Can a Generator Save You Money?

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The Greensboro area is no stranger to power outages. When powerful storms roll through this part of North Carolina, power will sometimes be knocked out for an extended period. For those occasions, many residents of the region have generators in place to pick up where the grid left off. Would adding a generator to your property be able to save you money in the long run? This article will take a closer look.

If you decide to add a whole house generator to serve your family, reach out to the Berico team right away to talk about the project.

 

Avoid Lodging Costs?

One of the primary ways that a new generator could save you money during a future power outage is by allowing you to avoid hotel costs while your home is in the dark. If the power outage drags on, you might need to check into a hotel to have somewhere safe to stay while waiting on repairs to be made. The cost of that hotel stay could quickly add up as the days drag on. By having a generator on your property, you won’t need to worry about going anywhere and could end up saving a lot of money.

 

Cut Down on Lost Food

It doesn’t take long after the power goes out for some of your food to start to go bad. You might be able to stash some things in an ice chest for a while, but that will only work so long. The monetary value of the food you lose during a long power outage is another financial impact that can be avoided when a generator is used. With your generator in place, the fridge will keep on working while the grid is down, and no food will be wasted.

 

Prevent Property Damage

If the power goes out in the winter, which is often the case after a big storm, your home can be vulnerable to a range of harms if the temperatures drop. For example, if your house is cold, the pipes could freeze and burst. This type of damage would easily cost more to repair than the whole cost of purchasing and installing the generator in the first place. So, just by avoiding this one type of damage, your new generator will have paid for itself.

 

Keep Up with Work from Home

Countless people now do most of their work from home. If that describes your situation, you’ll need to be able to keep working even when the power goes out. Lost time working would likely mean lost income or revenue. Using a generator to keep business moving is yet another way that this investment can pay off for you.

 

Make This Important Job an Easy One

Generator installation takes advanced know-how, but it’s a simple task for the experienced team at Berico. With names like Generac and Honeywell available to be installed, Berico can help you pick out the right model, and it will be in place and ready to serve your home before the next storm arrives. Call today to learn more.

Can Hard Water Damage My Plumbing System?

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When the conditions are just right, a plumbing system can last for many years without having significant problems of any kind. Of course, things aren’t always just right, and issues with the quality of your water supply can wreak havoc. Specifically, hard water presents plenty of problems, and this article will discuss those so you can understand how to fight back properly.

If damage from hard water has led to the need for Greensboro plumbing repair, call the team at Berico today. Berico offers a long list of plumbing services and will be able to solve any issues that you are facing.

 

What is Hard Water?

The term “hard water” is used to describe water that has a high level of dissolved minerals. These minerals can be many things, but it is usually calcium and magnesium that are the primary offenders. While there is nothing dangerous about hard water in terms of your health, the story is very different when it comes to your plumbing system. Over time, the minerals in the water will accumulate on your plumbing components and can cause major problems.

 

The Impact of Scale Buildup

Over the course of a day or two, you wouldn’t notice anything different when monitoring the condition of your plumbing system when hard water is present. Given enough time, however, the mineral deposits are going to start to add up. Slowly, the interior of a pipe will narrow as a result of minerals collecting on the surface. This will start to reduce water flow, and you’ll notice a decline in the performance of your plumbing. It’s even possible for the buildup in an older pipe to get so bad that the water can’t flow at all anymore.

 

Problems with Soap

Have you ever noticed that the water in your house doesn’t seem to create a nice foamy lather when you mix it with soap? Hard water is likely to blame here, as well. With hard water, soap will usually turn into a sticky residue known as soap scum. This makes it difficult to clean things properly, and a film from the scum will also accumulate over time in pipes and drains.

 

How to Deal with the Problem

Having a water softener installed is the best way to deal with hard water. This is a device that is designed to pull excess minerals out of your water supply before they can do damage to your plumbing system. If you suspect that hard water is an issue for your home and your plumbing, call in a professional to have the water tested as a first step.

 

Put Expert Help on Your Side

Hard water can cause problems, but it’s nothing that the best plumber Greensboro has to offer can’t handle. Take a moment to make your first appointment with the Berico team today, and you’ll have a Greensboro plumber that will always work with your best interests in mind.

Why is My AC Unit Freezing Up (and What Can I Do About It)?

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You count on your air conditioner to perform well all summer long in this part of North Carolina. This is a great place to live, but no one wants to spend a hot summer day without air conditioning. If your AC unit keeps freezing up, you need to find the right solution as soon as possible to get back on track.

To fix your Greensboro AC system right the right time, there is only one call to make – connect with the Berico team and schedule your appointment immediately. Berico will make sure your home is cool and comfortable again as soon as possible!

 

Airflow Blockage

One of the first things to check with your AC unit when it is freezing up is the airflow that is available to the outdoor unit. The part of the air conditioner that sits outside of your home needs to have plenty of free air available around it. As the fan inside the unit spins, the air should move across the coils, taking the heat energy from inside and dumping it outside.

If there is anything blocking off free airflow, like too much vegetation accumulated around the unit, problems may arise. Be sure to keep the area around the outdoor unit as clear as possible so the system can breathe properly and work as it should.

 

Low Refrigerant Levels

The refrigerant in your air conditioning system is what allows it to effectively cool down your home. That refrigerant “soaks up” heat from inside the house and takes it outside where it is released. However, if there isn’t enough refrigerant in the system, the process won’t work effectively, and you might wind up with a frozen unit.

Your solution here is to call in the professionals for help. Adding refrigerant to your system, or even checking the levels, is a job for a licensed and experienced pro. Bring in assistance and have the refrigerant topped off, if necessary, to get back up and running.

 

Dirty Air Filter

Another likely possibility is one that is easy to fix on your own. The air filter that serves your HVAC system needs to be replaced regularly, as it will get dirty quite quickly with consistent use. If you haven’t swapped out the filter in a while, your system is probably struggling to breathe, and it might freeze up as a result. Fortunately, replacement air filters are relatively cheap to purchase, and you can install them yourself. Take care of this task consistently during the summer to make sure your air conditioner lives up to its potential.

 

Many Services Available

Berico is a leading provider of heating and air services in the Greensboro area. In addition to AC repair work, Berico also offers furnace repair, air quality services, and on and on. Whether you have worked with Berico before or this will be your first time, you are in for a great experience. Call now to get started.

What Size AC Unit Do I Need for My Greensboro Home?

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Having the right size AC unit for your home is a key component of staying comfortable in Greensboro throughout the hot summer months. It might seem like the only problem here would be having an AC unit that is too small, but having a system that is too large for your home can be problematic, as well.

If you are getting ready for an air conditioning installation project, reach out to Berico today to get help from experienced professionals. You’ll be in good hands with the Berico team, and you can be sure that the finished product will be a system that serves your family well for years.

 

The Importance of AC Sizing

Bigger is not always better in the world of air conditioning. If you just purchase a large AC unit and assume it will be more than enough to cool your home, you’ll have problems with it cycling on and off too often – leading to high energy bills and increased wear and tear.

Of course, if your AC unit is undersized, it won’t be able to keep up with the demands of keeping a house in Greensboro cool in the middle of the summer. Accurately assessing your home’s needs and getting as close as possible to the perfect size is important if you are going to get efficient performance year after year.

 

Understanding How to Read Air Conditioner Sizes

When you look at various air conditioners on the market, you’ll see that they are labeled with a “ton” capacity. That’s how much heat the system can take out of a house in an hour, with a ton equating to 12,000 British Thermal Units. So, for example, a small air conditioner might be rated for just 2 tons, while a bigger unit could be rated for 4 or more.

 

Estimates and a Warning

You can roughly estimate the size that your air conditioner should be based on the size of your home. If you have a smaller home around 1,000 square feet, a unit in the 1.5 – 2-ton range will often work well. On the other hand, a house at 2,000 square feet or more is usually going to need at least a 3.5 – 4-ton system.

The warning that applies here is that there are other factors to weigh that need to be evaluated by a professional. To get the right size system for your home, and to be sure the system is going to serve you well for years to come, work with an experienced contractor right from the start.

 

Berico Does More Than AC Installations

Installing a new, properly-sized air conditioner is one of the many tasks Berico can complete on your Greensboro property. A/C repair is also available to get your system back up and running in no time. If the need for Greensboro AC repair has popped up during a particularly hot stretch of weather, simply call Berico right away and look forward to the cold air flowing again shortly.

adjusting thermostat in your home

Why Is My AC Turning On and Off Constantly?

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adjusting thermostat in your homeYou don’t need to be an HVAC expert to know how your air conditioner is supposed to work. Most of the time, when it turns on, it will run for a while before turning back off. So, if yours has started turning on and off frequently, it’s likely that there is a problem you need to address.

This article will highlight some of the reasons for your AC turning on and off regularly, which is often called short cycling. To have AC repair completed, or for an AC tune up, get in touch with the experts at Berico today. Your air conditioner will be back in proper working order in no time at all!

 

Understanding Short Cycling

The problem known as short cycling occurs when an air conditioner turns off before the full cooling cycle has been completed. Then, it comes right back on only a short time later. You can think of this kind of like driving your car by constantly revving the engine up to the red line rather than just keeping steady pressure on the accelerator. It will lead to dramatic wear and tear and use far more energy than normal to cool the house.

 

Why Air Conditioners Short Cycle

Plenty of different possible explanations exist for the problem of short cycling. Those listed below are among the most common, so there is a good chance that one of these is to blame for the problems you are facing.

  • Clogged air filter. This is the best place to start because it’s such an easy fix. If your air filter hasn’t been changed in a long time, it’s almost certainly clogged and restricting airflow into the air conditioner. The system may shut down prematurely because of the strain it is under. All you need to do is pick up a new air filter, swap it in for the old one, and the issue may be resolved.
  • Thermostat issues. Your thermostat is responsible for sending the right instructions to the air conditioner. If it is malfunctioning in some way, it might be telling the AC to turn on and off faster than it should. If the thermostat is to blame, it will usually need to be replaced.
  • Oversized AC unit. It’s possible that the air conditioner in your home is actually too big for the house. When that’s the case, cooling will happen too quickly, and the thermostat will tell the system to shut off before the full cycle is finished. It might be necessary to replace the oversized unit with a smaller one if this is the problem at hand.

 

Fix This Problem Today

As an HVAC contractor serving customers in and around the Greensboro area, Berico has been a trusted option for many generations. Whether it’s a repair project or a new AC installation, you’ll be in good hands and will get excellent value for your money. Take a moment today to contact the Berico team and learn more.

Why Does My Toilet Keep Running (And Is It Wasting Water)?

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There are few things as frustrating to the average homeowner as a toilet that just won’t stop running. No matter what you do, it seems like the water just keeps flowing. The sound is annoying, as is the concern that you might be wasting water at all hours of the day and night.

This post will help you understand what is happening here and what you can do to fix it. For professional toilet repair from a trusted team of experts, call Berico right away. A running toilet might be annoying, but it doesn’t have to be a problem for long. Make your appointment today and put this problem in the past!

 

Is the Running Toilet Wasting Water?

The easy answer here is yes – and it might be wasting far more than you would imagine. In fact, depending on how bad the problem is, it’s possible that the toilet could be wasting hundreds of gallons in a single day. That’s bad for both the environment and your bank account. Even a small amount will add up rather quickly when it is allowed to persist for 24 hours per day.

 

A Few Possible Reasons

There are a variety of reasons that you might be dealing with a running toilet. Whatever the cause might be, call Berico for help as soon as possible so you can put an end to this problem shortly.

  • Flapper issues. The flapper is the part inside the toilet tank that stops the water from flowing. If it is worn-out, or poorly aligned, you’ll end up with a running toilet. A new flapper is cheap and easy to install, making this a simple fix.
  • Chain problems. Another potentially easy solution to this issue is fixing a problem with the chain that controls the movement of the flapper. The chain might be too long or too short. A plumber will easily be able to correct this issue so the flapper can get back in the right spot to do its job.
  • Faulty fill valve. This valve is responsible for controlling the water that goes into the tank. If it’s not working, the water can just keep flowing and flowing with no end in sight. When the valve is worn out, having it replaced is the solution.
  • Float position too high. The float is another component in the tank. Its job is to manage the water level in the tank and make sure it doesn’t get too high. The height of the float can be adjusted with the screw that holds it in place – lowering it can stop water from constantly flowing into the overflow tube.

 

Put Your Toilet Worries to Rest

Do you have a broken toilet, or is there just a simple fix needed to get yours back into proper working order? The Berico team will be able to figure it out for you. Simply call the Berico office today to talk about your situation and find an appointment time that fits in your schedule. Don’t wait another day!

Can My Air Conditioner Circulate Mold Through My House?

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The whole point of an air conditioner is to make your home more comfortable. When the hot Greensboro summer settles in for months on end, you can turn to your AC system to make sure you and your family are comfortable all day and night.

But could that air conditioner actually be doing some damage by distributing mold throughout the house? This article will take a closer look. If you decide that you want to add an air purifier to your system to upgrade the air quality in your home, turn to the Berico team right away for assistance.

 

The Answer is Yes, It Can

Your air conditioner can absolutely distribute mold throughout your home. The AC system is moving air throughout the home, so if there is mold present, you can be sure that it will be distributed throughout the house rather quickly.

It’s possible for the mold to grow within various parts of the air conditioning system. For example, it could be found within the ductwork, in the air filter, or in the evaporator coils. Any areas that become damp and don’t have much access to sunlight are prime territory for mold to grow.

 

Signs of a Problem

A musty smell in your house is the first and biggest sign that mold might be a problem. When you notice a musty, or even moldy, smell that just won’t go away, don’t ignore it. Have professionals look into the matter and figure out where the smell is coming from and how to get rid of it.

In addition to the musty smell, you should also take note of any increase in allergy symptoms in the home. If you and your family members are having problems with a cough or runny nose that lasts longer than a typical cold, it might stem from mold growth.

 

Utilize Indoor Air Quality Services

You can work with Berico to improve your indoor air quality by taking advantage of a couple of important services. For one thing, you can have your ducts cleaned professionally by the Berico team. This will remove any growth that is occurring in the ducts and will stop mold from those spaces being distributed throughout the house.

You could also have an air purifying device like the iWave or Phenomenal Aire installed. These devices actively improve the quality of your air and eliminate many harmful particles in the air, such as mold spores. The difference in air quality between a regular home and one that has an air purifying device in use is like night and day.

 

Breathe Clean Air Again Soon

Whole home air purifiers are excellent tools to make sure the air in your house meets the highest quality standards. You can also use duct cleaning to take another step in the right direction. For any of those projects, or to have air conditioning repair completed in your Greensboro-area home, get in touch with Berico as soon as possible. The team is ready to serve you!

How Can I Tell if My Electrical Panel Needs an Upgrade?

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You probably haven’t thought about your electrical panel in a while. In fact, unless the power goes out or you need to work on something that requires turning off a breaker, you never think about your panel. It just sits off somewhere, quietly getting the job done.

Everything wears out over time, however, and that includes electrical panels. If it’s time for a Greensboro electrical panel upgrade, the talented team at Berico is ready to work on the project. Take a moment now to call and learn more about breaker box replacement and other services offered by this trusted brand.

 

What Does an Electrical Panel Do?

The primary job of the panel is to distribute power throughout your home. Electricity flows into your home from the grid, and it comes to the panel where it is then divided up among a number of different circuits. Each of these circuits has a breaker that will trip when the circuit is overloaded. This is an important safety feature that prevents fires and damage.

Older homes may still have electrical panels that aren’t up to the task of handling how much power modern homes consume. With so many things plugged in these days, your old panel might not be up to the task, and it might need to be replaced.

 

Signs Your Electrical Panel Might Need an Upgrade

You don’t have to be an electrician to notice that your panel might need to be replaced in the near future. Watch for some of the signs below and call Berico for help right away.

  • Frequent tripping breakers. If the breakers in your panel are regularly tripping with no obvious explanation, that’s a sure sign of trouble. The panel may simply be overworked for what it can handle, and an upgrade will be in order.
  • Flickering lights. Have you noticed that your lights dim when you turn on one of your appliances, such as the microwave? That’s another sign that the panel isn’t capable of handling the demands that you are placing on it.
  • Burning smell. You should never ignore a burning smell in your home. In this case, if the panel smells like it is burning, that’s because it is overheating, and a fire is a possibility. Don’t wait around when this issue exists – call Berico right away for assistance.
  • Buzzing sounds. Just like a burning smell, buzzing sounds are also an indication of trouble. When electricity is working well, it is silent. This is another serious warning sign that demands immediate action.

 

Put Your Mind at Ease

An old electrical panel can lead to electrical troubles and can even be a fire hazard. Whether you opt for breaker panel repair in Greensboro or new electrical panel installation, Berico is the right call for this project. Get in touch right away to reserve a spot on the schedule and make sure your home is powered safely and efficiently for years to come.

What Causes Sudden Low Water Pressure (And How Is It Fixed)?

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One of the best things about modern living is not only that you have access to water in your home at all times, but that there is pressure behind that water. It’s the pressure that makes a warm shower possible and makes it easy to do the dishes in your sink.

So, what do you do when the water pressure suddenly drops for no obvious reason? Call for plumbing services from Berico, that’s what. As the best plumber Greensboro has to offer, Berico is up to the challenge of solving your plumbing worries quickly and easily. Get this problem solved today!

 

A Clogged Faucet or Showerhead

Before you dive into more serious potential causes for low water pressure, the issue could be as simple as something clogging up your faucet or showerhead. Typically, that “something” will be mineral deposits that have accumulated over time. The little holes in the faucet aerator or showerhead can get clogged and cause the pressure of the water coming out to be lower. Cleaning the faucet or showerhead with vinegar should be enough to open things up once again.

 

Valve Problems

There are a couple of different ways that valve issues can impact your water pressure. For one thing, the shut-off valve that allows water to come into the house might not be fully opened, which would negatively impact pressure. Likewise, the water meter valve could also be only partially open, which will occur sometimes after utility work is done. You can possibly check the main shut-off valve on your own (if you are a good handyman or handyperson but will need to contact the utility company to check on the meter-side valve.

 

Pipe Leaks

This is where things start to get a little more serious. If you live in an older home with pipes that may have corroded over the years, it’s possible to develop a leak. And when a leak occurs, the water pressure will be reduced because some of it will be escaping through that leak. Of course, in addition to lower water pressure, you’ll also need to be worried about the damage that that water is doing under your home, behind the walls, etc. This is a problem that will require professional help to solve.

 

Water Supply Issues

There is one possibility that is completely unrelated to anything on your property, and that is the water pressure coming from the main supply. During times of high demand, or when there is a repair being performed by the utility company, the water pressure may drop for a while. You could reach out to the utility directly, or even just ask your neighbors, to see if this explanation might apply.

 

Fixing Low Water Pressure is Just the Start

Greensboro plumbing repair from Berico can go far beyond dealing with your low water pressure issue. No matter what it is that is giving your plumbing system trouble, calling Berico to bring a Greensboro plumber out to your property is the right step to take. Soon enough, the problem will be identified, and the right fix will be completed. Put the wheels in motion today!

What is the Most Common Electrical Problem?

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Electricity is incredibly reliable. Just flip a switch and an entire room will light up time after time. But what happens when it doesn’t? Electrical problems can pop up on occasion, and some of the most common issues will be highlighted below.

 

To work with a Greensboro electrician you can trust to handle any problems you encounter, contact Berico to make an appointment today. You’ll be in good hands with the experienced pros on the Berico staff.

 

Four Common Electrical Problems

It’s not going to be possible to list every potential electrical problem you could encounter in your home. Below, however, you will find four of the leading issues that people in the Greensboro area may face with their systems.

 

  • Frequent circuit breaker trips. This is a frustrating one, to be sure. If your breakers keep tripping, it could be due to an overloaded circuit, a short circuit, or a ground fault. One potential issue is having too many high-energy appliances plugged into the same circuit.

 

  • Flickering lights. If your lights keep flickering on and off, you might be dealing with a loose electrical connection, outdated wiring, or an overloaded circuit.

 

  • Dead outlets. It can be surprising to plug something into an outlet only to find that no power is being supplied. At first, you might think the problem is with the item that you plugged in rather than with the outlet itself, but there could be a more serious problem.

 

  • Burning smell. This one is immediately concerning, even if you don’t know anything about electrical systems. Consider a burning odor to be a serious red flag as the circuit is likely overheating and a fire is possible.

 

How to Address a Troublesome Electrical System

When you encounter an electrical problem, it’s important to address it right away. Fixing electrical issues quickly will not only allow you to get back to using the system as intended, but it will also cut down on the risk of a dangerous fire.

 

First, bring in a professional electrician to deal with the specific problem you are facing. For instance, if your breakers are tripping regularly or if your lights are flickering, have a contractor address the matter right away. These types of fixes are often rather affordable and can be completed quickly in most cases.

 

From there, make it a point to get on a regular schedule of electrical inspections with your contractor. Those inspections will allow you to catch potential issues before they become bigger, more dangerous problems. Just as you may have your HVAC system serviced annually, you can also have your electrical work inspected to ensure everything is in good condition.

 

Are you dealing with a frustrating electrical problem in your Greensboro home or business? Stop wasting time searching for an “electrician near me” and just call Berico instead. You’ll immediately be working with a qualified electrical contractor that offers competitive rates and prompt service. Make the call and leave your electrical struggles in the past!