Emergency HVAC Repair in Garner NC — What to Expect

Your AC just died in the middle of a July heat wave. Or your furnace stopped working on a freezing January night. You need help now — but you've never called for emergency HVAC service before. What actually happens when you pick up the phone?

Here's a step-by-step look at what to expect when you call Frost Fire for emergency HVAC repair in Garner, NC.

Step 1: The Phone Call

When you call (919) 230-4439, you'll speak with a real person — not an answering machine and not an overseas call center. We'll ask a few quick questions:

• What's happening with your system? (No heat, no cooling, strange noise, water leak, etc.)
• When did it start?
• What type of system do you have? (Don't worry if you don't know — we'll figure it out)
• Your address and contact info

Based on your answers, we'll give you an honest assessment of urgency and schedule a technician.

Step 2: Quick Safety Check (While You Wait)

While you're waiting for the technician, there are a few things you can safely do:

• If you smell gas: Leave the house immediately and call 911 and your gas company. Don't flip any switches.
• If you see water leaking: Turn off the system at the thermostat to prevent further damage.
• If there's no cooling: Check your thermostat settings and air filter first — sometimes it's a simple fix.
• If there's no heat: Check if the pilot light is lit (gas furnace) or if the breaker tripped (electric/heat pump).

Step 3: The Technician Arrives

Our techs arrive in marked vehicles with proper identification. Here's what a typical emergency visit looks like:

1. Listen and assess: We'll ask you to describe the problem and any symptoms you've noticed.
2. Diagnose: We inspect the system — checking electrical components, refrigerant levels, ignition systems, airflow, and controls.
3. Explain: We tell you exactly what we found and what it will take to fix it — before we start any work.
4. Get approval: You decide whether to proceed. No surprises, no pressure.
5. Repair: We carry common parts on our trucks for same-visit repairs whenever possible.
6. Test: We run the system and verify it's operating correctly before we leave.

How Long Does It Take?

For customers in Garner and the immediate surrounding area, we typically respond within a few hours during business hours. During peak summer and winter seasons, demand is higher, but emergency calls are always prioritized.

Most emergency repairs are completed in 1–2 hours on-site. If a special part is needed, we'll get it as quickly as possible and schedule a return visit — often the same day or next morning.

What Does Emergency HVAC Repair Cost?

Emergency pricing varies by the problem, but here's what makes Frost Fire different: we charge the same price on Sundays and weekends as we do on weekdays. Many HVAC companies add 50–100% surcharges for after-hours and weekend calls. We don't believe in that.

You'll always get a clear quote before work begins. No hidden fees, no "well, while we're here" upsells.

Common HVAC Emergencies in Garner NC

The Garner area experiences both extreme summer heat and occasional winter freezes. The most common emergencies we see include:

• AC compressor failure during July–August heat waves
• Frozen evaporator coils from restricted airflow or low refrigerant
• Furnace ignition failure on the first cold night of the season
• Heat pump defrost issues during ice storms
• Blower motor failure causing no airflow at all
• Thermostat malfunctions after power outages
• Refrigerant leaks causing warm air from the vents

How to Reduce Your Risk of HVAC Emergencies

The best way to avoid emergency calls is preventive maintenance. A twice-yearly tune-up catches small problems before they become big ones. Our maintenance plans include priority scheduling for plan members — so if you do have an emergency, you go to the front of the line.

Other ways to reduce risk:

• Change your air filter every 1–3 months
• Keep the area around your outdoor unit clear
• Don't ignore unusual noises or smells
• Have your ductwork inspected every few years

We Serve the Entire Triangle Area

While this article focuses on Garner, we provide the same fast emergency service to Raleigh, Durham, Clayton, Smithfield, Fayetteville, Apex, Cary, Holly Springs, and Fuquay-Varina.