After a long day at work, you open your front door expecting a cool welcome. Instead, hot air hits your face. Your AC has stopped working during the peak of Austin summer heat. Is this an emergency? What should you do now?
HVAC problems happen at the worst times. Knowing what counts as a real emergency and the first steps to take can save you stress, money, and discomfort. Let’s break down what makes an HVAC issue urgent and what you can do while waiting for help.
What Makes an HVAC Problem a True Emergency?
Not all HVAC issues need immediate attention. Here’s how to tell if your problem needs urgent help:
Complete System Failure During Extreme Weather
When your cooling unit increases the temperature (above 90°F) instead of cooling, or if your heating unit decreases the temperature (under 40°F) instead of warming up, this counts as an emergency. This is especially true during Austin’s brutal summer heat or unexpected cold spells.
Safety Threats
Any unusual smell, flickering, or smoke coming from your HVAC system needs emergency service right away. These signs can point to serious issues that might cause fires or other dangers.
Gas leaks are extremely dangerous. If you smell gas around your gas furnace or boiler, leave your home immediately and call your gas company. Gas leaks can cause fires and serious health risks. Do not go back inside until a professional says it’s safe.
Health Risks
System failure becomes an emergency if you have family members sensitive to extreme temperatures, especially elderly people or children who could get hypothermia or heatstroke.
Carbon monoxide leaks from faulty fuel-burning systems like furnaces can be deadly. This gas has no color or smell. If you feel dizzy, sick, or have headaches and suspect carbon monoxide, leave your home right away and get medical help. Make sure you have carbon monoxide detectors in your home.
Is a Broken AC Considered an Emergency?
During Austin summers, a broken AC can quickly become an emergency. Temperatures inside homes can rise to dangerous levels within hours.
It is an emergency if your heating or cooling system stops working during extreme weather. Your home can become unbearably hot or cold, putting your health and your pets at risk.
The answer depends on:
- Current outdoor temperatures (90°F+ make it urgent)
- Health needs of people in your home
- How long will the repair take
- Time of day/week (weekends and nights mean longer waits)
Warning Signs of HVAC Emergencies
Catch problems early by watching for these signals:
For Air Conditioning:
Loud noises: Unexpected banging, buzzing, clicking, or screeching sounds might mean compressor problems, thermostat issues, or electrical line damage.
Water leakage: This happens when condensate pumps or drain lines have problems. These parts can get clogged by dust and waste over time.
Frozen coils: Ice forming inside or outside your system shows a refrigerant problem.
For Heating:
Unusual smells: If your HVAC smells like burning plastic, it might mean overheating or electrical issues. Chemical smells could mean refrigerant leaks. Musty smells like wet books might mean mold in the heater.
No heat: If your heater doesn’t warm your space at all, the problem could be with the thermostat or something else in the system.
Pilot light issues: The pilot light stops gas from building up. If it goes out, there might be a problem with the thermocouple.
What to Do if My AC Stops Working in Summer?
When your AC fails during Austin’s intense summer heat, follow these steps:
1. Stay Safe First
Turn off the system right away to prevent more damage. If you smell burning, notice gas leaks, or see smoke, leave your home immediately and move to a safe place. Call emergency services (911) for help.
2. Try Quick Fixes
First, check simple things: Is the thermostat set correctly? Do the batteries work? Have the circuit breakers tripped? Look at outdoor units for leaves, stones, or debris that might be stuck. Remove any blockages you find. Check if air filters need cleaning or replacing.
3. Find Temporary Relief
When AC isn’t working, use fans, close curtains and window shades, put wet towels on your neck, and open windows at night when it’s cooler. If your heater fails, wear warm clothes, use slippers, and use extra blankets.
4. Call for Professional Help
Don’t try to open any part of the system if you’re not an expert. HVAC systems are complex and need professional care. Choose licensed Austin-based HVAC services available 24/7, like All Year Heating and Cooling. When you call, describe the problem clearly to help technicians prepare.
How Quickly Can Emergency HVAC Services Typically Respond?
Most emergency HVAC services in Austin aim to respond within 1-4 hours. All Year Heating and Cooling prioritizes emergency calls and works to reach customers as quickly as possible, especially during extreme weather.
Factors affecting response time include:
- Current demand (response times are longer during heatwaves)
- Time of day (after-hours calls might take longer)
- Your location in the Austin area
- The nature of your emergency (gas leaks gets faster responses)
When calling for emergency service, clearly explain your situation, including any health concerns or safety risks, to help the company prioritize your call.
What NOT to Do During an HVAC Emergency
While waiting for help, avoid these common mistakes:
Don’t attempt DIY fixes: Working with gas lines, electrical wires, or refrigerants is dangerous and can void warranties. Leave these jobs to professionals.
Don’t ignore warning signs: If ignored, small issues like weak airflow or leaky coils can become major problems, such as complete system failure.
Don’t overload the system: Using a small system for large spaces or running multiple units on one circuit can cause system overload.
5 Ways to Prevent HVAC Emergencies
The best emergency is the one that never happens. Here’s how to prevent HVAC crises:
1. Schedule Regular Maintenance
Blocked air filters force your system to use more electricity and reduce air quality. Schedule seasonal checkups for your AC before summer and for your heater before winter. Regular maintenance lowers energy costs, prevents costly repairs, and improves air flow.
2. Upgrade Smart Components
When thermostats break, they can’t send proper signals to your HVAC system, which might run irregularly or not turn on at all. To prevent this, install a programmable thermostat and consider UV air filters for better air quality.
3. Check System Age
Older systems struggle during extreme weather. If your units and air filters are over 10 years old, consider replacing them before they fail.
4. Prepare for Emergencies
Have a backup plan with spare filters, fans, space heaters, and warm clothes as temporary solutions during unexpected weather problems.
5. Get Professional Checkups
Regular professional inspections can find small problems before they become emergencies.
How All Year Heating and Cooling Handles HVAC Emergencies
At All Year Heating and Cooling, we understand that HVAC emergencies never happen at convenient times. Our emergency response team serves all Austin neighborhoods with:
- 24/7 availability for urgent situations
- Quick response times, especially for safety concerns
- Transparent pricing, even for after-hours calls
- Fully stocked service vehicles to complete most repairs in one visit
- Temporary solutions when parts must be ordered
Our technicians arrive with the right tools and parts to diagnose and fix most common emergency issues on the spot. We never leave you hanging when you need help most.
Stay Prepared, Stay Comfortable
Your HVAC system plays a crucial role in keeping your Austin home safe and comfortable. While emergencies can strike without warning, being prepared and knowing who to call makes all the difference.
For fast, reliable HVAC emergency service in Austin, contact All Year Heating and Cooling at (512) 467-2665. Our expert technicians stand ready to help, day or night.