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Avoiding Winter Chills: Common Mid-Winter Heater Troubleshooting 

February 29, 2024

In the heart of Los Angeles, where the skyline meets the brisk mid-winter air, your home is your retreat from the cooler nights that the winter season can bring. Whether you’re coming back from a fun night at the Lakers game or an evening stroll down the Santa Monica Pier, you are expecting a warm welcome from your living space when you get back. But what if your heater decides to take a break during these cooler months? 

No worries—Brody Pennell Heating & Air Conditioning is here with the right heating solutions to troubleshoot common issues, ensuring your comfort is never on the bench. 

Heater Hurdles: Mastering Mid-Winter Warmth in LA 

As the winter season continues through the months, you count on your heating system to provide you with some warmth more and more. Even in the mild Los Angeles winter, a well-functioning heater is the key to maintaining a comfortable and inviting home. Recognizing the signs of heater troubles and knowing how to respond with the right heating solutions can make the difference between just a little inconvenience and a call for emergency heating service. 

Heating solutions aren’t just about the repairs—they are about making sure you keep your seamless comfort at home. There are some simple troubleshooting steps every homeowner should know to keep their heating system running smoothly. 

Heater Troubleshooting Mastery 

Before you reach for the phone to call a technician for professional heating solutions when something goes wrong, there are some steps you can follow. They can give you a quick fix or the information you need to diagnose a deeper issue. Either way, understanding your heater’s needs empowers you to keep your home snug and your heating solutions efficient. 

  • Checking Thermostat Settings 
  • Inspecting Air Filters 
  • Checking for Obstructions and Airflow Issues 
  • Addressing Pilot Light or Ignition Issues 

Checking Thermostat Settings

When your home feels more like an icebox than a warm retreat, the first place to look is your thermostat. It’s the control center for your heating system, and even the smallest misadjustment can leave you shivering. Ensuring that this little device is correctly set can often be the quick fix you need to restore warmth and harmony to your Los Angeles home. 

  • Temperature Check: Verify that the thermostat is set higher than the current room temperature and switch to ‘heat’ mode. 
  • Battery Power: If it’s battery-operated, weak batteries might be the culprit. A quick replacement can bring back your heat. 
  • Program Settings: Modern programmable thermostats may need quick reprogramming to reflect your current schedule and comfort needs. 

If the display is blank or showing an error, a malfunction could be the underlying cause. If that is the case, Brody Pennell Heating & Air Conditioning is ready to step in and make sure your thermostat will start giving you comfort again. 

Inspecting Air Filters

In the middle of winter, your heating system is the unsung hero, and its sidekick, the air filter, requires regular attention to keep the warmth flowing. A clogged filter is a common nemesis for heaters, working against efficiency and the cozy atmosphere of your space. Simple checks and changes can make a significant difference in how your heating system performs during those cooler Los Angeles nights. 

  • Visual Inspection: Take a moment to examine the filter. If it’s gray and covered with particles, it’s time for it to retire. 
  • Regular Replacement: Set a reminder to check filters monthly and replace them at least every three months or more often if needed. 
  • Efficiency Matters: Keep in mind that a clean filter means your heating system doesn’t have to work overtime, and that saves energy and reduces wear. 

By keeping filters fresh, you’re not only safeguarding your heater’s efficiency but also ensuring the air in your home stays clean. Brody Pennell Heating & Air Conditioning champions this simple step as part of your routine home maintenance, promoting optimal heating performance and extending the life of your system. 

Checking for Obstructions and Airflow Issues

When the cozy confines of your Los Angeles home start mirroring the brisk outdoors, it might be time to play detective with your heating system’s airflow. An unobstructed path is essential for heat to circulate efficiently throughout your space. A quick inspection can often reveal simple fixes that restore your heater’s ability to fend off the winter chill. 

  • Vent and Register Inspection: Regularly check that all vents and registers are free of dust, pet hair, or other household debris. 
  • Furniture Placement: Ensure no furniture or rugs are covering or blocking the vents, as this can significantly restrict airflow and heater efficiency. 
  • Ductwork Diligence: Peek into accessible ductwork for any blockages and consider a professional evaluation for areas beyond reach. 

Clearing these pathways not only boosts your heater’s performance but also contributes to even, comfortable warmth where it counts. Brody Pennell Heating & Air Conditioning understands the nuances of maintaining an unimpeded airflow, ensuring every corner of your home stays toasty. 

Addressing Pilot Light or Ignition Issues 

A gas heater without a flame is like a winter without a coat—ineffective and cold. The pilot light and ignition system are the spark of life for your heater, and when they falter, so does your comfort. With a bit of knowledge and caution, you can often rekindle the warmth yourself with heating solution troubleshooting. 

  • Pilot Light Checks: For older systems, ensure the pilot light is lit, and if it’s out, safely relight it according to the guidelines provided by your heater’s manufacturer. 
  • Ignition System Troubleshooting: For newer models with electronic ignition, a reset may be needed. Refer to the owner’s manual for specific instructions or troubleshooting tips. 

If your heater still refuses to light up your life, it’s time to call in the experts from Brody Pennell Heating & Air Conditioning for expert heating solutions. Our technicians are equipped to tackle ignition woes, from stubborn pilot lights to intricate electronic systems, ensuring your heater doesn’t leave you out in the cold. 

Keep the Cozy: Resolve Heating Hiccups With Brody Pennell Expertise 

With these troubleshooting tips from Brody Pennell Heating & Air Conditioning, you’re well on your way to addressing common heating hiccups that can occur amid winter. However, if these steps don’t resolve the issue, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Our expert team is ready to bring the warmth back into your Los Angeles home with reliable and efficient heating solutions.


About The Author

Brody Pennell

Since 1945, Brody Pennell Heating & Air Conditioning is the committed to helping homeowners in the greater Los Angeles area experience total home comfort. In 2021, the readers of the Los Angeles Times voted Brody Pennell the Best HVAC Company in the area.

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Maria L.
1714171589
Juan molina and gino were amazing!!! So professional and took so much time to go over everything with me.
Annick W.
1714169418
Your crew is so nice and efficient and know what they are talking about. It was a pleasure to work with them.
Brett W.
1714164822
James and Maurice came on time, were respectful and professional. As they checked out the issue, they went above and beyond, checking every piece of the furnace for a malfunction and doing a second pass just to make sure. Great service, will use them again.
Louise H.
1714163878
Juancho and Marco did a great job today!!Please come back. Thank you!☺️
Nancy A.
1714163468
Rene was very professional and friendly and diagnosed the issue with the old heater in our house. Loved how you could see exactly what the problem was with the camera probe. He was very knowledgeable and aware of the safety issues of an older heater for the family. Thank you for your quick and competent service.
Steve H.
1714163233
Kevin did a good job.
Beth F.
1714161877
Daniel B. was very polite and helpful. I am very happy with service from Brody Pennell.
Jeremy S.
1714155867
David M. did a fine job during the service call. He was, kind, knowledgeable, and professional. He represented his company well.
Pat D.
1714155494
James h friendly and efficient
Diana R.
1714153844
Daniel Avila was super!! Very professional and had a lovely disposition. He took care of un in no time. I highly recommend him.
Nicole Karsenty L.
1714153630
Cesar Corrales and Jeremy MarmonVery happy with their work. Recommend them anytime.today 4/26/24 Anthony manzo great help
stephanie C.
1714102943
Jose Rivera came to replace Thermostat on a newly installed system. He explained the whole process very well. It was an exceptional and spotless installment, would definitely recommend to family and friends. He deserves 5 stars, will have him working with us again.
Brian K.
1714095576
Great, friendly, knowledgeable, and professional service! Enrique, Danny and Nathan did an excellent job of duct cleaning our hvac system. They were polite, professional and very friendly.
Marcia W.
1714093751
Tony M and Jose were both here for our 6 month checkup and they were extremely thorough, explained everything, and very nice. Would highly recommend them.
Steve L.
1714085783
Tristen and Juancho were efficient and friendly and explained everything clearly.
Debra M.
1714085316
Excellent service by Juan Munoz, Daniel Picard, Brian Diaz, and Juan Sanchez. Very helpful in explaining the HVAC installation process and helping set up new thermostat. Extremely kind and helpful. I recommend Brody Pennel for any HVAC installation or repair.
S O
1714085187
Maria was pleasant and did an excellent job. Explained everything very clearly. Very happy with the service.
Eva B.
1714084317
JuanMolina serviced my ac and heating today He was very polite and helpful,
Tony G.
1714083874
Our regular semi-annual service was performed today and Rene, our technician, did a terrific job, showing care and attention to detail. He's very friendly and informative and made sure we had all our questions answered and were completely satisfied.
Shari M.
1714082673
Marco is the best!!!!
Liza U.
1714081448
Kevin and David E were great4/25/24 Juan C and Gio Q were awesome and helped in everyway. Thanks guys
S M
1714078921
Daniel B & Jose CWe're very polite and courteous and worked very proficiently and efficiently and were able to inform us of the exact problem which was great. I would not hesitate to call on these guys for HV assurance. Thanks Daniel & JoseOn 4/25/2024 Daniel B & Jason S provide our company with best care that we find truly impeccable and would recommend this company and these workers to any other establishment and wouldn't want anyone but the best and these guys are the best in our opinion.
beatles341
1714077166
Jose C. was a great technician to work with. Excellent customer support and service.Ivan D and Kevin L are great guys. They did the maintenance for my property around a month ago. 4/25/24
brett H.
1714076214
My technicians did a great Job ! Steven and Leo.H I would definitely use them again and recommend them.
peter B.
1714076196
Kevin L. and Ivan D. were great and outstanding technicians, efficient, thourough, and wonderful. Please send them back again.
Norman M.
1714074725
Armando and Richie completed a comprehensive inspection and cleaning of my HVAC system. They were thorough and professional, and courteous .I am pleased with their work. Thanks Brody-P.
gloria R.
1714070730
Juan Romo was amazing super knowledgeable and friendly!!!! Amazing service
Helen S.
1714006075
I’ve been with Brody Pennell for many years, and I’m very happy with their service. James Handy is particularly amazing, and I was very fortunate to have him on my most recent maintenance services. He gave me great advice and did a fantastic job.
Denise H.
1714001375
Steven was great!
Kathy N.
1714000925
Juan Romo checked my heater in great detail today and gave me a full report on its welfare. He has suggested the repair of the heat exchanger due to wear and tear . He also pointed out a problem with the circuit board and one small section. He was very thorough, and I understood exactly what he was saying. I commend him highly! Kathy Naylor
Josh E.
1713989240
Juan Molina: thorough, neat, informative & pleasant.
david C.
1713988327
anthony manzo and armando n . great job efficient
Margarita C.
1713984415
Excellent job by Rene Morales 10 stars.
Ana A.
1713981385
Amazing service, very nice attitude, Leo H, Ruben M and Ivan D have extraordinary customer service
David S.
1713979878
Had Jason come by to add surge protector and he did a great job, was professional and efficient.
phuong N.
1713978362
Jose Rivera did a super job. He even added tape to protect the insulation from the elements
Gigi M.
1713920881
Extremely helpful and knowledgeable!David and Juan were very helpful!
Pamela J.
1713918044
Anthony Manzo and Brett Turner gave me great service and excellent recommendations. They made sure I understood everything. Thanks!
Joe L.
1713901725
James H. and David E. Serviced our unit on a bi annual maintenance and did excellent job. I highly recommend this program and James and David to do the work.
Brett H.
1713901322
Kevin and Steven were great
Joshua G.
1713897697
4/23/24 - Daniel B. and Juan De Jesus came out to do maintenance on my system! They were great - on time, professional and knowledgeable!
Marie A.
1713897310
Spencer and Kyle were my technicians and they did a great job. They were thorough and friendly and explained what they were doing as they went along. Overall great experience, wish all service techs operated this way!Update: Ivan and Angel came to do our follow-up service call. Same experience. Friendly, fast, and efficient. I really appreciate the consistency of service with this company
Joseph H.
1713897054
Marco and Ashton are very courteous, friendly, and professional. They are very knowledgeable, and expertly performed their inspection on my heating and air conditioning system. Marco even went above and beyond, and installed a fix for my thermostat on the spot at no charge. I highly recommend Marco, Ashton and the Brody Pennell team!
Jennifer M.
1713896132
The "comfort club" is well worth the annual fee. Our system is checked and cleaned twice annually, and the staff have been superb.
Abeigel B.
1713834446
Outstanding in every way , technically, courtesecy, helpful. Perfect.
Diane S.
1713827710
Great service and Rene was helpful and professional!
Dr. Jack W.
1713824178
Daniel B is an exemplary employee of BP..Truly an excellent Tech whom we appreciated performing our system’s maintenance!!Thank you, Daniel !!
Preston M.
1713821826
After wasting money and time with another company, David M. And Brett T. came out and help me fully understand the issues with my AC unit and provide no nonsense pricing. Highly recommended.
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Maria L.
1714171589
Juan molina and gino were amazing!!! So professional and took so much time to go over everything with me.
Annick W.
1714169418
Your crew is so nice and efficient and know what they are talking about. It was a pleasure to work with them.
Brett W.
1714164822
James and Maurice came on time, were respectful and professional. As they checked out the issue, they went above and beyond, checking every piece of the furnace for a malfunction and doing a second pass just to make sure. Great service, will use them again.
Louise H.
1714163878
Juancho and Marco did a great job today!!Please come back. Thank you!☺️
Nancy A.
1714163468
Rene was very professional and friendly and diagnosed the issue with the old heater in our house. Loved how you could see exactly what the problem was with the camera probe. He was very knowledgeable and aware of the safety issues of an older heater for the family. Thank you for your quick and competent service.
Steve H.
1714163233
Kevin did a good job.
Beth F.
1714161877
Daniel B. was very polite and helpful. I am very happy with service from Brody Pennell.
Jeremy S.
1714155867
David M. did a fine job during the service call. He was, kind, knowledgeable, and professional. He represented his company well.
Pat D.
1714155494
James h friendly and efficient
Diana R.
1714153844
Daniel Avila was super!! Very professional and had a lovely disposition. He took care of un in no time. I highly recommend him.
Nicole Karsenty L.
1714153630
Cesar Corrales and Jeremy MarmonVery happy with their work. Recommend them anytime.today 4/26/24 Anthony manzo great help
stephanie C.
1714102943
Jose Rivera came to replace Thermostat on a newly installed system. He explained the whole process very well. It was an exceptional and spotless installment, would definitely recommend to family and friends. He deserves 5 stars, will have him working with us again.
Brian K.
1714095576
Great, friendly, knowledgeable, and professional service! Enrique, Danny and Nathan did an excellent job of duct cleaning our hvac system. They were polite, professional and very friendly.
Marcia W.
1714093751
Tony M and Jose were both here for our 6 month checkup and they were extremely thorough, explained everything, and very nice. Would highly recommend them.
Steve L.
1714085783
Tristen and Juancho were efficient and friendly and explained everything clearly.
Debra M.
1714085316
Excellent service by Juan Munoz, Daniel Picard, Brian Diaz, and Juan Sanchez. Very helpful in explaining the HVAC installation process and helping set up new thermostat. Extremely kind and helpful. I recommend Brody Pennel for any HVAC installation or repair.
S O
1714085187
Maria was pleasant and did an excellent job. Explained everything very clearly. Very happy with the service.
Eva B.
1714084317
JuanMolina serviced my ac and heating today He was very polite and helpful,
Tony G.
1714083874
Our regular semi-annual service was performed today and Rene, our technician, did a terrific job, showing care and attention to detail. He's very friendly and informative and made sure we had all our questions answered and were completely satisfied.
Shari M.
1714082673
Marco is the best!!!!
Liza U.
1714081448
Kevin and David E were great4/25/24 Juan C and Gio Q were awesome and helped in everyway. Thanks guys
S M
1714078921
Daniel B & Jose CWe're very polite and courteous and worked very proficiently and efficiently and were able to inform us of the exact problem which was great. I would not hesitate to call on these guys for HV assurance. Thanks Daniel & JoseOn 4/25/2024 Daniel B & Jason S provide our company with best care that we find truly impeccable and would recommend this company and these workers to any other establishment and wouldn't want anyone but the best and these guys are the best in our opinion.
beatles341
1714077166
Jose C. was a great technician to work with. Excellent customer support and service.Ivan D and Kevin L are great guys. They did the maintenance for my property around a month ago. 4/25/24
brett H.
1714076214
My technicians did a great Job ! Steven and Leo.H I would definitely use them again and recommend them.
peter B.
1714076196
Kevin L. and Ivan D. were great and outstanding technicians, efficient, thourough, and wonderful. Please send them back again.
Norman M.
1714074725
Armando and Richie completed a comprehensive inspection and cleaning of my HVAC system. They were thorough and professional, and courteous .I am pleased with their work. Thanks Brody-P.
gloria R.
1714070730
Juan Romo was amazing super knowledgeable and friendly!!!! Amazing service
Helen S.
1714006075
I’ve been with Brody Pennell for many years, and I’m very happy with their service. James Handy is particularly amazing, and I was very fortunate to have him on my most recent maintenance services. He gave me great advice and did a fantastic job.
Denise H.
1714001375
Steven was great!
Kathy N.
1714000925
Juan Romo checked my heater in great detail today and gave me a full report on its welfare. He has suggested the repair of the heat exchanger due to wear and tear . He also pointed out a problem with the circuit board and one small section. He was very thorough, and I understood exactly what he was saying. I commend him highly! Kathy Naylor
Josh E.
1713989240
Juan Molina: thorough, neat, informative & pleasant.
david C.
1713988327
anthony manzo and armando n . great job efficient
Margarita C.
1713984415
Excellent job by Rene Morales 10 stars.
Ana A.
1713981385
Amazing service, very nice attitude, Leo H, Ruben M and Ivan D have extraordinary customer service
David S.
1713979878
Had Jason come by to add surge protector and he did a great job, was professional and efficient.
phuong N.
1713978362
Jose Rivera did a super job. He even added tape to protect the insulation from the elements
Gigi M.
1713920881
Extremely helpful and knowledgeable!David and Juan were very helpful!
Pamela J.
1713918044
Anthony Manzo and Brett Turner gave me great service and excellent recommendations. They made sure I understood everything. Thanks!
Joe L.
1713901725
James H. and David E. Serviced our unit on a bi annual maintenance and did excellent job. I highly recommend this program and James and David to do the work.
Brett H.
1713901322
Kevin and Steven were great
Joshua G.
1713897697
4/23/24 - Daniel B. and Juan De Jesus came out to do maintenance on my system! They were great - on time, professional and knowledgeable!
Marie A.
1713897310
Spencer and Kyle were my technicians and they did a great job. They were thorough and friendly and explained what they were doing as they went along. Overall great experience, wish all service techs operated this way!Update: Ivan and Angel came to do our follow-up service call. Same experience. Friendly, fast, and efficient. I really appreciate the consistency of service with this company
Joseph H.
1713897054
Marco and Ashton are very courteous, friendly, and professional. They are very knowledgeable, and expertly performed their inspection on my heating and air conditioning system. Marco even went above and beyond, and installed a fix for my thermostat on the spot at no charge. I highly recommend Marco, Ashton and the Brody Pennell team!
Jennifer M.
1713896132
The "comfort club" is well worth the annual fee. Our system is checked and cleaned twice annually, and the staff have been superb.
Abeigel B.
1713834446
Outstanding in every way , technically, courtesecy, helpful. Perfect.
Diane S.
1713827710
Great service and Rene was helpful and professional!
Dr. Jack W.
1713824178
Daniel B is an exemplary employee of BP..Truly an excellent Tech whom we appreciated performing our system’s maintenance!!Thank you, Daniel !!
Preston M.
1713821826
After wasting money and time with another company, David M. And Brett T. came out and help me fully understand the issues with my AC unit and provide no nonsense pricing. Highly recommended.
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