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What could be the most frustrating thing you face in New Jersey's sweltering summers? Perhaps a sudden failure of your cooling unit. Or when your heating system stops working on the coldest winter night. It turns your home into complete discomfort. On one end, you have to take care of your loved ones. And at the other end, you have to prevent your costly HVAC system from further damage. In this dilemma, if you lack the right piece of information on what to do immediately, you are at risk of major damage ahead.
This blog is designed to educate New Jersey homeowners on what to do fast when an HVAC emergency happens. Which steps to take and what to ensure before technicians arrive.
We have already published a separate blog on this topic (find the blog here). However, here is a brief overview of what qualifies as an HVAC emergency.
An HVAC emergency is any situation related to your HVAC equipment that threatens your safety, health, and property. It could be anything ranging from a gas leak to a complete system failure. What makes it an emergency is not the problem itself; it is the effect that it could cause if immediate action is not taken. That’s why sometimes a small carbon monoxide leak is considered an emergency while a complete compressor failure is still a normal repair.
The following are some examples of common HVAC emergencies in New Jersey, so you clearly understand what it actually is.
No Heat in Freezing Temperatures
If it’s freezing temperatures and your family members are without heat, it is an emergency that could jeopardize your loved ones’ lives. It can also risk pipe freezing.
No Cooling in Extreme Heat
If it is above 80°F indoors and suddenly your AC stops working, you are in an emergency. It can have serious consequences for human health.
Electrical Hazards
Burning smells from HVAC, smoke, or continuously tripping circuit breakers signal a severe electrical issue that is extremely risky.
Carbon Monoxide Leakage
If you notice a carbon monoxide detector alert, evacuate the home immediately and call for emergency professional assistance.
HVAC emergencies rarely happen at convenient times. Understand the guide below so you are ready to take the right measures fast to prevent further damage.
The first thing you do is shut your HVAC off. Stop it at the thermostat level and also from the main electrical panel to prevent fire hazards. If you notice strange smells, especially rotten egg odors, evacuate the home immediately, as it is a sign of natural gas leakage. If you see smoke or fire from the unit, take your family members away from the HVAC, and shut it down at the circuit breaker level. Secure your pets, too, as they may accidentally get in touch with the hazardous elements.
Prepare an unobstructed workspace before the technician arrives. It involves clearing the path to both indoor and outdoor units. Remove obstructions, household articles, and any outdoor elements such as snow and plant leaves around your outdoor HVAC unit. It will help the technicians get directly to fixing core issues rather than preparing the space first.
Keep a close eye on the system even if you are away from it. Notice what is happening, which changes your unit is showing, and what patterns are being displayed. If it is easily accessible, take a pen and paper. Note down all the details about the system model, manufacturer, installation date, last maintenance date, and the current patterns of sounds, smells, and unusual things that you have recently noticed.
If there are no severe hazards involved, you can check a few temporary things yourself. Check if the thermostat setting is accurate. Remember the last time you replaced air filters. If it has been more than two to three months since the last replacement, replace them. If the AC coils are frozen, turn the system off and switch the fan setting to "ON" to thaw the frozen coils.
When an HVAC emergency occurs in New Jersey, homeowners call Lehigh HVAC. This is because we arrive fast, understand issues quickly, and fix them right there. Contact us at 848-361-4707 for emergency service.
