Heating Repair in Milpitas, CA

Why is my furnace or heater not working?

Most heating problems trace back to a few common causes. Here is what we see most often in Bay Area homes.

What you notice	Common causes	What we do
No heat at all	Thermostat setting or dead batteries, tripped breaker, gas supply off, failed igniter or control board	Trace power and gas from the thermostat to the furnace and test each part
Cold air from the vents	Dirty flame sensor, failed igniter, dirty filter, or a heat pump stuck in the wrong mode	Clean or replace the sensor or igniter and check the heat pump’s controls
Heater turns on and off every few minutes	Clogged filter, dirty flame sensor, overheating, thermostat problem	Check airflow, safety switches and thermostat wiring
Some rooms stay cold	Closed or blocked vents, leaky or crushed ducts, weak blower	Measure airflow at the vents and inspect the ducts
Rattling, squealing or banging	Worn blower motor or belt, loose panels, delayed burner ignition	Inspect the blower, burners and cabinet
Higher heating bills	Dirty filter, leaky ducts, worn parts, an aging system	Clean and test the system and check the ducts for leaks

What should I do if I smell gas?

Leave the home right away, then call PG&E or 911 from outside. Once the gas company says it is safe, we can inspect and repair the furnace. It is also a good habit to test your carbon monoxide detectors twice a year.

What can I check before calling for heating repair?

• The thermostat. Make sure it is set to Heat and above the room temperature. Replace the batteries if the screen is blank.
• The filter. A clogged filter can make a furnace overheat and shut off. Replace it if it looks gray.
• The breaker and switch. Check the furnace breaker in your panel and the on/off switch near the furnace, which looks like a light switch.
• The outdoor unit. If you have a heat pump, keep about 2 feet clear around it.

Please don’t open the furnace burner area or try to relight a gas furnace yourself. If these checks don’t help, call us at (408) 649-3198.

What happens on a heating repair visit?

1. Diagnosis. A technician checks the thermostat, filter, electrical parts, ignition, burners, safety switches and airflow to find the real cause.
2. A clear price first. You get the price for the repair before any work begins. Nothing is done without your OK.
3. The repair. Common parts like igniters, flame sensors and capacitors can often be replaced on the same visit. Larger parts may need to be ordered.
4. Safety and testing. We run the system through a full heating cycle and check that it is heating properly before we leave.

How much does a heating repair visit cost?

The diagnostic visit is $89, and it is waived when you approve the repair. For Comfort Club members the diagnostic is $49, and members also get 15% off repairs and priority scheduling. The cost of the repair itself depends on the part and the system, so the technician gives you an exact price after the diagnosis.

Could the problem be my ducts?

Sometimes, yes. If the furnace checks out but the house still won’t warm up, or bills keep rising, warm air may be leaking from the ducts before it reaches your rooms. We can inspect them and, if needed, offer duct repair or replacement.

Should I repair or replace my furnace?

Repair usually makes sense when the furnace is in good shape and the problem is a single part. Replacement is worth a look when:

• The furnace is older and needs a major part.
• Repairs are getting more frequent, or bills keep climbing.
• Some rooms never get comfortable, even when the system runs.

If you replace it, you can choose a standard 80% furnace or a high-efficiency 95% condensing furnace; our heating services page compares the two. If both your furnace and AC are aging, a heat pump can replace both with one system. You don’t have to replace a working gas furnace because of the Bay Area’s new furnace rules. We will explain your options honestly, and estimates on new systems are free.

I highly recommend Upgrade Home Services. Victor is fair, knowledgable, affordable, and provides very professional customer support.

Dawn S., Google review

Which heating systems and brands do we repair?

We repair gas furnaces, heat pumps, ductless mini-splits and wall heaters, and we service every major brand, including Amana, Carrier, Payne, Goodman, Daikin and Mitsubishi. Upgrade Home Services is a family-owned company based at 743 Ames Ave in Milpitas, licensed by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB #1066776) and serving homeowners since 2002. We work across 22 cities in Santa Clara, San Mateo and southern Alameda counties, including Milpitas, San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale and Fremont.