With the cost of energy constantly rising, the amount you pay to keep your home comfortable can be pretty expensive. However, if you get an expert from Alamance Oil to conduct a home energy audit in your Burlington house, they will provide you with numerous solutions you can use to lower your home’s energy consumption. This will enable you to save quite a bit of money on your utility bills.

Before our professional arrives to start the evaluation, you need to collect your past utility bills and create a list of any areas of concern in your home. Our Alamance Oil technician will take a look at the information you collected and will inform you of the steps you can take that will help you cut the amount of energy your home uses.

During energy audits, one of our expert heating and cooling technicians will examine the home, determine its size and unique building aspects, and inspect its comfort features, including the furnace, air conditioner and all of the windows. To get a better sense of how the home is typically used, the expert performing the energy evaluations may ask the homeowner some of the following questions:

How many people are there in your household, and how much time do household members spend inside the house (as opposed to at work or school)?

How do your thermostat settings differ between the seasons?

Are all of the rooms in your home being used, or are some left unused?

The professional from Alamance Oil conducting the evaluation will examine your home for any areas in your heating and cooling equipment that could use improvement and possibly any Burlington AC repair that needs to be completed.

Expert free energy audits will better your home’s comfort and your bills. Immediately after the evaluation has finished, the technician will sit down with you and describe what he or she found, and answer any questions you may have. Then, you will be given solutions to address the energy loss problems specific to your home, and ways to lower the energy your home consumes.

When looking for a professional heating and air conditioning technician to perform energy evaluations, make sure you are picking someone with experience. At Alamance Oil we have been providing quality service in Burlington for many years. We are happy to assist you in all of your home comfort needs–contact us today for further assistance.

If you are in need of air conditioner repair in Greensboro, there may be a few things you can do before calling Berico. Take a look at these common problems and see if the solution is easy enough for you to handle on your own.

Unit Doesn’t Turn On: Check to make sure there is sufficient power to the air conditioner unit and that all cords are intact. You can check the electricity through the outlet by plugging in another appliance. If the other appliance works fine, you may need to consider air conditioner repair. If the unit is getting power, but is still dead, the problem may be with the wiring, thermostat, compressor, relay switch, or control board.

No Cold Air: If you notice the fan for the air conditioner is running, but there is no cold air, this may be a problem with the compressor or condenser. Both of these will require the skill and expertise of an air conditioner repair technician at Berico.

Only Cool Air: Maybe the fan is running and the air is cool, but doesn’t feel cold enough. This is likely a problem with the thermostat, air damper, back cover, or condensing coils. An open air damper will draw in outside air, while a back cover that is used for protection during the winter months must be removed in the summer.

Constantly Running: If you find that your air conditioning unit is running constantly and doesn’t shut off, it could be caused by one of several problems. Make sure the air is cold enough to cool the room to the temperature you want. Also, ensure that the space to be cooled has enough shade or blockage from the sunlight by blinds or curtains in order to advance the efficiency of your unit.

Sloshing Water: Part of the technology that allows air conditioners to cool the air involves evaporation of moisture from the air. This can result in moisture collection in the bottom pan of the unit and it may build up over time. If the rear fan used to cool the condensing coils comes in contact with the water pan, some of the moisture will be spun from the fan blades and may cause a sloshing noise. As long as there is no water leakage, a little sloshing is no concern and does not require air conditioner repair.

Loud Rattle: If the air conditioner unit has a loud rattle every time it shuts off, you may way to check the compressor mounting pads and brackets. If these become worn or missing, it may cause excess noise when the unit starts up or shuts off. Most often, a loud rattle when starting or stopping is due to normal motion of the powerful motor or may be due to improper or loose installation.

Musty Smell: If the air from the air conditioning unit smells musty, this may be an indication that mold is growing on the moisture inside. Water collects in the bottom of the unit and is usually evaporated, but may cause favorable conditions for mold growth. While this problem cannot be prevented, you can dramatically reduce the chance of it occurring by cleaning out the bottom at least once a year. Air conditioner repair technicians will inform you that this helps prevent mold or mildew from growing on dust and debris that can collect.

It’s important to still call the air conditioner repair Greensboro professionals at Berico to keep you cool this summer. Our technicians can diagnose and solve your AC problems the same day. Call for an appointment today. We offer emergency services 24/7.

When your air conditioner breaks down in Burlington, NC, you may be faced with a difficult decision; to repair it or replace it. In some cases the decision is easier than in other cases. The best way to decide is to consider the problem itself and a few other factors about your system. And enlist the help of a professional heating and air company to help you make the decision. First, ask the following questions:

Will the repair cost more than a new system? In most cases a repair is cheaper than buying a new system, but not always. If the repair will cost more or even the same amount as a new system, the choice is obvious; install a new system. If the repair is going to cost more than a few hundred dollars, consider the age of your system. If it’s more than 8 years old, it’s probably not worth the money to repair.

How old is your air conditioner? If your air conditioner is more than 8 years old, don’t waste money on repairs. Replace your system and take advantage of all the improvements in technology in the past few years. New air conditioners run twice as efficiently as systems that were made even 5 years ago. And because you have the existing ductwork from your old system, you will save money on installation. But be sure to have the technician test your ducts for leaks and seal any that are found. Leaky ducts can cause you to lose up to 30% of the cool air that should be cooling your home. Another issue with an old system is that it most likely uses Freon as its refrigerant, which is being phased out by the federal department of energy in lieu of a new refrigerant that is more energy efficient and safer for the environment.

Is your current system the right size for your home? It is not uncommon for the wrong size air conditioner to be installed in a home. If your system is too small it is most likely not cooling your home as well as it should and is probably working twice as hard as it should be. If this is not your first repair and your system isn’t very old, the size may be the problem. A system that is too large may cause excessive humidity in your home. A professional HVAC company can assess your home and your system and let you know if the system is the wrong size. If it is, then replacement is the only option.

How efficient is your current air conditioner? The efficiency of central air conditioners is measured by SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). It used to be that a system had to rate at a SEER of 10 or higher, but now the federal regulation is no less than 13. Air conditioners that rate at a SEER of 16 or higher are more expensive, but qualify you for a $300 tax credit when you install one. You will also save a significant amount of money on your energy bill.

If you find yourself faced with the difficult decision for air conditioner replacement in Burlington, the professionals at Alamance Oil can help. Alamance Oil serves Burlington and the surrounding areas. They can help you decide what to do and can repair or replace your system, whatever you decide.

Has your central air conditioning been acting up lately? As with most mechanical things, air conditioners need to be tuned up periodically. You can’t expect it to work perfectly for years without any kind of maintenance. Sometimes all that’s required is a simple cleaning of the system. Other times there are a few parts that may need replaced or reconnected. So how do you know if your system needs a tune up?

Excessive Noise. You may have noticed that your air conditioner is making more noise than usual. If you hear any unusual noises coming from your system, it may be time for a tune-up. Noise can mean disconnected parts that need to be reconnected or replaced. It can mean friction between moving parts that need to be lubricated or replaced due to wear. A tune up can get your air conditioner running quietly again.

Humidity. If your home feels humid or you see condensation gathering on windows or metal surfaces, you may have a problem with your air conditioner. This is most likely due to a blocked condensate drain. If the condensate drain becomes blocked, the excess moisture is not able to drain out of the unit as it should. Instead the moisture ends up inside the home. A technician can clear the blockage and have your system filtering out moisture again.

Not cooling. Your air conditioner is running, but your home isn’t cooling. This happens when the evaporator coil becomes dirty. When dirt builds up on the evaporator coil, it is not able to absorb heat and cool the air down as it should. Another possible cause is low refrigerant. If refrigerant levels are low due to a leak or some other problem, the air won’t cool down before it blows out through the ducts and vents. The evaporator coil can be cleaned to correct that problem, and the refrigerant can be refilled and any leaks repaired. This should be done be a professional heating and air conditioning technician.

Thermostat issues. There are various problems that can occur with your thermostat. If the thermostat sensor is out of place then the system will not be able to keep the temperature in the home regulated. Sometimes the thermostat itself fails and does not call for cool air when it is needed or doesn’t tell the system when to shut off. The thermostat can be just as much of a problem as the rest of the system. A technician can repair or replace the thermostat.

If you are experiencing these or any other issues with your air conditioner, it may be time for an AC tune up. It is important that you find a reputable heating and air conditioning company to tune up your system. Carolina Fuels has served Reidsville and the surrounding area since 1924. Technicians at Carolina Fuels are trained to check every part of your air conditioning system and clean or repair it so that it runs as efficiently as possible. Carolina Fuels is a company you can trust.

Routine maintenance is the best thing you can do for your central air conditioner. A simple AC tune up can make a huge difference in the performance of your system. Annual tune ups keep your air conditioner running efficiently and extend its overall lifespan. Most Heating and Air Conditioning companies have a checklist that their technicians follow to be sure that every part is as it should be. Some of the most important things to be checked are:

Evaporator Coil. The evaporator coil will be thoroughly cleaned and checked for problems. When the evaporator coil gets dirty (and it will over time), it cannot absorb heat and produce cool air as it should. Replacing your filters often will keep more dirt out, but some will still get through. The evaporator coil should be cleaned each year by a professional before the onset of hot weather.

Condensate Drains. The condensate drains will be checked to be sure they are allowing moisture to drain out. The emergency drain pan will be checked to be sure it is not getting any overflow from the primary drain pan. If the condensate drains are not working properly, your house could become overly humid or water could leak into floors and walls.

Electrical Components. All electrical wires will be checked to be sure none are disconnected. All other electrical components will be checked for proper voltage and operation. If electrical wires are loose or disconnected, it effects the starting of the air conditioner. It can cause breakers to repeatedly trip or fuses to go out. It can also be a safety issue.

Ductwork. All of the ductwork needs to be checked for blockages. Blockages cause low air flow from the unit out through the vents, causing your home to cool slower than it should. Blocked ducts also cause low air flow into the unit which can cause ice to build up on the evaporator coil. The ducts also need to be checked for leaks. Leaky ducts cause the cool air to leak out into the attic or even outside where it won’t do any good toward cooling your home. Any of these problems mean your air conditioner won’t be able to cool your home as well as it should.

Lubrication. All moving parts must be well lubricated for the air conditioner to work properly. This is something the technician will take care of during a routine tune up.

Blower. The blower needs to be cleaned and adjusted each year. If dirt and dust builds up in the blower, it won’t be able to take in enough air and may allow dirt and dust to get into the system and into your home.

Refrigerant. If the refrigerant level is low, the system will not be able to produce cool air. Part of a regular tune up should be to check the refrigerant level and refill it if necessary.

Yearly tune ups are a must for all central air conditioning systems. Alamance Oil Co. provides regular service to Burlington and the surrounding area. Have a technician from Alamance Oil Co. tune up your air conditioner before the weather gets hot.