24/7 Emergency HVAC Service in Ann Arbor & Washtenaw County
When your heating or cooling system breaks down at 2 AM, on a Saturday, or during a holiday, you need help immediately—not Monday morning. Ann Arbor HVAC Pros connects you with licensed HVAC contractors who provide true 24-hour emergency service throughout Washtenaw County. Our network of after-hours HVAC professionals responds to urgent heating and cooling emergencies any time, day or night.
Our trusted 24-hour HVAC contractors service all systems including furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, boilers, ductless mini-splits, and commercial HVAC equipment. Whether you need emergency furnace repair during a polar vortex or urgent AC service during a summer heatwave, we connect you with contractors who prioritize emergency calls and arrive prepared to fix problems quickly.
⏰ True 24-Hour Service
Not all contractors who claim "24-hour service" actually answer after hours. True 24-hour HVAC service means reaching a live person anytime (not voicemail), getting confirmed response times, having technicians on-call with stocked vehicles, and receiving same-night or next-morning service for genuine emergencies.
When Do You Need 24-Hour HVAC Service?
Call for immediate 24-hour HVAC service if you experience:
- No Heat in Winter: Furnace failure when temperatures are below freezing
- Gas Odor: Smell of gas near furnace or anywhere in home (evacuate, call 911, then gas company)
- Carbon Monoxide Alarm: CO detector sounding (evacuate immediately, then call for service)
- Complete AC Failure in Summer: No cooling during heatwave, especially with vulnerable family members
- Water Leaking: Significant water leakage from HVAC system threatening damage
- Strange Smells or Smoke: Burning odors, smoke, or unusual smells from HVAC equipment
- Loud Alarming Noises: Grinding, banging, or sounds indicating imminent failure
- Frozen Pipes Risk: Heating failure creating risk of burst pipes and water damage
- Business Down: Commercial HVAC failure affecting business operations
What to Expect from 24-Hour HVAC Service
Professional after-hours HVAC service includes:
- Live Answer: Speak with a real person or on-call dispatcher immediately, not voicemail
- Rapid Response: Technician dispatched immediately with ETA typically 1-4 hours
- Weather Priority: Extreme temperatures receive fastest response times
- Fully-Equipped Vehicles: Emergency trucks carry common parts for immediate repairs
- Expert Diagnosis: Quick troubleshooting to identify the problem
- Immediate Repair: On-the-spot fixes when parts are available
- Temporary Solutions: If parts must be ordered, technician provides temporary heat or cooling
- Safety First: Carbon monoxide testing and safety verification before restoring service
- Upfront Pricing: Clear quotes before work begins, even at 3 AM
- Licensed Technicians: Certified professionals, not untrained after-hours staff
Common 24-Hour HVAC Emergencies
Ann Arbor contractors frequently respond to these after-hours emergencies:
- Furnace Won't Start: Failed igniter, thermostat issue, or electrical problem
- AC Completely Out: Compressor failure, electrical issues, or refrigerant problems during heatwave
- Frozen AC Unit: Ice-covered outdoor unit preventing cooling
- Thermostat Failure: HVAC won't respond to temperature adjustments
- Strange Furnace Noises: Loud banging, grinding, or sounds indicating imminent breakdown
- Water Damage Risk: AC condensate overflow threatening ceiling or floor damage
- Heat Pump Malfunction: Emergency heat running constantly, driving up bills
- Boiler Failure: No hot water or heat in homes with boiler systems
Average 24-Hour HVAC Service Costs
Emergency after-hours HVAC service costs more than regular service due to immediate availability and off-hours response. Here's typical Ann Arbor pricing:
24-Hour HVAC Service Pricing
- Emergency Service Call: $150 - $300 (covers dispatch, diagnosis, trip charge)
- After-Hours Premium: $100 - $250 additional (evenings 6pm-midnight)
- Overnight Premium: $150 - $300 additional (midnight-6am)
- Weekend Premium: $100 - $200 additional (Saturday/Sunday)
- Holiday Premium: $200 - $400 additional (major holidays)
- Common Emergency Repairs:
- Igniter Replacement: $200 - $500
- Thermostat Replacement: $150 - $400
- Capacitor Replacement: $200 - $450
- Blower Motor Repair: $500 - $1,000
- Gas Valve Replacement: $400 - $900
- Control Board Replacement: $500 - $1,200
- Temporary Heat/Cooling: $200 - $500 (space heaters, temporary solutions)
Note: While emergency service costs more, many contractors waive diagnostic fees if you proceed with repairs. The premium for after-hours service is worthwhile when you need heat or cooling restored immediately.
How 24-Hour HVAC Service Works
When you call for emergency HVAC service, here's the typical process:
- Step 1 - Emergency Contact: Call emergency hotline and reach live dispatcher immediately
- Step 2 - Situation Assessment: Dispatcher asks questions to understand urgency and safety concerns
- Step 3 - Priority Dispatch: On-call technician immediately notified based on urgency and location
- Step 4 - ETA Confirmation: You receive estimated arrival time, typically 1-4 hours
- Step 5 - Technician En Route: Updates provided if delays occur due to weather or traffic
- Step 6 - Emergency Diagnosis: Rapid troubleshooting to identify problem
- Step 7 - Repair Quote: Upfront pricing before work begins
- Step 8 - Immediate Repair: If approved, technician completes repair using parts on truck
- Step 9 - Alternative Solutions: If parts unavailable, temporary heat/cooling provided
- Step 10 - Follow-Up: Scheduled appointment for permanent repairs if temporary solution implemented
Safety Issues Requiring Immediate Service
Some HVAC emergencies pose safety risks requiring immediate professional response:
- Gas Leaks: Natural gas or propane smell (evacuate, call 911, gas company, then HVAC contractor)
- Carbon Monoxide: CO detector alarming (evacuate, ventilate, then call for service)
- Electrical Sparking: Visible sparks, smoke, or burning smell from HVAC equipment
- Cracked Heat Exchanger: Suspected crack creating CO risk (yellow pilot flame, soot buildup)
- Extreme Flooding: Significant water leakage creating electrical hazards
For any safety emergency, prioritize evacuating your home and calling emergency services before contacting HVAC contractors.
What to Do While Waiting for Emergency Service
Protect your home and family while waiting for the technician:
- No Heat: Close off rooms, use space heaters safely, open cabinet doors near exterior pipes, let faucets drip slightly
- No AC: Close blinds, drink water, move to coolest rooms, check on vulnerable family members
- Water Leaking: Turn off water supply to HVAC if possible, place towels and buckets to contain water
- Strange Noises: Turn system off at thermostat and circuit breaker to prevent further damage
- Gas Smell: Evacuate immediately, call 911 and gas company from outside, don't operate electrical switches
Regular Service vs Emergency Service
Not every HVAC problem requires emergency service:
- Call Emergency Service If: No heat below 32°F, safety concerns (gas, CO, smoke), at-risk family members, risk of property damage, business operations affected
- Wait for Regular Service If: Mild weather, reduced but not absent heating/cooling, minor issues, non-urgent repairs, routine maintenance
Preventing HVAC Emergencies
Reduce likelihood of after-hours emergencies with:
- Annual Maintenance: Fall furnace tune-ups and spring AC service prevent 95% of breakdowns
- Regular Filter Changes: Monthly filter replacement during heavy use seasons
- Address Warning Signs: Strange noises, reduced performance, or unusual smells need prompt attention
- System Age Monitoring: Replace aging systems (15-20+ years) before they fail
- Pre-Season Testing: Run furnace in September and AC in April to catch problems early
Choosing Reliable 24-Hour HVAC Contractors
Verify your 24-hour HVAC contractor offers:
- True 24/7/365 availability with live answer (not answering service or voicemail)
- Licensed and insured technicians responding to all calls
- Stocked emergency vehicles with common parts
- Clear emergency pricing disclosed upfront
- Positive reviews specifically mentioning emergency response times
- GPS tracking or real-time ETA updates
- Established local reputation (not fly-by-night operations)
Commercial 24-Hour HVAC Service
Businesses have different emergency needs:
- HVAC failure can shut down operations and cost thousands per hour
- Server rooms and data centers need immediate cooling restoration
- Restaurants and medical facilities have health code requirements
- Manufacturing may have temperature-sensitive processes
- Commercial contractors understand business-critical nature of HVAC