It is the middle of the night. You wake up out of a deep sleep feeling discomfort from heat. As you rise to turn on the light, you realize, something must be wrong with the air conditioner because the house is hot and stuffy. Now you have an important decision to make. Can this wait until morning or could something possibly be wrong? There’s a difference between an unfortunate inconvenience and a true emergency. Here are a few tips for dealing with a midnight air conditioning failure.

Trouble Shooting at 3 AM

Occasionally, we receive “emergency” calls from panicky homeowners, and it turns out the power is down in the entire neighborhood. If your power is on, then the first thing you need to check is your thermostat to see if it’s working properly. If your thermostat is off, you may need to replace the batteries. Next, check to see if the AC system circuit breaker has been tripped. It’s important to note, circuit breakers are installed as a safeguard. If you’ve been having problems with your AC circuit breaker constantly going off, that indicates an electrical issue, which is something you don’t want to ignore.

If the power’s on and you’ve reset your thermostat to the correct temperature and your AC still won’t work, you should check your air conditioning unit to make sure you don’t have a serious situation, such as:

• Electrical Problems – Burning Smell – Over 80 percent of AC repairs are related to electrical issues in your air conditioner. There are numerous electrical switches, condensers, controllers and motors, which all have a tendency to wear down over time. If you notice a burning smell or any signs of smoke or a flame out, you should immediately call for service. Electrical issues are dangerous, can cause fires and should be dealt with by professionals ASAP.
• Wiring Issues – Exposed Wires – Wiring issues and exposed wires can be hazardous and cause harm. Remember, never touch an exposed wire. Loose or frayed connections can cause a short circuit to components within your AC system. Wiring issues should be handled by professionals.
• Gas Furnace Leaks – Any time you can smell gas around your furnace, you should call for service immediately. Whether you have been using your furnace or not, the smell of gas always represents a danger to you and your family.

Don’t Get Overheated

If you do not detect any immediate danger signs, remember, temperatures can rise very quickly inside a home when the AC is not working. If you have young children, an elderly person, or someone who suffers from respiratory distress, soaring heat inside the home can constitute an emergency situation.

Our Motto Is – At All Times, Safety First!

We’d like to stress that you should never ignore a problem if you think it requires immediate attention. Our phone lines are open 24/7 to handle emergencies as they arise. If you have any questions concerning your HVAC system, please feel free to give us a call.