IS NO HEATING AN EMERGENCY?
Yes. Losing heat in your home in the winter is considered an emergency, especially when outdoor temperatures drop below freezing.
WHAT IS A FURNACE EMERGENCY?
A furnace emergency is when your heating system fails, placing your health and home at risk.
HOW LONG CAN YOU LEGALLY BE LEFT WITHOUT
HEATING?
Every state may have different specific requirements, but Virginia law mandates that a landlord provide and maintain suitable heating. A lack of heat in cold weather is considered an urgent issue, and landlords are typically required to address it within 24 to 72 hours.
WHY IS NO HEATING AN EMERGENCY?
When your heating system fails, the risks to your health and home can escalate quickly.
THE HEALTH RISKS
Older adults and infants are especially vulnerable to indoor temperature drops. Hypothermia sets in when your body loses heat faster than it produces it, and extreme cold temperatures can lead to frostbite even inside the home.
THE RISKS TO YOUR HOME
Low indoor temperatures can cause your pipes to burst, leading to extensive water damage. Beyond plumbing, prolonged cold causes wood framing, drywall, and flooring to contract and crack, creating structural issues that can compound over time.
IMPROVISED HEATING CREATES NEW HAZARDS
The only safe type of alternate heating is an actual emergency backup option. This may be an option if you have a heat pump, but a gas furnace doesn’t have emergency heat. An alternative heat source can be just as dangerous as dropping temperatures. Space heaters account for the highest cause of home heating fires, while using the stove as an alternate heat source can not only cause fires, it can also lead to carbon monoxide poisoning from improperly vented gas stoves.
WHEN TO CALL AN EMERGENCY HVAC OR PLUMBER
The following are examples of instances when you should contact a professional technician right away.
LOSS OF HEAT DURING EXTREME WEATHER
It’s important not to wait if your heater goes out during an extreme weather event. Discomfort can turn into serious conditions in a matter of hours.
UNUSUAL SMELLS OR SOUNDS
Any smell or sound coming from your HVAC system is a reason to have an HVAC technician or the gas company inspect your system as soon as possible. Common indicators include:
Sulfur or rotten egg smell: Evacuate and call your gas company in case there is a gas leak.
Burning smell: If it persists, your HVAC may need urgent attention.
Banging, clanking, or screeching: Uncommon sounds could indicate a cracked heat exchanger, a failing motor, issues with the blower, or other serious problems.
Clicking sounds: This could be an ignitor or gas valve failure.
FROZEN OR BURST PIPES
If heat loss has caused your pipes to freeze, you’re now facing the urgent need for HVAC and plumbing assistance as well. If your pipes have burst, shut off your main water supply immediately.
COMBINED LOSS OF HEAT AND HOT WATER
With a boiler system, loss of both heat and hot water can point to a single system failure. In homes with separate systems, this could be an electrical issue or a gas supply problem. In every case, you should contact a technician right away.
HOW QUICKLY DOES A HOME LOSE HEAT?
The colder it is outside, the quicker the temperature can drop indoors. A well-insulated home may lose roughly 1°F per hour when the outside temperature drops below freezing. Poorly insulated homes could drop by 2–4°F every hour. In both cases, a person can be at risk of hypothermia overnight.
WHAT HAPPENS THE LONGER YOU WAIT
The longer you wait to have an expert fix your heater, the more likely your pipes are to freeze or burst, causing water damage. Extreme cold can cause the structural materials in the home to contract.
CAN YOU CALL 911 IF YOUR HEAT IS OUT?
You should call 911 immediately if someone is experiencing signs of hypothermia or other health issues, if there’s a potential gas leak, or if your carbon monoxide alarm goes off.
If your heat goes out without these other issues, you should contact an HVAC expert immediately.
HOW TO STAY WARM UNTIL HEATING IS RESTORED
While waiting for expert assistance with your heating unit, these steps can help you retain heat.
Layer up: Keep your hands, feet, and head covered, and wear layered wool or synthetic clothing.
Consolidate to one room: Close off unused rooms and bring everyone into one smaller space to retain heat.
Be cautious with a space heater: If using a space heater, keep it at least three feet away from anything flammable. Never leave it unattended or keep it running while asleep.
Seal off drafts: You can reduce the impact of drafts by placing rolled-up towels or draft stoppers along exterior doors. Tape plastic sheeting over drafty windows and cover your attic hatch to prevent heat from escaping through the unsealed opening.
Drink plenty of water: Cold, dry air can lead to dehydration, so drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol, as it can make you unaware your temperature is falling to a dangerous level.
Call an expert: Instead of turning to dangerous heat sources like a gas range or oven, call a professional HVAC expert right away.
WHY CHOOSE MCCARTHY FOR YOUR EMERGENCY HVAC
NEEDS
McCarthy Services has been serving our community for over 20 years, providing fast, reliable heater and heat pump repair, maintenance, and installations across Northern Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia. Our services are available seven days a week.
When you choose McCarthy, you get:
Customized assessments
Energy-efficient installations
Local code compliance
Heater repair
Comprehensive diagnostics
Emergency repair
Furnace maintenance and tune-ups
Gas line repair
Gas leak detection
Gas pipe replacement
100% satisfaction guarantee
If you’re worried about how much it costs for emergency furnace repair, you can take comfort in knowing we provide specials and financing options to make installation or repair decisions easier. Talk to our friendly experts and schedule your service today at 703-253-7469.