Heating & Cooling

Air Conditioning & Cooling

Are you experiencing an issue with air conditioning properly cooling your rental home? Let’s check a few things to see what might be the issue. In addition to the below troubleshooting items, please also keep in mind some environmental impacts that we’d like you to consider.

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1 Consider some Environmental Impacts.

It is not uncommon for areas of The Outer Banks to experience summertime temperatures of 90 degrees or higher, with high humidity and heat indices well in the 100’s. Under these severe conditions, your rental home’s Air Conditioning may struggle to perform, particularly on upper levels. Temperature readings of 80 or higher may be expected in the more sun-exposed rooms without window treatments.

To offset these impacts, please see below:

• Close all windows, window-treatments, and doors
• Use ceiling fans, if available
• Keep thermostat settings AT or ABOVE 72 to prevent system failure.
• STAY SAFE AND HYDRATED!

2 Check to see if any windows or doors are open in the affected area.

Any such opening can cause the cool air to escape before it sufficiently cools any area.

• Draw any curtains, blinds, sashes, or other window-treatments (if available) as highly sun-lit rooms will heat more rapidly during summer afternoon hours.
• Using ceiling fans will improve cool air-flow.

3 Check the nearest Thermostat in the affected area.

• Is the Display ON?
• Be sure the settings are on COOL and AUTO.
• BE ADVISED -- setting the Thermostat temperature below 72 may cause the system to overwork itself, leading to exterior coil damage and system failure.
• If the Display is OFF or BLANK, we suggest checking to see if the Thermostat needs new batteries. You can usually check and replace batteries by gently removing the faceplate.

4 Check inside air-flow from vents and returns.

• Is there ANY air-flow from vents in the affected area?
• If the air-flow is COOL, the system may need more time to improve comfort in this area.
• If the air-flow is WARM or STAGNANT, check Thermostat settings to be sure the system has power.

5 Check outside Unit/Fan.

• If you can comfortably and safely locate it, please check to see if the outside HVAC unit seems to be running.
• If the unit seems to have no power, check Thermostat settings.
• If there is visible ICE accumulation on the unit, the system is beginning to “freeze up” due to overworking itself. Please turn off the “cool” setting at the Thermostat and just leave the unit fan running in order to allow the unit to thaw and prevent further damage.

Heating

Are you experiencing an issue with the heat properly warming your rental home? Let’s check a few things to see what might be the issue. In addition to the below troubleshooting items, please also keep in mind some environmental impacts that we’d like you to consider.

1 Consider some Environmental Impacts.

It is not uncommon for areas of The Outer Banks to experience winter temperatures at, or below, freezing (32 degrees or lower). Winter storms can be frequent, persistent, and intense with wind-chills and frozen precipitation exacerbating the effects of the cold. Under these extreme conditions, your rental home’s HVAC system may struggle to perform, particularly on lower levels. Larger homes may require an extended period of time to allow the HVAC system to effectively warm all areas.

To offset these impacts, please see below:

• Close all windows and doors that have exterior access.
• Take note of any active drafts coming through door/window jambs. Blocking drafts with towels, blankets, or otherwise may mitigate this effect.
• Closing interior doors to bedrooms or isolated areas may allow that particularly room to retain heat.

2 Check the nearest Thermostat in the affected area.

• Is the Display ON?
• Be sure the settings are on HEAT and AUTO.
• If the Display is OFF or BLANK, we suggest checking to see if the Thermostat needs new batteries. You can usually check and replace batteries by gently removing the faceplate.

3 Check inside air-flow from vents and returns.

• Is there ANY air-flow from vents in the affected area?
• If the air-flow is WARM, the system may need more time to improve comfort in this area.
• If the air-flow is COOL or STAGNANT, check Thermostat settings to be sure the system has power.