As much as we've come to rely on the HVAC systems inside of our home, when one of them stops working, it can feel like a real emergency. But how can you tell if it's just a minor inconvenience or something that warrants a 24-hour emergency HVAC call? Below are a few situations where it's worth it to call for emergency services, and one situation where it's not. Regardless of whether or not your situation is on the list, if you have any questions about the way your HVAC system is operating, call your local air conditioning company to schedule an appointment.

If Your HVAC Stops Working, Call

The time of year should play heavily into your decision to call for 24-hour emergency HVAC services. A furnace that stops working in the middle of the winter, for example, could pose a safety threat to not just your family, but your home's operations as well. The last thing you want is the heat going out and your pipes freezing, causing a much bigger issue. If the temperatures are moderate and you can wait though, it might be worth it to make alternative arrangements for the time being and schedule a regular service call.

If Safety Is a Concern, Call

As mentioned above, a failure in your AC during the summer or furnace outage during the winter can pose a significant health threat, but so can a unit that is leaking refrigerant or carbon monoxide in your home. The gas that is finding its way through your air vents needs to be turned off and serviced immediately to prevent further damage, so make sure you call a 24-hour emergency HVAC technician to take care of the problem.

If It's Off-Business Hours, Call

Most HVAC companies will be able to work a service call inside the regular workday (within reason), so if the problem occurs overnight, on the weekend, or during a holiday, your best bet to get it fixed is by hiring 24-hour emergency HVAC services. If the problem can wait, let it sit, but if not, call for emergency services.

If It's a Power Outage, Wait

Unfortunately, if the power is out in your neighborhood due to a storm or rolling blackout, the only thing you can do is wait it out. There's nothing that an HVAC company can do to speed up the process since the power grid is managed by city utilities. If you have some other form of power source, like natural gas, you may be in luck, but if you rely on electricity, a situation like this doesn't warrant a call for 24-hour emergency HVAC services.

For more information on 24-hour emergency HVAC services, contact a local company.