Are Propane Tanks Dangerous?

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It’s only natural to be a little curious about a large tank of propane sitting on your property. Is this actually a safe situation? Fortunately, as the article below will highlight, propane is impressively safe, and you have nothing to worry about when you treat your tank properly and work with a qualified propane supplier.

 

Speaking of qualified suppliers, Berico fits that bill nicely. Thanks to fair prices, responsive phone support, a friendly team, and unbeatable reliability, Berico should be your first choice when searching for “ propane delivery near me.” Give them a call today to get started.

 

A Misplaced Fear

As stated in the introduction, propane is quite safe, which is why it has become such a popular energy source for a range of purposes. But that doesn’t stop some people from developing a fear of the use of propane tanks, which can seem dangerous if you don’t know enough about how they operate. If all you know about a propane tank is that it contains compressed gas, you might think that an explosion of that tank is a distinct possibility. And to be fair, it would be if not for the many safety features designed into these systems.

 

Propane tanks are designed to be safe and to avoid the possibility of an explosion. Specifically, they include a pressure relief valve that can jump into action and relieve the pressure that might be building up in the tank before an explosion could occur. Most likely, you’ll never even find yourself in a position where the pressure relief valve will be forced into action – but it’s there if it is required, as a backup plan to make sure an explosion does not occur.

 

Doing Your Part

You can rest assured that opting for propane as an energy source is an effective, and safe, way to go. The propane industry has developed many safety regulations and systems over the years, and as a result, harmful incidents are exceedingly rare. With that said, there are some steps you can take to avoid creating a dangerous situation on your property.

 

  • Care for your tank. Keeping your propane tank in good condition is one of the best ways to stay far away from the possibility of an incident. Working with Berico to have the tank inspected regularly is a great starting point for this kind of safety.

 

  • Don’t do anything risky. You don’t want to have an open flame close to your propane tank, and you don’t want to discharge a firearm in proximity to the tank, either. Basically, be responsible when around a propane tank or any other stored fuel source.

 

  • Note any changes. If you see that something has changed about your tank, or that the performance of the tank seems off in some way, don’t wait around and put off dealing with the problem. This is a perfect situation to bring in Berico to have a look at the tank and determine if it is safe to use, or if a repair or replacement is required.

 

There is no reason for any safety concerns to dissuade you from using propane as an affordable, reliable fuel source on your property. Reach out to Berico today to learn more.

Why Is My Heater Blowing Cold Air?

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The last thing you expect when your furnace comes on is for the system to blow cold air throughout your house. That air is supposed to warm up the space, but just the opposite will happen when something isn’t working correctly. There are various causes for this problem, and the following article will touch on some of those issues.

 

When furnace repair is needed in Greensboro, Eden, Burlington, and beyond, Berico should be your first choice. An honest and experienced HVAC contractor with a long history of quality service, Berico is the right partner for the job.

 

Start with These Solutions

Although you are sure to be frustrated when your furnace isn’t producing the warm air you expect, it’s possible that there will actually be a rather simple solution to the problem. Before you get ahead of yourself and start thinking that the whole system will need to be replaced, explore the potential that one of the issues below is to blame.

 

  • Out of fuel. In some cases, cold air coming from your heater could simply indicate that you are out of fuel and need to have your tank refilled. In this case, the heater will have nothing to burn, and no way to generate heat. Call to place an order to have your propane or heating oil tank refilled right away and you should be back in business shortly.

 

  • Tech trouble. Since your heating system is likely controlled by a simple computer circuit in the thermostat, it may be that you simply need to reset the system to get it back on track. Follow the instructions provided with your thermostat to turn it off and back on, and you could have solved the problem just that easily.

 

  • Pilot light went out. Without a pilot light, your furnace won’t be able to ignite, and no warm air will be produced. If you know how to check the pilot light for your system, do so to make sure this isn’t the underlying cause of the cold air.

 

Other Possibilities to Consider

In a best-case scenario, one of the points listed above will solve your problem, and you can move on. If not, you may need to call for heater service to have a professional review the situation and figure out what is going wrong. While you likely won’t be able to fix any of these troubles on your own, it can be helpful to understand some of the possibilities, such as those below –

 

  • Duct problems. It could be that the warm air is actually being created by the furnace, but it is being lost before it reaches the vents. This would indicate a problem somewhere in the ductwork, and your home will only be warm again once those ducts are fixed.

 

  • Overheating issues. Your heater will shut itself down if it overheats, and that can happen when not enough air is moving through the system. You could potentially solve this with a new air filter, but it might take a professional to get to the heart of the problem.

 

  • Dirty equipment. Over the years, your heater’s components are going to collect dirt, and various parts might start to fail as a result. A professional cleaning, and perhaps the replacement of some parts, may be in order.

 

To figure out what is wrong and how to fix it, reach out to Berico today for help from one of their friendly and trained professionals.

Is It Okay to Close Vents in Unused Rooms?

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One of the common frustrations for homeowners when using their HVAC system is not getting even heating or cooling throughout the home. Or, more specifically, not getting the warm or cool air directed where they need it most – as in, the rooms in the home that are used most frequently. With that in mind, some homeowners resort to closing heating vents in unused rooms as a way to control airflow. But is closing HVAC registers a good idea? This article will take a closer look.

 

To get help with your HVAC system in and around, Greensboro, Eden and the Burlington area, be sure to reach out to Berico for assistance.

 

The Quick Answer is Don’t Over Do It

The reasoning for using this technique to control how your HVAC system operates is understandable, but upon closer inspection, it’s not a great idea to close the registers in more than a few rooms. At the core of the problem is the fact that your system was designed to heat or cool the entire house. When the equipment was selected to put in the home, it was picked because it was the right size for the square footage that needs to be managed. By shutting down too many of the vents, you are effectively changing the square footage that is being heated or cooled – but the size and capacity of the HVAC equipment didn’t change at all.

 

In the end, this mismatch is bad for your system. You’ll be cutting off some of the airflow that the system is designed to handle, and you will also put some pressure on the ducts by backing up air rather than letting it freely flow out into the rooms. In the best case, this will cause your system to work slightly less efficiently and effectively than it should – but you might wind up causing damage to the equipment. It’s best to leave all of your vents open and turn to other methods to manage how the space is heated and cooled throughout the year.

 

The Ideal Solution

Rather than picking and choosing what vents to open and close, the better way to go is to opt for a zone control system in the house. With zone control, your HVAC equipment will have the ability to manage different temperature levels in different areas, removing the problem that you were trying to solve by manipulating the vents.

 

The perfect example of how this solution can work is seen in two-story houses. It is often the case that the second story is significantly warmer than the first floor. This is a problem in the summer because cooling the downstairs to a comfortable temperature will mean that the upstairs is still too hot – and that’s usually where the bedrooms are located. Then, in the winter, warming the upstairs rooms to a comfortable range will leave the downstairs too cold.

 

By adding zone control that is divided by floor, all of these issues go away. Suddenly, you have the ability to dial in the right temperature on both floors at the same time with just the push of a button. Talk to Berico today about adding zone control to your HVAC system and get better performance than ever before.

Furnace Maintenance Tips

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For most people, the furnace is something in their home that just runs in the background. They don’t think about it very often, and it just comes on when it needs to. That’s fine, but no equipment can keep working forever without getting some professional attention. Keeping up with furnace maintenance is essential to get optimal performance from your system, and the tips in this article should help.

 

To schedule furnace repair in Burlington that you can trust, give Berico a call today.  With a little help from Berico, you can easily keep up with this important task and get outstanding performance from your system.

 

Tasks Homeowners Can Handle

Despite what you might think, there are some aspects of furnace maintenance that you can handle all on your own without the help of a professional technician. By doing your part, you can keep costs down and help keep your system running as smoothly as possible throughout the winter.

 

First and foremost, be sure you are keeping up with the important job of changing your air filter regularly. This is easily the most impactful thing you can do on your own for the system, and it’s both easy and affordable. Replacement air filters often cost around $20 or less and switching the old one out for a new one is a simple job. Consider keeping an extra air filter or two on hand in your home so you can always make a change when you notice the old one is getting a bit dirty.

 

Outside of changing the air filter, the role you play in furnace maintenance should be mostly observational. In other words, you should be paying close attention to the way your system is performing, so you can bring in help if anything seems out of order. Specifically, take note if the furnace starts making any unusual noises, or if it starts to take longer than normal to warm up the home sufficiently.

 

Jobs for the Professionals

Most of the maintenance that should be performed on your furnace needs to be handled by a licensed, experienced professional. This can include cleaning and inspecting various components, testing the system, performing any repairs that are determined to be required, and more. There are plenty of reasons to avoid trying DIY maintenance (other than changing the air filter) on your furnace –

 

  • It’s dangerous. If you don’t have the right training, you can put yourself and your family in a dangerous situation if you try to maintain or fix a furnace on your own.

 

  • Complicated system. You will likely have a lot of difficulty figuring out what to do or where to do it if you want to work on your own furnace.

 

  • Better value. It might seem like working on your own furnace would be a good way to save money, but that’s not going to be the case in the end. Hiring a professional to get it right the first time is the more cost-effective approach.

 

As a leader in HVAC in Burlington, NC, Berico is the easy choice for all furnace maintenance, repair, and installation needs. Berico is your go to expert for all types of furnaces: oil, gas, or propane furnaces, as well as gas packs and heat pumps. Make an appointment today to get started!

Why Is My Heater Blowing Cold Air?

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The last thing you expect when your furnace comes on is for the system to blow cold air throughout your house. That air is supposed to warm up the space, but just the opposite will happen when something isn’t working correctly. There are various causes for this problem, and the following article will touch on some of those issues.

 

When furnace repair is needed in Greensboro, Eden, Burlington, and beyond, Berico should be your first choice. An honest and experienced HVAC contractor with a long history of quality service, Berico is the right partner for the job.

 

Start with These Solutions

Although you are sure to be frustrated when your furnace isn’t producing the warm air you expect, it’s possible that there will actually be a rather simple solution to the problem. Before you get ahead of yourself and start thinking that the whole system will need to be replaced, explore the potential that one of the issues below is to blame.

 

  • Out of fuel. In some cases, cold air coming from your heater could simply indicate that you are out of fuel and need to have your tank refilled. In this case, the heater will have nothing to burn, and no way to generate heat. Call to place an order to have your propane or heating oil tank refilled right away and you should be back in business shortly.

 

  • Tech trouble. Since your heating system is likely controlled by a simple computer circuit in the thermostat, it may be that you simply need to reset the system to get it back on track. Follow the instructions provided with your thermostat to turn it off and back on, and you could have solved the problem just that easily.

 

  • Pilot light went out. Without a pilot light, your furnace won’t be able to ignite, and no warm air will be produced. If you know how to check the pilot light for your system, do so to make sure this isn’t the underlying cause of the cold air.

 

Other Possibilities to Consider

In a best-case scenario, one of the points listed above will solve your problem, and you can move on. If not, you may need to call for heater service to have a professional review the situation and figure out what is going wrong. While you likely won’t be able to fix any of these troubles on your own, it can be helpful to understand some of the possibilities, such as those below –

 

  • Duct problems. It could be that the warm air is actually being created by the furnace, but it is being lost before it reaches the vents. This would indicate a problem somewhere in the ductwork, and your home will only be warm again once those ducts are fixed.

 

  • Overheating issues. Your heater will shut itself down if it overheats, and that can happen when not enough air is moving through the system. You could potentially solve this with a new air filter, but it might take a professional to get to the heart of the problem.

 

  • Dirty equipment. Over the years, your heater’s components are going to collect dirt, and various parts might start to fail as a result. A professional cleaning, and perhaps the replacement of some parts, may be in order.

 

To figure out what is wrong and how to fix it, reach out to Berico today for help from one of their friendly and trained professionals.

 

 

Choosing the Right Gas Logs for Your Fireplace

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When you think of putting a log on the fire, you probably think first about a piece of wood that you burn up with a natural flame. That’s one option, but more and more homeowners are preferring propane or natural gas over burning wood. If you are going to go with a gas fireplace, or if you already have one that you’d like to update, finding the right gas logs is an essential step.

 

To order gas logs in Greensboro, look no further than Berico. As a trusted HVAC contractor with a long history of great service throughout the area, Berico will always exceed your expectations.

 

What Do Gas Logs Do?

In this application, the word “log” is a bit of a misnomer – these aren’t actually logs in the traditional sense. Instead, they are products that have been designed to look like logs and allow gas to flow through them and out of designed openings. When the gas fire is lit, the flames will come out of those openings and closely replicate the look of an actual wood fire. Quality gas logs will allow you to enjoy a beautiful fire day after day with impressive durability and minimal loss in performance over the years.

 

Some Key Considerations

So, when picking out gas logs for a fireplace, what should you be looking for? The final choice is up to you, but here are some important considerations to keep in mind.

 

  • Some people like to have a rather full fireplace, with plenty of flames and plenty of logs for aesthetic effect. But that’s not the only option – you could also choose to have a limited number of logs in the fireplace, favoring a clean, minimalist look. It’s up to you but think about what will fit your style best before deciding what set of logs to purchase.

 

  • While all of the logs you can pick from are going to imitate the look of natural wood in some way, there are varied shades available. You might opt for a lighter wood tone, or you may favor something darker, with plenty of faux bark showing on the front. Again here, there is no right answer, so just think about what will look best with your décor and what will match your tastes.

 

  • How much flame you want to show. The layout of some log sets will obscure quite a bit of the flame, while other log arrangements are more open and allow for easy viewing of the flame. Yet again, it’s a matter of personal preference for how you want it to be set up.

 

Getting the Right Help

Once you have picked out the appropriate gas logs for your fireplace, the last step will be having them installed so you can get the fireplace up and running right away. For that, you’ll want to turn to the professional help of a team like the one at Berico. This is a job that isn’t well-suited to the average homeowner, as mistakes made in the installation could lead to a safety hazard. Trust the Berico team and know you’ll have many cozy nights in front of the gas fireplace ahead of you.

Your Residential HVAC Maintenance Checklist

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Keeping up with HVAC maintenance is an important part of owning a home. If you allow your maintenance tasks to fall behind, you might find that your system no longer works as efficiently as it once did – and there may be more repairs that pop up along the way, as well. Fortunately, it’s pretty easy to keep up with maintenance, especially when you work with a professional partner like Berico.

 

For all Greensboro heating repair and HVAC maintenance needs, turn to the team at Berico for assistance. With years of experience and a solid reputation in this industry, your system will be in good hands from start to finish.

 

What is Preventive HVAC Maintenance?

The idea of preventive HVAC maintenance is to stay ahead of any problems that may be likely to come up within your system in the months and years ahead. By cleaning and inspecting various components, it’s possible for a professional technician to keep the system healthy and steer clear of common issues. This means you can avoid surprise downtime when the system needs a repair, and you’ll likely save money in the long run, as well.

 

HVAC maintenance is one of those areas where you need to spend a little bit of time and money upfront in order to save even more time and money later. Sure, it might be hard to convince yourself to spend money on HVAC maintenance while the system is working nicely, but stick with a consistent maintenance schedule and the results you get will speak for themselves.

 

Key Fall Maintenance Points

It’s likely that your HVAC system has to work hard to keep your home comfortable throughout the year, both during the hot summer season and during the chilly winter months. The first type of maintenance we’d like to discuss is the fall maintenance visit, which obviously takes place before the harshest winter weather moves in. Some of the key points that should be managed during that visit include –

 

  • One important fall maintenance point is to make sure your air conditioner is in good shape after working hard all summer. This can include having the coils cleaned, draining pans, and checking various other components.

 

  • To get ready for cold weather, the furnace (or heat pump) should be carefully inspected to make sure all parts are working as they should. This inspection will help you get efficient, reliable performance all season long.

 

  • This is a good time to check the status of all vents to make sure they are set in the right positions for warming the house during winter. Some of them may have been closed long ago so it’s easy to forget that they need to be moved back. If you have some rooms that feel colder than you would expect, make sure the vents in those areas are fully open.

 

Don’t Forget About Spring Preparations

Just as in the fall, maintenance in the spring season can help get your system ready for the challenges of the changing weather – the arrival of summer, in this case. Making sure your air conditioning system is fully prepared for the hot, humid weather that is sure to arrive will help you stay comfortable all the way through the summer and into the early fall.

 

Also, this article wouldn’t be complete without talking about the importance of changing the air filter in your system regularly. Not only will this be done during maintenance visits, but you should also change it out on your own a couple of other times during the year to keep the system running properly on fresh air. Reach out to Berico to learn more about maintenance options and what is best for you and your busy schedule.

 

How Much Training Does an HVAC Technician Need?

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When you hire a contractor to work on your HVAC system, you just assume that the technician sent to your home will be properly trained. But what does that mean? How much training is required to work properly on these complicated pieces of equipment? This article will take a closer look at this topic.

To hire Greensboro HVAC technicians that you can be sure are trained to meet all accepted standards, turn to Berico. A leader in HVAC in Greensboro, NC and the surrounding area, Berico is always up to the challenge and will make sure every technician who works on your property is fully qualified to get the job done.

The Importance of Sufficient Training
It is crucial to make sure any technician that works on your system is fully trained and ready for the challenges that they will face. This is important for a variety of reasons, but first and foremost is safety. HVAC equipment can be dangerous when not handled correctly, so proper training is needed to make sure repair and maintenance work is done safely and no one is put in jeopardy.

Also, good training means your equipment will be treated with care, and the work will be a success in the end. You don’t want to have low-quality work take away from the performance of your system, and you certainly don’t want to reduce the lifespan of the equipment by not hiring the right technicians. Go with a trusted name in the industry so you don’t run into any unexpected problems.

Various Licensing Levels
There are three general levels of HVAC licensing offered in the state of North Carolina. Those are referred to as H1, H2, and H3. The basic licensing level, and the one you will want to be sure is in place for a technician working on your home, is H1. This permits the license holder to do work on single-family homes, and other buildings like commercial and industrial facilities (if the technician has a Class 1 license within the H1 category).

Going up to the H2 and H3 levels of licensing is relevant for technicians who plan to work on larger systems. For example, someone working on a forced air system over 15 tons will need to have an H2 license to do that work legally.

Passing the Exam
There is also a licensing exam to consider for those who work in this industry. With that said, technicians need to start working in the field to accumulate the necessary experience to take the exam and secure their licenses. The specific requirements vary depending on the type of license in question, but for a contractor exam, it’s necessary to have two years of work experience to sit for the exam, while the threshold is 18 months for a technician exam.

As a customer, you don’t need to get too caught up in the details of HVAC licensing in North Carolina, as long as you know that your chosen contractor is fully qualified to do the job on your property. For that, simply call Berico and you’ll be assured of working with a talented and experienced technician each and every time.

Residential Heating Oil Tank Maintenance Tips

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If you have a heating oil tank on your property, it’s essential that the tank is maintained properly over time. As the years add up, wear and tear can take a toll on the tank, and it could become a safety concern at some point. Knowing what maintenance points are important will help you avoid any trouble in the future.

 

To have home heating oil delivered by a reliable supplier that offers great service and affordable rates, trust Berico with your business. Berico is an active member of the NC Petroleum Marketers Association and offers rebates to customers interested in upgrading to a newer tank. Of course, if you need heating system repair or other services, Berico will be able to help with those issues, as well.

 

Know the Risks

While it might seem like a pretty stable system, and it is in many ways, there are some problems that can come up with a heating oil tank. One potential issue is when contaminants make their way into the tank and degrade the quality of the fuel that is added. If it doesn’t seem like you are getting great performance from your system despite the rest of the equipment being in good condition, a contamination of the tank might be to blame.

 

An older tank could also develop a leak if it is not maintained correctly over time. This would obviously create a messy, dangerous situation that you would prefer to avoid, if at all possible. Considering the modest requirements to maintain your tank, it’s more than worth it to pay attention to this matter and make sure your tank doesn’t degrade to a point where it becomes a problem.

 

Basic Maintenance Points

As a homeowner, there are some basic things you can do on your own to check on the condition of your heating oil tank. As a starting point, get into the habit of looking for leaks regularly – perhaps once a month or so. This is as easy as just visually inspecting the exterior of the tank, as well as any valves and the lines that are connected to the tank if it is an above ground take.  It should only take a few moments to look over the tank carefully and doing so could enable you to catch a small little leak before it has the chance to turn into a bigger problem.  If your tank is below ground, you will need a professional to do an inspection.

 

The other key point to check on, for a tank that is positioned above ground, is the support that holds up the tank. Sometimes, these legs will lose strength over time, or they will slightly shift out of position. It should go without saying that you don’t want the tank to fall down while filled with oil, so inspecting the status of the legs from time to time should be on your list.

 

Have It Checked

There is only so much you can do on your own when it comes to maintaining your heating oil tank. For everything else, turn to the professionals at Berico to have the tank maintained and checked for any issues. Of course, that same team will be able to perform the necessary repairs should any problems be located, and they can also recommend a replacement tank if yours is past the point of reasonable repair. Get in touch with Berico today to learn more.

What to Look for in a Propane Supplier

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A good propane supplier can make life a lot easier. Ideally, you don’t want to have to think much about your supply of propane and who delivers it. Rather, you’d like it to just show up when expected, and be provided for a fair price. Finding reliable propane suppliers can be tricky, so consider the advice in this article for help.

 

To set up propane delivery for your property with a supplier that you can trust, turn to Berico for help.

 

Look for Options

You’ll want to find a propane supplier who is going to be able to provide a service that meets your needs. Rather than adapting to what the supplier has to offer, you should expect them to have enough options available that you can find a delivery option that makes sense in your situation.

 

Two of the common formats for propane delivery are keeping the tank consistently full based on usage levels or calling for deliveries on demand. You should be able to choose whether you want to set up a delivery schedule that brings a truck to your house or business at predetermined intervals, or if you just want to make a call when you notice your tank getting low.

 

Pricing Matters

Of course, you will want to think about how much propane delivery is going to cost you with one supplier compared to another. Even small differences in price can add up a in a big way when you consider how much propane you consume over the course of a year. So, even if price differences look modest when shopping around, it’s still important to take them seriously.

 

Also, remember to consider not just the cost of the propane itself, but also any other fees that might be tied to the service. For instance, if you choose Berico, you may be eligible for a free tank swap out, meaning you could save on that cost when getting started. Try to see the big picture on the financial side of this decision and balance cost savings with other important factors.

 

Go with an Experienced Propane Supplier

One of the best ways to select a propane supplier is to look at the history of various suppliers and see who has developed a loyal following over many years. That’s not to say that all new companies in this space can’t be trusted, but you don’t have as much proof to work with as you do with a company that has been around for a long time.

 

Other Available Services

Even if you plan on using the supplier you select mostly for just delivering propane, it’s nice to know that there are some other services available, if you should need them. That way, when something comes up, you don’t have to go looking for another contractor – you’ll know that you have a company you can trust for things like repairs, system tune-ups, and much more.

 

Don’t waste any more time looking for propane suppliers near me – just give Berico a call and set up your first delivery. You’ll see right away that this is a supplier that has earned its reputation as one of the best in the business.