I have had my fair share of HVAC breakdowns at night and on weekends. Sometimes I feel like my system waits until after hours to break. Whether the propensity for after-hours service is real or imagined, I have learned there are things I can do before calling for help. Sometimes they solve the problem.
So Simple, Yet So Complex
Furnaces and air conditioning units are simultaneously simple and complex. They are simple in the sense that they are designed to do one thing and do it well. How they do that one thing is easy to understand. But HVAC systems are complex in their mechanics and technology.
They are so complex that companies like Utah’s Superior Water & Air never slow down. Superior is active all over the state of Utah, covering an area including Salt Lake, Utah, Weber, and Davis counties. But Superior is not alone. HVAC contractors across the country are kept busy 24/7.
Check the Obvious
Emergency HVAC services can be expensive even when you need them during normal business hours. But at night and on weekends and holidays, labor costs go up. You pay more. So if your furnace or air conditioner stops working, there are some obvious things to check before you call for help.
1. Check the Power
Though it may sound like a Captain Obvious suggestion, the first thing to check is whether the HVAC system is getting power. There are two things to take a look at here. First is the actual power switch on the side of the unit. In most cases, it looks like a light switch. If you are working anywhere near the furnace, it doesn’t take much to bump the switch and turn it off.
Even if the switch is in the ‘on’ position, switch it off and then back on again. This might solve your problem. If it does not, check your panel box. Make sure the circuit breaker feeding power to your furnace has not been tripped. If it has, reset it.
2. Check the Thermostat
Thermostats are built with both heating and cooling modes. And because they are sensitive electronic devices, it’s not abnormal for a slight power surge to trip them from one mode to the next. If your furnace isn’t working, make sure the thermostat is still in heat mode. Make sure it is in cooling mode if you’re having trouble with the air conditioner.
Perhaps you have a smart thermostat. If so, bring up the app you used to control it. Check the app for errors. It could be that a miscommunication between the thermostat and your app it is preventing the thermostat from triggering the HVAC system.
You can always put the thermostat to the test by changing the temperature by a few degrees. If everything is working as it should, the thermostat will make a clicking sound as it sends a signal to turn on the furnace or AC. If you hear that click and you still get no HVAC action, it is time to call a repair technician.
Can You Wait Until the Next Business Day?
You have tried every suggestion and nothing works. Now it’s time to call in a technician. But if it is after hours, can you wait until the next business day?
Perhaps you can stay warm enough with a couple of space heaters. If it’s summer, some strategically placed fans could get you through. There are ways to avoid higher prices on after-hours emergency services. If all else fails, bring in a technician after hours. Just be prepared to bite the bullet.