Different people have faced different perils throughout history. If you were a farmer living in China during the 13th century, then your primary concern would have been Genghis Khan. If you are a homeowner living in the greater Sioux City, IA area during the 21st century, then you have it considerably easier. Your primary concern should be what to do during an HVAC emergency.
Fortunately, you have O’Connor Heating & Cooling to help. We won’t tell you how to actually perform an emergency HVAC repair. There would just be too much to cover. But if you’re ever confronted by one of the following emergencies, then here’s what you should do to come out on top!
No Heat
When your home isn’t heated, you have two priorities until the HVAC technician has finished repairing it. The first is to protect everyone in your household against hypothermia. If you’re reading this, then we assume you already know how to stay warm. The second is to prevent your plumbing from freezing. Do this by:
- Keeping your garage door closed
- Opening kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors
- Allowing cold water to drip from all faucets
- Directing available space heaters toward exposed pipes
No Cooling
A malfunctioning air conditioner won’t destroy your home, although it can make it nearly uninhabitable. Make certain all occupants remain cool and hydrated. Take special care that babies and seniors are both more vulnerable to hyperthermia.
Gas Leak
This is the most dangerous of all HVAC emergencies, as it has the potential to destroy your home and all its occupants in a gigantic fireball. If you smell a gas leak (which smells like rotten eggs), then all occupants must immediately vacate the premises. Call your gas company’s emergency phone line, and maintain a safe distance from your home until you are told you can go inside again.
Refrigerant Leak
The refrigerant inside an air conditioner may be odorless and colorless, but it is far from harmless. It is extremely toxic to whomever inhales it, and it can damage valuable HVAC equipment when it leaks as well. Any of the following could signal an AC refrigerant leak (and is sufficient reason to call an HVAC technician for emergency service):
- Green viscous puddle
- Thin film of oil on AC components
- Frost on evaporator coils
- Bubbles form when soapy water is sprayed on suspected leak
Flooding
Has any part of your HVAC system become submerged in water? Flooding is nearly certain to destroy any furnace or AC it touches, and may cause extensive issues throughout the rest of the property as well. The most important thing you can do during a flood is cut the power supply to your entire house (assuming the flooding isn’t severe enough to warrant immediate evacuation).
Electrical Failure
Has any part of your HVAC system begun emitting sparks, flames or smoke? Then it is crucial to cut its power supply at once, and then put out any existing flames before they can spread further. Do not restore power to your HVAC system until an electrician or HVAC technician has given you the go-ahead.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Leak
Avoiding a CO disaster requires foresight. You must install CO detectors outside each bedroom, on every floor (including the basement), and inside of an attached garage. You must also replace CO detectors every 5 to 7 years.
If you believe you have been exposed to CO, please follow the Health Resources & Services Administration’s advice to the letter:
Immediately go outside to get fresh air, and right away call Poison Help (1-800-222-1222), which connects you to your local poison center. If you feel better when you are out of your home and worse when you return, CO may be present. If you notice this, call 911. Have the fire department check for CO in your house. If CO is present, the source must be repaired before it is safe to return home.
O’Connor Heating & Cooling: Emergency HVAC Repairs in Sioux City
Are your home, comfort and health at risk due to an HVAC emergency? If you live in the Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota tristate area, then help is already close by. Contact O’Connor Heating & Cooling at once, or call (712) 490-7827 to request immediate service!
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