Uh oh. There’s water puddled around your furnace. You’re thinking, “This can’t be good.” There are a few possible causes for a leaky furnace from normal wear and tear to faulty installation. Some of the causes can be easily repaired. Others may mean you need a new furnace. Before you worry too much or start Googling new furnace installation in Greensboro, NC, consider the possible reasons for the leak.

Common Causes of Furnace Leaks:

• Condensation. If the water is from condensation, the first question to ask is whether you have a high-efficiency furnace (90% or higher AFUE—Annual Fuel Efficiency Ratio). The easiest way to tell is that HE furnaces typically have a white PVC pipe for ventilation. High-efficiency furnaces do produce condensation due to their cool exhaust feature. That moisture is typically drained out unless the drainage tube is blocked or leaking. A standard efficiency furnace (with a metal exhaust pipe) would only have condensation if the flue pipe is the wrong size due to faulty installation.
• Furnace humidifier issues. If the internal furnace humidifier isn’t working properly it can cause condensation to form. Moisture inside your furnace can cause damage, so it’s important that this be repaired as soon as possible.
• Internal drain clog. Has your air conditioner been running? Does it share a drain system with your furnace? If so, it could be condensation from your air conditioner. An internal drain blockage could cause water from your AC to back up into your furnace.
• Faulty secondary heat exchanger. This is the big one, the problem that could result in whole furnace replacement. If the water is not due to condensation, it could be coming from the secondary heat exchanger. This is a significant part and it may not be worthwhile or possible to repair it without a furnace replacement in Greensboro, NC.

When to Call your HVAC Service for Repairs

If you see moisture around or under your furnace, the best thing to do is call a professional HVAC service. Whether the water is from condensation that is not properly draining or from a problem with an internal part, the situation should not be ignored. Letting a moisture problem go on too long can cause significant damage to your furnace or to your home. Excessive moisture in your home can lead to mold and mildew growth that can permanently damage your home and aggravate allergy sufferers. Too much moisture in your furnace can do irreparable damage to the system itself, resulting in the need for replacement.

Don’t Wait. Call Berico and Save Yourself from Expensive Repairs or Replacement

At the first sign of a problem, especially when excess water appears where it shouldn’t, it’s best to contact your heating and cooling company. Your expert technician will thoroughly inspect your furnace, locate the problem, and repair it if possible. If replacement is necessary, you won’t find a more reliable company to do your furnace installation in Greensboro, NC. Call Berico at (336) 273-8663.

“I want to pay more to heat my house this winter,” said no one ever. With energy costs at an all-time high, many homeowners are looking for ways to save on home heating. Before you give up and move closer to the equator, consider some alternative options to save on energy costs this winter. If you’re using electricity to heat your home, you are likely fighting a losing battle. Electricity is expensive and doesn’t deliver a very satisfying warmth. Homeowners are realizing the benefits of alternative sources of heat, and one of the top choices in Eden, NC, is propane.

Heating with Propane Offers Many Benefits

• Money savings. It is simply cheaper to heat your home with propane than with electricity. Propane is more efficient, meaning you get more warmth for each dollar you spend with propane.
• Warmer feel. Propane offers a warmer, more radiant heat than electricity. The heat created when propane burns goes further and lasts longer, making your home feel more consistently comfortable throughout each room.
• Safety. One of the safest heating fuels, propane burns clean, creates very little soot, and will not ignite except under extremely hot temperatures.
• Dependability. Even when the power goes out, your propane furnace will continue to heat your home. The same cannot be said for electric heat.

Switching to Propane is Easy and Affordable

Do you currently have a forced air gas or electric furnace? Forced air means there are ducts and vents in your home that the warm air moves through to heat your home. If the ductwork is already in place, that’s half the battle already. You will simply need to replace your old furnace with a propane furnace. You will also need a propane tank installed somewhere on your property either above or underground. A propane supplier and HVAC specialist like Berico can handle the entire process for you and continue to provide you with routine maintenance and propane deliveries as long as you need.

If you have electric baseboard heat or wall mounted units that do not require ductwork, you can still switch to propane. It requires just a bit more work to install ducts and vents throughout your home. The extra work to convert does raise the cost, but each individual case is different. For some it may be more affordable than for others. Berico will do a free estimate for you and recommend your best option from a financial standpoint, taking into consideration the cost now and your possible future savings.

Eden NC Propane is more Environmentally Friendly than Electric

The electricity myth, that it’s better for the environment, needs to be stopped. In most areas (certainly here in NC) electricity is made from burning coal. When coal burns, harmful elements like sulfur, mercury, lead, and arsenic are released into the air. Clean-burning propane is a much more earth-friendly option for energy. By switching to Eden, NC, propane you are doing your part to preserve our planet for future generations.

For a free estimate on switching to propane, call Carolina Fuels at (336) 623-9741.

You probably don’t give too much thought to your thermostat. You set it to one temperature for the summer, and one temperature for the winter, and don’t look at it much in between. Or perhaps you do think about it a lot, and you are constantly adjusting the temperature based on the time of day or the outside weather. Whichever category you fall into, a programmable thermostat would be a major benefit to your residential heating and air system.

A programmable thermostat allows you to preset your home’s temperature for certain times of the day. You can tell it to adjust the temperature at night when you go to bed and adjust it again right before you get up. You can tell it what to do during a certain date range when you may be gone from home. And some can even connect to your smartphone so that you can program your thermostat remotely. What are the benefits of this device?

1. Save money. Perhaps the biggest benefit of the programmable thermostat is the money you save. Your energy bill will go down because you are maximizing the energy your HVAC system uses to keep your home at the desired temperature. Changing the temperature at night and when you are out of the home can make a big difference in overall energy use.
2. Enjoy peace of mind. Once you have programmed your thermostat, you can forget about it. No need to constantly adjust the temperature to suit the time of day. And when you are going to be out of town, your thermostat will know what to do. If you forget to program it before you leave, you can use your smartphone to set it. It’s a stress-free way to manage your home comfort system.
3. Extend the lifespan of your HVAC system. A programmable thermostat takes some of the stress off of your system. Reducing the amount of time your heating and cooling system runs and the amount of cycling on and off will allow it to last longer. You may get many more good years out of your equipment.
4. Feel more comfortable. You can expect to feel more comfortable in your home because you can program the temperature to suit the time of day and your plans. At night you may prefer a cooler temperature since you’ll be under the covers, but you may want it to be warmer once you are up. You can program your thermostat to raise the temperature just before you get up so that you don’t have to roll out of bed in the cold. You can also set different zones in your home to be warmer or cooler so that you’re keeping the most used parts of your home at the optimal comfort level.

Maximize Your Residential Heating and Air System with a New Programmable Thermostat

Save money and relax in comfort after you call Berico to install your new programmable thermostat. Your technician will help you to program it to suit your lifestyle and provide you with the knowledge to adjust it as you see fit. It can work with any HVAC system, so contact Berico to schedule your installation today: (336) 273-8663.

Is your heating and air conditioning system showing signs of old age? Are you beginning to wonder how much longer it’s going to last? Unfortunately HVAC systems don’t last forever, and you may not be prepared for the day your system breaks down. But there are some telltale signs that indicate you should start talking to your trusted HVAC service technician about replacement. It may be time to upgrade if you notice any of the following signs.

1. Unusual noises. If you hear noises you haven’t heard before coming from your heating and cooling system, it can mean there are serious problems. Vibrations, loose parts, a motor that’s wearing out, and more can cause new noises or just an increase in the amount of noise coming from your system.
2. Rising energy bill. Does it seem like your electric or gas bill gets higher each month? Are your bills higher this year than they were at the same time last year? These are both signs that your HVAC system is not running efficiently. New systems are significantly more energy efficient than those that are more than 8 to 10 years old.
3. Unpleasant odors. Strange or unpleasant smells coming from your HVAC unit or your vents? Odors can be caused by a variety of problems, such as mold and mildew growth due to excess moisture inside the unit or refrigerant leaks.
4. Tripped circuit breaker. If your HVAC system trips the circuit breaker once, it may not be any cause for alarm. But if it happens repeatedly, you may have a system that is showing signs of wear. A small repair may be able to help, but it likely won’t last long and your whole system will soon need to be replaced.
5. Frequent repairs. Does it seem like you’ve had your HVAC service out for repairs too many times lately? Too many repairs in a short period of time, even small things, are a definite sign that your AC is wearing out.
6. Uneven indoor temperatures or decreased comfort. Does your home seem less comfortable lately? Are some rooms warmer than others? Uneven heating or cooling is often a sign that your HVAC system isn’t working as efficiently as it should. If you’re lucky, a simple repair could fix the problem, but more than likely a replacement is in your near future.

Upgrading to a New Heating and Cooling System Can Actually Save You Money

The price of a new HVAC system can seem a little overwhelming. No one wants to pay to replace their central air. But after the initial cost, the upgrade in efficiency will save you money on a monthly basis, especially if your current system is eight years old or older. If you notice any of the above signs, call Carolina Fuels for HVAC service immediately. An expert technician will evaluate your current system and give you a recommendation on whether to repair it or replace it. Call now: (336) 623-9741.

Most of us know that air conditioning systems require routine maintenance to operate efficiently. But if you have pets, there are specific maintenance areas that need to be addressed. Whether you have cats, dogs, or other furry friends and regardless of whether they live inside or outside, certain steps and precautions should be taken to keep pets safe and your HVAC system running smoothly.

1. Change filters often. Pet hair and dander clog up filters, blocking air flow and allowing your system to get dirty inside. Typical households should change air filters every 6 months. Pet owners, especially those with multiple pets or long haired pets, should change filters quarterly or even monthly.
2. Protect the outdoor unit. If your pets, especially dogs, have free reign in the area that contains your outdoor AC unit, they are likely to use it as a place to lift their leg. Pet urine can cause corrosion and other damage to the unit. Pets may also claw the outdoor unit, causing damage or injuring themselves. Enclose your outdoor unit with fencing or some other barrier that allows for air flow.
3. Secure electrical cords. Pets like to chew on electrical wires and cords, which is dangerous for them and can cause damage to the wires. Enclose electrical wires in conduits.
4. Keep pets clean and well groomed. Bathing pets and brushing off excess hair, even having them professionally groomed can reduce the amount of hair that is loose in your home. Less hair laying around means less will end up in your filters and ducts.
5. Vacuum up pet hair regularly. Keeping pet hair in check with frequent vacuuming reduces the amount of hair and dander that can be sucked in by your intake vents.

Air Conditioning Systems Last Longer and Run More Efficiently with Regular Maintenance

A yearly tune up for your AC offers a range of benefits. A well maintained system will give you many more years of good operation than a system that isn’t. And keeping your AC tuned up means it will run more efficiently, using less energy and keeping your monthly bill lower. You won’t have to worry that your AC will break down in hot weather, because a typical yearly checkup will catch any potential problems like parts that are wearing out or loose.

Pets put an added strain on your air conditioning system because of the hair, dander, and dirt that invade your vents and ducts. But you can combat this with yearly maintenance and by following the tips listed above.

Carolina Fuels offers Comfort and Protection Service Plans that include yearly tune ups for your air conditioning, furnace, and any other HVAC equipment you own. Service plans can also be combined with fuel delivery such as propane, heating oil, and more. Your total home comfort can be managed by just one company. Sign up for a service plan today to keep your HVAC system in the best possible condition. Call (336) 623-9741.