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Serving San Jose and nearby cities Mon–Fri: 8 AM–8 PM · Requests accepted 24/7 · (669) 201-9530

Heating Repair for Sunnyvale Homes

The short answer

EliteAir repairs furnaces, wall heaters, heat pumps and ductless systems in Sunnyvale, and can assess radiant heating issues. We diagnose the specific fault, make a safe repair and explain the options if the system is near the end of its life.

Ask a few Sunnyvale neighbors how they heat their houses and you may get a few different answers. One has a forced-air furnace in the garage, the next a wall heater in the hallway, another warm floors from radiant pipes in the slab, and someone down the block just replaced everything with a ductless heat pump. When the heat goes out on a chilly, wet evening, the right repair depends entirely on which of those systems you have. EliteAir Heating & Cooling repairs residential heating systems throughout Sunnyvale, ZIP codes 94085, 94086, 94087 and 94089, about eight miles northwest of our base in San Jose. We explain what failed, what the repair involves, and whether the system has more life in it. The sections below cover the systems we see most in Sunnyvale and the signs that tell you something needs attention.

Warning signs worth acting on

Some heating problems can wait a day or two. Others mean you should shut the system off right away. Call for service, and in the case of gas odor leave the home first, if you notice any of these.

  • Smell of gas near the heater or anywhere in the house
  • Carbon monoxide alarm going off
  • Yellow, flickering flames on a gas furnace or wall heater
  • Scorch marks or soot near a heater
  • Breaker tripping every time the heat starts
  • Loud banging, grinding or screeching from the unit

Forced-air furnaces

Garage, closet and attic furnaces are the most common heating system we repair in Sunnyvale. The usual faults include a cracked igniter, a dirty flame sensor, a pressure switch that will not close, a worn inducer motor, a failed blower motor or capacitor, and a high-limit switch that trips because of restricted airflow. We watch the startup sequence to find where it breaks down, test that component and repair it.

Wall heaters

Gravity wall heaters are simple and long-lived, but older units need careful attention. Pilot lights go out, thermocouples wear out, gas valves stick and the burner compartment collects lint and dust. We clean, test and repair what we safely can. If a wall heater is too old to repair safely or replacement parts are no longer practical, we will tell you directly and talk through options such as a ductless heat pump.

Heat pumps and ductless systems

Heat pumps are increasingly common in Sunnyvale. When one fails to heat, typical causes include a stuck reversing valve, a failed defrost sensor or board, a dead outdoor fan motor, or low refrigerant from a leak. Ductless heads can shut down because of clogged condensate lines, dirty filters or communication errors between the indoor and outdoor units. We read error codes, test sensors and wiring, and check refrigerant performance.

Thermostat setup also matters. A heat pump thermostat configured incorrectly can run backup electric heat far more than needed. We check that as part of the repair.

Radiant floor systems

Some mid-century Sunnyvale homes have in-floor radiant heat, with hot water circulating through pipes in the concrete slab. These systems can last a long time, but boilers, circulator pumps, valves and controls eventually wear. We can assess the heating source and controls, and if repairs are not practical, explain how ductless heat pumps can supplement or replace the radiant system without tearing up the floors.

Thinking about the long term

Nothing in the Bay Area Air District appliance rules requires replacing a working heater; the rules apply only when equipment fails or is replaced. Under Rule 9-4, gas furnaces manufactured from 2029 must meet a zero-NOx standard, which in practice points future replacements toward heat pumps. If your system is old, a repair visit is a good time to talk about what you would want when replacement does come, without pressure to decide on the spot.

We provide heating repair across Sunnyvale and in Mountain View, Santa Clara, Los Altos, Cupertino and Los Altos Hills.

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What to expect

How a visit goes

  1. Measure first

    Temperatures, pressures, electrical readings and airflow come before any recommendation, so the fix addresses the actual fault.

  2. Show and explain

    We point out failed parts or readings, describe what they mean, and answer questions until the choice makes sense to you.

  3. Respect the home

    Floor protection, careful attic and closet work, and a cleaned-up space before we leave are standard on every visit.

FAQ

Common questions

Don’t see your question? Call (669) 201-9530 and we’ll talk it through.

What heating systems do you repair in Sunnyvale?

Gas furnaces, wall heaters, heat pumps and ductless mini-splits. We can also assess radiant floor heating sources and controls.

My wall heater pilot keeps going out. Can it be fixed?

Often, yes. A worn thermocouple or dirty pilot assembly is a common cause. We test and repair it if the unit is safe.

Why is my heat pump blowing cool air in winter?

It may be in a defrost cycle, which is brief and normal. If it lasts, the cause may be a reversing valve, defrost control or refrigerant problem.

Can you help with radiant floor heat that stopped working?

We assess the heat source, pump and controls, and explain repair or supplement options.

Do new Air District rules require me to replace my heater?

No. The rules apply only when equipment fails or is replaced.

Do you serve areas around Sunnyvale?

Yes: Mountain View, Santa Clara, Los Altos, Cupertino, Los Altos Hills and San Jose.

Tell us what your system is doing

Describe the symptom and where the equipment is, and we will schedule a visit, diagnose the problem and walk you through your options.

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