Your HVAC system plays a vital role in your home’s comfort and safety. If you have an HVAC emergency, it is essential that you take action right away to get the problem resolved as soon as possible. At Cote’s Heating and Air Conditioning, we have the knowledge, skill, and equipment needed to help you with whatever HVAC emergency you may have. Here, we’ll explore what to do if you have an HVAC emergency with your heating or cooling system.
Don’t wait for the problem to escalate and contact us to schedule emergency HVAC repair.
What Counts as an HVAC Emergency in Denton County
An HVAC emergency in Denton County (or anywhere else) is when HVAC issues threaten your health, safety, or property. What is considered an HVAC emergency, however, can vary based on the occupants of a building. For example, an HVAC emergency for young occupants may be different than what is an emergency for someone elderly, or individuals in poor health.
First Steps to Take Before You Call
Before you call to schedule an emergency HVAC repair, you may want to consider these steps first to see if you can resolve the issue yourself:
- Inspect thermostat: Ensure that your thermostat is set correctly and in the desired mode (heating or cooling).
- Check the circuit breaker: Check to see if your circuit breaker has been tripped. If the furnace or air conditioning breaker has been tripped, you can reset it. However, if this happens again, you’ll want to contact a professional as it isn’t good to keep resetting it.
- Ensure the power is switched on: The dedicated on/off switch for the furnace or air conditioning may have been accidentally turned off.
- Inspect vents and registers: If a vent or register is blocked or closed, it may not appear to be working. It is a good idea to check that all vents and registers are unblocked.
AC Not Cooling During Extreme Heat
Denton County residents are not strangers to extreme heat. If your air conditioning stops working during these moments of extreme heat, it can quickly create unsafe conditions in your home. Contact an HVAC professional as soon as it is safe to do so and take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones. It may also be necessary to evacuate your home until the issue is resolved.
HVAC System Leaking Water
A leaking HVAC system can quickly cause an emergency, as it can lead to water damage, electrical damage, and more. If it is safe to do so, you’ll want to shut off the HVAC system that is leaking to prevent further damage.
Some of the reasons for a leaking HVAC system include:
- Leaking drain pane
- Frozen evaporator coil
- Damaged condenser
Burning Smell, Electrical Odor, or Loud Noises
A burning smell, electrical odor, or loud noises are all signs of an HVAC emergency.
Burning Smell
A burning smell from an HVAC system is a sign of a serious problem. If you detect a burning smell from your HVAC system, it is vital that you shut it off and contact an HVAC professional as soon as possible, as there may be a risk of fire. However, there is also the fact that when starting a furnace after it has been off for a while, you may encounter a smell of burning dust. Keep an eye on it, and if this does not subside after an hour or two, you’ll want to contact a professional. Likewise, a new furnace may have a burning smell for a few hours.
There are several potential reasons for an HVAC system to emit a burning smell, including:
- Poor airflow
- Built up debris
- Clogged air filter
- Ductwork full of debris
- New furnace
Electrical Odor
Electrical odors are not something you should be smelling from an HVAC system. If you do detect an electrical odor, you must immediately shut off the furnace and contact an HVAC professional, as there may be a risk of fire.
The following are several causes for an HVAC system to create an electrical odor:
- Frayed wiring
- Failing or overheating blower motor
- Worn bearings
- Damaged or overheating electrical components
- Overloaded circuits
- Damaged capacitor
Loud Noises
Loud noises can signify an issue with an HVAC system. If your HVAC system is making a loud noise, you should shut it off immediately before more damage can be done and contact an HVAC professional as soon as possible.
Various other noises can indicate issues with the HVAC system as well. It is important that you understand these noises and the necessary actions to take if you encounter them.
No Heat on a Cold Night
If your HVAC system isn’t heating your home on a cold night, it can put the occupants at risk and threaten the home’s pipes.
How Cote’s Heating and Air Conditioning Helps During Emergency Calls
Safety is our top priority, so during emergency calls, our plumbers take these various steps to help you:
- Evaluating the system: We’ll start by evaluating the system to determine the issue. This may include checking safety controls, electrical components, airflow, and thermostats.
- Open communication: We’ll give you a clear picture of the issue and which action we recommend.
- Temporary or full repair: Depending on the situation, we may be able to do a temporary or full repair. A temporary repair may be done if we do not have the required parts on hand. If necessary, we’ll follow up to complete the repair.
Preventing Future Breakdowns in Denton County
While no system is guaranteed to avoid issues, routine maintenance can help prevent HVAC breakdowns in your Denton County home. At Cote’s Heating and Air Conditioning, we offer a program called the Comfort Club that can help make HVAC service more affordable. With a Club Membership, you’re entitled to a free heating and cooling maintenance annually, along with 48-hour priority scheduling.
FAQs:
If your AC stops cooling during a heat wave, the safety of your home’s inhabitants should be your top priority. If you can safely do so, know how to, and have time, check the following:
– Thermostat settings: Check that your thermostat is set to the correct temperature and is set to “cool”.
– Circuit breaker: A common cause of an air conditioner not working is a tripped circuit breaker. If needed, reset it; however, if it trips again, don’t keep resetting it and call for help.
– Air filter: A dirty air filter may cause an air conditioning system not to work. If it’s dirty, replace or clean it (assuming it is a type that can be cleaned).
– Outdoor HVAC unit: Check to ensure your outdoor condenser unit isn’t blocked.
If you aren’t able to resolve the issue with the above steps or don’t know how, you must focus on keeping safe. The following are a few tips to help keep cool:
– Block out the sun by closing curtains and/or blinds.
– Use fans to create a cool breeze and circulate air.
– Stay hydrated by drinking an appropriate amount of water.
– Minimize the use of appliances that create heat, such as dryers and ovens.
– Go to a cooler place, such as a cooler area in a home, a friend or relative’s home, or a cooling shelter.
– Contact a plumbing professional for emergency service.
Air conditioners can leak water for several reasons. If your air conditioner is leaking, you should turn it off if you can safely do so.
The following are some, but not necessarily all, of the reasons an air conditioner leak can occur:
– The evaporator coil freezes
– Condensation line clogs
– Air filter is dirty
– Incorrect installation
– Refrigerant levels are low
– Drain line is damaged or disconnected
– Excessive humidity
– Drain pump overflow
A burning smell from a furnace could be anything from a simple case of dust being burned off at the beginning of the heating season, or it could suggest a more serious problem. If you encounter a burning smell from your furnace, and if the burning smell smells like dust and happens after it has been off for a while, keep an eye on it for an hour or two. If the burning dust smell continues after that point, shut off the furnace and call a plumber.
If there is no heat, and the temperature is cold enough to be a problem, it is an emergency. What temperature is an emergency can vary by person and if there are pets present. If you encounter no heat in an emergency situation, call an HVAC professional who handles emergencies as soon as it is safe to do so.
Yes, Cote’s Heating and Air Conditioning offers 24/7 HVAC repair for homes and businesses in Denon, Texas.
While there is no way to guarantee an emergency HVAC breakdown won’t occur, having your system regularly maintained can reduce the likelihood of one occurring.