Is My AC Problem an Emergency?

Treat as urgent — act now

For electrical smells or sparking, shut the system off if it can be done safely and request qualified assistance rather than restarting it.

• Burning, hot-plastic or electrical smell from the equipment.
• Sparking, visible scorching or smoke.
• A breaker that trips repeatedly on startup.
• Water actively leaking near electrical components or above finished ceilings.
• Complete cooling loss during extreme heat with infants, older adults, pets or heat-sensitive medical conditions in the home.
• Indoor temperatures climbing into a range that feels unsafe.

Handle promptly, but not necessarily at 2 a.m.

• System frozen with ice — turn it off to thaw and schedule service.
• No cooling in mild weather with the house still tolerable.
• Outdoor unit humming without starting.
• Water in the drain pan with the system shut down by a float switch.
• One room significantly warmer than the rest.

Can generally wait for a scheduled visit

• Slightly reduced cooling performance.
• Higher-than-usual humidity without other symptoms.
• Minor noises that have not changed recently.
• Thermostat scheduling or app connectivity annoyances.
• Routine maintenance that is overdue.

Heat safety matters more than equipment

During Tallahassee heat advisories, indoor temperatures in a home without cooling can reach dangerous levels within hours, especially in the late afternoon.

If anyone in the home is vulnerable to heat, prioritize their safety first — fans, hydration, cooler locations — and treat the repair as the second problem.

What to say when you call

• What the thermostat is showing.
• Whether the outdoor unit runs, hums or is silent.
• Whether there is ice, water, smell or a tripped breaker.
• How long it has been happening.
• Where the indoor equipment is located.