Midnight HVAC Emergency? What to Do Next

HVAC System Stops Working — Douglasville, GA — Parks Davis Air Conditioning & Heating

What should you do if your HVAC system stops working in the middle of the night? Whether during the heat of the summer or the middle of the winter, you need cooling and heating 24 hours a day. If you wake to a hot or cold home (depending on the season), take a look at what you should do next.

Make Sure the Electricity Is On

Did a warm summer night bring on a severe thunderstorm? Windy weather or a lightning strike can turn your electricity, and your air conditioner, off. The same goes for wild winter weather, strong snowstorms, or other similar outdoor issues.

Before you assume something is wrong with your AC or heat system, make sure the electricity is on. This may present challenges in the middle of the night. Even though you could look outside to see if your neighbor's lights are on, chances are they are asleep too. Contact your local power supplier for outage notifications and information.

Wait until the power is restored and turn the system on again. If the air conditioner or heater does not start, call a qualified contractor. The unit might have storm-related damage and requires a reset or a repair.

Check the Electrical Box

A tripped breaker or blown fuse can shut down your home's HVAC system. If your whole home hasn't lost power, but the system stops in the middle of the night, check the electrical box. This easy fix can save you time and restore your home's interior comfort immediately.

Even though a flip of a switch can bring your air conditioner or heater back to life, a more serious issue may be at fault. A short circuit or other electrical issue could cause the breaker to trip (or a fuse to blow) repeatedly. This potential problem requires professional inspection. An HVAC technician can inspect the system, look for possible faults, and repair the system.

Call a Contractor

The power is on, a circuit breaker did not trip, and your heater or air conditioner still refuses to work. It is the middle of the night, and you are not sure what the next step to take is. A possible HVAC problem during regular business hours may only require a quick call to your contractor. But a nighttime issue may throw you for a loop.

If your regular HVAC contractor has emergency services, you are in luck. Call the contractor and explain the problem. Given that you were asleep when the issue started, you may not have much information for the contractor. This means they will need to inspect the system firsthand to diagnose the problem and determine what type of repair the heater or air conditioner needs.

Homeowners who do not have already have a contractor's number stored in their contact list will need to find a professional who provides emergency services. To make this type of situation easier, research a few potential companies right now (before the system stops). Ask friends, family members, or neighbors for the names of reputable service contractors.

Keep Your Home Comfortable

An emergency contractor can provide overnight service. But that does not mean they will arrive immediately after you call.

If your home is extremely hot (in the summer), open the windows, turn on fans, and try to keep cool until the HVAC technician arrives. Keep your wintertime home warm and pull the curtains or window treatments closed, cover yourself (and family members) with quilts or blankets, and wear an extra layer of clothes as you wait for professional heater help.

Do you need an HVAC system repair? Contact Parks Davis Air Conditioning & Heating for more information.