Which HVAC Repairs Are Most Urgent?

What’s the difference between routine fixes and urgent HVAC repairs? Some cooling and heating issues are minor nuisances that can be resolved whenever it’s convenient. On the other hand, certain circumstances demand prompt attention by a qualified HVAC technician ASAP. 

Delaying proper service may compromise home safety as well as inflict costly damage on expensive HVAC components. The bottom line is this: When certain circumstances occur, urgent HVAC repairs shouldn’t be postponed. Here are some signs and symptoms to be aware of.

Natural Gas Leakage

The odor of natural gas in the house is always an emergency. If the smell seems to originate from the furnace area or is coming from heating vents in rooms, go to the thermostat and turn off the furnace immediately. Get all occupants out of the house and call 911 or the gas company. Once qualified emergency responders are on the scene, call your HVAC contractor and report the situation. 

Air Conditioner Short-Cycling

If you notice the AC turning on and then turning off again almost immediately, consider it a warning sign that may require urgent HVAC repairs to prevent costly damage. Short-cycling may be a simple matter of a clogged air filter. However, it’s also a symptom of critical issues like a refrigerant leak or a compressor motor running too hot. Shut off the AC at the thermostat to prevent further damage and contact your HVAC contractor for emergency service.

Furnace Auto-Shutdown

A heating system turning itself off automatically is usually indicative of a furnace safety issue that warrants urgent HVAC repairs. The unit may be overheating dangerously and triggering a high-limit shutdown switch. An airflow blockage somewhere in the system may also generate excess heat and cause a shutdown. Don’t continue restarting the furnace. Instead, call for qualified HVAC service right away.

Unexplained Cost Increases

If monthly gas or electric bills suddenly spike and there's no obvious explanation (like rate hikes), don't just keep paying higher bills. Get the system checked out and have any urgent HVAC repairs made now, before more unnecessary expense is incurred.

For qualified professional service when urgent HVAC repairs are needed (and any time), contact Air Assurance.

Emergency Heat During Winter Storms

Having a source of emergency heat in the winter can make the difference between staying safe and healthy or having to leave your home to wait out a bad storm or a prolonged power outage. Each of these suggestions is a sound way to supply enough heat to wait out an emergency. Always make sure your CO detector is working before using any of these heaters.

Emergency Heating Equipment

• Tent heaters. You can find these at sporting goods and big box stores, as well as online. They’re small heaters that use propane canisters and are capable of heating small spaces. They’re safe as long as you crack a window open and use them as the manufacturer intends.

• Ventless heaters. These heaters are available from specialty stores and online. They burn clean, which means they produce few toxic gases, including carbon monoxide (CO). Each heater, whether a ventless fireplace or heater, has an oxygen depletion sensor that turns the unit off when the oxygen in the room gets too low. Whenever you use a ventless heater, be sure that there’s a window open or a door cracked to bring in fresh air.

• Fireplaces. If you’re lucky enough to have a gas or wood-burning fireplace in your home, it will provide reliable heat during the outage. If it’s gas and lights electronically, it may start if you hold a lighter near the gas orifice inside the firebox. If it’s wood burning, keep a supply of seasoned firewood to use in the event of emergencies.

Retaining Heat

• Be sure you have at least three days of food on hand. Eating enough calories gives you plenty of energy to keep yourself warm.

• Dress in layers. Instead of wearing a one layer of heavy clothing, wear a few layers. They trap your body heat better so that you won’t feel as chilled.

• Plug as many air leaks as possible to prevent drafts throughout your home.

If you’d like more information about using emergency heat because of power outages or a furnace breakdown, contact Air Assurance, providing HVAC services for Broken Arrow homeowners.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.

Have You Had Maintenance Completed on Your Generator?

A home generator can make a world of difference during a power outage. A generator, depending on its capabilities, may keep refrigerated food from spoiling and your hot water tank pumping out hot water. In other words, a it may help you from having to seek alternative living conditions during a power outage. In order to keep a generator in proper working order when you need it the most, it is imperative you establish a yearly routine generator maintenance schedule.

There are a number of factors which may keep your generator from working properly. Climate, specifically freezing temperatures, may keep an already compromised generator from starting. Fortunately the Tulsa climate dose not dip into the negative temperatures too often, but even our temperatures will affect an improperly cared-for generator. Losing power during the winter months, and without a generator to back you up, you may be put in a dire predicament. Other reasons your generators may not start include: compromised fuel supply, rust, debris, seized starter, blocked carburetor, fouled sparkplug, damaged flywheel, or severed electrical wire, just to name some of the more common ways a generator will not start.

Generators, depending on their make, model, size, and fuel supply, will require service not unlike your furnace. Routine generator maintenance includes ensuring components are in proper working order, making sure fluids are filled, and changing out air filters for starters. Waiting until a power outage to discover your generator has a loose sparkplug will cause you unnecessary heartache. Also, waiting until a power outage, or until the unit is fully broken, will ensure you pay the maximum dollar amount for your repairs. A little maintenance once or twice a year may keep you from having to shell out replacement costs on your investment.

Generators can make a difference during an emergency, but only if they are properly maintained. If you live in the Tulsa area, and have a generator that has not seen a maintenance mechanic since the assembly line, please feel free to contact us.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about generators and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.Image courtesy of Shutterstock