When your HVAC system suddenly stops working, it can be incredibly stressful, especially when experiencing extreme weather. Whether your furnace won’t turn on in the middle of winter or your AC is blowing warm air on a scorching summer day, knowing how to handle the situation can help prevent further damage and restore comfort to your home.

Improper action during an HVAC emergency can quickly lead to major system damage and hazards to your home and loved ones. By preparing for these emergencies ahead of time, you can keep a level head during this event and protect your home, loved ones, and HVAC system from harm. 

If you want to learn more about what to do when you’re experiencing an HVAC emergency, keep reading to see what our team recommends. 

What is Considered an HVAC Emergency? 

Before reaching out to your trusted HVAC professional about a potential HVAC emergency, you must understand what is considered an emergency. While some problems seem like emergencies, they don’t require immediate attention. However, some issues with your HVAC system problems need immediate attention to keep your property safe, including the following: 

• Heater Isn’t Heating Your Home: While this might not seem like an immediate HVAC emergency, a broken heater can pose a significant risk to your home as temperatures drop below freezing. When the temperature is at or under 32°F, the pipes in your home can freeze and burst, which may lead to significant water damage on your property. 
• AC Units Blowing Hot Air: Whether your air conditioner is experiencing a refrigerant leak, compressor problems, or dirty air filters, it may be blowing hot air into your home. Failing to acknowledge this problem may result in more significant system breakdowns, so it’s essential to address this HVAC emergency as soon as it emerges. 
• A Gas Leak: If you notice a rotten egg smell in your home, this may indicate a gas leak in your home. This is a serious HVAC emergency, as it can expose you and your loved ones to carbon monoxide. Ignoring the smell of gas can lead to severe physical illness and possible death, so it’s crucial you address it immediately. 
• Electrical Issues: For homeowners who are experiencing sparks, burning smells, or a tripped circuit breaker, this HVAC emergency can be incredibly dangerous. If left unattended, electrical issues can quickly turn into devastating house fires. If you believe your HVAC problem is caused by electrical issues, call your HVAC team immediately. 

Essential Steps to Take During an HVAC Emergency

If you are experiencing any of the problems listed above, it is essential that you take the appropriate steps to keep your home and HVAC system safe. Taking the wrong steps during these emergencies can have devastating consequences. If you believe you’re experiencing an HVAC emergency, follow the steps below to keep your home and loved ones safe. 

Turn Off Your HVAC System

The first step in addressing an HVAC emergency is turning off your system. If you choose to run your HVAC system when it is malfunctioning, you may end up doing more damage to the system than if you turned it off. Additionally, turning off your HVAC system while it is malfunctioning will protect your home from further hazards, like carbon monoxide leaks or fires. If you want to keep your home and family safe, turning off your HVAC system is essential. 

Attempt Easy System Repairs

If you suspect the problem with your HVAC system can be remedied through quick repairs, you may want to consider making these changes. In situations where your heater won’t turn on or isn’t reaching the appropriate temperature, you can check to ensure the batteries in your thermostat are working properly. You can also verify that your air filters are clean and allowing airflow to the system. However, if these fixes don’t remedy the HVAC emergency, you shouldn’t attempt any other repairs and instead turn to the professionals for comprehensive care. 

Leave Your Home If Necessary

For homeowners who are dealing with a gas leak in their home, it is essential that you evacuate as soon as possible. Choosing to stay in your home while you’re experiencing a gas leak poses a significant, life-threatening risk to your health. If you know where the gas shutoff valve is and how to operate it, you may also want to consider turning off the gas in your home. However, if you don’t know where the valve is, it is best to leave this task to the professionals who can protect themselves during this process. 

Contact a Trusted HVAC Professional 

The final step in addressing an HVAC emergency in your home is reaching out to your trusted HVAC team for support. Contact them as soon as your family has evacuated your home or shut off the system and let them know you’re experiencing an emergency. Make sure to provide them with as much information as possible to ensure they are equipped to handle whatever emergency you’re experiencing. While waiting for the team to arrive, it is important that you don’t attempt repairs on your own, as this can make the problem worse. 

Call R&D Heating & Air for Expert Support

HVAC emergencies can be incredibly distressing, but having a reliable HVAC team to support you through this process makes it much easier to navigate. If you’re looking for a reliable HVAC team in the Roy, Utah, area, turn to R&D Heating & Air for support. With over 20 years of combined experience, we’re confident that our team can address any emergency you may face and restore comfort to your home. 

If you would like to learn more about our services or need help addressing an emergency in your home, don’t hesitate to contact us today. 

You might not think much about switching from your heater to air conditioning as the seasons change. However, when your systems sit unused for months, they may need a little extra care before you begin using them again. Seasonal weather may lead to dust, dirt, and grime accumulating across your AC, leading to reduced efficiency. 

Before you make the transition, it might be helpful to schedule HVAC system maintenance. While you might think you can go a year without scheduling this service, postponing maintenance can lead to costly damage, repairs, or replacements. Thankfully, there are a few signs you can look for that indicate it’s time to schedule maintenance. 

If you’re on the fence about scheduling HVAC system maintenance, keep reading to learn more about the signs your system will give off that indicate it’s time to call. 

Increased Energy Bills From Month to Month

When you begin using your air conditioning at the start of summer, it isn’t uncommon to notice a minor change in your energy consumption and bill. However, if your energy bill is rising exponentially every month and you can’t get it under control, this might indicate that you need HVAC system maintenance. Your HVAC team can determine whether there’s grime buildup that is impacting the system’s efficiency, make essential repairs, and return your energy bills to a more manageable cost. 

Strange Noises or Smells Coming From Your AC

Although your air conditioning may make some sounds when it turns on, it shouldn’t be loud enough to distract you from everyday responsibilities. Additionally, you shouldn’t notice any unpleasant smells coming from the system. If you’re experiencing strange sounds or smells from your air conditioning, this is a sign that it’s time to schedule HVAC system maintenance. Your HVAC team will determine if there is buildup leading to strange smells or if there are loose or broken components contributing to additional sounds.  

Frequent System Breakdowns

There is no clearer sign of needing HVAC system maintenance than dealing with constant air conditioning breakdowns. When your air conditioning is in good working condition, you shouldn’t have to worry about malfunctioning parts. While it is okay to perform minor maintenance, like replacing air filters or changing batteries in your thermostat, you shouldn’t experience breakdowns consistently throughout the season. If your AC is struggling to keep up and continually breaks down, this indicates a much larger problem that requires more extensive maintenance and repairs. 

Little or No Airflow

Nothing is quite as frustrating as turning on your air conditioning unit only to feel little or no air coming out of your vents. While you might think turning the system off and back on will remedy the problem, this often isn’t going to correct airflow issues. Instead, if you’re dealing with airflow problems, it is best to schedule HVAC system maintenance. Your trusted HVAC team can determine whether your problem results from issues with your home’s air ducts or within the system and can make essential repairs. 

Malfunctioning Thermostat

Your thermostat is responsible for regulating the temperature in your home. When it isn’t working properly, you might think this is an easy fix. In some cases, the device needs new batteries. However, if replacing the batteries doesn’t fix the problem, it might be best to schedule HVAC system maintenance to allow your team to identify the issue. There are several reasons why your thermostat may be malfunctioning, but with the support of your trusted HVAC team, you can make essential repairs or transition to a new, smart thermostat. 

Struggling to Cool Your Home

Your air conditioning unit’s one responsibility is to keep your home cool as the temperature outside rises. If it isn’t cooling your home, you may find yourself relying on other cooling options. However, these alternatives may not provide the comfort you’re looking for. When your air conditioning struggles to cool your home, it is best to schedule HVAC system maintenance. Your HVAC team can identify problems within the system, clean out any grime, and restore function to ensure your home is cool all summer. 

The System is Over 10 Years Old

Most standard air conditioning systems have an expected lifespan of about 15 to 20 years. As your air conditioning approaches the 10-year mark, it is a good time to schedule HVAC system maintenance. It isn’t uncommon for older parts within your system to begin breaking down as they reach the end of their life. However, scheduling maintenance before these parts break protects your home from a malfunctioning air conditioning unit during the summer. Additionally, your team can determine if it is best to replace the system to keep your home comfortable. 

Trust R&D Heating & Air With HVAC System Maintenance

Although you might think HVAC system maintenance isn’t essential, scheduling regular maintenance saves you from high repair costs and frustrating breakdowns. If you schedule regularly, you can catch minor problems before they leave you stranded during the hottest days of the summer. If you’re looking for a reliable HVAC team in the Roy, Utah, area, turn to our team at R&D Heating & Air for support. With years of experience helping homeowners stay comfortable year-round, we’re confident we can do the same for you. 

If you would like to schedule HVAC system maintenance with our team, don’t hesitate to contact us today. 

As warmer weather rolls into town, you may find yourself turning to your air conditioner for some reprieve. With this system, you can keep your home cool and comfortable throughout the hottest days of the year. However, after months of inactivity, you may find that your air conditioner is producing a strange smell that is difficult to identify. 

If this strange smell doesn’t begin to dissipate, it may lead to a lingering odor in your home, which is difficult to deal with. However, determining the cause of this odor can be even more difficult than you anticipate. If you’re noticing a lingering odor coming from your air conditioner, keep reading to learn what may be causing it and how to address it. 

The Most Common Strange Smells from AC Units

It isn’t uncommon to experience some strange smells coming from your AC when you use it again at the start of spring or summer. However, if this smell doesn’t begin to dissipate after the first few uses, this may be an indication that there is something wrong with the system. Some of the most common strange smells you may encounter include: 

• Smelly Socks: If you notice strange smells reminiscent of stinky socks, this may indicate a problem with your condenser. This may include bacteria growth within your system, which requires immediate attention to be appropriately remedied. 
• Burning: While some smells can be ignored until your HVAC team arrives, it is essential that you take immediate action if you smell burning. This may be the result of a fire in the system from frayed wires, overheating, and mechanical issues. If you smell burning, you should turn off the system immediately to keep your home safe.  
• Mold or Mildew: When you smell something incredibly earthy, this may be an indication of mold or mildew growth within your AC. This growth can lead to respiratory health problems, making it essential that you address it as soon as possible. 
• Exhaust: If fluid is moving through your AC, this could lead to an exhaust smell coming from the system. This could be due to a leak within the system, and requires an inspection to ensure this is the cause.  
• Trash: During the winter, it isn’t uncommon for animals to make themselves at home in your AC. In some cases, they may get stuck and won’t make it out by spring, leading to a trash smell coming from your AC unit. 

No matter what strange smells are coming from your AC, it is essential that you reach out to your trusted HVAC technician for support. With their expertise, they can determine the exact cause of the smells within the system and make any essential repairs. 

How You Can Address Strange Smells

While you’re waiting for your HVAC team to arrive to address the lingering strange smells, there are a few things you can do to alleviate the smell. The easiest things you can do to attempt to address the smells include: 

Clean Your Drain Pain 

As moisture builds up within your AC unit, this may result in an excessive overflow in the drain pan. Over time, it is essential that you address this moisture. If left untreated, you create the perfect environment for mold growth. This growth may move into your AC unit, putting you and your loved ones at risk. If you’re experiencing moisture problems in your system, it is essential that you clean or replace your drain pan to avoid respiratory irritation. 

Check for Frozen Coils

Another step you can take to address strange smells coming from your AC is to turn off your system and check inside to determine whether there are any frozen coils. Often, dirty air filters are the cause of frozen coils, as they prevent air from entering your system and lead to an increase in moisture. If the coils are frozen, try changing your filter. This should allow proper airflow to return to the system, thawing the coils and restoring system function. 

Look for Blockages

When there are blockages within your AC unit, it makes it difficult, if not impossible, for moisture to move out of the system. As mentioned above, even the most minor moisture build-up in your AC unit can lead to strange smells brewing within the system. Double-check the lines in your AC unit to determine whether something is blocking it from adequately draining, and make necessary repairs before your HVAC professional arrives to address the problem. 

Identify Duct Moisture

As moisture builds up in your AC unit, it may inevitably find its way into your air ducts as well. While you wait for a trusted HVAC professional to arrive, it is best that you double-check for signs of moisture in your air ducts. If you notice signs of moisture build-up in your ducts, you can talk to your HVAC technician about scheduling duct cleaning to improve the air quality in your home and eliminate lingering odors. 

Address Lingering Odors with R&D Heating & Air

If you’re tired of dealing with lingering odors coming from your AC unit, turn to our team at R&D Heating & Air for support. They can determine the cause and quickly remedy the problem, allowing you to remain comfortable through the warmest days of the year. In addition to making essential repairs, our team can also help you establish a maintenance schedule.

With essential AC unit maintenance, you can ensure your system is operating properly before the warmer weather rolls into town. Your HVAC team can also catch minor problems before they lead to even more costly and detrimental system damage. No matter how large or small, we can address any system damage in no time.

If you need help addressing strange smells in your AC unit, don’t hesitate to contact our team today for support.