Nobody wants to have trouble with their HVAC system, especially during a sweltering day or in the middle of winter. But what is considered an HVAC emergency, and how should you respond to it?
Eastern Shore HVAC, the leading provider of 24-hour HVAC services in Eastern New Jersey, sees many genuine emergencies every year. They created this guide to help you recognize emergency situations so homeowners in Brick, NJ, and across the United States do not wait too long to resolve potentially dangerous HVAC problems.
Defining an HVAC Emergency
What constitutes an emergency? Every situation is different, and there is room for differences in professional judgment. However, HVAC emergencies typically involve one of the following circumstances:
- Failure of the HVAC system in temperature conditions where the loss of climate control poses a health risk to occupants of the home or business.
- Conditions where substantial property damage will result unless the HVAC system receives immediate repairs.
- Malfunctions of the HVAC system that release toxins or infectious materials that endanger the health or safety of occupants.
Some issues, such as power failures, can cause your HVAC system not to work but are not HVAC emergencies.
Examples of Common HVAC Emergencies
What is considered an HVAC emergency? If your HVAC system shows the following symptoms, put your own safety first and call for HVAC emergency services.
Loss of Heat or Air Conditioning
If your air conditioner does not turn on or produces a flow of hot air during hot weather, do not let the indoor air temperature get too high. Stay hydrated, use fans for support, and open windows while you wait for assistance.
People in your household, especially young children, older individuals, and people with some medical conditions, could be more vulnerable to the effects of hot temperatures.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is a silent killer and a byproduct of combustion in gas furnaces and heaters. If your carbon monoxide detector goes off, turn off the heater, open the windows, and evacuate the area.
Gas Leaks
A leaking gas line can cause health risks and the danger of fire and explosion. Open the windows and extinguish any open flames or sources of sparks. Get to a safe location and call your utility company and HVAC repair company.
Toxic Mold in HVAC Vents
Mold that develops in HVAC ductwork and vents can cause respiratory problems and spread throughout your house. Have your ductwork cleaned if you see or smell signs of mold and anyone in your household is sneezing, coughing, or experiencing worsening respiratory systems.
Electrical Problems
HVAC systems rely on wiring to control the system and motors to circulate air and pump condensate through the condensate drain line. If the wiring frays or the motors become damaged, fires or water damage could result. If you notice a burning smell, water leaks around your furnace, or your HVAC system repeatedly trips your circuit breaker, contact an HVAC professional.
Refrigerant Leak
A slow refrigerant leak is not necessarily an emergency, although you should attend to it quickly. However, if you hear a hiss or gurgling sound from the HVAC refrigerant lines, have your cooling system inspected right away.
Refrigerant should not leak from your air conditioning system. If it does, it could harm the environment, cause health problems, and cause your air conditioning to stop working. Do not put off repairing a refrigerant leak even if it does not constitute an HVAC emergency.
Professional HVAC Emergency Services
Just as important as “What is considered an HVAC emergency?” is the question, “What can you do about it?” Professional HVAC contractors that offer emergency services will take service calls day or night and respond as soon as possible, often on the same day of the call. They have the safety and diagnostic equipment they need to deal with HVAC emergencies while protecting themselves and the occupants of your property from harm.
Emergency services are different in many respects from routine repairs and maintenance. An Emergency HVAC services company focuses on helping families and businesses get through a crisis. Emergency services demand exceptional customer service, expertise in damage mitigation, and the ability to rapidly diagnose and solve problems while upholding high standards of quality.
Eastern Shore HVAC Provides 24/7 Emergency Service in Brick, NJ
What is considered an HVAC emergency? Eastern Shore HVAC knows how to identify an HVAC emergency and what makes a good HVAC technician for emergency situations. To get a free estimate for emergency HVAC service in our Eastern New Jersey service area, call 732-800-9416 or fill out the contact form on our website today.