A Q&A with the Team at Barrieau Oil
As summer is heating up, we all want our homes to be cooling down. It may be inevitable that every air conditioning system will eventually need to be replaced or repaired. But the question is, how do you figure out when yours is on its last leg before it completely breaks down and stops providing any cool air? Knowing when your air conditioner is due for a replacement, and what your options are for your next system, will be highly beneficial to your comfort this summer and those that follow.
Barrieau Oil Company is all about quality and providing a wide range of services with the utmost care and expertise. We spoke with the team at Barrieau about new trends in air conditioning technologies, signs your A/C unit needs some TLC, and helpful tips for homeowners who heat with oil.
Tell us a bit about Barrieau Oil.
Barrieau Oil has been in business since 1972, making this their 48th year in business. We focus on quality and full-service experiences. From plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and home heating oil, we incorporate our combined experience and expertise in every job. President, Robert Barrieau, works alongside our 22 skilled employees to satisfy the needs of residents and businesses in the greater Hartford area.
Are there any new trends you’ve seen in air conditioning technologies and techniques?
A popular trend we’ve been seeing a lot more of is the installation of UV lights in HVAC systems. In forced-air systems, microbes like mold, bacteria, fungi, mildew, mold spores, and viruses stick to elements of your HVAC system. The UV lights destroy these microbes in air conditioners and eliminate mold growth, prevent the spread of mold spores and viruses throughout your home, and keep your system working efficiently for longer.
What are some signs that it’s time for a new air conditioning unit?
Keep an eye and ear out for strange sounds, foul smells, constant lack of cooling, and high energy bills. Something we have dealt with over the recent years is the phasing out of “R-22 refrigerant.” Standards for types of refrigerants used in air conditioning repair and maintenance are changing, and this means that this common and least expensive refrigerant, R-22, will soon be completely phased out. It has been removed from production and replaced with “R-410 refrigerant,” a safer material which is the current, compliant standard refrigerant in air conditioning equipment. Clinging on to an R-22 unit will have lasting financial consequences. These old R-22 units will be more expensive to run in terms of energy, utility bills, HVAC repair cost, and more. We highly recommend finding out what refrigerant is in your unit and replacing old R-22 equipment with R-410 Puron refrigerant.
What are some helpful tips for homeowners who use heating oil?
The biggest tip that we can give homeowners is to have your boiler serviced annually. Just like changing the oil in your car, your heating system should be tuned up every year. Having a tune-up keeps the system running cleanly and reduces unexpected service calls. It also increases the efficiency of your heating system, saving you money on fuel oil and prolonging the life of your heating system.
What is the greatest benefit of being a member of the Design District?
The greatest benefit of being a member of the Design District is the fact that you are in a network of businesses that you can trust and recommend. If you have a water leak in a wall, John Powers of cloverNINE green building can demolish and open the wall, Granite Group can supply the plumbing product, and Barrieau Oil Company can come in and make the repair. All the members have a great dynamic and have been working alongside one another for many years.
Barrieau Oil Co. is a full-service fuel oil company providing heating, cooling, and plumbing services to the Greater Hartford area. Learn more about Barrieau Oil Co. at https://barrieauoil.com/