HVAC & Plumbing Blog | Carolina Climate Control - Charleston

Here Are The Top 3 HVAC Trends To Pay Attention To In The Lowcountry In 2021

January 6th, 2021

With 2020 now firmly in the rear-view mirror for us in the Lowcountry, let’s take a look at the year ahead and review some of the important HVAC trends to pay attention to in 2021.

1. Geothermal Heating & Cooling Still On The Rise

Though it hasn’t gained as much attention as other renewable energy technologies, geothermal HVAC systems have continued to gain popularity for savvy area homeowners. As geothermal efficiency continues to improve and upfront costs lowering, expect to see more widespread adoption in 2021.

2. Increased Connectivity & Personalized Comfort

We noted this as a rising trend in last year’s HVAC trend post, and it’ll be more of the same in 2021.

With the rise of ductless mini-split heating and cooling systems, smart thermostat connectivity and advanced heating and cooling monitoring & control systems, HVAC systems in Charleston homes have never been more easily managed and customizable.

3. More Indoor Air Quality Technology Installations

After the year we’ve had in 2020, we all pretty much know how much a pandemic can affect every aspect of our everyday lives — including in our own homes. That’s why we expect to see larger, more proactive indoor air quality solutions installed in area Lowcountry homes.

On top of this, you can expect to see even more advanced, residential air quality technologies being developed, produced and made available by major HVAC manufacturers.

Have any more HVAC technologies you’d like to know more about in 2021? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and we’ll be sure to review them in our future blog posts this year.

Holiday Deals Help Lower Costs For New HVAC Systems Every Year

November 23rd, 2020

With the holiday season rapidly approaching, finding ways to squeeze more out of year-end budgets can be at the top of many Lowcountry homeowner’s list this time of year.

Finding additional budget for holiday gifts, small get-togethers and other special events can be difficult this time of year, especially when you’ve got some lingering home projects that need to be addressed first.

One of those home projects many Charleston area residents address this time of year is the installation of a new heating and air conditioning system.

While this may be a large undertaking, the holiday season might very well be the best time of year to schedule a replacement project.

Below are just a few ways you can upgrade your home’s comfort and air quality, and save money for your holiday plans this year.

Holiday Deals On New HVAC Installations

Introduced for the first time this year, we’re currently running our Cash For The Holidays program, which allows Charleston area homeowners to take home a $500 Visa gift card with any new HVAC system replacement.

That new system can be traditional air conditioning or heating systems, ductless mini-split heating and air systems or any other system you may need for your home.

Holiday Deals On Indoor Air Quality Installations

Included as part of the above mentioned Cash For The Holidays program, Lowcountry residents can also get a $50 Visa gift card with any new indoor air quality purchase.

With rising concerns over pandemics and indoor air quality, many homeowners are opting to install whole home air purifiers like the HALO-LED In-Duct Air Purifier to help keep the air in their homes clean and healthy.

Now through December 25th, you can get one of these systems in your home — and save money doing so.

Bonus: Holiday Deals Help Local Charity Programs

In addition to the combined HVAC + Indoor Air Quality offers we’re running this year, with every new HVAC installation, we’ll be donating $50 to our local Toys for Tots program.

The Toys For Tots program provides less fortunate children with books, toys and other gifts during the holiday season.

We hope you have a safe & healthy holiday season, and with the programs & deals mentioned above we also hope you can save some money this year as well!

Everything You Need To Know About Installing An Air Conditioning In Your Lowcountry Home

July 27th, 2020

Now that we’ve made our way into the Lowcountry’s hottest month of the year, area homeowners — now more than ever — are wondering if their air conditioners will make it through the summer.

While knowing if your air conditioner will make it through to the fall can be dependent on a variety of factors, including your HVAC system’s expected lifespan, the potential for a major breakdown greatly increases this time of year.

That breakdown potential is exactly the reason you should always have a gameplan ready in case the worst occurs, so to help you out with that we’ve pulled together a comprehensive buying guide that can be applied for just about every Lowcountry homeowner’s unique HVAC needs.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this AC buying guide:

1. HVAC System Types
2. HVAC Accessories & Other Essentials
3. HVAC Brands To Know About
4. Current System Information
5. Choosing An AC Installation Company
6. What To Do After Installing A New A/C

HVAC System Types

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems can come in a variety of shapes and sizes in order to accommodate the unique needs of Lowcountry homes. Without getting into too many technical details below are the system types you should know about and the differences between them.

Traditional Central Air Conditioning & Heat Pumps

These are the most common types of heating & air conditioning system types found around the Lowcountry. You’ll find the familiar, metal-cabineted traditional central air unit outside most homes around the area, which is paired with an indoor air handler that moves the air around the homes’ ductwork.

Some air handlers are also setup with an electrical heating element to provide support for any other primary heating source, most likely a standalone furnace or heat pump.

Heat pumps, while they may look almost exactly the same as a traditional central air conditioner setups, allow you to get two-way operation: cooling in the summer and heating in the winter.

The biggest advantage to this two-way operation is that in most cases, installing a heat pump can replace the need for a standalone furnace. Many homeowners here in Charleston take advantage of that two-way operation.

While this may not work for every home situation, our relatively moderate winters we get in the Lowcountry means that heat pumps are a completely viable choice for a primary heating source.

Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioning

Ductless mini-split AC systems are on the rise here in the Lowcountry (and around the US actually), due to the fact that they eliminate the need for any existing ductwork in order to condition the air in the spaces around your home.

Not needing ductwork means that ductless mini-splits are great for new home additions and retrofitting into older Lowcountry homes that don’t have any existing ductwork to run through.

Eliminating ductwork from your HVAC equation also means less time maintaining and cleaning that ductwork — something many area homeowners that experience frequent flooding know all too much about.

Finally, ductless systems also can provide more granular, unique comfort settings to separate areas around your home. Each area or room in your home can have a ductless system installed and combined to make a complete-home multi-zoned system — each with individual temperature controls. That means your family and guests can achieve personalized comfort anywhere they go in your home.

Geothermal Air Conditioning

The last system type you should know about the Lowcountry is geothermal heating and cooling.

Becoming more and more common here in Charleston, geothermal HVAC systems use the naturally steady temperatures beneath the ground in your home in order to heat or cool your home — throughout any season.

While the outside temperature and humidity rises and falls rapidly, the temperature of the ground underneath your home stays about the same throughout the year, which makes it the perfect place to transfer heat into — and out of. In the summer, a geothermal heat pump will move warm, humid air from inside your home into the much cooler ground under your property and in the winter moves warmth from the ground into your home.

This ground source heat transfer is much more efficient than other systems types, which usually transfer heat from (or to) the air outside your home. That constant underground temperature means that it’s much more readily able to accept that heat (or withdraw from in the winter).

That efficiency leads to dramatically lower energy bills — sometimes cutting bills up to 70%(!).

Combine that with the tax incentives on both the state & local level, helps offset the increased installation costs and helps you recoup your investment within just a few years time, when that operating efficiency actually starts paying you back.

HVAC Accessories, Warranties & Maintenance Plans

Now that you’ve got a good understanding of the different system types, let’s jump into some of the different controls and other essentials you can choose to add-on to your new HVAC system.

Smart Thermostats & Real-time Diagnostics

Traditional digital thermostats are solid & dependable, but in today’s connected world smart thermostats are what most people are opting for these days.

Putting the “smart” in smart thermostats, you can stay connected to your home’s temperature & humidity controls via the internet allowing you to keep a closer eye on your system.

Smart control systems like the Trane + Nexia pairing can keep an even closer eye on your system with real-time diagnostics that can send alerts to your HVAC company to catch small problems — before they become large issues.

Other Wireless HVAC Control Apps

For ductless air conditioning systems, Mitsubishi’s kumo cloud service allows you to control & schedule comfort settings in multiple zones in your home — or groups of zones (“downstairs zones”, for example).

WaterFurnace – a leading geothermal HVAC manufacturer — also has a cloud-based control & monitoring system with its Symphony Home Comfort platform. This system also includes energy use monitoring and geothermal equipment notifications that can alert your local HVAC company about any faults and system condition.

To ensure you’re able to take advantage of these various cloud-based systems, be sure to ask your heating and air conditioning contractor if your system components will be compatible.

HVAC Warranties

For most HVAC systems there are 3 types of warranties: base, registered & extended.

Base warranties, in general, are included automatically with any new HVAC system. These are very limited in nature in both coverage — only covering defective parts — and warranty length, usually only lasting a short time after installation. It also doesn’t cover any labor costs related to any warranty repair or replacements.

Registered warranties extend the base warranty’s coverage a bit further, but again only cover defective parts — not any issues resulting from a poor installation — and does not cover any related labor costs for service/replacement.

Extended warranties are generally only available from manufacturer-trained HVAC companies (to ensure quality, professional installations), include coverage for parts and in most cases, labor.

Speak with your HVAC company about different options they offer, and be sure to get the best HVAC warranty possible to avoid any additional costs involved with any installation defects.

HVAC Maintenance Plans

Like the warranties mentioned above, HVAC maintenance plans add an extra layer of protection for your new HVAC equipment.

Very affordable, maintenance plans typically include two yearly appointments to review your system (one in the spring and one in the fall) to stay ahead of any potential issues and keep your system operating at a high level.

These plans can also include discounted labor & parts should any issues come up during your maintenance plan agreement length of time, giving you yet another way to lessen the blow of any unexpected issues.

Heating & Air Conditioning System Brands To Know About

There are literally dozens of HVAC brands on the market today, so sorting through the differences and finer manufacturer details can be quite the challenge. To help you out, below is a shortlist of brands that we love working with and Lowcountry residents have been getting great performance from.

Trane Air Conditioners For Traditional AC’s, Heat Pumps & Furnaces

Trane might be one of the most recognizable brands in the entire HVAC industry — even worldwide — and it goes without saying they produce excellent products.

They’ve been voted America’s Most Trusted HVAC brand for the past 6 years and unlike other manufacturers, they design, build and test their own parts. Among those parts are its Spine Fin All-Aluminum Coils, which is highly resistant to corrosion and higher efficiency — things you definitely want here in the Lowcountry.

Mitsubishi Electric Air Conditioners For Ductless Mini-Split AC’s & Heat Pumps

Mitsubishi is another worldwide brand, but not a lot of people know they’ve been making ductless HVAC systems in the US for over 30 years now and produce some of the easiest to use products on the market.

Lowcountry homeowners have loved the ease of use of their kumo cloud app as mentioned above, and their unique room occupancy adjustments. On select models they use a 3D i-see infrared sensor to adjust the temperature in a particular room based on the heat signature of the area. So as more people come in the room (and overall temperature increases from the body heat), it will adjust its settings to make sure it maintains the comfort level automatically.

WaterFurnace For Geothermal Heating & Cooling

Known for their long track record of high quality products (since 1983), the WaterFurnace brand of geothermal heating and cooling systems work only with trusted installation dealers to ensure homeowners get their systems in place and running correctly.

Review Your Current System’s General Info

Now that you’re properly briefed on system types, accessories and brands, you can now take a look at the current state of your HVAC system. The 5 items below are important for your HVAC company to know ahead of time so they can help you determine the most cost-effective system for your particular Lowcountry home.

1. System Type

2. Manufacturer & Make/Model

3. System Age

Your heating and air contractor can help you determine this if you can’t track down the original installation date.

4. Maintenance/Service History

This one may also be harder to track down, but it’s a good thing to start tracking after your new installation (see more about this below).

5. Additional Components/Accessories

There may be more than one thermostat control in your home so jot down those placements so your HVAC company can include those with your new installation bundle.

Choosing A Local HVAC Company Near You For Installation

With your current system information all collected, now is the time to start researching HVAC companies in Charleston. Below are some items you should cover and know about your contractor before hiring them for your installation.

Look For Recent, Frequent Online Reviews

Track record is an important indicator long-term quality work, but recent reviews can give you the clearest look into what to expect when you hire an A/C installation company so keep both of those in mind.

Ask Friends, Neighbors & Colleagues

When online reviews aren’t enough, try asking your friends and colleagues who they use. First-hand feedback from people you know and trust helps ensure you’ll be happy with the A/C installation results.

Check Licensing & Insurance Info

This is a critical step as hiring a company without proper licensing and insurance can leave you footing a large bill in case something goes wrong on your property during the installation.

Local & Professional Organization Status

Local organizations like Lowcountry Local First allow you to see which companies are 100% locally owned & operated so you know you’re supporting the local economy by choosing a membership contractor.

Another important membership to look at — especially for HVAC companies — is the NATE (North American Technician Excellence) organization. Technicians must pass real-world tests in order to get certified, so be sure ask your HVAC company if they have their technicians certified by NATE.

Things To Do After Your HVAC Installation

Sign Up For A Maintenance Plan

Mentioned above, maintenance plans give you an added layer of protection for your new unit and makes sure you always get the most out of your air conditioning for years to come.

Offer Your HVAC Company A Review

HVAC companies, like many other industries, rely heavily on a consistent stream of online reviews to help other homeowners find them online, so be sure to offer your feedback on the platforms they suggest.

Keep Good Service & Maintenance Records

If you stick with one HVAC company over time, they’ll help you with this, but it’s always important to keep your own details in case you might want to share with another company or want to pass this information to another homeowner should you decide to sell your home down the line.

Enjoy Your Cool, Comfortable Summer

Now that you’re cool & comfortable, kick your feet up, relax and enjoy some good old fashion Lowcountry Livin’. 🙂

Charleston Air Conditioning Buying Guide Summary

If you’ve made it this far, well done!

To help you review everything above, here’s a summary of what we covered:

1. The Differences Between HVAC System Types
2. HVAC Accessories & Other Essentials
3. Important HVAC Brands To Know About
4. Collecting Your Current System’s Important Information
5. Choosing The Right AC Installation Company
6. What To Do After Installing A New A/C

You’re now well on your way to making a smart, informed decision on buying your next heating and air conditioning system for your Lowcountry home.

What Is An Ultraviolet Air Purifier? (And Do They Work?)

July 15th, 2020

With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many area homeowners and business owners are looking at more advanced ways of keeping their homes and businesses safe from airborne pathogens.

One of those advanced methods of air purification many are now researching are ultraviolet light (UV) air purification.

UV light air purifying technology has been around for some time now, but with the recent uptick in questions involving this technology below is a quick rundown of how it works, the pros and cons of using UV light air purification and a highly recommended model for Lowcountry residents.

How UV Air Purifiers Work

As the name suggests, ultraviolet air purifiers use ultraviolet light to damage the DNA of airborne pathogens like bacteria, viruses and mold — causing them to self-destruct, making them harmless.

This is a similar process that occurs when you get a sunburn at the beach. UV light from the sun damages the DNA in your skin cells, which causes redness and swelling.

When installed in your heating, ventilating and cooling system’s ductwork, air is forced through the UV air purifier before being pushed into your home or business, thus purifying nearly every cubic inch of air that passes through your system and helping reduce those airborne pathogens.

Pros & Cons Of UV Air Purifiers

The biggest advantage of installing a UV air purifier has to be the ability to reduce and/or help eliminate different airborne contaminants, simply by installing one in your home’s HVAC system. While your home’s built-in air filtration can help eliminate things like dust and other larger particles, working together with an ultraviolet purifier adds that extra layer of protection that many homeowners are now seeking.

One cause for concern with UV air purifiers is that they can produce ozone, which is harmful for humans when exposed to high levels.

Many UV air purifier manufacturers have accounted for this ozone production by improving technology using various methods to reduce — and as you’ll see below — nearly eliminate any ozone production.

What Is The Best UV Air Purifier?

A few weeks ago we reviewed some general air purifying basics, and included brief description of the HALO-LED Whole Home In-Duct Air Purifier, which still stands as one of the most requested air purifiers we currently install.

The biggest reason for this being the HALO-LED’s highly effective air purifying, UV technology — that is both mercury-free (many other UV light purifiers use mercury lamps to produce UV light) and is zero ozone compliant. This means that you can get some of the highest level of air purifying technology without any of the usual byproducts produced by many other air purifiers.

We sincerely hope that you stay safe and healthy for as long as this pandemic lasts, but if you have any questions about air purification for your home or business in Charleston, feel free to contact us today.

5 Major Reasons To Choose A Ductless AC Installation For Your Lowcountry Home This Year

June 29th, 2020

Here in the Lowcountry, we’ve officially hit the “will my air conditioning last the summer” time of the year.

With temperatures and humidity levels now reaching near our yearly peak levels, your Lowcountry home’s air conditioning system is working overtime to help you and your family escape that outdoor heat.

That means it’s also time for many homeowners to start evaluating new HVAC options as their systems reach the end of their respective operational lifespans.

Most homeowners opt for replacing their HVAC with whichever make and model they had previously — especially if they have more traditional central air conditioning systems — which makes sense in most cases. However more and more homeowners have discovered that other system types may have more advantages for their unique home setup, particularly with the ductless air conditioning system type.

Whether it be eliminating duct system maintenance costs or they’re seeking to gain more room-by-room temperature control, ductless mini-split systems offer Charleston homeowners several advantages over other system types. Below are 5 of those major advantages and why so many homeowners are opting the ductless route for their new heating and cooling system.

1. No More Duct Cleaning

With the amount of flooding that occurs — especially on Charleston’s downtown peninsula area — duct cleaning becomes more and more of a chore for many area homeowners and property owners. Keeping your home cool & comfortable without relying on your home’s ductwork will nearly eliminate your duct cleaning woes.

2. No More Duct Maintenance

Besides cleaning your home’s ductwork, repair work and maintenance on it can also be something that can take up more time (and money) than you may like. Installing a ductless system means no more worrying about duct leaks and other duct-related issues that can lead to inefficient HVAC system operation.

3. Great For Remodels, New Home Additions & Other Unattached Buildings

Adding onto your home or doing some remodeling? Ductless air conditioning systems can offer you an easy path to keeping those new areas cool & comfortable without having to tie-in to existing ductwork. You’ll be able to maximize the area in your new space and won’t have to worry about if your HVAC system can keep up with the additional coverage area.

Ductless A/C is excellent for unattached buildings as well, like pool houses, unattached garages and other storage or machine sheds.

4. Granular Comfort Settings By Zone

As mentioned above, adding ductless systems to various areas in your home — via HVAC zoning — can give you more control over the temperatures in those areas.

Many homes in Charleston – especially older ones — can often have “hotspots”; areas that get warmer than the rest of the home during certain parts of the day that can’t be handled by their standalone central A/C. Placing a ductless system is a quick way to remedy those “hotspots” and keep each space at a more pleasant comfort level.

5. High Efficiency Lifespan

The last major advantage of ductless air conditioning systems is their lifespan: usually around 15-20 years with proper care and maintenance. Traditional central air conditioning systems usually cap around 12-15 years so ductless systems can normally outpace those by a good 5-8 years, generally speaking.

Ductless air conditioning systems can be an excellent option in the right circumstances, so if you feel you can take advantage of the benefits listed above, then it very well might be a good year to go ductless.

Do This One Thing To Get The Best Warranty On Your Air Conditioner Replacement

June 22nd, 2020

It’s once again that time of year when replacing your air conditioner becomes more and more a reality for many Lowcountry homeowners.

Temperatures in South Carolina become unbearable and the humidity levels go beyond balmy.

That means your HVAC system is going to be working overtime to help you and your family escape that outdoor heat and humidity. The extra load on your HVAC system could cause it to develop issues and you could be in for a slightly warmer summer than you’d probably prefer in Charleston.

When you do end up replacing your air conditioning, whether that be from a total breakdown or poor performance due to age, the last thing you want to worry about is something immediately breaking down.

A brand new system shouldn’t give you much cause for concern, but in case something does happen you’ll want to make sure you get the best warranty possible to cover any more expenses that may come with repairs and/or replacements.

Typical HVAC Warranty Types

Like any new equipment right off of the assembly line, heating and air conditioning products will almost always come with some sort of base warranty. These basic warranties are very limited (in fact most are called “base limited warranties”), in that they will only cover a short time period and are limited only to manufacturer’s parts defect (more on this below).

The next level of warranty typically comes in the form of a registered warranty. These, too, are “limited” and your product has to be registered with the manufacturer within a certain time period to qualify for any extended warranty coverage.

What Most Warranties Don’t Cover

While opting for either the base or registered warranty type helps keep you covered within a certain time range, as mentioned above, these will only cover the cost of the manufacturer’s defective parts. You will still need a professional HVAC company to come and replace those parts, so you’ll have to pay for the labor involved with performing the replacement.

On top of this, if the issue happens to be caused by a poor installation (or by an unlicensed company in some cases), you’ll be out of luck on both parts and labor — which may mean the worst-case scenario: replacing your replacement air conditioning.

Choose A Licensed, Manufacturer-Trained HVAC Company To Get The Best Warranty

Most manufacturers want to offer the best warranty possible for their products, so to help ensure this they offer product-specific installation and service training to their local HVAC companies.

This training helps eliminate any issues resulting from poor installation practices and keeps your warranty for defective parts fully intact.

On top of keeping yourself covered from installation issues, manufacturer-trained HVAC companies have the ability to offer you extended warranties that can include not only more coverage on parts, but can also include labor as well.

We hope you never need to worry about using your warranty, but in case you do be sure to get the best one possible — it will help you save time & money and help avoid any long, hot summer days this year.

Will Your Air Conditioner Last The Summer In Charleston? Here’s How To Know If It Will (Or Won’t)

June 4th, 2020

As the calendar turns over to June and the summertime temps start peaking here in the Lowcountry, many area homeowners are confronted once again with one big question:

“Will my air conditioner make it through the summer?”

With the levels of heat & humidity we get in Charleston, it’s a question that can cause serious stress and haunt homeowners and property managers throughout the summer.

If you’re worried about how your system will hold up this summer, below are some key indicators that will let you know if you’ll have a cool & comfortable summer — or not.

If Your HVAC System Has Been Recently Replaced…

Generally speaking, if your system has been replaced within the last few years you shouldn’t have any need to worry — as long as it was installed properly by a professional HVAC company.

However one big issue that can occur with newer installations is oversizing or undersizing. If the capacity of your newer system is oversized, it may not run long enough to get all of the humidity out of your home — it reaches its desired temperature too quickly and will immediately turn off. An undersized system will run too often and struggle to keep a desired comfort level.

If your newer system seems to be experiencing any of those oversizing/undersizing symptoms, be sure to contact your local HVAC company and have them check out if you system’s capacity matches the needs of your Lowcountry home.

If Your HVAC System Doesn’t Break Down Often…

If your HVAC system hasn’t been replaced within the last few years and is reaching the mid-to-late stage of its lifespan (see how long HVAC systems last in the Lowcountry here), it doesn’t automatically mean you should be worrying.

If your system hasn’t experienced any major breakdowns or isn’t in need of constant repairs or service calls, there’s a good chance the important components in your HVAC system are in good shape. If that’s the case, then you shouldn’t have much to worry about this summer.

That said, however, components to wear down over time — just like any electrical/mechanical system — so as you’ll see below, making sure you have a professional maintenance plan is key for avoiding major breakdowns.

If Your HVAC System Is Properly Maintained…

A properly maintained HVAC system can help maximize your HVAC system’s useful lifespan, so if you’ve signed up for a maintenance plan with your HVAC company, that should reduce your worry about making it through the summer.

As mentioned above, your system’s components can and will wear down over time. When you have a maintenance plan in place for your system, however, your heating and air company should be able to identify the smaller components that may need replacing — helping you avoid any major repair work. Most maintenance plans also come with reduced pricing for system components and labor, so that gives you an extra layer of comfort should you need anything repaired.

You should be able to enjoy your summer without the cloud of worry hanging around your air conditioning’s performance — but if your system falls into one of the categories listed above, we’re sure you’ll be well on your way to stress-free summer.

Deciding On An Air Conditioning Company In Charleston? Look For These 3 Key Factors

May 29th, 2020

With humidity levels rising and the summertime temps knocking on the door, odds are good you’ll be reaching for your thermostat to keep your home at a comfortable level.

The extra strain and workload on your home’s air conditioning system that results might very well trigger a breakdown or other kind of issue that will leave you sitting in a sweltering home.

As you reach for your phone to research HVAC companies in Charleston to help correct your issue or install a new A/C, consider the three key factors listed below before having them come to your home; it very well could save you time & money.

1. Online Reviews & Overall Rating

As you’re Googling or otherwise searching for the right HVAC company, the chances are high one of the first things you’ll take note of is its reviews and overall star rating. Look for HVAC companies with both a high review count and high rating.

Looking for both a high number of reviews and high number of 5-star reviews is a great way to know that they not only provide great service, but have done so consistently for their overall customer-base.

2. HVAC Licensing & Insurance

Looking for licensing & insurance may be difficult to track down just from a general search online, but here in South Carolina you can simply put in a company’s name into their Labor Licensing Regulation website and easily find the active status of their license.

To help our customers find these records, we also place our license number in the footer of our website (all the way at the bottom of our website).

Insurance is something that is highly important and any proper HVAC company will provide their required liability insurance without any hassle or concern. A properly licensed HVAC company should lower your concern over any potential installation or repair issues, but the added insurance gives you an extra layer of protection should anything accidentally go wrong.

3. HVAC Industry Memberships & Local Associations

Another layer of comfort that you can ask your HVAC company about are their status with nationally recognized trade associations and local business associations.

For the HVAC industry, one of the most important trade certifications a company can hold is one with the North American Technician Excellence organization. It’s the nation’s largest nonprofit certification for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration technicians, and requires a company’s technicians to pass real-world tests that verify their knowledge and application of that knowledge in the field.

As for local associations, the Lowcountry Local First organization helps verify businesses are 100% locally owned and operated. This helps ensure both their knowledge of the Lowcountry and different aspects that make it unique and lets you know their commitment to developing and advancing our Lowcountry area.

We hope you can stay cool & comfortable – no matter the season here in the Lowcountry — and if you make sure your HVAC company covers the three items above, you’ll be well on your way to pleasant, worry-free summer in 2020.

5 Facts About Trane HVAC Systems You Need To Know

May 13th, 2020

With the increasing number of heating and air conditioning options available to Lowcountry homeowners, it can be a challenge to know what make or model will work best for their particular home setup.

With dozens of brands – each with dozens of makes and models — and more options than ever when it comes to HVAC setups (traditional central A/C, mini-split ductless systems, geothermal, etc.), sorting through all of the information can feel like a daunting task when homeowners plan on replacing their HVAC unit.

With anything you plan on depending on for years to come, you’ll probably start by looking at who is making the product and what they do differently that makes them the right choice.

To help you out, we started by looking at 5 important facts about Mitsubishi ductless systems and today we’re going to look specifically at Trane HVAC systems.

Trane is a brand name that may be the most recognized in the HVAC world and you probably have some familiarity with, but here are 5 important facts that you should know that sets them apart from other manufacturers in industry.

1. Trane Is America’s Most Trusted HVAC Brand 6 Years Running

For 6 consecutive years now — including 2020 — Trane has been recognized as America’s Most Trusted HVAC system by Lifestory Research. Lifestory Research is an independent market research firm that collects thousands of opinions over 12 months in order to generate a trust quotient and star rating system for industry brands.

Among 12 different HVAC brands, Trane came out on top again in 2020 — ahead of competitors such as Carrier, Ruud, Lennox and Rheem just to name a few.

2. Trane Designs, Builds & Tests Its Own Parts

Unlike many other manufacturers, Trane designs, builds and tests most of its own parts it uses in their systems. Other manufacturers often assemble their branded products using parts made from a collective “pool” of mass produced parts from generic factories around the world.

To ensure the level of quality and control over its performance standards, Trane’s engineers have compiled over 1500 heating and cooling patents that they use in the products they produce.

This fine tuning of exclusive technology helps ensure that you, the homeowner, are getting something above and beyond anything else out on the market.

3. Trane Utilizes Spine Fin All-Aluminum Coils

Among one of those 1500 patents Trane engineers have produced, probably one the most sought after by Lowcountry homeowners is its Spine Fin aluminum coils.

The reason homeowners want or request this type of coil is because of its stronger resistance to corrosion (important for our area), and its higher efficiency compared to other types of coil types.

The unique design also helps prevent clogging from sand, salt, leaves and other obstructions that can cause recurring issues with your HVAC system.

4. Trane Systems Have The Quietest Sound Rating In The Industry

On top of being the most trusted HVAC brand and employing unique engineering standards, Trane systems also have the quietest sound ratings in the industry. If you’ve ever lived in a home, condo or apartment with a loud HVAC system, you know how annoying it is to listen to it during startup and operation.

With our hot and humid summers we have here in the Lowcountry, you can expect your system to run quite a bit more so if you want a system that is felt, but not heard, Trane is a good bet for your Charleston home.

5. Trane Has Its Own Installation & Maintenance Training Program

Trane, like other manufacturers, has its own warranty program for the equipment they produce. However, to offer even better warranties and better installation practices it has its own “Trane Comfort Specialist” program. They only designate the title of Trane Comfort Specialist to qualified local dealers that pass a certain criteria and testing standards.

So when you’re looking at researching local HVAC companies to install your Trane system, be sure to ask if they’ve received the Trane Comfort Specialist designation. That way you know you’re getting the best pricing, warranty, installation and service for your next heating and air system.

(Bonus) Trane Offers Special Financing & Rebates Each Year

When it comes to saving money on your air conditioning installation, Trane runs special promos and deals each year, exclusively through its local HVAC dealers.

These deals include special financing (0% APR for 60 months) and instant rebates like the current Unstoppable Event happening now through May 15th.

During the event, you can get up to $500 in instant rebates on a qualifying Trane system — something that doesn’t happen often, especially during the busy summer season.

As you can tell from what we mentioned above, Trane systems are incredibly engineered, built, tested and give Lowcountry homeowners the level of performance they need year-round here in Charleston.

“It’s Hard To Stop A Trane” isn’t just their tagline, it’s what you will believe when you install one in your Lowcountry home.

View From Above: Commercial HVAC Installation In Charleston, SC

May 1st, 2020

[video_embed video=”HvPpSmnsKKQ” width=”900″ height=”514″]

Shots from a drone capture of a recent commercial HVAC installation in Charleston by Carolina Climate Control.

Carolina Climate Control Blog