When Weather Bounces Between Extremes
“Don’t like the weather? Wait 15 minutes” This popular saying is touted by people from many different regions of the country, but it is perhaps most apt in Myrtle Beach during the summer when clear, sunny skies can give way to dark thunderclouds at a moment’s notice for a short downpour before the sun shows its face again.
However, winter 2016-2017 along the Grand Strand has been a tough nut to crack. Record highs around the United States had Myrtle Beach locals and visitors on the beaches in t-shirts and shorts. Visiting Huntington Beach State Park after Christmas I even witnessed some children playing in the water, although I’m fairly certain they were French Canadians on vacation.
The good news is that because of this mild winter your heat has likely not been running and your power bill is likely down as a result. But yo-yoing temperatures are on the horizon. The first week of 2017 along the Grand Strand has temperature highs bouncing between the 70s and 30s, which is frustrating when deciding what to wear in the morning. It’s also a challenge deciding how to best set your home’s thermostat for comfort and cost-savings.
Don’t Let Cold Snaps Cost You More
Here are some tips for keeping your home comfortable when South Carolina weather is fluctuating between extremes:
- Use programmable thermostat settings. As we’ve highlighted before, most modern thermostats allow users to create multiple settings. To maximize cost-savings, we recommend setting your thermostat to warmer temperatures when you are home and awake, and setting it to cooler temperatures when you are gone or asleep.
- Keep an eye on the forecast and make adjustments before a cold snap. It is much harder on your HVAC system to alter a home’s temperature from 50 to 70 than from 68 to 72. By adjusting your thermostat ahead of a sudden temperature drop you’ll ensure your HVAC system won’t be working overtime to catch up.
- Don’t heat the parts of the house that are unused or unneeded. Closing vents and doors to an unused office or spare room is a great way to save money, energy and heat your home more efficiently.
- Use free, natural heating when available. If temperatures will drop drastically at night, keep blinds and shades open on windows during the day to use solar heat. You’ll notice that you won’t need to move your thermostat as much as a result.
Cooper Mechanical Services Won’t Leave You in the Cold
Will we see snow on the Grand Strand this year? Only time will tell. In the meantime, don’t let our fluctuating weather pattern cost you or your HVAC system more than it has to. If your HVAC system needs some TLC, Cooper Mechanical Services is on hand to make sure you aren’t left in the cold.