Top Signs Your Heating System Needs a Tune-Up

Winter in the Lowcountry doesn’t usually bring long stretches of extreme cold — but we do experience frequent temperature swings. A chilly morning in the 30s can turn into a sunny afternoon in the 60s. While that’s great for outdoor plans, it can sometimes confuse your heating system. If you’ve noticed your heater turning on and off more frequently than usual, you’re not alone. This is called short cycling, and winter’s fluctuating temperatures are often the reason. What Is Short Cycling? Short cycling happens when your heating system starts up, runs for only a brief period, shuts off, and then starts again soon after. Instead of steady, efficient operation, the system is constantly restarting. Occasional cycling is normal — but repeated, rapid cycling can reduce efficiency, increase wear on components, and lead to higher energy bills over time. Why It Happens More in Our Winter Climate In areas like Charleston and the surrounding Lowcountry, outdoor temperatures can change quickly throughout the day. When the weather warms up suddenly: Your thermostat reaches the set temperature faster The system shuts off sooner than expected Then cooler evening temperatures cause it to start again This constant adjustment can make your system work harder than necessary. Other Common Causes Temperature swings are one factor, but short cycling can also be caused by: A thermostat located near windows or exterior doors A system that’s larger than your home needs Dirty system components that restrict normal operation Aging equipment struggling to regulate output How to Reduce Unnecessary Cycling A few simple habits can help your system run more smoothly: Set a consistent temperature. Avoid large manual temperature changes throughout the day. Gradual adjustments keep your system from overreacting. Use a programmable thermostat. Let scheduled temperature changes happen automatically instead of constant manual tweaks. Check that vents are open. Proper airflow helps your system maintain steady operation. Schedule a winter system check. A quick professional inspection can confirm your system is sized correctly, calibrated properly, and operating efficiently. Stay Comfortable All Winter Mild winters can be deceptively demanding on heating systems. If your heater seems to be cycling too often or not keeping consistent comfort, a small adjustment or maintenance visit can make a big difference. Terrace Heating & Air is here to help keep your home warm, efficient, and worry-free all season long. Give us a call to schedule your winter service today. Check out our services page to learn more about how we can keep your Charleston, SC home comfortable all winter long!

When most people think of winter HVAC concerns, they picture freezing temperatures, rising heating bills, and staying warm indoors. But here in Charleston, winter brings a different challenge that homeowners often overlook: indoor humidity control. Even during the cooler months, Charleston’s coastal climate can keep humidity levels higher than expected—and if your home isn’t properly balanced, it can lead to discomfort, poor air quality, and even damage to your home. Why Humidity Is Still a Winter Issue in the Lowcountry Unlike colder regions where winter air is extremely dry, Charleston winters are relatively mild and moist. When your heating system runs, it can sometimes trap excess moisture inside your home instead of removing it. This can cause: A clammy or uncomfortable indoor feeling Condensation on windows Musty odors Increased risk of mold and mildew Aggravated allergies or respiratory issues If your home feels damp even when the heat is on, humidity may be the culprit. The Role Your Heating System Plays Many homes in the Charleston area rely on heat pumps, which are well-suited for our climate—but they still need to be properly maintained and correctly sized to manage both temperature and moisture. An inefficient or aging system may: Short-cycle and fail to remove moisture Run longer than necessary, increasing humidity Circulate allergens and airborne particles Routine winter maintenance ensures your system is operating efficiently and supporting healthier indoor air. Simple Steps to Improve Winter Comfort To keep your home comfortable and healthy this winter, consider the following: Schedule a seasonal HVAC tune-up to ensure your system is running efficiently Check indoor humidity levels (ideal range is typically 30–50%) Seal air leaks around windows and doors to prevent moisture intrusion Upgrade your air filtration to improve indoor air quality Ask about whole-home dehumidification options if humidity is a recurring issue Winter Is the Perfect Time for Preventive Care Because Charleston winters are milder, now is an ideal time to address HVAC concerns before the busy spring and summer seasons arrive. Preventive maintenance not only improves comfort now but can also extend the life of your system and reduce unexpected repairs later. Trust Terrace Heating for Year-Round Comfort At Terrace Heating, we understand the unique challenges of Charleston’s climate—no matter the season. Whether you’re dealing with humidity issues, uneven heating, or simply want peace of mind heading into the new year, our team is here to help. Contact Terrace Heating today to schedule your winter maintenance or to learn more about improving indoor comfort in your home. Check out our indoor air quality service page to learn more about how we can keep your Charleston, SC home healthy and warm all winter longer.

Air conditioners are complex pieces of machinery and it’s natural to have questions about them, especially when you have to rely on them to keep you cool and comfortable during the hot and humid summer days. Here at Terrace Heating & Air, we want our customers to have a general knowledge about their air conditioners and how they work so they can get the most out of them. Below, our team of air conditioning experts have answered some of the most commonly asked cooling system questions we receive from our customers here in Charleston, SC. Keep reading below to learn more about your air conditioning system. Is a Bigger Air Conditioner Better? Contrary to popular belief, a bigger air conditioner does not always mean a better air conditioner. Most people don’t realize that an air conditioner can be too big or too powerful for a home. An AC unit that is too large for your home will lead to short cycling which wears down your air conditioner faster and uses more energy to cool your home. It’s important to work with your local HVAC contractor when purchasing a brand new air conditioner so you can find the right fit for your unique Charleston, SC home. What is a SEER Rating and Does it Matter? The efficiency of a central air conditioner is rated according to its SEER which stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio which is defined as the BTU (British Thermal Units) of cooling output during an average cooling season, divided by the total electric energy input in watt-hours during that same period. The higher the SEER rating, the more energy-efficient the air conditioner is. With that being said, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the highest SEER rating is the best for your home. Be sure to ask your HVAC contractor the details about your air conditioners SEER rating and what would be ideal for you Charleston, SC home. How Long Will My Air Conditioner Last? How long your air conditioner will last depends on a bunch of different factors including how well maintained your cooling system is and the type of air conditioner you have. In general, the average air conditioner should last around 10-15 years. If yours is approaching that age, it is likely starting to show signs of inefficiency and aging. At Terrace Heating & Air, we recommend having your air conditioning system professional maintained once a year in the spring to ensure your AC unit is prepared to tackle the heat and humidity. If you have more questions you would like answered about your air conditioning system, give the Terrace Heating & Air team a call today! Check out our services page to learn more about our cooling system service offerings.

It’s no secret that replacing your heating and air conditioning equipment can be a real headache. When should I do it? What kind of system is best? Where can I find a reliable HVAC contractor? Because the right heating and cooling company is so crucial for determining your Charleston, SC home comfort, it’s important to choose them wisely. A knowledgeable and trustworthy contractor is a must when choosing a new HVAC system because they will install and maintain you equipment for years to come. Below, we’ll discuss the major things to look for when choosing a HVAC contractor for your Charleston, SC home. Ask Around One of the best ways to get started on your HVAC contractor search is to ask around. Whether you’re asking your neighbors or your close by family members, they can help you begin your list of potential companies. Maybe they’ve had nothing but positive experiences with their HVAC contractor and highly recommend them. Or perhaps they’ve had a terrible experience with a company and warn you to stay away from them. Read Online Reviews Secondly, make sure to read online reviews of any potential HVAC contractors. While every review is not 100% true, you can still get a good idea of what kind of company you are working with. If the majority of the reviews are good, it’s likely the company is good as well. If the majority of the reviews aren’t so good, you might want to cross that company off of your list. Avoid Extremely Low/High Prices If you find a company with outrageously low or high prices compared to other heating and cooling companies in the Charleston, SC area – that might mean something is up. If they are offering you a price that is extremely low, their service and equipment is likely not very reliable. If they are offering you a price that is extremely high, they are likely ripping you off. It’s important to get estimates from multiple companies before pulling the trigger on one to ensure you are getting the best quality for the best price. Go With Your Gut Finally, be sure to go with your gut when making the final decision. After all, you have to feel comfortable with the Charleston, SC heating and air conditioning company you choose to have service your HVAC system. If you’re interested in learning more about our professional HVAC service, check out our services page https://www.terraceair.com/hvac-services or give the Terrace Heating & Air team a call today!

While in the midst of the summer season here in the greater Charleston, SC area, our air conditioners are working as hard as they possibly can to keep our homes cool and comfortable. If your air conditioner isn’t working properly, it can lead to more than mere discomfort. Ignoring regular AC maintenance can turn into costly repairs and early replacements down the road. Avoid that scenario by keeping your Charleston, SC cooling system in top shape. Here’s why having your air conditioner professional inspected and maintained should be a priority every summer. Protects Important Equipment It’s no secret that heating and air conditioning equipment is a large and expensive investment, especially if you’re having to get it repaired and worked on often. Staying on top of AC maintenance extends the life of your HVAC equipment. In fact, we have encountered quite a few AC breakdowns that could have been prevented with routine maintenance. In addition to protecting and prolonging your cooling systems lifespan, regular maintenance also reduces the possibility of costly repairs. Offers Comfort and Peace of Mind We know that life is busy here in Charleston, SC for our customers. The last thing we want our customers to worry about is whether or not their air conditioner is in shape enough to keep them cool and comfortable during the warm days. If you want peace of mind that you and your family will stay cool this summer, be sure to keep up with professional cooling system maintenance. Energy Savings Add Up Finally, regular maintenance improves the overall energy efficiency of your cooling system which means you’ll be cutting back on your energy usage and your energy bill. Regular AC maintenance appointments include cleaning of your equipment and ensuring all moving components are working as they should. If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of regular air conditioning maintenance, check out our service page https://www.terraceair.com/maintenance or give the Terrace Heating & Air team a call today! We’re always happy to help our customers here in the greater Charleston, SC area with any and all of their heating and cooling service needs.

The summer weather is finally here and if you’re like many Charleston, SC homeowners, you may be struggling to find a comfortable indoor temperature. You don’t want to have to set your thermostat so low and cold that you have to grab a blanket, yet you don’t want to be hot and sticky either. Keep reading below to figure out the best thermostat setting for your Charleston, SC home this summer. What Temperature Should I Set My AC Unit? When the SC heat and humidity have you working up a sweat, the temptation to crank up the air conditioner and enjoy that nice cool air is high. But no one wants an extremely high energy bills since there is a high price to pay for all of that extra cool comfort. So you set your thermostat several degrees higher and then the cycle starts all over again. If this sounds too familiar, there are some was to find that comfortable balance between Charleston, SC home comfort and energy savings. Start by setting your thermostat higher than normal when you are away and around 76 degrees when you’re home. The Department of Energy recommends setting your home at 78 degrees to save money but we find that to be too warm for most homeowners. If you’re finding that your home is warm for your liking at 76 degrees, try reducing the temperature setting by a degree until everyone in your home is consistently comfortable. As you continue to experiment with finding the setting that works best for you and your family, consider using some of the below energy saving tips. Turn the Ceiling Fans on While Home An easy and simple trick for potentially saving money is to use your ceiling fans wisely. Ceiling fans help to circulate the cool air in your home that your AC unit is producing. While they won’t reduce the temperature in your Charleston, SC home, they will make it feel cooler and more comfortable. Be sure to only use them while you’re home to enjoy their cooling effect. If you leave them on 24/7, they will consume too much energy. Perform Regular AC Maintenance Routine AC maintenance is one of the best things you can do to preserve the health and efficiency of your cooling system. Much like your car, your central air conditioner operates more efficiently with routine maintenance and system check-ups. We suggest hiring your local Charleston, SC HVAC contractor to come to your home for annual AC maintenance in the spring before the warm weather arrives. Use a Programmable Thermostat Last but certainly not least, using a programmable thermostat is a great way to save money and energy while keeping your Charleston, SC home comfortable this summer. When used appropriately, programmable thermostats can make a huge difference in your energy bills. You can set your cooling schedule in advance to reflect the times you will be away from home. During these idle times, you can crank up the thermostat to 78 degrees so your AC unit gets a break and then have it set to turn back down to 74 degrees upon your arrival. If you’re interested in learning more about some of the programmable thermostats we carry and install here at Terrace Heating & Air, check out our products page https://www.terraceair.com/thermostats or give our team a call today!

Although air conditioning technology has existed for many years, a lot of people still have trouble separating certain air conditioning facts from fiction. Over time, some of these misconceptions have unfortunately come to be accepted as common knowledge. The Terrace Heating & Air team is here to set the record straight. Keep reading below to find the truth behind some of the most prevalent cooling system myths circulating here in the greater Charleston, SC area. The Bigger the AC Unit, the Better The size of your air conditioning unit does matter, but it’s more important to find a unit that is suitably sized for your Charleston, SC home – not just the biggest AC unit you can find. An oversized AC unit would cycle more frequently since it would cool your home off quicker than it should. This short cycling can lead to an increase in energy usage and can add more wear and tear to your AC unit. You’re much better off sticking to a properly sized AC unit for your Charleston, SC home. Setting Your Thermostat Low Cools Your Home Quicker One of the most common AC myths we encounter here at Terrace Heating & Air is that setting your thermostat lower cools your home down quicker. Unfortunately, this is not true and it doesn’t work. Your AC unit works equally hard whether you’re trying to cool your home by one degree or by 15 degrees. The best and most efficient course of action is just to set your thermostat exactly where you need it to be. Close Vents in Rooms You Don’t Use While it may feel like you’re helping and not “wasting” cold air by closing vents in rooms you don’t use, it’s still important to keep all vents open whether or not a room is being used. Closing off your air vents actually throws off the balance of air distribution in your Charleston, SC home. By closing air vents, you’re cooling the inside of your air ducts and not your actual home. AC Maintenance Is a Waste of Time Finally, air conditioning maintenance is never a waste of your time. In fact, regular HVAC maintenance is one of the best things you can do for your heating and air conditioning system. It ensures that your air conditioner is working properly and if your technician spots a problem, they can fix it before it turns into a larger, more costly problem. If you’re interested in learning more about our air conditioning maintenance service, check out our services page https://www.terraceair.com/maintenance or give the Terrace Heating & Air team a call today!

The team here at Terrace Heating & Air wants our customers to make informed decisions about their heating and air conditioning systems while also knowing how to properly care for it and maintain it. There are some things you should never do to your HVAC system and we are here to expose them for you. Check out the list below to find out and learn what you can do to give your Charleston, SC heating and cooling system the care it needs. 4 Things to Never Do to Your HVAC System Ignore Any Warning Signs or Diagnostic Lights Most heating and air conditioning equipment will show warning signs when something is wrong with its operation. Some pieces of equipment, like furnaces, can even show blinking lights that indicate proper operation while running. Some furnaces even have diagnostic displays to show whether or not your HVAC equipment is operating properly. If you notice any warning signs like poor airflow or a lack of comfort in your Charleston, SC home, don’t ignore it. Be sure to call in your local HVAC professionals for help or else you could end up paying more in the future for an expensive repair or even a HVAC system breakdown. Putt off Recommended Maintenance There is a reason you hear us talk about preventative maintenance so frequently and that’s because it is extremely important. When you neglect or put off your HVAC system maintenance, you are only doing your Charleston, SC home comfort and your heating and cooling equipment a disservice. We recommend scheduling preventative maintenance for your cooling and heating system at least once a year (preferably while the weather is mild). That typically looks like AC maintenance in the spring and furnace maintenance in the fall. To learn more about the importance of HVAC maintenance, check out our service page https://www.terraceair.com/maintenance . Ignore the Air Filters The third thing you want to make sure to never do is to ignore your air filters. Unfortunately, many Charleston, SC homeowners underestimate the importance of clean air filters. Clean air filters improve your home indoor air quality and promote proper airflow throughout your home. Dirty air filters can only hurt your HVAC system and the quality of air you and your family are breathing in. You should be checking your air filters once a month and changing them out once every 1-3 months as you see fit. Have an Unqualified Person Work on Your HVAC System Finally, you should never have an unqualified person work on your heating and air conditioning equipment. It’s no secret that your AC unit and furnace aren’t cheap and that your HVAC system is a large investment. Because of how important your heating and air conditioning system is in your home comfort, you should treat it as such. You wouldn’t have a plumbing technician work on your car, would you? The same can be said for your HVAC system – you need to hire a qualified HVAC contractor to help you with any and all of your heating and cooling needs. If you’re looking for a HVAC contractor you can trust here in the greater Charleston, SC area, look no further than Terrace Heating & Air!