843-626-3689
When you set your thermostat, is one room significantly warmer or cooler than another? If it's hard to maintain a steady temp throughout your home, it may be because your HVAC system is not a zoned system. Instead of sensing air temperature at one point and cooling an entire structure based on a single sensor location, a zoned system uses multiple units and divides a house into zones to be regulated separately.
This is common in two story homes with each floor having its own "zone." However, there are other structural features that may need a zoned HVAC system. Heating and air conditioning can be tricky in unconventional spaces. Homes with lots of glass, vaulted ceilings, large wings or open floor plans can make maintaining a consistent temperature tricky.
Zoning your heating and air conditioning system can customize temperature control. This helps combat areas of your home that tend to stay cold or warm because of positioning to sunlight, amount of glass, etc.
But what does this mean for monthly costs and comfort? When deciding if your home is a good candidate for zoning, there are a couple key factors to take into consideration.
The first has to do with your temperature experience. Many homeowners who choose to pursue retrofitting for zoning have noticed an imbalance in temperature distribution. If your system is struggling to evenly heat or cool a large area, it might a good idea to look into localized temperature control options.
Another issue that can influence the decision to use zoning methods is efficiency. Many homeowners prefer to heat and cool only the rooms they actively use on a daily basis. For larger homes, this can be a great way to cut costs without taking a hit in comfort. Why pay to keep a room warmed up or cooled down if you aren’t going to be sitting or sleeping in that area?
Zoning provides homeowners with the opportunity to specifically customize the temperature in different parts of the house. This can mean setting your thermostat on a timer during the day while you are at work so you save on heating and cooling costs when the house is empty, or zoning just the bedrooms during the night while residents are sleeping and other parts of the home are empty.
Cooper Mechanical Services is your Myrtle Beach area HVAC, electrical, and mechanical services solution. Our family-owned and operated business has been helping residential and commercial customer solves cooling and heating problems since 1989.
Our technicians are dependable, professional, and honest. If you are curious about whether a zoned system will improve comfort and savings, give us a call and we'll help you assess the situation and explore options.
Call 843-626-3689 or get in touch with our team of experts at Cooper to learn if your house is right for zoning your heating and air conditioning.
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Winter is almost here, and even Myrtle Beach can experience some cold weather from time to time. If you have an open floor plan or some drafty parts of your home, you might consider a space heater. Space heaters can be great when you need temporary, location-specific heat (a cold room or office, for example). That said, safety heaters can pose a fire hazard if not used properly.
While there are fuel-burning space heaters, the overwhelming majority of people use electric space heaters for supplemental home and office heating. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates 25,000 residential fires and 300 deaths are caused by space heaters. The top causes of space heater fires are using them too close to flammable items and leaving them unattended.
In this post we'll cover some space heater safety tips so you stay warm and out of harm's way.
Portable electric space heaters are must meet consumer safety standards, but to reduce the risk of fire, follow these safety tips:
Cooper Mechanical Services is the Grand Strand's source for quick, honest, and dependable HVAC service. We specialize in residential and commercial heating, cooling, ventilation, and indoor air quality. Additionally, we also offer a variety of electrical and mechanical services to our clients. To learn more about HVAC or to schedule an inspection, visit our website and Call Cooper today.
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Thanksgiving is a holiday that allows us to pause and take stock of the year behind us, giving thanks for the things we have and the people in our lives. It’s often a stressful holiday, too. Traffic is insane and stores are busy; the kitchen is full and plans never go as expected. But at the end of the day we are reminded of why we gather: to acknowledge the relationships that matter most.
As a company in a service industry, it is valuable for us to pause and thank the individuals and businesses that have made and continue to make Cooper Mechanical Services what it is today:
Customers: You place your confidence in us to deliver quality service to your home or business, and for that we are grateful. Thank you for allowing our family to service your HVAC, electrical and refrigeration needs.
Contractors and Vendors: We give a sincere thank you to the contractors that we work alongside on residential and commercial projects as well as the vendors that supply our team with the materials and products we need. We value your collaboration and assistance.
Employees: Simply put, Cooper Mechanical Services would not exist without the dedication and strength of our team. Your hard work is the reason for Cooper's successes. Thank you for all your accomplishments this year.
Code Enforcers: Your careful inspections and attention to detail allow us to deliver the most up-to-date and safe service to our customers. Thank you for your diligence and hard work this past year.
Myrtle Beach: Lastly, thank you to the Grand Strand and greater Myrtle Beach community. Cooper Mechanical Services has been servicing this area for nearly 30 years, and we are proud to call Myrtle Beach home.
Cooper Mechanical Services wishes all a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
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Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) relates to the condition and quality of air in homes and buildings. Air quality affects health, and poor indoor air quality can cause or exacerbate respiratory issues. Controlling indoor pollutants from smoking, mold, allergens, and more can improve one's health and prevent illness. Ventilation and circulation are important components of having good indoor air quality. To help readers learn more about this subject, we've compiled our most informative indoor air quality blog posts.
"Is Adding an Air Purifier Worth It?" Air cleaning manufacturers make bold claims. See what the EPA has to say about them and consider whether the investment is worth it for you and your family.
"4 Easy Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality." This post is focused on simple things you can do around the house like changing filters, deep cleaning, smoking outside the home, and opening windows for better air circulation.
"Wipe Out Dust and Improve Indoor Air Quality." Ceiling fan blades, tops of furniture and cabinetry, and carpeting love to collect dust. Clear out dust mites and improve breathability in your home or workplace.
"How Is Indoor Air Quality Tested?" Most HVAC companies offer indoor air quality testing. But what does that mean? Learn about the factors the affect indoor air quality and why HVAC technicians are equipped to address these problems.
"Improve IAQ in Myrtle Beach During Allergy Season." South Carolina in the spring can be an allergy nightmare with yellow pollen clouds everywhere. Follow these tips to keep allergens outside and clean air inside.
"Dry Air and Cracked Skin: Indoor Humidity and Comfort." Winter brings cold, dry air. Indoor heating also can make things dry. Improve the humidity in your home and improve skin dryness and soreness.
"Hotel and Motel Indoor Air Quality." Myrtle Beach businesses in the tourism and hospitality industry need to address air quality issues, too. Learn about how our coastal climate can affect indoor air.
Cooper Mechanical Services is Myrtle Beach's IAQ expert. Our service technicians will inspect, test, and address your indoor air issues. Whether it's related to ventilation, circulation, or allergens, we always provide honest recommendations and professional service. Call Cooper to schedule an appointment today.
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When it comes to lighting solutions, cloud-based systems are at the forefront. Leading the pack is Lightcloud by RAB, a residential and commercial lighting solution that distinguishes itself with its streamlined, easy-to-use mobile apps that allow for total light control from anywhere. With the Lightcloud system, users can access and adjust their lighting from any mobile device through the Lightcloud app, available for free in the Apple store and Google Play store.
There are many commercial applications of this system. Myrtle Beach businesses in food service, hospitality, parking and storage, retail, manufacturing and many more can see benefits from cloud-based lighting solutions. The only requirement is a strong cellular signal from a nearby tower.
Cooper Mechanical Services finds the Lightcloud app to be extremely easy to use. The user experience is streamlined, allowing those with the app to quickly access core features in a simple and clean interface.
Users can create custom lighting presets. For example, a commercial property may want to adjust the lighting for certain times or to accentuate certain moods. In a business or school, you can create a light setting for "presentation" mode, dark enough to see a projected image but light enough to allow people to see one another and take notes.
The software includes an "intuitive" control setting that adapts to changes in facility usage and natural light. The custom controls also allow for businesses to control costs and maximize energy savings.
The appeal of Lightcloud is that you don't need to fumble through settings or deal with a cumbersome app. Changes are fast and easy. According RAB, Lightcloud can cut energy spending by up to 68% when coupled with government incentives, and Lightcloud pays for itself in savings within an average of 6 months.
Another benefit of the system is the setup and short learning curve. Installation and setup is quick. For many, the addition of a new digital interface is overwhelming. Cooper Mechanical Services has found that end-users find the Lightcloud app intuitive and quick to learn.
There is a wide variety of Lightcloud-enabled fixtures for indoor and outdoor settings.
Additionally, Lightcloud by RAB has a resource guide and video tutorials on their website in addition to a customer support service.
If you are interested in learning more about a cloud-based lighting solution for your Myrtle Beach home or business, Call Cooper today.
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Myrtle Beach is hot and humid. Sometimes that excessive moisture in the air finds its way inside. Humid indoor air feels hotter, stickier, and is generally uncomfortable. Without proper humidity control, many attempt to compensate by making their home cooler. This puts extra pressure on your HVAC system and can lead to higher utility bills. The best solution for removing humidity from your condo or small home is a slim-profile in-wall dehumidifier.
In-wall dehumidifiers like the Ultra-Aire MD33 are independent of your HVAC unit and can be hardwired to existing electrical or can be powered by a 110v outlet with the provided cord.
Unlike portable dehumidifiers, there is no manual work involved. No dumping captured water and no turning on and off. In-wall dehumidifiers can remove up to 33 pints of water per day, removing it from your home to the outdoors through a drain pipe.
These systems are incredibly popular in the Myrtle Beach area, especially with condo owners who may be looking for an independent humidity solution at an affordable price. Here are some of the reasons why they are so popular:
Without a dehumidifier, you may be overcooling your condo to feel comfortable. Removing excess moisture will allow you to keep your HVAC thermostat at a more economical setting while still feeling cool and comfortable.
To learn more about a slim profile in-wall dehumidifier, call Cooper Mechanical Services today.
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Every thermostat has a button or feature allowing the user to cycle through different settings. While there may be options for custom cycles, every thermostat has auto, on, and off. If you've ever wondered what the difference between "auto" and "on" is, you're not alone.
"Auto" and "on" are HVAC settings that control your system's fan. The fan is located inside your HVAC unit and its job is to help distribute air. The "V" in HVAC is for ventilation, and your fan is responsible for aiding air circulation.
Auto: In the auto setting, the fan automatically moves air when the HVAC system is cooling or heating. Once the desired temperature setting has been reached, the fan will shut off.
On: In the on setting, the fan will run continuously, even after the set thermostat temperature has been reached.
The "auto setting" is more cost effective since fewer mechanical pieces are running when your home is at your set temperature. The auto setting also is quieter and in the long-term, it means less wear and tear on your unit's fan.
The "on setting" means your fan is always running, so it can clog filters more quickly, add to your electric bill, and make it feel a little chillier in winter with air blowing on you.
However, there are some instances when the on setting is helpful. If some rooms tend to get stuffy, the on setting can help keep air moving and circulating. It can also help you feel more comfortable during Myrtle Beach's hot and sticky months. Some also state that running the fan more often helps the HVAC unit trap more particulates, which may be helpful for those with allergies or asthma.
If you travel or are out of the home for long periods of the day, you may want to consider a smart thermostat. In addition to features that allow customized settings to save money and energy, smart thermostats also allow user to control their thermostat remotely via smartphone or device.
With a smart thermostat, you could keep your thermostat set to a more economical temperature while at work, and then set the thermostat remotely to a more comfortable setting before you leave the office for home.
For more HVAC, electrical, and mechanical services, please Call Cooper!
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If you've noticed your lighting dimming or flickering when the AC comes or when you turn on the vacuum cleaner, you're not alone. Although the quick dimming may cause concern, the good news is that it is most likely harmless.
Like starting a car from a cold crank, an HVAC unit takes a lot of power to start initially. The surge of power needed to turn on may temporarily drain electricity from other appliances like your lighting.
As long as the temporary drain is minimal (lights dim but don't go out) and short in duration (a second, for example) this is nothing to worry about. After the "cold crank," your unit requires less power to stay on, and lighting and appliances all receive an appropriate amount of power.
If your lights lose more than half of their brightness or go dark when an appliance like your HVAC comes on, it could be a sign of an electrical problem. Here are some potential electrical and HVAC problems that could cause your lights to significantly dim for longer than a split second:
Damaged Wiring: Loose or frayed wiring can cause current loss that is exacerbated when the HVAC turns on. This could definitely cause lights to significantly dim or flicker.
Weak HVAC Capacitor: Your HVAC capacitor stores power to give your compressor motor a boost upon start up. Overtime, your capacitor's ability to store energy weakens, just as an old car battery does. A damaged, old, or weakened capacitor causes your HVAC to draw more power away from other appliances, causing light dimming.
HVAC Shares Circuit: If other major appliances share the same circuit with your HVAC system, your circuit may be overloaded. There may be light dimming, but if this is the case, you'd likely also deal with your circuit breaker tripping. An overloaded circuit can be a major hazard, so it's important to unplug high voltage appliances until they can be separated or a safe solution by an electrician is found.
Cooper Mechanical Services is the Myrtle Beach area's solution for all things electrical, mechanical and HVAC. Often, HVAC and electrical issues are connected. Our professional electricians and technicians are highly skilled, honest, and dependable. If you are concerned about your home or workplace's HVAC or electrical system, call Cooper Mechanical Services today.
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Hurricane winds can easily knock your HVAC unit off its base, sometimes throwing it and damaging the housing and condenser components in the process. For this reason, there are many after-market HVAC "tie-down" kits. These tie-down kits anchor your unit with metal "straps" and bolts directly to a concrete slab.
The problem for many residential customers is that it's common in Myrtle Beach neighborhoods for contractors to rest HVAC units on "concrete colored" foam bases. While the foam is certainly strong enough to support the weight of an HVAC condenser and keep it off the ground, it isn't possible to tie-down a unit by bolting it down into foam.
In the lead up to a major hurricane, many homeowners are looking to secure their HVAC units at the last minute. For these people, we recommend using long metal "tie out" stakes and nylon ratchet straps like the ones below. If you don't already have something similar in your garage, both can be easily obtained at any home improvement or hardware store. We recommend 4 stakes and 2 straps per unit.
Just like strapping something to the roof of your car, keep your anchors parallel on either side of the unit. It's best to use 4 stakes and 2 straps per unit.
While nothing is guaranteed to be hurricane-proof, the added straps should help secure your unit to its base and prevent damage that can come from it being knocked over or thrown.
After the hurricane is over, assess your HVAC unit and visually inspect for damage. If you notice anything wrong with your home's air conditioning, heating, or electrical, give us a call. Cooper Mechanical Services has been Myrtle Beach's family-owned and operated HVAC and electrical services company since 1989. We've seen what hurricanes can do, and we know how to fix it as you clean up in the aftermath. Don't wait. Call Cooper today.
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When you set your thermostat, is one room significantly warmer or cooler than another? If it's hard to maintain a steady temp throughout your home, it may be because your HVAC system is not a zoned system. Instead of sensing air temperature at one point and cooling an entire structure based on a single sensor location, a zoned system uses multiple units and divides a house into zones to be regulated separately.
This is common in two story homes with each floor having its own "zone." However, there are other structural features that may need a zoned HVAC system. Heating and air conditioning can be tricky in unconventional spaces. Homes with lots of glass, vaulted ceilings, large wings or open floor plans can make maintaining a consistent temperature tricky.
Zoning your heating and air conditioning system can customize temperature control. This helps combat areas of your home that tend to stay cold or warm because of positioning to sunlight, amount of glass, etc.
But what does this mean for monthly costs and comfort? When deciding if your home is a good candidate for zoning, there are a couple key factors to take into consideration.
The first has to do with your temperature experience. Many homeowners who choose to pursue retrofitting for zoning have noticed an imbalance in temperature distribution. If your system is struggling to evenly heat or cool a large area, it might a good idea to look into localized temperature control options.
Another issue that can influence the decision to use zoning methods is efficiency. Many homeowners prefer to heat and cool only the rooms they actively use on a daily basis. For larger homes, this can be a great way to cut costs without taking a hit in comfort. Why pay to keep a room warmed up or cooled down if you aren’t going to be sitting or sleeping in that area?
Zoning provides homeowners with the opportunity to specifically customize the temperature in different parts of the house. This can mean setting your thermostat on a timer during the day while you are at work so you save on heating and cooling costs when the house is empty, or zoning just the bedrooms during the night while residents are sleeping and other parts of the home are empty.
Cooper Mechanical Services is your Myrtle Beach area HVAC, electrical, and mechanical services solution. Our family-owned and operated business has been helping residential and commercial customer solves cooling and heating problems since 1989.
Our technicians are dependable, professional, and honest. If you are curious about whether a zoned system will improve comfort and savings, give us a call and we'll help you assess the situation and explore options.
Call 843-626-3689 or get in touch with our team of experts at Cooper to learn if your house is right for zoning your heating and air conditioning.
Read more
Winter is almost here, and even Myrtle Beach can experience some cold weather from time to time. If you have an open floor plan or some drafty parts of your home, you might consider a space heater. Space heaters can be great when you need temporary, location-specific heat (a cold room or office, for example). That said, safety heaters can pose a fire hazard if not used properly.
While there are fuel-burning space heaters, the overwhelming majority of people use electric space heaters for supplemental home and office heating. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates 25,000 residential fires and 300 deaths are caused by space heaters. The top causes of space heater fires are using them too close to flammable items and leaving them unattended.
In this post we'll cover some space heater safety tips so you stay warm and out of harm's way.
Portable electric space heaters are must meet consumer safety standards, but to reduce the risk of fire, follow these safety tips:
Cooper Mechanical Services is the Grand Strand's source for quick, honest, and dependable HVAC service. We specialize in residential and commercial heating, cooling, ventilation, and indoor air quality. Additionally, we also offer a variety of electrical and mechanical services to our clients. To learn more about HVAC or to schedule an inspection, visit our website and Call Cooper today.
Read more
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843-626-3689
843-626-3689