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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.
In South Carolina, we usually take out air humidifiers in the winter when the weather is dry and cold air can lead to irritated respiratory systems, cracked skin, and more. Humidifiers are tools that simply add moisture back into the air by converting a reservoir of water into vapor and distributing via a fan and a directional vent.
It sounds counterintuitive, especially in hot and sticky Myrtle Beach when humidity is extreme during the summer months. But running a cool air humidifier this spring and summer can help you stay more comfortable and healthier when you're indoors.
It's normal to have your HVAC unit running almost constantly during a Myrtle Beach summer where temperatures in the upper 90s and extreme humidity is commonplace. Your HVAC unit cools your home or business by drawing warm air through your system and over evaporator coils. Heat and moisture in that warm air is condensed and moved outside of your home. So as the the air recycling back into the room is cooler, it is also dryer.
This loss of moisture usually isn't a problem. But running your HVAC around-the-clock, like we do in the hottest months of the summer, can lead to some very dry indoor air.
Whether you choose to use free-standing electric humidifiers in multiple rooms, or choose to add a whole-home humidifier to your HVAC system, adding humidity in the summer has benefits.
Proper Humidity is Healthier and More Comfortable: The discomfort that results from dry air will be minimized. Alleviate problems associated with dry eyes, nosebleeds, dry skin, and more that develop from constant air-conditioning and low humidity.
Protect Your Home and Possessions: If indoor humidity is too low or too high, you may notice doorways, wood floors, and even things like furniture or wooden instruments warping, cracking, and more.
If you are uncomfortable this summer from constant air conditioning, let us know. The Cooper Mechanical team members are experts in all things HVAC, including finding solutions to balance humidity and ventilation during the hottest and coldest months.
To learn more about humidity and some of the effects from having too much humidity in your home, check out this article from our blog about why humidity makes everything feel hotter and what you can do about it.
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When your HVAC system is operating as it should, you probably don't notice it much. There might be an initial click when it turns on and the starting hum of the fan, but then it likely fades into the background noise. You rely upon your senses to notice when your HVAC unit seems different: a strange sound, an unfamiliar smell, or even the feeling that it's warmer or cooler than normal. Oftentimes, new and unusual sounds are the early warning signs from your HVAC unit that all is not well. Investigate and address rattling, clunking, or grinding sounds before it's too late.
In this post, we'll focus on rattling sounds coming from your HVAC and some probable causes.
Loose Hardware: There's a good chance the rattling sound you hear coming from your unit is a loose screw. Screws securing your condenser or evaporator are subject to vibration. Over time, the vibration can loosen screws, creating a rattling sound. For this problem, the solution is very simple: just tighten.
Nearby Debris: Residential HVAC units are usually located outside a home where grass, dirt, and sticks can get in through the housing and become stuck. Commercial HVAC units in lots or on roofs can suck in pebbles and other tiny pieces of debris, too. The rattling sound could be debris knocking around in the HVAC components. For this problem, the simple solution is to remove the housing and clear all debris.
Fan Alignment: If the fan of your HVAC unit is misaligned, the vibration of the fan could cause it to knock and clank against the HVAC housing. This is not as common, but it could be the result of a poor installation or lodged debris affecting the balance of the fan. If it's debris and left unchecked, it could cause the fan to seize and create a bigger problem. If you address it early, it's an easy fix.
Motor Troubles: This is the most major of the causes. If parts of the motor are loose or coming apart, you may first notice it as a rattling sound. If you inspect the motor thoroughly, you may find it's just a loose screw or debris, but if left unchecked, there is the potential for more serious motor trouble.
We've got our fingers crossed that it's just a screw we need to tighten, but take comfort in knowing that if it is a more serious problem, that fixing it early is always easier and cheaper than waiting until the problem compounds.
If you hear a rattling sound coming from your HVAC, give us a call. We'll inspect your HVAC unit for the common causes above first. Cooper Mechanical Services provides honest and affordable heating and air-conditioning service you can trust.
To speak with a Cooper professional today, visit our website or Call Cooper at 843-626-3689.
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In addition to HVAC, Cooper Mechanical Services has built a reputation as a leader in electrical solutions for the Grand Strand. Commercial lighting design, lighting installation, and lighting repair is one way we help Myrtle Beach businesses. In this post we'll look at how effective lighting design can not only keep your business safe and accessible, but can also deter crime.
Indoor and outdoor lighting design can serve a number of purposes, but the first is safety. Good lighting allows employees, customers, and whoever else is visiting your business to navigate your space safely. Whether you use pole lighting, ground lighting, or a combination of styles, the goal is to make spaces accessible and safe, whether by foot, automobile, or wheelchair.
Additionally, interior and exterior lighting can be used to call attention to certain elements, whether that's a main entrance, a product display, a sidewalk, or signage. In the end, lighting ensures safety and ease of use for all, regardless of your business or industry.
In Myrtle Beach, crime tends to rise during the summer. This is largely due to the influx of nearly 15 million tourists and visitors. For Myrtle Beach businesses and residents, this means and increase in robberies, burglaries, car thefts, and other targeted attacks. Because of this, the City of Myrtle Beach recently installed 800 security cameras around high-traffic and high-crime areas.
Local police remind residents that the most effective way to prevent crime is to be proactive: lock car and building doors, set alarms, and keep areas well-lit.
According to the National Institute of Justice, improving lighting can reduce crime by up to 20 percent..
Cooper Mechanical Services can help you protect your business and employees with the following:
As an unlimited-license electrical contractor in Myrtle Beach, Cooper Mechanical Services is well-equipped to design, install, or repair and upgrade a wide variety of lighting and electrical solutions for increased safety.
The Cooper electrical team is happy to visit your business or workplace. Together, we'll assess existing lighting and consider how additional lighting or upgrades may improve accessibility and safety.
Call Cooper and make sure your business is safe.
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843-626-3689
843-626-3689