Lights Dimming When the AC or Another Large Appliance Turns On

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.

When Lights Dimming is a Sign of a Larger Problem

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.

An Electrical and HVAC Specialist

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.

Hurricanes Can Blow Your HVAC Unit Over

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.

Using Tie-Out Stakes and Ratchet Straps to Secure Your HVAC

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.

Need HVAC or Electrical Repair?

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.

Commercial Refrigerator Repair in Myrtle Beach

If you're looking for refrigerator repair for your Myrtle Beach restaurant or business, Cooper Mechanical Services is your answer. Working refrigeration is necessary for food safety and customer satisfaction. If refrigerator units cannot keep required holding temperatures, you may receive a low health score from DHEC or even be forced to close until it is fixed. In the end, refrigeration problems negatively affect your business, employees, and customers. 

Cooper Mechanical Services can inspect, diagnose, and repair your commercial refrigerator problem so you can get back to making profits and doing what you do best. We work all types of reach-in, walk-in, and display case refrigeration units.

Here are some common refrigerator repairs that we see in Myrtle Beach.

Common Refrigeration Problems

Temperature Issues: Temperature issues are our most common call. When your refrigerator isn't cooling, it's the symptom. This issue can result from a number of causes, anything from a bad seal or temperature control gauge to a blocked vent. 

Power Problems: Bad wiring, frayed cords, or even tripped GFCIs can lead to no power. Whether simple or complex, our team includes refrigeration and electrical experts to find the cause and repair your unit, the cord, or your outlet.

Compressor Failures: Dirt, dust, and debris can clog your compressor and affect performance. Your refrigerator's compressor is what allows it to cool, and since all kinds of grime and dirt can be found on kitchen floors, it's important to keep your compressor coils clean. Cooper specializes in compressor coil cleaning and repair.

Evaporator Problems: Just like HVAC units, refrigerators use evaporator coils and fan in the cooling process. Evaporator-related problems include ice build-up and clogged drain lines, both easily identified and fixed.

Lighting Issues: Functional lighting is important for worker safety as employees must be able to see refrigerator contents and where to walk in walk-in units. In display cases, lighting helps sell food and beverages when items are lit and cast in an attractive light. Lights not working? We fix that, too.

Myrtle Beach Refrigeration Experts You Can Trust

Cooper Mechanical Services has been serving the greater Grand Strand since 1989. A large part of our business is serving the many hotels, restaurants, and service/hospitality businesses in our area. Cooper Mechanical is an unlimited-license electrical contractor specializing in HVAC, Refrigeration, Electrical, and Lighting services. We provide accurate lead-time estimates on commercial projects, and we offer 24/7 emergency services so your business doesn't lose profit with down time. Need help? Call Cooper!