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If your older LA home still feels chilly even when the heater is running, it may be time to call for furnace repairs in Los Angeles, CA. At Service Genius, we provide professional furnace repairs in LA and the surrounding areas.
Why Older Los Angeles Homes Have Different Types of Furnaces
Many older homes in LA have different types of furnaces because they were built before central air systems were standardized. Especially in historic neighborhoods like Pasadena and Whittier, you’ll often see a wide variety of different heating systems, including wall heaters and floor furnaces.
How to Identify the Type of Furnace in Your LA Home
The easiest way to identify the type of furnace in your Los Angeles home is to check the manufacturer data sticker, which is usually located on the front access panel. If the data sticker isn’t clearly visible, you can look for clues about the type of fuel source, such as a gas line to indicate a gas furnace. Avoid opening up any internal components of your furnace, as this can pose a safety hazard or potentially damage your heating system.
Common Furnace Problems in Older Los Angeles Homes
Older furnaces in historic LA homes can face a variety of common heater repair problems, often as a result of aging systems and wear and tear. These issues can include:
- Cracked heat exchanger
- Gas leak
- Old, damaged, or leaky ductwork
- Inefficient or nonexistent air filtration systems that don’t meet modern standards
- Older safety controls than modern furnaces
- Outdated electrical systems, including knob-and-tube wiring
- Obsolete thermostat systems
Wall Furnace Repair for Older Homes and Apartments
At Service Genius, we provide professional furnace repairs for wall furnaces in older LA homes and apartments. Many older wall furnaces face issues like cracked heat exchangers, ignition and pilot light failures, and fan and blower motor problems. Our team of licensed HVAC technicians is experienced at handling all your wall furnace needs to restore heat to your home.
Floor Furnace Repair in Vintage Los Angeles Homes
When you need specialized floor furnace repair for a vintage LA home, count on the pros at Service Genius for expert heating solutions. We’re experienced at handling the unique challenges of historic homes, including sourcing parts for older furnaces and navigating dust and asbestos duct insulation.
Attic Furnace Repair and Access Considerations
Attic furnaces are often popular in older LA homes thanks to their space-saving design. However, this comes with access challenges and other unique considerations for repairs. When we perform your attic gas furnace repair, we pay attention to key aspects like water protection, vibration, and noise. Since attics are often subject to significant temperature swings, we’ll also look out for your insulation levels to protect your HVAC system and improve your home’s temperature efficiency.
Pilot Light, Thermocouple and Ignition Problems
Many LA furnaces installed before the 1980s face a range of pilot light, thermocouple, and ignition problems. These system components are sensitive to things like dramatic temperature changes, and may be more vulnerable if they’re located in spaces like attics or drafty closets. Accumulated dust levels in older LA homes can also impact your pilot light, thermocouple, and ignition systems, and may cause your pilot light to go out
Gas Valve and Burner Problems in Older Furnaces
Older gas furnaces are often subject to issues with the gas valve and burner. Particularly if these systems aren’t routinely cleaned and maintained, dust and debris can build up and cause issues inside your furnace. Electrical issues from wear and tear may also lead to gas valves and burners that no longer function efficiently.
Why Furnace Venting and Combustion Safety Matter
Proper furnace venting and combustion safety keep your heating system running efficiently and safely. Your furnace requires an intake of clean, fresh air in order to properly heat your home. It also needs a safe space to expel gases outside your home so that they don’t contaminate your indoor air. Without proper combustion and venting, your home is at risk of toxic elements like carbon monoxide returning to your indoor air.
If you have a gas furnace, always make sure to install a gas and carbon monoxide detector near your furnace for early-alert safety. You should also call for LA heater repairs if you smell a rotten eggs odor, notice excess soot, or if your pilot light is burning orange or yellow instead of blue, which indicates incomplete combustion.
Thermostat Problems That Can Look Like Furnace Failure
There are many furnace issues that might look like furnace failure at first glance. For example, a tripped circuit breaker, incorrect settings, or a dead thermostat battery can all cause your furnace to shut off even though the furnace itself may be functioning properly. Other issues like loose wiring or a failing blower motor fan require furnace repairs, but they are relatively simple fixes and do not represent full furnace failure.
Airflow and Ductwork Problems With Attic Furnaces
Many attics in older LA homes have insufficient insulation, which can cause significant airflow and ductwork problems. Without proper insulation, your HVAC system suffers from significant temperature swings that reduce overall system efficiency. Older or leaky ductwork can cause further air loss, leading to higher heating bills and increased strain on your furnace.
Furnace Noises and Odors That Should Not Be Ignored
When your furnace is operating properly, you might notice a slight humming noise while it’s running, but it shouldn’t be loud enough to disrupt your life. You might also notice a minor burning smell when you first turn on your furnace in the winter as the system burns off a thin layer of accumulated dust. However, any loud or unusual furnace noises, or any smells that persist, can indicate a more serious furnace issue. Keep an eye out for signs like:
- Loud banging noises that can indicate a problem with gas ignition.
- Grinding or screeching noises that can indicate a mechanical problem.
- Rattling or clanking caused by loose screws or other loose components.
- Continuous clicking noises that can mean an igniter problem.
- Burning smells that can indicate a fire hazard.
- Musty odors that may mean mold or mildew growth.
- A rotten egg smell, which indicates a gas leak.
These issues can pose a serious risk to your health and safety as well as to the functioning of your furnace. If you notice any of these noises or odors, call a professional for older home furnace repairs in Los Angeles.
When an Older Furnace Can Be Repaired and When Replacement May Make More Sense
When deciding whether to repair or replace your old furnace, it’s helpful to think about the age of the furnace, the extent of repairs required, and your home energy goals. Most gas furnaces last between 15 and 20 years with proper maintenance. If your furnace is reaching the end of its expected lifespan and requires moderate to significant repairs, furnace replacement is usually the more cost-effective option.
While repairs are typically recommended for minor issues, furnace replacement is usually the preferred option if the repairs are estimated to cost more than 50% of the value of a new unit. Upgrading your furnace may also be an opportunity to switch to a more energy-efficient model to help reduce your monthly heating costs.
How Service Genius Diagnoses Older Los Angeles Heating Systems
At Service Genius, our licensed HVAC technicians will perform a comprehensive heating system inspection to determine the cause of the issue. Our motto is “we don’t guess, we measure”, because we use precise technologies to get to the root of your furnace problems. Once we’ve located the issue, we’ll talk to you about different repair and replacement options and make a recommendation based on what fits your goals. Once you’re happy with the plan, we’ll proceed with the necessary heating repair service. Discover why LA homeowners choose us to learn more about our furnace repair process.
Schedule Furnace Repair With Service Genius
Choose Service Genius for heating, cooling, water heater, and indoor air quality service across Los Angeles, from Chatsworth to Santa Monica. Contact Service Genius today!