Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are essential to maintaining a comfortable and safe indoor environment. However, when an HVAC emergency occurs, it can be stressful and potentially dangerous. But you may not know what constitutes an HVAC emergency, the importance of emergency repair, and what simple steps you can take to prevent an emergency from happening to you.
What is an HVAC Emergency?
An HVAC emergency is a situation where your heating, ventilation, or air conditioning system is not working normally and requires immediate attention from a professional HVAC technician.
Any of the following qualify as an HVAC emergency:
- Complete system failure: Your system is not functioning at all, or only blowing cold air. There are a few relatively simple causes for system failure. Thermostat issues, a blown fuse or tripped breaker or dirty/clogged filters. Cold air could be the result of compression failure, ductwork problems, or refrigerant leaks.
- Gas leaks: If you smell gas in your home, immediately get everyone outside and call your local gas company and a professional HVAC technician to investigate the issue. This can be caused by a faulty gas valve, a cracked heat exchanger, corroded gas line, or improper installation of your system.
- Electrical issues: Short circuits, blown fuses and tripped breakers are all signs of a potentially dangerous issue. If you find your HVAC system is experiencing electrical issues like these, you will want an expert to look it over as soon as possible.
- Refrigerant leaks: When your HVAC system is leaking refrigerant, it can pose a risk to the environment and could potentially cause serious damage to your system if not repaired quickly. Leaks can come from corrosion on pipes over time, physical damage, improper installation, or simply normal wear and tear.
- Carbon monoxide leaks: Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas that is created when fuel is burned. It is extremely dangerous and can cause serious health problems, including death, if you are exposed to it for a prolonged period of time. Carbon monoxide can come from different parts of your HVAC system depending on where the problem lies. It can escape from a cracked heat exchanger, result from incomplete combustion within the furnace, or from a blocked flue or vent that would allow the gas to escape.
If you notice any of these signs, it is important to contact a professional HVAC technician immediately. Ignoring these signs can lead to more significant problems and potentially dangerous situations.
Why are emergency repairs important?
The most important reason for an emergency repair is the potential for dangerous conditions such as carbon monoxide leaks, gas leaks, or electrical fires. The cost of an emergency call is nothing when compared with the safety of your family and value of your property.
Emergency repairs can also prevent further and more expensive repairs. For example, if a refrigerant leak is left unchecked, it can cause damage to the compressor or other parts of the HVAC system. What could have been an inexpensive repair can lead to a complete system failure requiring costly repairs or even having to replace the entire system.
For commercial HVAC emergencies not only are there the potential safety hazards and expensive repairs, they also cause business disruptions and potential lost income.
Steps to prevent HVAC emergencies
While it is impossible to completely eliminate the risk of HVAC emergencies, there are steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of an emergency occurring.
- Preform regular maintenance on your system including changing air filters, cleaning coils, and checking for leaks.
- Address any unusual issues quickly. If you notice any strange noises, poor air quality, or reduced air flow, have them inspected before they become more significant problems.
- If your HVAC system is outdated, consider upgrading to a more efficient system. Money that would have been spent on repairing an older unit can be used to pay for a more efficient system that will lower your energy costs.
- As mentioned above, Carbon monoxide is a silent killer that can go undetected. Installing carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home or business will help prevent dangerous life-threatening situations.
- Partnering with a trusted professional HVAC company like Quigley, can help ensure your system is maintained properly and any issues are addressed promptly. We offer different levels of maintenance plans that offer multiple services each year including inspections that can detect a potential problem before it becomes a big issue.
HVAC emergencies can be stressful and potentially dangerous, but they don’t have to disrupt your life completely. Quigley offers 24-hour HVAC emergency repair in Addison, TX, giving you peace of mind knowing help is a phone call away. Quigley can also help you to be proactive in maintaining your HVAC system when you sign up for one of our maintenance plans.
Don’t let the stress and worry of an HVAC emergency ruin your day, or night. Partner with Quigley Heating and Air Conditioning and know that you have trusted professionals at your call 24-hours a day.