It's 10pm. Your AC died in July. Your water heater is leaking. A breaker won't reset. Here's what to do — in order — without panicking or overpaying.
Emergency Decision Tree
Pick your situation. Follow the steps before you call anyone.
❄️ No AC / No Heat
Check your air filter first. A clogged filter will kill airflow completely — replace it before calling anyone.
Check the breaker panel. HVAC systems have two breakers (air handler + condenser) — both need to be on.
If the compressor is running but air isn't cold: this is often a failed capacitor. Call HVAC, not an electrician.
If nothing is running at all: after-hours HVAC has a 2–4 hour ETA in San Diego. A $150–$300 after-hours fee is normal. $500+ for just showing up is a red flag — get a second opinion in the morning.
July/August: temps drop to 68 at night. If it's not dangerous, wait until morning for a non-emergency rate.
💧 Water Leak / Pipe Burst
Shut off your main water valve first. Know where it is before this happens — usually near the street or in a utility closet.
Active flooding (water running, spreading, soaking walls): call a plumber immediately. This is a genuine emergency.
Slow drip or minor leak: it's a morning call. Document it, put a towel down, and don't overpay for a midnight premium on something that can wait 8 hours.
Water heater leak: shut off the water supply valve on the heater itself (cold inlet at top). Morning call unless flooding.
⚡ Partial Power Loss
Check your breaker panel. Look for a breaker that's in the middle position — not fully on, not fully off. Flip it off, then on.
GFCI outlets reset independently of the panel. Check bathrooms, kitchen, garage, and outdoor outlets — they each have a reset button.
If the main breaker is on but a room stays dark and the breaker won't stay reset: call an electrician.
SDG&E outage? Check their outage map before calling anyone. If it's their equipment, they repair it — not you, not a contractor.
🔴 Gas Smell — This Is Different
Leave immediately. Do not flip any light switches. Do not use your phone until you're outside.
Call SoCalGas from outside or from a neighbor's phone: 1-800-427-2200
Do not call a contractor first. Do not go back in to get anything. SoCalGas will dispatch someone at no charge — this is their system to fix.
Prices to Expect After Hours in San Diego
Emergency Type
Normal Rate
After-Hours Premium
Red Flag Price
HVAC diagnostic
$85–150
+$100–200
>$500 for "diagnostic only"
Plumber call-out
$100–175
+$150–300
>$600 before any work starts
Electrician
$100–200
+$100–250
>$500 to look at a panel
Locksmith
$65–100
+$50–100
>$300 for a standard lock
What to Do While You Wait
Write down when the problem started and what you noticed first. The technician will ask, and your memory at midnight is less reliable than a note.
Take a photo or short video of the problem — water level, error code on thermostat, breaker position. You'll want this for the quote conversation.
Don't run equipment that's making noise it didn't make before. A struggling compressor or motor can turn a $300 repair into a $3,000 replacement.
Open a window if HVAC is out in summer. San Diego nights cool fast — 75°F in the house at 10pm is usually 68°F by 1am without any AC at all.
Don't let the tech start work without a written quote. "I'll figure it out as I go" is how you end up with a surprise $2,400 invoice.
Ask for the license number before they start. CSLB lookup takes 30 seconds: cslb.ca.gov
Text PJ Before You Commit to Any Job Over $500
Send him the situation and whatever quote you've received. He'll tell you if the number sounds right and whether the diagnosis makes sense — before you sign anything.
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