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IQHab › United States › HVAC › Emergency AC Repair — What To Do

Emergency AC repair

Burning smells, no cooling in extreme heat, or a frozen system need fast, safe action. Here's exactly what to do first.

Do this now

  1. Turn the AC system OFF at the thermostat and breaker if you smell burning or see smoke.
  2. Move anyone vulnerable to a cooler area.
  3. Call an emergency HVAC technician if it's a fire risk or extreme heat.

Don't do this

  • Don't keep running a unit that smells like burning or has visible smoke.
  • Don't try to fix electrical or refrigerant issues yourself.

Urgency

High — call immediately if there's a burning smell, smoke, or no cooling in dangerous heat.

Limit the damage

  • Close blinds and use fans to stay safe while waiting.
  • If frozen, turn the unit off to avoid compressor damage.

What to document

  • Photos of the unit and any burning smell or leaks.
  • The date and time of the failure.

Cost estimate

$150–$1,200 depending on the part.

Professional

An emergency HVAC technician (HVAC contractor).