These four guides answer questions that come up again and again in homes in Menlo Park, Atherton and Portola Valley: what to do when the system quits, whether a new thermostat will work with the equipment you have, which rebates are still worth checking and how to tell when the ducts, not the furnace or AC, are the weak point. Each one separates what you can safely check yourself from what needs a technician.
When something goes wrong
HVAC emergency: what to do when your system fails. Safety comes first: a gas smell means leaving the house and calling from outside, and a carbon monoxide alarm means getting everyone out. After that the guide covers the safe checks, such as the thermostat, the breaker and the filter, and how to keep the house bearable until help arrives. It is worth reading before you need it. In a real emergency, get out and call first.
Before you spend money
Smart thermostat comparison. A thermostat is only useful if it suits the system it controls. The comparison goes through heat pump support, the C-wire, room sensors, zoning, and learning versus scheduled programs, so you can rule out the wrong ones before buying.
California HVAC rebates and tax credits. The federal tax credit for efficient heat pumps, central AC and furnaces ended for equipment installed after December 31, 2025. The guide explains which kinds of utility, regional and state programs remain and what to confirm before a rebate goes into your budget. The rebates page has the short version.
When rooms are uneven or dusty
Signs your ductwork needs attention. Rooms that never reach the setting, weak airflow at a few registers, dust that is back days after cleaning, rattling or whistling behind a ceiling. In older homes the ducts run through attics and crawlspaces nobody visits, so a crushed or disconnected run can go unnoticed for years while the system works harder to make up for it.
Which guide to start with
| Your situation | Start with | When to book |
|---|---|---|
| Gas smell, CO alarm, burning smell or no heat on a cold night | The emergency guide | Right away: these calls are taken 24/7 |
| Buying a new thermostat | The thermostat comparison | Thermostat installation if the wiring or a heat pump makes it tricky |
| Planning a new heat pump or AC | The rebates guide | Before the estimate, which is free for new and replacement systems |
| One room too hot or too cold, dust that keeps coming back | The ductwork guide | Duct repair once a diagnosis points to the ducts |
Have a question the guides don’t answer? The FAQ covers hours, the service area, estimates and what to have ready when you call.