Emergency HVAC services are helpful when you need quick repairs and replacement—but it’s a last resort solution. No one wants their HVAC to get to the point of needing emergency services. Keep reading to learn what you can do to avoid HVAC emergencies and save money on last-minute repairs.
Types of HVAC Emergencies
To better understand the importance of avoiding HVAC emergencies, we need to look at the different types of HVAC damage. Here are common, typically expensive HVAC emergencies, their warning signs, causes, costs, and how to avoid them:
Leaking Refrigerants
Refrigerant leaks are hazardous, especially if your refrigerant is outdated or not up to code. Refrigerant absorbs heat and turns it into cool air for your HVAC system—it typically connects your compressor and evaporator coils. When refrigerant lines leak, your refrigerant never reaches the temperature needed to trigger it to stop, so it just continues running.
If your coolant is outdated or not up to code, it can be toxic to inhale the air in your commercial building.
Warning Signs for Refrigerant Leaks
- Cooling power loss
- Hissing sounds coming from your HVAC system
- Frozen coils
- Water leaking from your air conditioners
- Unusually high utility bills
- Increased humidity levels throughout your building
Causes of a Refrigerant Leak
- Improper air conditioner installation
- Copper tube corrosion in the indoor unit coils
- Outdated HVAC system; joints and parts weaken over time
- Thinning of tube walls over time
- High vibrations
Average Cost
On average, a refrigerant leak can cost anywhere from $200 to $1,500. Leak detection typically costs $100 to $330, plus labor and materials. The cost of this emergency HVAC service varies based on the amount of damage the leak has caused or if your refrigerant is outdated.
How To Avoid Refrigerant Leaks and the Need for Emergency HVAC Service
Because refrigerant HVAC emergency services can be expensive, implement the following HVAC best practices to avoid these leaks:
- Receive a leak check during HVAC installation
- Replace copper lines, insulation, and mounting hardware every year
- Schedule regular inspections with your HVAC repair company
Gas Leaks
Gas leaks are arguably the most dangerous HVAC emergency because gas is extremely toxic to inhale and can cause explosions. If you have a gas leak, immediately evacuate your building and contact your 24-hour HVAC service provider to contain the leak with professional help.
Warning Signs of HVAC Gas Leaks
The most common sign of a gas leak is the smell of rotting eggs or sulfur coming from your heating and cooling system. Other warning signs include:
- Hissing sounds coming from your unit
- Furnace flame has turned yellow or orange (it typically burns blue)
- Dead grass around your building/property (gas browns plants and grass)
Causes of Gas Leaks
- Outdated HVAC system
- Poor or improper installation
- Evaporator coil corrosion
- Low gas levels
- Refrigerant lines with mechanical problems
- Unsecured control valves
- Leaky/faulty connections
- Poor or lack of repair services and maintenance
Average Costs
The cost of this emergency HVAC service depends on how much damage the gas leak causes. The average gas leak repair cost ranges from $270 to $900.
Prices vary based on:
- The number of lines you need repaired
- The type of piping material you need
- Length and size of gas line
- If you need to move or replace a gas line
How To Avoid Gas Leaks
- Ensure your valves are thoroughly cleaned
- Tighten connectors around valves
- Replace condenser coils regularly
- Receive regular inspections from your commercial HVAC company
- Choose copper condensers over aluminum
- Install outdoor units in shaded areas
- Cover outdoor AC units during the winter
Poor Ventilation
Poor ventilation in a commercial building leads to carbon dioxide build-up, low oxygen levels, and potential health risks. With minimal oxygen flowing throughout your building, employees and staff might experience shortness of breath, increased fatigue, and headaches, so it’s crucial to their health that you resolve ventilation issues as quickly as possible.
Warning Signs of Ventilation Issues
- Complaints of itchy eyes, sore throats, and skin rashes
- Difficulty breathing inside the building
- Lingering strange and musty smells
- Windows and glass appear foggy or frosted
- Discoloration of floors, tiles, and grout
- Heat build-up that won’t go away
- Mold growth on walls, wood, and other surfaces
- Rust growth on metal equipment or plumbing
- Uneven temperatures throughout your building
- Low indoor air quality/increased humidity
- Unit running more than usual
Causes of Poor Ventilation
- Blockages caused by loose or fallen insulation
- Dirt build-up
- Dirty coils and filters
- Blocked vents
- Debris falls into vents and clogs them
Average Cost of HVAC Emergency Service
Poor ventilation leads to increased sickness in the workplace, so before receiving your emergency HVAC service for ventilation issues, you’re already losing money with employees out sick.
The average cost of ventilation emergency services is $400 to $600. If the ventilation issue has been ongoing for several months, you might need an HVAC replacement, because significant damage can come from ignoring poor ventilation.
How To Avoid Needing Ventilation Emergency HVAC Service
- Change your air filters every three months
- Receive regular air duct cleaning to remove debris and loose insulation
- Ensure your insulation is intact
- Schedule regular maintenance checkups
Avoid HVAC Emergencies and Get 24-Hour HVAC Service With React Industries
Partner with React Industries for all-inclusive HVAC repair in NYC. Let us help you avoid HVAC emergencies with:
- Regular preventative maintenance
- Frequent inspections
- 24-hour HVAC service
- Refrigerant phase out
- High-quality HVAC installation and replacement
We also offer dependable emergency HVAC service for buildings and HVAC systems of all sizes. If you’re experiencing:
- Refrigerant leaks
- Gas leaks
- Poor ventilation in your central air system
We’re the team you need. We have over 37 years of commercial HVAC experience and are fully prepared to tackle your HVAC emergencies. Contact our team today to learn more about our emergency HVAC services.