Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Repair in Charleston, SC

Electricity, running water and a full tank of gas are often taken for granted. Many are guilty of leaving the lights on after leaving home or taking a longer shower than necessary. While everyday habits like these may seem harmless, they contribute to a larger problem.

October is National Energy Awareness month, a fact not well-known during a time when climate issues continue to garner discussion, according to a study conducted in September by finance analysts at WalletHub. Energy efficiency is simply not taken as seriously as other issues, especially in the Southeast, the study suggests.

Research shows South Carolina ranks last among 48 states (Alaska and Hawaii were excluded) when it comes to saving energy. And with utility prices rising as fast as temperatures, the Lowcountry’s long and sweltering summers are a burden on many households. The average South Carolinian spends around $234 a month on gas and electricity, one of the highest rates nationally.

In a recent interview with the Charleston City Paper, Eddy Moore, director of decarbonization for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, outlined why the Palmetto State struggles to be more energy efficient. Part of the reason, he says, is because the state’s building code is 15 years out of date.

“A lot of our homes, whether they’re old or new, have leakage in the building envelope — which is the division between outside and inside,” he said. “You’re essentially either heating or cooling the outdoors.”

Moore said there are some programs to increase energy efficiency through power companies such as Dominion Energy or Santee Cooper. And more aid is on the way in the form of federal funding. But these solutions have not been enough in South Carolina to make a significant change.

“On the one hand, we have utility programs that so far haven’t had to meet any performance target. And then we have — for the first time ever — a really significant size potential government program that would be run using federal funds,” Moore said. “Those programs need to be sensibly coordinated so that we get the most out of our money and we save the most energy possible.”

As part of the study, experts weighed in on ways to decrease energy costs and improve a household’s energy efficiency.

Arthur van Benthem, an associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania, recommends doing the simpler tasks first.

“Many people focus on expensive projects that save very little energy. For example, replacing windows is very costly,” he said. “The impact on energy bills is negligible. Sometimes a simpler solution, like adding a door in your drafty hallway area, is cheaper and more effective.”

Barry D. Solomon, professor emeritus of social sciences from the Michigan Technological University, said that just being mindful of daily tasks can make a big difference.

“Turn off lights when not in use, upgrade to LED lightbulbs, don’t run the dishwasher or washing machine with less than full loads, wash clothes in cold water when possible, caulk and weatherstrip gaps and cracks around doors and windows, install a programmable thermostat, perform periodic maintenance on air conditioning units (e.g., clean or replace filters and vents) and adjust the temperature on air conditioners, thermostats and water heaters so you do not overcool or overheat more than necessary.”

For more information on ways to increase energy efficiency, visit https://wallethub.com/edu/most-and-least-energy-efficient-states/7354

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Tagged: electricity, energy efficiency, energy efficiency study, S.C. last in energy efficiency, S.C. ranks last

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) The city of North Charleston and the Charleston County School District are collaborating to improve academic achievement at north Charleston schools with a joint commission. School leaders say this is a call to action to create change in North Charleston schools.

After a previous North Charleston Mayor called to leave the Charleston County School District several months ago, the city of North Charleston and Charleston County School District are working together to improve their schools. North Charleston schools have faced problems with absences, homelessness, language barriers and more that the city and school district are working to fix.

“There’s a sense of collective responsibility to address the problem and of course our school and our communities aren’t the problem but there are things that are really tough that we are working through things connected to personal immigration access to healthcare those things are really tough for a community but it’s not if everyone comes together and brings their resources and connects those,” said Stephen Larson, from the CCSD joint commission

“We have come together to make things happen in north Charleston. Mayor Burgess and Anita Huggins want to make sure that all children are treated equally and get the best here in North Charleston to make all our children succeed,” said Dr. Kathi Love, the children and family coordinator for the city of north Charleston.

The list of recommendations includes more access to community centers in the North Charleston literacy and tutoring program, access to career and technical education and collaboration on joint land purchase for academic athletic and recreational use. They will also launch a community involvement campaign against truancy, gun violence and substance abuse.

“I think it’s a positive start and I think we’re going to continue and this way we can be a pilot program for other areas,” said Love.

The city and school district will work together on each of these recommendations. The city will provide land for children’s activities, more community centers for tutoring and people from the city will work on initiative against absences and substance abuse. The school district will work to hear students’ needs to identify what is important for them to succeed.

“We have disproportionate access to the children; we see them every day so not only do we have access on how to make our communities healthier and more engaged in school. We can also be really effective with other messages from other points of view in the community to come in and support what kids are doing,” said Larson.

The joint commission says for the initiative to succeed everyone in the city must play an active role.

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MORNING NEWSBREAK | South Carolinians set a new voting record on what was the state’s first day of the two-week early voting stretch in the 2024 election.

The State Election Commission said 125,913 voters cast a ballot Monday, beating the previous one-day record for early voting during the 2022 midterms at 70,10o.

On top of early voting ballots, more than 47,000 absentee ballots had been returned as of Tuesday, according to the commission.

“We are thrilled to see voters embracing the convenience of early voting, and we are anticipating a significant turnout for this election,” said Howie Knapp, the agency’s executive director.

Here’s the breakdown of ballots cast in the Lowcountry:

Voting centers are open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Saturday Nov. 2. The early voting centers, which can be found through scvotes.gov, are closed Sunday, Oct. 27.

Meanwhile, the state American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit Tuesday alleging the state Department of Motor Vehicles’ system made it impossible for some 17,000 eligible teenagers to register to vote while obtaining a driver’s license or other identification. The lawsuit also names the State Election Commission.

In other headlines:

CP NEWS: Cogswell throws wrench in Ashley River pedestrian bridge plan. Charleston Mayor William Cogswell presented a revamped new design Tuesday for a pedestrian-bike bridge across the Ashley River, which has already been designed, vetted, approved and funded for about $80 million after years of work. But now the new plan unveiled at a city council meeting represents a possible wrench in the works. The freshman mayor’s proposed changes could delay the construction — and likely cause a hike in costs, observers say.

Charleston chosen as one of the friendliest places in the U.S. Among two recent studies, Charleston was dubbed a top location for varying accolades. Among them: home to some of America’s kindest and most helpful locals, and a favorite city in which to celebrate Halloween.

Charleston Waterkeeper kicks off shellfish harvesting with oyster recycling. Charleston Waterkeeper hosted its first weekly oyster recycling event Tuesday where volunteers picked through debris to sort oyster shells. Volunteers were looking for items such as saltine cracker wrappers, forks, and even hot sauce containers.

Patriots Point powers Charleston economy with $205M impact. Patriots Point is estimated to have a $205 million economic impact on the Charleston Tri-county region, according to a study by the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business.

Charleston residents request non-lethal coyote control. The Wagener Terrace community in downtown Charleston is suggesting a formal coyote mitigation plan that focuses on education, deterrence and avoidance over lethal action.

Charleston Co. leaders look to improve Dorchester Road. Charleston County leaders are seeking public feedback regarding a project that will look at Dorchester Road from the county line on the road down to Michaux Parkway. A study conducted in this area showed that almost 1,500 car accidents were reported just from 2018 to 2022, causing nine deaths and over 500 injuries.

Coastal Carolina Fair returns to Ladson in time for Halloween. The return of the Coastal Carolina Fair is a true sign that fall is here! This year’s event opens on Halloween and runs through November 10.

Radio Shack returns to S.C. Electronics lovers can head to Northwoods Mall in North Charleston to shop at the state’s only official Radio Shack store.

Lowcountry count reveals snapshot of homeless population. The numbers from the 2024 Point in Time Count were released Tuesday by the Lowcountry Continuum of Care, which counted the number of people experiencing homelessness in a single night.

$1.7M of Johns Island land considered for new county park. Charleston County Parks is looking at $1.7 million worth of land around Simmons Creek on Johns Island to bring greater water access to parts of the area that are seeing some of the largest growth as a new county park.

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Published: Oct. 21, 2024 at 7:49 PM PDT|

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The future of the Citadel Mall is on its way to becoming a new and improved development.

The City of Charleston had its Design Review Board meeting earlier this afternoon and approved the design guidelines presented.

This is a 75-page-long document, outlining some of the design elements that will be considered when that process begins including mixed-use outdoor and indoor properties.

Kim Simmons is the assistant manager at Edwin Watts, right across the street from the Citadel Mall.

“The Citadel Mall needs a facelift,” Simmons says. “You know I just think it would be great for this area and West Ashley in general, to have more things to do too.”

She says the potential ideas for the redesigns could improve their business, among other local stores in the area.

The applicants presented their final draft of the Design Guidelines for future development, where they want to incorporate a Charleston aesthetic while considering West Ashley families.

“Oh, the beautiful pastel colors, the columns, and the Spanish moss…if they could get that somehow designed in, I’d spend as much time as I could there,” Community member Mick Levitz says.

While presenting their ideas to the board, the applicants suggest a traditional, timeless environment while modernizing what needs to be done.

Design Review Board member Ashley Jackrel says the outdoor space, landscaping and greenery in the design guidelines could improve the location’s sustainability while attracting more people.

“This is kind of a sea of asphalt right? Like who wants to hang out in the Citadel Mall parking lot in the middle of summer… I know I don’t. And so there have been some really creative strategies employed there at the mall but in terms of really making it a healthy environment it really takes a full overhaul, right?” Jackrel says.

Following the meeting board members were excited for future plans.

“So it is incredibly difficult to come up with a design guideline document outlining what the expectations are, without really being kind of somewhat restrictive with what that creativity could look like in that final product,” Jackrel says.

As for the next steps, these are the expectations set for the future designers and architects which have not yet been confirmed.

The applicants did say they expected to start development in 2025, but Jackrel said it may take longer depending on their creative process.

The 88-plus acre existing site includes over 1.1 million square feet of retail uses, and the document stated that Belk, Dillard’s, Target and the Medical University of South Carolina are staying put.

Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Charleston city leaders want to bring new life to a longtime mall in the West Ashley community. Plans are in the works to turn Citadel Mall into a mixed-use development called the “Citadel Mall Epic Center.”

It was a popular mall for many years, but its charm has faded. Now, the city is looking to create a new shopping experience for West Ashley residents.

“For the people who live in West Ashley, this is a huge step forward- this is the right direction we need to head to make those buildings come, make the redesign happen, and make this more bike and pedestrian-friendly,” said Ashley Jackrel, a Design Review Board Member.

The City of Charleston wants to rework the entire property into an outdoor shopping center with restaurants, entertainment, shops, and events. The project put an emphasis on providing shading, and outdoor space and making it pedestrian-friendly so residents can spend more time at the center.

“In terms of making it a healthy environment, it takes a complete overhaul to make this a community that is a destination that people want to go and enjoy their time and be outside,” said Jackrel.

During a Monday night meeting, the city’s design review board approved the final draft with an amendment to add more visuals to keep Charleston’s character in the design. They will also clarify sections referencing the city’s zoning ordinances.

“Oftentimes projects come to us with some sort of downtown influence of the peninsula or Charleston but that might not actually be a point of reference for the project location […] one of the things we often hear oftentimes in West Ashley is it’s not the peninsula, so maybe there can be a little more creativity in the project,” said Jackrel.

Belk, Dillard’s, Target, and the Medical University of South Carolina, which currently call the mall home, will be included in the redevelopment plan.

Plans for the project also include making it resistant to stormwater issues.

The project will now go back to the development team to make a plan to be submitted to the city.

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