As the Earth travels around the sun the seasons inevitably change. And with the change of the seasons comes the need to change your HVAC system to the appropriate home comfort setting. Whether you’re going from heat to cool or vice versa, how do you know if your system is ready to make the switch? Is there any way to know ahead of time if you’ll need AC repair in Reidsville? There are 4 precise ways to be sure your HVAC system is going to operate properly on the first warm day.

• Inspect it. Look over your air conditioning system, both the indoor and outdoor unit. When checking the indoor unit, make sure there’s nothing sitting too close or on top of it. Dust it off, but don’t go inside of it or take anything apart unless you have the experience to do so without causing damage. Check the outside unit for leaves, sticks, or other yard debris that maybe have settled on top or around it. Remove any weeds or tree branches that have encroached on it during the offseason.

• Replace the filters. With each change in season, it’s a good idea to replace your filters. The dust, dirt, hair, and other debris will clog the filter and inhibit air flow into your air conditioner. It can even manage to get through or around the filter when it builds up excessively. You can replace your filters more often if you suffer from allergies to remove more allergens from the air. If your home is newly built or you’ve had a recent home renovation you should replace filters monthly for the first few months following construction.

• Turn it on. Test your AC by turning it on and setting the desired temperature lower than the current indoor temperature. Listen as it comes on and while it runs. Watch to see that it reaches the desired indoor temperature and shuts off properly.
• Schedule professional maintenance. The best thing you can do to be sure your HVAC system is ready for a new season is the schedule professional maintenance. Have a reliable HVAC service inspect and tune up your system with each change in seasons. Any potential problems will be discovered before the weather changes so that you can avoid unfortunate surprises that may result in the need for emergency AC repair in Reidsville.

Carolina Fuels Offers Seasonal Maintenance for your HVAC System

At each season change, call Carolina Fuels to schedule an inspection and tune-up for your system. Or to make it effortless, sign up for a Comfort and Protection Service Agreement and Carolina Fuels will contact you to schedule a maintenance appointment. The Comfort and Protection Service Agreement comes with additional benefits, such as:

• 20% off diagnostics
• 20% off repairs
• Priority service
• No additional after-hours charges on repairs
• $50 in Bonus Bucks that are good toward new equipment
• $500 off a new oil or propane furnace

Call today to schedule AC repair in Reidsville and become a priority customer when you sign up for a Comfort and Protection Service Plan at Carolina Fuels: (336) 623-9741.

It should come as no surprise that the temperature outside affects your air conditioner’s performance. The weather outside is the reason you have an air conditioning system in the first place. While the weather can affect your AC in a variety of ways, the best way to keep your system operating properly is to schedule professional AC repair in Greensboro each year.

• Performance. The outside temperature can affect your AC’s performance. When the temperature outside is in the middle range, your AC operates one way, using the heat exchanger to transfer heat from inside your home to the outside. When the temperature outside is hotter, your AC operates another way, where the compressor does more of the work to create cool air. The hotter it is, the harder your AC will have to work. An older system that is in need of maintenance will have a more difficult time operating in hotter temperatures. An extreme heat wave could send an air conditioner that is on its last legs right over the edge into system failure.

• Efficiency. The hotter the outside temperatures, the harder your AC will have to work to achieve your desired indoor temperature. It then requires more energy to perform and its efficiency lowers. Air conditioners are assigned a SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) that indicates the level of efficiency you can expect. The higher the SEER, the better its efficiency in hot temperatures. An air conditioner with a SEER of 14 or higher is considered efficient. A SEER of 18 or higher is a high-efficiency system.

• Can cause damage. Extreme weather can actually cause damage to the outdoor unit of your air conditioner. Hail can cause denting or other damage to metal of the outdoor unit. High winds and especially tornadoes can do significant damage to your AC from falling branches to upheaval. If lightning strikes your outdoor unit it can do damage to the electrical systems inside. Unfortunately, it is not possible to prevent acts of nature that can damage your system. But you can take a few precautions: turn off your AC during a thunderstorm and cover your outdoor unit with a tarp or a cover designed specifically for air conditioners if the forecast calls for high winds.

Help your HVAC System Battle the Weather with Preventative AC Repair in Greensboro

Is the weather outside keeping your AC from operating at peak efficiency? While it’s true that extreme heat can make your AC less efficient, you can optimize your system’s energy efficiency by keeping it tuned up. Yearly AC repair in Greensboro before the warm season begins can significantly increase the performance of your system and its overall energy usage. Battle the weather with a Comfort and Protection Service Agreement from Berico, which includes twice yearly maintenance for your AC and furnace, heating fuel discounts, 20% off diagnostic and repairs, priority service, and more. Eliminate the worry that your AC is not up to the task of keeping your home cool despite extreme weather. Trust your AC to Berico: (336) 273-8663.

If you’re a new propane user or you’re thinking of switching, choosing a supplier is an important decision. Not all suppliers offer the same level of service and the same options. You are not obligated to use the company whose name is on your tank. In most areas, there are a variety of suppliers to choose from. Before deciding on a propane supplier in Eden, consider these tips.

Look for a Supplier who offers Automatic Deliveries (and Furnace Maintenance as a Bonus)

Do you want to have to keep tabs on the propane level in your tank, or would you rather let your supplier handle that? Most customers would choose a supplier who will calculate your propane usage and time your automatic deliveries accordingly. Running out of propane is not only inconvenient, but it requires additional maintenance upon refilling the tank. When a tank gets completely empty the pressurization can get out of whack and leaks can easily occur at the time of refill. And if your tank runs out on a cold day, it will take even longer to get your home warm again. It’s also beneficial to find a company that offers furnace maintenance with deliveries so that you can have one company handle all of your home heating needs (and perhaps even your cooling needs as well).

Find a Reliable Supplier with a Good Reputation and Safety Rating

Ask friends and neighbors what supplier they use and if they are satisfied with their service. Check the status of any company you’re considering with the Better Business Bureau. Read online reviews (not just the ones posted on the company’s website). Check to make sure the supplier is licensed in the state where they do business. Look up their safety ratings as well through the BBB to be sure you’re choosing a reliable company.

Ask about Fees and Pricing and get all the Details Before Signing any Contracts

Many propane suppliers will avoid mentioning the fees they charge for certain services or the cancellation of services. Initial pricing may also be promotional and your price for later refills could be much higher. Ask questions and get everything in writing before signing up for propane deliveries with any company. Make sure you understand all of the rules and fine print. Don’t work with a company that is not forthcoming about any aspect of their services.

Carolina Fuels is a Propane Supplier you can Trust

When you look up Carolina Fuels through the Better Business Bureau, you will find an A+ accreditation for customer service and safety. Ask around the community and you’ll hear nothing but positive things. When you speak with a representative at Carolina Fuels you’ll get all the information you need up front, no mystery. Comfort and Protection Service Plans are available that combine your propane deliveries and HVAC system maintenance in one convenient package that saves you money and offers benefits like discounts on propane and repairs. Make Carolina Fuels your propane supplier of choice today: (336) 623-9741.

Whether you use propane or you’re thinking of using it, you may be wondering where exactly it comes from. Unlike natural gas, propane does not occur naturally. It is created or manufactured for residential and commercial use. But that does not mean that it is inferior to natural gas. Actually, the fact that it is manmade is a major benefit. Propane has been chemically engineered to be safe and efficient. If you’re considering using propane in Greensboro for the first time, here’s what you should know.

Propane is Made from Crude Oil or Natural Gas

Both crude oil and natural gas can be refined to create propane. It is what chemists refer to as a three-carbon alkaline. It exists as a gas under normal pressure, but can be pressurized into a liquid form for ease of storage and transport. When natural gas is processed, propane is one of the components that is removed, along with butane and ethane. When petroleum is made into gasoline or heating oil, propane is a by-product. Therefore propane comes from either natural gas or petroleum.

The Discovery and History of Propane

Marcellin Berthelot first discovered propane in France in 1857. It was then discovered in the US by Edmund Ronalds in 1864 in Pennsylvania light crude oil. But the real beginning of the propane industry was in 1910 when the US Bureau of Mines representative Walter O. Snelling touted it as a potential household energy source. In 1912 the New York Times published an article about Snelling’s work with liquefying the gas and thus it spread and eventually developed into the propane industry we know today.

There are Many Benefits to Propane in Greensboro

• Manmade. The fact that propane does not have to be mined is a major advantage. Though it does have to be made from either natural gas or crude oil, those fuels are currently easy to access. As long as natural gas or petroleum exists, so can propane. And because it is chemically manufactured it can be altered in many ways.
• Only burns at extremely high temperatures. Propane is one of the safest fuels because it will only burn at extremely high temperatures, which are rarely achieved, even by a house fire.
• Environmentally friendly. Propane is non-toxic, burns clean, and will not contaminate groundwater in the case of a leak or spill.
• Efficient. Propane creates more heat/energy per BTU than natural gas. It can heat your home and water faster and sustain a radiant heat that feels cozier on cold days.
• Easy to transport. In its liquid form, propane is easy to store and move from place to place.
• Alternative fuel where natural gas is not available. Not every home has access to natural gas. Propane is an alternative that can be delivered rather than tapped into.
• Only buy propane when you need it. Rather than paying a monthly bill, you can simply pay when you need your tank refilled. Though many propane services do offer a monthly payment option to spread the cost more evenly.  

Call Berico today to request propane in Greensboro or speak to an expert about switching: (336) 273-8663.

How do you know when you need a new air conditioner? The fact that you’re wondering is probably a strong indicator that it may be time. Before you start looking for HVAC companies who handle Burlington AC replacement, consider these 4 common signs that it’s time for a new AC. 

1. Lack of Comfort. Does it seem as if your home doesn’t feel as cool lately as it used to feel? Are there some areas of your home that feel cooler than others? When your air conditioner is starting to get closer to needing to be replaced it tends to cool less sufficiently or less evenly.  
2. Unusual Noises. Has your air conditioner been making more racket than usual? Have you noticed it making noises you don’t think it made before? You are right to be alarmed. Sometimes it happens so gradually you hardly notice. But unusual noises can mean your AC is starting to wear out and may need to be replaced soon.  
3. High Energy Bills. Does it seem as if your electricity bill keeps getting higher and higher? It may not be in your head. If your air conditioner is starting to go it can become a real energy drain. And even if it’s running as well as it ever did, if it’s more than ten years old it uses much more energy than new systems do. Replacing an old AC can help get those bills back down.  
4. Excess Humidity. Do you feel a dampness inside your home? Does it smell musty? Do you notice condensation on windows, mirrors, or metal surfaces? These are all signs of excess humidity in your home, which means your air conditioning is not working properly. Your AC should automatically control the humidity inside your home, removing moisture from the air as it comes in and cools down.  

If you notice any of these signs, the first step is to call your HVAC service for inspection and maintenance. It’s possible it may just need a tune up. Your technician will be able to give you an accurate recommendation for either repair or replacement after thoroughly inspecting your air conditioner and evaluating its current condition.  

Burlington AC Replacement Done Right by Alamance Oil 

Air conditioner replacement is a big undertaking and you want to make sure it’s done right. Alamance Oil has been providing Burlington AC replacement for decades. Experienced, certified installers will replace your old, worn, and outdated air conditioner with a new, efficient model. The noises will stop, your energy bills will go down, and your home will feel comfortable again. Proper installation ensures that you will get the most out of your air conditioner from energy efficient operation to many years of home comfort. Call Alamance Oil today to have your current system inspected and either repaired or replaced: (336) 226-9371.