to the “Off” position during the winter, put a note on that breaker reminding yourself to take the AC cover off before the switch is flipped into the “On” position.

 

Keeping your HVAC system in proper working order is an important part of being a homeowner, and for that, you need to have the right partner. Berico is not only up to the task of dealing with AC problems but can also manage furnace installation and countless other jobs. Reliable help is just a phone call away!