We're More Than Commercial HVAC for Hotels and Restaurants

It's summertime, so when people see our service trucks and vans around Myrtle Beach, they tend to think about air-conditioning. HVAC is a big part of what we do for commercial clients. In hotels and restaurants, we provide installation, maintenance and repair services for air conditioning, heating, ventilation. But as the Grand Strand's premier mechanical and electrical services provider, we also do a whole lot more. Myrtle Beach hotels and restaurants rely on many mechanical systems to keep guests cool, comfortable, and safe. 

Additional Services for Hotels and Restaurants

Here are some of our other big commercial services in addition to hotel and restaurant HVAC:

Commercial Lighting

We handle installation and repair for inside and outside lighting solutions. As an unlimited-license electrical contractor, we cover everything from parking lot and pole lighting to room or pool lighting. Our electricians are highly knowledgable and can assist you in finding conventional and smart lighting solutions that conserve energy, save money, and keep people and facilities safe and secure. 

Commercial Refrigeration

We also work closely with many businesses in the service and hospitality sector in Myrtle Beach installing, cleaning, and repairing commercial refrigerators, freezers, and ice machines. Faulty refrigeration equipment can lead to customer dissatisfaction or worse. SCDHEC inspections require holding temperatures and sanitation standards for walk-ins, display cases, and even ice machines. Our mechanical professionals work with all major manufacturers to ensure your hotel or restaurant is safe and up-to-code.

Emergency Shut-Off

Commercial boilers and heated pools and spas require emergency shut-off valves or switches. Our team is qualified to evaluate, install, or repair your boiler shut-off so you are compliant with the National Fire Protection Association (Code 85).

Stairwell Pressurization

Stairwell pressurization exists in part to suppress fires from spreading from hotel rooms and hallways to stairwells which are the primary means of escape. Pressurization also improves the ease with which doors can open and close. Stairwell pressurization is required for National Fire Protection Association code compliance. Our mechanical team is fully equipped to verify and solve issues relating to stairwell pressure.

Generators and Back-Up Power

Our sister company, Cooper Electrical Services, handles all commercial generator sales, installation, maintenance, and repair. Living in the path of destructive storms, businesses need to be prepared when power goes out. Our generator team allows businesses to keep facilities operational and secure for extended periods of time.

Your Source for Mechanical and Electrical Services

The above is just a highlight of some of the regular kinds of projects we work on. If your hotel or restaurant needs expert mechanical or electrical services, please contact us. Our team is knowledgable, professional, and dependable. We've been serving the Myrtle Beach area since 1989, and we're proud to be a part of this community. Don't wait, Call Cooper.

Summer is Myrtle Beach is hot, and air conditioning at home and at work is a necessity. The last thing you want is for your AC to go out in July or August in South Carolina. Despite the wealth of information on the web, there are still some common myths about AC that folks believe. Here are our top air conditioning myths and why you should ignore them.

Myth 1: Wait Until the AC Dies Before Replacing It

There's some logic behind this idea. It makes sense to use something fully before replacing it, which means that sometimes the cost of repairs makes more sense than the expense of a total replacement. But sometimes the "run it 'til the wheels fall off" mentality neglects the cost of inefficiency. 

Old units with occasional repairs may be costing you more than just the parts and labor. Old ACs work harder and cool less. You'll see the added expense on monthly utility bills, on top of the frustration and discomfort from an inefficient AC. 

For more information, check out our post on when it's better to replace and when it's better to repair your HVAC.

Myth 2: Turning Your Thermostat Down Lower Will Cool the Room Faster

Sorry, folks. It doesn't matter if you set your thermostat at 68 or 60 degrees. Setting your thermostat lower than the ideal temperature won't get you there any faster. Your AC unit has a limited capacity, and setting the temperature at a colder setting doesn't speed up the pace. The greater the gap between the actual temperature and the set temperature, the longer it will take to get there. Patience is a virtue.

Myth 3: It Doesn't Matter Where You Put the Thermostat

We're sure this isn't as commonly believed as the others, but we want to highlight the fact that thermostat placement is important to how effective your AC is in cooling your home or office.

Your thermostat is the device monitoring indoor temperature and deciding whether or not your AC needs to come on. If your thermostat is in direct sunlight or near a window, or if it is directly below a vent blowing cool air, it is not getting an accurate representation of the indoor temperature. Poor placement skews readings, which means you may be adjusting your thermostat to a setting lower than you normally would in order to feel cool in the rest of the space.

A central location on an interior wall away from vents is always the best place for a thermostat.

Myth 4: The Larger AC Unit, the Better

Despite popular opinion, bigger isn't always better, and it's definitely true with AC units. If your air conditioning unit is too big, the compressor will turn on and off in quick intervals, which isn't good for wear and tear. It may also not effectively remove moisture from the air.

If the unit is too small, it will be working too hard to cool your home and constantly running. This can wear out the mechanical components and lead to high utility bills.

All of the above is the reason why units are always rated for a specific square-footage range. Choose the unit that fits your home or office.

Myth 5: Regular Maintenance Isn't Worth It

We understand that cleaning and maintenance contracts can seem like a lot of money, especially if your unit has been fine on its own for a while. However, just like oil changes for your car, regular maintenance and cleaning is going to extend the life and hopefully save you money in the long-run when you avoid costly repairs.

Visit our blog to learn more about HVAC service contracts, and what to look for and what to avoid.

Service Contracts Benefit Both Owners and HVAC Service Providers

Service contracts, clean and service agreements, or maintenance contracts. All these terms describe scheduled inspection, cleaning, and service of your HVAC system. HVAC service contracts may vary in terms of frequency of visit and scope of maintenance, but 1-2 visits a year is common. 

There are benefits of scheduled service for both HVAC companies and homeowners. HVAC companies benefit from the reliability service work, especially in spring and fall before the extreme heating and air-conditioning months arrive. Homeowners benefit from increased HVAC lifespan and efficiency, as well as being able to be proactive in addressing any issues before they snowball into major repairs. In an area like Myrtle Beach, scheduled maintenance can give you some peace of mind if you have a second property or vacation home.  

That said, signing an annual contract makes some wary for fear of being "locked in" and committed. Contracts can also contain fine print policies or leave curious about what service or products you are actually paying for. In this post we'll look at what to look for and what to avoid when shopping for an HVAC service plan.

Service Contracts to Avoid

There can be many red flags when looking over a service contract. And our first recommendation is that you look over the terms of the agreement before signing or providing payment. Here are some signs of a bad HVAC service contract:

1. Less than a page: A service contract isn't a 50-page document, but it should definitely be more than a page. The document should explain exactly what is covered (and perhaps what is not covered), pricing, and special terms of the agreement. The contract should explain the expectations of both the customer and the service provider. There needs to be enough in the document to protect you and the HVAC company, so make sure it is specific.

2. Insanely Cheap: You know that saying about a deal that's too good to be true? Compare service agreement rates amongst a handful of companies. There may be variations, but they should be in a similar ballpark. Avoid the ones that seem like they can offer the same product and service at a fraction of the price. Something is usually being left out.

3. Minuscule Type: You should be able to read the document. Be wary of the long paragraph on the last page in tiny type. If information is presented like this, it is intentionally being minimized for a reason. Additionally, any reputable service professional should be able to explain these terms to you. If they can't, go somewhere else.

4. Legalese and Jargon: An HVAC service contract should be able to simply state the terms and conditions as well as the scope of service, the expectations from both parties, and the cost. Question contracts that mask contract terms in confusing legalese.

Signs of a Good HVAC Service Contract

On the other hand, good service contracts will inform you of the following:

• A clear list of covered equipment, if you have multiple units
• A list of tasks and checks performed during each visit
• Assurance of quality service
• Indication of when service will be performed
• Included and not included parts and labor
• Details about how work not covered in the contract will be handled (repairs, if needed)
• Details about payment (how much, when is it due, terms for late payment, etc)

You should feel comfortable with the HVAC company. Ask for a copy of the service contract and take your time to compare what you get (and don't get) with different companies. Some may have perks that others do not (discounted labor rates, priority service, etc). Look at reviews online and talk with neighbors. You can save yourself future headaches by doing a little research before signing a year's agreement.