Improved HVAC efficiency benefits everyone. For the individual, a more efficient HVAC system means consuming less energy, which means a lower utility bill at the end of the month. And, if all homes and businesses are operating their HVAC systems more efficiently, far less energy is consumed overall – which has a positive impact on the environment and places less stress on valuable resources. With this in mind, it’s important to take a look at the new HVAC efficiency standards for 2023 and what impact they have on the average homeowner.

 

Are you looking for a reliable air conditioning installation company to work on an upcoming project? Berico is ready to help. As a leader in AC installation throughout the region, Berico will get the job done properly, for a fair price, and in a timely manner.

 

Raising the Bar

Effective at the start of 2023, the Department of Energy put into place new rules that dictated the minimum SEER rating required for HVAC equipment. Prior to 2023, that minimum rating was at 13, but it has now been moved up to 14. However, in the south region – where Berico proudly serves customers, the minimum SEER rating was already at 14 and is now being moved up to 15.

 

What is SEER?

While you have likely seen SEER ratings listed on HVAC products when shopping previously, you may not know what they indicate. This acronym stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, and it is a numerical indication of the efficiency of a particular piece of HVAC equipment. When HVAC equipment is efficient at turning the use of energy into heating or cooling performance, it will enjoy a high SEER rating – inefficient equipment, by contrast, comes in low on the scale.

 

Over time, SEER ratings have gradually increased in this industry as technologies have improved. The increase in the minimum required rating for new equipment as of 2023 is a direct reflection of the progress that has been made in the HVAC industry over recent years.

 

Do You Have to Get a New Air Conditioner?

This is a common question, and the answer is a definitive no – if you already have an air conditioner or heat pump serving your property, you are free to continue using that unit, regardless of its efficiency rating. If that unit needs service like maintenance or repair along the way, you can reach out to Berico for service and continue to use the old unit for as long as it performs up to your needs and expectations.

 

It is when the time comes to install a new air conditioner or heat pump that you’ll need to consider these updated rules. At that time, only equipment that meets the updated standards will be available to you for purchase and installation. As a consumer, you don’t really even have to think about it – your only options are going to be products that satisfy these requirements moving forward.

 

For any type of HVAC project that you need to have completed, reach out to Berico. Whether it’s the installation of some new, efficient equipment, or the service of existing equipment that still has plenty of useful life left, Berico is the right partner for the job. Get in touch today to learn more.

There are plenty of different types of HVAC systems on the market today. Given the many different kinds of buildings and homes that need to be heated and cooled, it’s great that there are so many options – but those options can be a little intimidating if you don’t work in the HVAC industry. This article will explain what a ductless system is and highlight the reasons why you might opt for this style of heating and air conditioning equipment.

 

As one of the leading heating and air conditioning companies in the Greensboro area, Berico would be proud to serve you on a new ductless HVAC project. Of course, if you already have a system and just need some service or repair, Berico will be glad to work on those tasks for you, as well. Get in touch today to learn more.

 

Understanding the Ductless Concept

It might be easiest to explain a ductless HVAC system by first reviewing how a standard HVAC system works with ducts. When a home has ducts, the HVAC system will heat or cool the air in a central location and then push that air out to various rooms through the ducts. This system works just fine but adding ducts to an older home that doesn’t have them is extremely costly and, in some cases, just not feasible.

 

Without ducts, air can’t be moved throughout the building after it has been heated or cooled, so that work needs to be done within each room. This is called a ductless, or mini-split system, and it is the best option for homeowners and other building owners who don’t have ducts to utilize.

 

Look for Wall-Mounted Units

If you are wondering if a particular home or building has a ductless system, the easiest way to tell is to look for the wall-mounted units that will be found in various rooms. These units are what produce the air needed to heat or cool the space, and there is a blower inside to distribute that air effectively. Rather than the air coming out of vents, which is what would be the case with a ducted system, you’ll see these small units mounted on walls up close to the ceiling.

 

There Are Some Advantages

While ductless systems usually aren’t the default choice, there are some advantages to opting for this style of HVAC. Specifically, because you can more easily control where in the building you want to heat or cool.  The other obvious advantage is of course there are no ducts.  This can be helpful in adding central air to an older home.

 

Whether you are ready to get started with a ductless HVAC system in your home or business, or you just want to talk to the experts about your options, call Berico today to get started.

When cared for properly, an HVAC system can last a very long time. It won’t, however, last forever. HVAC systems are made up of a variety of mechanical parts, and those parts are inevitably going to wear out at some point, even when proper heating and air conditioning service is provided. If you think the system that currently serves your home is nearing the end of its useful life, the five signs below could help you make that determination.

 

Berico is a leader in HVAC in High Point, so feel free to give them a call at any time with questions about your system or the services they provide. With the right team on your side, dealing with this major project will suddenly feel like a simple process.

 

1 – It Can’t Reach the Right Temperature

This is perhaps the first sign you’ll notice that something might need to be done about your HVAC system. If you set the thermostat to a specific temperature, and the system simply can’t get to that temperature even if it runs all day, it might be time for new equipment. At some point, even a quality system won’t be able to get the job done any longer, and the cost of repairs might not make sense compared to the cost of just starting over. Pay attention to how long the system has to run to reach your target temperature, if it is able to reach it at all.

 

2 – Costs are Rising

Watch your utility bills for signs that your HVAC system is consuming more energy than it used to. If those bills are steadily rising and the cost of fuel isn’t, you may be facing a system that isn’t as efficient as it once was, so it needs to consume quite a bit more energy to accomplish the same job. Of course, to make sure this comparison is accurate, be sure to consider any changes to the per-unit cost of energy along the way.

 

3 – It’s Been a Long Time

Even if your current system is working reasonably well, you still might want to have replacement on your radar if it has been a long time since your home had a new system (or if it is still on the original equipment). There is no specific lifespan for HVAC equipment, but you can use 10 – 15 years as a general range for how long a system may last. Yours could go well past that mark, of course, but it’s worth thinking about upgrading if your gear has been working hard for well over a decade and counting.

 

4 – The HVAC System is Loud or is Making Strange Noises

Sometimes, changes in the sounds that your HVAC system is making will indicate that it’s about time to bring in some new equipment. Of course, it could be that a simple repair is the better option, so get expert help when you notice new noises so you can make the right choice based on the situation at hand.

 

5 – Inconsistent Performance

You should know what you are going to get each time your cooling or heating kicks on. If the equipment currently in your house doesn’t seem to produce the same results time after time, consider upgrading to new gear that will run more efficiently, will be quieter, and will make your home a more comfortable place to live.

 

 

Berico has been helping folks stay comfortable in their homes for nearly a century and is a leader in HVAC in High Point, so feel free to give them a call at any time with any concerns or issues that you have with your HVAC system.

Having a properly functioning air conditioner serving your home is critical in the summer months in this part of the country. With plenty of hot, humid days on the horizon, making sure your AC is up to the challenge should be a top priority. This article is going to highlight seven reasons to make sure an air conditioner tune-up is finished before the warm weather moves in.

 

Berico is a leading name in air conditioner installation in Greensboro, and also offers an excellent maintenance plan to keep your system operating properly. Whether you need AC installation or just a tune-up, Berico is only a phone call away.

 

1 – Better Performance

First and foremost, you’ll get improved performance from your air conditioning system when it has been maintained properly. Without maintenance, various parts are going to get dirty, and they won’t perform as well as they should. That means the space won’t get as cool as you would like while the AC is running, or it will take more energy to get the results you desire.

 

2 – Improved Efficiency

Speaking of using more energy, a dirty air conditioning system is one that is going to run inefficiently, and it will cost you more to have it on as a result. With the length of the summers we experience in this area, you could wind up spending a lot more money on energy than was necessary simply because you skipped your preventive maintenance visit.

 

3 – Longer Lifespan

Another way in which a tune-up can benefit you is by getting a longer useful life out of the equipment you already own. If you fail to maintain it, your system is inevitably going to fail sooner, and as a result, you’ll find yourself back on the market shopping for an entirely new piece of equipment. Put that expense off for as long as possible by keeping up with annual maintenance.

 

4 – Catch Developing Air Conditioning Problems

Even if it seems like the system is working just fine at the moment, going through with a tune-up appointment will allow any small issues to be caught and corrected before they turn into bigger problems down the line.

 

5 – It’s a Great Value

We’ve talked quite a bit already about how you can save through maintenance by getting more life out of your system and by improving efficiency. On the other side of that coin, these tune-up visits are very affordable, so the return on your investment is impressive.

 

6 – Avoid Hot Spots

Most homeowners know the feeling of having some of the rooms in their home stay nice and comfortable in the summer – while other rooms just won’t cool down no matter what you do. Keeping up with maintenance will make your system work better and it should lead to a more even cooling throughout the whole house.

 

7 – Prevent Downtime

Aside from potential financial savings, yet another advantage here is being able to steer clear of repairs that might take a while to complete in the middle of a hot summer. It’s no fun to live through a heatwave for a week or two without a functioning air conditioner, so stay ahead of the game and make that outcome less likely.

It’s always tempting to look for the lowest possible price when making any type of purchase. Saving money is always a good thing, so no one could blame you for looking for a deal. Unfortunately, seeking out the lowest possible price can lead to trouble in some cases, and that’s the case with heating oil. There are various qualities of heating oil on the market, and finding the right blend of quality and price can be a tricky task.

If you are searching for an oil heating company near me and want to go with a trusted industry leader, Berico is ready to serve you. Oil heating service is just one of many offerings from this long-standing company, so get in touch today to learn more.

The Answer is Yes

To be clear, there certainly are different qualities of home heating oil available. When you purchase your oil, it’s important that you know what you are getting and that you confirm it’s the right product for your system. That doesn’t mean that you need to buy the most expensive heating oil available to get good performance – in fact, that probably won’t be the right choice – but you do need to pick out a product that is going to deliver the performance you expect.

Where You’ll See a Difference

The primary difference between the grades of heating oils tends to be found in efficiency. With a better oil, you are going to get more efficient performance when you burn it to create heat. And, as you would expect, the better heating oils are going to be more expensive as a result.

So, if you are presented with two options for purchasing heating oil, automatically going with the cheaper one might not actually save you money in the end. Sure, you’ll pay less on a per-unit basis for the oil, but if you have to burn more of it to warm your home, the math might not work out in your favor. It’s best to build a relationship with a company like Berico who only sells the highest quality oil, Ultra Low Sulphur Heating Oil.

Another Important Heating Oil Factor

Beyond the cost of the oil itself, you are also going to need to think about the cost of having that oil delivered. It’s the total bill for heating oil delivery that you should care about, so always get detailed quotes that cover everything involved in the process. Cheap oil won’t do you any good if it is of low quality and comes with a high delivery fee.

For example, Berico is committed to offering customers affordable heating oil solutions, meaning the whole package of oil and delivery is likely to beat what you can find elsewhere. When you factor in the other incentives that Berico offers – such as monthly payment options – you will quickly see why so many people have trusted this brand for generations. Reach out today to schedule your first delivery or to get more information.