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Emergency Heating Repair

Emergency Heating Repair Service You Can Trust
Wisconsin home owners turn to the Furnace Guru’s at Austin Plumbing, Heating & Air for sensible emergency heating repairs for all types of heating systems to include emergency furnace repairs and installations and emergency boiler repairs.
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Heating Emergency? Austin Plumbing, Heating & Air can Help.

If you think your furnace or boiler might need a trip to the emergency room, why not have the ER come to you? Call 262-367-3808 to ask for a heating expert to come to your home ASAP.

  • Emergency Furnace Repair

  • Emergency Heater Repair

  • Emergency Boiler Repair

  • Emergency Hydronic Heat Repair

  • Emergency HVAC System Repair

  • Emergency Furnace Replacement

  • Emergency Furnace Installation

  • Not seeing a the heating service your looking for?

    Visit our Heating Services Page.

Home losing heat? Help is on the way.

Book Emergency Heating Service & Repair Now.

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Call 262-367-3808

Emergency Contact Information

Call To Book Emergency Heating Service:

MONDAY-FRIDAY: 7:00am to 5:00 pm & SATURDAY: 8:00am to 12:00pm

Book After-Hours Heating Repair Emergencies 24/7 Online

Follow these steps when experiencing a heating emergency:

Step 1

Use our 24/7 Heating Emergency First Aid Kit.

Carefully follow our 24/7 Heating Emergency First Aid Kit. The sooner you do this, the faster you can determine whether professional service will be necessary–and the higher your chances of getting an early appointment the next business day, if needed.

With home heating emergencies, it can be inconvenient and frustrating to tough out the cold for even a night. But if the problem persists even after you’ve exhausted all DIY troubleshooting steps, then you’re far better off waiting for service.

Step 2

Visit the No-Heat FAQs

No luck getting the heat back on? Still seriously considering an emergency heater repair? Our No-Heat FAQs will answer the most common questions people have before scheduling emergency heating services.

Step 3

Book an emergency heating service call.

You can book ASAP heating repairs for the next business day by using our online booking tool any day of the week, at any hour of the day or night!

PRO TIP: If you’re experiencing a furnace, boiler, or other heating emergency during our normal business hours, simply call (262-367-3808) for expedited service.

24/7 Heating Emergency First Aid Kit

Most heating emergencies can be quickly resolved by following a few simple steps. You just have to know the right protocol to follow–and yes, we will tell you exactly what to do below, so don’t stress.

By the way: even in cases of total furnace failure, you may be able to get your heat back temporarily, so that it at least lasts until we can come out to your home with the permanent solution.

  • Turn the power off to your furnace or boiler.

     There is typically an on-off switch affixed to the side of the unit, regardless what type of furnace or boiler you have. Here’s an example:

    Picture that clearly identify where the on-off switch is on a furnace so it can be turned off and back on again in a emergency heating situation.

  • Replace the furnace filter.

    We can’t count the number of ER heating situations that come down to a simple clogged filter issue. Before you go scorched-wallet, do yourself a favor and change the filter to rule out restricted airflow as the cause of disaster. The difference it makes might be bigger than you think.

  • Check the intake and the exhaust. Forced-air furnaces and high-efficiency boilers start the heating process by first drawing in cold air from outside. That uses an intake pipe.

    While the unit is running, it has to get rid of exhaust via PVC piping back to the outdoors. That’s the exhaust pipe.

    Locate the intake & exhaust pipes on your furnace (see image below for help). Then ensure that they are not plugged with snow, leaves, and yard debris, trash like plastic bags, or any other foreign object that might be blocking airflow.

    Picture showing how to check a furnace vent in a heating emergency.

  • Put new batteries in your thermostat.

    Just like changing the furnace filter can be surprisingly effective, changing your thermostat’s batteries is often more than enough to make a difference. Simply remove the thermostat from the wall, take out the old, weakened batteries, and install a fresh set!

  • Check the gas tank.

    For homes that use LP or propane gas, don’t forget to check on your gas levels and make sure you haven’t run out. If you’re not out, but are running low, it’s a good idea to go ahead and refuel so that your furnace or boiler has plenty to work with.

After completing steps 1-5 above, it’s time to cross your fingers and turn the furnace back on. We wish you luck!

Furnace Repairman from Austin Plumbing, Heating & Air making an emergency furnace repair

FAQ: What to Do When the Heat Goes Out?

Answers to Your Most Common Emergency Heating Questions

Do I need after-hours emergency heating help, or will I be okay until morning?

Most of the time, it’s perfectly OK to have to wait a day.

For normal emergency furnace repairs, emergency boiler repairs, or emergency heater repairs, not only is it fine to wait until the next business day, but in fact it’s usually for the better!

Even on the coldest of nights, most houses will only lose 5 to 10 degrees’ worth of heat. Although it may be hard to sleep, a single night is rarely enough to endanger your safety. Scientifically speaking, as the temperature drops, the rate of heat loss will actually slow down to an eventual stop before hitting severe temps.

Will my pipes freeze if my heat is out for a night or two?

As long as you get your heating system repaired within 24-48 hours of the initial breakdown, pipes that would not typically freeze will not freeze even with total loss of furnace function. (However, note that there is always a possibility of plumbing pipes freezing even when the heat is working properly indoors.) 

  • When your heat is out, avoid frozen pipes by scheduling a service ASAP (within 1-2 days max).
  • In extreme cold snaps, run a safe and temporary source of heat in any areas of the home that are particularly susceptible to freezing temperatures.
How much does it cost to get an emergency heating service appointment?

Many, many furnace repair companies offer after-hours repairs–but since the correct person for the job is not readily available, they can only offer to send whatever technician is currently on-call. For that, they’ll charge a dispatch fee of ~$650 to start. That price doesn’t even include the repair itself, nor the parts required to perform it. Oh, and they’ll usually tack-on an extra after-hours fee, too. Yikes!

When everything is said and done, it’s shockingly common for an after-hours furnace/boiler repair job to cost $600-$1,000 more than it would during normal business hours. And despite all this, you’re actually getting a worse service than that which is normally offered.

Can you guarantee that my furnace or boiler gets fixed after hours?

Unfortunately, no. We’ll do everything we can to help you, but part of being a trustworthy company means acknowledging our limitations and not hiding them from you.

You see, after booking an after-hours ER heating service with other companies, many hopeful homeowners find themselves with a cold house and an empty wallet to boot. This is because heating system repairs require specific parts and resources that are not available after hours, no matter what the other guys may tell you. These include things like:

  • Manufacturing tech support
  • OEM parts & distribution
  • Internal support & other daytime-only help services
What can I do in the meantime to keep myself/my family warm?

Most people who have a furnace breakdown after hours–even during the harshest winter nights in Wisconsin–find warmth in good old-fashioned measures such as:

  • Layering up with several layers of clothing 
  • Using heated blankets 
  • Using safe, space-heating sources such as electric heaters, gas fireplaces, or natural wood-burning fireplaces.
What’s the risk of pipes & radiators freezing while my boiler’s out of commission?

We understand this concern, but the answer is more optimistic than you probably realize!

Although boiler pipes and radiators do tend to be located on outside walls, they are not typically known to freeze–even if the boiler or hydronic heating system is out for a short time. 🙂

Same Day Emergency Furnace Repair & Installations

  • Fast Turnarounds- Emergency furnace and boiler service calls are a #1 priority at Austin Plumbing, Heating & Air. 
  • Full Transparency With Pricing- You get an upfront bottom line price before the work begins 
  • Expert Heating Repair Techs- Our furnace guru’s are standing by to help you with any heating system emergency you are facing. 
  • Emergency Furnace Replacement & Installation- If your furnace is beyond repair, we can also install new replacement furnaces and heating systems the same day, in emergency heating situations. 

Why You May Be Better Off Waiting Until We’re Open for an Emergency Heating Service

Did you know that most after-hours heating repair attempts end in failure? It’s true. Moreover, what starts out as an emergency furnace or boiler service can quickly become a simple, cost-effective, everyday heating repair once the situation is de-escalated.

Even during a complete loss of heating, we find that most customers, when given this information, choose to wait a day to take advantage of the following benefits.

    Benefit #1: By waiting, you’re actually getting a better heating repair service for less.

    Dispatch fees for after-hours heating emergencies–including sudden furnace repairs, boiler repairs, or any other ER heating repair outside of regular business times–can be up to $700 just to get a technician to your house. And if that tech isn’t able to fix the problem after all, you’re out of luck until tomorrow!

    Factor in average overtime fees–not to mention the actual cost of the repair service!–and that price can blow up easily into the 4-digit zone. Remember, this is all for the same service that may cost you thousands less if purchased during our normal hours of operation.

    ll for the same service that may cost you thousands less if purchased during our normal hours of operation.

    Benefit #2: You’re getting the right furnace repairman–not just whoever’s available.

    Like all HVAC companies, we have heating repair techs that specialize in specific types of service (furnace repair, boiler repair, and other types of heating system repair). Should you experience an after-hours emergency, it is extremely unlikely that our on-call emergency tech just happens to specialize in your particular HVAC system or heating equipment.

    At sun up on the next business day, rest assured that Team Austin’s full army of heating system repair pros (lovingly dubbed our Furnace Gurus) will be prepared to help you with any emergency heating problem you could possibly have to deal with. Getting the right guy for the job is always worth the wait.

    Benefit #3: Most heating emergencies can’t actually be fixed until the next day, anyway.

    Most heating systems that break down after-hours require OEM parts and/or manufacturer tech support in order to be repaired. As much as we wish these heating services were available 24/7 (a company can dream…), they simply aren’t. As a result, most after-hours emergency calls end much the same way as they began: with a cold house. Except now, you’re out a thousand dollars. The moral of the story: Good things come to those who wait (and they usually come quicker than you think).

    Alternatives to Having a 24/7 Emergency Heating Service Out

    When dealing with heating emergencies of any kind (be it a furnace repair, a boiler repair or any other ER heating service call), clients who wait until the next business day for service tend to be far more satisfied with the service rendered. Not only will this save you money, but it can also cut down on frustration in the meantime. Counterintuitive–but true!

    After containing your heating emergency, try these alternatives to having a 24/7 emergency visit:

      • Lean on family, friends or neighbors. At one point or another, most people have experienced being without heat, staring down the barrel of an expensive after-hours emergency repair, and all the stress that comes with it.

        Once your house is set for temporary heat, lean on nearby friends and family members for a comfortable place to stay until one of our heating repair gurus shows up to save the day.

      • Use secondary sources of heat. Most Wisconsin households are armed with secondary and tertiary heat sources. These commonly include: gas fireplaces, another furnace for heating additional floors in the home, radiant or hydronic (in-floor) heating, and even small electric space heaters.

        With the right strategy, odds are your home can safely withstand a night or two of chilly weather until our emergency heating repair technician arrives.enough hot water for a relaxing bath. Seriously–it’s more than worth the time spent, especially on a winter night.

      • Go somewhere warm, wet & fun. When all else fails, hit the easy button. Turn a dark and cold HVAC emergency into a warm lifelong memory by loading up the family and heading to a hotel or water park with heated/indoor facilities for the evening (or even for the weekend).

        Your house will be fine. And–believe it or not–the unplanned vacation is pretty much guaranteed to cost less than an after-hours ER heating repair visit. You’ll be wearing the red cape for your family at no extra charge.

      24/7 Service: When a Heating Emergency Just Can’t Wait

      Learn more about Team Austin’s after-hours heating repair services.

      How to book an after-hours emergency appointment

      If you need 24/7 emergency heating repair, you can check our availability online, which is constantly being updated. Click here to book a service in real time.

      After-hours appointment availability

      After-hours service appointments are limited. If there aren’t any open slots when you check, then we suggest you book the next available appointment–even if that means waiting 1-2 days.

      Remember: It is virtually always better to wait 12, 24 or even 36 hours for one of our experts to attend to you than to solicit companies who offer no guarantee of success for exorbitant fees.

      After-hour emergency related to a new, warrantied or recently-serviced heating system

      All warranties made by Austin Plumbing, Heating & Air are valid during normal business hours only. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to you.

      If there is an issue you believe is under warranty or related to recent work, and it’s not something that can wait for normal business hours, we are happy to come out after-hours (subject to availability). However, please keep in mind that dispatch fees will apply.

      Can Austin reimburse me if I have to go to another company for after-hours repair work?

      If our schedule is full, and you have an issue you believe is under warranty or related to recent work that cannot wait, please go ahead and call another company who can attend to you faster.

      If management determines that the above conditions apply, Austin Plumbing, Heating & Air will reimburse you for up to $250 of the after-hours repair cost you were made to pay in our absence.

      To claim your reimbursement, please contact us during business hours and ask for a manager to help you submit your after-hours invoice. It pains us to be busy when you need help–this is our way of easing your burden even when we can’t be there.

      After-hours dispatch fees

      After-hours dispatch fees are charged on every service call dispatched outside our posted business hours, regardless of external factors or circumstances.

      Book Emergency Heating Repairs Now

      Book Online
      Call 262-367-3808
      Austin Heating Tech looking at broken furnace

      The Heating Repair Company You Want When It Matters

      Schedule Your Emergency Heating Repair Today

      Wisconsin trusts Austin Plumbing, Heating & Air for emergency heating, emergency furnace and emergency boiler repair.

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