HVAC Repair in Stockton, CA
Homes here need heat from November through April and cooling from May through September. If your system quits, tell us what it's doing and a licensed contractor who covers San Joaquin County will get in touch.
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It takes about a minute.
Eleven months of work, almost no rest
Your system in Stockton gets a break of about one month a year. Heat runs November through April, then cooling takes over for May through September, with summer afternoons averaging 91°F. That kind of stretch means the compressor and the blower motor rarely get to sit idle.
Winter nights average 40°F, mild compared to colder places, but the furnace still cycles on and off through the night to hold that temperature, and each cycle is wear on the igniter. Wind is the other thing to watch here. San Joaquin County has seen 21 damaging wind events over the past ten years, and wind like that can knock out power or rattle outdoor units loose from their mounts. When the power drops, most furnaces and air conditioners come back on by themselves once it returns, but it is worth checking that yours actually restarts and runs the way it should.
- 6 months
- November through April, your system heats
- 5 months
- May through September, it cools
- 40°F
- the average winter night it heats against
- 91°F
- the average summer afternoon it cools against
NOAA nClimDiv, 1991–2020 normals
A new furnace and air conditioner would cut about $130 a year off heating and cooling for a typical San Joaquin County home.
Estimates for a typical San Joaquin County home, compared with an older unit built to the previous federal minimum, from EIA household energy data, California fuel prices and NOAA climate normals. Your home will differ.
Repair makes sense when one part has failed.
Replacement makes sense when the furnace's heat exchanger is cracked, the air conditioner's compressor has failed, or repairs keep coming.
California requires HVAC contractors to hold a state license.
The license comes from the Contractors State License Board. It belongs to the contractor, not to any one job, so the same license covers everything that contractor is hired to do for you.
For a repair to your heating and cooling system, that license is what stands behind the work. It is not something issued for this particular repair. It is the credential the contractor already held before they ever came to your door.
Sources: California Legislative Counsel · Contractors State License Board
- Why is my heat not working?
- Start with the thermostat. Check that it is set to heat and the temperature is set above the room temperature, since a setting bumped by accident is the simplest explanation. If that checks out, look at the breaker box, since a tripped breaker will cut power to the furnace without any other sign. If the furnace has a pilot light or igniter and it will not stay lit, that points to a part that needs a contractor's attention. With lows around 40 degrees on winter nights here, it is worth getting this looked at before the next cold night rather than waiting.
- Why is my system running but not cooling the house?
- The most common reason is a dirty air filter blocking airflow, so check that first and replace it if it is gray or clogged. Next check the outdoor unit and clear away any leaves, grass clippings or debris sitting against it, since it needs open air around it to release heat. If the filter is clean and the outdoor unit is clear but the air coming from the vents is not cold, the system may be low on refrigerant or have a failing part, and that calls for a contractor to check it. With afternoons reaching 91 degrees in summer here, a system that is not cooling right needs attention quickly.
- What can I check before calling for HVAC repair?
- Check the thermostat first, including the batteries if it uses them and the mode and temperature settings. Check the breaker box for a tripped breaker, since furnaces and air conditioners both run on electricity even when gas is involved. Check the air filter and replace it if it looks dirty, since a clogged filter can cause a system to run without heating or cooling properly. If the system still is not working after these checks, a licensed contractor can diagnose what is going on. California requires HVAC contractors to hold a state license through the Contractors State License Board, so it is worth confirming that before work begins.