It’s a wonderful luxury to have a generator available on your Greensboro property. When the power goes out after a storm, you won’t be stuck in the dark if you have a generator that can be fired up at a moment’s notice.

As you shop for a generator, you’ll quickly notice that there are two main types on the market today – whole-house generators and portable generators. This page will break down the differences and help you make the right choice for your needs.

If you decide to go ahead with whole house generator installation, the team at Berico is the right partner for the job. Call today to schedule your appointment or get more information.

 

Why Portable Generators Fall Short

While portable generators may seem like a convenient and affordable option, it’s important to understand their limitations, especially when compared to a whole-house generator. Portable generators run on gas and must be manually started. They are not designed to power an entire house. Instead, they can only handle a few select appliances at a time, often requiring extension cords to connect them. This limited capacity means you may have to choose between keeping your refrigerator running or powering a few lights, but not both.

On the other hand, a whole-house generator offers a permanent and reliable solution. It’s installed by professionals, connects directly to your home’s electrical system, and runs on a continuous fuel supply like natural gas or propane. Most importantly, a whole-house generator automatically turns on the moment it detects a power outage, so you don’t have to do anything. It can power your entire home—including your HVAC system, lights, and appliances—allowing you to continue your daily life without interruption.

 

Whole-House Generators Have So Much More to Offer

There is a use case for a portable generator. But they should not be mistaken as a replacement for a whole-house generator. These two things are simply not the same. A portable model can keep a couple of things running for a while in an emergency. A whole-house generator can keep your entire home running indefinitely.

Yes, there is a larger upfront expense with a whole-house model. But those costs can be seen as an investment in your home. You’ll be adding something that is going to serve you well and stand the test of time for years to come. Anytime the weather turns ugly, or when the power goes out for seemingly no reason at all, you’ll always have a backup option in place. And, you won’t even have to lift a finger – the generator senses the loss of power and just jumps into action.

 

Berico is Ready to Serve You

Have you decided that adding a Generac generator to your property is the right upgrade for your needs? That’s a great choice, and Berico is ready to get started on the project. Generac is one of the leading generator companies, and you’ll be left with a reliable system that can jump into action anytime the grid is down. Start now to be ready for the next storm!

In fleet management, no detail is too small to consider. Since every decision you make has consequences that impact the entire fleet, you want to do your homework and get every maintenance choice just right.

Even something as basic as changes in temperature can impact engine oil performance. This page will look at how the local weather conditions in North Carolina impact how oil should be managed in fleet vehicles.

If you need to work with a motor oil delivery service to keep your fleet running all year long, turn to the experts at Berico today to get started.

 

The Impact of Cold Weather on Oil Performance

It’s true that North Carolina doesn’t experience the coldest of winters. The northern states have it worse, to be sure, but cold temperatures can still move in and impact the performance of your engine oil.

 

In cold conditions, oil thickens and doesn’t circulate as well through the engine during the startup phase. It will also take longer for the oil to reach key engine parts, meaning wear and tear within the engine is increased. Basically, engine oil doesn’t work as well in cold weather and isn’t able to perform its job quite as effectively.

 

Hot Weather Has Its Own Challenges

What North Carolina manages to avoid in terms of cold weather, it more than makes up for in the frequency of hot weather. Summers here can be quite warm, and hot temperatures have an impact on oil performance, as well.

 

As you might expect, the effect of hot weather on oil is the opposite of what cold weather does. The oil will thin out as the temperatures rise, meaning it won’t be able to protect your engine quite as effectively. There is also accelerated oxidation of the oil in hot weather, causing it to have a reduced effective lifespan.

 

Tips for Managing Oil in Changing Weather

There are a few steps you can take to manage your oil properly while weather conditions move up and down throughout the year.

 

• Follow OEM Guidelines. It’s important to know the guidelines for your vehicles in terms of what oils are suggested based on given conditions. Following those recommendations will help you get optimal results and avoid premature wear.

 

• Schedule Seasonal Changes. The oil that works well for your engines in the summer months may not be the same one that serves you properly during the winter. Switching between a couple of different oils based on the time of year might be the best way to manage your fleet.

 

• Use Oil Analysis. Periodic oil sampling and testing can highlight how the oil is being impacted by temperatures, and you can make adjustments to your plan accordingly.

 

Reliable, Affordable Service from Berico

The Berico name is one that has been trusted in and around Greensboro for generations, and for good reason. Whether it’s oil reclamation service, the delivery of bulk lubricants, or any of the other services provided by this trusted brand, Berico always exceeds expectations. Place a phone call today and see what you have been missing.

As an air conditioning unit ages, it is naturally going to lose some of its efficiency. This is just the reality for all types of equipment, as wear and tear prevents machinery from working as well as it did when it was new.

 

Does that mean you have to resign yourself to getting poor performance from your old AC unit? Not necessarily. The tips in this article can help you improve the results you get and save money on your utility bills along the way.

 

If you need help with any type of Greensboro HVAC project, the team at Berico is ready to jump into action. Take a moment to get in touch today and learn more.

 

Replace the Air Filters

This is the obvious starting point. The air filter that serves your system is going to gradually get dirty and clogged as the system runs. Swapping that filter out regularly – or cleaning it, if it’s a reusable filter – is a great way to improve the efficiency of the air conditioner.

 

Efficiency drops when the filter is dirty due to restricted airflow. You want as much air as possible to freely run through the system while it is on. If you are using an old, clogged filter, not as much air will get through, and efficiency – as well as overall performance – will drop.

 

Keep the Outdoor Unit Free and Clear

Just as the indoor part of your air conditioner needs plenty of airflow to perform, so too does the outdoor unit. With that in mind, keep the outdoor unit free from any leaves, branches, or anything else that might restrict how air moves. As a good rule of thumb, keep all of your plants trimmed back at least two to three feet away from the perimeter of the unit at all times.

 

Upgrade to a Programmable Thermostat

It’s hard to run your AC system efficiently when using an old-style, traditional thermostat. If you have to manually adjust the temperature up and down throughout the day, you’ll inevitably leave it on a setting that isn’t ideal for the situation at hand.

 

Switching to a programmable thermostat is a big upgrade for a modest cost. This type of thermostat will allow you to set different schedules for different days of the week, ensuring the AC runs when it is needed and rests when it isn’t. You might be surprised to find just how much energy you can save by making this simple change.

 

Upgrade Your AC Performance Today

There are many options available to get better performance out of your air conditioner. In some cases, AC repair in Greensboro NC will be called for, as a small fix could prove to make a big difference. In other cases, you might simply need to replace your system, in which case, it will be AC installation that is required. Whatever the case, Berico is the best option in the Greensboro area for any of these projects. Call now!

It’s an unwelcome feeling to realize that your air conditioner is blowing warm air in the middle of a hot North Carolina summer. You have the AC on, of course, to cool your home down – only to find that it is doing exactly the opposite. What has gone wrong, and how can it be fixed? This article will take a closer look so you can start to search for answers.

To get help with heating and air conditioning issues in Greensboro from an expert team of pros, call Berico right away. The Berico team is experienced with all types of AC repairs and will be sure to get the cold air flowing again as soon as possible.

Check the Thermostat

You should always start with the simplest possible solution when dealing with HVAC problems. In this case, that means checking the thermostat to make sure it is set at the right level. If you have the thermostat set higher than you thought it was, the air coming out of the vents might not feel cool. Confirm that the settings are right before moving on to other potential issues.

A Dirty Air Filter Can Be a Problem

This is another simple solution that won’t require professional help. Take a look at your air filter and replace it if the surface looks dark and dirty. You can buy a new air filter for little money, and it only takes a matter of moments to put it into place. When a filter is dirty, it restricts airflow, which causes the AC to not work as effectively as it would otherwise.

Refrigerant Issues

The refrigerant that runs through your air conditioner is what allows it to actually cool the home. Without enough refrigerant to soak up heat, the AC won’t perform very well. If a leak has developed in your system that has allowed refrigerant to escape, performance is going to decline significantly. This is a situation that requires the help of a professional to address, so call in the Berico team right away to figure out what is going on.

How to Deal with the Problem

Having a water softener installed is the best way to deal with hard water. This is a device that is designed to pull excess minerals out of your water supply before they can do damage to your plumbing system. If you suspect that hard water is an issue for your home and your plumbing, call in a professional to have the water tested as a first step.

Compressor Failure

Another problem that will require professional help is a compressor failure. If the compressor that is part of the outdoor unit of your air conditioner isn’t working correctly, the whole system will be compromised. You might hear the system running, but it isn’t going to be cooling the air as usual. If the compressor has failed, it will need to be replaced by licensed pros before the air conditioner is going to get back to producing the cold air that you need to stay comfortable.

Get Comfortable Again

It’s hard to enjoy a Greensboro summer when you don’t have a cool, air-conditioned space to use when the heat gets too intense. Whether it’s repairs or AC installation, Berico can deliver the service you need for an excellent price. Reach out right away to get on the schedule as soon as possible.

Air conditioning never seems to work as well upstairs as it does downstairs in a home. Sure, warm air rises, but isn’t there a way to get around this problem and find better performance in the higher parts of your house? This article will go over some possible solutions to help you sleep better at night.

It might be the case that some HVAC repair is needed to get the best possible performance from your air conditioner. If that’s where you find yourself, call Berico now to schedule an appointment and look forward to cooler nights ahead.

The Root Causes of the Problem

Warm air rising is the fundamental issue that is leading to your upstairs being warmer than your downstairs. That’s not the only problem here, however. The other issue is that your attic is a hot place during the summer months, and it is located directly above your upper floor. So, that large mass of hot air is sitting right on top of the upstairs, meaning the air conditioning will need to work even harder to keep up.

Look to Dampers for Help

As a starting point to address this issue, you can alter the position of your dampers throughout the house. Specifically, close or partially close some of the downstairs dampers to help redirect cool air toward the upstairs vents. This isn’t a perfect solution, but it can help to even things out a little bit. Also, make sure to leave doors open upstairs so the cool air produced by the AC unit is able to circulate effectively.

Upgrade Your Attic Insulation

Knowing that the attic is a big part of the problem, look into upgrading the insulation in your attic to help keep the hot air up there where it belongs. This is a particularly important step if you live in an older home where the insulation in the attic is not as fresh or effective as it once was. Adding new insulation can be surprisingly affordable and may make a big difference.

Shop for a Zoned AC System

Perhaps the ultimate solution here is to have a zoned AC system installed in your home. A zoned system can be programmed differently for different parts of the house. The system uses dampers and multiple thermostats to dial in its performance perfectly. Taking this approach would be a larger financial investment than some of the other options, but it would deliver outstanding results. If going with a zoned system is a bit too much to take on right now, you could also look into the possibility of adding a mini split unit to the upstairs for extra cooling power.

The Right Partner for the Job

As a leader in Eden HVAC services, Berico has everything you need to tune up your system and get it working better than ever. Berico has been offering the best AC repair Eden has to offer for generations, and nothing is going to change about that service anytime soon. Now is the time to make your first appointment!