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.

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.

If you are a homeowner, most likely you have central air conditioning. And if you have central air conditioning, you’ve probably had to have it repaired at least a time or two, depending on how long you’ve owned your home. If you live in a region such as Greensboro that has hot summers, air conditioning is a necessity. And if the hot season is 4 or 5 months long, energy costs can be significant. If you want to lower your energy costs, consider replacing your air conditioner.

How old is your air conditioner? If the answer is 8 years or more, then you will probably benefit from air conditioner replacement in Greensboro. Technological advances in air conditioner design have made new systems much more energy efficient than older systems. Even an air conditioner that is 5 years old is not going to run as efficiently as a brand new system would. And as air conditioners age they lose efficiency. If you keep your system well maintained it will run better than if you do nothing, but even a well maintained older system will not run as well as a new system.

When it comes to energy efficiency, all air conditioners are given a SEER rating (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). The minimum SEER rating used to be 10, but the federal government recently upped it to 13. Most contractors won’t install any systems that rate less than a 13. A good SEER rating is 16 or higher. A great SEER rating is over 20. Of course the higher the SEER rating, the more expensive the system. But don’t let that deter you from purchasing a better system. The higher the SEER rating, the more money you will save on your energy bill. In fact, the money you save on energy will pay for a new system in a few short years.

Has your energy bill been getting higher and higher each month? This is a sign of poor performance by your air conditioner. Look back at your records; is your bill higher this summer than it was last summer? Unless the weather has been significantly hotter this season than last, most likely your air conditioner isn’t running as well as it was. A tune-up could help, but may only be a short-term fix.

Certain makes and models of air conditioners have the best SEER ratings and have also been given good reviews for reliability. You can do your own research to see what homeowners are saying about their air conditioners. Or you can ask a professional heating and air conditioning company what they recommend. HVAC companies that repair and install air conditioners know which makes and models are the best because they work with them every day.

Berico Heating and Air Conditioning has been serving the Greensboro area since 1924. Berico technicians have the experience necessary to recommend the best air conditioner for your home, and they can install it correctly. Don’t continue to lose money because your air conditioner doesn’t run as efficiently as it should; replace it sooner rather than later.

Efficiency is key when it comes to air conditioning. You don’t want your energy bill to be any higher than it needs to be. An AC tune up will go a long way to improving the efficiency of your air conditioner. And if you are not already, you should have a tune up done yearly to keep your air conditioner running efficiently. Routine maintenance will also help to avoid break downs and repairs.
What time of year should a tune up be done? The best time to have a tune up done is before the weather gets hot. In most cases that would be early springtime. Its best to make sure the system is going to run well the first time you need to turn it on. And you will save the most on energy costs if the system is running efficiently for the entire hot season. Most heating and air conditioning companies offer a combined service package that includes a check of your heating system in the fall and your air conditioner in the spring.

What will a tune up consist of? Technicians have a checklist they follow to check all parts of an air conditioner. The evaporator coil will be thoroughly cleaned. Filters will be changed or cleaned if not disposable. Electrical wiring and components will be reconnected and tightened. Condensate drains will be checked and cleared if there are any blockages. Thermostats will be checked to be sure they are working properly. Refrigerant levels will be checked and refilled if necessary. All moving parts will be thoroughly lubricated. The ductwork will be checked for blockages and leaks. The blower will be checked and cleaned. A few other minor checks and balances will be done to ensure the best performance from your air conditioner.

How much will a tune up cost? Most heating and air conditioning companies offer an annual maintenance package that includes two tune ups; one in the fall for your heat and one in the spring for your air conditioner. The fee depends upon the maintenance package you choose. The advantages of maintenance packages include reduced repair fees and priority service to name a few. The cost varies from one company to another, but whatever the fee, routine maintenance will save you money. You will save money on energy by keeping your air conditioner running efficiently. You will save money on repairs because your system won’t need repaired as often, and if it does, the fee you pay toward your maintenance plan will reduce your repair costs.

The benefits of an AC tune up are endless. Choose a reputable HVAC company to perform your routine tune ups. In Greensboro, that company should be Berico Heating and Air Conditioning. Berico has provided heating and air conditioning service to Greensboro and the surrounding area since 1924. Berico technicians have the training and experience necessary to give your air conditioner a complete tune up that will keep it running properly and efficiently.

Burlington AC Replacement

As a homeowner, you will at some point find yourself faced with the difficult decision of whether or not to replace your air conditioner in Burlington, NC. There are many factors to consider when making this decision: the age of your system, how efficiently it’s running, the cost of repairs, the comfort level in your home, etc. Here are some of the most important things to look for.

How old is your air conditioner? If your system is 10 or more years old, it most likely needs to be replaced. When an air conditioner gets old it doesn’t run as efficiently. It won’t cool as well, it will need to run more often, and your energy costs will go up. New air conditioners are designed to run as efficiently as ever. They are quieter, use less energy, and make your home more comfortable. The cost of a new system will be offset by the amount of money you will save in energy costs.

Another problem with an old system is that it may still use R22 Freon as coolant. The federal government is phasing out R22 Freon in lieu of a new refrigerant that is more energy efficient. If your system still uses Freon or if it needs repairs that have anything to do with coolant, it may be a good time to replace your system. Eventually it will be necessary.
Even if your system is not yet 10 years old, it still may be running at low efficiency. This will be noticeable in your energy bill, if it goes up and continues to be higher than usual. Other signs of inefficiency are excessive humidity and uneven temperatures throughout the home. If simple repairs are not able to correct these issues, it may be time to schedule an energy audit or estimate on a new system.

If your air conditioner needs repairs, weigh the cost of the repairs against the price of a new system. Most likely the repairs will cost less than replacing the entire system in the immediate future. But in the long run, you will most likely find that replacing your system will save you money on future repairs. If it seems that your system needs repaired often, you should probably replace it.

A common problem with air conditioners is that your home just doesn’t cool well enough to be comfortable. This can mean your system is not running properly. But it can also mean that the air conditioner that was installed is not the correct size for your home. Air conditioning systems come in different sizes based on the square footage of your home. If the system you have isn’t big enough, it won’t be able to cool your home. It may be time to upgrade to a bigger air conditioner.

If you are unsure if your AC system needs to be replaced, Alamance Oil Company can help. Trained technicians can evaluate your system and determine the best course of action. Alamance Oil Company serves Burlington and the surrounding areas and we are available 24 hours for emergencies. Call 336-226-9371 or visit our website: www.berico.com.