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Emergency Heating Repair

How to Tell You Need Emergency Heating Service

Dirty filters and outdoor units can lead to fluctuating power usage in HVAC units. After all, residue reduces HVAC efficiency, so the system has to draw more power to compensate. Moreover, a 50% airflow reduction can lead to a 25% decrease in HVAC capacity.

When an HVAC unit's energy consumption rises, it can trip the circuit breaker. This is especially true if the HVAC's sudden power demand goes beyond the breaker's rating. That's why the circuit breaker is one of the first things you should check if your HVAC doesn't turn on.

If your HVAC system's circuit breaker is set to "ON," then you may have a dead or faulty thermostat. You might only need to reset the thermostat or give it a fresh set of batteries.

If the HVAC still doesn't turn on, you likely already need emergency repair services.

Aside from the above, the following situations also warrant 24-hour emergency heating repair.

HVAC Has Power but Doesn't Blow Out Air

An HVAC system relies on fans that blow air through ducts and out of vents. In turn, the fans depend on a blower motor that supplies them with power so that they can rotate. Therefore, if any of these components don't work, your HVAC won't blow out any air.

If your heater or AC does have power but doesn't produce air, turn it off right away. The motor may have overheated that it stopped supplying the fans with power. The longer you allow it to overheat, the more likely it is to sustain permanent damage.

Instead, ring up your local emergency HVAC repair specialist to inspect your system.

Burning Smells from the HVAC or Air Vents

Were you aware that indoor air can have up to five times more pollutants than outdoor air? For this reason, your HVAC unit can accumulate thick layers of dust and residue during the time you don't use it. For instance, your heater can get clogged during summer, while your AC can become filthy in the winter.

When you fire up your heating system in the winter, it will burn off all those dirt buildups. This is usually the source of burning odors from furnaces or boilers upon first-time use. It's also why you'd want to get pre-season servicing for your heater.

Such odors should disappear within an hour or two, though. If they don't, or if the stench worsens, turn off your HVAC unit right away. This is especially true if it emits burning electrical or rubber smells.

In this case, you may already have damaged or melted electrical cords. These are serious fire and electrical hazards that only a professional should address. Keep in mind that almost one in 10 house fires that occurred in the US in 2018 were due to faulty heaters.

HVAC Unit Gives off Pickle-Like Odors

The heat exchanger in a furnace is a thin sheet of metal between the combustion chamber and the blower. One of the key roles of the heat exchanger is to trap combustion gases within the heating unit. It prevents gases like carbon monoxide (CO) and aldehydes from seeping into your home.

As such, a damaged heat exchanger can start leaching out these toxic gases. If this happens, burning smells and pickle-like odors can permeate your home. The smell of pickles can originate from the aldehydes produced by combustion gases.

Aside from foul odors, the CO that leaks out of a cracked heat exchanger can poison you. This gas is odorless, but it's so toxic that it causes 50,000 emergency hospitalizations each year.

As such, it's best to get in touch with a heating repair specialist as soon as you can if your heater gives off these smells.

Rotten Egg Smells

Natural gas doesn't smell or taste like anything, nor does it have any color. For this reason, gas suppliers tinge it with a chemical called "mercaptan." It's a non-toxic substance that smells like rotten eggs and serves as an indicator of gas leaks.

Don't delay ringing up an emergency HVAC repair company if your heater gives off these smells. If you can, switch off the gas valve and then open as many windows as possible before you exit your house. It's also best to let your natural gas provider know about these potential leaks.

Please note that natural gas leaks can cause explosions if not addressed right away. The flame and heat produced by your furnace burners can ignite the leaking gas.

Do note that damaged plumbing pipes can also produce rotten egg smells. In damaged sewers, sulfur-like smells come from sewer gases produced by decaying matter. You may need sewer services if these odors seem to come from sinks, drains, or toilets.

How Much Does 24-Hour AC Servicing or Emergency Furnace Repair Cost?

Many HVAC repair companies charge $50 to $100 for a service call during normal business hours. This is on top of the cost of possible HVAC replacement parts. However, some service providers also charge a premium rate for after-hours calls.

With that said, HVAC repair techs can charge double or even triple the rate for emergency calls.