Winter in Jefferson, Commerce, and Athens is usually milder than in much of the country, and snow is uncommon. What does show up most years are nights that drop near or below freezing. That is when a rooftop unit stops heating, an office opens too cold, or a dining room cannot stay comfortable through a dinner service.
This is not a do-it-yourself list. When our technicians come out for a commercial heating visit, they inspect the system and tell you what they found. Patriot Service is a veteran-owned company serving businesses across Northeast Georgia, and we are open 24/7 at (706) 870-7665.
Why winter is hard on commercial heating
Commercial buildings in Jefferson, Commerce, and Athens do not heat the same way a house does. A restaurant may run a kitchen all evening while the dining room has to stay comfortable. An office can sit cooler overnight and then need to be ready when staff arrive. A church may be quiet all week and full on Sunday morning. Retail shops need a sales floor that customers will stay in.
When the heat fails, or the building is uneven — too cold in one area and stuffy in another — that is a service call. A system that will not start, will not heat, is blowing the wrong temperature, is short-cycling, or is noisy should not wait until morning. Call (706) 870-7665. See our commercial HVAC page, or start at HVAC.
If you smell gas, leave the building and call 911 or the gas company.
What our technicians check on a winter visit
When we come out for commercial maintenance or a heating inspection, we inspect the system, including filters, belts, motors, and other components. We clean coils, air ducts, and other parts that have collected dirt and debris. If something is damaged, we will recommend a replacement and, after your approval, replace the parts that are not working properly. Then we test airflow and temperature to confirm it is running as it should.
We also look at the conditions that make a unit fail early, including dirty coils, worn belts and motors, clogged drains, and controls that are no longer calling correctly. Those are common reasons a rooftop unit or another commercial system cannot keep up on a cold morning.
You do not have to check any of this yourself before you call. We will take it from there.
Rooftop units and other commercial heating systems
Many businesses in Jefferson, Commerce, and the Athens area heat from the roof. A rooftop unit that will not start, is short-cycling, is blowing cool air, or is leaking from a drain pan is a reason to call, especially once overnight temperatures drop. The same is true if the heat is uneven from one part of the building to another.
If the equipment is worn out or undersized, we can quote a replacement and handle the installation. We visit the building, size the equipment, set the unit securely, and commission the controls before we leave. We will tell you whether repair or replacement is the better path, and why.
Get a maintenance visit on the calendar before the next cold stretch
A lot of no-heat calls start as a problem that could have been caught on a scheduled visit. Patriot's HVAC Maintenance Program is available for commercial buildings as well as homes, and you can see our Maintenance Programs overview. If you have more than one location or rooftop unit, we can talk through a maintenance schedule that covers them. We will explain what it includes and what it costs when you call.
If the heat goes out after hours
If a rooftop unit or another commercial heating system goes down at night, on a weekend, or on a holiday, call (706) 870-7665. Emergency commercial HVAC service is 24/7. You do not have to diagnose the problem first. You can also read more on our 24/7 emergency service page, or reach us through our contact page.
Where we work
We serve businesses in Jackson, Banks, Barrow, Madison, Hall, Clarke, Stephens, Franklin, and Habersham counties, including Jefferson, Commerce, Athens, Winder, Gainesville, Braselton, Hoschton, Toccoa, Watkinsville, and nearby communities. Restaurants, offices, retail shops, churches, warehouses, and other commercial buildings are all in the work we do. If you are not sure we cover your road, call and ask.
Frequently asked questions
What do your technicians check before winter? On a commercial maintenance visit, we inspect filters, belts, motors, and other components, clean coils and air ducts, and test airflow and temperature. If something is damaged, we will tell you and, after your approval, replace the parts that are not working properly.
Our rooftop unit is running but the building is still cold. Should we call? Yes. A space that is too cold or uneven, or a system that is blowing the wrong temperature, is a reason to call (706) 870-7665. We will diagnose it and tell you what we found.
Are you open if the heat fails on a weekend or holiday? Yes. Patriot is open 24/7 at (706) 870-7665, including holidays.
Do you only work in Jefferson, or do you cover Commerce and Athens too? We serve businesses in Jefferson, Commerce, Athens, and throughout Northeast Georgia. If you are not sure we cover your road, call and ask.
Do you offer maintenance for commercial buildings? Yes. Our HVAC Maintenance Program covers commercial buildings as well as homes. Call us and we will explain what is included and what it costs.
Call Patriot for commercial heating help
Whether the heat is already down or you want a maintenance visit on the calendar before the next cold stretch, we are ready to help. Patriot Service is veteran-owned and open 24/7 for businesses in Jefferson, Commerce, Athens, and across Northeast Georgia.
Call (706) 870-7665.
