In Steuben County we install whole-home dehumidifiers, service AC and heat pumps, and repair furnaces in lake houses and in-town homes around Angola. Seasonal homes bring mildew, frozen pipes and startup problems; year-round homes bring standard heating and cooling repairs. Landcons answers the phone 24/7, so a call from the lake gets a quick response.
Angola is the Steuben County seat and home to Trine University, and I-69 runs north through the county toward Michigan. Pokagon State Park and the many lakes draw summer visitors, and a large share of the homes here are lake houses. Some are used only in summer, some on weekends year round, and others are full-time homes.
Each pattern creates its own HVAC problems. Homes closed for the winter need protection from freezing, and homes closed during summer weeks need protection from humidity. Owners want to arrive to a house that is comfortable and dry, not one that smells of mildew. We help plan and service systems that handle those periods when no one is home.
Keeping a closed-up lake house dry and safe between visits
When a lake house is closed with the AC off, indoor humidity can rise quickly on muggy days, especially with the water right outside. Mildew starts on fabrics, wood and drywall, and the HVAC system itself can grow mold in the coil and ducts. A whole-home dehumidifier set around 50 percent runs independently of cooling and holds humidity down without chilling an empty house. It drains on its own, so nobody has to empty a bucket.
In winter the risk flips to freezing. Many seasonal owners set the heat low and leave, which works only if the furnace or heat pump keeps running. A failed igniter or a tripped breaker in January can freeze pipes within a day. A Wi-Fi thermostat that sends temperature alerts, plus a fall tune-up before closing up, is the most practical protection. Some owners winterize the plumbing as well, and we can coordinate the heating side of that plan.
Steuben County calls that follow the lake seasons
Our Steuben County work tracks the calendar of seasonal and year-round living.
Musty smell when opening the cottage
Humidity built up while the house was closed. A dehumidifier, coil cleaning and a filter change usually clear it, and we check for mold growth on the coil.
AC will not start on the first warm weekend
Nests in the condenser, a failed capacitor or a tripped disconnect are common after months of sitting. We test and clean before starting it up.
Heat failure in a winter-closed home
A remote thermostat alert brings the call. We restore heat, then check whether pipes or equipment were affected by the cold.
Heat pump service for year-round lake homes
Cold-climate heat pumps need clean coils and correct defrost operation. We check refrigerant charge, defrost controls and backup heat strips.
What to do before you leave your Steuben County lake house
Before closing for fall, set the thermostat no lower than about 55°F, replace the furnace filter and have the system tuned up so you are not counting on a weak part all winter. Leave the furnace switch and breaker on. If you have a Wi-Fi thermostat, test that the alerts reach your phone. Before closing in summer, set cooling to a moderate temperature or set the dehumidifier to 50 percent rather than shutting everything off.
Angola is about 45 miles up I-69 from our office, and we cover the lake roads around Pokagon and the rest of the county. If you are away and a thermostat alert comes in, call us and we will coordinate access with you.
Steuben County towns with their own page
Steuben County questions
Does a Steuben County lake house need a whole-home dehumidifier?
If the house sits closed for days or weeks during summer, a whole-home dehumidifier is one of the best protections against mildew. It holds humidity near 50 percent whether or not the AC runs. A typical install runs about $1,895 to $3,245, and we confirm the price after a visit.
What temperature should I leave my Steuben County cottage at in winter?
Keep the thermostat at about 55°F or higher, leave the furnace powered on and use a Wi-Fi thermostat that alerts you if the temperature drops. A tune-up before you leave lowers the chance of a failure while you are gone.
Do you service heat pumps and furnaces in Angola homes year round?
Yes. We repair and maintain heat pumps, furnaces and central air across Steuben County, including Angola and the lake communities around Pokagon State Park. We serve full-time homes year round and seasonal homes whenever owners need us.
Can you start up my Steuben County lake house AC for the season?
Yes. A spring AC visit includes clearing the condenser, testing the capacitor and contactor, checking refrigerant pressures and flushing the condensate drain. It usually runs about $119 to $195. Book it before the first hot weekend so you arrive to a cool, dry house.