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What to Do When Your HVAC System Fails: Emergency Steps to Stay Comfortable

By All-Temp Heating & Cooling

Date Published: December 17, 2024

When your HVAC system breaks down, you and your family have to suddenly figure out how to stay comfortable. If that breakdown happens during harsh weather conditions, your family’s health can also be at risk.

No matter the weather, it’s important not to panic over HVAC problems. What can you do to remain comfortable until an emergency HVAC service technician arrives? All-Temp Heating and Cooling has some suggestions.

The Importance of HVAC Emergency Repairs

In the event of a storm, a sudden power surge or outage can cause damage to your HVAC system. Any HVAC issues, no matter the reason, can cause serious inconvenience. But when your climate control system stops working in freezing cold or blazing heat, your home can become unsafe.

Extremely cold temperatures can cause pipes to burst and harm your home’s structural integrity. Overly hot temperatures put the health of vulnerable family members with medical conditions at risk. In these conditions, you need an emergency HVAC service technician on call. Here’s what to do before the tech gets to your home.

Specific Steps for Dealing With an HVAC System Crisis

If your HVAC system has stopped working or is operating erratically, take a deep breath and follow these steps.

Assess the Issue

While an HVAC breakdown can be a major inconvenience, it might be because of a minor issue that you can resolve on your own. Look for a tripped circuit breaker, filters that need replacement, blocked ducts and vents, blown fuses, and other common causes that can shut your HVAC system down.

If you can fix the problem safely, go ahead. Otherwise, turn the system off so it won’t get more damaged before the service technician arrives.

Keep Air Circulating

Whether it’s hot or cold outside, it’s important to maintain air circulation. During cool summer nights and early mornings, open a few windows to allow fresh air in. When temperatures increase, close the windows to keep hot air out.

Electric fans are beyond handy in this situation. Floor and desktop fans can generate cooler air directly. In the winter, running a ceiling fan in reverse can lift colder air to make the room a little warmer.

Use Backup Temperature Controllers

When your central air breaks down, you can make yourself more comfortable with a portable air conditioner. You can DIY one with a portable fan: Just put a bowl of ice in front of the blades so the fan can move cold air around.

In winter, you can use a space heater — very carefully — to make a room warmer. Make sure it’s in a well-ventilated area and has a lot of space around it.

Call for Emergency HVAC Service

Once you’ve determined you can’t fix the problem on your own, call a local technician for repairs. The technician will investigate whether the problem can be fixed or whether you’ll need a replacement HVAC system.

All-Temp Heating and Cooling: Staunton’s Go-To HVAC Service

All-Temp Heating and Cooling is your local top-rated HVAC service company. When you experience an emergency, contact us online or call to schedule an appointment. You can also use our online calendar or stop by our office to speak with a technician.

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