Heating

While our summers are famous for their heat, locals know that winters in Mobile and Baldwin counties can get surprisingly cold. When the temperature drops into the 30s, you need a heating system that works safely and efficiently. At Service Air Eastern Shore, we don’t just fix air conditioners—we are full-service heating experts dedicated to keeping your family warm when the coastal chill sets in.

Heat Pump Repair & Installation

In the Southeast, the Heat Pump is the most common heating system. It’s an efficient two-in-one system that cools your home in summer and reverses the process to heat it in winter. Because it runs year-round, it endures double the wear and tear of a standard furnace.

Common Heat Pump Issues We Fix:

• Stuck in Defrost Mode: If your outdoor unit is covered in ice and won’t thaw, your system can’t heat your home.
• Auxiliary Heat Won’t Turn Off: If your “Aux Heat” light stays on even when it’s not freezing outside, your system is using expensive emergency power, skyrocketing your electric bill.
• Blowing Cold Air: A heat pump blowing cool air in winter often signals a refrigerant leak, a bad reversing valve, or a thermostat issue.

We are experts in Carrier® Heat Pumps, including high-efficiency variable-speed units that can keep you warm without draining your wallet.

Gas Furnace Repair & Safety Checks

For homes with natural gas, a furnace provides powerful, consistent warmth. However, gas appliances require strict safety protocols. If you hear a booming noise when your furnace starts, or if the pilot light is yellow instead of blue, you need professional service immediately.

The Silent Killer: Carbon Monoxide (CO) Your safety is our #1 priority. A cracked heat exchanger in a gas furnace can leak deadly Carbon Monoxide gas into your home.

• Our Promise: We perform a FREE Carbon Monoxide Test with every heating repair.
• The Warning Signs: If you notice soot around your furnace, excess moisture on windows, or if your family experiences unexplained headaches or nausea, turn off your heater and call us immediately.

Is It Time to Replace Your Heating System?

Heating systems on the Gulf Coast typically last 12–15 years. If your unit is approaching this age, you might be throwing money away on inefficient heating.

Upgrade to Efficiency:

• HSPF2 (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor): This measures heat pump efficiency. The higher the number, the less electricity you use. We install systems with HSPF2 ratings that far exceed industry standards.
• AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency): This measures gas furnace efficiency. Older furnaces may only be 60-70% efficient, meaning 30 cents of every dollar you spend on gas is wasted. Modern Carrier furnaces can reach up to 98% efficiency.

Emergency Heating Service: We’re There When You Need Us

Heating failures rarely happen between 9 AM and 5 PM. They happen on the coldest night of the year or during a holiday weekend.

• 24/7 Availability: Our phones are answered by real people, 24 hours a day.
• Licensed & Insured: We are fully licensed in both Alabama and Florida.
• No Surprises: We provide upfront pricing before we start any work.

Preventative Maintenance: The Winter Tune-Up

Don’t wait for the first freeze to test your heater. Our Gold Membership (Comfort Club) ensures your system is ready to perform before you need it.

What We Do During a Heating Tune-Up:

1. Inspect the Heat Exchanger: Checking for cracks to prevent CO leaks.
2. Test the Ignition System: Ensuring safe and reliable startup.
3. Check the Reversing Valve: (For heat pumps) Verifying the switch from cooling to heating mode.
4. Tighten Electrical Connections: Loose wires are a major fire hazard.
5. Clean the Blower: Dust buildup can overheat the motor and cause failure.

Serving Alabama & Florida Communities

We know the local weather patterns. We know that the humidity in Daphne and Fairhope makes 40 degrees feel like 20 degrees (“bone-chilling cold”). We are here to ensure your home remains a cozy sanctuary against the damp winter chill.

Our Heating Service Area:

• Alabama: Mobile, Fairhope, Spanish Fort, Daphne, Loxley, Robertsdale, Foley, Gulf Shores, and Orange Beach.
• Florida: Pensacola, Beulah, Cantonment, and surrounding Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

Eastern Shore Heating Service Company Frequently Asked Questions 

Why does my heater smell like it’s burning when I first turn it on? 

This is known as “dust burn-off.” During the summer, dust settles on your heating elements or heat exchanger. When you turn the heat on for the first time in autumn, that dust burns away. The smell should dissipate within 20–30 minutes. If it persists or smells like melting plastic/electrical burning, turn the unit off and call us.

What is “Auxiliary Heat” or “Emergency Heat”? 

Heat pumps work best when temperatures are above freezing. When it gets very cold (usually below 35°F), the heat pump needs help to maintain the temperature, so it activates electric resistance strips (like a giant toaster). This is “Aux Heat.” It is effective but expensive to run. “Emergency Heat” is a manual setting that locks out the heat pump and runs only the electric strips—use this only if your heat pump is broken.

How often should I service my heater? 

You should have your heating system inspected once a year, ideally in the fall. This ensures it is safe to operate and runs efficiently throughout the winter.

Can a heat pump really heat my home in freezing weather? 

Yes! Modern Carrier heat pumps with “Greenspeed Intelligence” can effectively heat homes even when outdoor temperatures drop well below freezing. Older units struggled with this, but today’s technology handles our Southern cold snaps with ease.

What should I do if my pilot light goes out? 

Modern furnaces typically use electronic ignition, but older units have standing pilot lights. If yours goes out, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to relight it. If it won’t stay lit, you may have a bad thermocouple or a draft issue. Do not force it; call a professional to handle gas components safely.

Improve Performance With Our Gold Membership

Ask us about our Gold Membership! This service will help prolong the lifespan of your heating and air conditioning equipment, improve its performance, and ensure your eastern shore heating air units are running efficiently during those cold winter months. We understand that every home has unique needs, whether you require a simple fix or a quote for a new system. 

When you request an estimate or schedule an appointment, you will see that we stand behind our work and our polite technicians are glad to help with everything from ventilating equipment to complex duct work. We even make it easy to write to us or call whenever issues happen. You can count on our shore heating air conditioning experts to be nice, professional, and thorough from start to finish!