HVAC Emergencies
Steps to stay safe. Not a substitute for emergency services.
Last updated: 2026-09-15
In an emergency, call 911.
1. Gas smell or CO alarm
Leave immediately. Do not use switches or phones inside. Call 911 or the gas company from outside.
2. No AC during extreme heat
Find a cooling center (check your county 211 or ready.ca.gov). Those most at risk: elderly, infants, people with chronic illness, and those without AC. Seek medical help for confusion, rapid pulse, hot/dry skin, or no sweating.
3. No heat in cold weather
Use safe temporary heating (electric space heater with tip-over shutoff). Never use a stove, grill, or generator indoors.
4. Water leaking from the indoor unit
Turn off the system to stop the leak, contain the water, and call for service. A clogged drain line is a common cause.
5. Burning smell from vents
A brief smell when first starting is dust burning off. A persistent or electrical smell means turn it off and call for service.
Renters: The landlord must provide working heat (Civil Code §1941.1). Request repairs in writing. Consider legal advice before withholding rent.
General safety information only; not a substitute for emergency services.