Are you in need of a residential propane supplier? If you have a propane furnace or if any other appliances in your home use propane, you must have a propane tank somewhere on your property. That tank, whatever the size, can only hold a certain amount of propane before needing to be refilled. Whether you’re a new propane customer or you’re thinking of switching suppliers, you may be wondering what to look for in a propane supplier. Here are the most important things to consider.

Ask for Recommendations for a Propane Delivery Company 

Talk to your neighbors, friends, coworkers, and anyone else you know and ask if they use propane and who their supplier is. Neighbors are an excellent source for this because you will know that their supplier already serves your area. Ask what they like about their supplier and why they continue to be customers.

Check Safety Ratings 

Propane is a fuel, and although it is only flammable at very high temperatures, it must be handled safely. All propane suppliers are issued a safety rating based on a variety of factors regarding safe transport and storage of propane. Any reliable supplier should easily be able to provide you with their current safety rating.

Do They Provide Automatic Refills?

Give yourself the peace of mind that comes from knowing you will never run out of propane. Find a supplier that offers automatic refills based on the size of your propane tank and your home’s projected usage. When properly calculated, your tank will never be empty.

Do They Offer Payment Plans?

Would it help to be able to pay for your propane on a monthly basis rather than in one lump sum? Look for a supplier that offers monthly payment plans so you can budget your bills and expenses more accurately.

Can You Pre-Buy or Lock-In Your Propane Price?

Propane prices fluctuate throughout the year and over the long term. If your supplier offers a pre-buy or price lock-in option, you can take advantage of low prices when the market value drops. You can purchase your propane before you need it when the prices are low, or lock-in a low price by committing to a certain amount of propane and paying monthly.

How Do They Handle New Customers?

If you currently have a propane tank but you want to switch suppliers, choose a new supplier that will swap out your tanks for free. Switching suppliers can be easy when your new supplier is willing to do the work in order to earn your business.

Why Choose Berico as Your Residential Propane Supplier? 

Berico is a reliable residential propane supplier in Greensboro, High Point, Burlington, Reidsville, Eden, and the surrounding areas. When you ask for recommendations, the name Berico will come up again and again. Berico offers pre-buy and price protection plans as well as monthly payments to make propane more affordable. Automatic refills will ensure you never run out of propane when you need it. And when you become a Berico customer, the switch is easy for you with a free tank swap out.

Call Berico today at (336) 273-8663 or fill out the new customer order form.

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:

• Electricity. 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.
• Propane. 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.

As the main control panel for your HVAC system, you come to rely on your thermostat to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. And, most of the time, it will do just that. So, it can be rather alarming to head to your thermostat and find that the screen is blank. If your thermostat is currently displaying no information on its screen, there are a few potential problems to consider. Explore the article below to see if you can solve this issue on your own or if professional help will be required.

To bring in professional help with furnace repair in Eden or any other type of HVAC task, call on the team at Berico today. In addition to HVAC service, Berico also offers fuel delivery, tank installation, and more.

Reasons for a Blank Thermostat
You may be dealing with a blank thermostat for one of the reasons below –

• It needs new batteries. If you have a thermostat that runs on batteries as opposed to power provided by the electrical system, it’s possible that those batteries are dead. It’s quick and easy to pop new batteries into the thermostat, so this is the best place to start when trying to solve the problem.
• Safety issues. As a protective measure, your thermostat may include the capability to shut itself down when a problem is detected in the HVAC system. In other words, if something is wrong with your furnace or air conditioner, the thermostat may shut off so you can’t continue trying to use the equipment. This type of problem would need to be addressed by a professional team like that at Berico.
• Tripped breaker. Another good place to look for a solution is in your electrical panel. As the breaker that serves your HVAC system tripped? If so, reset that breaker and see if the thermostat comes back to life.
• It’s broken. Unfortunately, a blank thermostat will sometimes mean that the unit is simply broken and in need of replacement. While that’s probably not what you want to hear, the good news is that a replacement thermostat is relatively affordable and easy to install. Also, if you have been using an older model thermostat for many years, you may enjoy upgrading to a modern device with advanced features.

Why Update Your Thermostat
Whether your current thermostat is broken or just in need of a simple fix like new batteries, it’s still worth considering upgrading that model to a newer version. With a new thermostat, you can pick up features like detailed programming, smartphone control, and more. Being able to exert more control over how your HVAC system operates will not only help you keep your home at a comfortable temperature throughout the year, but it could also help you save money on energy by running the system more efficiently. Reach out to Berico to learn more about what modern thermostats have to offer and whether or not a new unit would be a good choice in your situation.

As the temperatures fall, homeowners start turning on their gas fireplaces for a little extra warmth and ambience. Many will do this without any inspection or maintenance of their gas logs. Some will find that their gas logs won’t light this year.

Are you having trouble getting yours to light? Wondering why and what to do about it? HVAC companies in Burlington can inspect, clean, and tune-up gas log fireplaces so that they operate easily with the flip of a switch. Call (336) 273-8663 to schedule an appointment.

In the meantime, here are some troubleshooting tips for gas fireplaces.

Make Sure the Gas is Turned On

The first step is to make sure the gas line to your home is turned on. If your home uses the same gas source for your furnace, water heater, or any other appliance, it is most likely already turned on. If not, turn on the gas to your home. If you have propane, make sure the valve on your propane tank is open.

Next, make sure the fuel supply to your gas logs is turned on. Once it is on, you may smell a subtle scent of gas in the area of your fireplace. This is a good indication that you at least have fuel coming to your logs.

Vent the Tubing 

There is a possibility that there is air trapped in the tubing leading to the logs. Hold down the pilot button for a couple of minutes to let the air out. Then attempt to light the pilot again. When the pilot is lit you will see a blue flame under the logs. You can then flip the switch and flames should come up from the logs.

If Your Gas Fireplace Still Won’t Light: 

There may be a problem that needs an actual repair, such as:

• If there is a spark igniter, it may be failing to create a spark to light the pilot. This may need to be repaired or replaced.
• Does the pilot light, but then go out again? This indicates that there could be a problem with the thermocouple, the part that measures the temperature.
• There could be a problem with the electrical wiring somewhere within the gas fireplace system. This will need to be repaired in order for it to light and stay lit.

The Importance of Gas Fireplace Maintenance

You can avoid this problem by scheduling yearly maintenance for your gas fireplace. As with your furnace and your air conditioner, having it inspected, cleaned, and tuned up every year will keep it working properly so that it starts right up when you’re ready to use it. If you wait until it doesn’t work on the first chilly day, you may miss an opportunity to use your logs while you wait for a repair appointment. You are most likely not the first one to turn on your fireplace only to find that it isn’t working.

Berico Provides Gas Fireplace Maintenance

If you’re looking for HVAC companies in Burlington that sell and service gas log fireplaces, Berico is your local provider. Berico can repair your existing gas fireplace or replace it with a new set of gas logs if needed.  Berico can also provide yearly maintenance for your gas fireplace.

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

Are you considering trying heating oil for your home? Or perhaps you’ve moved into a home that has an oil furnace. Either way, you may have some questions about heating oil if you’ve never used it before. Consider the following common questions home heating oil suppliers are used to being asked in order to help you gain a better understanding of this fuel and its benefits.

Does Home Heating Oil Evaporate?

Heating oil reaches its vapor point at 140 degrees Fahrenheit. It won’t evaporate until it is heated to that point, whether inside or outside of the tank. Heating oil ignites at 160 degrees Fahrenheit, which means that in its liquid form it won’t light. You could drop a match into a cup of heating oil and it won’t ignite.

Does Heating Oil Smell? 

Heating oil does have a smell. It is a diesel product, so it smells just like diesel fuel. However, you won’t typically smell the oil. If your tank was recently refilled or when you first turn your furnace on in the fall, you may smell oil for a short time. It will dissipate quickly. If the smell lingers, contact your home heating oil suppliers.

Can Heating Oil Freeze?

Heating oil has a freezing point that is below that of water. Heating oil won’t start to freeze until the temperature dips below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. It won’t necessarily become a problem unless it freezes enough to clog up your lines or filter. Installing the filter indoors can help prevent a freezing problem, as well as insulating the outdoor lines, but in this area of North Carolina it is not a problem at all.

Is Heating Oil Efficient?

Heating oil is very efficient. It burns hotter than natural gas, allowing it to create more heat for your home in a shorter amount of time with less fuel. A single gallon of heating oil creates 125,000 BTUs (British Thermal Units), which surpasses propane at 84,000 BTUs and natural gas at 20,000 BTUs. And on top of that, heating oil furnaces operate more efficiently than ever before.

How Does Heating Oil Compare in Price?

Pricing of heating fuels always varies due a number of factors from supply and demand to the weather conditions of the season. In general, heating oil usually costs more per unit than propane or natural gas, however, it goes further. Although you may pay more up front to refill your tank, that tank of oil will last a long time. And many home heating oil suppliers offer payment plans to make refills more affordable by spreading the cost out into monthly payments.

How Long Does an Oil Furnace Last?

Heating oil furnaces have the longest lifespan of home furnaces. You can expect to get 30 years or more out of your oil furnace, which is significantly longer than a propane or gas furnace is expected to last.

Need a Heating Oil Supplier? Berico is Reliable and Affordable

Berico has been supplying heating oil to Greensboro and the surrounding area for decades. Automatic refills and payment plans make it more affordable than ever to heat your home with oil. If you have additional questions, the experts at Berico would be glad to answer them and help you make the best decision for your home.

Call (336) 273-8663 today to inquire about heating oil delivery or schedule a delivery.