How to Maintain Efficiency in Older Beach Homes
If you live in or around the Grand Strand, you know that living near the coast has its perks. But for many homeowners in Myrtle Beach, those same elements that you live about your ocean view can take a toll on an older home’s HVAC system. If your beach homes were built decades ago, chances are your HVAC system is working overtime to keep temperatures steady. The good news? A few simple upgrades and regular maintenance can help you improve efficiency, lower energy bills, and keep your home comfortable year-round.
There are plenty of simple DIY checks you can do to get this process started, but knowing that you always have a professional ready to help you out is a great feeling. Maintaining older beach homes can be a crazy task in itself, so here’s a few quick tips to help keep your home comfortable.
1. Address Leaky Ductwork
One of the biggest culprits of energy loss in older beach homes is leaky ductwork. Over time, duct joints can loosen, seals can wear down, and salt air can corrode metal components. When conditioned air escapes through leaks, your HVAC system has to work harder. Because of this, leaky ductwork can easily waste energy and money.
Sealing and insulating your ducts can improve efficiency by up to 20%, according to Energy Star. Have your ducts inspected by a professional to identify leaks, gaps, or disconnected sections.
2. Check and Upgrade Insulation
Many beach homes built before modern building codes lack sufficient insulation, especially in attics and crawl spaces. Poor insulation causes your home to lose conditioned air faster and struggles to maintain consistent temperatures. Think of it as having a constant draft throughout your home.
Investing in upgraded insulation such as spray foam helps create a tighter barrier against heat, humidity, and coastal air infiltration.
3. Consider Zoning for Better Control
If your home has multiple floors or large, open areas, a single thermostat may not provide even temperatures throughout your house. Zoning divides your home into different areas, each with its own thermostat, allowing you to heat or cool rooms as needed. This is especially helpful in older homes where airflow is inconsistent or rooms face varying sun exposure.
For example, if you have a two-story home, it’s a great idea to zone out your upstairs and downstairs separately to maintain a better cooling temperature. Heat rises, so by allowing a different temperature upstairs, you can combat that extra heat with additional zoning.
4. Upgrade Outdated Equipment
Older HVAC systems simply aren’t designed to meet today’s efficiency standards. Myrtle Beach offers a humid coastal climate that can affect your HVAC system much faster than it doesn’t in the northeast. If your unit is more than 10–15 years old, upgrading to a high-efficiency heat pump or variable-speed system can make a major difference.
Newer systems run more quietly, use less energy, and handle humidity more effectively, making it a useful feature for Myrtle Beach living.
5. Schedule Regular Maintenance
Even the most efficient system can lose performance without routine care. Salt air, sand, and humidity can cause premature wear on components and coils. While you may not think this can happen in the fall or winter, that salty air never leaves!
A professional tune-up in the fall helps prepare your system for cooler months, ensures all parts are working properly, and keeps efficiency at its peak. Regular maintenance can also extend your system’s lifespan, which is always a lifesaver for any beach home or vacation home.
Protect Your Beach Homes with Beach Air
Keep your home running efficiently through every season. Contact Beach Air HVAC today to schedule your fall tune-up in Myrtle Beach and give your system the care it deserves. Whether your home is decades old or newly renovated, our experts can help you stay comfortable while keeping energy costs in check.
Learn more about how we can help or give us a call at 843-796-3798 for a consultation.