What is Considered an HVAC Emergency?

You count on your HVAC system to work as it should and keep your home at a comfortable temperature, regardless of the weather outside. If the unit stops working, which seems to happen too often on the hottest days of the summer, your life will be disrupted while you try to find out what went wrong and whether this is an emergency or just a matter of turning the system off and on again or try any of the other tricks that seemed to have worked in the past. If nothing works, you may have an HVAC emergency in your hands.

As soon as you spot any of the issues listed below, waste no time and request HVAC repair Minneapolis from your trusted HVAC technicians.

Recognizing an HVAC Emergency

Getting an HVAC repair technician to stop by your home to check out your system, particularly during the evening or on weekends, may cost you more than you are comfortable spending. You may think twice about calling them until you can confirm that you are dealing with an emergency.

On the other hand, you don’t want to keep trying to run the unit until you create a true emergency by escalating what used to be a small issue that could have easily been repaired.

Some issues that require an immediate call to an HVAC specialist can be:

  • The heater or air conditioning refuses to turn on.
  • You cannot adjust the thermostat since it doesn’t seem to be responding.
  • You can smell a gas leak.
  • The equipment blows out hot air during the summer or cold air in the winter.

Some emergencies can wait until the technician shows up. Others, like the smell of gas, require first that you get your loved ones out of the place and to somewhere where they can be safe.

Signs that your HVAC Needs Help

Look out for any of these signs and call your HVAC technician whenever you spot one:

A Burning Smell

If you turn on your AC and a nasty, burning smell is emitted right away, your unit may be signaling that there is an issue with its electrical components. This is not a smell that should be ignored. You don’t want a fire to start and risk your home and family.

A Screeching Sound

You know how your HVAC sounds when it is running as expected. Any variations in the level or type of noise coming from it should have you pay close attention. Screeching sounds can be coming out of the compressor, signaling a high-pressure level.

Or maybe the fan is loose and making unusual noises. There is no way for you to correctly diagnose the underlying cause of the screeching sounds without the help of an HVAC professional.

Minimal or Inadequate Airflow

For the HVAC system to be able to keep your home at your desired temperature, you need to get an adequate flow of air coming out of it. When there is insufficient air flowing out, it can signal that many things could be wrong with the system.

Since the problem is usually not easy to spot, even your HVAC technician may need some time to figure out where the problem originates. Turn off the unit, call for help, and wait for the experts to arrive.

Popping or Buzzing Noises

These noises can also indicate that there is an issue with the electrical components of the unit. Once again, make sure not to wait to call a professional; you don’t want a fire to start. On the other hand, if you hear a clicking sound, the issue may be with the outside compressor or the inside air handler, although some other issues may also make clicking sounds. The best way to get the correct diagnosis is by calling your HVAC technician.

Frozen Coils in the Summer Months

When your HVAC’s coils freeze in the middle of the summer, turn the system off. This means that the temperature of the refrigerant is below the freezing point, causing the air to condense and freeze. When this happens, you will likely get damage to your equipment.

The reasons why the refrigerant temperature might have decreased to such a point as to freeze may be because you have set your thermostat too low, say at around 60 degrees. It is recommended that you keep your thermostat set at 70 degrees or higher to avoid this problem.

Home Base Project Team
Home Base Project Team
At The Home Base Project, we offer practical, real-life tips and inspiration about DIY, decorating and gardening. The Home Base Project provide the best information about home renovation and design, connecting home design enthusiasts and home professionals across the world.