What should I do in an HVAC emergency?

In an HVAC emergency, make sure everyone is safe first — then a few quick checks can sometimes restore heat or cooling, and if they don't, call us and we'll prioritize your no-heat or no-cool call. In a Minnesota winter or a summer heat wave, losing your system is stressful; this is the calm, safe order to handle it.

First: is it a safety emergency?

Some situations come before any troubleshooting. If you smell gas, don't touch light switches or flames — get everyone out and call your gas utility's emergency line or 911 from outside, then call us. If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, leave the home and call 911. If you smell burning or hot electrical odors, shut the system off at the breaker. Your safety always comes before saving the equipment.

No heat in a cold snap

If it's safe, check the basics: confirm the thermostat is set to HEAT with fresh batteries, make sure the furnace switch (it looks like a light switch nearby) is on, check that the breaker hasn't tripped, replace a dirty filter, and confirm your gas is on. Our furnace troubleshooting guide walks through these step by step. If heat won't come back and it's freezing, protect your pipes (let faucets drip, open sink cabinets) while you call us.

No cooling in a heat wave

Set the thermostat to COOL with a temperature below the room, check the breaker and the outdoor disconnect, replace a clogged filter, and look for ice on the indoor coil or refrigerant line (a sign of a frozen AC). Our guide to an AC blowing warm air covers the safe checks. Meanwhile, stay hydrated, close blinds, and use fans until the system is back.

Water leaking around the system

If water is pooling around your indoor unit, your AC's condensate drain may be clogged or the coil frozen — turn the AC off to stop it from making more water and call us. A leaking furnace humidifier should be shut off at its water valve. Catching leaks early prevents damage to floors and the equipment.

When and how to reach us

Call our team at 507-299-0243. Our office hours are Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM, and we prioritize no-heat and no-cool calls so you're not left waiting in dangerous temperatures. The best emergency, of course, is the one you prevent — our fall furnace and spring AC checklists, plus a maintenance plan, catch most problems before they become emergencies.

Heat or cooling down right now? Reach us here, or learn how a furnace or air conditioner repair visit works.

Frequently asked questions