HVAC Jobs in Charlotte, NC

HVAC Jobs in Charlotte, NC

Searching for employment in the HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) industry? The city of Charlotte, NC is one of the best places to look. According to the HVAC job forum on indeed.com, Charlotte, NC is one of the top 5 cities to find work. Average salaries are 8% higher than in other cities nationwide. Whether you are an HVAC service technician or if your specialty is HVAC installation, many job opportunities are available in this area.

When searching for HVAC jobs in Charlotte, there are some important things to consider. Look for a company that offers a competitive salary. Indeed.com offers a salary comparison chart listing various job titles in the HVAC industry and the average salary for such positions in Charlotte, NC. You can use this as a guide when searching for jobs in your field.

Other criteria to consider when choosing an employer is benefits. Typical benefits include most types of insurance for yourself and your family. Insurance typically includes medical, dental, vision, life, and disability. These types of insurance are important. Disability insurance is necessary if you were to be injured on or off the job. If you can’t work, you need to know that you will receive compensation. Medical insurance is important for that same reason, but also for your family members. Dental and vision insurance for you and your family will save you significant money as opposed to paying for these things out of pocket. Life insurance provides compensation to your family if something were to happen to you. Such benefits will be cheaper through your employer than if you were to purchase private insurance on your own.

Don’t forget to find out about paid vacation time. No doubt you will need to have some time away from work for vacations, family and personal needs, etc. Make sure to find a job that offers paid time off. It’s important to a household budget to receive regular paychecks. And you will find your vacation much more enjoyable without the burden of lost wages.

Before entering into any employment contract, consider opportunities for advancement. When you look at HVAC companies, think about the future of your career. If you have career goals that surpass your current status, be sure the company you choose has those opportunities available for you to advance beyond your entry position. When you are promoted by your current employer you avoid having to start over with a whole new company. Starting over can mean loss of vacation time and lapse of benefits and pay.

If you seek employment from a well-established HVAC company, there are some definite advantages. You are more likely to find competitive salary, full benefits, paid vacation time, opportunities for advancement, and regular work hours. And Charlotte, NC is a great place to start. Patterson Heating and Air Conditioning has been serving Charlotte since 1946. Patterson offers employees all of the above advantages. Visit our employment page for more information.

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A Smart Thermostat is great way to monitor your Charlotte Home

Smart Thermostats are among the many available items to make your life easier and streamline the functions for your home. For those that are not tech-savvy, smart products for your home may be overwhelming and make you feel anything but smart. Hopefully once you understand the purpose of the products, that their design enables you to stay in control and monitor your home when you can’t be there, you won’t be intimated!  You can take advantage of what smart products have to offer. Read below about the Smart Thermostat and how you can monitor your current home or your second home remotely.

 

What Is A Smart Thermostat and How Will It Help You?

A Smart Thermostat has the ability to control the temperature in your home remotely through a smartphone, tablet, remote control, or by voice.

Smart Thermostats can actually “learn” from your behaviors. Over time, they recognize and remember your regular heating and cooling habits, as well as your comings and goings. They will determine the most appropriate temperature based on the time of year, the time of day, the number of occupants, and previous patterns of use. They can determine temperature for the whole house or per room (each room would need to have a separate sensor).

Connect to Other Smart Devices in Charlotte, NC

Advanced smart thermostats can also connect with other devices used in your home. By recognizing and connecting to these devices, the thermostat will know when people are in the home and when people leave the home. Two of your most popular “Smart” devices are Alexa and Google Home.  Here are two links on Amazon that will show you compatible thermostats for Alexa and Google Home.

Smart Thermostats enable you to monitor the temperatures of your home. At a bare minimum, you can change the temperature of your home remotely, and geo-fencing is avaibable without connecting to a smart home network. But they can do more, depending on the type you purchase. As mentioned above, some Smart Thermostats will adjust temperatures based on what it has “learned” about your behaviors and your heating/cooling patterns.

In Case of Emergency

Smart Thermostats can also notify you of a cooling or heating emergency or problems with your HVAC system. Look for the specifications you are looking for and consult your local heating and air company to help you determine which system is right for you.  Contact us at Patterson Heating & Air Conditioning to answer any questions.

If you find yourself away from the home often, forgetful about whether you turned the heat or air up or down, or you have a second home or rental property, you may want to consider purchasing a Smart Thermostat. Over time, they save you money and give you peace of mind.

 

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Should I Schedule My Fall Heating Tune Up Before It Gets Cold in Charlotte?

After a long summer, it’s finally Fall. Yay!! With record-breaking temperatures in the Carolinas, it’s hard to imagine needing to turn your heat on, but you will before you know it. Winter is just a short time away and you should make sure your home is ready for the cold weather. 

Here are some things to remember to prepare for winter.  Make sure to check your windows and doors for cracks and potential leaks. Caulk your windows and replace the weather stripping on your doors. Don’t forget to get the winter blankets from the closets or storage bins and get them ready for use. It’s not a bad idea to do a visual inspection of your heating system if it is accessible. Take a look at the indoor furnace or air handler to see if you see any noticeable visual problems; such as water, tearing of the ductwork, or torn insulation.  But most importantly, make sure you schedule your Fall Heating Tune-Up with Patterson Heating and Air Conditioning before it gets too cold!

 

Why Schedule a Fall Tune-Up? And Why Schedule It Before Winter?

A Fall Tune-Up gets your heating system prepared for the impending cold temperatures. Your highly-trained HVAC technician from Patterson will ensure that your unit is clean and working properly. If your technician finds a problem, then they can fix it before it gets to be a bigger problem or before it’s cold. If a problem isn’t discovered until winter, then you may find yourself without heat while waiting on parts for a repair.

Just as summer is a busy time for HVAC technicians, so is the winter. Whenever there are extreme temperatures, heating and air techs are busy. If you have an emergency during winter, you may experience longer wait times. A Fall Tune-Up is all about prevention: preventing problems with your heating system and preventing you from having to wait in the cold while they’re fixed.

A Fall Tune-Up is also about keeping it clean. A dirty and dusty unit causes unnecessary wear and tear on your heating unit and can potentially be unsafe. 

A Fall Tune-Up is also about safety. Your certified HVAC technician will ensure that your unit is safe to use. Learn more about Patterson’s Comfort Guard Protection plan for your home’s heating system.

Keep to a Regular Maintenance Schedule for Your HVAC System in Charlotte, NC

Keeping to a regular maintenance schedule is a great habit to keep for the longevity and health of your furnace. Having a trained service technician ensure your furnace is in good, working order and running effectively and efficiently is crucial to maximizing the lifecycle of your furnace. A regular maintenance schedule keeps your unit clean, cuts down on unnecessary wear and tear, and gives you peace of mind that you’ll stay warm all winter long. It also protects your manufacturer’s or extended warranties.  Read more about the importance of HVAC equipment maintenance.

 

Patterson Heating & Air Conditioning has been serving Charlotte area homeowners and businesses since 1946.  The Patterson Promise is “Good People, Amazing Service!”

Go Patterson!

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Why Is My Air Conditioner Freezing Up in Charlotte, NC?

Does your air conditioner turn on and off repeatedly, or continue to run and struggle to cool your home? Have you noticed ice, frost, or blocks of ice on your air conditioner? If so, your air conditioner is freezing up. 

Keep in mind that your air conditioner could be freezing up even if you don’t see ice or frost. If you turn your thermostat to fan only and let it run for a few hours (giving it time to thaw) and it begins cooling again, then your air conditioner is freezing up. You might even need to run the heat (probably not in the middle of summer). 

If your unit is frozen and it begins to thaw, remember to watch out for an overflowing drain pan. When the evaporator coil freezes up and then thaws, water will fill the drain pan. Make sure your drain pan is clean to avoid water damage.

There are several reasons why an air conditioner may freeze up. Read below to find out reasons why your air conditioner might be freezing up and what you can do about it.

Low Refrigerant Charge

Your air conditioner cools your home when warm, humid air passes over the indoor evaporator coil.  The water will then drain off the coil, into the drain pan, and down the condensate drain line. When refrigerant levels are low, it causes the evaporator coil to become too cold and the water freezes on the coil instead of draining. If this is the case, have your certified HVAC technician from Patterson Heating & Air Conditioning check your refrigerant levels and determine if there has been damage to the unit. We will give you an honest and educated solution to the problem.  

Poor Air Flow

Just as low refrigerant levels cause the evaporator coil to be too cold and water freezes instead of drains, this can also happen when there is poor airflow. Even if your refrigerant levels are correct, a lack of warm return air will also cause the evaporator coils to become too cold. What causes poor airflow?

The number one culprit of poor airflow is a clogged air filter. When filters are clogged with dust and debris, it impedes the return airflow and creates an imbalance in the cooling system. Make sure to change your air filters regularly.

Undersized ducts and vents are another cause of poor airflow. When the return vents or ducts in your home are too small or when there are not enough vents, then your air conditioner does not receive the proper airflow. Air must flow evenly throughout your home for it to work effectively. This is something to be checked by a professional.  Schedule time for your certified HVAC technician to inspect your ductwork and vents and make sure they are the proper size for your home. 

Also, make sure to keep all your vents open. While you may be tempted to close vents to unused rooms, your cooling system requires proper airflow. Closed vents impede the proper circulation. 

Dirty Coils in Charlotte

When the evaporator coil is dirty, the coil is unable to properly pull moisture from the air and drain water away from your air conditioning system.  Keeping your system’s evaporator coil clean is a part of your maintenance schedule, so make sure to keep to a regular maintenance schedule with Patterson Heating & Air Conditioning. Our highly trained technicians will ensure that your unit is clean and working efficiently. 

Too Small to Do the Job

It’s not uncommon for an air conditioning unit to be too small for the size of the home. You may suspect the unit is too small when the unit blows cold air, but your house doesn’t reach the desired temperature of your thermostat. If this is the case, contact us at Patterson to perform a load calculation which will determine the cooling needs of your home. An undersized unit may cause unnecessary wear and tear can lead to your indoor coil freezing.
We hope these tips and information have been helpful!  Contact us if you have questions, we will be glad to help!  Good People, Amazing Service….Go Patterson!

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Why Are Load Calculations Required When You Purchase a New Air Conditioner in Charlotte, NC?

When it’s time to purchase a new air conditioner, you want to make sure you make a wise investment. An air conditioner is an expensive but necessary appliance for your home, and you want to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. 

It’s not uncommon for people to purchase air conditioners that are not sized correctly for their home. You may be tempted to purchase a smaller air conditioner thinking that you’ll save money or that a bigger unit isn’t really needed to cool your home. Or you may be considering a larger unit because you think that bigger is better and your house will cool faster. Both of these assumptions are simply not true. This is why a proper load calculation needs to be performed by the installing HVAC contractor in North Carolina.

Air conditioners are designed and sized differently for a reason. The square footage of your home, the direction your home faces, your climate zone, and your roofing and window material are all factors in the size air conditioner you’ll need.  These factors play a major role in calculating the properly sized system for your home. For example, your home may be smaller in square footage, but you live in Charlotte, you have an older home with minimal insulation, and you have a lot of windows that face direct sunlight.  Your home may need a larger heating and cooling system over a larger more energy-efficient home. This will be determined by an approved Manual J load calculation, which Patterson Heating & Air Condition will provide.

Why Does This Matter Anyhow?

Efficient air conditioners save you money on your energy bills, keep you comfortable, and have a longer lifespan. 

When an air conditioner is too small, it struggles to reach the desired temperature despite constantly running. A unit that is too small will have unnecessary wear and tear and can potentially cause your evaporator coil to freeze. 

When an air conditioner is oversized, it will cycle on and off again in short bursts. When this happens, your air conditioner does not run long enough to remove humidity from your home.  The higher the humidity is in your home, the more uncomfortable you feel, and it can lead to mold and mildew problems. Essentially the home has that wet clammy feel, yuck! An oversized system can lead to unnecessary wear and tear on your unit, costing you money, and potentially shortening the life of your air conditioner.  Again, the importance of a load calculation is vital in determining the proper size to keep your home comfortable while saving you money on utility bills.

Talk to a Professional at Patterson Heating & Air Conditioning

If you’re looking to purchase a new air conditioner, the best thing you can do is speak to one of the experts at Patterson. They can determine the correct load capacity for your home, and let you know the right size unit to keep you and your wallet more comfortable. 

Good People, Amazing Service

Go Patterson!

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Cut Your Utility Bill in Half This Summer in Charlotte, NC

Summer is a here and it’s hot!  Those warm summer nights and hot summer days are filled with time at the pool, barbequing, and enjoying time with family and friends.  But along with the fun of summer comes the dreaded high utility bill. Summer is hot, especially here in Charlotte. It’s too hot to keep the windows open so your air conditioner runs throughout the day and night just so you can stay comfortable. With utility rate increases, your utility bill probably just keeps getting higher and higher. What can you do to cut costs and potentially cut your bill in half this summer? Patterson Heating & Air Conditioning has some great tips to help!

Replace Your Air Filters in Charlotte

Clean air filters make your air conditioner run more efficiently.  Dirty and clogged air filters will contribute to higher utility bills, causing your air conditioner to work harder to circulate the air throughout your home.  It will also help with allergies, asthma, and other breathing conditions. Check them once a month and replace them as needed.

Avoid Those Heat-Generating Appliances

The oven, dryer, and dishwasher create a lot of heat that warms up your house every time you use them. Try to find alternatives whenever possible and you’ll see savings in the long run.

Instead of using the oven, you can cook on the stovetop, use a crockpot, or even fire up the grill.

Instead of using the dryer, hang items outside to dry. If you suffer from spring allergies; look for places around your house where you can lay out the laundry or look into purchasing drying racks.

Water heaters require energy. Wash your laundry and dishes in cold water to save energy.

Instead of using the dishwasher, wash dishes by hand and let them air dry.

If you need to use the dryer or dishwasher, run them in the early mornings or overnight. Also, make sure you have a clean dryer vent and trap.  If they are full of lint, it take longer to dry your clothes and will use more energy.

Keep Your Blinds and Curtains Closed from Direct Light

If you’re away from home, keep all your blinds and curtains closed. It’s best to keep the blinds or curtains closed during these hot sunny hours.  It will significantly lower the temperature in your home. When you are home and want to use natural light to save energy, only open the blinds or curtains that will let in indirect light during the early morning and evening hours.  

Use Fans in Your Home

Ceiling fans are a great cost-effective way to cool you off. Just remember to turn your ceiling fan to run counterclockwise during the summer.

If you don’t have ceiling fans, invest in portable fans. You can find inexpensive fans that have several different speeds, settings, and come with remotes.

Use your bathroom fan when you take a shower. A bathroom fan will suck up the humidity and heat from your shower.

Use Low Flow Showerheads

Installing low flow showerheads will reduce the amount of water consumed when you shower.

Turn Down Your Water Heater or Go Tankless

Most thermostats on water heaters are set to 140 degrees. Turning it down to 120 degrees will lower your utility bills and still maintain a comfortable water temperature. Your water heater uses energy to maintain a constant water temperature. By lowering the temperature your water heater uses less energy.

Because tankless water heaters only work when you turn on hot water, they use less energy than standard water heaters. Switching to a tankless water heater may lower your utility bills.

Use LED Light Bulbs

Once your incandescent light bulbs stop working, replace them with LED bulbs. LED bulbs are more expensive but last much longer and use 80 to 90% less energy than incandescent light bulbs, providing you savings on the electric bill.

Turn It Off and Use Power Strips

Turn off lights, computers, and televisions. Unplug phones and tablets when not charging. Simple steps like these can make a big difference in the amount of electricity you and your home consume. You can even plug your electronics and appliances into power strips. Turn the power strip off when you can. Many of our electronics and appliances use energy even when they’re not in use.

Raise Your Thermostat in Charlotte

Keep your thermostat at a comfortable temperature but not too cool. Try turning it up a couple degrees and see if your home is still comfortable. Keep it as high as possible while still maintaining your comfort level. A few degrees higher on the thermostat will save you money.

Invest in a Programmable or Smart Thermostat

You can lower your cooling bill as much as 10% by turning your temperatures down seven to ten degrees. A programmable thermostat allows you to set a schedule which would increase the temperatures during the times you’re not there.

You could also purchase a smart thermostat which allows you to control the temperature in your home remotely through a smartphone, tablet, remote control, or by voice. More advanced smart thermostats actually “learn” from your behaviors. Over time, they recognize and remember your regular heating and cooling habits. They will determine the most appropriate temperature based on the time of year, the time of day, the number of occupants, and previous patterns of use.

Properly Insulate Your Home

Before summer is in full swing, make sure your home is properly insulated. Once you turn your air conditioner on, you want to keep the cool air in and the hot air out. Check windows and doors for places where air may be getting in or out. If needed, caulk windows and replace weather stripping on the doors.

Check the ductwork in your attic or crawlspaces for leaks. A properly insulated home will help keep down costs and preserve energy.

Maintain Your Air Conditioner with Patterson Heating & Air Conditioning

Keeping to a regular maintenance schedule will ensure that your unit is working efficiently; which in turn will reduce the amount of energy consumed by your A/C system.

Good People, Amazing Service!

That’s the Patterson Promise

GoPatterson.com

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Should I Sign Up for a Maintenance Agreement in Charlotte?

You’ve heard the commercials and seen the advertisements. You might have even heard the spiel when you had your air conditioner repaired. Or maybe you just purchased a new air conditioner and heard it then. You know the one. The one where you feel the HVAC company is trying to sell you something and get you to commit to a regular maintenance schedule. The HVAC technician probably told you a regular maintenance schedule extends the life of your HVAC system and cuts down on unnecessary wear and tear and the frequency of service calls to repair your unit. Is it all a ploy to get you to spend more money or is it actually important to the care of your HVAC unit?

The Benefits far outweigh the cost

Maintenance agreements or Comfort Guard Protection as Patterson calls them are very important to the care, longevity, and efficiency of your HVAC unit. While consumers, especially homeowners, are constantly bombarded with offers to buy more services, extend contracts and warranties, and spend more money on their homes and personal property, some offers are worthwhile and will ultimately save the homeowner time and money. A maintenance agreement with your reputable HVAC company like Patterson Heating & Air Conditioning is worthwhile and will benefit you and your HVAC system.

What are the Benefits to a Maintenance Agreement?

Your HVAC Unit

The first and foremost benefit to a maintenance agreement is to the HVAC unit itself. A maintenance agreement includes two annual inspections: the first inspection is for your air conditioner and it takes place typically in the spring; and the second inspection is in the fall during which your certified Patterson technician will check on your furnace or heating system.

During these inspections, your certified HVAC technician will ensure that your unit is clean and working efficiently. Keeping your unit clean is the first step in maintaining your unit and maximizing its efficiency. If your system isn’t working at its most efficient, your HVAC technician will be able to diagnose the problem and potentially prevent costly and inconvenient repairs.

Priority Service for your Charlotte home

Summer is a busy time for HVAC companies. If you’re A/C unit is going to stop working, it’s probably going to quit on you at the worst time…..the hottest days of summer. If you’ve ever had this happen, you’ll appreciate the added benefit of priority service. Priority service is just what the name implies. If you have a maintenance agreement, you get to cut in line and receive service faster.

Saves You Money

When there is a problem with your unit and a repair is necessary, a maintenance agreement will give you a discounted price on repairs. Not only will the service agreement decrease the frequency of repairs, but it will save you money when the time comes to make a repair.

Also, an inefficient HVAC unit also raises your utility bills, so when your HVAC technician tells you that your system is running efficiently, you can rest assured that you are not spending unnecessary dollars on your utility bills.  

Don’t Void Your Warranty

If you have a manufacturer’s warranty for your system, keep in mind that failing to keep to a regular maintenance schedule could void your warranty. Heating and air conditioning units need proper care by a licensed professional. If you don’t hold up your end of the bargain and keep to a regular maintenance schedule, you may find that the warranty is no longer valid.

Contact the professionals at Patterson to increase the life expectancy of your home’s heating and air conditioning…..You’ll be glad you did!  #GoPatterson

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