Heating your home with a propane furnace is a relatively common practice. Many homeowners use propane by choice, others use it because natural gas is not available in their area. Probably the most common use of propane is in backyard grills. But did you know there are at least 7 other household appliances that can run on propane? Propane in Burlington, NC is convenient and affordable. It can be delivered and automatically refilled by Alamance Oil. Consider trying these propane-powered appliances.

1. Water Heaters. This one may not be too surprising, as propane water heaters are not uncommon. The most common energy sources for water heating are typically electricity or natural gas, but propane is a close third. Propane burns hot and resonates, meaning you can heat a lot of water quickly.
2. Fireplaces. Gas log fireplaces are often propane-sourced. There are advantages to propane logs over burning wood, such as cleanliness and convenience. It’s easier to hook a propane tank up to a gas log fireplace than it is to tap into an underground natural gas line.
3. Stoves and Ranges. Propane stovetops and ovens are an efficient alternative to electricity. Some homeowners prefer to cook over a flame as opposed to a flat top stove or coil. A propane powered oven preheats faster than electric.
4. Clothing Dryers. You can conserve electricity by purchasing a propane clothing dryer. Clothes will even dry faster as propane creates heat more quickly and keeps a steady heat over time.
5. Outdoor Fire Pits. The convenience of propane-fueled fires does not have to be confined to the indoors. Outdoor fire pits can also be propane fueled, allowing you to skip the work of starting a wood fire and just flip a switch.
6. Pool and Hot Tub Heaters. If you have a pool you wish to heat or a hot tub, propane is a much more efficient heating fuel. The rapid heating time and longevity of the heat make it a wise choice for warming large quantities of water.
7. Refrigerators and Freezers. These are much less common, but still a possibility. But most often, campers can benefit from propane-powered refrigerators and freezers.

The Major Benefits of Using Propane in Burlington, NC

• Efficient. Propane burns hotter than gas and heats much faster than electricity.
• Environmentally Friendly. Propane burns clean and does not emit greenhouse gases.
• Safe. Propane tanks are sturdy and rarely leak. In the case of a leak, the smell alerts you.
• Can save you money. In many cases propane is more affordable than gas or electricity.
• Good for emergencies. If the power goes out or the gas line is interrupted, your own personal propane supply is still available.
• Versatility. Propane can be used for many different household appliances besides just home heating.

Alamance Oil is your Burlington Propane Supplier

If you are interested in trying propane or purchasing additional propane-powered appliances, contact Alamance Oil. Your supplier will install your tank and can assist with hooking up new appliances to your propane source. Automatic deliveries are available for propane in Burlington, NC. Call (336) 226-9371.

Water damage in a home.

You start to notice some unusual water sounds coming from your inside HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) unit. Whether it’s a dripping sound, a rushing water sound, or a bubbling/gurgling sound, you wonder if it’s a new noise or something you just never noticed before. Most likely it’s new if it’s suddenly caught your attention. So what does it mean? There are a few different possible causes of water sounds in your inside unit. It’s best to have an HVAC technician, or what some might call an air contractor in Greensboro, NC like Berico diagnose and repair the problem, but if you want to know what to expect, here are some probable causes.

Sound: Dripping Water. If you hear the sound of dripping water coming from your indoor unit, it likely means condensation is not draining properly. Moisture naturally builds up in your HVAC system and should drain out if it’s working correctly. A blocked drainage tube could be preventing condensation from properly draining. Other problems can cause humidity and moisture to build up in your ductwork too quickly for the drainage system to keep up. If you have a refrigerant leak, you may hear the sound of dripping as it runs out. The bottom line: you shouldn’t be hearing the sound of dripping water from your inside unit. If you do, call your HVAC technician at Berico for a checkup.

Sound: Bubbling or Gurgling. A bubbling or gurgling water sound coming from your indoor AC or furnace unit is usually an indication of a pressure issue. Improper internal pressure could be due to an overcharge of refrigerant (too much). It could also be the result of a refrigerant leak. Anytime the refrigerant level is incorrect, it causes an imbalance of pressure and air can get in where it shouldn’t be, which in turn causes the bubbling or gurgling noise you are hearing. The best thing to do is to call Berico, your heating and cooling company, to come out and inspect your system in order to find any potential problems. A trained technician will have the knowledge and equipment necessary to diagnose and repair the problem.

Prevent Moisture and Pressure Problems with Routine Maintenance

Leaks from your HVAC system can cause severe water damage in your home. You may be lucky enough to hear the warning sounds before a major leak occurs, but if not you could have a big, expensive mess on your hands. To avoid unexpected furnace and air conditioner issues, schedule preventative maintenance with Berico, your air contractor in Greensboro, NC. Maintenance Plans include a yearly checkup and tune-up for your HVAC system. When you enter into a maintenance agreement, your technician will visit once in the fall to tune up your furnace and once in the spring to tune up your air conditioning. A typical maintenance appointment includes changing your filters, inspecting and cleaning your system, and performing any necessary repairs including replacing worn out parts. Your refrigerant levels will be checked as well as the drainage system, which should prevent any water-related issues. Sign up for a Comfort and Protection Service Agreement with your HVAC technician, or if you prefer the term air contractor in Greensboro, NC, Berico. Save money and enjoy better home comfort. Call (336)273-8663.

Have you noticed an unusual odor in your home when your furnace is running? Does it seem to be coming from your vents or from the furnace itself? Different smells can mean different things, some of which may indicate a problem. Some smells may mean you should contact the company that handles your propane delivery in Reidsville, and other smells may be harmless. This guide will help you decide what to do.

Smells That Mean Trouble:

1. Rotten egg or rotting smell. Propane and natural gas are naturally odorless, so an odor is added that smells like rotten eggs or rotting in general. This makes it easier to detect in case of a leak. If you smell this, you could have propane or gas leaking into your home. Turn off the furnace and get out of the house to a safe location and call your fuel supplier or gas company.
2. Smoke. Where there’s smoke there may be fire. You should definitely not smell smoke or see smoke coming from your vents or furnace. If you do, or if your smoke detector goes off, turn off your furnace and contact your HVAC company. If you see or suspect a fire, get out of the house and call the fire department.
3. Singed wires or metal. If you smell an electrical burning smell, like when wires or metal gets overheated, that may be exactly what’s going on. The electrical wiring inside your furnace could be getting too hot or shorting out. Turn off your furnace and call your HVAC service provider.
4. Formaldehyde or strong chemicals. This smell could indicate a crack in your heat exchanger, which could cause a chemical-like odor. In this case, carbon monoxide could be leaking into your home. Turn off your furnace, get out of the house, and call your HVAC repair company.

Normal Furnace Smells (if temporary):

1. Burnt dust. If you smell burnt dust the first time you turn on your furnace for the season, this is completely normal. However, if the smell persists for weeks you may have a problem. A thorough cleaning and tune-up for your furnace will likely correct this problem.
2. Musty or dampness. This is also normal at the beginning of the cold weather season. Your furnace has been sitting dormant in humid weather, so it may smell a little musty. If the odor continues beyond the first week of use, it’s possible you have a mold or mildew problem that needs to be corrected.
3. Oil. This can be the result of a dirty, clogged filter. Replace all of your filters with new clean ones and see if the smell dissipates. If not, call your HVAC company for a check-up.

Get Affordable Furnace Maintenance and Propane Delivery in Reidsville from Carolina Fuels

Unusual smells coming from your furnace could be caused by a problem with your heating fuel or the system itself. Whatever the cause, Carolina Fuels can help. An all-in-one home comfort service provider can handle every aspect of your heating system from furnace repair and replacement to propane delivery in Reidsville. Don’t ignore strange smells, call (336) 273-8663.

Do you feel like you are paying too much to heat and cool your home? Whether its natural gas, propane, or oil for the winter or your electric bill in the summer, if it seems too high your thermostat may be the culprit. When it comes to HVAC systems, the thermostat is often overlooked. But in actuality, your thermostat is the key to your home comfort. If your thermostat is old, it could be costing you money in ways you’ve never realized. Consider upgrading thermostats as part of your HVAC maintenance in Greensboro. Here’s why.

 A Programmable Thermostat Can Save You Hundreds of Dollars Per Year

That’s right, hundreds of dollars could be saved yearly when you upgrade to a programmable thermostat. Between $300 and $400 to be more specific, although the amount varies based on many different factors such as the weather where you live, your type of HVAC system, the size of your home, and the cost of utilities in your area.

A programmable thermostat allows you to preset your system to heat or cool to different temperatures at different times of the day and night. In the winter you can lower the indoor temperature when no one is at home or during the night when you’re in bed under the covers. In the summer you can raise the temperature when no one is home and cool it down at night for more comfortable sleeping conditions. You can even set it before you go out of town. Your HVAC system uses less energy this way, which in turn saves you money.

Types of Programmable Thermostats that Offer the Highest Savings

• Digital programmable thermostat. This is the most basic of the programmable thermostats available. You can set it directly from the touchscreen keypad inside your home to heat or cool to specific temperatures that coincide with dates and times.
• Wireless programmable thermostat. This type of thermostat can be controlled remotely from your smartphone. You can program and reprogram your thermostat as needed from anywhere. The advantage here is that if your schedule deviates from normal, you can reprogram your thermostat to change the indoor temperature as needed, so that you can walk into a comfortable home. If you forget to set your thermostat before leaving town or if you plan to be back home sooner or later than originally planned, you can make the necessary adjustments.
• Smart home systems. These allow you to program your entire home, including your HVAC system, lights, water, security system, and more, all from your smartphone. You can be in control of every aspect of your home no matter where you are.

Upgrade your Thermostat Easily During your Regularly Scheduled HVAC Maintenance in Greensboro

The next time Berico comes out to give your system a tune-up, it’s a good time to go ahead and make the easy upgrade to a programmable thermostat. At the very least, a basic digital thermostat will save you money and make your life easier. The wireless thermostat and especially the smart home system will bring a whole new level of convenience and peace of mind, all while saving you money as well. Before your next appointment for HVAC maintenance in Greensboro, contact Berico to ask about upgrading to a new programmable thermostat. Call (336) 273-8663.

When family members or close friends move into their first home, it can be difficult to find a meaningful housewarming gift. Often the best gifts are those that are practical, things that a new homeowner may not even know they will need. But when the time comes to use it, they will be extremely grateful. These gifts may not be flashy, and they don’t even have to be expensive, but they will be appreciated.

Gifts for the Kitchen

One of the most popular categories of housewarming gifts is kitchen items. For first time homeowners or newlyweds, it seems kitchen gadgets or food and drink seem to be popular. Thinking of getting a bottle of your favorite wine? Include an electric wine opener to make uncorking the bottle and future bottles much easier. Give a complete meal kit with all of the necessary ingredients for a dinner that is ready to make. Include a gift card for Blue Apron or another meal kit delivery service.

Interior Décor and Accessories

Depending on how well you know someone, it can be difficult to choose decorative items that will suit their tastes. A gift card to a home décor store is usually a safe bet. This will allow the recipient to choose items that they like and will match their style.

Home Maintenance Gifts

New homeowners may not know all of the responsibilities that come with homeownership. Give a basic toolkit or a gift card to a home improvement store. If this is your neighbor or a friend who has moved in near you, give a gift certificate from your preferred HVAC company toward maintenance, repairs, or heating fuel in Burlington. A gift certificate from any local service you can recommend is a valuable gift, whether it’s a landscaping service, appliance repair, or housecleaning service.

5 Things New Homeowners Should Check in their Home

One of the best gifts you can give new homeowners is advice. A home inspection should have been conducted as part of the buying and selling process, which would have detected any major problems with the home such as foundation, roof, or plumbing. However, after moving in, new homeowners should check these 5 things.

1. Heating and Air Conditioning System. One commonly overlooked area is the HVAC system. The heating and air conditioning unit in a new home may need maintenance. After moving into a new home, it’s a good idea to have your system inspected and tuned up.
2. Propane or Oil Tank. If there is a propane or heating oil furnace, the tank may need a refill. You can contact the company who supplied the tank, or you can contact Alamance Oil for heating fuel in Burlington, including a free tank swap out and other advantages for new customers.
3. Electrical System. Check your circuit breaker panel for any tripped circuit breakers or anything that seems amiss. If so, contact an electrician.
4. Cable/internet connection. Make sure your cable, internet, and Wi-Fi are all working properly and that all services are transferred to your own account.
5. Security System/Locks. If your new home has a security system, be sure you contact the company to transfer service, establish passcodes and security information, and replace door locks.

Call Alamance Oil at (336) 273-8663 for maintenance, fuel refills, gift certificates, and any other services related to your HVAC system.