How Long Should an AC Unit Last?

Buying an air conditioner is a big investment. Of course, if you live or work in the Greensboro area, it’s an important investment, as the hot afternoons and nights that are common in this area are far more comfortable when an air conditioner is running. But how long can an AC unit be expected to last? That’s the question that is going to be tackled below.

 

Sometimes, it’s not necessary to replace your air conditioner, as an AC tune up might be all you need to get things back on track. In other cases, AC installation will be needed, as the old unit just won’t be up to the job any longer. Either way, Berico is the right partner for the job, so take a moment today to get in touch and learn more about the services that are available.

 

Ten Years is a Good Starting Point

There is no one set amount of time that you can expect an AC unit to last, but looking at 10 years is a good general starting point. If you have an AC unit that is less than 10 years old, you should have a decent chance that it will be able to serve you for a while longer. It’s likely it will need a repair here and there – and all AC units require ongoing maintenance – but there should be some life left in the system.

 

Does this mean that you should automatically schedule an air conditioner replacement if your unit is more than 10 years old? Not at all – there is a good chance that you’ll get some more years of service out of it, just be aware that the need for repairs and maintenance will likely start to increase. A modern air conditioning unit will commonly last all the way to the 20-year mark or beyond, but that outcome is not guaranteed. The older your system is, the more attention you should pay to it day after day, and the more you’ll want to be prepared for a replacement when the time comes.  Also, after 10 years, most manufacturers’ parts warranty expire, thus increasing the cost of repairs.

 

As you monitor the age of your air conditioning unit, one good point to pay attention to is the amount of energy you are consuming month after month. You will likely notice if your energy consumption is going up because your bill will do the same thing. If you find yourself paying more and more for energy and the underlying rates haven’t gone up significantly, it’s likely that a loss of efficiency within the system is to blame.

 

With each passing year, don’t be surprised if the efficiency of your air conditioner trails off and your bills rise. This is something to keep in mind with regard to replacing the air conditioner. Some of the cost of buying a new unit will be offset by bringing your energy bills back down to a more reasonable range. That doesn’t mean you have to upgrade to a new system immediately when the bill starts to rise, but keep an eye on it so the costs don’t go too high before you make a switch. Modern air conditioning units are incredibly efficient, so you will get better performance than ever before once you upgrade and have a new one installed. Berico is glad to send a comfort specialist to help weigh your options and has specific tools that can help you in your decision making process.

 

 

Do You Keep Calling for Repairs?

The other measuring stick you can use to keep track of how your system is doing is the frequency with which you need to call for repairs. With a new system, you’ll likely not have to call for any repair work at all – just some annual maintenance will be enough to get great results. Then, as the years go by, other problems will naturally start to pop up one at a time. If those repairs start to come around more often, and they are getting more expensive to manage, swapping out the old unit for a new one may be required.

 

You can have a conversation with your HVAC contractor about this important point. They can help you understand what has been going wrong with your current unit, how likely it is that new problems will keep popping up, and whether or not they recommend a replacement. An honest contractor like Berico won’t pressure you into a purchase but rather will help you understand the situation so you can make your own informed choice.

 

Understanding the Refrigerant Change

Unless you work in the HVAC industry, you probably aren’t aware that there has been a major change going on with regard to the refrigerant used in air conditioning systems. For years, the refrigerant of choice was R-22, commonly referred to as Freon. Due to environmental concerns, R-22 has been on its way out for a while now, and new air conditioning systems now run on R410A.

 

This is important to understand because if you have an old system that uses Freon, topping off such a system is getting harder and harder to do. The availability of Freon is limited and the cost of what is available has climbed significantly. If your current system uses Freon, that will be another factor that influences the math you have to do regarding whether or not to replace it with a new unit. Knowing that it’s only going to get tougher to replace the refrigerant moving forward, you might decide to get ahead of the game by upgrading to a modern unit that runs more efficiently and will be easy to maintain for years to come.

 

Getting the help of a professional HVAC contractor like Berico is critical if you are going to make a sound decision regarding whether to repair or replace your air conditioner. The experts at Berico have completed AC repair and installation for thousands of local homeowners and business owners and will be happy to come to your location to take care of the HVAC issues you are facing. Berico is your always dependable option when it comes to HVAC.

HVAC Safety Tips – Keeping Your Loved Ones Safe

Modern HVAC systems are capable of keeping indoor spaces incredibly comfortable. And, while these systems are very safe, it’s important that you operate all of your HVAC equipment in a safe manner to make sure no one is put at risk. This article is going to offer some fundamental advice to make sure everything about your HVAC experience is as safe as it is enjoyable.

 

If you need to work with an air conditioning company that will always prioritize safety on every project, reach out to Berico today. As a leader in AC repair in Winston, you can be sure that your system will be in good hands with the Berico team.

 

The Leading Threat is Carbon Monoxide

Without a doubt, the leading threat from an HVAC system for a homeowner is carbon monoxide poisoning. Because carbon monoxide doesn’t have a smell and can’t be seen with the naked eye, it can easily build up in a home without detection. And, if it does reach a great enough concentration, it can be fatal.

 

Fortunately, it’s easy to stay safe on this front by having a functioning CO detector in the home. As long as you have a detector that is in proper working order, you won’t have anything to worry about, and you will be notified – loudly – if there is a problem developing. Never ignore warnings from your CO detector and always call in qualified professionals to address the problem after you have gotten out of the house.

 

Don’t Attempt Repairs on Your Own

As tempting as it is to work on your HVAC system on your own to save some money, this just isn’t a good place to try out your DIY skills. There are too many things that can go wrong – some of them dangerous – if you try to fix your HVAC system by yourself. Even if you don’t get hurt, it’s unlikely that the repair will be completed correctly, and you’ll still need to call in a professional in the end.

 

There is one exception to this rule, however, and that is the air filter that serves your HVAC system. Most people can easily handle replacing their own air filters, and this is a task that should be completed regularly to make sure the system can breathe freely as it runs.

 

Maintain Open Space

Resist the temptation to crowd the area around your HVAC units with other items that you are storing. For instance, don’t pack things into a small space in your home where the furnace sits, as this could be a fire hazard, and could also harm the performance of the system as a whole. If you have an outdoor AC unit, you’ll also want to make sure the space around it is clear, so keep up with weeding tasks to prevent plants from growing into the unit and causing problems.

 

The top name in Winston-Salem HVAC service and repair, Berico has been building a trusted reputation for decades. Take a moment today to get in touch to learn more about the services available or to make an appointment.

The Benefits of A/C Maintenance and Why It’s Worth the Investment

Like all mechanical systems, air conditioners need ongoing maintenance if they are going to continue to perform properly. This type of maintenance is not always something that appears near the top of a homeowner’s to-do list, but it should be prioritized for the improvement in performance – and cost savings – that it can offer.

 

For the best AC repair Greensboro has to offer, take a moment today to get in touch with the team at Berico.

 

Staying Ahead of the Game

Each time your air conditioner (or furnace) comes on, it is experiencing at least a little bit of wear and tear on the various components that make up your HVAC system. This isn’t going to seem like much on a day-by-day basis, but it adds up over time. And, if you don’t have any maintenance performed, the accumulation of that wear and tear is eventually going to show itself in the form of problems with the A/C.

 

When you get on a regular schedule of air conditioner maintenance with Berico, you are able to address that wear and tear before it accumulates to the point that it causes issues. Rather than waiting for an A/C breakdown to call for help, you can prevent that breakdown in the first place through the use of preventive maintenance. During a maintenance visit, the professional technician will go through a series of tasks, checking on key components, cleaning the appropriate parts of the system, and making sure it’s ready for the hot summer season ahead.

 

The Financial Picture

Some people struggle with the idea of spending money on maintenance for a system that is currently working just fine. That kind of thinking is understandable, to be sure, but it misses the bigger picture. When you have maintenance performed, you are basically spending a small amount of money now to avoid spending much more money later on. It’s an investment in the future of your HVAC equipment, and it’s the type of investment that tends to pay off nicely.

 

Maintenance visits from the professional team at Berico are not particularly expensive, and they can be completed quickly at a time that is convenient for your schedule. On the other hand, repairing an air conditioner that has already broken down can be much more costly, and it will need to be done right away – even if it’s not convenient at the moment. In addition to avoiding expensive repairs, ongoing maintenance can also allow you to extend the life of your system, putting off the big expense of buying a whole new unit for potentially years. When you add it all up, what you save in money and convenience is more than worth the cost of maintenance on your A/C system.

 

If you need assistance with your AC in Greensboro, there is no better team than Berico to manage the project. Whether it’s a simple maintenance visit or A/C installation to put a new system in place, you can be sure that Berico is more than up for the challenge.

How to Switch Propane Suppliers

Perhaps the most important piece of the puzzle when using propane at your business or home is having a reliable supplier on your side. A good supplier is going to deliver on time, every time, as well as offering a great price for those deliveries. And, if your supplier can also offer some additional services beyond filling up the tank, that would be great.

 

If you are ready to switch propane suppliers to get better results, the information below will be helpful. As a leader in Greensboro propane, Berico would be proud to take on your needs immediately.

 

Check Your Agreement

When you are ready to switch to a new supplier, the first thing you need to do is confirm the terms of the existing agreement that you may have in place with your current supplier. It’s possible that you don’t have any obligation to that supplier moving forward, but you might have agreed to some type of contract that covered your deliveries over a period of time. Get that information so you know exactly what to expect and what you need to do in order to move to a new propane delivery partner.

 

Consider Tank Status

Along the same lines as the first point, you also need to determine if you own your propane tank or if you are leasing it from your supplier. As a result of recent regulations, it’s probable that your current propane supplier owns any existing propane tanks. But don’t worry – a reputable propane supplier like Berico will be able to guide you through the seamless and at Berico, complimentary, change-over procedure.

 

Get in Touch with a New Supplier

Once you know your contract status, you can feel free to start calling around to ask about rates and terms to get propane deliveries from another supplier. Of course, during this process, you can evaluate the type of customer service experience that you have with various companies. If someone doesn’t treat you particularly well when you call them to ask about delivery service, you can expect that your service won’t be great when you are a customer, either. To skip the time and effort required to call around to various suppliers in the area, just turn to Berico from the start and make it easy.

 

Establish Your Schedule

If you have been using propane for a while, you might know with pretty good accuracy how much propane you use in a given month, based on the time of year. So, you’ll be able to tell the new supplier roughly how much propane you are going to need and how often you are going to need it. If you aren’t sure of this, a good propane supplier will be able to help estimate your use. As you move forward, the delivery frequency can be tweaked as necessary to make sure your needs are met, and you never run out.

 

Good propane delivery shouldn’t be complicated or expensive. Working with Berico, you’ll find that you barely have to think about these deliveries at all – they’ll just happen when they are supposed to, and you can spend more time on other things in your life. Call Berico today to get started.

Minimizing Indoor Allergens – 5 Strategies for a Healthier Home Environment

Allergens pervade both indoor and outdoor environments. While many associate allergies with outdoor triggers like pollen, it’s essential to recognize that numerous allergens can also thrive within your home. If you or a family member have been grappling with allergy symptoms indoors, it’s a good idea to investigate potential air quality issues as a way to mitigate these discomforts.

 

Working with a leading High Point HVAC company is one of the best ways to deal with indoor air quality issues, so get in touch with Berico right away to solve the problems you are facing. Whether it’s an indoor air purifier or another solution, Berico will be able to create an environment where everyone in the family can breathe freely once again.

 

 

1 – Implement a No-Shoes Policy

Consider instituting a no-shoes policy indoors to prevent outdoor pollutants from being tracked into your home. Shoes can carry various allergens, including pollen, dust, and mold spores, which can accumulate on floors and carpets. By removing shoes upon entering, you can significantly reduce the introduction of allergens into your living spaces.

 

 

2 – Get Some Specialized Equipment

In addition to having a no shoes in the house policy, you can also put technology on your side to get better results. Specifically, Berico can install a couple of different devices – iWave and Phenomenal Aire – each of which is capable of purifying the air that passes through your HVAC system. These devices offer excellent performance for just a modest investment. For more information on these devices click here: indoor air quality.

 

3 – Pay Attention to the Pets

Pet dander is a major contributor to poor air quality in many houses. If you have dogs or cats, think about how they are impacting the air quality and take steps to address those problems. Keeping your pets clean and nicely groomed is a good start, and it also might be helpful to have some spaces in the house where the pets aren’t allowed to go.

 

4 – Proper Furnishings

There are many options for furnishings on the market today that are specifically designed to be hypoallergenic. If you upgrade your bedding, for example, to hypoallergenic sheets and pillow covers, and you do a good job of washing that bedding regularly, you’ll be contributing fewer allergens to the air and your symptoms should be reduced.

 

5 – Watch the Humidity

High humidity in a home can contribute to things like mold growth, which will in turn harm your air quality and elevate allergy problems. With a dehumidifier included in your HVAC system, you can pull some of the moisture out of the air and keep humidity levels in a comfortable and healthy range.

 

Improving the air quality in your home can make a huge difference to your quality of life. Berico is the best HVAC company to team with for this project, in addition to things like air conditioning repair in High Point and plenty of other services. Call today to get started with a healthier home.

Why is My AC Unit Barely Blowing Air?

It’s easy enough to take your air conditioning for granted. When the temperature on your thermostat reaches a certain point, the air automatically kicks on, and the house cools down. Right? That’s how it is supposed to work, and most of the time, it does. If there is a problem with your system, however, you might notice that the AC is barely blowing any air, and the house stays hot as a result.

 

While there are some basic answers to this issue below, the best thing you can do is call for the best AC repair Burlington has to offer – Berico. As leading HVAC contractors in Burlington, you’ll find that Berico provides prompt solutions for fair prices, so call today to get started.

 

The Easiest Solution

Without a doubt, the easiest place to start on this issue is by checking your air filter. If it has been a long time since you checked the air filter that serves your air conditioner, it’s possible that the filter is clogged up and not allowing much air to pass through. When this happens, the performance of the whole system is downgraded, and it may not be pushing enough air through the ducts and out your vents.

 

Of course, if you find that your air filter is dirty and clogged, replacing it is the next step. The good news is that replacing an air conditioner’s filter is an easy job that many homeowners can handle on their own. Just make sure you have the appropriate size filter, change it out for the old one, and you’ll be all set.  Berico offers a service that will provide you with the right filters at the right time. Click this link for the Berico filter delivery service.

 

Evaporator Coil Problems

It’s possible for the evaporator coil component of your air conditioner to freeze up, due to either a lack of airflow or a refrigerant leak. Either way, if the coil develops a layer of ice, you could wind up with poor air circulation through the system and an air conditioner that is no longer able to cool down your home properly. Unlike the air filter issue, this is not a problem that you should attempt to deal with on your own – call Berico right away to schedule an appointment to have the issue of a frozen coil addressed.

 

Air Duct Issues

The air ducts in your home are the pathways that air travels as it makes its way through the HVAC system and back out into the rooms. If those ducts develop leaks over time, you’ll be losing some of your cooled air into the attic or crawl space, and the flow of air coming into the rooms of the home will be lackluster. You might notice that you hear a faint whistling noise coming from the area where the ducts are located – this could be air escaping through openings in the ducts. Again, you’ll need a professional team to diagnose and correct this costly issue.

 

If you need some repair work completed to get your Burlington AC system to run properly once again, just reach out to Berico and you’ll be sure to get the help you need in a timely manner. Don’t wait any longer!

Commercial HVAC Repair: How to Reduce What You Spend

Running a successful business involves a lot of things, but one of those is to spend as little as possible on expenses that can drag down your overall profits at the end of the year. Things like repairs on your commercial HVAC system are inevitable costs, but if you can keep those costs down, you’ll have a better chance to succeed in your industry.

 

This article is going to highlight some of the simple ways you can reduce your spending on commercial heating and air repairs. One of the best tips you can receive, of course, is to turn to Berico for these kinds of projects, so you always get fair prices and reliable service. Call today to schedule an appointment.

 

A Simple Answer

There is one surefire way to spend less money on your commercial HVAC system month after month – have regular maintenance performed. This is a classic example of a situation where you need to spend money to save money. By investing in ongoing maintenance for your system, you can avoid the kinds of costly breakdowns that will cause your repair bills to soar.

 

Why do repairs cost so much more than maintenance? There are a couple of reasons. First, when a repair is needed, that likely means something has broken, and has to be replaced. So, not only are you paying for the labor, but also for a new part or parts. Maintenance allows for a longer useful life from the parts you already have, saving money with each passing day. Also, when repair issues come up, they usually have to be handled quickly, and it can cost more for that kind of rushed service. With maintenance, you schedule it well in advance and know exactly how much it is going to cost.

 

A Long List of Possible Problems

There are many different ways a commercial heater or air conditioner can run into trouble. Some of the potential issues include things like electrical problems, motor failures, leaks in the refrigerant lines, and more. If any one of these problems arises, it’s sure to be rather costly for your business to fix. And, if it causes you to be closed for a period of time, you’ll lose even more money as a result.

 

Ongoing maintenance isn’t just about caring for the parts in the system that need to be cleaned, although that is important. It also provides the technician a chance to “look under the hood” and see if any problems are developing that need to be tended to right away before a bigger problem develops. In the end, you’ll be far better off having commercial HVAC maintenance performed periodically, and you can shift your attention to managing other parts of the business as a result.

 

Looking for the best in Greensboro HVAC service? You’ve already found it with Berico. If you haven’t been happy with your previous provider of HVAC repair and maintenance, or if you are just getting started in business and need to form a lasting relationship, Berico is the right choice. Check this item off of your to-do list today!

Why Does My AC Smell Rotten – Dealing with Unpleasant Odors

When an air conditioning system is working properly, it shouldn’t smell like anything. It should simply be distributing clean, fresh, cooled air throughout the building without changing how the space smells along the way. So, if something smells foul when your system is running, calling for Greensboro AC repair right away is a logical step to take.

 

For A/C repair that you can trust in the Greensboro area, don’t hesitate to turn to Berico for the job. With a century of experience and a talented and friendly team on staff, you’ll be happy with the service you receive time after time.

 

Mold is a Common Smell

There are many different possible smells that could be coming from your air conditioner, but a moldy odor is probably the most common. As you might imagine, if you are smelling mold, it means you have some type of water problem within the system. It could be that there is standing water in the drain pan, which has allowed mold to grow, or you might have moisture in the ducts or vents that has led to mold. Either way, this is a problem that needs immediate attention, as not only will the smell be unpleasant, but the mold spores that are being spread around the home can be detrimental to your health.

 

Smelling a Burning Odor

One of the more concerning smells that you can find coming from your air conditioner is an odor that reminds you of burning. When that happens, there are a couple of possibilities to explore. For one thing, it could be that you simply haven’t used the air conditioner in months, such as the first time it comes on after winter. In this case, the smell might be nothing to worry about, and it should go away pretty quickly after running for a while. On the other hand, if the system hasn’t been sitting idle, and if the smell doesn’t go away, something in the A/C system may be overheating and you’ll want to get professional help right away to make sure the problem is addressed.

 

A Smell of Rotten Eggs

You might be surprised to find that it’s possible for your HVAC system to smell like rotten eggs when it comes on and starts to push air around the room. Not only is this a nasty smell to deal with, but it’s also a sign of a potentially serious issue that needs to be dealt with immediately. That smell is intentionally added to the gas supply that serves your house so it can be a warning that there is a gas leak. If you smell rotten eggs, turn the system off and contact a professional team to get help immediately.

 

In many cases, a repair job is all that will be needed to solve this smelly problem and get your air conditioning back in proper working order. Of course, if A/C installation turns out to be needed, Berico is more than capable of handling that job as well. Take a moment today to reach out for more information.

The Most Common Home AC Repair Issues: A Comprehensive Guide

When your air conditioning operates seamlessly, it runs quietly in the background, and we don’t give it much thought. Regardless of the scorching heat or oppressive humidity outdoors, you can revel in consistent comfort throughout the summer. Making it through June, July, and August without Greensboro AC might be possible, but it certainly isn’t pleasant.

 

So, when something comes up with your system that needs to be addressed, it’s important to deal with it right away – and to get help from an experienced team like Berico. This page is going to dive into the many different common types of HVAC repair that relate to home air conditioning systems. You should have a better understanding of how air conditioning in Greensboro is fixed when something goes wrong, but you still don’t need to be an expert. For that, just call on Berico to get the help you need, when you need it.

 

The Leading Issue – A Lack of Maintenance

Without a doubt, the right place to start is to discuss the lack of maintenance that plagues many home air conditioning systems. Simply put, most systems are left alone for years, and they are just expected to keep on running without any notable care being provided to the unit. That’s not how mechanical things always work, however, and sooner or later problems are going to develop.

 

Ongoing maintenance that is provided by a professional contractor like Berico will go a long way toward making sure an air conditioner keeps running properly year after year. The cost of maintenance will pale in comparison to the cost of repairs and will be only a fraction of what it would cost to install an entirely new system. Small problems can turn into big issues when maintenance isn’t provided, so it’s a good idea to get on a regular schedule of annual maintenance. This maintenance work can be done at any time of the year but doing it each spring is a logical choice to gear up for the hot summer weather that is to come.

 

As we continue, keep in mind that you might be able to avoid most or all of these problems if you manage to keep up with a consistent, ongoing maintenance schedule. Rather than being stuck in the heat while you wait for a repair in the middle of the summer, you could be enjoying a steady flow of cool air and relaxing in your home with family and friends.

 

A Dirty Air Filter

You might be surprised to learn that one of the most common AC repair issues is actually one that you can handle yourself. There is no special training or advanced equipment needed to take care of this maintenance point, so there is no excuse not to do it regularly. All air conditioners use an air filter to make sure the air that is coming into the system is as clean as possible, and that filter is going to get dirty and clogged up over time. By changing it out, you’ll be letting your system run at its best, improving both performance and efficiency along the way.

 

The main key to doing this task consistently is just to have some air filters on hand. Find out what size filter your system uses and have a few on hand. Then, when the time comes to trade out the old dirty one for a fresh one, you’ll be able to make that swap in just a matter of moments. Also, when you replace the filter, you can write the date on the side of the new filter, and that way when you check it in a few months you won’t have to try to remember how long it’s been. If you would like to eliminate the need to ever have to order or buy filters at the local big box hardware, Berico offers a filter service through a partnership with FilterFetch, which will deliver the right filter to your door at the right time.  To sign up for this service click here: filter delivery service.    By staying ahead of the game on this key point, you’ll be setting your air conditioner up for long-term success.

 

Issues with Sensors

Unfortunately, the average homeowner is going to be able to do little with regard to maintenance on their air conditioner. The air filter we mentioned above is a great DIY task, but almost everything else will need to be handled by a professional. That’s certainly the case with this next issue – problems with the sensors that help the AC unit operate properly.

 

Some of the sensors on the air conditioner include those that figure out what the current conditions are like in your home so the system can properly bring it down into a comfortable temperature range. Most of the time, those sensors are working fine, and you get great results. When the sensors start to get into trouble, however, the unit will struggle, and you won’t be getting the cooling you count on during hot weather. It might not be obvious to you that the sensors are the problem, so simply call the team at Berico to have the system inspected and the professionals will be able to get to the heart of the matter.

 

Leaking Refrigerant

No air conditioner is going to be able to do its job effectively without sufficient refrigerant in the lines. The refrigerant is what enables the system to gather up warmth from the air inside and move it outside. If there is a leak somewhere in what is supposed to be a closed system, refrigerant can get out and the performance of the whole air conditioner will start to tail off. Soon enough, you’ll notice that it is taking a lot longer for the air conditioner to bring the house down to a comfortable temperature, or it might not be able to reach the right temperature at all.

 

There are a couple of tasks that will need to be completed in a proper repair when a refrigerant leak is to blame for poor performance. First, the location of the leak will need to be found, and the repair will need to be made to make sure refrigerant doesn’t keep leaking in the future. Then, with the system repaired, additional refrigerant can be added to bring the level back to where it was before the leak.

 

Failure of the Electronic Controls

Like almost everything else in your home, and in your life, air conditioning systems are now managed by electronic controls. There are electronics within the system that allow the various parts to communicate and work together effectively to get the right outcome. If the electronics break down and the system can’t “talk” to itself as it is supposed to, it might simply stop working entirely.

 

This is another area where it might require a professional to confirm that you have an electronic control problem in the system. Of course, if the system won’t turn on at all, you might suspect that this is the issue, but it’s only when you get a trained technician in to look at the situation that you’ll be able to say with any degree of certainty what is going on.

 

How to Spot Signs of Trouble in Your Air Conditioner

This article has highlighted how you will need an expert in most cases to get started with an air conditioner repair. That’s true, but it doesn’t mean that you can’t play an active role in the care of this system. There are a few different things you can watch for that might indicate the need to get some help and have the air conditioner inspected. Some of those signs include the following –

 

  • Hearing strange sounds. This is one of the ways that homeowners are often tipped off to something being wrong with the AC system. If you hear sounds while the system is operating that you don’t remember hearing previously, something is probably wrong, and the situation needs to be examined by a professional. This might mean the system is running louder than normal, or you could be hearing a strange sound coming from one specific area. It’s often best to turn the system off when it is making weird sounds until it can be checked out and repaired.

 

  • Freezing coils. One classic sign of air conditioner trouble is coils on the outside unit that are developing frost or ice even in the middle of the summer. This could be an airflow issue or a leak somewhere in the refrigerant line, but again, you’ll want to let the experts figure things out and explain how it needs to be fixed.

 

  • Turning on and off frequently. Your air conditioner should run for a decent amount of time before it turns back off. When the cycles get short, that’s often a sign that something is wrong and needs to be addressed. Pay attention to how frequently you hear the air conditioner kick on and make it a point to call for service if the start ups become more and more regular, and the cycles get shorter and shorter.

 

Fortunately, modern air conditioning systems tend to be rather reliable, so you might be able to go quite a long time without the need for a repair. With that said, having your system maintained by experienced professionals like Berico is a smart move to keep everything on track. And, if you are running an older system, think about AC replacement in Greensboro to upgrade to modern, efficient equipment. Give Berico a call today to make sure your AC unit is back in working order as soon as possible!

How Does Air Quality Affect Your Health?

Human health is a complicated matter. There are not one or two things that determine whether or not a person will be healthy, but rather countless elements come together to contribute to the bigger picture of health. One of the factors that is important but commonly overlooked is home air quality. People are breathing constantly, meaning whatever is in the surrounding air is going to go into the body, as well. This article will look closer at the connection between air quality and your health.

 

If you would like to add an air purifier to your home, or if you have any other heating and air needs in or around Greensboro, Berico is the right partner for the job. Call today to learn more.

 

What is Air Quality?

Before it’s possible to discuss the impacts of air quality on health, it’s important to first identify what is meant by the term “air quality”. As the name suggests, this is simply a measure of how clean the air is, and how safe it is to breathe. Even when air seems clear, there can be a variety of pollutants and contaminants and contagions present in different quantities. Particulate matter can be suspended in the air and make its way into the lungs, sometimes as the result of things like wildfires, combustion from engines, and so many other things that we often are completely unaware of that it can be difficult to determine where the pollutants originated.

 

Poor Air Quality and Health

When a person spends an extended time in a place with poor air quality – whether indoors or out – a number of negative health impacts can result. Those can include respiratory diseases, allergies, and even degraded mental health. In some extreme cases, poor air quality could trigger a major health event like a heart attack or stroke. Given the potentially serious nature of many of these health outcomes, it’s important for people to monitor air quality and do what they can to avoid exposure to low-quality air.

 

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“Air Pollution and Stroke”, Abstract Published on the National Institute of Medicine: Link to Full Article

“There is now substantial evidence linking air pollution and cardiovascular diseases including stroke. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that both short- and long-term exposure to air pollution increases the risk of stroke. Controlled exposure studies in man and experimental studies have provided insight into the pathobiological mechanisms leading to the induction of endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis, platelet activation, and propensity for coagulation. Air pollution should be recognized more widely as one of the most important modifiable risk factors for the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease. Healthcare professionals will have an important role in promoting the awareness of this evidence, not just to improve the care of individual patients, but also to place pressure on policy makers for air pollution to be a public health priority.”

 

Some Steps to Take

When the air quality outside is extremely poor, the only viable option is to stay inside as much as possible to limit exposure. But unfortunately for many people, the quality of air in their homes is worse:  Indoor air pollution, identified by the EPA as one of the top five environmental hazards, poses significant risks to health. In fact, indoor air can be up to 100 times more polluted than outdoor air. Fortunately, Berico offers great solutions, iWave and Phenomenal Aire. These air purifying devices, seamlessly integrated into duct HVAC systems, generate ions that combat pathogens, allergens, and odors, fostering a healthier indoor environment without harmful byproducts.

With these innovative products, not only are air ducts purified, but surfaces like tables, furniture, and countertops also benefit, promoting a safer environment for your family. Activation is simple—just power on your fan, furnace, or air conditioning system to experience cleaner, safer air throughout your home.

 

With the right HVAC Contractor, one of these whole house air purifiers can be easily added to an HVAC system to make it safer for everyone inside to breathe. Not only will this be a big step in the right direction from a health standpoint, but it can also make an indoor space a more comfortable, enjoyable place to be.

 

By working with Berico for all of your Greensboro AC and other HVAC needs, you’ll have a trusted and reliable partner on your side. Don’t risk the results of your next project with an unproven contractor when Berico is ready and willing to get started right away. Get in touch as soon as possible to schedule your appointment.