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Temperatures have dropped noticeably in Myrtle Beach as we move from October to November. Average lows are in the 40s this time of year, and colder weather is on the way. That means it's time to prepare your HVAC system and home or business for winter and increased heating use. Here's how to prepare so you won't be caught in a cold house this season:
Of course we're going to mention this as number one, but it's because it can save you some of the frustration and expense of an HVAC problem later, when heat is really needed. A clean and service visit will cover a full inspection of your heating equipment, a chemical cleaning, and a full system test.
Most importantly, we'll make sure your heat pump is in operable condition and, if they exist, identify possible issues affecting performance early. This can extend the life of your heating unit and save you a considerable amount of money in the long-term.
A carpentry bench in your garage, a small gym in a backyard shed, a music practice space in an unfinished room above a garage. They go by different names: man caves, she-sheds, and garage workshops, but one thing is true: without air conditioning, they all become unbearably hot during our Myrtle Beach summers. Converted garages tend to be DIY affairs, practical solutions for homeowners to carve out a space for their hobbies or passion projects.
A ductless cooling system like Carrier's Infinity High Wall ductless system can turn your hot garage or workspace into a cool and comfortable place to create.
A ductless system is a room-specific, wall-mounted unit for cooling a single space. It's easy to cool a 500 square foot garage with a small mini-split ductless system.
But how do they work? Ductless systems work just like your central air, but without the ducts. Mini-splits suck warm air from your home, absorb moisture and heat from that air, and then blow cool air directly from the wall-mounted unit.
The indoor mounted system houses an evaporator and blower. A conduit connects your ductless system to the ductless condenser outside your home.
It's like adding an extra like HVAC unit for a specific room without having to rework your home's ductwork.
Ductless systems are easy ways to cool non-traditional living spaces like your garage. If you want a quick and easy way to transform your garage into a place you want to spend time in, a ductless system will have you up and running in no time.
Additionally, adding ductless system will not affect the performance of your home's regular HVAC system. Expanding your current system is always a possibility, but often homeowners find that their current unit won't handle the extra square-footage that comes with adding ducts to a new room. Overtaxing an HVAC unit in this way is never a good idea.
The the one con of a ductless system may be the cost. Though they have come down in price over the years, it requires an initial investment. Additionally, some homeowners don't like the appearance of an indoor wall-mounted unit. That said, the Carrier Infinity ductless system is small, sleek, and can be mounted above eye-level.
Cooper Mechanical Services can help you decide which options are best for your needs and budget. Whether you want to expand a duct system or go with a new ductless option, CMS offers fast, reliable, and professional heating and cooling services.
To learn more, Call Cooper.
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More consumers are paying attention to energy efficiency ratings. Energy efficient materials, appliances, and home systems like heating and cooling aren't just good for the planet. They can also lower monthly utility bills. However, use of acronyms and industry jargon can make it confusing for average consumers looking to compare HVAC systems on their own. In this blog post, we'll explain the most common energy efficiency ratings to help you understand what the numbers on the sticker tag means for you.
Your EER, or energy efficiency ratio, is this: the BTU per hour of cooling at 95°F divided by the watts used at 95°F (BTUs/hr at 95° ÷ W at 95°). The higher the number, the more efficient the cooling system. While SEER numbers will be prominently featured on HVAC systems, you may find EER values on AC window units and heat pumps, especially water-based and geothermal appliances.
Even for those with limited knowledge, the SEER acronym means something. There are even billboards in Myrtle Beach for a national HVAC chain touting "SEER" ratings on units. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. SEER is the ratio between the cooling system output (BTUs) and the amount of electric energy a unit consumes in a given period. The lower the number, the more electric energy a cooling system consumes. Conversely, the higher the number, the less energy a cooling system consumes. Since cooling is our primary focus for the Myrtle Beach area, SEER is a good indicator for comparing the efficiency of HVAC systems.
HSPF is the Heating Season Performance Measure. According to Energy.gov, the HSPF is the “total space heating required during the heating season, expressed in BTUs, divided by the total electrical energy consumed by the heat pump system during the same season, expressed in watt-hours.” Since Myrtle Beach has mild winters (and sometimes they are downright warm), this rating is much less relevant to consumers in this region. If you are living in Michigan and half the year is spent heating your home, HSPF is something you'd want to look at when shopping.
COP stands for Coefficient of Performance. Similar to EER, the COP value is the BTU of Heat at 47°F divided by BTU of electricity used at 47°. This value measures heat pump efficiency, so the higher the COP number, the more efficient the heat pump.
Another performance measurement for heat pumps is AFUE, or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. While most Myrtle Beach residents won't be too concerned with the AFUE rating, it's helpful to understand what it is and why it matters. Should South Carolina ever become a place where we turn on our heat for long parts of the year, AFUE would be helpful to know when looking to replace a furnace. AFUE measures the efficiency over an entire heating season. For example, if a furnace has an AFUE value of 85%, that means that for every BTU of fuel, the furnace will produce .85 BTU of heat. In other words, an 85% AFUE rating means that 15% of energy is lost on average over an entire year of heating.
There are plenty of companies that will try to dazzle you with industry-speak, acronyms, and efficiency numbers. Cooper Mechanical Services is not one of those companies. Our HVAC professionals explain HVAC ratings in terms that average homeowners and business owners can understand. We also realize that not ever energy efficiency rating is relevant in South Carolina.
For honest and dependable heating, cooling, ventilation, and indoor air quality services, call Cooper.
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I remember the first time I looked up at an HVAC vent in my living room and noticed a light brown stain. At first glance it looked like maybe it was a shadow or even some dust stuck to the ceiling. However, upon inspection it was a stain. More specifically, it was a water stain caused by poor insulation around the air ducts.
In this post, we'll look at some of the main causes of water stains around your HVAC vents along with what you can do to fix the problem and remove the stain.
As mentioned above, a water stain around your vent is an indication of escaped moisture. This is a direct result of a problem with insulation. The most common causes are air leaks and lack of insulation.
Condensation is a byproduct of all HVAC systems. Condensation is the result of the warm air in your home's attic mixing with the cool air traveling through your HVAC system's ducts. When properly insulated and maintained, excess water is removed from the air and exits your house through a drain line.
Myrtle Beach summers are very hot and humid, so there is often a lot of condensation during months with high AC use. When there are gaps or leaks in duct insulation, water droplets drip from your attic to your ceiling. Over time, these drops will create stains and ruin drywall.
Stains that are around HVAC vents indicate an insulation problem around the part of the duct that attaches to the vent. This is commonly known as the "boot." Poor insulation and boot fitting create opportunities for condensation to escape. When water drips around the vent, you'll notice the dark stain on the ceiling near your AC vents.
Since the stain is a symptom of an insulation or vent fitting problem, it's wise to call an HVAC professional to fix the root issue. Adding insulation and refitting the duct boot is a relatively common service call. Once fixed, it's time to take care of the stain.
Get rid of water stains by applying a coat of Kilz primer and then a coat or two of paint to match your ceiling.
For professional and affordable HVAC service, call Cooper Mechanical Services today. Our team is knowledgeable, courteous, and quick to solve problems with the latest technology include thermal imaging for hard-to-find leaks. To schedule a service call, simply Call Cooper.
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843-626-3689
843-626-3689