When to Call for an Emergency HVAC Repair & When to Wait

As the weather gets warmer this summer, you’ll be relying more on your air conditioning system to stay cool and comfortable indoors. As one of the most important appliances in your home, it makes sense to do regular cleaning and maintenance to ensure it stays in good condition. Anything unusual with your unit should be checked by a trusted air conditioning replacement technician to prevent costly repairs. 

If you happen to notice something wrong with your AC system, your first reaction might be to call in a technician to inspect the issue more thoroughly. Of course, not every problem requires emergency repairs. Some types of AC issues can wait until the next day or even longer. So, what constitutes an emergency AC repair service call? If you encounter any of the issues listed below, you’ll need to call it in immediately. 

A Burning Odor

Turning on your air conditioning system after an extended break may sometimes result in a strong smell like something’s burning. Typically, this isn’t a cause for concern; it’s from residue that the AC system’s motor is burning off. After a few minutes, the smell should dissipate and your system should be running fine. It can even be prevented if you have your system checked and maintained at the start of the season, as this will involve a thorough cleaning.

It isn’t an emergency if the smell goes away after a short while. But if the smell doesn’t go away or if it’s getting stronger, it’s best to turn the unit off immediately. This can be due to damaged wires, a faulty HVAC motor, foreign objects in your unit or even excessive dirt and dust buildup, which all warrant an emergency HVAC service repair.

Buzzing or Popping Noises

When you hear any unusual noise coming from your air conditioning system, it’s often an indicator that something isn’t working properly. For instance, if you hear a buzzing, popping or snapping noise as soon as you turn it on, it may be due to an electrical or mechanical issue that warrants an emergency AC repair service call. Don’t hesitate to call your trusted technician if this is the case with your system! While the vibration or buzzing noises can also be a result of a loose component, it can still be a serious problem that must be addressed quickly. 

No Power

If your air conditioning system isn’t turning on at all, you first need to check your main electrical panel. It might have just tripped and its power supply cut off. If this is the case, the panel switch for your comfort system should be set to “OFF”. Just flip the switch back to the “ON” position to restore power to your AC unit and it should run normally.

However, if the switch is already in the “ON” position and your unit doesn’t want to turn on, check your thermostat next. There’s a chance that it was turned off by accident, but if you don’t see any illuminated light on the thermostat, it could be broken and you may need to call in an AC troubleshooting system expert for an emergency service repair. It counts as an emergency because you won’t have any other way to turn on your system and your home’s comfort will be affected. 

Screeching Noises

Certain issues from within your air conditioning system can cause screeching noises and will usually need immediate attention. The noise can be a result of a dangerously high level of pressure in your compressor. If this is the case with your system, it should be shut off immediately to prevent further damage. Sometimes, the noise can also be due to less serious issues such as a loose fan belt within the system. You won’t know for sure unless the underlying cause is determined by experienced professionals, so play it safe and get it checked as soon as possible by your HVAC technician.

Some repairs can be real emergencies, and this is when our technicians respond as quickly as possible. Air Products & Services provides a trusted and reputable AC troubleshooting services for your heating and air conditioning needs. If you live in Tarzana or a nearby area, just call us at (818) 989-2030 or submit our online form!