Mount Pleasant Heating & Air Conditioning · Help Center
When to Call Emergency HVAC Repair
A Charleston-area summer night without AC — or a cold snap without heat — can turn miserable fast. Not every HVAC problem is an emergency, but some genuinely are. Here is how to tell the difference, and what to do in either case.
Quick Answer
Call for emergency HVAC service when there is a safety risk — the smell of gas or burning, a refrigerant leak, a breaker that will not reset, water flooding around the equipment — or when you have no heat in freezing weather, no AC in extreme heat, or a vulnerable person in the home (elderly, infant, or someone with a medical condition). If it is merely uncomfortable, inefficient, or making a new noise, it can usually wait for a normal appointment — but call us and we will help you decide.
Call Now
True HVAC Emergencies — Call Now
These situations involve safety risk, serious system damage, or a home that is becoming unlivable fast. If you see any of these, call us right away — we are available 24/7.
Smell of Gas or Burning
The smell of natural gas or a burning electrical odor near the furnace or AC is a safety issue. Turn the system off, open windows, and call immediately.
No Heat in Freezing Weather
If temperatures are at or below freezing and the heat is out — especially with children, elderly residents, or anyone with a medical condition — that is an emergency.
No AC in Extreme Heat
When the house is unsafe to occupy because of heat and humidity — a common Lowcountry summer problem — emergency cooling service may be justified.
Breaker Trips Repeatedly
A breaker that will not reset is an electrical problem that can cause damage or a fire. Stop resetting it and call.
Refrigerant Leak or Ice Storm
A hissing refrigerant leak, or a system caked in ice, is damaging the equipment — and refrigerant is a licensed-technician repair.
Water Flooding Around Equipment
A backed-up condensate drain or leaking coil that is spilling water into your home can damage floors, walls, and belongings fast.
Can Usually Wait
What Can Usually Wait
These problems are real, but they are not emergencies. They can be scheduled for a normal appointment — often the same day when available.
Weak or Uneven Airflow
A room that is not cooling evenly, or airflow that is weaker than it should be, is worth fixing but rarely urgent.
New or Unusual Noises
Rattling, buzzing, or grinding deserves attention — but unless it is loud, smoking, or accompanied by no-heat/no-cool, it can wait for business hours.
Short Cycling or Constant Running
A system that cycles too often or runs non-stop is inefficient and wearing out, but it is not an immediate emergency.
High Energy Bills
A spike in your electric bill usually signals a maintenance or efficiency problem — schedule a check rather than an emergency call.
Thermostat Problems
A blank screen or a thermostat that will not hold temperature can wait — though a simple battery or breaker check may fix it now.
Maintenance and Tune-Ups
Preventive maintenance is exactly what to schedule in advance — it prevents the emergencies above.
What to Do Right Now
What to Do Right Now
Whether you are calling for an emergency or scheduling a normal visit, these steps keep you safe and help us help you faster.
Turn the System Off
If you smell burning, see ice or water, or hear grinding, shut the system off at the thermostat to prevent further damage.
Check the Basics
Confirm the thermostat is on the right mode and the breaker is not tripped. These two checks resolve a surprising number of calls.
Call Us and Describe the Problem
Tell us what the system is doing, what it smells or sounds like, and how long it has been going on. We will tell you if it is an emergency.
Keep the Area Clear
Move furniture away from the indoor and outdoor units so a technician can work safely and quickly.
Prepare for the Worst Case
If it is a heat emergency, use fans and close blinds; if it is cold, use space heaters safely. We will get to you as fast as we can.
Know Your Warranty and Service History
Having your service history handy speeds up diagnosis — and tells us whether the issue is a repair or a replacement decision.
Get It Fixed
We Answer HVAC Emergencies 24/7
From a dead AC on a 95-degree afternoon to a furnace failure on a freezing night, we are available day and night, seven days a week. Call and a licensed, background-checked technician will talk you through it. For AC breakdowns, see 24-hour AC repair and what to do while you wait for service, or our AC repair service in Mount Pleasant.
While You Wait
Staying Safe and Comfortable While You Wait
The right temporary steps depend on whether you have lost cooling or heat.
- No AC: close blinds and curtains on sunny windows, especially on the west side of the house, and avoid the oven, dryer and dishwasher, which add heat. Fans do not lower the temperature, but moving air can make a room feel more tolerable. Pick one or two rooms as a comfort zone, drink plenty of water, and watch children, older adults and pets, who are more vulnerable to heat stress. If the house becomes unsafe, go somewhere air-conditioned.
- No heat: keep exterior doors and unused rooms closed, and add layers and blankets. If you use a space heater, put it on a level surface at least three feet from bedding, furniture and curtains, plug it directly into a wall outlet (not a power strip or extension cord), and turn it off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
- Never heat with an oven, grill, gas range or generator indoors. They create serious fire and carbon monoxide risks.
- Near freezing: open the cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls and let a small trickle of water run from vulnerable faucets to help reduce the risk of frozen pipes.
Avoid These
What Not to Do During a Breakdown
A quick fix attempted in a hot or cold house can make the problem worse or create an unsafe condition.
- Do not add refrigerant, bypass a safety switch or replace electrical parts yourself. Do not remove panels or reach inside the unit either.
- Do not keep cycling the power or thermostat to force a restart. One controlled check is enough, because repeated starts put extra stress on a struggling system.
- Reset a tripped breaker once, at most. Move it fully to Off, then back to On. If it trips again, leave it off and call.
- Do not spray an iced-over outdoor unit with a hose. An emergency failure needs a diagnosis first.
- Do not close most of the vents in unused rooms. It can raise duct pressure and reduce proper airflow.
- If you suspect a gas leak, get outside first. Avoid switches, flames and anything that could spark, and contact your gas utility or emergency services before arranging HVAC service.
Help Us Diagnose Faster
What to Note Before the Technician Arrives
A few details help separate a one-time interruption from a developing equipment problem:
- What happened first. Was the system silent, blowing warm air, running constantly, making unusual sounds or turning on and off every few minutes? Did the thermostat go blank or the outdoor unit fail to start?
- What came before. Mention a recent thunderstorm, power interruption, thermostat change or filter change. A system that will not cool after a storm may have an electrical or surge-related issue.
- A photo, if it is safe. Ice, water leaks or a thermostat error message are useful to see. Do not touch damaged wiring or remove panels to get a better shot.
Common Questions
Straight Answers
Quick, honest answers about emergency HVAC service in the Mount Pleasant area.
Is a broken AC in summer an emergency?
It depends on the temperatures and who is in the home. If the house is becoming unsafe due to heat — especially with elderly residents, infants, or anyone with a medical condition — yes, call for emergency service. If you can manage with fans and the temperature is tolerable, it can usually wait for a same-day or next-day appointment.
Does emergency HVAC service cost more?
Emergency service outside normal business hours may include an after-hours fee, but we always explain pricing before any work begins. When the system can wait until regular hours, we will tell you honestly rather than charging emergency rates.
How fast can you get here for an HVAC emergency?
We are available 24/7 for emergencies across Mount Pleasant and the Charleston area and offer same-day appointments when available. Call us and we will give you a realistic arrival window for your situation.
Should I turn my HVAC system off during an emergency?
Yes, in most cases. If you smell burning or gas, see water, ice, or smoke, or hear grinding, shut the system off at the thermostat. Running a damaged system can turn a small repair into a big one — and can be a safety risk.
What counts as an HVAC emergency for renters?
No heat in freezing weather, no AC in extreme heat, gas smells, water damage, or electrical hazards are emergencies for renters too. Contact your landlord or property manager and your local HVAC service — we work with both.
Is it safe to reset a tripped breaker for my AC or furnace?
You can reset it once by moving it fully to Off and then back to On. If it trips again, leave it off and call, because a repeatedly tripping breaker can point to an electrical fault or a failing component, and resetting it over and over can damage the system.
Can I use my oven or a generator for heat if the furnace is out?
No. Never use an oven, grill, gas range or generator indoors for heat, because of the fire and carbon monoxide risks. If you use a portable space heater, keep it at least three feet from anything flammable and plug it directly into a wall outlet.
Should I tell you if the outage came after a storm?
Yes. Mention any recent storm or power interruption when you call. A system that will not cool after a storm may have an electrical or surge-related issue, which helps point the technician in the right direction.
Facing an HVAC Emergency?
Call (843) 714-0863 now — we answer 24/7 for cooling and heating emergencies, and we are available same-day when appointments allow.
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