Winter in Jefferson is usually milder than in much of the country, and snow is uncommon. What does show up most years are Jackson County nights that drop near or below freezing. That is when a furnace stops heating, a heat pump ices over, a pipe in the crawl space freezes, or the water heater cannot keep up.
You should not have to wait until morning, or figure it out first. Patriot Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical is a veteran-owned company serving homeowners in Jefferson and throughout Jackson County. We are open 24/7 at (706) 870-7665.
When the furnace is not heating
A furnace that will not start, blows cool air, or runs and still leaves rooms cold is a reason to call. So are unusual noises, an unfamiliar smell from the unit, a pilot or ignition that will not stay lit, or a system that turns on and off without warming the house.
You do not have to decide whether it is the furnace, the thermostat, or the airflow. Call (706) 870-7665. We will inspect the system, tell you what we found, and repair it when that is still the right path. See our furnace repair page. If you are not sure whether you have a furnace or a heat pump, call anyway — we will identify the equipment when we get there.
If you smell gas, leave the house and call 911 or the gas company.
Heat pump problems in cold weather
A lot of homes in Jefferson and around Jackson County heat with a heat pump, so winter is when those systems work the hardest. Some frost on the outdoor unit is normal, and the system should defrost on its own. If the unit is a solid block of ice, stays in defrost, blows cool air for a long stretch, or the house is getting colder while it runs, that is a service call — not something to work on yourself.
Also call if the system is short-cycling, airflow is weak, backup heat never seems to come on, or the heat pump runs constantly and still cannot catch up. We will inspect the equipment, tell you what we found, and repair it when that is still the right path. Learn more on our heat pump repair and installation page, or start at HVAC.
Frozen or burst pipes
When overnight temperatures in Jefferson drop below freezing, pipes in crawl spaces, attics, garages, and along exterior walls are the ones most likely to freeze. Water expands as it freezes, and that pressure can split a pipe. The leak often shows up after the pipe begins to thaw.
A faucet with no water, frost on a pipe, a sudden leak, a wet ceiling or crawl space, or a drop in water pressure after a cold night are all reasons to call. If a pipe has already burst, or you have lost water in part of the house, call (706) 870-7665. You do not have to find the leak first, and you should not try to thaw a frozen pipe yourself.
See broken water pipes and our plumbing page. If the house is taking on water, use our 24/7 emergency service line rather than waiting until morning.
Water heater trouble in winter
Winter is often when a tired water heater shows itself, because incoming water is colder and the unit has to work harder. No hot water, not enough hot water, rusty water, a leaking tank, or unusual noises from the unit are signs to call us.
We repair and install traditional tank water heaters and tankless units. If the unit is worn out, we will tell you whether a repair or a replacement is the better path, and why. See water heater installation and repair. A leaking water heater does not have to wait until morning. Call (706) 870-7665.
Get ahead of the next cold snap
A lot of no-heat and no-hot-water calls start as a problem that could have been caught on a scheduled visit. The Patriot Readiness Program is $25 a month and includes four visits a year: two HVAC, one plumbing, and one electrical.
That is a straightforward way to have the heating system, the pipes, and the electrical checked before the next stretch of cold weather. We will explain what each visit includes when you call. Patriot already serves homeowners in Jefferson, GA and throughout Jackson County and Northeast Georgia.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my furnace not heating? It may be an ignition or control problem, a thermostat issue, a blower problem, or another failed part. Call (706) 870-7665. We will diagnose it and tell you what we found.
Is ice on my heat pump normal in winter? Some frost is normal, and the system should defrost on its own. If the unit is a solid block of ice, stays in defrost, or the house is getting colder, call us.
What if I think a pipe has frozen or burst? Call us. A faucet with no water, a sudden leak, or a wet ceiling or crawl space after a cold night is a reason to get a plumber out. Do not try to thaw the pipe yourself.
Why did my water heater stop working in the winter? Colder incoming water can reveal a unit that was already struggling. No hot water, a leak, or rusty water are reasons to call. We will tell you whether to repair or replace it.
Are you open after hours or on a weekend? Yes. Patriot is open 24/7 at (706) 870-7665, including holidays.
Call Patriot for winter help in Jefferson
If your furnace is not heating, your heat pump is iced over, a pipe has frozen, or the water heater has quit, we are ready to help. Patriot Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical is veteran-owned and open 24/7 for Jefferson and Jackson County homeowners.
Call (706) 870-7665.
