Why your house has hot rooms
It is almost never the equipment. It is the distribution. Los Angeles homes are full of flex duct that was crushed against a rafter, disconnected at a boot, or never sealed at the plenum. A system losing thirty percent of its conditioned air into the attic will never cool the back bedroom no matter how big the condenser is. We measure static pressure and check the duct system before we ever recommend replacing equipment.
The oversizing problem
Most residential systems in Los Angeles were sized by a rule of thumb - so many square feet per ton. An oversized system short cycles: it drops the temperature fast, shuts off before it has removed any humidity, and wears itself out. A correctly sized system runs longer at lower capacity and costs less to run. We do a Manual J load calculation. It takes longer and it is the difference between a system that works and one you fight for fifteen years.
What we do
- Diagnostic and repair on all residential systems - capacitors, contactors, blower motors, control boards, refrigerant leaks
- Full system replacement, condenser and air handler or packaged units
- Ductless mini splits and multi-zone systems - ideal for rooms that were never served, converted garages, offices and additions
- Heat pumps, including cold-climate models, plus rebate and incentive paperwork
- Duct replacement, sealing, sizing and rebalancing
- Return air sizing corrections, which is the most commonly missed defect
- Thermostats and zoning systems
- Condensate line clearing and secondary pan safety switches
- Attic insulation and radiant barrier, which often reduce your cooling load more cheaply than a bigger system
- Air quality - MERV filtration, media cabinets and fresh air ventilation
Cost
Diagnostic starts at $210. A standard split system replacement in Los Angeles generally runs $8,500 to $16,000 installed depending on tonnage, efficiency and whether ductwork is replaced. A single-zone ductless mini split typically runs $4,200 to $7,500 installed. Duct sealing and rebalancing runs $1,200 to $3,500 and frequently solves the complaint without replacing anything.
What is included in this service
- Full diagnostic including static pressure and temperature split readings
- Manual J load calculation on replacement work
- Duct inspection and photographic documentation
- Refrigerant recovery and legal disposal
- Permit and inspection where required
- Condensate management and safety switches
- Equipment pad, disconnect and line set
- Thermostat installation and configuration
- Commissioning with airflow and charge verification
- Rebate and incentive documentation on qualifying equipment
Frequently asked questions
Repair or replace?
Under ten years old with a repairable failure, repair. Over fifteen with a compressor or coil failure, replace. Between those, we give you the actual numbers on both and let you decide.
Do mini splits work well in Los Angeles?
Extremely well, and they are often the right answer for a converted garage, an office or a bedroom the main system never reached.
Are there rebates for heat pumps?
Yes, utility and state programs change regularly. We handle the documentation for qualifying equipment.
Why is one room always hot?
Usually duct or return air sizing, not equipment capacity. We measure before recommending anything expensive.
Other services our Los Angeles crews handle
