Emergency HVAC in Markham
No heat, no cooling, a gas smell or a CO alarm: what counts as an emergency, what to do in the first ten minutes, and when to call.
The short answer: Emergency HVAC in Markham means any heating or cooling failure that puts people, pets or the home at risk: no heat in freezing weather, no cooling in a heat wave, a gas smell, a carbon monoxide alarm, a burning smell or water pouring from the system. If you smell gas or a CO alarm sounds, leave the house first and call from outside. For everything else, run the quick checks below, then call a 24/7 contractor such as Aire One at 310-HEAT.
Heating and cooling systems rarely fail on a convenient afternoon. They tend to quit during the first deep freeze of January or the third straight day of a July heat wave, when the equipment is working hardest. Knowing what qualifies as emergency HVAC in Markham, what you can safely check yourself and what to expect when a technician arrives can save you hours of worry and, in some cases, protect your family's health.
This guide covers furnaces, boilers, heat pumps and air conditioners, so you can use it in any season. If your system is down right now, call 310-HEAT (310-4328) or book an emergency visit online.
Key takeaways
- A gas smell or a sounding CO alarm is a life-safety emergency: get everyone outside before you make any call.
- No heat below freezing and no cooling during a heat warning are urgent, especially for seniors, infants and anyone with health concerns.
- Check the thermostat, breaker, furnace switch and filter before calling; these four checks solve a surprising number of calls.
- A good emergency contractor gives you a price in writing before the repair begins, even at 2 a.m.
- Yearly maintenance is the most reliable way to avoid the next emergency.
Is It Really Emergency HVAC in Markham? A Quick Triage Chart
Not every problem needs a technician at midnight, but some cannot wait. Use this chart to decide whether you need emergency HVAC in Markham tonight or a regular visit this week:
| What is happening | Urgency | What to do now |
|---|---|---|
| Rotten-egg gas smell | Life safety | Leave the home, then call the gas utility emergency line or 911 from outside |
| Carbon monoxide alarm sounding | Life safety | Get everyone and pets outside, call 911, do not go back in until cleared |
| No heat and it is below freezing | Same day / overnight | Run the 5 checks below, then call a 24/7 contractor |
| No cooling during a heat warning | Same day | Move vulnerable people to a cool space, then call |
| Burning or electrical smell from vents | Urgent | Turn the system off at the thermostat and switch, then call |
| Water leaking from the furnace, boiler or AC coil | Urgent | Shut the system off, contain the water, then call |
| Strange noise but still heating or cooling | Next available | Book a regular repair visit soon |
Gas Smell, CO Alarm or Burning Smell: Safety First
Some calls for emergency HVAC in Markham are not repair calls first. They are safety calls. Enbridge Gas advises that if you smell natural gas you should stop what you are doing, leave right away, and avoid using light switches, phones or anything that could cause a spark inside. Once you are safely outside, call the Enbridge Gas emergency line at 1-866-763-5427 or 911.
Carbon monoxide has no smell at all, which is why working CO alarms matter. Early symptoms such as headache, nausea, dizziness and drowsiness can feel like the flu. If an alarm sounds or several people feel unwell at once, get everyone outside and call 911. Once the fire service or gas utility says the home is safe, a licensed technician should find the cause before the furnace or boiler runs again. That is a core part of any emergency HVAC in Markham call involving gas equipment.
For a burning, electrical or hot-metal smell, turn the system off at the thermostat and at the service switch near the furnace, and call. A dusty smell for a few minutes on the first cold day of fall is normal; a smell that keeps going or gets stronger is not.
Winter Emergencies and 5 Checks Before You Call
Most winter calls for emergency HVAC in Markham involve a furnace that will not start, a furnace that runs but blows cold air, a heat pump covered in ice, or a boiler that is leaking or has lost pressure. Before you call, these five checks take about five minutes and are safe for any homeowner:
- Thermostat. Confirm it is set to Heat, the set point is above room temperature, and the batteries are not dead.
- Breaker and furnace switch. Check the electrical panel for a tripped breaker and make sure the light-style switch near the furnace is on.
- Air filter. A badly clogged filter can make a furnace overheat and shut itself off. Replace it if it is grey and packed.
- Outdoor vents. After snow or freezing rain, clear the white intake and exhaust pipes on the side of the house. Blocked pipes are a very common cause of lockouts.
- Condensate drain. High-efficiency furnaces drain water through a small hose. If it is frozen or kinked, the safety switch can stop the furnace.
If the heat still does not come on, call for emergency HVAC in Markham. While you wait, close curtains, keep interior doors open so warm air moves, and run taps at a slow drip on exterior walls to protect pipes. Never use an oven or outdoor heater indoors. Our detailed guide to emergency furnace repair in Markham goes deeper on furnace-specific problems, and our heat pump repair in Markham guide covers icing and defrost issues.
Summer Emergencies: When the AC Quits in a Heat Wave
Heat is not only uncomfortable. Health Canada warns that extreme heat is especially dangerous for older adults, infants and young children, and people with chronic illness. That is why emergency HVAC in Markham is a year-round service and not only a winter one. The most common summer calls for emergency HVAC in Markham include:
- Outdoor unit humming but the fan not spinning, often a failed capacitor or fan motor.
- Ice on the indoor coil or refrigerant lines, usually from a dirty filter, low airflow or low refrigerant.
- Water pooling around the furnace from a blocked condensate line during heavy cooling.
- Breaker tripping every time the AC starts, which points to an electrical or compressor problem.
If the coil is frozen, switch the thermostat to Off and the fan to On to thaw it, and do not keep restarting the system. Move anyone at risk to the coolest room or a cooling centre, keep blinds closed, and drink water. Our Markham HVAC repair team services every make of air conditioner, day or night.
What to Expect When You Call for Emergency HVAC in Markham
When you call Aire One at 310-HEAT, here is how the visit works from start to finish:
- A real person answers, 24/7. We ask a few questions to understand the urgency and give safety advice if needed.
- A technician is dispatched. Life-safety and no-heat calls in freezing weather are prioritized. Maintenance plan members get priority booking.
- Diagnosis on site. The technician inspects the system, and gas equipment gets a combustion and carbon monoxide check before it is put back into service.
- Written price before work. The service call starts at $79, and you approve the repair price before anything is replaced.
- Repair, test and report. Most common parts travel on our trucks. When a part has to be ordered, we will tell you how to stay safe and warm until it arrives.
You can see the full range of repair work on our HVAC servicing and repairs page.
Repair or Replace After a Breakdown?
An emergency is a stressful time to make a big decision, so on every emergency HVAC in Markham call we fix what can be fixed safely and give you time to think. As a general guide:
| Situation | Usually the better choice |
|---|---|
| System under 10 years old, first major repair | Repair |
| Furnace 15+ years old with repeated breakdowns | Get a replacement quote |
| Cracked heat exchanger confirmed | Replace (unsafe to run) |
| Repair cost over about half the price of a new system | Compare replacement options |
If replacement makes sense, our furnace replacement in Markham page explains options, financing and the 10-year worry-free warranty.
How to Avoid the Next Emergency
Most emergency calls we see trace back to something a tune-up would have caught: a weak igniter, a cracked flame sensor, a failing capacitor or a clogged drain. A yearly furnace check in fall and an AC check in spring cut that risk sharply. Our maintenance and protection plans bundle both visits and give members priority when emergency HVAC in Markham is in high demand. If you are still choosing a company, our guide to finding a heating contractor in Markham explains what to look for.
Heat or cooling down right now?
Aire One provides emergency HVAC in Markham 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, across the city and York Region. TSSA-registered and trusted since 1990.
310-HEAT (310-4328) · 24/7 emergency service · $79 service call*
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as emergency HVAC in Markham?
Any heating or cooling problem that puts people or the home at risk counts: no heat in freezing weather, no cooling during a heat warning, a gas smell, a carbon monoxide alarm, a burning smell, or water leaking from the system. Noisy equipment that still heats or cools can usually wait for a regular appointment.
What should I do if I smell gas near my furnace?
Leave the house right away without using light switches or phones inside. From a safe distance, call the Enbridge Gas emergency line at 1-866-763-5427 or 911. Do not go back inside until the gas utility or fire service says it is safe, then have a licensed technician inspect the furnace.
Is a broken air conditioner an emergency?
It can be. During a heat warning, a failed air conditioner is urgent for seniors, infants, and anyone with heart, lung or other health conditions. Move them to a cool space and call a 24/7 contractor the same day.
How much does an emergency HVAC call cost?
At Aire One, a service call starts at $79, including after-hours visits. The technician diagnoses the problem and gives you the repair price in writing before any work begins, so there are no surprises on the invoice.
Can I prevent HVAC emergencies?
Most of them, yes. A furnace tune-up every fall and an air conditioner check every spring catch worn parts before they fail. Changing filters every one to three months and keeping outdoor vents clear of snow also prevents many breakdowns.
Sources and Helpful Resources
- Enbridge Gas: What to Do If You Smell Gas
- TSSA: Carbon Monoxide and Your Furnace
- Health Canada: Extreme Heat Events
- TSSA: Authorized Heating Fuel Contractors
Matthew leads the Aire One Markham and Metro Toronto team, which answers heating and cooling emergencies around the clock across York Region. Aire One has been a TSSA-registered, Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer since 1990.