Managing the thermostat properly is one of your main jobs as a homeowner. It’s always a balancing act – you want to keep the home comfortable without using too much energy, and racking up a big utility bill, along the way. So, is it best to just pick one temperature and leave the thermostat there throughout the season? This page will take a closer look.

Whether you need a furnace tune-up, HVAC repair, or any other kind of related work in the Greensboro area, Berico should be your chosen partner. Take a moment now to call for help and get started.

The Case for One Temperature

The main argument for using just one temperature setting on your thermostat is that the furnace or air conditioner will never have to work too hard to “catch up” after the temperature changes. For example, instead of having to get all the way back up to 70°F after being allowed to drop down to 60°F, it can just run in short bursts to stay right around that 70°F mark.

You’ll also benefit from additional comfort if the thermostat stays the same at all times. No matter when you are at home, you’ll have a comfortable temperature. This can be nice when you return home from a day out in the winter and open the door to immediately be greeted by warm air, rather than having to wait for the space to heat up.

The Case for Adjusting Your Thermostat

While that theory does have some good points, many experts argue that it is more efficient to use multiple settings. For instance, you can let the temperature change while you are at work or asleep, only to have it return to a comfortable range when you are going to be at home and awake. This means letting the house get a little hot in the summer or a little cold in the winter, then running the HVAC to get it back where you like it. Some people believe that you will save as much as 10% over the course of a year by using this approach.

Consider Your Insulation

Finally, there needs to be a quick word on this page about insulation. If you have quality insulation in your home, the temperature isn’t going to change as quickly, even when the HVAC is off. So, using the adjustable setting system may be better, since much of the warm air or cool air will be retained anyway, and the system won’t have a ton of work to do once it is asked to come back on and reach the ideal temperature.

Finding the Right Solution for Your Needs

There is plenty of room for personal preference when it comes to operating your thermostat and controlling the temperature in your house. Whether it’s a smart thermostat or just periodic manual adjustments, simply paying attention to the system and how it works is the best thing you can do. Connect with Berico today to get your HVAC system working better than ever before!

On a sweltering Greensboro summer day, nothing is more welcome than the cool flow of air from your home’s air conditioning system. The comfort it provides is a non-negotiable luxury. However, when the outdoor unit whirs and hums at a distracting volume, that serenity can be broken. This article will help you achieve true tranquility, offering practical solutions to reduce the noise from your AC unit so you can enjoy your perfectly cooled home without the unwanted soundtrack.

If you need any A/C repair work done at your home, or if you require any other type of HVAC work, Berico should be your first call. Reach out now to schedule an appointment.

Understand What Noises Are Normal

As a starting point, it’s good to know what your air conditioner is supposed to sound like when it’s running. That way, you don’t go trying to make improvements on something that really can’t be improved.

When your air conditioner is on, the outdoor unit will have a compressor and fan running. Naturally, some sound is going to come from the unit as a result of those functions. That sound shouldn’t be super loud, and it should mostly be a low humming. If you start to hear any unusual sounds, such as banging or rattling, that is a likely sign that something is wrong, and repair work is needed.

Check on the Grilles

One of the first places to start for noise reduction is checking on the grilles that are attached to the outdoor unit. These parts keep large pieces of debris from getting inside the unit, but they can get loose over time. If they are loose, they’ll rattle while the system is running and create an annoying sound. Eliminating these noises may be as easy as using a simple screwdriver to tighten the grilles up again.

Look into a Compressor Sound Blanket

There are sound blanket products on the market intended specifically to address the issue of noise coming from your outdoor AC unit. If you purchase one of these blankets, just install it according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and you will enjoy some immediate noise reduction. This step won’t make the unit silent, of course, but it should make a noticeable difference for only a modest financial investment.

Clean the Unit Thoroughly

It’s also a good habit to periodically clean the unit to get any dirt and debris out. This should be a pretty quick and easy job with a hose and a brush. It is critical that you make sure to turn off the power to the unit first, just to make sure there is no chance that it will kick on while you are doing the work. Keeping the unit clean will help it run quieter and should also help you avoid future problems.

Get Help from a Proven Partner

Berico is the leading HVAC contractor serving homeowners throughout the Greensboro area. For AC installation, repair, maintenance, and more, simply reach out to the Berico team and you’ll receive outstanding value for your money. Don’t wait any longer to get started!

A warm shower is one of the true luxuries of living in the modern world. Few things are quite as peaceful or relaxing – until the temperature changes suddenly and you are shocked by freezing cold or scorching hot water. Why does that happen, and what can you do to avoid such an unpleasant surprise?

But before we tackle that issue; when you need to work with a Greensboro plumber to deal with any issues that arise in your home or business, Berico should be your first choice. Bathroom plumbing is just one of the many services that Berico can provide for a fair price. Call now to get started.

Common Reasons for Shower Water Temperature Swings

There are a few reasons that your water temperature might suddenly change while you are in the shower. One of the most common is someone else in the house flushing a toilet. When a toilet is flushed, it takes away some of the available cold water in the system, meaning that cold water can’t mix with the hot before it comes out of the showerhead. In the end, you are left with a blast of hot water that can be quite shocking.

A faulty mixing valve is another common issue. If the mixing valve gets worn or clogged over time, it may no longer be able to do its job properly. Again, the result will be a surprising change in water temperature, although that change could go in either the hot or cold direction.

Finally, you might simply be dealing with an old water heater that can no longer keep up with the demands you are placing on it. If the heater has a hard time keeping enough water warm to supply your shower, you’ll notice the temperature inconsistencies time after time.

Fixes and Preventative Measures to Explore

Some of the ways you can fix these problems might already be obvious. If you have an old water heater that is struggling to keep up, the clear fix is to have a new water heater installed. You might need to upgrade to a larger model, or it may be sufficient to simply replace the old one with a new version of the same size.

Likewise, if it is the mixing valve that isn’t working, having that replaced by a qualified plumber will get you back on track quickly. This tends to be a rather affordable repair that will make a big difference in the performance of your system.

One other thing that you should keep in mind is simply having routine maintenance performed on your plumbing system as a whole. As time passes, wear and tear can take a toll on various components and leave you with problems that continue to get worse. Stay ahead of the game with maintenance and know that you can count on your plumbing to always perform well.

Shower with Confidence Once Again

When you put Berico in charge of your shower repair project, you won’t have to worry about the results. The finished product will be exactly what you expected, and your showers will be comfortable and relaxing once again. For any type of Greensboro plumbing repair, make sure Berico is always your first choice.

The Greensboro area is no stranger to power outages. Given the powerful storms that sometimes roll through this area, the power grid does go down from time to time. When that happens, is it still okay to use your propane appliances? Will they work properly? This article will explore the answers to those important questions.

For help with anything related to Greensboro propane, working with Berico is the right way to go. Berico is the leader among propane suppliers in this area, so reach out at any time to schedule service.

Propane Can Be Reliable When the Grid Goes Down

To answer the title question, yes, many propane appliances can continue to be used when the power goes out. That’s not true for every single appliance, however, so the specifics will be discussed below.

The ability to use propane during a power outage is one of the big advantages of opting for this type of power source on your property. There are many other things to like about propane, of course, including safety, efficiency, and cost savings, but knowing that you can use some of your appliances during an outage offers some nice peace of mind.

What Propane Appliances Work in an Outage?

The key factor to understand with your propane appliances is whether or not they feature an electronic ignition system or use an electric blower. Naturally, if an appliance needs an electronic igniter to get started, it won’t be able to work during a power outage.

Fortunately, many common devices do typically work while the power is out. For example, a tank-style water heater that runs on propane will usually continue working. Likewise, if you have a propane fireplace that has a standing pilot light – or a battery-powered ignition – that feature should continue to function for you. Also, if you have a propane range in your kitchen, it may be possible to light it with a match and cook food for your family while waiting for the grid to come back online.

Keep These Safety Tips in Mind

It’s critically important that you never use outdoor propane appliances indoors. That means you should never bring a propane grill or heater into your house during a power outage, or at any other time. These types of appliances emit carbon monoxide and can only be used safely outdoors.

You should also know how to shut off your propane supply quickly and safely in the case of an emergency. Knowing where your shut-off valve is located is important information for everyone in the home to have, no matter what the status of the power grid is at the time.

Keep Your Tank Full

Reliable propane delivery can make your life in Greensboro much easier. Once you have Berico on your side to keep your propane tank filled up throughout the year, you can check that item off your to-do list and turn your attention toward other tasks. Take a moment today to get in touch and get started.

When an air conditioning system is running properly, it will go through cycles that last relatively consistent, regular intervals. When the thermostat triggers the AC, the system will come on, run for a while, and then turn off. As you live in a home with the same air conditioner for months and then years, you start to get used to those cycles, and you have a sense for how long they last. But what happens if those intervals don’t seem quite right? This page will discuss how long your AC should really be running and what to do if it gets off track.

For the best AC repair Burlington has to offer, take a moment now to call Berico and schedule an appointment to have your system inspected.

What’s a Normal AC Cycle?

In general, an air conditioner should run in cycles that last around 15-20 minutes. That will vary some depending on a number of factors, including the outdoor temperature and thermostat settings. It’s normal for the cycles to get a bit longer on a particularly hot day, for example. However, the cycling should remain pretty consistent as the unit comes on and off to keep the house at the desired temperature.

Reasons for Short Cycling

Short cycling is the term used to describe an air conditioner that is coming on and off far too regularly. When this occurs, the cycles might last just a few minutes – which really isn’t long enough to effectively control the temperature in the house.

There are a few issues that can cause short cycling. One is a clogged air filter. Without good airflow, the system will overheat and shut itself off for safety purposes. Also, if you have an air conditioner that is actually too large and powerful for your house, it will cool spaces too quickly and then shut off before the cycle is complete. Short cycling is a problem because it dramatically reduces energy efficiency and can lead to premature wear and tear on the system.

What If the AC Runs Constantly?

On the other end of the spectrum, it’s also a problem if your air conditioner just keeps running with no end in sight. This can stem from low refrigerant levels, an undersized AC unit, or dirty condenser coils. Also, the air conditioner might keep running and running if you have the thermostat set too low based on the conditions outside. In the middle of a heatwave, you can’t expect your home to stay nice and chilly all day long. In such a situation, just bumping up the thermostat setting by a few degrees can solve the problem right away.

No Time to Waste

It’s frustrating – and uncomfortable – to deal with hot North Carolina weather without a reliable air conditioning system to keep you cool. Whether you need a repair or Burlington AC replacement, the next step is the same. Get in touch with Berico today to get the help you need.