Immediate action guide
Heat Pump Installer Emergency Action Steps
What to do right now before a heat pump installer arrives, with clear lines for 911, utility, and contractor calls.
First rule
If there is fire, smoke, shock, collapse risk, gas odor, carbon monoxide alarm, injury, trapped people, or any uncertainty about safety, leave the area and call 911. Use these steps only when you can act from a safe position.
E1
No Heat in Freezing Weather
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the thermostat, indoor unit, outdoor unit, and rooms with plumbing.
- Check thermostat mode and breaker only if safe, then stop repeated resets.
- Close unused rooms and protect plumbing with normal indoor heat sources only.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call a heat-pump installer and report outdoor temperature, thermostat reading, and auxiliary heat status.
Do not do this
- - Do not run unvented combustion heaters indoors or keep resetting tripped breakers.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E2
Outdoor Unit Iced Over
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the outdoor heat-pump unit, fan, refrigerant lines, and icy ground.
- Keep people away from the fan and set the system off if ice blocks airflow or noise is abnormal.
- Clear snow around the unit only from safe footing without tools touching the coil or fan.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call a heat-pump installer and report ice location, defrost behavior, and recent weather.
Do not do this
- - Do not chip ice, pour hot water, or cover the outdoor unit.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E3
Heat Pump Burning Smell
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the air handler, vents, breaker, outdoor unit, and return grille.
- Turn the system off at the thermostat and breaker if safe.
- Keep combustibles away and leave smoky rooms if odor or haze continues.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call 911 for smoke or fire, then a heat-pump installer before restarting.
Do not do this
- - Do not keep running emergency heat or fan mode after a burning smell.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E4
Auxiliary Heat Will Not Stop
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the thermostat, air handler, breaker, and supply vents.
- Set the thermostat lower or off; if heat continues and safe, turn off the HVAC breaker.
- Watch for burning odor, hot panels, or unusual electrical sounds.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call a heat-pump installer and report thermostat settings, outdoor temperature, and breaker status.
Do not do this
- - Do not remove air-handler panels or bypass heat controls.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E5
Water Leak From Indoor Unit
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the indoor unit, condensate line, ceiling, floor, and nearby electrical parts.
- Turn the system off if water is near electrical components or ceiling damage.
- Catch drips, move belongings, and keep water away from outlets.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call a heat-pump installer and describe drain, pan, ceiling, and filter conditions.
Do not do this
- - Do not touch wet electrical devices, outlets, cords, panels, or switches.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.