Every summer, homeowners do the same thing: they walk into a hot house and immediately crank the thermostat down to 60°, hoping the air conditioner will cool the home faster.

But does it actually work?

In this episode, our hosts take a closer look at one of the biggest thermostat myths in home comfort. They explain how your air conditioner really works, why setting the thermostat lower doesn't speed up cooling, and what actually determines how quickly your home reaches a comfortable temperature.

You'll also learn:

• Why your AC cools at the same rate regardless of the thermostat setting.
• What happens when you set your thermostat much lower than needed.
• Common homeowner mistakes that can lead to higher energy bills.
• The best way to cool your home after you've been away.
• Practical tips to help your HVAC system perform at its best during the hottest days of the year.

Whether you've been guilty of setting your thermostat to 60° or you're just curious about how your air conditioner works, this episode breaks it down in simple terms that every homeowner can understand.

Subscribe for more practical home comfort advice, HVAC myths, energy-saving tips, and maintenance guidance to help keep your home comfortable all year long.

What can homeowners learn from an internal message that was never intended for the public?

In this episode, we take a deep dive into a leadership message written by Derek Cole of Simmons One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning. Originally shared with his team during the busy summer season, the message offers an inside look at a customer service philosophy centered on empathy, accountability, and treating every home as if it belonged to family.

We explore why communication often matters as much as technical expertise, how companies can create trust even when they can't control supply chain delays or backordered parts, and what separates businesses that simply complete transactions from those that build lasting relationships.

Whether you work in the home service industry, lead a team, or simply want to understand what great customer service looks like from the inside, this conversation examines the principles behind creating memorable customer experiences and a culture that strives to put people before problems.

A new homeowner survey found that 77% of Americans say summer cooling costs are causing financial stress, and nearly half have delayed HVAC repairs because of the expense. What do those numbers really mean—and what should homeowners do about them?

In this Deep Dive episode, two guest hosts unpack Derek Cole's latest article, "New Report: 77% of Homeowners Say Summer Cooling Costs Are Causing Financial Stress. Here's What You Can Do About It."

Rather than simply reading the article, they explore the research behind it, discuss why so many homeowners are seeing higher electric bills, and explain the practical steps families can take to stay comfortable without wasting money.

Topics include:

• Why cooling costs are rising across the country
• The surprising survey statistics every homeowner should know
• Why delaying HVAC repairs often costs more in the long run
• Practical ways to reduce your cooling costs this summer
• The importance of routine HVAC maintenance
• When products like an EasyStart make sense—and when they don't
• How maintenance programs can help reduce unexpected breakdowns and expenses

Whether you're worried about your next electric bill or simply want your air conditioner to run more efficiently, this conversation breaks down the latest homeowner research into practical, easy-to-understand advice.

This is a third-party Deep Dive discussion of Derek Cole's published article and expands on the ideas presented there with additional commentary and analysis.

Read Derek Cole's original article:
https://www.simmonsonehour.com/blog/summercooling

Every day, we have the privilege of serving homeowners across southeastern North Carolina, and over the years, we've met countless veterans, active duty military members, National Guard members, and Reservists. One thing has always stood out to me: they rarely ask for anything special. They simply want honest service from people they can trust.

That led us to ask a simple question: How could we say "thank you" in a way that truly matters?

Thank you to every man and woman who has worn our nation's uniform. We appreciate your service, and we're honored to serve you.

Learn more about the Heroes Club:
https://www.simmonsonehour.com/heroes

On this episode of the Home & Life Comfort Podcast with Derek Cole, we're tackling two questions homeowners ask all the time.

First, why is your upstairs always hotter than your downstairs during the summer? Is your air conditioner too small, or is there something else going on? Derek explains how heat naturally rises, why attics create a massive heat load, how your thermostat location affects comfort, and why zoning can be one of the best long-term solutions for two-story homes.

Then we shift indoors to answer another important question: Is the air inside your home actually worse than the air outside? You might be surprised by the answer. We discuss where indoor pollutants come from, why today's tightly sealed homes can trap contaminants, and what you can do to improve the air your family breathes every day.

Whether you're trying to cool off your second floor or create a healthier home, this episode is packed with practical advice you can use.

In this episode:

-Why second floors stay warmer in the summer-How attics and windows increase heat gain-Why one thermostat may not be enough-When zoning makes sense-Is indoor air really more polluted than outdoor air?-Common sources of poor indoor air quality-Simple ways to improve your home's air

Have a question for Derek? Visit SimmonsOneHour.com and submit it for a future episode of the podcast.

Always On Time Or You Don't Pay A Dime!®

Summer is here in southeastern North Carolina, and air conditioners are working harder than they have in months. Unfortunately, this is also when many homeowners experience breakdowns that could have been prevented.

In this episode, Derek Cole breaks down the seven most common AC repairs his team sees every summer, including clogged air filters, refrigerant leaks, dirty outdoor coils, thermostat issues, and electrical problems.

You'll also learn simple steps homeowners can take now to help improve reliability before the hottest days of the season arrive.

Most air conditioning breakdowns don't happen overnight. They start as small problems that grow over time.

The sooner they're caught, the better your chances are of staying comfortable all summer long.

In this episode:

• Why clogged air filters create bigger problems

• How condensate drain lines can lead to water damage

• Signs your system may have a refrigerant leak

• Why dirty outdoor coils reduce efficiency

• Common blower motor and capacitor failures

• Simple thermostat issues homeowners often overlook

• Why electrical inspections matter

📞 Simmons One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning

🌐 SimmonsOneHour.com

⏰ Always On Time Or You Don't Pay A Dime!®

Every summer, homeowners ask the same question: "My thermostat is set to 70 degrees, so why is my house sitting at 74?"

In this episode, Derek explains why your air conditioner may actually be working exactly as it was designed to work.

You'll learn why every home performs differently, how sunlight, shade, windows, insulation, and home orientation affect indoor temperatures, and why southeastern North Carolina creates unique challenges because your system has to battle both heat and humidity.

Derek also explains why comparing your home to your neighbor's or someone living in Arizona can create unrealistic expectations.

Plus, he shares the real test homeowners should be paying attention to after the sun goes down and one thermostat mistake many people make during extreme heat.

Topics covered:

• Why every home cools differently

• Why heat and humidity work against your system

• Why equipment still has limitations

• Why your house may rise above your set point during the afternoon

• When you should actually be concerned

• The thermostat mistake to avoid during a heat wave

Have you ever found your air conditioner covered in ice during the middle of summer?

In this throwback episode of the #AskDerekCole Show, Derek explains several common reasons air conditioners freeze up, including airflow restrictions, dirty filters, refrigerant issues, and more.

He also answers two additional homeowner questions:
• Can air conditioning be added to a mobile home?
• Are allergy filters really better than standard filters?

If you're looking for practical HVAC advice explained in plain English, this episode is for you.