What’s Considered an HVAC Emergency?

What’s Considered an HVAC Emergency?

When an issue arises with your O’Fallon home’s HVAC system, your initial reaction might be to put off making a call for service if you perceive the issue as only a mild annoyance. While letting any problem spread over time isn’t a good idea, some situations are more pressing than others. Knowing when to call an emergency HVAC specialist is crucial to both maintaining your home’s structure and protecting your family.

Signs of Smoke or Fire

If you see smoke coming from your vents or your heating or cooling equipment, immediately evacuate your home. Call 911 if a fire is suspected, and then contact an emergency HVAC specialist. You might notice that a cord looks singed, or you may smell smoke near the heater. A fire could break out and cause major destruction in seconds, so swift action is necessary. It is also possible that a small fire already occurred and went out.

Hot to the Touch

Of course, it’s normal for your home’s heater to feel warm when running. If you notice that the surface feels unusually hot to the touch or if the heater is hot even when it is off, this issue could be a sign of an emergency. The other elements of your home’s HVAC system should not feel hot either.

Sparks

Seeing sparks come out of your heating or cooling equipment is cause for serious concern. There could be an issue with the system’s electrical system. In any case, one of our qualified technicians can identify, diagnose and repair the issue.

Electrical Malfunctioning

Typically, electrical issues warrant immediate diagnosis and repair. These types of problems in the home can lead to a fire, electrocution and other potentially deadly scenarios. You might notice that the lights in the kitchen constantly flicker on and off whenever the heater kicks on, or you might discover that another appliance is inoperable when the air conditioning is running. Situations such as this could be indicative of a problem with your home’s HVAC system, electrical system, or both.

Carbon Monoxide Leaks

Carbon monoxide is extremely dangerous and deadly. You must make sure that your home’s carbon monoxide detectors are up-to-date and placed in appropriate locations. Speak with one of our team members to learn the most effective placements for all of your detectors. If your home’s carbon monoxide detector is going off, you must evacuate your family members and pets. Do not attempt to stay at home to inspect the issue yourself. Contact emergency authorities and schedule a service appointment immediately.

Unusual Smells

Home HVAC systems should not smell when they are operating. Do not attempt to investigate the source of an odd smell yourself. Some smells can be a sign of an impending and dangerous situation. For example, if you smell rotten eggs, there may be a gas leak in the house that puts you in danger.

Leaking Units

Depending on the situation, a slight drip coming from your heating or cooling equipment may be temporarily fixed by turning off the unit until you can schedule future repairs. However, abnormal leakage is often a sign of a serious problem. The unit may even continue leaking after being shut off. A seemingly simple leak could quickly damage the unit along with appliances, floors and other parts of the dwelling. Leaks can quickly lead to mold growth, which is a serious structural and health concern. Another problem is that the unit could be leaking refrigerant. These types of leaks can be damaging to the environment.

Mold Growth

You may notice excessive mold, independent of leakage, on your heating or cooling equipment. Even small amounts of mold require a prompt resolution. Keep in mind that the HVAC units are distributing air around the home. You are likely breathing in those mold spores. Inhaling mold is unhealthy in any situation, and some types of mold are particularly dangerous. Mold can lead to the exacerbation of medical conditions and, in rare situations, be fatal. In addition to identifying the cause of the mold, our technicians can also help you establish a plan for preventing future mold growth.

Major Structural Damages

After a massive storm comes through the O’Fallon area, some of your property’s HVAC system may show signs of damage. It’s possible that the damage might initially appear mild, particularly on the surface. However, seemingly small problems can quickly snowball into extremely expensive repairs. Whether the problem is visibly large or not, scheduling service after any sort of major impact or stress on the system is wise. Some people hesitate to do so because they are concerned with the costs of such repairs, but the issues are likely to become more expensive to fix as time goes on. It’s important to note that while your system may still turn on and seem like it’s functioning normally, there may be interior issues that don’t immediately present themselves. It’s best to have a professional inspect your system if there is any question of potential damage.

Extreme Temperatures

An air conditioning or heating system breaking down can be a temporary annoyance in certain situations and a potentially fatal problem in other circumstances. For example, on a frigid day winter day or a sweltering summer afternoon, proper heating or cooling in the home can be necessary for survival. An appropriate temperature is particularly important for people with certain health conditions, such as asthma. Booking an appointment with one of our team members right away is pivotal to getting heating and cooling equipment running even in the most extreme weather conditions.

Strange Sounds

You should speak with a service representative to find out what sounds are typical when it comes to your home’s HVAC system. Heaters and air conditioners, for example, are not necessarily entirely quiet, but the units shouldn’t produce disruptive clanging sounds. You shouldn’t notice any new noises suddenly beginning months or years after the installation of your HVAC system. Unusual sounds from any of the units could be signs indicating a major problem.

Complete Shutdown of System

If your HVAC system suddenly stops working entirely, an emergency call is generally warranted. Keep in mind that some issues, such as an electrical outage in the area, do not mean that you need to schedule emergency service. However, if the units do not begin functioning again once power is restored to the neighborhood, a more serious problem is likely to occur at your home.

At Hoff Heating & AC, we can address both standard and emergency HVAC issues in your home. With over four decades of experience and an A+ from the Better Business Bureau, we provide stellar service to O’Fallon and the surrounding areas. Our team can install, repair and maintain your home’s heating and cooling systems, and we work on heat pumps as well. We also prioritize air quality and offer humidifiers, air purifiers and other ventilation equipment.

Make sure to ask about our specials, such as financing plans. You can even schedule repair and maintenance services online. To get started on making your home safer and more comfortable, contact Hoff Heating & AC in O’Fallon today.