What is the Inflation Reduction Act for HVAC?

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The topic of inflation has been on the minds of many in recent years. In the aftermath of the pandemic, inflation has reached lofty levels, and many people are feeling the strain as a result. One of the biggest attempts to regain control over this issue has been the Inflation Reduction Act, which includes provisions that impact the HVAC industry. This article will go over the basics of what you need to know to take advantage of the programs featured in this bill.

 

If you have been thinking about HVAC replacement, or if you just need some A/C repair work performed, Berico should be your first choice. A known leader in the industry made up of a team of trusted professionals, you can be sure that Berico will exceed your expectations at every turn. Call today to get started.

 

A Great Opportunity

Simply put, the Inflation Reduction Act represents a great opportunity for homeowners to have new HVAC equipment installed in their homes at a discount. That discount comes in the form of a tax credit – more on that in a moment – and it will effectively lower the cost of upgrading to a new HVAC system.

 

So, for example, if you have an aging air conditioner serving your home and you have been thinking about upgrading for a while, doing it while this tax credit program is in effect makes a lot of sense. Not only do you get the improved performance and efficiency of a new system, but you get it at a lower price than would be able to get otherwise.

 

An Eye on Efficiency

So, why would the government want to subsidize the purchase of new HVAC equipment for countless Americans? Well, there can be plenty of complex economic arguments to be made here, but that’s outside the scope of this post. At least part of the motivation comes down to environmental concerns, however, as new HVAC equipment is going to be more efficient than HVAC equipment that was produced in years gone by.

 

In order to qualify for this program, the equipment you purchase needs to be ENERGY STAR-certified. Fortunately, it’s not hard to find such equipment, so you won’t have to pick from a narrow set of options to check that box – it will be easy to satisfy that requirement while getting a great system that can serve your home well for many years to come.

 

The Basics of the Credit

The part of the Inflation Reduction Act that is relevant to HVAC equipment is Tax Section 25C. In this section, you’ll find information about how much of a credit is available to those who have new, efficient HVAC equipment installed. As this is a tax issue, there are plenty of complicating factors and variables, but the basic concept is that you will receive a tax credit when you have qualifying equipment installed in your home.

 

Just how much of a credit is available? You can receive a credit of as much as 30% of the installation cost of HVAC equipment that meets the standards for the highest efficiency tier. That 30% mark is capped at $600 per air conditioner and furnace, and it is capped at $2,000 for heat pumps. If you decided to have a new air conditioner as well as a new furnace installed, you could claim the credit for both of those items.

 

It’s always important to point out that everyone’s tax situation is unique. While this credit is relatively straightforward by tax standards, you will still want to make sure you qualify and that everything you are purchasing fits with the requirements of the tax code. Take some time to read through the finer points if you plan on claiming this credit, or talk to your accountant just to be sure you are on the right track. It’s better to do some extra homework in advance than to find out later that you won’t actually be able to get the credit you were planning on receiving.

 

Upgrading Has Many Benefits

For some people, it’s hard to come to the decision to upgrade their HVAC equipment when the old system is technically still working. After all, this is a big expense, even with a tax credit, so it can be hard to make the choice to go ahead and schedule the installation of a replacement HVAC unit. However, if you take a moment to look at some of the many benefits that can come with this project, you might start to see it as an easier choice.

  • Better performance. Simply put, aging HVAC equipment doesn’t work as well as newer stuff. Even if you have maintained your old system properly over the years, time is going to take a toll and it eventually won’t work quite as well as it once did. By upgrading now, you’ll be able to enjoy better performance immediately, such as more even heating or cooling throughout your house.
  • Lower utility bills. Along with the savings that will come in the form of a tax credit, there is also the potential for lower monthly utility bills to consider. A new system will be more efficient than the older units, and as a result, you should find yourself paying less for energy month after month. These savings might seem modest at first, but they’ll just keep coming until they add up to a notable sum.
  • It might be quieter. This point will depend on how your current system is working and exactly how old it is, but you might find that new HVAC equipment runs quite a bit quieter than what you are used to, and often it takes up much less space, which is particularly nice if the system is in a closet or utility room that then has some extra space. Who doesn’t need more storage space?

 

Get Started Today

If you have been needing new HVAC equipment but are worried about the A/C replacement cost for your home, getting help from the Inflation Reduction Act is a great opportunity. Berico always offers transparent HVAC pricing, so you can reach out to the team today to get a quote on a system that will serve you well for years to come.

Why Is My AC Making a Noise?

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If you have an air conditioner that serves your home, you are used to the sound it makes while running. It will typically make one louder noise when it first kicks on, then it will just hum in the background as the cool air is delivered. But what if your A/C is making weird noises? When things don’t sound like they should, it’s important to have the system checked out to see what the issue is and what needs to be done to fix it.

 

If you need A/C repair in Greensboro, whether your system is making a weird noise or not, Berico is the right choice for the job. You’ll get reliable work, fair pricing, and attentive customer service when you trust Berico with all of your HVAC needs. Call today to schedule your first appointment.

 

Listen Carefully

It’s common for companies like Berico to get calls about air conditioners making strange sounds. As a starting point, it’s important to identify the kind of sound that the unit is making, as there are a couple of possibilities.

  • When the air conditioner is buzzing loudly, it’s a pretty safe bet that something is wrong – but it can be hard to say what exactly without a closer look. For example, it could be a broken part that is leading to this noise, but it could be that a part is just loose. Or it might even be that the feet on your compressor unit are failing, and the unit is out-of-balance as a result. An experienced technician will likely be able to narrow down the possibilities by listening in person and can then proceed with an inspection to find the problem.
  • Belt problems are the most common reason for an air conditioner to make a squealing sound. While new air conditioners don’t use drive belts any longer, an old unit that you are still using might start to squeal if the belt is slipping. While it’s possible to replace the belt and get back up and running in many cases, this also might be a good time to think about replacing the whole unit with a modern system.

 

Maintenance is Valuable

One of the best ways to stay out of trouble with your air conditioning unit is to have it serviced regularly. A periodic visit from a company like Berico to perform standard maintenance and address any issues that have come up can go a long way towards helping the system work nicely well into the future. After you have the current noise issue addressed, make it a point to stay on schedule with maintenance visits to steer clear of further problems.

 

Start Now

Don’t wait around listening to your air conditioner make a strange sound without getting help. Even if the cool air is still flowing for now, that noise could be a sign that trouble is on the horizon. Reach out to Berico right away to bring out an expert to check on the system and determine the right course of action.

The Truth About HVAC Myths: Debunking Common Misconceptions

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For the average homeowner, the inner workings of their HVAC system are a bit of a mystery. When things are going well, the system simply comes on when it is supposed to and heats or cools the space, as necessary. Since many people don’t quite know how it works, it’s easy for plenty of myths to spring up around HVAC, and some of those myths can lead people to use their system incorrectly. This article will target a few of those myths and set the record straight.

 

When HVAC needs arise at your home, Berico is the right call for maintenance, service, and installation. Whether it’s an AC replacement in Reidsville, Eden AC repair, or anything in between, Berico is ready to answer the call.

 

Bigger is Always Better

It’s tempting to think that the biggest possible HVAC system is going to provide the best results for your home. That’s not actually how it works, however. You want to find the right-sized unit when adding a new HVAC system to your house, and working with experienced professionals is the best way to make that selection. If you wind up with a system that is bigger than what you need, it will use more energy than is necessary and you might struggle to maintain a comfortable temperature.

 

Making a Dramatic Thermostat Change Yields Faster Results

If you have ever felt yourself sweating inside on a hot day, it’s easy to reach for the thermostat and crank it way down to get the air conditioner working hard. Some people believe this will cool down their rooms faster, but that isn’t true. No matter where you set the thermostat, the AC is going to operate in the same manner.

 

With it set to a lower temperature, the only difference is it’s just going to keep on running until it hits that mark – which might take a while. It’s better to adjust your thermostat more modestly to make sure the unit doesn’t run too long, since the speed at which it cools your house is the same either way.

 

Changing Air Filters is an Annual Job

You might have heard that it’s only necessary to change the air filter in your HVAC system annually. Nothing could be further from the truth. Most homeowners should change their air filter at least every three months, and you might want to do it more often than that during the middle of summer and the dead of winter. Keeping a clean filter in your system is one of the best things you can do for your HVAC performance, and new filters are affordable, so this task doesn’t require a large investment.

 

You Can Save Money By Closing Vents

Have you ever heard that it’s a good idea to close vents in rooms you don’t use often so you can save on energy costs? This is a popular concept, and it is partly true to an extent.  It’s ok for one or two rooms to close the vents, but if you take it much further than that it can lead to problems.  Unfortunately, even with multiple vents closed, you are running a system that is larger than needed to cool (or heat) the space that is now allotted to it.  These can lead to any number of issues none of which are good for your HVAC system or your budget.  So when closing vents, just be careful not to close more than a couple rooms.

 

Reach Out Today

No matter what your HVAC needs may be, the team at Berico is ready to serve you. Get in touch today to schedule your first appointment.

What Air Conditioner Qualifies for a Tax Credit?

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Even when you work with a fair and honest contractor like Berico, upgrading to a new air conditioner is a significant investment. As you get ready to make such a purchase, it’s important to think about ways you might be able to offset the cost of the project – and looking at tax credits is one way to do just that. This article will help point you in the right direction on this matter so you can hopefully find a qualifying air conditioner that suits your needs.

 

If you are going to have a new system installed, or you just need some Greensboro AC repair, Berico is the easy pick. As a long-time leader in HVAC in Greensboro and the surrounding area, you can be sure your project will be in good hands.

 

Energy Efficiency Tax Credits

The idea behind the tax benefit for purchasing a new air conditioner is to motivate homeowners to upgrade to modern, more efficient pieces of equipment. Many homeowners continue to run systems that are decades old, and as a result, those homes burn far more energy than they would if the HVAC equipment was updated and met modern standards.

 

So, there are a variety of energy efficiency credits available to homeowners who decide to make improvements. One category of these credits applies to central air conditioners. If you have been thinking about upgrading to a new central air unit, the tax credit that is available might make the project more affordable than you imagined.

 

Some Basics

It’s important to understand some of the basic rules that apply to this credit program so you don’t wind up with an unwanted surprise later on. As a starting point, you’ll want to purchase an eligible air conditioner – and all ENERGY STAR certified packaged systems meet that qualification. If it’s a split system you’ll be installing, just make sure it’s ENERGY STAR certified and carries a SEER2 rating of at least 16.

 

Once you are sure that your new system is eligible, you can start to think about how much the project will save you on your taxes. For this kind of project, you can claim 30% of the total project cost, with a maximum credit available of $600. So, if the project cost was $3,000, 30% would be $900 – but you’d only be eligible for a credit of $600 as that is the cap on the program.

 

Ask a Professional

As is always the case with anything tax related, it’s best to speak to a qualified professional about your tax status to make sure you understand the current rules correctly and how they will apply to your return. If you already work with an accountant for your annual filing, a quick call or email to that individual about this air conditioning credit would be well worth your time.

 

Need More Information?

To learn more about this issue or anything else related to the HVAC system that serves your home, contact Berico right away. The friendly team of professionals that makes up the Berico staff will be happy to serve you.

HVAC Upgrades for Increased Home Value

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When you spend money on your home, it’s always nice if you can make sure that spending is going to boost the value of your home in some way. Even if you aren’t planning on selling in the near future, adding to your home’s value allows you to recoup at least some of the money you spend at some point in the future. This article is going to take a look at some of the upgrades that you might consider when keeping home value in mind.

 

Of course, you’ll need an HVAC partner for these upgrades, and Berico is the right choice for all kinds of AC services in Greensboro and more. Reach out today for more information or to make an appointment.

 

A Smart Thermostat

The easiest and most affordable option on our list is a smart thermostat. By upgrading from a standard thermostat to a smart thermostat, you’ll gain plenty of advantages for a very minimal investment. Programming this kind of advanced thermostat is a breeze, and you should be able to better manage the temperature in your home to get exactly the results you desire. While such a simple upgrade shouldn’t be expected to deliver a significant jump in home value, it is a nice modern feature that potential buyers will like to see.

 

Energy-Efficient Equipment

This next point jumps up to perhaps the costliest upgrade you can make, but the one that is going to have the biggest impact. Having new HVAC equipment installed that meets modern efficiency standards is a significant improvement for the house as a whole. Not only will better efficiency mean you don’t have to spend as much on utilities each month, but it will also give you better results and improved comfort. Any potential buyer would love to know that the house comes with an up-to-date HVAC system.

 

Air Purification Capabilities

Adding an air purifier to your HVAC system might not be an upgrade you have previously considered, but it’s an addition that is well worth what it costs. When the air purifier is in place and running, it will cut down on pollutants and allergens in the air, allowing you to breathe easier and adding yet another appealing feature for would-be buyers to contemplate.

 

Add a Zoning System

Zoning systems are becoming more and more popular in residential HVAC installations, especially in larger homes. If your home typically struggles to stay consistent in terms of temperature from room to room, adding a zoning system will make it easier to dial in the results you get and balance out how the house feels. Although zoning is gaining in popularity, it’s still a relatively uncommon feature to have in your house – so this might be one amenity that helps convince a buyer that your house is the right one for their family.

 

Get Great Value

For an AC replacement in Greensboro, or for any other kind of HVAC project around your home, choose Berico to get great results and fair prices. Now is the time to get started!

The Top 5 Benefits of a High-Efficiency Air Conditioning System

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Life in North Carolina is made far more comfortable through the use of a reliable air conditioning system. Whether you’ve lived here your whole life or just for a single summer, you know well how important it is to have cool air flowing throughout the warm season. While any kind of air conditioning is helpful, a high-efficiency system is even better – and the benefits of such a system are outlined below.

 

Heating and air companies are numerous in this part of the country, but few deliver results like Berico. For everything from minor service and repair up to a complete HVAC replacement, Berico is ready to serve you. Get in touch today to learn more.

 

1 – Save Money

This is likely the primary motivation for many people to consider a high-efficiency system, so it only makes sense to start here. When your system runs efficiently, it will use less energy to reach the desired temperature – and that means you’ll spend less money on your utility bill month after month. When considering the cost of new HVAC equipment, it’s important to take this factor into consideration. As the months go by and you gradually save more and more money, the investment you made in upgraded equipment will quickly become worth it.

 

2 – Great Performance

You should also enjoy excellent performance when you have a high-efficiency AC system. That means that your home will cool relatively evenly from room to room, and it won’t take long to get to a comfortable temperature. Given the hot and humid summers that are common in North Carolina, upgrading your air conditioning is a logical choice.

 

3 – Kind to the Environment

Using less energy isn’t only helpful in terms of saving you money, but you’ll be doing a favor for the environment at the same time. Consuming energy places stress on the environment in one form or another, so cutting back is a responsible thing to do – and you can still get the great performance you desire at the same time.

 

4 – Stay Up and Running

There are few things quite as frustrating as having your air conditioning system unavailable during the hottest time of the year. While that possibility can never be eliminated, it can be reduced by upgrading to a modern AC system that features high-efficiency equipment. This equipment won’t have to work as hard as your old gear, so there is a good chance it will remain properly functional throughout the summer and beyond.

 

5 – It May Be Quieter

You might not realize just how loud your current air conditioning system is until you upgrade to modern, efficient gear. A new system will likely run far quieter than your old one, meaning you can enjoy the peace and quiet that you deserve in your home without having to give up the cooling you need to stay comfortable.

 

High-efficiency air conditioning equipment is here to stay, so reach out to Berico right away to discuss the possibility of making this upgrade before the hot weather arrives.

The Importance of Indoor Air Quality: How to Improve It with HVAC

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If you are like most people, you spend more time inside your home than any other location. And, of course, you are breathing the entire time you are in your home – meaning the air quality inside the house is critically important to your health. This article will take a closer look at why air quality matters and how the right HVAC choices can improve it dramatically.

 

To get help with any kind of HVAC project in Greensboro, Eden, Burlington, and beyond, contact Berico right away. As an industry leader in North Carolina with almost one century of experience, you can trust Berico to be up to any HVAC challenge.

 

Why Air Quality Matters

Living in a home with poor air quality can have a number of negative impacts on your health. Among the many potential side effects of poor air quality include congestion, headaches, sore throat, and more. The specific symptoms will vary from person to person, but they will often feel like what you would get from a common cold. Of course, a typical cold will fade away after a few days, but these symptoms may persist if they are the result of an air quality issue. Improving the air quality in your house should directly impact the health of everyone who spends time in the space.

 

Focus on the Filter

As a starting point for improving your air quality, make sure to replace your HVAC air filters regularly. It’s the air filter that is the first line of defense against dirty air inside a house. As the filter ages and gets dirty, it’s not going to get the job done as effectively as it does when it’s new. Also, the system as a whole won’t work as efficiently because the flow of air will be restricted by the dirty filter, so there are plenty of reasons to swap AC air filters out regularly.

 

The good news is that air filters are easy to change and a new one is an affordable purchase. Some people make it a point to change the filter often – as frequently as once per month – during the times of the year when your system is working the hardest, but quarterly is more common.

 

Run the Fan

Sometimes, you won’t need heating or cooling in your home, as the ambient temperature will be perfectly comfortable. But that doesn’t mean you have to keep your HVAC system off. If you want to run the system to get some air moving and improve the quality of that air by passing it through the filter, just switch the fan to “On” for a while and enjoy the benefits right away.

 

If you want to take the extra step to protect your home and family, a way to do that is by ensuring that the air you breathe is clean and free from harmful particles with iWave and Phenomenal Aire. These air purifying attachments can help keep your air ducts and surfaces clean and safe.

 

These devices are easy to install in any duct air conditioning system, and they work by reducing pathogens, allergens, particles, smoke, and odors in the air. The best part is that they don’t produce any harmful byproducts, making them an environmentally friendly option. By simply turning on your fan, furnace, or air conditioning system, you can enjoy cleaner and safer air in your home.

 

Not only do these products provide a cleaner environment, but they also offer unparalleled health benefits. In just 30 minutes, iWave and Phenomenal Aire’s technology can reduce over 90% of pathogens in the air. This is 50 times more powerful than normal HVAC filtration, making these devices an excellent investment for your family’s health.

With these air purifying devices, you can ensure that the air ducts, tables, furniture, countertops, bathrooms, and practically every surface you touch is cleaner and safer for your family. Take the necessary steps to protect your home and family by investing in iWave or Phenomenal Aire air purifying devices.

 

If you’d like to get serious about your air quality and take big strides in this area, contact Berico right away to learn more about your options and determine what steps may be appropriate.

Energy Audits Can Make a Big Difference

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The energy used in your home is what keeps it running on a day-to-day basis. While it’s easy to take that energy for granted, paying closer attention to how it works and how much you are using is a worthwhile project. For help understanding how your home uses energy and where you might be able to make improvements, reach out to Berico today. As an HVAC company with a long and respected history in the Greensboro area, you can be sure Berico is up to this challenge. The home energy audit is free of charge, so get in touch today to schedule your appointment!

 

Why Efficiency Matters

If everything in your home that runs on energy is currently working, you might not feel much of a need to change it. Unfortunately, you might be missing out on some pretty significant upgrades if you fail to bring in a team like Berico to look closer at how everything is operating. An energy audit can make your home more efficient, which means you might be able to enjoy some of the benefits below –

  • Save money. This is likely your primary motivation for considering an energy audit. If you feel like you have been spending too much money on your energy bills on a monthly basis, you might be able to bring those costs down with the help of Berico. By finding opportunities to improve efficiency, energy consumption can be reduced and your utility bills will shrink at the same time.
  • Get better performance. A more efficient system is going to help you get better results from your HVAC gear on a daily basis. For example, if it seems like your current system takes a long time to bring the house down to a comfortable temperature, going through an energy audit might reveal that AC repairs – or even AC replacement – could provide the kind of performance that you’d like to see.
  • Ongoing reliability. Efficiency is closely tied to reliability in the HVAC world. When a system is running efficiently, it tends to steer clear of problems that will lead to downtime and repairs. On the other hand, equipment that is laboring to get the job done and consuming a lot of energy along the way is more likely to have issues that need to be addressed.

 

For Today and the Future

One of the great things about a Berico energy audit is how it can help you get better results immediately and for years to come. If the audit reveals some problems that can be fixed quickly, you might start enjoying better results the same day. And, if the Berico team is able to track down efficiency problems that have been costing you money, the savings you enjoy will just keep going month after month with no end in sight.

 

Remember, the energy audit is a free service – so there is no reason not to call! Get in touch right away to learn more and find a time on the schedule that works for your busy life.

New HVAC Efficiency Standards for 2023

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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.