Emergency HVAC Service in Philadelphia
What counts as an HVAC emergency, what to expect on cost, and what to do while waiting for a technician.
Call (215) 379-2800 Now
After-Hours Emergency Diagnostic
$200 – $400
Trip charge + diagnosis | Parts and repairs billed separately
What Qualifies as an HVAC Emergency
Not every HVAC problem is an emergency. A true emergency involves safety risk or risk of serious property damage. These situations warrant an after-hours service call:
- No heat when temperatures are below freezing: Frozen pipes can burst and cause tens of thousands of dollars in water damage. No heat in freezing weather is the most common and most urgent HVAC emergency.
- No air conditioning with elderly or infant occupants during extreme heat: Heat-related illness is a medical risk for vulnerable populations when indoor temperatures exceed 85-90°F.
- Gas smell: If you smell gas, leave the house immediately. Do not flip light switches, use your phone inside the house, or start your car in an attached garage. Call your gas company (PECO: 1-800-841-4141) from outside, then call your HVAC company.
- Carbon monoxide alarm activation: Evacuate and call 911 first. After the fire department clears the home, call your HVAC company to inspect the heating equipment. A cracked heat exchanger or blocked flue is the most common source of CO in homes with gas heating.
- Water heater flooding: A leaking water heater can dump 40-75 gallons of water into your home. Shut off the cold water supply valve on top of the unit and the gas valve or breaker to stop the situation from getting worse.
What Does NOT Qualify as an Emergency
These situations are uncomfortable but not emergencies. They can wait for regular business hours and will save you the after-hours premium:
- Heating or cooling running but not keeping up (thermostat reads 65°F instead of 70°F)
- Unusual noises that do not involve gas smell or safety concerns
- Thermostat not responding (try replacing batteries first)
- One zone not heating while others work
- AC not working in mild weather
What Emergency HVAC Service Costs
| Service | Typical Cost |
|---|
| After-hours diagnostic (weeknight) | $200 – $325 |
| After-hours diagnostic (weekend/holiday) | $250 – $400 |
| Common emergency repairs (ignitor, flame sensor, thermostat) | $250 – $650 + diagnostic |
| Compressor or major component failure | $1,050 – $3,200 + diagnostic |
The diagnostic fee covers the technician's trip and the time to identify the problem. Parts and labor for the actual repair are billed separately. Some companies waive the diagnostic fee if you proceed with the repair through them.
What to Do While Waiting for the Technician
No Heat
- Use space heaters safely: Keep them at least 3 feet from anything flammable (curtains, furniture, bedding). Plug directly into a wall outlet, not an extension cord. Never leave unattended or running while sleeping.
- Close off unused rooms: Concentrate the heat you have into the rooms you are using.
- Open cabinet doors under sinks: Exposing pipes to room air helps prevent freezing, especially on exterior walls.
- Let faucets drip: A slow drip keeps water moving and reduces freeze risk.
- Check the thermostat: Replace the batteries. Make sure it is set to HEAT and the temperature is above room temperature. This solves the problem more often than you would expect.
- Check the breaker and gas valve: A tripped breaker or closed gas valve will shut down the system. Look for a light switch near the furnace (emergency shut-off) that may have been bumped.
Gas Smell
- Leave the house immediately. Do not use light switches, phones, or electronics inside.
- Do not start a car in an attached garage.
- Call the gas company (PECO: 1-800-841-4141) from outside or a neighbor's phone.
- Do not re-enter until the gas company clears the home.
Carbon Monoxide Alarm
- Evacuate everyone, including pets.
- Call 911 from outside.
- Do not re-enter until the fire department clears the home.
- After clearance, call your HVAC contractor to inspect the heating equipment.
McCorry Emergency Service
McCorry Comfort provides 24/7 emergency HVAC service for existing customers throughout our service area: Philadelphia, Bucks County, Montgomery County, and Delaware County.
We prioritize emergency calls based on safety risk: no-heat calls in freezing weather and gas/CO concerns come first. Our technicians carry common emergency repair parts on their trucks, so most no-heat calls are resolved on the first visit.
Call (215) 379-2800 for emergency service. Our answering service connects directly to on-call technicians after hours.
How to Avoid HVAC Emergencies
Most emergency HVAC failures are preventable with basic maintenance:
- Annual maintenance: A yearly tune-up catches worn components before they fail during peak demand. Most no-heat emergencies involve parts (ignitors, flame sensors, inducer motors) that show wear during a routine inspection.
- Filter changes: A clogged filter restricts airflow, causes overheating, and triggers safety shutdowns. Change it every 1-3 months.
- CO detectors: Install carbon monoxide detectors on every floor and near sleeping areas. Test them monthly. Replace the batteries annually and the entire unit every 5-7 years.
- Know your system: Learn where your gas shut-off valve, electrical disconnect, and water shut-off valves are located before you need them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifies as an HVAC emergency?
True HVAC emergencies include: no heat when temperatures are below freezing (risk of frozen pipes and health hazard), no air conditioning when elderly or infant occupants are present during extreme heat, gas smell (evacuate and call the gas company first, then HVAC), carbon monoxide alarm activation, and water heater flooding or leaking.
How much does emergency HVAC service cost?
After-hours emergency HVAC diagnostics in the Philadelphia area typically cost $200-$400, which covers the technician's trip and initial diagnosis. Parts and repairs are billed separately. Weekend and holiday rates are higher than weeknight rates. Some companies waive the diagnostic fee if you proceed with the repair.
Does McCorry offer 24/7 emergency HVAC service?
Yes. McCorry Comfort provides 24/7 emergency HVAC service for existing customers in Philadelphia, Bucks County, Montgomery County, and Delaware County. Call (215) 379-2800 for emergency service. We prioritize no-heat calls in winter and safety-related emergencies year-round.
What should I do while waiting for emergency HVAC repair?
For no heat: use portable space heaters safely (keep 3 feet from anything flammable, do not use extension cords, never leave unattended), close off unused rooms, open cabinet doors under sinks to prevent pipe freezing. For gas smell: evacuate, do not use light switches or electronics, call the gas company from outside. For CO alarm: evacuate and call 911.
How long does emergency HVAC repair take?
Response time varies. McCorry typically responds within 2-4 hours for emergency calls during our service area coverage hours. The actual repair depends on the problem. Common emergency fixes (ignitor replacement, flame sensor cleaning, thermostat issues) take 30-60 minutes. If parts are needed that are not on the truck, a temporary fix may be made with a return visit the next business day.
