Los Angeles might not feel like a place where heating is important, but that changes quickly if your furnace stops working on a cold January night in the San Fernando Valley. Since most LA homeowners only use their heat for a few months each year, problems often go unnoticed until the first real cold snap.
Suddenly, a cracked heat exchanger leaking carbon monoxide, a pilot assembly that won’t respond, or a heat pump that won’t switch to heating can become urgent issues.
Affordable Heating and Air is a C-20 licensed heating contractor (CSLB #1081403) based in Chatsworth and serving all of Los Angeles County, with support for Ventura County from our Simi Valley branch. We repair, maintain, and install gas furnaces, heat pump systems, dual-fuel setups, and wall heaters throughout the area.
Heating emergency? Los Angeles County (818) 722-1332
Ventura County: (805) 755-4074
Unlike cooling, where most LA homes use some version of central air conditioning, heating systems in this area come in several types. Each has its own maintenance needs, common problems, and replacement options.
Gas furnaces are still the most common heating system in Los Angeles County. They provide quick, powerful heat and are familiar to most homeowners. Maintenance involves checking the heat exchanger, performing combustion analysis, testing for carbon monoxide, cleaning the ignitor and flame sensor, verifying the gas valve, servicing the blower motor, and inspecting the flue.
If your furnace is 15–20 years old and in need of costly repairs, call us now for a free replacement quote or schedule an installation consultation.
Heat pumps provide both cooling and heating from a single outdoor unit. In LA’s mild winters, they stay fully efficient at temperatures above their minimum rating and use much less energy than gas furnaces for the same amount of heat. Maintaining a heat pump involves testing the reversing valve, checking the defrost cycle, and inspecting refrigerant levels, which are not needed for gas furnaces.
LADWP offers rebates of up to $2,500 per ton on qualifying heat pump installations, making the transition from gas to electric heating more financially accessible than many homeowners expect. Heat pump services →
A dual-fuel system combines a heat pump with a gas furnace backup. The heat pump handles heating during mild weather, which is most of the LA winter, and the furnace only turns on during the coldest nights. This setup gives you the efficiency of a heat pump while keeping a gas backup, which is a good option for homeowners who are not ready to switch fully to electric heating.
Many older LA homes, especially in West Hollywood, Silver Lake, Echo Park, and pre-war neighborhoods, use wall-mounted gas heaters or floor furnaces as their only source of heat. These units need a yearly safety inspection that includes checking for gas leaks, testing the thermocouple, performing combustion analysis, and guaranteeing adequate clearance.
If you need to replace one, a ductless mini-split can be a modern and efficient way to heat and cool your home without adding ductwork.
Cooling problems create discomfort. Heating problems can create danger.
Gas furnaces produce combustion byproducts, including carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless gas that can be dangerous at high levels. A cracked heat exchanger, blocked flue, or a furnace that is not vented properly can let carbon monoxide into your home.
That is why every heating service visit we do includes a combustion analysis and a carbon monoxide safety test. This is not optional or an extra service; it is our basic standard for safe heating work.
If you smell gas, hear a carbon monoxide alarm, or see a yellow or flickering flame: Leave the house immediately.
Call SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200 from outside. After SoCalGas clears the area, call us.
San Fernando Valley homes have a unique heating profile that most generic HVAC content does not address:
The Valley has short but intense heating needs. Overnight lows often fall into the high 30s and low 40s in December and January, which is cold enough to require heating but not cold enough to cause gradual performance loss. A struggling furnace may get through several winters before it finally stops working.
Many older homes in the Valley, built from the 1960s to the 1980s, still have their original or second furnace. These older systems commonly use standing pilot lights, single-stage burners, and heat exchangers that have gone through decades of heating and cooling cycles. While these furnaces may still turn on, their efficiency and safety are much lower than those of modern equipment.
Duct problems can reduce your heating performance, just like they do with air conditioning in the summer. Hot air moving through uninsulated or leaky ducts in a cold attic loses heat before it gets to your rooms. Upgrading insulation and sealing ducts can improve heating without replacing your equipment.
More Valley homeowners are switching from gas furnaces to heat pumps, thanks to LADWP rebates, higher gas prices, and California’s push for building electrification.
Our technicians look at both repair and replacement options during every heating service visit, so you can make the best choice for your home.
Our Simi Valley branch at (805) 755-4074 offers the same heating contractor services throughout Ventura County. Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks often have overnight temperatures similar to the San Fernando Valley.
Coastal areas like Ventura, Oxnard, and Camarillo have milder winters, but their equipment can suffer from corrosion caused by marine air, which affects outdoor heat pumps, electrical connections, and gas appliances.
Visit our Ventura County HVAC Services page or call (805) 755-4074 to schedule your heating service today.
If your system takes longer than usual to reach the set temperature, some rooms stay cold while others heat up, or you hear banging, popping, or grinding noises when the furnace starts, it may need attention.
Other warning signs include a burning or metallic smell from the vents, the furnace turning on and off quickly without maintaining a steady temperature, a carbon monoxide detector going off, a yellow or flickering burner flame, higher gas bills despite no increased usage, or the system not responding when you switch to Heat mode.
Any of these warrants a service call. Heating repair →
Repair is usually the best choice if your system is less than 12 years old, the problem is limited to one part, the heat exchanger is in good shape, and the repair costs much less than half the price of a new system.
Replacement is a better option if your furnace is 15 to 20 years old and needs a major repair, the heat exchanger is cracked or damaged, you are making repairs every heating season, the system cannot keep your home comfortable during normal winter weather, or you want to switch from gas to an electric heat pump to get rebates and lower your energy bills.
Contact us today for a direct comparison and advice, so you can choose the best option for your home.
California’s building electrification push and updated Title 24 energy code are changing how heating systems are specified. For new installations in newly constructed homes, heat pump heating is increasingly the standard.
For existing home replacements, the requirements depend on project scope, permit type, and utility territory.
LADWP offers up to $2,500 per ton on qualifying heat pump installations. SCE offers enrollment credits for smart thermostats. SoCalGas offers rebates on qualifying high-efficiency gas equipment while funding remains available.
The federal IRA Section 25C tax credit expired December 31, 2025. TECH Clean California and HEEHRA single-family rebates are fully reserved. Verify current program status on our California HVAC Rebates page.
If you are considering a heating tune-up instead of a full replacement, yearly maintenance helps your system run efficiently and can catch safety issues before they become emergencies.
Affordable Heating and Air is locally owned and women-led, with our main office in Chatsworth serving Los Angeles County and a Simi Valley branch for Ventura County. We are C-20 licensed (CSLB #1081403), NATE-certified, and EPA Section 608 certified. We hold an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Our team has expertise in gas furnaces, heat pumps, dual-fuel systems, and wall heaters. We offer 24/7 emergency heating service, have a 4.9-star rating from over 1,300 Google reviews, and provide financing options. Our Care Club maintenance plans give you priority scheduling and twice-yearly service.
You should have your heating system serviced at least once a year, ideally in the fall before the heating season starts. Even though LA winters are short, a gas furnace that goes without yearly service can build up combustion byproducts, dust, and wear on parts, which can lower efficiency and safety. Heat pumps should be serviced twice a year—once before cooling season and once before heating season.
Yes. Our technicians are trained on gas furnaces, heat pump systems, dual-fuel configurations, and wall heaters. Gas furnace service includes combustion analysis and carbon monoxide testing. Heat pump service includes reversing valve testing and verification of the defrost cycle.
For many Los Angeles homes, a heat pump is a better long-term investment. It provides both heating and cooling, qualifies for the largest LADWP rebates, and costs less to run for heating during LA’s mild winters. However, your choice is based on your ductwork, the size of your electrical panel, and your home’s heating needs. If you want to keep a gas backup, a dual-fuel system is also an option.
We measure CO levels in the flue, at the heat exchanger, and in the living space using a calibrated combustion analyzer. We also verify a proper draft, inspect the heat exchanger for cracks or corrosion, and check that the flue and venting system are clear and properly connected. This is standard on every gas furnace service visit.
Our $95 diagnostic fee is credited toward any repair you choose to have done. Most standard heating repairs, like fixing the ignitor, flame sensor, capacitor, or blower motor, usually cost between $150 and $650. Replacing a heat exchanger or performing major repairs can cost $1,200 to $2,800 or more. We always give you a written quote before starting any work.
Yes. Our Simi Valley branch at (805) 755-4074 serves Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, Camarillo, Oxnard, Ventura, and Port Hueneme. Visit our Ventura County page →
Whether your furnace will not ignite, your heat pump is blowing cold air, or you want to plan a heating system upgrade before next winter, we are here to help.
Los Angeles County: (818) 722-1332 Ventura County: (805) 755-4074
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Serving Chatsworth, Northridge, Granada Hills, Porter Ranch, West Hills, Van Nuys, Encino, Woodland Hills, Glendale, Burbank, Santa Clarita, West Hollywood, Silver Lake, and all of Los Angeles County. Ventura County service through our Simi Valley branch.
Install
Provided service
Upon arrival, I assessed the system and found it was operational. The customer highlighted that the airflow in the master bedroom was significantly weaker compared to other areas. I inspected the vent and discovered the damper was closed, which I promptly opened, resulting in improved airflow but still lower than desired. Further investigation revealed no collapsed ducts but noted the absence of balancing dampers, which are essential for proper airflow distribution. Additionally, I identified an improperly installed dryer vent, which was discharging lint and debris under the home, posing potential safety and airflow issues. I recommended replacing and properly sizing the ductwork to enhance airflow balance and correcting the dryer vent termination to prevent contamination and ensure safety.
Diagnostic
Diagnostic in LA
He came out put booties on his shoes before he entered the house. Very respectful gave me my options.
Like Allen very much . Nice, respectful and very helpful I will always request him in the future.
Our technician Eugene was great
Ready to Heat Your Home? Call the Los Angeles Affordable Heating Contractor Today!
Whether you're in need of heating & air system repair, routine HVAC repair maintenance, or a brand-new heating installation, Affordable Heating and Air is the Los Angeles affordable heating contractor you can trust for reliable HVAC services. Contact us today to schedule service and ensure your home stays warm and comfortable all winter long!