Bloomington, IL has a humid continental climate. With warm, wet summers and frosty winters, every heating and cooling problem can feel like an HVAC emergency. But while some issues warrant the extra cost of after-hours HVAC service, others do not. Read on to find out what qualifies as an HVAC emergency and what to do when urgent problems arise.
Extreme, Unsafe Temperatures
In winter, Bloomington temperatures can dip as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit. If your heater won’t turn on, schedule heating service right away. Living in a house with no heat could lead to burst pipes or hypothermia.
You also need emergency HVAC repairs if your heating system is:
- Short-cycling
- Producing lukewarm air
- Emitting strong odors
- Overheating components
Any time your heater shows signs of extreme operational stress when the outside temperature is below freezing, contact a local HVAC company.
In summer, temperatures in Bloomington are relatively mild. Daytime temperatures rarely climb above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and nighttime temperatures don’t often fall below the mid-60s. While not having a functional heat pump or air conditioner can certainly be unpleasant, on most days, many households can wait until the next business day for service.
High Solar Heat Gains
Some houses in Bloomington have highly reflective roofs, ample insulation, whole-house fans, and other features for limiting solar heat gains. Others can become much hotter than the air outdoors. If your indoor temperature rises above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, you need air conditioning service sooner rather than later.
High Humidity
In summer, Bloomington’s average humidity is around 70%. This makes both indoor air and outdoor air feel much hotter than it is. High humidity is a good reason to schedule emergency HVAC service if your AC or heat pump shuts down. Hot, humid building interiors feel muggy and oppressive. They can make it difficult to sleep or do much else. They can also prove especially problematic for vulnerable building residents.
Vulnerable Residents
Scheduling emergency HVAC services during times of temperature or humidity extremes is a must for households with vulnerable residents. Getting urgent help for a non-working HVAC system is important if your household includes:
- Aging adults
- Newborn infants
- People with terminal illnesses
- People with chronic respiratory issues
Natural Gas Leaks
Natural gas is odorless, colorless, and all but impossible to detect. To help consumers identify natural gas leaks, gas companies add mercaptan. Mercaptan makes natural gas smell like rotten eggs or rotten cabbage.
If you smell rotten eggs or rotten cabbage around your fuel-burning heater, turn your heating system off and schedule service right away. You should also exit the building and contact your utility company.
Other signs of a potential gas leak include:
- Visibly damaged gas lines
- A sudden die-off of all indoor plants
- Yellow or orange burner or pilot light flames
- Whistling or hissing sounds
Electrical Problems
Modern heating systems have electrical connections. Rather than gas pilot lights, many have electronic ignition switches. If you catch a whiff of burning wires or if your furnace keeps tripping its circuit breaker, your heating system has an electrical fault. Turn your heater off and have it inspected before using it again.
Refrigerant Leaks
AC refrigerant leaks can lead to refrigerant poisoning, especially in closed spaces and with prolonged exposure. Among the most common symptoms of AC refrigerant poisoning are:
- Dizziness
- Persistent or recurring headaches
- Irregular heartbeat
- Seizures
The key to avoiding the health risks of refrigerant exposure is reporting problems early on. Poor cooling performance, loud hissing sounds near the outdoor compressor, icing, and rising humidity are all indications of a refrigerant leak.
Damaged Exhaust Vents
With fuel-burning heaters, carbon monoxide (CO) alerts are a major red flag. CO detector alerts mean your heater isn’t routing all carbon monoxide gas outdoors. While furnaces will shut themselves off when there are problems with their venting systems, their failsafe measures can malfunction or fail, too. A suspected CO leak is always an HVAC emergency. As with natural gas leaks, you should turn your HVAC system off and exit the building.
Since 1983, Bratcher Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. has proudly served Bloomington and the surrounding communities with expert HVAC services. We offer furnace, heat pump, boiler, and air conditioner repairs. We also provide 24/7 repair services for HVAC emergencies. If you have an urgent heating or cooling issue, give Bratcher Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. a call now!
