Air Conditioning 911

When you have air conditioning problems, you may not always know for sure if it’s an emergency that requires immediate attention.  Of course, air conditioners always seem to break down at the most inconvenient times, so what may constitute an emergency can depend on your specific situation and how high the outside temperature is.  In addition to those considerations, there are a few things that can indicate emergency air conditioning help is needed.

In especially hot weather, if you have an elderly family member, live with someone in compromised health, or have an infant, then you might need emergency ac help for any system failure.  Ask your doctor in advance for advice about how proceed in any of these situations. 

If you notice that your air conditioning system is not receiving any electrical power, or if the system trips the circuit breaker, there could be a wiring problem and a potential fire hazard.   In this case, it’s probably best to stay on the side of caution and seek emergency air conditioning repairs.

An outside compressor fan that is not running at all can also be a reason to call for emergency ac service.  If the outside fan isn’t running, the compressor could possibly overheat, causing permanent damage to the unit.  Give your local air conditioning contractor a call and let them know that you don’t see the outside fan turning when the unit is on. 

If you suspect that your system has a refrigerant leak, it’s a good idea to get professional attention as soon as possible.  That’s because your system won’t run as efficiently with a leak, which means increased energy use and higher utility bills.  In addition, leaked refrigerant materials can harm the environment.  A system that’s running low on refrigerant can also cause harm to the compressor.  Signs of a refrigerant leak include the system starting and stopping more often than usual and frost covering the evaporator fans inside the unit.  

The bottom line is that you can’t always tell for sure whether an air conditioning problem is an emergency.  It takes a qualified air conditioning service professional to determine the extent of repairs needed, and delaying service can sometimes cause more extensive harm to your system.  That’s why it is best to have your system regularly inspected and maintained.  Preventive maintenance helps you avoid air conditioning emergencies by keeping your system in top operating shape and by fixing many problems while they are small.

With the ARS®/Rescue Rooter® Home Service Plan, you receive two seasonal tune-ups and priority emergency service within 24 hours of your call.  You also get preferred pricing on service repair, installation, after-hours charges and many other advantages.

When choosing a heating and air conditioning contractor, make sure that 24 hour air conditioning repairs are available, just in case you ever need immediate attention.  At ARS®/Rescue Rooter®, we answer our phones 24 hours a day, seven days a week and respond to your service requests quickly.   Call the ARS®/Rescue Rooter® air conditioning specialists any time at 1-888-762-7752, for guaranteed emergency service, repairs, tune-ups, or installation.