In this YouTube video, Derek Cole of Simmons One Hour Heating and Air warns homeowners about the upcoming first cold night and explains how sudden temperature drops can strain HVAC systems, raise energy bills, and cause mechanical failures. He breaks down the complexity of residential heating systems and offers a series of practical, do‑it‑yourself maintenance steps—checking and changing air filters monthly (or every 1‑3 months depending on pets, usage, etc.), inspecting vents and ducts for blockages, and ensuring the thermostat is set to the correct mode (auto or heat) and temperature. Cole stresses the importance of proactive professional service, recommending a full system inspection and coil cleaning every six months, and urging viewers to test their heating before the cold truly arrives. He also highlights the value of having a reliable, 24/7 HVAC technician, positioning Simmons One Hour Heating and Air (in business since 1953) as a trustworthy option. The video concludes with a call to action, providing two phone numbers for service requests and personal texts.
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What's up everyone, Derek Cole here with Simmons One Hour Heating and Air, and today we're talking about something that's coming real soon— the first cold night. Now there is a blog post on the website simmonsonehour.com that goes in more detail, but I kind of wanted to give you some broad strokes of what to expect that first cold night, the first chilly night. Of course, we haven't really had it yet, which is kind of weird for, you know, being November, but, uh, it is on the way. But, uh, you know, if you can picture a crisp autumn evening, trees begin to fall, become the— shed their leaves, which has happened, has started to happen. I was walking the other day and, you know, leaves are falling right on me as I'm walking down the highway. So leaves have started doing that, uh, they're displaying colors, they're starting to fall. The first chilly night, you get up the next morning, the house is cold. But your heating is not working. What are you going to do? Because you could be in the boat of quite a few people but not have their heat work when they want it to work, or you could be proactive and go ahead and get it checked out. But it all comes down to understanding your system and the role your heating air system, HVAC, your heating system plays in your home comfort. Now, understanding the components can, can help you diagnose potential issues and appreciate how complex, how complicated it really is, because it's a complicated machine. But with the right professional, they can help you and solve your problem. So weather changes can significantly impact how your system operates. Colder temperatures may cause strain if the system isn't prepared, leading to higher energy bills and possible mechanical failures. Now, anticipating these changes allows you to maybe employ some or deploy some preventive measures ensuring a seamless transition into the colder months ahead. So, do-it-yourself tips I have for you. Step 1: Change your your air filter. If y'all been following us for any amount of time, you have probably heard me say this and preach it and scream it from the mountaintops: change your air filter. It is, according to Energy Star, according to Energy Star, the most important thing you can do yourself. You don't need a pro. You can do it yourself. The most important thing you can do yourself for your system is change and check your filter. Do that on a regular basis. Ideally, filters should be changed every 1 to 3 months depending— every home is different, usage is different, environments are different. Uh, some folks have pets, some folks have kids, uh, some folks go in and out a lot, some folks stay at home quite a bit. All those environments are different and need to be handled differently. That's why I recommend at least changing or checking that filter once a month. If you have pets, it might be more often. If you don't have pets or don't use the system that much, it might be every 3 months. It depends on your situation. So a great rule of thumb, rule of thumb, is to check that filter once a month. Change it when you need it. Check it once a month. That is the most important thing you can do yourself. Also inspecting vents and ducts. Um, do you have something obstructing the vents? Do you have furniture over the vents? Do you have a duct down? Have you had your duct checked? Have you had your duct cleaned? I mean, all these go into these things that are blocking airflow. Could, could be a problem. So make sure your vents are clear. Make sure your vents are clean. Make sure nothing is stopping the airflow from getting into your house. Number 3, checking your thermostat. Checking your thermostat settings, that's important. Um, I won't say half, probably 25-30% of the calls we get when seasons change We get there and the thermostat is not on the right mode. I'm serious, that, that is a service call. The thermostat is not in the right mode. Now you have cooling mode, heating mode, and auto. I'm a big fan of auto. Auto mode, you can set your cooling temperature, you can set your heating temperature, That way, if it gets too warm in the house, the cooling comes on. If it gets too cold in the house, the heating comes on. Especially this time of year when you have these cooler evenings or warmer days, you could, you could need both in 24 hours. But if you want heat, make sure thermostat is on the right mode, either auto or heating. And have it on the temperature you want. So check your thermostat settings. Service your unit. This should be number 1. It's down here on number 4, but probably number 1 is servicing your unit. Having a professional maintenance done on your system is vital for longevity, for reliability. It includes a thorough check of all the components cleaning of the coils, making sure you're ready for this next season. If you have not fired the heating up so far, let's go and test it. Let's test it before we get to a situation in which we have to have it. So regular service— service your unit on a regular basis. Twice a year is recommended. Every 6 months recommended, uh, but if you have not done it anytime soon, make sure that heating is working. If you don't have a service, at least check your heat before it gets to the point where you need heat. That way you can be somewhat proactive and go ahead and get that handled right now and not have to wait in line when it's that first cold day and people are calling in and demand is really high. Um, it's a, it's a little bit cheaper when you get to fix something than when you have to fix something, right? Does that make sense? It's a little cheaper, a little less of a problem when you get to take care of it versus you have no choice, you have to take care of it., and then you have to wait in line. So check your heat, have your system serviced, make sure you're good to go. Also, you want to find a reliable HVAC tech. If you don't have one, obviously I would love you to give us a chance, but have that reliable technician it comes to your house, uh, not, not Joe, not do-it-yourself. Have somebody that's on call, that's ready 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and can answer your call. Now, just like we have humans here, we all make mistakes, right? But how do you respond to those mistakes? That's what's important. That's why we've been in business since 1953, because we take care of our clients. Yeah, it's a little more expensive to have us do it than the guy you know. Yeah, but what if the guy is sick, or the guy's on vacation, or the guy's busy? Who's going to come now? Whereas when you call a professional organization they have the staff and the ability to respond and get you taken care of before it becomes a serious problem. So, I mean, these are the first steps towards a cozy home. I mean, that first cold night is coming, uh, it's not here yet, but it's on the way. Are you prepared? You should be. Prepared. Um, if you have any questions, feel free to call us, 910-276-2790. Text me personally, 910-463-5811. We'll get you taken care of, get you on the list. But, uh, the first cold night is right around the corner.
