AC Issues Raising Your Electric Bill? These Factors May Be to Blame
Did your latest air conditioning bill come with a side of sticker shock? You’re not alone! Last summer, the National Energy Assistance Directors Association predicted summer electric bills would spike by 20%! Major heat waves, longer hot spells, and rising energy costs are all contributing to that rising monthly budget hit. But these aren’t the only factors that can push up your summer cooling bill. And while you can’t change the weather or your local electricity rates, the costly culprits we’ll share below are well within your control. 5 Common AC Issues That Raise Your Electric Bill Read on to [...]
HVAC Maintenance | How To Think Thrifty And Budget
Hi Burton, We just bought a new home here in Omaha, and I’m excited to move in… but a little worried about our budget. And unfortunately, I have the feeling our HVAC unit may be on its last leg— it’s as old as the house! I’m trying to figure out what expenses I should be prepared for. Can you help? Hesitant Husker Dear Hesitant, You’re right to be planning for home maintenance now— before you’ve got a major repair on your hands! So many homeowners ignore their annual preventative maintenance and wait until something breaks. Not only is that extra [...]
Stop HVAC Leaks with Burton’s Exclusive Built-In Technology
Every summer, we get dozens of calls that go something like this… “I’ve got water pooling around my HVAC unit. Help!” “I noticed a bad smell coming from my HVAC closet. Then I realized water had been seeping into the walls for weeks. Mold is growing everywhere!” “We just got home from a trip and the floors are soaked. The HVAC drain pan is full, and the water just won’t drain!” Air conditioner leaks are an all-too-common problem in Omaha-area homes— and they strike at the most inconvenient times. While you’re away, on the hottest day of the year, or [...]
2023 HVAC Regulation Changes
In 2023, the Department of Energy (DOE) released a new set of rules that aim to improve the energy efficiency of new HVAC units across the country. And if you’re planning on replacing your home comfort system this year, these regulations apply to you, too! Here’s what you need to know about the DOE’s new HVAC regulations—and what they mean for your next home comfort system Starting on January 1, 2023, all newly manufactured and installed HVAC systems in the Northern region of the US, including Nebraska, will be held to a higher SEER standard. A SEER—which stands for Seasonal [...]
Why Earth-Powered Heaters Offer the Ultimate Energy Efficiency
The best home heating source is just a few feet underground. And it’s not natural gas, electric, or propane… It’s the earth! Geothermal heating is a type of renewable energy homeowners can tap into to access an endless supply of steady warmth. And the process of drawing heat from the ground is incredibly energy efficient—offering up to 600% efficiency on the coldest nights! Geothermal heating uses the earth’s stored heat to warm your feet A geothermal heat pump, installed and maintained by Burton, works by running a series of pipes carrying water and refrigerant beneath the ground. Just a few [...]
Homeowner Hacks: The Guide to Maintaining Your Home Furnace
Your home furnace is one of those comfort systems you probably don’t think about much— until you wake up with cold feet! But as we’ll cover in today’s Homeowner Hack, taking a few moments to give your furnace the TLC it deserves throughout the winter can prevent a much more costly and uncomfortable repair down the road. These simple tips are easy enough for even amateur home handypersons to complete. But as with any Homeowner Hack, if you’re not confident working on your comfort system or you have questions about your specific equipment, Burton’s furnace repair team here in Omaha [...]
Let’s Talk Energy Efficiency: Furnace vs. Fireplace
It goes without saying, in the winter, you want to keep your home as warm and comfortable as possible, while spending as little as you can on gas or electricity. So when temperatures drop, you may be wondering, should you turn up the furnace, or light your fireplace? Which heat source is more energy efficient? Does one method save you a little more money in the long run? Or should you run your furnace and fireplace at the same time? Comparing the energy usage of fireplaces vs furnaces The efficiency of your home fireplace really depends on the type of [...]
Heating Services in Omaha You Can Get at Burton
When is the best time to find your new go-to furnace and heating services company? When your furnace still works! Because nothing takes your day from bad to worse than coming home to a chillingly cold house, and having no clue who to call. To save you furnace frustration when the winter blues strike, we’ve put together a quick list of the most common reasons Omaha homeowners give us a call: 1. For furnace inspections, cleaning, and tune-ups Our annual furnace preventative maintenance service is hands-down one of the best services we offer because it keeps your furnace running at [...]
The 3 Faulty Furnace Problems We Solve Every Day
When your furnace is on the fritz, it can feel like the only solution is a completely new system! But when you work with the expert service technicians here at Burton, you may have other options. Here are three common furnace problems that seem like the end of your unit, but may actually be easily repaired: 1. Your unit won’t produce heat We know what you’re thinking—a furnace that won’t heat is a lost cause! But there may be a simple solution. When you call Burton to request a furnace inspection and repair, we’ll check: Your thermostat settings. If your [...]
Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality is More Important Than You Think
No matter how clean your home is, there’s one area we guarantee you’ve missed. And all the dusting, vacuuming, scrubbing, and polishing in the world just can’t get it clean. The air inside your home is some of the dirtiest, most pollutant-filled air you breathe every day. In fact, you can have as much as 2x-5x more pollutants in your indoor air than outside. Considering we spend an average of 90% of our time inside, there’s no question indoor air quality is a health factor worth fighting for. While outdoor air may be full of natural allergens, indoor air contains [...]
Hunger Action Month: It’s Time for Happy Homes and Fed Families
September is Hunger Action Month— our opportunity to unite in the fight against hunger. Hunger Action Month is an initiative launched by Feeding America, the largest hunger-relief organization in the nation. Every September, Feeding America partners with hundreds of food banks and thousands of Americans to restock pantries nationwide, just in time for winter. At Burton, we take every opportunity we can get to serve and support this local community. And Hunger Action Month is no different. That’s why we’re bringing back our annual hunger-fighting special for the 4th year in a row: This September, a $55 Furnace Inspection and [...]
Electric or Gas Furnace? It’s a Hot Topic!
When it’s time to replace your furnace, you’ve got a big decision on your hands. Go with a low-impact, easy-to-install electric furnace? Or opt for a high-efficiency, higher cost gas furnace? Once you’ve narrowed down the type of furnace, who do you call to install it? Before you make up your mind (and make that service call), read this quick comparison between gas vs electric furnaces. Furnace technology has improved significantly over the past decade, and the best choice for your family now may be different than you think! Gas vs Electric Furnaces: What's the Better Heating System? 1. Electric [...]