As the temperature rises – so too is the call volume and workload for companies that service air conditioning systems.
Steve Warner – owner of Rapid Cool Mechanical in Kamloops – says his phone has been ringing off the hook with service calls as the high temperatures in the area push aging systems to their limits.
“Service calls are at least a week behind, installation can be up to four weeks depending on the job,” he said, on the NL Noon Report. “I think just about every other HVAC company in this town is dealing with the same issues.”
“We are definitely gonna be doing our busiest year in Rapid Cool’s history and Rapid Cool has been around just about 30 years.”
Add to that, Warner says there are “extensive delays” in receiving parts or new units due to high demand in across the Western United States, along with coronavirus related production slowdowns at factories worldwide.
He notes the global microchip shortage is also slowing things down with delays of four to six weeks on some control panels and other parts.
“Raw materials. Things like copper, aluminum, metal, or whether its pricing increases or production delays or transportation or getting product from factories getting brought up here to our local distributors, [all of that is a factor],” Warner said.
“Everything from control boards for replacement of furnaces. Air conditioners themselves. Components. Copper tubing. You name it. We’ve had a problem – you know sometimes its just for a week or two, sometimes its for a month. Our industry is no different than appliances or bicycles. It is supply and demand.”
A “dangerous” heat warning is in place for much of the province with temperatures in the Kamloops area expected to reach 40 C tomorrow, June 26, before climbing to 41 C from Sunday to Wednesday.
Environment Canada Warning Preparedness Meteorologist Terri Lang tells NL News the record-breaking heat comes with an increase in the potential for heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion or a heat stroke.
The City of Kamloops has opened the concourse at Sandman Centre as a cooling centre. Several social agencies are also working together to help people who are homeless cool off.
