EMERGENCY? CALL 911 FIRST FOR FIRE/SMOKE — THEN AEROSPHERE 714-499-6656

HVAC & Electrical Emergency Checklist

What to do for the most common HVAC and electrical emergencies. Save this page or bookmark it — you'll be glad you did.

Call 714-499-6656

Emergency Phone Numbers (Bookmark)

Suspected Gas Leak

This is the most dangerous HVAC emergency. Act immediately.Signs: rotten-egg or sulfur smell, hissing near gas appliances, headaches that improve when you leave the home.
  1. Evacuate immediately. Leave your home. Do not stay to investigate.
  2. Do not create sparks. Do not flip switches, light matches, use phones, or start vehicles inside.
  3. Call SoCalGas from outside. 1-800-427-2200. They dispatch a crew to verify and shut off gas.
  4. Wait for clearance. Do not re-enter until SoCalGas confirms it is safe.
  5. Call Aerosphere for repair. 714-499-6656. C20 licensed, permits handled, SoCalGas re-light coordinated.

Sparking Outlet

Fire risk. Cut power immediately.
  1. Do not touch. Do not touch the outlet or anything plugged into it.
  2. Turn off the main breaker. Go to your electrical panel and flip the main breaker to OFF.
  3. If you see smoke or flames, call 911 first. Then evacuate.
  4. Once power is off, call Aerosphere. 714-499-6656 for 24/7 dispatch. We typically arrive within 60-90 minutes in Orange County.

Burning Smell from Electrical Panel

Very serious. Indicates arc fault or breaker failure.
  1. Do not open the panel. Opening it can introduce oxygen and accelerate a fire.
  2. Turn off main breaker if safe. Reach the main breaker only if you can do so without water contact or touching the panel directly. Use a dry tool if needed.
  3. If smoke or flames are visible, evacuate and call 911. Do not use water on an electrical fire.
  4. Call Aerosphere for emergency dispatch. 714-499-6656.

Power Outage (Your Home Only)

First, check if neighbors are out too. If yes, it's an SCE outage. If only your home is out, it's a private issue.
  1. Check neighbors. If they have power and you don't, the issue is at your home.
  2. Check your main breaker. Sometimes the main breaker trips. Flip it to OFF, then back ON. If it holds, you're done.
  3. Check for damaged service entrance. Look at the weatherhead on your roof and the service drop. Storm damage or vehicle impact can cause outages.
  4. If breaker won't reset or service is damaged, call Aerosphere. 714-499-6656. We coordinate with SCE for service drop work.

No AC in Summer Heat

Not life-threatening unless someone is medically vulnerable (elderly, infant, chronic illness). If so, evacuate to a cooler location first.
  1. Check the thermostat. Confirm it's set to COOL and the temperature is below current room temp. Replace batteries if display is dim.
  2. Check the breaker. Verify the AC breaker in your panel is ON. If tripped, reset once.
  3. Check the air filter. A severely clogged filter can cause the system to ice over and shut down.
  4. Check for ice on coils or refrigerant lines. If iced, turn the AC OFF for 4-6 hours to thaw, then restart.
  5. Call Aerosphere for same-day dispatch. 714-499-6656. C20 licensed HVAC. Most OC emergency AC calls resolved same-day.

No Heat in Winter Cold

Orange County winters can dip into the 40s. Vulnerable residents may need temporary heat or evacuation.
  1. Check the thermostat. Confirm it's set to HEAT and the temperature is above current room temp. Replace batteries.
  2. Check the breaker. Verify the furnace breaker is ON.
  3. Check the filter. Furnaces often have safety switches that shut down if airflow is blocked.
  4. Check pilot light (older furnaces). If out, follow the manufacturer's relight instructions on the unit.
  5. If furnace clicks but won't ignite, it's likely an ignitor. Common repair, $200-$400.
  6. Call Aerosphere for same-day dispatch. 714-499-6656.

Carbon Monoxide Detector Alarm

Extremely dangerous. CO is odorless and lethal.
  1. Evacuate immediately. Get everyone out of the house, including pets.
  2. Call 911 from outside. Tell them you have a CO detector alarm. They will send the fire department.
  3. If anyone has symptoms, get medical help. Symptoms: headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, weakness.
  4. Do not re-enter until cleared by fire department.
  5. Once cleared, call Aerosphere. 714-499-6656. We perform combustion analysis to find the source - usually a cracked heat exchanger, blocked flue, or faulty water heater.

Water Around the AC or Furnace

Not an emergency but needs attention to prevent damage. Common cause: clogged condensate drain.
  1. Turn off the AC at the thermostat. Stops more water from accumulating.
  2. Clean up standing water. Use towels or a wet vac. Water around electrical equipment is dangerous.
  3. Locate the condensate drain. White PVC pipe coming out of the air handler or furnace area.
  4. Schedule service. Aerosphere Electric clears clogged drains and inspects for related issues. Call 714-499-6656.

Electrical Shock from Appliance or Switch

Indicates ground fault or damaged wiring. Stop using the device.
  1. If injury occurred, call 911. Electrical shocks can cause delayed cardiac issues - get evaluated even if you feel fine.
  2. Stop using the device. Unplug or turn off the breaker for that circuit.
  3. Do not let others use it. Tag it or remove it.
  4. Call an electrician for diagnosis. Aerosphere Electric (714) 499-6656 handles ground fault diagnostics same-day.

Save This Page

Bookmark this checklist. When an emergency happens, you won't have time to search. Call Aerosphere 24/7 at 714-499-6656.

714-499-6656

Related Pages

See 24-Hour Emergency Service, Emergency Electrician FAQ, Gas Line Services, complete knowledge base, or all electrical services.