Frequently Asked Questions

A tune-up is a full inspection and cleaning of your heating or cooling system. We check refrigerant levels, test capacitors and contactors, clean the condenser coil, inspect the blower motor, measure airflow and temperature drop, and test the thermostat. Then we give you a written report showing what we found, what's working, and what may need attention. Our technicians aren't paid on what they sell, so the report tells you what you actually need, not what pads a commission.

A standard system replacement takes one day, though larger jobs with extensive duct modifications can run two. We schedule a set install date in advance, show up inside the window we gave you, and don't leave until the system is running and the site is clean. You'll get a written price before the install date, so the number doesn't move once the crew arrives.

A good rule of thumb: if the repair costs more than a third of what a new system would, or the system is past 12 to 15 years old and failing repeatedly, replacement usually makes more sense. In Los Angeles, systems work hard through long cooling seasons, and older units in neighborhoods like Encino or Sherman Oaks often struggle with August heat. We'll give you the straight math on both options and let you decide. No pressure, just numbers in writing.

Technically possible, but rarely wise. Mixing a new condenser with an old evaporator coil creates a mismatched system that loses efficiency, can shorten the life of the new unit, and may void the manufacturer warranty. If the indoor coil is relatively new and compatible, we'll consider it. Otherwise, we recommend replacing both. We'll show you the cost difference in writing so you can make an informed call.

We install and service major brands including Rheem, Bryant, and Daikin. Each has strengths depending on your home and budget. Rheem offers strong mid-range value and dependable parts availability. Bryant delivers solid performance in high-efficiency configurations. Daikin is a go-to for heat pump technology, which matters in Los Angeles where mild winters make heat pumps a smart fit. We'll recommend the brand that matches your home's size, ductwork, and efficiency goals, not the one with the best spiff.

Yes. Daikin heat pumps are well suited to Los Angeles because they heat and cool in one system, which works perfectly in a climate where winter temperatures rarely drop hard. A heat pump moves heat instead of generating it, which keeps energy use lower during shoulder seasons. Many Angelenos in areas like West Adams or Atwater Village find they run a Daikin heat pump nearly year-round and stay comfortable without a separate furnace.

Yes, York is another brand we carry for homeowners who want a specific configuration or a particular warranty package. York competes well in the mid-to-high efficiency range and has solid support for replacement parts. The best brand for your home depends on the load calculation and your budget. We'll walk you through how each option performs for your specific house, in your specific neighborhood, and give you the numbers in writing.

Newer systems are shifting to R-454B, which has a lower global warming potential than R-410A. If your existing system uses R-410A and needs a recharge, we can still service it while supplies last, though prices have risen as production phases down. When it's time for replacement, we'll steer you toward a system designed for the newer refrigerant so you're not buying into a platform that's being sunset. Call (361) 306-9515 and we'll check which refrigerant your current system uses.

Every pro working under the Dalton Heating & Air name is required to hold the license and insurance their state requires. That's a non-negotiable part of The Garrison Standard. You're welcome to ask the technician who arrives at your door for their credentials. We expect the question and we bring the paperwork.

Yes. The City of Los Angeles requires permits for HVAC equipment replacements, and the work must pass inspection. Some companies skip permits to shave the price, but that can bite you when you sell the home or file an insurance claim. Every Dalton Heating & Air replacement includes permits, and we schedule the inspection so you don't have to chase it down.

We do our best. Our hours are 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Monday through Friday and Sunday. When Los Angeles hits triple digits and your AC dies, call (361) 306-9515 as early as you can. A live coordinator will connect you with the local team nearest your address and get you on the schedule. We know a broken AC in a Valley heat wave is more than an inconvenience. We move fast during heat events.

First, check the thermostat batteries and the circuit breaker. If both look fine, call (361) 306-9515 and leave a message. Our team starts returning calls at 7:00 AM. Los Angeles nights rarely dip dangerously cold, so a failed heater is usually an inconvenience, not an emergency. If you smell gas, leave the house and call your utility immediately. That's a different kind of problem than a dead furnace.

You can, but you shouldn't. A grinding, squealing, or rattling sound usually means a failing bearing, a loose component, or debris in the blower. Running the system makes it worse and often turns a $200 fix into a $1,200 fix. Shut it off and call (361) 306-9515. We'll send a technician out to diagnose it and give you the repair price in writing before any work starts.

Yes. HVAC systems run on high voltage, and capacitors can hold a charge even after the power is off. A mistaken touch can cause serious injury or death. We don't give step-by-step electrical instructions for a reason. What we tell homeowners: check the thermostat and breaker, change the filter, keep the outdoor unit clear. Beyond that, call a trained professional. The risk isn't worth the savings.

Every Dalton Heating & Air job is covered by The Garrison Standard, which is our trademarked promise. We arrive inside the window we gave you. The price goes in writing before any work starts. The job gets done by the book, the first time. The site gets left clean and squared away. And the work is guaranteed in writing for a full year. If something fails in that year, we come back and make it right at no charge.

The manufacturer warranty covers the equipment. If a compressor fails in year three and it's covered, Rheem, Bryant, Daikin, or York replaces the part. Our workmanship guarantee covers the labor and the install. If we miswired something or installed a drain line that leaks, that's on us for a full year. Most companies offer one or the other. We back both, in writing.

Yes. A surprising number of manufacturers shorten their warranty if the equipment isn't registered within a short window, usually 60 or 90 days. We handle that registration as part of the install so your full warranty stays intact. We'll also keep the paperwork on file and remind you when it's time for maintenance so the warranty stays valid.

Skipping annual maintenance is the big one. Most manufacturers require documented service at least once a year to keep the warranty alive. Using aftermarket parts instead of OEM also voids some warranties, as does an install that wasn't permitted or inspected. When we install your system, we set you up on a maintenance schedule that keeps the warranty intact. It's part of doing the job by the book.

It means this: if something we installed fails within a year, we come back and fix it at no charge. No arguing. No "well, that part wasn't covered." The Garrison Standard doesn't have fine print. If our workmanship failed, it's on us. That's why we're careful about the install in the first place. It costs us less to do it right than to do it twice.