When the mountain mornings are cold, does your heating have a hard time keeping up? Or is the air conditioner on longer than of late for those humid summer afternoons? And then there are the breakdowns that come at you when you are in need of some comfort.
You would be hard pressed to find anyone in Western North Carolina who has not asked these questions. At Cool Cat Heating & Air we put them to rest for homeowners and businesses alike. A phone call to (828) 589-3580 will get you talking to us and we can put you straight on what your system is doing.
There is no denying the beauty of the climate here but it is unforgiving to an HVAC unit. We see the kind of trouble our elevation and weather can cause from Asheville to Hendersonville, Brevard to Black Mountain; things a system in the flatlands would never have to contend with. We will outline the problems we come across most often.
Big Temperature Swings Take Their Toll
In this part of the country the temperature has a way of changing in a hurry. You may put the heat on in the morning and by day’s end the air conditioning is called for. With the change of seasons your system is going to cycle more than in a milder locale.
That sort of back and forth between heating and cooling is hard on the components. It is a recipe for:
- Compressors that wear out from all the starting and stopping
- Blower motors under strain from long hours of running
- Thermostats that do not hold their calibration as well
- Inefficient cycling that shows up on the energy bill
- The whole system aging ahead of schedule
A little regular maintenance will see to it that a minor matter does not become a reason for a full replacement.
Mountain Humidity and Moisture
Moisture is a quiet adversary to a good HVAC system and Western North Carolina summers are no exception. The water your air conditioner draws from the air has to be disposed of. Should a condensate pan overflow or the drainage line clog, mold and water damage are the result.
Then there is the dampness of the mountain air which can make its way into the ductwork and around the equipment. Be on the lookout for:
- Musty odours with the system in operation
- Puddles forming by the indoor unit
- An AC that cannot seem to lower the humidity
- Rust on the parts of the equipment
- Mold you can see at the registers
Put in a call to a professional if you see any of it.
Cold Snaps and What They Do to Components
The higher elevations are not kind in winter. Heat pumps, so prevalent here for their dual purpose of heating and cooling, are put to the test by the freezing. To get warmth from the outside air they must exert themselves when the mercury falls.
We get complaints about ice on the outdoor unit. Some frost in a defrost cycle is to be expected, an iced over unit is not. Frozen coils will sap efficiency and put the system out of commission. Clear the leaves and snow from around the unit and you will avoid much of it.
Debris and Pollen
All the greenery of the hills and forests is fine until spring pollen and autumn detritus are drawn in by your system and clog the filter. Then the system has to labour harder, adding to your costs and shortening its days. Make it a habit to change the filter; it is the easiest thing to do for the sake of your investment and the quality of your indoor air.
The Value of a Local Company
Your average HVAC outfit may not be attuned to the demands of mountain living. We are. As an Asheville company we work on these systems day in and day out in the surrounding areas of Arden, Brevard, Black Mountain, Canton, Weaverville, Flat Rock, Fletcher and Hendersonville.
Licensed and insured, we take care of the heating and cooling needs of both commercial and residential clients. Our doors are open 8:00am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday. For a new system or repairs we give free estimates so there are no surprises.
Do not wait for the next season to roll around to have a pro check your system. If you are seeing any of the above, contact us. Let the team at Cool Cat Heating & Air ensure your home or business stays comfortable. (828) 589-3580.
