Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Common Questions

Air Conditioning Service FAQs

Have questions? We've answered the most common ones here. If you don't see your question, feel free to reach out — we're always happy to help.

How often should I have my AC serviced?

We recommend professional maintenance once a year, ideally in spring before the cooling season begins. In LA's climate, where your AC works harder than most, annual tune-ups are essential for maintaining efficiency, preventing breakdowns, and extending system life. If you run your AC year-round, consider bi-annual service.

A standard replacement of an existing central AC system typically takes 1 day (4-8 hours). If we're installing a completely new system, adding ductwork, or upgrading electrical, it may take 2-3 days. We'll provide a precise timeline during your consultation and work to minimize disruption to your home.

Proper sizing requires a professional load calculation that considers your home's square footage, insulation, window placement, ceiling height, and more. An oversized unit cycles too frequently (wasting energy and wearing out faster), while an undersized unit struggles to keep up. We perform detailed calculations to ensure perfect sizing for your North Hollywood or LA home.

Absolutely! LA's mild climate is ideal for heat pumps. They provide efficient cooling in summer and cost-effective heating in our mild winters. Many homeowners save 30-50% on heating costs compared to traditional furnaces. Heat pumps also qualify for various rebates and incentives in California.

First, check your thermostat settings and make sure it's set to 'cool.' Then check your air filter — a clogged filter can cause issues. If those aren't the problem, it could be low refrigerant, a compressor issue, or a frozen evaporator coil. These require professional diagnosis. Call us and we can often provide same-day service.

With proper maintenance, most central AC systems last 15-20 years. However, efficiency declines over time. If your system is 10+ years old and needs major repairs, it may be more cost-effective to replace it with a modern, high-efficiency unit. We'll always give you honest advice about repair vs. replace.

Yes! We understand that AC emergencies don't wait for business hours, especially during LA's heat waves. We offer same-day emergency service 7 days a week. Our maintenance plan members receive priority scheduling and never pay overtime charges for emergency calls.

For Los Angeles homes, we typically recommend at least 16 SEER2 for good efficiency. Higher ratings (18-21+ SEER2) offer even better energy savings but come at a higher upfront cost. We'll help you find the sweet spot that balances efficiency, comfort, and budget for your specific situation.

Heating & Furnace Service FAQs

Common questions from homeowners in North Hollywood and Los Angeles. Don't see your question? Give us a call.

How often should a furnace be serviced?

We recommend annual furnace maintenance, ideally before the heating season begins in fall. Regular tune-ups catch small problems before they become expensive repairs, ensure safe operation, and keep your system running at peak efficiency. Most manufacturers require annual maintenance to keep warranties valid.

Most furnace repairs can be completed in 1-3 hours during a single visit, depending on the issue and parts availability. A complete furnace installation typically takes 4-8 hours for a straightforward replacement, or 1-2 days if ductwork modifications are needed. We'll give you a clear timeline before starting any work.

Proper sizing requires a professional load calculation that considers your home's square footage, insulation levels, window efficiency, ceiling heights, and local climate. An undersized system won't keep you comfortable, while an oversized system cycles too frequently, wasting energy and wearing out faster. We perform detailed calculations to recommend the perfect size.

Yes! Heat pumps are excellent for Southern California's mild climate. They provide both heating and cooling in one system and are extremely energy efficient. Since LA winters rarely dip below 40°F, heat pumps can handle heating needs efficiently. For maximum efficiency and backup during rare cold snaps, consider a dual-fuel hybrid system.

Consider replacement if your furnace is over 15-20 years old, requires frequent repairs, has rising energy bills despite maintenance, makes unusual noises, produces uneven heating, or if repair costs exceed 50% of a new system's price. We'll give you honest advice on whether repair or replacement makes more financial sense.

Yes, we offer 24/7 emergency heating repair services throughout North Hollywood, Los Angeles, and surrounding areas. When your heat goes out on a cold night, we understand it can't wait until morning. Call our emergency line and we'll dispatch a technician as quickly as possible.

Several strategies can reduce heating costs: schedule annual maintenance, replace air filters regularly (every 1-3 months), seal air leaks around windows and doors, add insulation where needed, use a programmable thermostat, and keep vents unobstructed. Even small improvements add up to noticeable savings.

We install and service all major heating brands including Carrier, Trane, Lennox, Bryant, Rheem, and many others. Our technicians are factory-trained and can work on virtually any make or model. If you have a specific brand preference, we'll help you find the best option within that lineup.

HVAC Maintenance Plan FAQs

Everything you need to know about protecting your home's comfort systems.

How often should my HVAC system be maintained?

For most Los Angeles homes, we recommend twice-yearly maintenance: once in spring before cooling season and once in fall before heating season. This ensures your system is optimized for our region's temperature extremes. Homes with older systems or heavy usage may benefit from more frequent service.

Absolutely. On average, maintenance plan members save over $1,200 annually through lower energy bills, avoided repairs, and extended system lifespan. Plus, you get priority scheduling during peak seasons when non-members may wait days for service. The peace of mind alone makes it worthwhile.

Yes! Our maintenance visits include comprehensive inspections that catch 95% of potential issues before they cause system failures. We check electrical connections, refrigerant levels, worn parts, and safety controls—addressing small problems before they become expensive emergencies.

Most HVAC manufacturers require proof of annual professional maintenance to keep your warranty valid. We provide detailed service records that document every maintenance visit, protecting your warranty coverage and giving you documentation if you ever need to file a claim.

Definitely! In fact, older systems often benefit the most. Regular maintenance helps aging equipment run more efficiently, extends its remaining lifespan, and helps us monitor for wear that could indicate it's time to plan for replacement—on your timeline, not in an emergency.

A tune-up is a single service visit. A maintenance plan includes scheduled tune-ups plus additional benefits like priority scheduling, repair discounts, and a relationship with technicians who know your system. Plans provide better value and more comprehensive protection.

A thorough maintenance visit typically takes 45-60 minutes for a single system. Our technicians don't rush—we inspect, clean, and test every component properly. We'll also take time to explain any findings and answer your questions.

While it's not required, we recommend being home so you can ask questions and hear our technician's recommendations firsthand. If you can't be present, we'll leave a detailed service report and follow up with a call to discuss any findings.

Emergency HVAC Service FAQs

Got questions? We've got answers. If you don't see what you're looking for, just give us a call — we're always happy to help.

Is my HVAC issue an emergency?

True emergencies include: no heat during cold weather, no AC during extreme heat, gas smells, electrical burning odors, carbon monoxide detector alerts, and complete system failure when you need it most. If you're unsure, call us — we'll help you determine if immediate service is necessary or if a scheduled appointment would work better. We'll never pressure you into emergency service when it's not truly needed.

Yes. For true emergencies, we dispatch a technician as quickly as possible — often within a few hours, depending on the time of day and current demand. We also offer after-hours emergency service for situations that can't wait until morning. When you call, we'll assess your situation and give you an honest timeframe.

Emergency and after-hours service does cost more than scheduled appointments during regular business hours — that's standard across the industry. However, our emergency rates are fair and competitive for the Los Angeles area. More importantly, we'll never inflate the scope of work just because it's an emergency. You'll know the cost before we begin, and we'll only repair what actually needs fixing.

In most cases, yes — especially if you notice unusual smells, sounds, or visible problems. If you smell gas, leave your home immediately and call 911 first. For electrical burning smells, turn off your system and the breaker if you can safely reach it. When you call us, we'll guide you through exactly what to do while waiting for your technician to arrive.

Yes. We understand that HVAC emergencies don't follow a 9-to-5 schedule. We offer evening, night, and weekend emergency service for situations that truly can't wait. If your issue isn't urgent, we can often save you money by scheduling during regular business hours — and we'll be honest about whether that's an option.

We provide emergency HVAC service throughout the Greater Los Angeles area, including North Hollywood, Burbank, Glendale, Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Pasadena, Van Nuys, Encino, and surrounding communities. Our technicians are stationed throughout LA, so we can usually reach you quickly no matter where you're located.

We understand the concern — some companies take advantage of emergencies to overcharge. Here's our commitment: We'll diagnose the problem honestly, explain your options clearly, give you upfront pricing before any work begins, and never pressure you. Check our Google reviews to see what other homeowners say. And remember: we've been serving this community for over 15 years because we treat people right.

First, turn off your furnace at the thermostat. A slight burning smell when you first turn on your heat for the season can be normal (dust burning off). But if the smell is strong, persistent, or accompanied by visible smoke, turn off the system, turn off the gas if you can safely do so, and call us immediately. Don't ignore burning smells — they can indicate serious problems.

Indoor Air Quality

Answers to the questions we hear most from Los Angeles homeowners.

How do I know if my indoor air quality is poor?

Common signs include excessive dust buildup, frequent allergy or asthma symptoms when indoors, musty odors, or visible dust around vents. However, the only way to truly know is through an assessment. We can evaluate your home's air quality and HVAC system to identify any issues.

It depends on your specific situation. Duct cleaning can be very beneficial if you have visible dust buildup, recent renovations, pest infestations, or haven't had it done in many years. However, it's not always necessary. We always do an honest assessment first — if your ducts are in good shape, we'll tell you and won't push for unnecessary services.

There's no one-size-fits-all answer. The EPA doesn't recommend routine duct cleaning on a set schedule. Instead, we recommend cleaning based on actual conditions — when there's visible contamination, after renovations, or if you're experiencing air quality issues. For most homes, every 5-7 years is a reasonable guideline, but we assess each home individually.

Yes, quality air purifiers can significantly improve indoor air quality when properly matched to your needs. However, effectiveness varies widely based on the technology used and how well it's integrated with your HVAC system. Standalone units help specific rooms, while whole-home systems treat all the air in your house. We can help you choose the right solution.

Many of our customers report significant allergy relief after improving their home's air quality. Proper filtration removes common allergens like pollen, dust mites, and pet dander from the air. However, results vary based on what triggers your allergies and the specific solutions implemented.

MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. Higher MERV ratings capture smaller particles — MERV 8 catches dust and pollen, MERV 11-13 catches finer particles like mold spores and pet dander, and MERV 14+ captures even bacteria. However, higher isn't always better — your HVAC system needs to be able to handle the airflow restriction. We'll help you find the right balance.

Most homeowners notice a difference within 24-48 hours of installing new filtration or having ducts cleaned. Reduced dust on surfaces typically becomes apparent within a week. For allergy improvements, it may take a few weeks for full effect as your home's environment adjusts.

Yes! We're based in North Hollywood and serve the entire greater Los Angeles area including Burbank, Glendale, Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Pasadena, and surrounding cities. We're locally owned and operated, so you'll always work with someone who knows your community.