Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about our HVAC services, pricing, warranties, and more. Can't find what you're looking for? Give us a call.
Contact UsGeneral
What areas do you serve?
We serve Menlo Park and surrounding Bay Area communities within a 30-mile radius, including Palo Alto, Atherton, Redwood City, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, San Mateo, and more. Contact us to confirm service availability in your area.
Are you licensed and insured?
Before authorizing paid HVAC work, ask for the current California contractor license number, liability insurance, workers' compensation coverage, and the legal business name that will appear on your invoice. Verify those details directly with the appropriate public or carrier sources.
Do you offer free estimates?
Installation and replacement estimates should include equipment model numbers, labor scope, exclusions, warranty terms, and any diagnostic or trip fees. Confirm whether the estimate is free before booking.
What are your business hours?
Our regular hours are Monday-Friday 7AM-7PM, Saturday 8AM-5PM, and Sunday 9AM-3PM. We also offer 24/7 emergency service for urgent heating and cooling issues.
How quickly can you come out?
Response time depends on the schedule, city, service type, and urgency. No-cooling, no-heat, burning smells, and safety concerns should be triaged before routine tune-ups or replacement consultations.
Pricing
How much does a new AC system cost?
AC installation costs commonly depend on system size, efficiency rating, duct condition, electrical work, thermostat changes, access, and permit requirements. Ask for model numbers, labor scope, exclusions, and warranty terms in writing.
How much does AC repair cost?
Repair costs vary by failed part, access, refrigerant or electrical issue, equipment age, urgency, and whether follow-up work is needed. Ask for the diagnosis, parts, labor, and alternatives before approving paid work.
Do you offer financing?
If financing is offered, review the lender, APR, promotional period, deferred-interest terms, payment schedule, and what happens if the project changes after approval.
Are there any rebates available?
PG&E, BayREN, manufacturer, and federal incentives can change. Confirm current eligibility, equipment requirements, documentation, deadlines, and whether the rebate is guaranteed before counting it in the project budget.
Services
What brands do you service?
Most HVAC contractors can diagnose many major brands, but authorization and warranty coverage vary by manufacturer. Confirm brand authorization before relying on dealer-only warranty or rebate claims.
Do you offer maintenance plans?
A useful maintenance plan should state the number of visits, covered tasks, filter policy, priority scheduling terms, repair discount, exclusions, renewal date, and cancellation terms.
Can you install ductless mini-splits?
Ductless mini-splits can be a strong option for additions, offices, older homes without ducts, ADUs, and zone control. The plan should confirm room load, indoor head placement, line-set route, condensate drainage, and outdoor-unit clearance.
Do you work on commercial HVAC?
Commercial HVAC scope depends on equipment type, access, tenant impact, scheduling, and code requirements. Share the system type, business hours, urgency, and site constraints before requesting commercial work.
Technical
How often should I change my air filter?
We recommend checking your filter monthly and replacing it every 1-3 months depending on usage, pets, and allergies. During peak seasons, monthly replacement is often best.
How often should I have my HVAC serviced?
We recommend annual maintenance - ideally a tune-up in spring for your AC and in fall for your heating system. Regular maintenance prevents breakdowns and maintains efficiency.
What's a good SEER rating for an AC?
In the Bay Area, we typically recommend 16-20 SEER for optimal balance of efficiency and cost. Higher SEER (20+) provides more savings but costs more upfront. The minimum in California is 15 SEER.
Should I repair or replace my AC?
Compare repair cost, system age, refrigerant type, failure history, energy use, comfort problems, and whether ducts or electrical work would still limit performance after repair.
What is a heat pump?
A heat pump is an efficient all-in-one system that provides both heating and cooling. It moves heat rather than generating it, making it 2-3x more efficient than traditional heating. Heat pumps work great in the Bay Area's mild climate.
Warranties
What warranties do you offer?
Warranty terms should be written into the quote or service agreement. Compare manufacturer parts coverage, labor coverage, registration deadlines, exclusions, trip fees, and maintenance requirements before approving work.
Are your technicians certified?
Ask which certifications apply to the specific technician and service type. For refrigerant work, confirm EPA Section 608 handling compliance; for specialized equipment, ask about brand or system-specific training.
Emergency
Do you offer 24/7 emergency service?
Emergency requests are available for urgent heating and cooling failures. Response depends on schedule, location, service type, parts, access, and safety conditions; ask about after-hours fees before dispatch.
What constitutes an HVAC emergency?
Emergencies include complete heating failure in cold weather, AC failure during extreme heat (especially with elderly, young children, or health conditions), gas leaks, or burning smells from your system.
Is there an extra charge for emergency service?
After-hours, weekend, and holiday calls may carry higher fees. Confirm the service-call fee, diagnostic scope, repair pricing, and follow-up terms before approving the visit.
Still Have Questions?
Our team is happy to answer any questions you have about our services, pricing, or HVAC in general.
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24/7 Emergency Service Available • Verify licensing, insurance, scope, and pricing before authorizing paid work.