You may have heard that having a programmable thermostat can save you money on your heating and cooling costs. One type, the Nest Thermostat, is one of the most popular smart thermostats on the market. This product has a lot of benefits, but it is not the only option available. The Honeywell Pro 8000, for example, offers many of the same benefits with a few differences.

Consider this description of the Nest Thermostat to help you determine whether or not it’s worth it to get one.

How the Nest Works 

The Nest is a programmable, smart thermostat. The terms “programmable” and “smart” are not the same when it comes to thermostats. A programmable thermostat allows you to program it, such as setting specific temperatures for certain times of the day and according to the days of the week and even the monthly calendar. A smart thermostat can be controlled and programmed from a smartphone or other device, meaning you can control it when you are away from home.

The Nest can also be voice controlled through your Amazon Alexa, so you don’t have to get up to adjust the thermostat. It is also called a “learning” thermostat because it picks up on the habits of your household through motion sensors. It essentially learns when your family is home and not home and adjusts the temperature accordingly.

Comparing the Nest and the Honeywell Pro 8000 

Both the Nest and the Honeywell Pro 8000 are programmable, smart thermostats, but there are a few differences. The Honeywell Pro 8000 has a touch screen, which is one feature that customers say make it easier to use. Another advantage is the fact that the Honeywell Pro 8000 costs less than the Nest thermostat.

It also gives you more control over the programming. The Nest essentially programs itself, however, if you don’t like the Nest’s interpretation of your preferences, it can be difficult to override it. The Honeywell Pro 8000 takes more time to program, but it allows you to be more in control of your settings.

The Nest Gets Negative Reviews

Although the Nest is very popular (it happens to be the top seller of programmable thermostats on Amazon), it still has some negative reviews. The biggest complaints about the Nest are:

• It is difficult to install.
• It will not let you override the automatic setting. It “learns” and adjusts to your habits, but it won’t let you make changes if you don’t like it’s interpretation.
• It requires pre existing wiring. If you don’t have the necessary wiring in place, there are additional products to purchase that increase the overall installation cost.
• It does not produce the monetary savings that it boasts.

Which Product to Choose?

While the Nest thermostat has some positive features, Berico recommends the Honeywell Pro 8000 as the best programmable thermostat overall. It allows for more custom programming so you can experience greater home comfort. It also costs less than the Nest, which means you’ll save more money in total.

Berico Provides Programmable Thermostat Installation

Installation of programmable thermostats can be tricky. There are specific wires and electrical voltages that are required for proper operation. Berico provides professional installation of your smart thermostat as well as programming assistance to help you get the most energy savings possible.

Call (336) 273-8663 today or request service.

Heat pumps are a popular type of HVAC system. They are known for being energy-efficient and providing effective home comfort. A heat pump is different from a furnace in the way that it operates, yet the cooling portion is basically the same.

You may have heard good things about them, but if you’re thinking about buying a heat pump, you should know how they work before you make your decision.

How a Heat Pump Warms Your Home 

A heat pump transfers heat rather than creating heat. A furnace uses some type of fuel (propane, heating oil or natural gas) to create heat that is dispersed throughout your home. But a heat pump collects heat from the outside air (even when it is cold outside), draws it in, and disperses it throughout your home.

How does it collect heat when the air outside is cold? The key is pressure. Refrigerant is used to absorb heat from the outside air. As the refrigerant warms up and the pressure increases, it evaporates into gas form. As the heat is blown out through the forced air system to warm your home, the refrigerant is cooled and is ready to absorb more heat to repeat the cycle.

How a Heat Pump Cools Your Home 

The cooling cycle of a heat pump is simply the reverse of the heating cycle. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the air inside of your home. As the refrigerant warms and pressurizes, it is moved outside of your home where it is cooled down. Then the blower distributes the cool air through your ducts and out through your vents.

Heat Pumps Transfer Heat

The essence of a heat pump is that it transfers heat from the outside to the inside when you need to warm your home, and it transfers heat from the inside to the outside when you need to cool your home. This is what makes heat pumps so efficient. They make good use of the heat that is available.

Benefits of Heat Pumps

• Heat pumps are extremely energy efficient because they transfer and maximize available heat energy.
• Heating and cooling in one system. A heat pump uses the same equipment for both the heating and cooling cycles, minimizing parts and footprint.
• Reduce carbon emissions. Heat pumps use electricity rather than heating fuel, which means they create less carbon emissions than furnaces.
• Low maintenance. Heat pumps require less maintenance and cleaning than fuel furnaces.
• Long lasting. A heat pump can last for up to 50 years depending on the quality, installation, and maintenance.

Top Brands of Heat Pumps

If you’re thinking about buying a heat pump, there are a few brands that stand out in terms of quality and longevity. A Carrier heat pump is one of the most environmentally friendly HVAC systems on the market. Lennox heat pumps are known for efficiency and affordability when compared to Trane, which is also efficient but tends to be higher in price. So do your research before deciding whether it’s worth it to pay more.  Standard, Lennox, and Rheem are reliable and efficient systems with an excellent track record.

Berico Provides Reliable Heat Pump Installation 

To get the most efficient operation from a heat pump, it needs to be installed properly. The experienced technicians at Berico will install your heat pump for optimal energy efficiency and long lasting performance.

Call (336) 273-8663 or schedule service today.

Two of the most common types of home heating systems are furnaces and heat pumps. They both work to produce heat to warm your home and ultimately they achieve the same purpose, though mechanically they work in very different ways.

Furnaces and heat pumps do have a few things in common. They require a duct system and blower in order to disburse heat throughout your home. They are both capable of highly efficient operation. And they both perform best with regular maintenance.

When it comes to Greensboro HVAC systems, furnaces and heat pumps are both widely used in the area. If you’re trying to decide which type would be best for your home, the following information should help you understand the difference so that you can make an informed decision.

Furnaces Use Fuel to Create Heat
The source of heat for a furnace comes from a fuel of some kind. Natural gas, propane, and heating oil are the three main types. Natural gas comes from a local source and reaches your home through a gas line under the ground. Propane and heating oil are stored in tanks and delivered to you by a fuel supplier.

A heat pump is an electric heating system that does not require any fuel. Although the energy source is electricity, heat pumps are highly efficient, much more so than electric heating systems of the past.

Heat Pumps Transfer Heat Energy
Rather than creating heat by burning fuel as a furnace does, a heat pump transfers air from the outside to the inside and vice versa. A heat pump moves cold air outside and collects heat from the outside air and brings it inside, all through the use of refrigerant filled coils. This is what makes a heat pump so efficient, the way it transfers heat and maximizes whatever available warmth there is.

Heat Pumps Can Have a Backup Furnace
Heat pumps work best in temperatures no lower than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes them best suited for moderate climates where winters are mild. However, heat pumps include a backup heating option for use when temperatures fall too low. This makes them a viable Greensboro HVAC option because temperatures do fall below the 40 degree threshold for only part of the year in this area.

Furnaces Only Create Heat, Heat Pumps Provide Both Heating and Cooling
A furnace is only capable of creating heat. An additional air conditioning system must be used during warm weather to cool your home. However, a heat pump provides both heating and cooling. The process used to transfer heat simply reverses when your home needs to be cooled. This makes a heat pump efficient for use in all seasons.

A Furnace Can Make Your Home More Comfortable in Cold Weather
Propane and heating oil both create more heat per unit than natural gas or electricity because they burn at extremely high temperatures. The type of heat created by heating fuel is a radiant heat, which is known to create a cozier feel that lasts longer than other types of heat.

Berico Can Install and Service Both Furnaces and Heat Pumps
Whatever type of HVAC system you choose, Berico provides installation and service for both types, as well as heating fuels such as propane and heating oil. Berico is a Greensboro HVAC service providing complete home comfort services. Call 336-273-8663 today or schedule a service appointment.

The heat exchanger in your furnace plays a vital role in warming your home to a comfortable temperature. Simply put, without the heat exchanger, your furnace would not be able to do its job. With that background, it’s easy to understand why a cracked heat exchanger would be a problem. But what does this component do, exactly and why would it crack? This article will dive into those questions and more.

If you need professional furnace repair in Burlington, NC for a great price, contact Berico today to make an appointment. Berico offers a knowledgeable team of friendly experts who will get your system back up and running right away.

Understanding a Cracked Heat Exchanger
A cracked heat exchanger is a unit that has developed a crack large enough to interfere with normal, safe operation. When the heat exchanger becomes cracked, it is likely that the flame within the unit will struggle to remain lit, or will flutter significantly. As a result, the furnace system will notice a safety risk and turn itself off. Therefore, if you have a furnace with a cracked heat exchanger, you may be dealing with a situation where you have no warm air flowing in your home.

You may be wondering why a heat exchanger would crack in the first place? Isn’t it designed to deal with heat? Yes, it is, but when it gets too hot, the unit can crack. Normally, proper airflow will keep the exchanger from reaching temperatures that are dangerous to its health. However, if that air is not flowing as it should, temperatures will rise and a crack may develop. This is why it is so important to regularly replace the air filter that serves your furnace. When a dirty filter remains in use, airflow will be reduced and the temperature of the heat exchanger could get out of control.

Can a Cracked Exchanger Be Repaired?
No – once it is determined by a professional that the heat exchanger has developed a crack, it will need to be replaced. The challenge that comes with replacing a heat exchanger is not found in the process of swapping it out for a new one, but rather the task of gaining access to that part of the furnace. Most of the unit will have to be taken apart to get to the heat exchanger, meaning labor costs for this kind of project can be expensive.

May Lead to a Furnace Replacement
You might be surprised to learn that in some cases, it’s better to simply replace the entire furnace than it is to have a new heat exchanger installed. Between the cost of a new exchanger and the significant labor expense to have it put in, going with a new furnace may be the better choice. Remember, with a new furnace, you’ll get the latest technology, improved efficiency, and likely some warranty coverage. Talk to the professional team at Berico to determine whether it is better to replace your heat exchanger or have a new furnace installed in your home.

Does your home need a furnace? Whether you’re replacing an old furnace or you’re building a new home that will need a furnace, it is important that you choose the right one. The wrong furnace could leave your home feeling chilly, humid, or dry. You could also end up paying too much for heating energy.

There are a variety of factors that should be considered when choosing a home furnace. A reliable Burlington furnace installer can evaluate your home and give you a professional recommendation. Here’s what to take into consideration.

Size

One of the biggest factors to consider when choosing a furnace is the size. It is crucial that you get a furnace that is the right size for your home. The size of the furnace needed is calculated based on the number of square feet you need to heat. Another factor is the climate where you live, because of the average temperatures and humidity. The quality of your insulation and windows will also play a part in the size of furnace your home needs. It is necessary to purchase a furnace that can produce enough heat with all of those factors considered.

Efficiency Rating

Heat is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units). The number of BTUs a furnace can produce determines how many square feet it can heat. Another rating to consider is the HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor), which is the amount of heat delivered divided by the amount of electricity used to produce it. This number is typically used for heat pumps, which are electric.

Heating Energy Source

There are a few different sources of energy used for heating, the most common of which are:

• A heat pump uses electricity to absorb heat from the outside air. It is not the same as a furnace that burns fuel of some kind to create heat. Heat pumps work particularly well in milder climates where the temperatures do not get below freezing as often. They are usually equipped with a backup furnace for extreme cold.
• Natural Gas. One of the most common heating fuels is natural gas. If your home has access to natural gas, it is an efficient heating energy source. Natural gas is usually delivered through an underground pipeline connected to a local source. You pay for it monthly based on your home’s usage.
• An efficient, clean burning option for those who don’t have access to natural gas or who simply want the benefits, propane is delivered to you and stored in a tank on your property. Propane produces more heat per unit than natural gas. It also provides a warm, resonating heat that lasts.
• Heating Oil. Heating oil is also highly efficient, producing more heat per unit than any other heating fuel. New furnaces are designed to burn oil very cleanly without producing soot the way old furnaces once did. Oil can be delivered to your home and stored in a tank on your property.

Manufacturer and Model

Some furnace manufacturers are known for making quality equipment. Lennox, Goodman, ThermoPride, Armstrong, and York are just a few of the top brands of HVAC systems. Do your research and read reviews on some of the makes and models that are available.

Ask the Experts at Berico

Choosing the right furnace is not a decision to take lightly. Get a professional recommendation from a Burlington furnace installer you can trust. Berico can evaluate your home and offer a few different options for systems that will work well for you.

Call (336) 273-8663 or request a quote today.