The Natchez Democrat

photo by Hannah Reel

Natchez Heating and Cooling air conditioning technician Ricky Anders connects the central air unit to the electricity of a home on Eastbrook Road.The new central air unit will replace three window units at the home.

By Jennifer Edwards (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Sunday, June 21, 2009

NATCHEZ — With temperatures nearing triple digits, it is nearly impossible to stay cool. But add in a faulty air conditioner, and summer months are unbearable.

At least that is the conclusion Danica Cooper at Natchez Heating and Cooling has drawn from the influx of business her company has seen in the past weeks.

“We are absolutely busier during the summer months,” she said. “Especially with this heat wave, we are constantly slammed.”

Cooper said she gets between 15 and 20 calls per day for air conditioning service and the problems vary from simple services such as adding freon to more substantial mechanical repairs.

But no matter the magnitude of the repair, Cooper said it is always the goal to get the customer serviced as quickly as possible.

“We try to get in there and get to them the same day,” she said. “Who wants to live in a house with no air condition?”

But there are some ways to stay a little cooler during the time without air condition, Cooper said.

Making sure the house is well insulated is one way to make sure the cool air stays in and the hot air stays out. But don’t stop with the walls windows and doors also let out a lot of cooled air, Cooper said.

Cooper also said keeping the air condtioning unit clean and the filters changed regularly will cut down on maintenance and help the unit cool better.

The Web site www.finance.com suggest installing white window coverings that deflect heat and light away from the house and keeping drapes closed on windows that face the south and west during the day. Awnings and landscaping like trees and trelliswork can also help cool the house.

The Web site also said using a fan in combination with a window air conditioning unit will help cool air move throughout the house and cool more evenly.

The thought of living in a house without air conditioning is so undesirable, that Natchez Heating and Cooling receives a dramatically larger number of calls during the summer than in the winter months for heating service calls.

The busy months start in May and typically run through September and even sometimes into October.

“More people are apt to wrap up and get warmer during the winter,” Cooper said. “It is easier to put clothes on than take off. You can only take off so much.”