24/7 Emergency Heating Repair in Ann Arbor & Washtenaw County
When your heating system fails during a Michigan winter, it's more than an inconvenience—it's a genuine emergency. Cold temperatures can damage your home's plumbing, create health risks, and leave your family uncomfortable and unsafe. Ann Arbor HVAC Pros connects you with licensed emergency heating contractors who provide 24/7 service throughout Washtenaw County.
Our network of emergency heating professionals responds quickly to urgent heating failures, providing same-day and after-hours service for furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, and all heating systems. When you need heat restored immediately, we connect you with contractors who prioritize emergency calls.
🚨 When to Call for Emergency Heating Repair
You need emergency heating service if you experience: complete heating failure when temperatures are below freezing, gas odors or suspected gas leaks (evacuate and call 911 first), carbon monoxide detector alarms, unusual burning smells, visible flames or smoke from your heating system, or pipes beginning to freeze due to lack of heat.
What is Emergency Heating Repair?
Emergency heating repair provides urgent, after-hours service when your heating system fails. Services include:
- 24/7 Availability: Service available nights, weekends, and holidays when regular contractors are closed
- Rapid Response: Most emergency technicians arrive within 2-4 hours of your call
- Priority Dispatch: Emergency calls receive priority over scheduled maintenance appointments
- Emergency Diagnostics: Quick assessment to identify the problem and determine repair options
- On-the-Spot Repairs: Emergency vehicles carry common parts for immediate repairs when possible
- Temporary Solutions: If parts aren't available, technicians can provide temporary heat until permanent repairs
- Safety Inspections: Carbon monoxide testing and safety verification before restoring service
- Weather Priority: Coldest weather conditions receive fastest response times
Common Emergency Heating Problems in Michigan
Ann Arbor's harsh winters cause specific heating emergencies that contractors see repeatedly:
- Cracked Heat Exchanger: Dangerous carbon monoxide leak risk requiring immediate shutdown
- Failed Igniter: Furnace won't light, leaving you without heat
- Frozen Condensate Line: High-efficiency furnaces shut down when drain lines freeze
- Blower Motor Failure: System runs but doesn't circulate heated air
- Thermostat Malfunction: Heating system doesn't respond to temperature settings
- Gas Valve Problems: No gas flow means no heat
- Electrical Issues: Tripped breakers, blown fuses, or control board failures
- Pilot Light Out: Older furnaces lose pilot light and won't relight
- Limit Switch Failure: Safety controls prevent furnace from operating
- Frozen Pipes: Heat loss can quickly lead to burst pipes and water damage
Average Emergency Heating Repair Costs in Ann Arbor
Emergency heating repairs cost more than regular service due to after-hours availability and urgent response. Here's what to expect:
Emergency Heating Repair Pricing
- Emergency Service Call Fee: $150 - $300 (covers immediate response and diagnosis)
- After-Hours Premium: $100 - $250 additional (evenings, nights, weekends)
- Holiday Emergency Service: $200 - $400 additional premium
- Igniter Replacement: $200 - $500 (emergency pricing)
- Blower Motor Repair: $500 - $1,000 (emergency service)
- Thermostat Replacement: $150 - $400 (after-hours)
- Gas Valve Replacement: $400 - $900 (emergency)
- Control Board Replacement: $500 - $1,200 (after-hours)
- Temporary Heat Solutions: $200 - $500 (portable heaters, temporary repairs)
Important: Emergency repairs cost 50-100% more than regular service, but when you need heat immediately, the premium is worthwhile. Many contractors waive the diagnostic fee if you proceed with repairs.
What to Do While Waiting for Emergency Service
If you've called for emergency heating repair, protect your home and family while waiting:
- Close Off Rooms: Concentrate your family in one or two rooms that are easier to keep warm
- Use Space Heaters Safely: Only use certified space heaters on hard surfaces, away from flammables
- Open Cabinet Doors: Under sinks with plumbing on exterior walls to prevent pipe freezing
- Let Faucets Drip: Slightly running water helps prevent pipes from freezing
- Cover Windows: Use blankets or plastic sheeting to reduce heat loss
- Dress Warmly: Layer clothing and use blankets until heat is restored
- Check on Vulnerable Individuals: Elderly family members, infants, and pets are most at risk
- Don't Use Your Oven for Heat: Gas ovens create carbon monoxide; electric ovens aren't designed for heating
How Emergency Service Works
When you call for emergency heating repair, here's what happens:
- Immediate Contact: Reach an on-call dispatcher or emergency hotline, not voicemail
- Priority Assessment: Dispatcher evaluates urgency based on outside temperature and your situation
- Technician Dispatch: On-call technician is immediately notified and begins traveling to your location
- ETA Provided: You receive an estimated arrival time, typically 1-4 hours depending on weather
- Emergency Diagnosis: Technician quickly identifies the problem
- Repair Options: You receive a quote and decide whether to proceed
- Immediate Repair: If parts are available, repairs begin immediately
- Temporary Solution: If parts must be ordered, technician may provide temporary heat
Signs You Need Emergency Service vs. Next-Day Service
Not every heating problem requires emergency service. Call for emergency help if:
- Outside temperature is below 32°F and you have no heat
- You smell gas anywhere in your home (evacuate first, call 911, then gas company)
- Your carbon monoxide detector has alarmed
- You see flames, smoke, or sparks from your heating system
- You have infants, elderly, or medically vulnerable people in the home
- Pipes are beginning to freeze or you hear unusual noises from plumbing
- Your heating system is making loud, alarming sounds
You can likely wait for next-day service if:
- Outside temperature is above 40°F
- Your heating is reduced but not completely out
- You have space heaters and can safely heat key rooms
- The problem started during business hours and you can reach a contractor today
Preventing Heating Emergencies
The best emergency heating repair is the one you never need. Prevent breakdowns with:
- Annual Fall Tune-Ups: Pre-season maintenance catches problems before winter
- Filter Changes: Replace filters monthly during heating season
- Address Problems Early: Strange noises or reduced performance are early warnings
- Keep Vents Clear: Don't block supply or return vents with furniture
- Monitor Your System: Pay attention to how your furnace sounds and operates
- Replace Aging Systems: Furnaces over 15-18 years old are more likely to fail
Finding Reliable Emergency Heating Contractors
When choosing an emergency heating contractor in Ann Arbor, verify they offer true 24/7 service (not just voicemail), employ licensed and insured technicians, stock emergency vehicles with common parts, provide clear emergency pricing upfront, and have positive reviews for emergency response times.