Is a burning smell from my aircon always an emergency?

Treat it as one. Switch off the unit at the isolator or breaker immediately and don't turn it back on until a technician has checked it, since a burning smell can point to an electrical fault.

Should I call an emergency contractor for any aircon problem at night?

Not necessarily. A unit that's simply not cooling as well as usual can usually wait until regular hours. Complete loss of cooling in extreme heat, water actively damaging your ceiling, a burning smell, or a gas leak are the situations worth an emergency call.

Will an emergency callout cost more than a regular booking?

Usually yes, there's typically a callout fee for after-hours response. Some contractors waive or offset this against the repair cost if you proceed with the job, so it's worth asking upfront.

What information should I have ready when I call?

Your unit's brand and rough age, whether it's wall-mounted, cassette, or ducted, whether the fault is new or something that's happened before, and a quick description of what you're seeing or hearing.

Aircon breakdown emergency: what to do first

By Jacky Lee · Updated 2026-07-21

An aircon that dies at midnight, starts leaking onto the ceiling, or trips the breaker on a Sunday doesn’t wait for office hours. Here’s how to work out what you’re actually dealing with and what to do in the first few minutes.

First, check if it’s actually urgent

Not every fault needs a call at 11pm. A unit that’s simply cooling a bit less effectively than usual, or making a faint noise that isn’t new, can typically wait until regular business hours without real risk. What genuinely warrants an emergency callout:

Complete loss of cooling during extreme heat, especially for elderly household members, young children, or anyone with a health condition sensitive to heat.
Water actively leaking onto the ceiling, walls, or floor, since the damage gets worse the longer it runs.
Unusual noises or a burning smell, which can point to an electrical fault.
A unit that won’t power on at all and trips the breaker repeatedly.
A suspected gas leak, which needs prompt attention for safety reasons, not just comfort.

Haze season brings its own set of triggers: clogged filters and heavier particulate load can push a struggling unit into a full breakdown faster than usual. Our guide on haze season aircon care in Singapore covers how to head that off before it turns into a midnight call.

What to do in the first few minutes

If you notice a burning smell or the breaker keeps tripping, switch the unit off at the isolator or breaker and leave it off until a technician has checked it. Don’t try to reset it repeatedly, since that can make an electrical fault worse. If water is leaking, place a container underneath to limit damage, but know this only manages the mess, it doesn’t fix a blocked drain or a cracked drain pan, so book the repair rather than treating the container as a fix.

A homeowner checking a home electrical breaker panel after an aircon unit trips the power at night

Information to have ready before you call

Contractors listed in our 24/7 emergency aircon repair category can respond faster and quote more accurately if you have a few details ready: the unit’s brand and roughly how old it is, whether it’s a wall-mounted, cassette, or ducted system, and whether this is a new problem or something that’s happened before. If it’s recurring, mention that specifically, since a repeat fault often points to something that wasn’t properly fixed the first time.

Questions to ask on the call

Question	Why it matters
What’s the callout charge, and is it waived if I proceed with the repair?	Avoids a surprise fee on top of the repair cost
Roughly when will someone arrive?	Sets expectations, especially late at night
What payment methods do you accept at this hour?	Some contractors only take cash or specific apps for after-hours jobs
Can you give a rough estimate, or does it need an inspection first?	Be wary of a firm repair price quoted without seeing the unit

If you suspect a gas leak specifically

A hissing sound near the wall unit, ice forming on the copper piping, or a unit that’s suddenly blowing warm air despite running normally can point to a refrigerant leak. Refrigerant type varies by system, and how it should be handled is a job for a technician, not something to diagnose or manage yourself. Ventilate the room if you can, avoid running the unit further, and mention the specific symptoms you’re seeing when you call, since it helps the technician bring the right equipment for leak detection rather than just a basic service kit.

After the technician arrives

A good emergency technician asks enough questions to gauge urgency before arriving, then diagnoses on-site rather than guessing over the phone. If a fix isn’t possible on the spot, for example if a part needs to be ordered, ask what a safe interim setup looks like, such as keeping the unit switched off versus running it at reduced capacity, so you’re not left guessing until the follow-up visit.

Keep a note of what the technician found and what was done, even a photo of the invoice, since that record is useful if the same fault comes back and you need to reference the earlier visit with a follow-up contractor.

For how we score contractors on emergency responsiveness and pricing transparency specifically, see our methodology page, and browse the home page for listed emergency contractors.

FAQ

Is a burning smell from my aircon always an emergency?: Treat it as one. Switch off the unit at the isolator or breaker immediately and don't turn it back on until a technician has checked it, since a burning smell can point to an electrical fault.
Should I call an emergency contractor for any aircon problem at night?: Not necessarily. A unit that's simply not cooling as well as usual can usually wait until regular hours. Complete loss of cooling in extreme heat, water actively damaging your ceiling, a burning smell, or a gas leak are the situations worth an emergency call.
Will an emergency callout cost more than a regular booking?: Usually yes, there's typically a callout fee for after-hours response. Some contractors waive or offset this against the repair cost if you proceed with the job, so it's worth asking upfront.
What information should I have ready when I call?: Your unit's brand and rough age, whether it's wall-mounted, cassette, or ducted, whether the fault is new or something that's happened before, and a quick description of what you're seeing or hearing.