When your heating or cooling system fails during extreme weather, the situation can quickly become uncomfortable or even dangerous, particularly for young children, elderly family members, or those with health conditions. Knowing what to do immediately, how to stay safe while waiting for repairs, and when to seek alternative shelter helps Bay Area homeowners navigate HVAC emergencies with confidence and safety.
Immediate Steps When Your System Fails
Safety First
Before troubleshooting, address any safety concerns. If you smell gas, do not touch any switches or electrical devices. Leave the home immediately and call your gas utility from outside. If carbon monoxide detectors alarm, evacuate all occupants and call 911. These situations require professional response before anything else.
Check Simple Things First
Many HVAC emergencies have simple causes you can address yourself. Check your thermostat settings to ensure it is set to heat or cool as appropriate, with the temperature set to actually call for conditioning. Verify the thermostat has working batteries if applicable. Check your electrical panel for tripped breakers, including dedicated circuits for outdoor AC units and indoor furnaces or air handlers. Examine your air filter and replace it if clogged, as severe restriction can cause systems to shut down on safety. Check that the furnace switch, usually located near the unit and resembling a light switch, has not been accidentally turned off.
Contact Your HVAC Provider
If basic checks do not resolve the issue, call your HVAC service provider. Have ready information about what the system is doing or not doing, any unusual sounds or smells, and what you have already checked. Ask about emergency service availability and estimated response time. During extreme weather, HVAC companies may be overwhelmed with calls, so earlier contact is better.
Staying Warm Without Heat
If your heating fails during cold weather, several strategies help maintain warmth while waiting for repairs.
Reduce Heat Loss
Close doors to rooms you are not using, concentrating household members in fewer spaces. Close curtains at night for insulation, but open south-facing curtains during sunny days to capture solar heat. Use draft stoppers or rolled towels at exterior door bottoms. If you have a fireplace that works, use it for supplemental heat, ensuring the flue is open and functional.
Add Heat Sources Safely
Portable electric space heaters can help, but use them safely. Never leave space heaters unattended or operating while sleeping. Keep heaters at least three feet from flammable materials including curtains, bedding, and furniture. Do not use extension cords with high-wattage heaters. Never use outdoor heating devices like propane heaters, grills, or generators indoors, as they produce deadly carbon monoxide.
Personal Warmth
Dress in layers and keep moving during waking hours. Use blankets liberally. Share body heat with family members or pets. Warm beverages help maintain core temperature. Focus warmth where you are rather than trying to heat the entire home.
Staying Cool Without AC
When cooling fails during heat waves, managing heat gain and using available resources helps maintain comfort.
Block Heat Gain
Close blinds and curtains on sun-facing windows, especially south and west exposures that receive afternoon sun. If possible, install temporary reflective window covering. Close doors to rooms that receive direct sun, isolating that heat from living areas.
Maximize Natural Cooling
Bay Area temperatures typically drop significantly at night and in early morning. Open windows during cooler periods to flush hot air and bring in cool air. Close windows and blinds before temperatures rise. Use fans to move air across your body, as moving air evaporates perspiration and provides cooling even without lowering temperature. Position fans to draw cooler air in through shaded windows and push hot air out through sunny-side openings.
Reduce Internal Heat
Avoid using the oven or stove. Minimize use of dishwashers, dryers, and other heat-generating appliances. Turn off unnecessary lights and electronics, which all produce heat. Take cool showers or baths. Stay well hydrated with cool water.
When to Leave Your Home
In extreme conditions, staying home may not be safe, especially for vulnerable individuals. Heat stroke and hypothermia are serious medical conditions. Know the locations of cooling centers during heat waves and warming shelters during cold snaps. Identify friends or family members who could provide temporary shelter. Public libraries, shopping malls, and community centers offer climate-controlled respite during extreme weather.
Preventing Future Emergencies
Regular maintenance significantly reduces emergency breakdowns. Pre-season inspections identify problems before extreme weather hits. Keep filter replacement current. Address unusual sounds, smells, or performance changes promptly rather than waiting for complete failure. Establish a relationship with an HVAC provider before you need emergency service.
Bay Area weather extremes are generally milder than many regions, but heat waves and cold snaps do occur. Preparation and knowledge of emergency procedures keep your family safe when systems fail.