Mold is a health problem, especially for people who are sensitive to it. Sneezing, watery eyes and even wheezing and shortness of breath can occur for people who are allergic to mold. Inside of your home, your bathroom showers need to be properly ventilated, along with the kitchen area to prevent the growth of mold. Damp, humid areas are usual locations for mold growth, and a controlled humidity level in your home can help to prevent mold from growing. At Alamance Oil, Berico Heating and Cooling and Carolina Fuels, we have a variety of ways that you can lower your exposure to mold and prevent the growth of it, including Heating and Cooling maintenance to keep your system clean, free of leaks and working properly. According to facilitiesnet.com, there are four elements relating to your HVAC system that can contribute to mold growth:

“Mold requires four ingredients for growth: organic nutrients, moisture, a surface to grow on and darkness. Most HVAC systems have many areas where all four ingredients occur in abundance. If all four ingredients are present in sufficient quantities, mold will thrive. Take away or limit at least one, and mold will not be a problem.”

An heating and cooling system must be installed correctly and maintained regularly to provide the best resistance to mold growth. At Berico Fuels, our certified technicians take the time to correctly position the HVAC system and all of the parts to ensure the healthiest indoor air quality for your home. Here are few steps that are recommended to further prevent mold growth in your home or business:

“Although there are many steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of mold growing in HVAC systems, the four most effective design measures are sloping the drain pan under cooling coils, installing cleanable surfaces within air handlers and ductwork, providing accessibility to critical areas of the system and installing ultraviolet light fixtures in the supply air.”

Condensate drain pans are important

Your HVAC condensate drain pan actually plays a major role in the ability to fight mold growth. It needs to be sloped so that the condensation from the HVAC system can be carried away from the system, not creating collective pools of standing water. In Greensboro, furnace and air conditioning maintenance programs ensure that your system will be inspected regularly so that condensation from the coils of your heating and cooling system are not being trapped, leading to excess moisture and the presence of mold.

Components need to be easily accessible

To properly clean and inspect HVAC systems, all of the parts need to be located in an easily accessible location. At Berico Fuels, Alamance Oil and Carolina Fuels, we install HVAC systems in locations that will be easy for technicians to service your system and provide comprehensive cleaning and repairs. Removable panels and hinged doors also increase accessibility of HVAC systems, allowing service technicians to thoroughly clean and inspect all areas of the heating and cooling system during maintenance visits.

Call Berico Fuels at 336-273-8663 for all of your Greensboro HVAC maintenance needs. We provide expert installation and repair services to help you keep mold out of your home or business. Breathe healthier this year.

(Source: HVAC Systems: Design for Prevention of Mold Growth, facilitiesnet.com)

If you have farm equipment that runs on diesel fuel, you can reduce your exhaust emissions by using ULSD (Ultra-low sulfur diesel) fuel in your off road vehicle. Regarding off-road diesel equipment and the compatibility with using ULSD fuel, The Associated General Contractors of America stated the following on http://newsletters.agc.org/:

“All diesel engines of any age can use ULSD fuels (per manufacturer’s specifications), but they are required for use in newer construction equipment.  Using anything else is illegal, may reduce power and fuel economy, and cause damage to engine components that may not be covered under warranty.”

With better fuel, you can become more efficient in your farming or construction uses, while helping the environment. The greater fuel efficiency experienced with diesel fueling has brought more uses for the ULSD fuel in various off road applications. CAT and John Deere equipment can have longer life expectancies by using ULSD fuel since the high energy amount per gallon means that there will be less wear on the engine for an extended time. At Berico Fuels, we make it easy to get your tanks refilled so you can work efficiently.

Off Road Fuels, Such as ULSD, Are Better for the Environment

The EPA recommends switching to ULSD fuel to produce a significant reduction in emissions:

“According to the EPA, switching to ULSD results in a 5 to 10 percent reduction in emissions, depending on the baseline fuel sulfur level. See EPA’s report Cleaner Diesels: Low Cost Ways to Reduce Emissions from Construction Equipment, March 2007.  ULSD provides an even greater benefit when it is paired with advanced diesel engine technology designed to further reduce exhaust emissions.”

At Berico Fuels, we provide ULSD fuel, as well as gasoline, #2 heating oil, propane and kerosene to help our customers get the fuel they need for their equipment. Seven days a week, we provide competitively-priced options for diesel fueling and other fuels for various uses, such as convenience stores, farming, construction and other applications.

New Emission Control Devices Installed for Equipment with ULSD Off Road Fuels

Newer farming and construction equipment benefit from the lower emissions and are equipped with advanced emission control devices in their engines, as discussed on http://newsletters.agc.org/:

“Meeting the federal government’s aggressive engine emissions standards means equipping newly manufactured engines with advanced emission control devices like particulate filters and traps.  These new emissions devices are extremely sensitive to high sulfur levels in fuel and if exposed, can suffer loss of performance or be rendered completely ineffective, nullifying emissions control benefits.  Evidence of misfueling (using higher sulfur fuel in new 2011 machines) can also impact manufacturer’s warranty coverage.”

At Berico Fuels, we can check to make sure the farm equipment or construction vehicle that you use is compatible with the type of fuel that you need for off road diesel fueling. Our expertise in available fuels and current equipment will help you to locate exactly what you need to stay energy efficient and extend the life of your equipment. Contact us to find out more information on our commercial fueling solutions: 336-273-8663.

(Source: Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel Makes Official Debut for Most Off-Road Uses This Summer,http://newsletters.agc.org/, July 26, 2010)

Fires in your home can happen because of a lack of furnace maintenance. They can also happen because of carelessness and dangerous practices. Follow FEMA’s fire safety tips to keep your business and home safe this winter. Some of these fire safety tips include:

• “Avoid using electrical space heaters in bathrooms or other areas where they may come in contact with flammable items.
• Frozen water pipes? Never try to thaw them with a blow torch or other open flame, (otherwise the pipe could conduct the heat and ignite the wall structure inside the wall space). Use hot water or a UL labeled device such as a hand held dryer for thawing.
• If windows are used as emergency exits in your home, practice using them in the event fire should strike. Be sure that all the windows open easily. Home escape ladders are recommended.”

As another safety measure, it is recommended to prepare your home for the harsh winter months by scheduling annual maintenance. At Berico Fuels, our technicians perform comprehensive furnace tune-up’s in Greensboro, making sure that your heating system is working at peak performance. Toxic fumes can build up inside of a home if the furnace is not vented properly, and our certified technicians will check every area of your furnace to ensure complete safety.

Follow these other safety precautions to help prevent home fires:

• “• Never discard hot ashes from a fireplace inside or near the home. Place them in a metal container outside and well away from the house.
• • Never use a range or an oven as a supplemental heating device. Not only is it a safety hazard, it can be a source of potentially toxic fumes.
• • If you use an electric heater, be sure not to overload the circuit. Only use extension cords which have the necessary rating to carry the amp load. TIP: Choose an extension cord the same size or larger than the appliance electrical cord.”

With a high performing furnace, you will not need supplemental heating or space heaters. An efficient heating system will provide warmth in all of the rooms of your house and provide good air quality. Berico Fuels can help you maintain safety and warmth all winter long. At Berico Fuels, we offer complete and exceptional heating system and furnace repairs, installations and maintenance in the Greensboro region. Call us today to stay healthy and safe this winter: 336-273-8663.

(Source: Winter Fires: Safety Tips for the Home, http://www.usfa.fema.gov/, 2014)

https://www.berico.com/fire-prevention-with-furnace-maintenance-in-greensboro/

When you switch the thermostat setting from Cool to Heat and turn the furnace on for the first time, an odd burning smell fills your house. What could it be? We’ll help you figure out what caused this burning odor. But first, you need to stay calm and switch the thermostat setting to “off”. You will need to go over to your heating system and confirm that you do not see a fire or other serious situation at that location. There are a number of circumstances that can cause this smell to occur. Even if your heating system passes this basic type of DYI inspection, you need to schedule a seasonal furnace inspection and maintenance appointment with Berico Fuels. Serious issues and potential system failures can be avoided when furnace service and repairs in the Greensboro area are made at the start of the cold season.

The Combustion Chamber Has Dust Accumulation

While your furnace sat in an idle mode during the spring and summer seasons, dust accumulated inside of the combustion chamber. After turning on the furnace, the chamber was ignited, searing debris which caused the burning odor. Next, a blower pushed the warm air through all of your ducts, sending the burnt smelling air around your home. The good news is that this type of burning smell produced from dust is safe. The odor will leave your home quickly, with the help of opening one or a few windows to let it escape. If you continue to notice a burning smell, this indicates that there could be another problem with your furnace. Call Berico Fuels to provide a tune-up and inspection of your heating system, as well as the recommended maintenance to keep your system working properly.

Clogged Filters Need to Be Changed

Replacing your furnace filters on a regular basis will make the air cleaner in your home. If it has been months since you last changed your furnace filter, this a possible reason for the burning smell. When using a forced-air furnace, a clean filter is essential to delivering warm, healthy air to the rooms in your home. The filters take out allergens and airborne particles, such as mold spores, pollen, dust and pet dander. Filters work to clean the air before your furnace is heated, so that the circulated air is free of allergy-producing particles. When the filter becomes dirty or extremely soiled, the filter cannot work as intended because the filter fibers will be clogged with dirt and dust. This can cause a bad smell.

Pay attention to your filters to prevent a dangerous fire, which may develop from an overheated unit. The good news with this is that it is easy to fix the bad odor if a dirty filter is the cause. Simply change the filter with a new, clean one and the burning smell will disappear. It is important to keep track of filter changes, and make sure they occur every 30-60 days or as recommended by the manufacturer. Extend the life of your heating system and prevent malfunctions by frequently changing furnace filters. If this does not resolve the burning odor, contact Berico Fuels for furnace service in Greensboro and surrounding areas.

The Furnace Blower Malfunctions When Starting Up

The blower functions by drawing heat from your furnace and pushing it throughout your home. The unit’s internal temperature is also managed by the blower, so it will not get too hot. Mechanical devices sometimes need a repair, so that is also true of the furnace blower. When a blower stops working effectively, overheating of the furnace can occur, producing the burning odor throughout your house. If this happens, contact Berico Fuels immediately. It is important to call a certified technician for this type of repair, and our qualified technicians are fully trained to provide excellent repairs and maintenance for your heating system.

If all three of the potential causes listed above have been checked and the burning smell is still present, contact Berico Fuels right away to schedule an inspection of your heating system. We will get rid of the smell and keep your home safe and comfortable. Our trained technicians will help you identify the problem and will perform repairs to fix the bad odor. At Berico Fuels, we offer quality maintenance, installation and repair services in the Greensboro area for commercial and residential customers. Call us at 336-273-8663 to schedule your furnace and heating checkup and service.

If you like the clean air, high efficiency ratings and the reliability of a natural gas furnace, and you also want a dependable system that warms up the home on the most freezing days of winter, a dual fuel furnace is a perfect fit. By alternating between gas and oil to heat your home, you will have control over the heating source selection, resulting in lower energy bills. This hybrid system has a heat pump and gas furnace, providing you with the best of both worlds, in terms of efficient heating and cost savings. Thermo Pride, a manufacturer of Hybrid systems and one of the top brands that we carry at Berico Fuels, explains the technology:

“With energy costs rising, homeowners are searching for the most economical solution for their indoor comfort needs when it comes to both heating and cooling. Thermo Pride hybrid heat dual fuel system combines your existing oil furnace with a heat pump to deliver an energy efficient alternative to switching to gas. The dual fuel system is so efficient that the cost to heat with it is less than with any gas furnace available on the market today.

A heat pump works like and air conditioner in warm weather and can reverse the process and heat the home when cold weather arrives. The hybrid heat dual fuel system allows flexibility against unpredictable fuel cost providing flexibility to react to changing energy costs. The system delivers exceptional performance by automatically switching to the most economical heating source depending on the outdoor conditions.”

Natural gas providers have contracts, stating the terms that apply for using dual fuel furnaces. Since there are potential discounts available to dual fuel furnace owners, it is a smart choice for a heating replacement in Greensboro. When it is time to consider replacing an old heating system or buying a new one, the dual fuel furnace offers key features to consider:

• Perfect for climates that experience cold seasons and temperature fluctuations.
• Additional electric heat will not be needed in cold winter months.
• Options are available, such as humidifiers, de-humidifiers and air filtration variations.
• Custom adjustments specifically made for your climate.

If your cold season goes from late October to late February, the dual fuel furnace makes sense because an oil furnace setting will kick in to bring warmer air faster throughout the home on the coldest days, and a lower fan speed natural gas setting on mild days will allow for less energy to be used to warm the home. Your home will be more comfortable during the coldest days, since you can control how the furnace operates depending on the temperature. You will be able to get rid of your space heaters once you have a hybrid system in place, since the overall temperature will be more comfortable in every room of your home. Discounted natural gas rates, more efficient heating and versatility are reasons that dual fuel furnaces are becoming popular choices for homeowners and business owners.

At Berico, we carry a variety of brands for dual fuel furnaces, including Lennox, York, Goodman, Armstrong Air, and Thermo Pride. In Greensboro and Eden, dual fuel furnace installations are done by our certified and trained technicians, who will guide you through the functions of the new hybrid system.

(Source: Fall 2013 Newsletter, www.thermopride.com, 2013)

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