The short answer
PerfectFix HVAC Services repairs gas furnaces, heat pumps, thermostats, and airflow problems in Los Altos homes, and we explain the diagnosis before any work begins. Bay Area Air District rules don't require you to replace a working furnace, so a repair is often a sensible choice.
When your furnace or heat pump stops keeping up, the chilly, damp nights of a Santa Clara Valley winter get uncomfortable fast. PerfectFix HVAC Services repairs gas furnaces, heat pumps, and the thermostats and ductwork that connect them for homes throughout Los Altos (94024). We come over from our base in San Jose, about 14 miles east. We find the actual problem, explain it in plain terms, and fix it so you can decide on next steps without pressure.
Heating Problems We See in Los Altos Homes
Winters here are mild compared to much of the country. That means many heating systems sit idle for months, then run every evening once the damp weather sets in. This on-and-off pattern tends to expose weak parts at the start of the season. Common calls include:
Some of these are quick fixes. Others point to a worn component that needs replacing. Our job is to tell you which is which.
- Furnace runs but blows cool or lukewarm air
- Burner lights, then shuts off after a few minutes
- No heat at all after the system sat unused through summer
- Heat pump icing up, stuck in defrost, or leaning constantly on backup heat
- Uneven room temperatures, weak airflow, or rattling and squealing from the blower
- Thermostat that won't call for heat or cycles the system too often
- A burning-dust smell that lingers well past the first startup of the season
What Happens During a Heating Repair Visit
We start by asking what you've noticed:
Then we test the system instead of guessing.
Before any work begins, we explain the problem and your options. If a part is failing, we'll show you why. If a repair isn't worth making on an older system, we'll say so and walk you through our reasoning.
If you ever smell gas, leave the house first. Then call your gas utility from outside before calling any HVAC company.
- When the problem started
- Whether it's constant or comes and goes
- Any unusual sounds or smells
- On a gas furnace, we check the ignition sequence, flame sensor, safety switches, inducer and blower motors, gas pressure, and venting.
- On a heat pump, we check refrigerant performance, the reversing valve, defrost controls, outdoor coil condition, and backup heat.
Repair or Replace? What the Bay Area Air District Rules Mean
Many Los Altos homeowners have heard about the Bay Area Air District's rules for gas appliances and wonder whether their furnace has to go. It doesn't. The rules do not require replacing working equipment. They apply only when an existing furnace fails or is replaced. Repairing a furnace that still has useful life left is a reasonable choice.
Looking ahead, Rule 9-4 requires natural gas furnaces manufactured from 2029 on to meet a zero-NOx emission standard. In practice, that points homeowners toward heat pumps when they replace a furnace after that date. If your furnace is aging and needs frequent repairs, start thinking now about what you'd install eventually. That way a sudden failure doesn't force a rushed decision.
If you're weighing a heat pump, note that the federal 25C tax credit is no longer an option. It covered qualifying heat pumps placed in service before December 31, 2025, so it isn't available for new installations. Bay Area homeowners can still check BayREN and their local clean energy provider for heat pump and electrification incentives. Amounts and availability change by funding cycle, so we confirm the current offer before including it in any quote.
Heat Pump Repair in a Mild Climate
Heat pumps suit the Santa Clara Valley's mild, damp winters, and more Los Altos homes now rely on them for heat. When one struggles, the cause is often fixable:
We diagnose heat pumps as carefully as furnaces, and we'll tell you if a problem is likely to come back.
- A failed defrost sensor
- A dirty outdoor coil
- Low refrigerant from a leak
- A bad capacitor
- A thermostat that isn't set up for a heat pump and keeps triggering backup heat
A Few Quick Checks Before You Call
These checks won't fix a failed part, but sometimes they solve the problem outright:
If none of that helps, turn the system off and schedule a repair rather than resetting it over and over.
- Confirm the thermostat is set to Heat and the setpoint is above room temperature. Replace its batteries if it uses them.
- Check the breakers for the furnace or air handler and for the outdoor heat pump unit.
- Make sure the furnace's power switch, usually on or near the unit, is on.
- Replace a dirty air filter.
- Look for closed or blocked supply and return vents.
Serving Los Altos and Nearby Communities
We repair heating systems in homes across Los Altos, ZIP code 94024, as part of our Santa Clara County service area. We also serve neighboring Los Altos Hills, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, and Santa Clara. If you have family or a rental property nearby, the same team can help there too.
More services in Los Altos
- AC Repair in Los Altos
- Heat Pump Installation in Los Altos
- AC Installation in Los Altos
- Furnace Repair in Los Altos