When your furnace comes on, there are probably some things that you get used to happening shortly after. For example, you’ll naturally feel some air coming out of the vents, and you may hear a bit of noise that comes from the equipment running somewhere in the house. What you probably aren’t used to, however, is a smell developing in the area of the furnace. Why would it smell, and is this a sign of trouble? The answers can be found below.

 

As one of the leading HVAC contractors Burlington has to offer, Berico is no stranger to the various issues that can pop up with a furnace. Whether you need furnace repair in Burlington or any other kind of HVAC service, your first step is to reach out to the Berico team to schedule an appointment.

 

The Matter of Burning Dust

When a furnace hasn’t been used for a while – such as in the fall after a long, warm summer when a heater wasn’t needed – there will likely be dust that has settled on many of the surfaces. Then, when it is turned on, that dust will quickly burn off and let a musty odor escape into the air. If you are standing near a vent when the furnace first starts after a long period of inactivity, you will almost certainly notice this smell.

 

The good news is this smell is nothing to worry about. It’s perfectly normal for some dust to be burned up when the furnace is started, and the smell should go away quite quickly. As long as the smell fades away and the furnace seems to be operating normally, you can safely assume that it was the result of dust and just move on.

 

Other, More Serious Problems

Unfortunately, not every bad smell coming from a furnace is going to be so harmless. There are smells that can point to more serious issues, including those listed below –

 

• Rotten egg smell. This is a serious matter if you use natural gas and should be addressed right away, as the smell of rotten eggs, or sulfur, typically points to a leak of the Don’t try to use any of your appliances when you notice this smell, and you should get out of the house while also calling the gas company for help.

 

• Electrical odor. If you smell something metallic while also noticing that your furnace isn’t running quite right, it could be overheating issues in your electrical components. There is obviously a fire hazard to be concerned with when any electrical parts are compromised, so stop using the furnace and call Berico for assistance.

 

• Moldy smell. If it seems like there is mold being spread around the house while the system is running, that might be an issue in your ducts. Have them cleaned and look for any signs of leaks that could be helping mold develop.

 

Getting the Right HVAC Contractor

If you have been looking for a Burlington HVAC contractor to help you deal with whatever types of repair and maintenance projects are coming up in your home, Berico is the ideal solution. You’ll benefit from the generations of experience that stand behind the Berico name and will appreciate the honest pricing and friendly service that this company always delivers. Take a moment today to reach out and learn more.

In essentially every market, equipment tends to get better as time passes. These improvements can come from advances in technology, new materials becoming available, better design, and on and on. Most of the time, it’s safe to assume that something new is going to be more effective in every way at getting the job done.

But does this line of thinking apply to the efficiency of HVAC systems? This article will explore that important question. When you are ready to have HVAC repair completed, or when you need to install a new Eden HVAC system, call Berico right away to put the right experts on your side.

 

A Definitive Answer

As you would expect, and are probably guessing, yes – newer HVAC systems tend to be far more efficient than systems from years past. If you are currently using a rather old, worn-out system and you have new equipment installed in your home, you can expect to enjoy a notable improvement in efficiency.

The exact size of your efficiency improvement is going to depend on many different factors, such as the age and condition of your current system and the new equipment you choose to purchase. It’s a virtual guarantee that you will experience more efficient performance, with that improvement ranging from moderate to downright incredible, depending on the circumstances.

 

What to Look for in Efficiency Ratings

If a major part of your motivation for upgrading your HVAC system is tied to efficiency, you’ll want to know how to shop for equipment to maximize the impact. The best way to do this is to check the SEER rating attached to any piece of equipment you may purchase. The SEER ratings are easy to understand, with higher numbers indicating a more efficient system.

New systems are all required to have a rating of at least 14, whereas you might still be using an older system that was rated at only 8 or 10. Investing in good equipment with a strong SEER rating will cut down on your energy consumption for years to come.

 

Look for Other Great Features

Efficiency is an important part of picking out HVAC equipment, but it shouldn’t be your only concern. There are many other factors that will influence which model you pick, such as additional features that can give you even better performance. Those include variable speed motors and the ability to control zones within the house. You may also want to attach your new HVAC equipment to a smart thermostat so you can control the system remotely and easily dial in the right settings for your needs.

There is a lot to like about being able to use a new HVAC system in your home. Of course, if you aren’t quite ready to upgrade and are still using an older system, you’ll likely need a trusted partner to keep that system in working order. For the best AC repair Eden has to offer, or any other kind of HVAC maintenance, make a call to Berico and know that you are in good hands.

Nothing impacts human comfort quite like humidity. Sure, temperature has a lot to do with how comfortable you feel, as well, but humid conditions can make things miserable. Even a day with relatively mild temperatures can be miserable if the humidity is soaring.

 

With that said, problems can arise when indoor humidity dips too low, so it’s really about finding the right balance. Below, you’ll find some guidelines on the ideal humidity for a home. And when you are ready to work with a professional Greensboro HVAC team to dial in your humidity just right, reach out to Berico to get started. As one of the best furnace repair companies Greensboro has to offer, you’ll be in good hands with this team.

 

The Comfortable Range

In most homes, and for most people, the ideal humidity range is going to be somewhere between 30% – 50%. When the humidity in your house is within those limits, you are likely to feel pretty comfortable throughout the day and night.

 

Sometimes, the humidity in your house will naturally fall into that range and you won’t need to do anything to keep it there. At other times, however, the humidity may stray either too low or high, and you’ll want to consider using modern HVAC equipment to bring it back into the sweet spot.

 

Why Humidity Matters

The introduction mentioned how humidity plays a major role in human comfort, and that certainly is true. But the comfort of you and your family is only part of the reason that humidity is so important. Keeping your humidity levels under control will also help your HVAC system not work as hard throughout the year. It’s hard to cool moist air, and hard to heat dry air, so your HVAC equipment is going to have to work harder – and use more fuel – when your humidity strays from the ideal range.

 

It’s also possible to develop problems with things like mold and mildew when your indoor humidity remains high for extended periods. Having so much moisture in the air will make it possible for organic growth to occur in places where you don’t want it, and the damage to your home could potentially be serious.

 

A Seasonal Problem

Fighting the battle against humidity problems is a job that changes throughout the year. During the summer months in the Greensboro area, it’s all about keeping the moist air outside – the humidity rises throughout this part of the country during the summer, and you’ll want to have a solution like a dehumidifier to keep your house comfortable.

 

Then, in the winter months, the cooler air will be much drier, and you might find that your humidity levels dip surprisingly low. Residents of the Greensboro area don’t have to worry as much about low humidity as people in northern climates, but it’s still something to monitor.

 

The installation of a whole-home dehumidifier is a great step toward remaining comfortable all year long, and Berico is ready to take on that project as soon as you call. Of course, the Berico team offers much more, including Greensboro furnace repair and many other services. Get started right away!

Of all of the components of your home that work behind the scenes, the ductwork that serves your HVAC system is probably the one you think about the least. The air just comes out of the vents when the system is running, and that’s the end of it – few people spend time thinking about the ducts that carry the air around.

 

At some point, however, those ducts will likely need to be replaced. How do you know when that time has come? Working with a professional team like those at Berico is a good start, as you’ll be able to get the best HVAC service Greensboro has to offer and you can ask any questions you may have. Get started today.

 

There’s No Expiration Date

The first thing to know about replacing ductwork is that there is no specific point at which the ducts will no longer be in good condition. In fact, there is a good chance that they will last well into the future, as they are typically tucked away out of sight and not at much risk of damage on a day-to-day basis. Of all of the parts of your HVAC system, the ducts are the component that generally needs the least attention.

 

With that said, you can’t necessarily count on your ducts to last forever. It is possible that they will run into some type of trouble along the way, such as a leak developing that makes your system less efficient and less effective. If you have a leak in one of your ducts, and those ducts are already pretty old, to begin with, it might make sense to simply replace everything at once rather than trying to have a repair completed. Those older ducts could just keep having trouble even after the repair is done, so taking that chance to run new ducts throughout the building may be a smart move.

 

Think About It When Installing a New Air Conditioner or Furnace

You don’t necessarily have to install new ducts when installing a new air conditioner or furnace, but this is a good time to review the situation and consider upgrading. In some cases, it actually will be necessary to upgrade your ducts along with the HVAC, as the new system may need ducts that match the size of the unit that is being installed. Of course, the expert team at Berico will be able to advise on this matter so you can make the right choice. If you wind up with both a new air conditioner and a new set of ducts, you’ll be all set on the HVAC side of things and should be able to enjoy years of reliable performance ahead.

 

Replacing ductwork is only one of many different things that Berico can do for you. Among the leading HVAC companies in Greensboro, Berico offers furnace service, new equipment installation, and on and on. Whatever you need, get started today with a phone call to learn more or to schedule your appointment.

The air filter is simply one of the most important components in your air conditioning system. Without a good air filter in place, the air that flows through your equipment won’t be as clean as it should be, and the performance of your air conditioner will suffer as a result. Not only that, but you might run into the need for AC repair sooner than necessary, as well.

 

So, what types of air filters are out there, and which one should you use in your system? Those questions will be answered below. And, if you need to work with an HVAC contractor on any type of heating or cooling project in the Greensboro, High Point, Eden, or Burlington areas, remember to turn to Berico as your first choice.

 

A Few Options Available

For the most part, you don’t have to overthink the process of picking out an air filter. As long as you get one that is appropriate for your system and fits properly, you should be all set. On the bottom end of the spectrum, you will find basic fiberglass air filters, which are disposable and very affordable. While these will do a sufficient job of keeping big particles from passing through and reaching your HVAC equipment, they won’t do a great job of helping people in the house with respiratory issues breathe freely.

 

To upgrade your air quality and help people with asthma or other issues, consider looking for a HEPA filter. These will cost you a bit more, but they have the added benefit of screening significantly more particulate matter out of the air. If you want or need the cleanest air for your home, and you don’t mind paying a bit more when you swap out the filter, a HEPA model is the way to go.

 

Partner with Berico

Even once you know the importance of always having a good air filter – that isn’t too dirty – in your system, you still may struggle to keep up with the task of replacing yours regularly. Life is busy, you have a lot going on, and it can easily slip your mind.

 

This is why Berico is proud to offer an air filter subscription program so a new one will come automatically, and you can just put it in place when it arrives. Berico works with FilterFetch for this program, and it will make your life a little easier while making sure your HVAC is living up to its potential at the same time. The delivery cost of the filters is free, and you won’t have to worry about forgetting and going too long between changes. Once you know how to do it, each air filter change will take just a matter of moments.

 

Using the right air filter for your AC system is important, but so too is replacing that system when it has outlived its useful life. For professional AC installation that you can trust to be completed correctly and for a fair price, reach out to Berico right away to get started.