Ashworth Heating and Cooling

01/24/2026

Hope everyone is well!

During freezing rain many heatpump systems can freeze over the top of unit where fan blows cold air out. This can cause issues with fan motor,blade etc. During this period you can opt to run system in emergency heat mode. This runs 2nd stage heating strips only and keeps outdoor unit off. After storm has passed, you can just switch back to regular heat mode. If you are concerned about a high bill this may not matter because most heatpump will already be using heat strips anyway due to this extreme weather.

Also after a power outage it is highly recommended that once power is restored keep system in emergency heat mode for around 6 to 8 hours to prevent compressor damage. Heat pumps are designed to operate in cold weather and compressors have built in heaters we call crank case heaters. This prevents liquid refrigerant from migrating into the compressor and damaging compressor. The issue is with power being out for a few days this heater will not have run, so when power is restored it is not uncommon to have customers that have bad compressors. To prevent this just run system in emergency heat and allow compressor to warm back up. Normally 6-8hours then switch to regular heat . Hope this helps!

Don Ashworth
Ashworth Heating and Cooling

12/24/2022

If you have a heat pump system and have lost power for an extended period of time. It is recommended to not bring the heatpump right back on as soon as power is restored. The compressor needs 6-8hrs to warm up. I tell people to switch to emergency heat til this time has passed. I usually see a few customers loose compressors after winter storms where they loose power and systems are turn on as soon as power is restored. Hopefully this helps someone avoid a major repair.

03/20/2020

Due to the coronavirus pandemic and in order to keep our technicians and customers healthy, we are changing some of our policies.

1. We will strictly be enforcing the “social distancing” guidelines are recommended by the CDC.

2. We will be limiting how much we come inside your home. This means you may be asked to do things on your thermostat for the technician.

3. If you or someone in your home has been sick or exposed to someone that has been, please let us know up front so we can take extra precautions.

We know these are very uncertain times for everyone and we are doing our best to continue offering our great service. Your cooperation in this will hopefully help us all.

01/23/2016

For those of you without power: If you have a heat pump it is recommended that you wait a few hours after power has been restored before turning your heat on. This will help protect your compressor. You can turn on the emergency heat at the thermostat. This will give the compressor time to warm up. Starting the heat right away could damage the compressor.

11/26/2015

01/22/2014

Don found a frozen lizard on his job this morning!

11/11/2013

A blast of arctic air that could push temperatures down to the 20s in some spots around the Triangle will arrive by midweek.

11/05/2013

Just for fun, lets take a poll. Who has turned their heat on and who is waiting?

10/14/2013

In recent years we have had to repair/replace systems multiple times that were targeted by thieves.

07/15/2013

Maybe summer decided to show up after all!
http://www.wral.com/weather/7day/

7-day forecast

07/02/2013

Did you know the first modern air conditioner was designed in 1902 in Buffalo, New York by Willis Carrier? It was not designed for comfort but designed to reduce humidity as a response quality problems experienced at the Sackett-Wilhelms Lithographing & Publishing Company. After several more years of refinement and field testing, on January 2, 1906, Carrier was granted U.S. patent No. 808897 on his invention, which he called an "Apparatus for Treating Air," the world's first spray-type air conditioning equipment.