Local HVAC company navigates influx in calls during rising temperatures

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As high temperatures creep up here in Florida -- so are the calls pouring into local air conditioning companies.

That’s been the case for Snyder Air Conditioning, Plumbing and Electric who Action News Jax spent the morning with Friday.

“There’s just been a huge influx of calls coming in,” Vice President Tim Wood said.

Action News Jax learned that the company has received around 2,200 incoming HVAC repair calls so far this month.

“The equipment is under an intense strain during these late afternoons when it gets up to the upper 90s,” Wood said. “Then the heat index -- it really makes people feel uncomfortable. The second that thing stops cooling to the exact point they’re used to -- the phone just starts ringing. So, we get a lot of calls.”

He said sometimes a call or home visit is a matter of explaining to a customer what they can expect from their unit during a heatwave.

Others are in need of a repair or a replacement.

Frank Kennell is one of many customers Snyder helped on Friday. He’s been having issues with his A/C.

“It starts up, and then it shuts itself off in the middle of the night,” Kennell said. “The fan runs all night, and the temperature goes up.”

He said his unit is only 19 months old.

“I have COPD with a lot of asbestos in my lungs,” Kennell said.

Wood said when it comes to your unit -- the biggest step you can take as a homeowner is to change your filter on a regular basis.

He recommends calling a technician if you notice any issues.

“Turn the system off,” Wood said. “A lot of times people want to leave the inside fan running because they think that’s actually doing something. Really most of the ductwork is located in the attic.”

He also suggests closing your blinds and drapes and trying to reduce the amount of sunlight in your home.

Wood said, in these conditions, heat pumps can get anywhere between 18 to 22 degrees cooling.

For example, if it’s 98 degrees outside -- there’s a good chance your unit will not get down to 70 degrees inside.

The influx of calls comes as supply chain delays and inflation also are factors weighing heavy on HVAC companies.

“They’ve expected another 25 percent at least increase on air conditioning products over the next probably six months,” Wood said.

He said, at the end of the day, it’s important to know what to expect from your system.

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