In this deep-dive, we tackle Derek Cole's 2026 outlook and we break down the massive shifts coming to the HVAC industry in 2026. If you’re still using the "Wait Until It Breaks" method, you might be in for a costly surprise.From smart, self-monitoring systems to non-negotiable indoor air quality (IAQ) standards, the way we heat and cool our homes is changing. Learn how to transition from reactive repairs to proactive home comfort design.In this video, we cover:The Death of the "Wait Until It Breaks" Mindset: Why procrastination is punishing your wallet.High-Efficiency Standards: What the new minimum requirements mean for your monthly bills.The Rise of Smart AC: How proactive monitoring prevents preventable breakdowns.Indoor Air Quality (IAQ): Why clean air is now a non-negotiable part of home comfort.Planning by Design: How to ensure your system is correctly sized and installed for 2026."Comfort, efficiency, and clean air don't happen by accident—they happen by design." — Derek ColeAbout Derek Cole: Derek is a seasoned HVAC professional with almost 25 years of experience helping homeowners in Fayetteville, Pinehurst, and Laurinburg stay comfortable. Known for his straight talk and commitment to customer education, Derek leads the award-winning team at Simmons One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning.Connect with us: 🌐 Website: SimmonsOneHour.com 📍 Serving: Laurinburg, Fayetteville, Pinehurst, & surrounding areas. 📞 Need help? Call us at 910-276-2790Don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more expert home comfort tips!#HVAC #HomeImprovement #EnergyEfficiency #DerekCole #SimmonsOneHour #IndoorAirQuality #SmartHome #2026Outlook #HomeMaintenance--Derek Cole is the General Manager of Simmons One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning®, an independently owned and operated franchise based in Laurinburg, North Carolina since 1953. He has been in the HVAC industry since 2001 and has been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine Franchise Player Spotlight. Derek has also been seen on CBS, FOX, NBC, ABC, and Bloomberg Business sharing about home comfort tips.
Most homeowners aren’t ready for what HVAC will look like in 2026.
Energy costs are rising. Systems are getting smarter and more complex. And the old “wait until it breaks” mindset is about to get a lot more expensive.
In this episode, Derek Cole breaks down the real changes coming to home heating and cooling — what’s becoming non-negotiable, what will cost more, and how homeowners can stay comfortable by planning ahead.
No hype. No scare tactics. Just straight truth from the field.
At Christmas, it’s easy to get caught up in the noise — busy schedules, decorations, and expectations. In this special episode, Derek Cole slows things down to focus on what truly matters.
The greatest gift ever given: Jesus Christ.
Drawing from Scripture and generations of faith-rooted values, Derek reflects on why Christmas is about more than warmth in our homes — it’s about faith, family, integrity, and loving our neighbors the way Christ taught us to.
This episode is a reminder that how we live, how we serve, and how we treat people matters — not just during the holidays, but all year long.
A heartfelt Christmas message centered on gratitude, trust, and the responsibility of serving others well.
Heating costs are going up this winter, and that’s not speculation — it’s already happening. In this episode, Derek breaks down why bills are climbing, what national reporting is saying, and what he’s seeing firsthand in homes every day. No scare tactics. No gimmicks. Just straight talk on how homeowners can stay warm, stay safe, and stay in control this winter.
For decades, homeowners have been taught to wait until their HVAC system breaks before calling for help. That mindset is outdated — and expensive.
In this episode, Derek Cole breaks down why reactive HVAC service costs homeowners more, how most system failures actually develop over time, and why predictive care is changing the future of home comfort.
Drawing on nearly 25 years in the industry and 72 years of family experience, Derek explains how catching problems early leads to fewer breakdowns, fewer emergencies, and fewer surprise repair bills.
If you’ve ever had your heat or air quit at the worst possible time, this episode is for you.
Seeing your heat pump frozen solid? Don’t ignore it. Derek explains why heat pumps ice up, what’s normal, what’s not, and when it’s time to shut it down and call for help. A must-hear episode for any homeowner who wants to protect their comfort — and their wallet — in cold weather.
Homeowners deserve straight HVAC answers without the runaround. In this episode, Derek Cole introduces Derek AI — a new 24/7 tool at SimmonsOneHour.com built on his 20+ years of field experience. From troubleshooting heat pumps to understanding indoor air quality, Derek AI gives homeowners clear guidance based on real-world HVAC know-how. No fluff. No confusion. Just the truth, the way it’s always been done.
Tune in and see how Derek AI is changing the way families get HVAC help.
Santa Quick Quote | Radio Spot
As temperatures swing from warm afternoons to freezing nights, most homeowners wait until something breaks before they take action. In this episode, Derek explains why seasonal transition is the most stressful time for your HVAC system, how to avoid emergency repairs, and what simple steps prepare your home before the real cold sets in.
No panic. No pressure. Just straight talk on staying ahead of the breakdowns and keeping your home comfortable without wasting money.
— Simmons One Hour Heating & Air
Serving families across Laurinburg, Fayetteville, Pinehurst, Sanford, Lumberton, and surrounding communities.
When your heat kicks on, the last thing you should smell is gas. If you do, that’s not “normal” and it’s not something to wait on—it’s a warning. In this episode, Derek breaks down exactly what that smell means, why it happens, and the steps you should take immediately to keep your home and family safe.
No fluff. No scare tactics. Just straight talk and simple action steps every homeowner should know.
If you’ve ever wondered what’s normal and what’s not when it comes to your heating system, this episode gives you the clarity you need.
Listen now and protect your home before a small issue becomes a dangerous one.
When you flip on the heat for the first time and catch that burning smell, it’s easy to think something’s wrong. But the truth is — sometimes it’s completely normal.
In this episode, Derek Cole breaks down what’s really happening inside your heat pump, how to tell the difference between a harmless “dust burn-off” and a serious electrical issue, and the simple steps to keep your system running safely all winter long.
✅ What causes that first-time burning smell
⚠️ Signs it’s not normal and when to call a pro
💡 Easy maintenance tips to prevent problems before they start
Keep your home comfortable — and your family safe — with this quick, practical breakdown from Simmons One Hour Heating & Air.
🎧 Listen now and breathe easy this heating season.
Cold mornings, cozy blankets… and a space heater humming in the corner. Sounds safe, right?
Not always. Every winter, thousands of home fires start from simple mistakes that could’ve been avoided.
In this episode, Derek breaks down everything you need to know before you plug in that space heater — from the right way to power it, to where (and where NOT) to place it, and the hidden signs your HVAC system might be the real problem.
You’ll learn:
🔥 Why extension cords are a space heater’s worst enemy
⚠️ The 3-foot safety rule every homeowner forgets
🐾 How to keep kids and pets safe around heat sources
🏡 When frequent heater use means your system needs attention
If you’re depending on space heaters to stay comfortable, it’s time to fix the real issue — your home’s heating efficiency.
🎧 Listen now and protect your home, your comfort, and your family this winter.
📞 Simmons One Hour Heating & Air — Always On Time… Or You Don’t Pay a Dime.
🌐 SimmonsOneHour.com
This winter, don’t let your comfort cost you a fortune.
In this episode, Derek Cole shares simple, real-world ways to keep your home cozy without sending your heat bill through the roof. From sealing up drafts to flipping your ceiling fans the right way, these small changes make a big difference in both comfort and cost.
Whether you’re running a heat pump or a gas furnace, you’ll learn how to get more warmth out of every dollar — and why a Happy Heat Restoration might be the smartest move you make before winter hits full swing.
👉 Brought to you by Simmons One Hour Heating & Air — Always On Time, or You Don’t Pay a Dime.
#HomeComfort #HVACPro #FailForward #EnergyEfficiency #HeatingTips
When the cold creeps in, comfort shouldn’t wait. In this episode, you have the radio ad which breaks down what the Happy Heat Restoration is all about — not a tune-up, not a quick fix, but a full comfort restoration for your heating system. Hear how a simple service can help you avoid breakdowns, lower your energy bills, and keep your family warm all winter long.
If you’ve noticed uneven temps, strange noises, or high utility bills, this one’s for you. Tune in, take notes, and get your system ready before the cold settles in.
👉 Schedule your Happy Heat Restoration today at SimmonsOneHour.com or call 910-276-2790 — because when it comes to comfort, “Always On Time, or You Don’t Pay a Dime.”
Tired of the old-school HVAC sales appointment just to get a number? In this episode, Derek Cole from Simmons One Hour Heating & Air shares how homeowners can now get a real, local price range online in just minutes — no pressure, no awkward visits, no guessing.
You’ll learn how the new Online Quick Quote works, why it’s a game changer for Fayetteville-area homeowners, and how it brings honesty and clarity back to HVAC pricing.
💨 Try it yourself at SimmonsOneHour.com.
Serving Fayetteville, Laurinburg, Pinehurst, Sanford, Lumberton & surrounding areas for over 70 years.
#SimmonsOneHour #HVAC #HomeComfort #NoPressureJustPricing #AlwaysOnTime
It’s one of the most common homeowner questions: “Are HVAC maintenance plans really worth it?”
In this episode, Derek Cole — your friend in comfort and energy savings from Simmons One Hour Heating & Air — breaks down the real value behind HVAC maintenance plans.
You’ll learn:
Why even a tiny bit of dirt can slash system efficiency by over 20%
What’s actually included in a professional tune-up
How maintenance plans save you money on repairs, energy bills, and early replacements
And why skipping maintenance can cost you big when you least expect it
If you want your system to last longer, run smoother, and stay reliable through every season, this episode is a must-listen.
👉 Read the full article and explore the Comfort Club at SimmonsOneHour.com/blog
Did you know the air inside your home can be 2–5 times more polluted than the air outside? It’s not just pollen and dust—the dark, damp environment inside your HVAC system is the perfect breeding ground for organic growth.
In this episode, Derek Cole breaks down:
Why your HVAC system can make indoor air worse
How organic growth spreads through your home
The simple UV solution that brings the power of the sun inside
Why Simmons One Hour offers cures, not band-aids
Breathe easier and protect your family’s comfort with proven solutions.
👉 Listen now and learn how to fix the air you breathe every day.
If your ducts are full of dust and leaking air, you’re paying more every month for less comfort — plain and simple.
In this episode, Derek breaks down the two steps most homeowners don’t know they need:
1️⃣ Clean your ducts to get rid of years of dust, allergens, and debris.
2️⃣ Then seal them with Aeroseal to lock that clean air in and stop energy loss.
Most folks get this backwards — and it costs them.
Listen now and learn how to get cleaner air, lower energy bills, and a more comfortable home.
📍 Serving Fayetteville, Laurinburg, Pinehurst, Sanford, Lumberton and surrounding areas since 1953.
Is your home not heating or cooling like it used to? Strange smells, weak airflow, or uneven temperatures are warning signs you shouldn’t ignore. In this episode, Derek Cole from Simmons One Hour Heating & Air explains why regular six-month checkups are critical, how maintenance saves you money, and the big problems you can avoid by acting early.
🎧 Tune in now and learn how to keep your home safe, comfortable, and running smoothly year-round.
“Most people think surge protectors are those cheap strips you plug your TV into. The truth is, those won’t save your home when a real surge hits. In this episode, Derek Cole breaks down what a whole-home surge protector actually does, why every homeowner should have one, and how it protects your HVAC system, electronics, and peace of mind.
From lightning strikes to everyday appliance surges, Derek explains the real risks, the pros and cons, and the straight talk on why this small investment can save you thousands. If you’ve ever wondered whether surge protection is worth it—this is the episode you can’t afford to skip.”