A heating tune-up is a routine checkup for a working system. The goal is to spot safety or performance problems before they turn into bigger issues. We service furnaces, heat pumps in heating mode, and wall or space heaters.
Each visit includes combustion safety testing, carbon monoxide checks, and a written report. Our C-20 licensed technicians serve Los Angeles County from Chatsworth and Ventura County from Simi Valley.
Because LA County has a mild climate, heating systems are often unused for six months or more. During this time, small problems like a cracked heat exchanger, a weak ignitor, or dust in the blower motor can go unnoticed. These issues usually show up only on the first cold night, when you turn on the heat, and the system either fails to start or reveals a hidden problem.
In the Valley, overnight temperatures drop more than they do near the coast. Many older homes in Chatsworth, Reseda, and Encino have old ductwork and attic insulation. When a furnace has to work against attic heat loss, it affects comfort along with energy costs. Scheduling a tune-up before the season starts helps you avoid emergency repairs and lets you plan ahead.
A persistent burning smell, any gas odor, or a carbon monoxide alarm is a safety issue. Shut the system down and call immediately.
A heat pump needs different care than a furnace. Here’s what each service includes: safety, efficiency, and comfort.
Heat exchanger inspection for cracks, combustion analysis, carbon monoxide testing, flue and venting inspection, and gas pressure testing come first. Then, burner and flame sensor cleaning, ignition testing, blower lubrication, electrical connections, and filter service. Then, thermostat calibration and airflow verification.
No combustion, so different priorities: electrical inspection under load, refrigerant charge verification, and defrost cycle testing come first. Then coil inspection and cleaning, and verification against rated SEER2 and HSPF2 specifications.
Then, thermostat calibration and, for dual-fuel systems, confirming that the heat pump-to-furnace changeover point is set correctly for the season and your rate structure.
Wall-mounted and floor furnaces, common in some older LA County properties, get combustion and CO testing, gas-fired, venting inspection, and a clearance check from combustible materials, which shifts over time as a property changes.
When we calibrate your thermostat, we also check your schedule against SCE or LADWP time-of-use rates. Even a working thermostat can cost you more if it isn’t set for peak pricing times.
In the fall, we also consider the wildfire season. If your home has experienced smoke exposure, we’ll take a closer look at your filter and discuss whether a higher-efficiency filter would work with your system.
Both of these checks are included in the same visit. Every appointment ends with a written report. For improved filtration, see our indoor air quality services.
A tune-up is meant for a system that is still working. If your system has already stopped working or has an active problem, you need heating or furnace repair instead.
If you’ve needed several repairs in the last few years, if parts are getting hard to find, or if your system never really kept your home comfortable, it may be time to consider a new heating system instead of more tune-ups. Check our heating contractor overview or heating installation to help you decide.
You’ll receive a safety check with combustion and carbon monoxide testing, a clear report on your system’s condition, and early warnings of any problems before they become bigger issues.
When you keep your equipment maintained, it’s more likely to last longer, break down less often, and have a service record that can help with manufacturer warranties.
Tune-ups don’t qualify for current rebates. LADWP and SCE incentives are for new equipment, not maintenance. If your tune-up shows you need a new system, check California HVAC rebates to see what applies.
Routine maintenance doesn’t require Title 24 permits, since that’s only for new installations. We also can’t promise a set percentage of savings, because your bill depends on your system’s age, how you use it, and your rate plan.
We serve Chatsworth and the West Valley, including Glendale, Santa Monica, and Santa Clarita. Instead of listing every community, we have pages for each area: HVAC services in Chatsworth, Granada Hills HVAC contractor, HVAC repair in Woodland Hills, Glendale HVAC repair, or check our heating contractor overview if your area isn’t listed yet.
Our Simi Valley branch serves all of Ventura County. Inland cities like Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, and Moorpark get colder at night, so heat pumps and dual-fuel systems are common there.
For more details, see our pages on Simi Valley heat pump installation, Thousand Oaks heat pump installation, and Thousand Oaks dual fuel heating systems.
In coastal areas like Oxnard, Ventura, Port Hueneme, and Camarillo, salt air can damage outdoor heat pump parts, so we pay special attention to the outdoor unit during a coastal tune-up. Visit our Ventura County service area page for full details.
We are a woman-owned business with a California CSLB license #1081403. We’re bonded and insured, and we have an A+ rating with the BBB. Our technicians are NATE-certified and hold EPA Section 608 certification. We’re proud to have a 4.9-star rating from over 1,600 Google reviews.
We provide a written report instead of just a verbal summary, and we’ll give you an honest answer about whether you need a repair or replacement—not just what comes with a rebate.
Before you schedule with any contractor, including us, it’s a good idea to ask what’s included in the visit, if CO testing is standard or extra, and if you’ll get a written report. If a contractor can’t answer these questions clearly, it’s worth looking elsewhere.
Our Care Club includes two scheduled tune-ups each year—one before cooling season and one before heating season. Members get priority scheduling and discounted repair rates. For more ongoing maintenance options, see our HVAC maintenance in Los Angeles page.
Once a year, ideally in early fall before cold weather arrives. Since systems usually sit unused for months, scheduling before the season starts catches problems before a mid-winter failure.
A furnace tune-up covers heat exchanger inspection, combustion analysis, CO testing, burner cleaning, ignition testing, and gas pressure testing.
A heat pump tune-up covers electrical testing, refrigerant charge, defrost cycle testing, and coil inspection. Both include thermostat calibration and a written report.
Cost depends on system type and condition. Call for current pricing. We provide a written quote before any work beyond the standard inspection.
It can help, since a maintained system runs closer to its rated efficiency. We won’t promise a specific percentage, since the effect depends on your system’s age, usage, and rate plan.
Yes, from our Simi Valley branch, with heat pump systems more common inland and coastal salt-air exposure a factor near the coast.
Systems idle for six months or more, so small issues go unnoticed until the system actually runs. A tune-up before the season starts catches most of these first.
If it’s been more than a year since your last heating service, or you’re not sure when it was, now is a good time to schedule a tune-up—before the first cold night catches you off guard.
Los Angeles County: (818) 722-1332 Ventura County: (805) 755-4074. Book an appointment online or ask about Care Club membership.
Affordable Heating and Air 9601 Cozycroft Ave, Unit 1, Chatsworth, CA 91311 (LA County) 749 California Ave, Simi Valley, CA 93065 (Ventura County) CSLB C-20 #1081403
