When Your Heat Fails, We’re Here to Help
True 24/7 Emergency HVAC Service in Bloomington & South-Central Indiana
If your furnace goes out on a freezing night, you smell electrical burning from your equipment, or you have a suspected carbon monoxide situation, this is the page you want. Bates Mechanical provides true after-hours emergency HVAC service across Bloomington, Spencer, Ellettsville, Linton, and the broader south-central Indiana region. When you call, a real person answers. A real technician comes out. That's been true since 1968 and it hasn't changed.
For urgent but non-emergency issues — a system running poorly, unusual noise, or uneven temperatures — same-day scheduling is available during business hours. Call and we'll get you on the schedule.
What Qualifies as a True HVAC Emergency
We reserve after-hours response for situations where health or safety is at risk. If you're unsure, call and we'll help you decide — but here's a straightforward guide:
These are true emergencies:
- No heat when outdoor temperatures are below freezing, especially with elderly, infant, or medically vulnerable occupants in the home
- Electrical burning smell, smoke, or sparking from any HVAC equipment — shut the system off immediately
- Active refrigerant leak or a heat pump outdoor unit with significant ice buildup combined with a complete loss of heating
- Active water leak from the indoor unit into living areas
- Suspected carbon monoxide — evacuate immediately, call 911, and do not re-enter until cleared by emergency services. Then call us for system inspection.
These are not emergencies — schedule daytime service:
- Uneven temperatures between rooms
- System running but not reaching set temperature
- Mild rattling, clicking, or noise
- Higher-than-normal energy bills
Keeping after-hours service reserved for genuine emergencies means faster response when it matters most and fair overnight rates for everyone.
Meghan V.
I appreciate the great work that they did and would recommend them to anyone in need of furnace repair services. Thank you!
Lauren W.
Overall, I'm very happy with the experience I had with Bates Mechanical and would recommend their services to anyone in need of AC repair. Thanks for a great job!
Tice E.
You get what you pay for. I paid for good equipment and Bates put it in for me. Absolutely the best, most professional installers and office staff I have ever seen. They ran new ductwork where mine was inadequate or decayed and put in a filter that lasts almost a year between changes. My heating and cooling costs are down almost 50% and seeing as I'm on LP, every penny counts. You want cheap, I know I guy who knows a guy who can slap you in a furnace for a couple six packs and lunch; you want a top of the line heating system, and you want to pay for it, you call Bates and you won't regret it.
Erica M.
Had a different company come out in the spring, put too small of compacter in. Called them back today and they said they would make time to come out later today but might not be able to fix it. Called this company and said they would be out within a couple hours, arrived promptly which wasn’t expected on weekend call. Took about 20 minutes for him to fix the problem and charged about half the price as the other company for an off hours call! Would highly recommend this company. 👍🏻
Heidi L.
Bates installed a new furnace for us this fall. They went above and beyond to do the job right. Knowing we sometimes have water problems in the basement, they put the unit up on blocks, which is exactly what we wanted. Thanks, Matt for coming out to do the quote and following up on the project, and thanks Tom and Larry for working hard to get the old furnace out and the new one in and running! Great company and people!
- Daniel & Heidi
Brian M.
These guys are the best!! Came out the same day to replace a faulty thermostat and did a fantastic job. Matt solved a previously bad install and fixed it quickly and correctly. Would absolutely recommend Bates to anyone looking for great, friendly, and cost effective HVAC service.
Kelly S.
We’ve used Bates for over ten years. Highly recommend!
AJ M.
Matt from Bates Mechanical was able to solve our issue quickly and took the time to explain how we can avoid it in the future. I would really recommend them to anyone else with a heating issue in the cold weather!
Jude S.
Just love this business. They have always taken care of me. I trust them not to rip me off. Their work has always been reasonably priced and reliable.
Austin C.
My AC went out and I wanted to get it replaced quickly. I called a franchise company and they got out here the next day, tried to sell me outrageously priced units, and guaranteed next day install. I called Bates Mechanical next and they came out that same day and quoted me half the cost of the other guys. Matt even tried to do what he could to get my AC going until they could get back for the install. I couldn’t be happier with the professionalism by all, honesty in all aspects, and making sure I fully understood what had happened with my old unit and how to use of my new one. Bates Mechanical has a customer for life.
Brian G.
What I thought might have been was not at all what it was thank God it was only a Capacitor thanks for your help
Wendy S.
Bates Mechanical installed a new Bryant HVAC system in our home about 9 years ago. This winter we were having an intermittent noise issue with the inducer motor on our furnace. Because THEY registered our system when they installed it, all parts have a 10 year warranty. They came out quickly, assessed the problem, and replaced the part. Yes, we paid a little for the labor (less than an hour) but it saved us hundreds of dollars.
Through the whole process they were very professional and easy to work with. We definitely would recommend their products & services!!
Caver42
Just had Bates Mechanical install a new Bryant Evolution heat pump system. Old unit was 15 years old so decided that it was time to replace. Greg the owner came out and gave me a quote on the new system. Three days later Tom, Larry and Kain came out and installed it. Everyone was professional and good at their job. System was installed in around 4 hours and the guys left everything as clean or cleaner than they found it. Would definitely recommend these guys to anyone who is looking for a fair, competent HVAC company.
John W.
Bates has been my HVAC company for many many years great people very professional family owned and run highest quality work available
B S.
Always easy and great dealing with these guys. Everyone in the company is amazing to deal with. Patti is great, never got frustrated no matter how many times I called and Greg, Todd, and Matt are great. Very professional, friendly, and fair. If your having any kind of A/C-furnace problems I highly recommend Bates.
Lee M.
Great clean, professional installation. Product installed is very quiet and efficient. Bates is a wonderful company that I have been associated with four plus years.
Highly recommended!
Kelly S.
We've used Bates for sixteen years. They've put in a new HVAC system and do semi-annual maintenance for us. Todd's awesome! Highly recommend.
William G.
Very professional from start to finish. Did a superb job in doing installation and cleaned up thoroughly when the job was over.
James N.
Bates Mechanical is the best Heating and Cooling company in southern Indiana I have ever had the pleasure of doing business with.Matt showed up when he said he would and gave me a more than fair estimate to replace my furnace and heat pump after being told some pretty ridiculous figures from other companies.They are a no gimmicks straight to the point kind of company.They didn’t try to sell me something I didn’t need and his guys showed up on time and did a wonderful job installing my new equipment. I couldn’t be happier.If you are looking for a experience like this I would 100% recommend them to anyone.
Raymond L.
Great place to work with friendly, professional , prompt for appointments for our twice a year preventive maintenance. Our service technician Todd is the best!
David H.
Professional, friendly, and fast. Can’t ask for any more. I will be recommending Bates to every one. I’m old enough to really appreciate his level of professionalism.
Cody S.
One of the top notch HVAC businesses in the area. Quote was reasonable and installation was clean and thought out. Working with a family owned business who takes pride in quality and craftsmanship is why chose Bates because I knew they would stand behind their work. They also supplied a temporary mobile system for the dry wall finishers so we’re not circulating that dust through our brand new system. Consider this when new construction, dryer vents, bath vents, and cooktop vents by them when the sheet metal guys are on site.
2288Julie
On time; quick; very professional
Adriana B.
Bates Mechanical was highly recommended to me by a local friend and I now know why.
Tod was extremely professional, responsive, and honest. This is a great company and
I will remain a customer for sure.
Jeff S.
Pleasant and prompt service
Kellie S.
Highly recommend Bates Mechanical! Todd showed up on time, explained things well and I feel confident my HVAC is ready for the changing season. Very reasonable and came the next day after I called for an appointment.
Amanda G.
Quick to diagnose and quick to get us back up and running! Always super friendly, very experienced and knowledgeable!
Richard A.
Great job will use again thanks
Jane W.
Easy-going tech, pleasant to work with. Completed our HVAC installation to a high standard.
Cassie G.
I called to see about having an estimate & subsequently had them replace ALL the duct work under my house from water damage & also asked about having them service my furnace at the same time. They did a WONDERFUL JOB. VERY professional & definitely live by the golden rule as they claim. They even moved my thermostat for me as well & it was so much cheaper than I'd expected. I've found new AC/furnace repair techs for sure!!
Jay C.
Bates installed my complete system 22 years ago. Only have had to call them twice. First time was a year and a half ago for a new capacitor on the AC outside unit. The second time was yesterday because the heating unit had been getting louder and I thought maybe a bearing was going out. The same repair man came, easily fixed the problem and couldn't have been more professional and helpful. I called yesterday at 830 am, he was there at 1000 and he was done about 1045. You can't ask for better service than that. I highly recommend them to anyone who wants to know.
Luz W.
After my ac broke down on a hot day, I called Bates Mechanical for help. They were so understanding about the situation and advised me to do an ac replacement and not just an ac repair. They did the ac installation for my house and I am so thankful that I called them. They are very professional and skilled.
Heather G.
If you need an HVAC company, then Bates Mechanical Inc. is your go to. They are a family-owned business in my home town and have been around for my entire life. I'm sure they have been working on every house in the neighborhood for as long as I can remember. The customer service is always prompt and very professional, which is so appreciated by someone like me who counts their time in minutes, not hours.
T D.
This is a three generations family owned business. The employees are extremely kind, professional and intelligent. I have known Bill Bates for two decades, his son Greg Bates for nearly 55 years. They are available, no matter how big or small the job is. I highly recommend Bates Heating and Cooling in Freedom IN.
Brenda
Prompt and courteous
Alisha C.
Clean, professional and friendly! We received a full HVAC replacement and duct installment for a home addition. They arrived on time, protected our floors, were very respectful of our home and showed us how everything worked when they were finished. I would highly recommend Bates Mechanical to anyone looking for HVAC services.
Jamie P.
Very knowledgeable technicians
Arndt S.
The team was well organized, polite, careful, and efficient during the installation of our new hybrid heat pump/AC system. They even cleaned up after the work was done. I highly recommend them.
Don C.
Actually they did a great job they do deserve 5 stars.
Cheryl G.
When our old furnace recently bit the dust, we called Bates. Someone was there that day. Our system was so old they were not able to obtain the needed piece so we opted for a new system. The crew arrived as scheduled, got straight to work, had the old unit removed immediately and the new one installed and running within hours. Everyone was pleasant and professional.
Candace C.
Highly recommend! Friendly, on time, great communication, and excellent service! Thank you, Matt!
Adam L.
Our air conditioning went out in the morning around 1130, my wife called bates and they said it could be a couple hours before they could get to us. The guy that showed up had been working all day and was ready to go home but he came to our house around 5, he found the problem why it wasn’t working in 5 minutes, changed out our capacitor and he could’ve high tailed it out of there but he stayed and hooked up his hose to clean off the outside ac unit. Super nice guy, his name was Matt, me and my wife highly recommend using bates heating and cooling out of freedom Indiana. Thank you guys so much!!!
Susan J.
Thank you to Tom with Bates Mechanic Heating & Cooling for getting our A/C unit up & running again as quickly as they did. Thanks to Patty for getting it arranged so quickly! You can count on Bates for great service!
Meghan V.
I appreciate the great work that they did and would recommend them to anyone in need of furnace repair services. Thank you!
Lauren W.
Overall, I'm very happy with the experience I had with Bates Mechanical and would recommend their services to anyone in need of AC repair. Thanks for a great job!
Pricing, Rates, and What to Expect on an Emergency Call
After-hours service carries a diagnostic fee outside normal business hours. Before any repair work begins, you'll receive a clear breakdown of parts and labor so there are no surprises on the invoice. This applies at 2 PM and 2 AM — we explain costs before we start, not after.
When common parts are on the truck, same-night repairs are often possible. When they aren't, we'll stabilize the situation safely and return during the day to complete the repair at standard rates.
First Steps to Stay Safe and Ready Before We Arrive
- Turn the system off if you smell electrical burning, see smoke, or hear loud grinding.
- For no heat, verify the thermostat is set to “Heat” and the breaker is on; replace a clogged filter.
- If a coil is iced, switch the system off and set the fan to “On” to thaw while you wait.
- Keep the area around the indoor unit clear; move pets and children away from equipment.
- If you’re unsure whether it’s urgent, contact our team and we’ll help you decide what’s right for your home.
Emergency HVAC Coverage from Bloomington to Spencer to Linton
Emergency routes run out of two offices — Bloomington and Freedom — covering a roughly one-hour service radius across south-central Indiana. Regular coverage includes Bloomington neighborhoods around the Bypass, IU campus rentals, and West 3rd Street, with routes extending through
Ellettsville,
Spencer and Owen County,
Linton and Greene County, and communities toward Martinsville, Bedford, and Jasonville. Share your address and situation when you call and we'll confirm your earliest arrival window.
Bates Mechanical On-Site Process: Diagnose, Stabilize, Restore
- Safety check and system isolation if needed
- Targeted diagnostics to find the root cause
- Up-front pricing for temporary restore or full repair
- Same-night fixes when parts are on the truck; otherwise, temporary stabilization plus next-day completion
- Final run test and guidance on the next steps
When A Replacement Beats Another Fix
If your system is aging, facing repeated failures, or a major repair approaches half the cost of a new unit, we’ll explain options and timing so you can plan replacement without pressure. Daytime estimates include load sizing, model comparisons, and financing choices when needed.
After-Hours HVAC: Common Questions, Quick Answers
Who should I call when my furnace goes out at night in Indiana?
Call Bates Mechanical directly at either office number. A local person answers — not an answering service — and we'll assess whether your situation requires an after-hours dispatch or same-day scheduling at normal rates.
How quickly can you arrive after hours?
We'll give you the first available window based on weather, route proximity, and technician availability, and keep you updated en route. Two offices help with response time for calls outside Bloomington.
Do you provide 24/7 emergency HVAC service in Spencer and Linton?
Yes. Our service territory covers Spencer, Linton, Ellettsville, and surrounding Monroe, Owen, and Greene County communities. Emergency coverage is not limited to Bloomington.
What are your after-hours rates?
A diagnostic fee applies for calls outside normal business hours. You'll receive a complete cost breakdown for parts and labor before any repair work begins.
What if I suspect carbon monoxide?
Evacuate everyone from the home immediately and call 911. Do not re-enter until emergency services have cleared the building. Then call us for a full system inspection and repair.
Can you handle emergency repairs for rentals and student housing?
Yes. We work with property owners, managers, and tenants in campus-area rentals and coordinate access and communication so the repair gets done without the runaround.