Many HVAC companies offer 24-hour emergency repair services for all models of HVAC systems. However, it’s important to note that not every HVAC problem should be considered an emergency.
Because it’s not always easy to distinguish between an emergency and a problem that can wait a few days to resolve, we put together this post with a few examples of actual HVAC emergencies.
Complete AC failure
While ceiling fans can help, a working air conditioner is a must-have to combat sweltering summers. Inside temperatures can even reach dangerous levels when the AC goes out in the middle of summer, especially for older folks, young children and pets. If your AC doesn’t turn on, be sure to call an emergency HVAC service right away.
No heat
When the heat stops working in the middle of the winter, it’s another time you’ll need to hire a professional to make an emergency call. Not having a working heater in the winter can also be dangerous for people and animals inside the house. While waiting for the HVAC repairman, bundle up with blankets, and utilize your fireplace if you have one.
Safety concerns
Gas or refrigerant leaks, sparks and smoke are a few signs that something is seriously wrong with your HVAC system, and the problem needs to be addressed right away. After calling HVAC companies to make an emergency repair, leave your house ASAP, and don’t return until the issue has been resolved. Hanging around waiting for the technician can be a serious health risk.
What are some signs of a failing system?
The good news is that HVAC systems typically don’t up and quit working out of nowhere—they often present a few signs that something’s amiss. These are a few indications that your system needs help:
- Inadequate airflow: Before you stop getting any heat or cold air at all, your system may struggle with airflow. This could be as simple as a clogged vent or a more complex problem, like a broken fan. Be sure to call an HVAC service sooner rather than later before the system stops blowing out air altogether.
- Screeching sound: All HVAC systems produce a little bit of noise while running, but yours should never have a loud screeching sound when it turns on. This is often an indication of a failing compressor. Shut off your system when you hear this noise or risk making the problem worse.
- Burning smell: Any burning smell in your home is a bad sign, especially if it’s coming from the AC or heater. A burning smell often indicates a problem with the electrical system, but that’s not always the case. Your HVAC technician will be able to find the root of the problem and set it straight.
Call Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling in any situation
Whether you’re experiencing an HVAC emergency or you just need a seasonal tune-up, be sure to call our team at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. With a wide range of services and fair pricing, we’re one of the top HVAC companies in St. Louis.
At Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling, we get calls all year long for HVAC emergency service in St. Louis, MO. Fortunately, a lot of these calls are similar, so we’re able to address the issue in no time at all.
Here are a few of the most common issues we deal with when it comes to heating systems and air conditioners.
Furnace emergencies
With colder temperatures on their way, now is the time to start thinking about ways your furnace could malfunction in the winter months. Common furnace emergencies include:
- Broken blower motor: When a furnace suddenly stops working, it’s often due to a malfunctioning blower motor. If the blower motor is on its way out, you’ll notice that rooms aren’t being heated evenly. We can replace or repair a motor fairly easily, but you might want to consider getting a new furnace if yours is getting old.
- Cracked heat exchanger: A broken heat exchanger can fill your home with carbon monoxide gas, which is why it’s vital that you call 24-hour HVAC emergency services in St. Louis, MO, as soon as you notice an issue with it. Common signs that there’s a problem with the heat exchanger include strange smells and soot inside the unit.
- Mechanical wear and tear: Your furnace is full of delicate components that must work in harmony to heat your home. If you notice that the furnace isn’t performing as well as it used to, there’s a good chance that one or more of these parts is failing. Call for emergency HVAC service right away to have these parts repaired or replaced!
Air conditioner emergencies
A mid-summer AC breakdown could mean living in extreme discomfort until the problem is fixed. Here are a few of the top reasons we get calls in the warmer months:
- Refrigerant leaks: If your home is taking a long time to cool down or if the vents are blowing out hot air in the summer, you may have a refrigerant leak on your hands. Refrigerant leaks are a common reason we get calls for 24-hour HVAC emergency services in St. Louis, MO. Once we pinpoint the source of the leak, we’re able to repair it and recharge your AC with new refrigerant.
- Indoor water leaks: Water leaking from your AC unit is likely caused by a clogged condensate line, which is supposed to lead water away from your home. If you notice any leaks, shut your AC off and call an emergency HVAC service right away.
- Frozen coils: Running your AC on the coldest setting can make your home feel cool and comfortable. However, it can also cause the outdoor coils to freeze up. Continuing to run the AC when the evaporator coils are frozen can lead to a complete breakdown and a costly repair.
Your trusted source for 24-hour emergency service
Whether your furnace has problems in the winter or your AC breaks down in the summer, call Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling any time of day or night. Our low prices and around-the-clock HVAC emergency service in St. Louis, MO, make us the number-one team in town for all of your heating and cooling needs.
Heater breakdowns in the winter and air conditioning malfunctions in the summer aren’t just inconveniences; they can be dangerous in some situations. The good news is that most of the common HVAC breakdowns we see are preventable!
If you’ve ever wondered, “How can I avoid HVAC breakdowns in St. Louis, MO?” here are some tips.
Schedule a seasonal tune-up
The best way to prevent a breakdown is to call an HVAC professional to service your system. Scheduling professional furnace maintenance each fall and AC tune-ups each spring are proven to reduce breakdowns.
During this service, your technician will inspect and clean your unit. If anything appears to be wrong, they’ll replace the failing component before you experience a sudden mid-season breakdown.
Change the filter
When homeowners call and ask us, “Why does my heater keep breaking down in St. Louis, MO?” it’s usually due to neglect. We don’t expect you to tune-up your system yourself. However, homeowners should at least replace their air filters once a month.
When air filters get clogged with dirt and debris, the whole unit can start to break down. Swapping out your filter regularly reduces the chance of unit failure and helps improve energy efficiency.
Open the vents
Closing vents when you’re not in a room might seem like a good way to save money during the winter. Unfortunately, closing those vents is generally a bad idea.
When vents are closed, the air intended to heat that room builds up in the ducts. That excess air puts undue pressure on both the ducts and vital components of your furnace. Ensure all of your vents are open and aren’t blocked by any furniture for optimal airflow.
Dust and vacuum
Another answer to that common question, “Why does my heater keep breaking down in St. Louis, MO?” is that your home isn’t very clean. When excess dust collects around air vents, it makes the vent ineffective—the vent might as well be closed!
To ensure that’s not a problem, make a habit of dusting and vacuuming to eliminate all of that dirt and debris and prevent excessive buildup.
Call when you suspect problems
HVAC systems rarely stop working out of the blue. They’ll often present a few signs that they’re going out before they finally kick the bucket. Loud noises, strange smells and higher energy bills are a few of the leading indications that something’s wrong. Pay attention to how your furnace is acting and call a professional as soon as you think something’s not right.
Replace old and inefficient units
It’s a fact that HVAC units are more prone to breakdowns as they age. If your system seems to fail each season, it’s probably time to cut your losses and replace it.
Although installing a new heater or air conditioner can be expensive, it usually pays for itself in just a few years! Newer units are more energy efficient, so you can slash your monthly heating and cooling costs and enjoy fewer breakdown bills.
Call us for HVAC service and repair
From replacing old units to performing seasonal maintenance, Ashley Brothers Heating and Cooling is the go-to company for all of your heating services. If you have more questions like “How can I avoid HVAC breakdowns in St. Louis, MO?” call us today to learn more or to schedule your yearly tune-up.
HVAC problems and mechanical complications are always inconvenient and frustrating to deal with, but there are some issues that are more urgent than others. Some HVAC problems can be addressed with a scheduled service appointment for maintenance or repairs a few days or weeks down the road, but other issues should be handled immediately with emergency HVAC repair in St. Louis, MO. If you’re not sure whether you need emergency repairs or not, keep reading for some tips to help you make the right decision based on your needs.
Signs you need emergency service
An HVAC system is designed to deliver consistent, reliable performance for many years, but all systems will eventually develop some performance issues that require maintenance and repairs to address. Some simple services, like filter changes or minor part replacement, can be scheduled in the future, while other services must be handled immediately to ensure the continued safety and performance of an HVAC system. Here are several signs to look for to determine whether you need emergency HVAC repair in St. Louis, MO:
- Strange odors: Strange smells can be a good indication that something is wrong with your system. While some odors can be addressed with regular HVAC service appointments, there are some smells that should never be ignored. For example, if you smell gas coming from your furnace, it’s important to get help from a professional right away. Waiting too long to respond to a gas leak can be very dangerous, so make sure to take care of this problem as soon as possible.
- Electrical problems: If you’ve noticed electrical problems with your HVAC system, it’s a good idea to call a professional as soon as possible to check things out. Some common electrical problems include frequent circuit breaker trips, buzzing and humming and flickering lights when a system is running. All these problems indicate that there’s something wrong with the system’s power connections that must be fixed to keep it running safely, effectively and efficiently.
- No system function: If your system isn’t working at all, you need to contact a technician for emergency repairs. While it might not be a huge concern during the spring or fall, when the weather is relatively mild, this can be a much bigger deal during extremely hot or cold weather. Without heating or cooling functionality, it’s nearly impossible to keep an indoor space comfortable and safe while temperatures are very hot or cold. Contact a professional technician to get to the bottom of a malfunctioning system to minimize the amount of time spent without use of your HVAC.
HVAC repair in St. Louis, MO
Whether you want to schedule a routine maintenance appointment with our team or you need emergency HVAC repair in St. Louis, MO, reach out to Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling for assistance. We’ve been providing comprehensive HVAC maintenance, repair and installation services for home and business owners throughout the area for over 20 years and we continue to develop a reputation for the quality of our services and customer satisfaction. Give us a call to schedule an appointment today and find out more about everything we have to offer.
