Home and Life Comfort with Derek Cole

Your air conditioner may run just fine once it gets going. Getting the compressor started is where things get interesting.

During startup, an AC compressor can require significantly more electrical current than it needs once it's running.

That's where a soft starter comes in.

In this episode of Deep Dive, the hosts unpack Derek Cole's article, “What Is an AC Soft Starter, and Is EasyStart Worth It?”

They explore how the Micro-Air EasyStart Flex learns the starting characteristics of an AC compressor and electronically manages the startup process, with Micro-Air reporting reductions in starting current of up to 75%.

Why does that matter?

One big reason is backup power. A generator may have enough capacity to keep an air conditioner running but struggle with the initial electrical demand required to start the compressor.

The hosts also dig into some of the bigger questions homeowners should be asking:

What's the difference between a soft starter and a hard-start kit?

Does a smoother start mean less stress on the compressor?

Will EasyStart lower your electric bill?

Does EasyStart replace whole-home surge protection?

And most importantly, does every air conditioner really need one?

The answer isn't automatically yes.

This Deep Dive separates what EasyStart actually does from what homeowners shouldn't expect it to do, helping you decide whether soft-start technology makes sense for your home.

Based on the article and HVAC experience of Derek Cole of Simmons One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning.

Home & Life Comfort Podcast
Simmons One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning

It’s hurricane season in North Carolina. Storms roll in, lightning starts popping, the lights flicker, power goes out—and then suddenly everything comes back on.

But what’s happening to your home’s electrical system during all of that?

In this episode of Deep Dive, the hosts break down Derek Cole’s latest article on whole-home surge protection and why it matters more than many homeowners realize.

They explore why power surges aren’t limited to direct lightning strikes, what can happen electrically when storms interrupt and restore power, and why today’s HVAC systems—with circuit boards, variable-speed motors, communicating controls, sensors, and other sophisticated electronics—can represent a significant investment worth protecting.

The discussion also tackles an important question: Does a whole-home surge protector guarantee your HVAC system can’t be damaged?

No—and that’s not the point.

Surge protection is another layer of defense against electrical events we simply can’t control.

The hosts also explain the difference between surge protection and an AC soft starter, setting up the next Deep Dive into EasyStart technology and whether a soft starter is actually worth adding to your air conditioner.

Here’s the takeaway: We can’t control the weather, lightning, power outages, or the electrical grid. We can decide how we protect the expensive equipment connected to it.

Based on the article and expertise of Derek Cole of Simmons One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning.

🏠 Learn more at SimmonsOneHour.com

Every kid who walks into a classroom is coming from a different place.

A different home life. A different morning. Different struggles. Different abilities. Different needs.

In this episode of the Home & Life Comfort Podcast, Derek Cole shares a funny story about visiting his wife at school that led to a much bigger lesson: the importance of meeting people where they are.

Originally shared as a message to the teachers and staff at Rowland Norment Elementary, Derek realized the message applies to teachers everywhere.

From building personal connections with students to communicating with coworkers and asking for help when you need it, this episode is a reminder that making a difference often starts with seeing the individual person in front of you.

Teachers may not always get to see the impact they're making. Sometimes they may never know.

But that doesn't mean the impact isn't there.

Meet them where they are. Build the connection. Communicate. And never underestimate the difference you can make in the life of a child.

Can you clean your own outdoor AC unit? Technically, yes. But should you?

In this episode of the Home & Life Comfort Podcast, Derek Cole breaks down a viral DIY AC cleaning video with millions of views and explains what the video gets right, what homeowners need to be careful about, and where a seemingly simple cleaning job can turn into an expensive mistake.

Derek covers why your outdoor condenser coil can be dirty even when it looks clean, why proper airflow matters, the danger of assuming the power is off, why you should NEVER use excessive water pressure on condenser fins, and why cleaning your outdoor coil isn't the same thing as having your AC professionally maintained.

After 25 years in the HVAC business, Derek's recommendation is simple: there are basic maintenance items homeowners can handle, but once you're opening equipment, working around electricity, moving components, and using chemicals, it's time to understand the risks.

In this episode:

• Why a clean-looking AC coil may still be restricted
• How dirty condenser coils affect your system
• Why some AC units are harder to properly clean
• The electrical danger homeowners shouldn't overlook
• Why pressure washers and AC coils don't mix
• What to know about chemical coil cleaners
• The difference between cleaning and professional maintenance
• When DIY stops making sense

Taking care of your HVAC system matters. But doing something yourself isn't saving money if one mistake turns into a repair call.

Home & Life Comfort Podcast with Derek Cole
Simmons One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning
Serving Fayetteville, Pinehurst, Laurinburg and surrounding communities.

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

For educational and informational purposes only. HVAC equipment can contain high-voltage electrical components, moving parts, chemicals, and other hazards. Consult a qualified HVAC professional before performing work beyond your knowledge, training, or ability.

You turn on the air conditioner and suddenly notice something strange coming from the vents: a fishy smell.

What in the world is causing that?

In this episode of the Home & Life Comfort Podcast, we break down what a fishy smell from your AC could be telling you and why it’s not something you should simply cover up with an air freshener.

One possible culprit is moisture getting into your ductwork or insulation. Here in southeastern North Carolina, damp crawl spaces, standing water, plumbing leaks, high humidity, and wet duct insulation can all create odors that get carried into your home when the HVAC system starts running.

But there’s another possibility you shouldn't overlook: an overheating electrical component can sometimes create an odor people describe as fishy or similar to hot plastic.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why wet duct insulation can create strange odors
• Why your crawl space may be the first place to investigate
• How attic leaks can affect ductwork
• Why drying wet insulation doesn't always solve the problem
• When damaged duct insulation may need to be replaced
• Why a fishy smell could indicate an electrical issue
• When you should turn your HVAC system off and call a professional

The biggest lesson is simple: don't just treat the smell. Find out what's causing it.

Your HVAC system shouldn't make your house smell fishy. If it does, that odor may be your warning that water or another problem is somewhere it shouldn't be.

🎙️ Home & Life Comfort Podcast with Derek Cole

Practical heating, cooling, indoor air quality, and home comfort advice to help homeowners understand their HVAC systems and make better decisions for their homes.

Have you ever noticed a musty smell coming from your vents right when the air conditioner kicks on?

That smell isn't something you should just cover up with an air freshener. Your AC may be trying to tell you there's moisture and organic growth somewhere inside the system.

In this episode of the Home & Life Comfort Podcast, Derek Cole explains why air conditioners can develop that familiar musty odor and what may be happening inside your indoor unit.

Your air conditioner doesn't just cool your home. It also removes moisture from the air. As warm, humid air moves across the cold evaporator coil, condensation forms and drains into a pan below the coil. When moisture sticks around because of a dirty coil, clogged drain, or drainage problem, you've created the kind of damp, dark environment where organic growth can develop.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why your AC produces water while it's cooling your home
• Where that musty smell is usually coming from
• How the evaporator coil and drain pan can contribute to odors
• Why simply masking the smell doesn't solve the problem
• How UV germicidal lights and coil scrubbers can help prevent organic growth
• Why regular HVAC maintenance still matters

If your house smells fine until the AC comes on, don't ignore it. Finding the source of the moisture and correcting the problem can help keep your system cleaner and your home's air smelling fresher.

🎙️ Home & Life Comfort Podcast with Derek Cole

Practical advice about heating, cooling, indoor air quality, and home comfort from more than 20 years in the HVAC industry.

🏠 Learn more at SimmonsOneHour.com
🤖 Have an HVAC question? Ask Derek AI 24/7 at SimmonsOneHour.com

Simmons One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning
Serving Fayetteville, Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen, Laurinburg, Rockingham, Lumberton, Sanford, and surrounding communities.

Is it normal for your air conditioner to need refrigerant every summer?

No—and that's one of the biggest misconceptions homeowners have.

In this episode, we explain why refrigerant isn't something your air conditioner "uses up." Your HVAC system is a sealed system, so if it's low on refrigerant, there's a reason: it's leaking.

You'll learn:

• Why adding refrigerant every year isn't a repair.
• The simple analogy that makes refrigerant leaks easy to understand.
• What happens to your air conditioner when refrigerant is low.
• How low refrigerant affects comfort, efficiency, and the life of your system.
• When adding refrigerant may be a temporary option—and why finding the leak is the real solution.

If you've ever been told your system "just needs a little Freon every year," this episode is for you.

Whether you're trying to avoid expensive repairs or simply want to better understand how your air conditioner works, you'll walk away with practical knowledge that could save you money and frustration.

It's a small switch that most homeowners never think about, but in the hot, humid climate of southeastern North Carolina, it can make a big difference in how comfortable your home feels.

In this episode, our hosts take a deep dive into why your air conditioner does more than cool your home—it also removes humidity. They explain what happens inside your HVAC system when the fan runs continuously, why some homes start feeling sticky even though the thermostat says 75°, and why leaving the fan on all the time can work against your air conditioner.

You'll also hear why this advice is different in humid climates, the few situations where running the fan continuously actually makes sense, and the simple thermostat setting that most homeowners should be using.

If you've ever wondered whether Fan "On" or Fan "Auto" is the better choice, this episode breaks down the science in plain English so you can make the right decision for your home.

Does your upstairs always feel 5 to 10 degrees hotter than the rest of your house? You're definitely not alone—and it doesn't always mean your air conditioner is broken.

In this episode, we explain why second floors naturally run warmer during the summer, how heat rises, why your attic plays such a big role, and what your HVAC system is actually designed to do. We also cover common mistakes homeowners make when trying to cool the upstairs, along with practical solutions that can make a real difference.

Whether you're constantly adjusting the thermostat or wondering if it's time to replace your system, this episode will help you understand what's normal, what's not, and when it's time to call in a professional.

If you've ever said, "Why is it so much hotter upstairs?" this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now and learn how to make every floor of your home more comfortable.

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.