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Prime Buyers Guide Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning - HVAC Contractors

Find the Best Heating, Air Conditioning & Ventilation Contractors in San Mateo County

Heating, air conditioning, and the ventilation systems behind both can make or break the comfort of your home. HVAC contractors in Redwood City, South SF and Burlingame and throughout all of San Mateo County will come to your home and make sure your central air conditioning and heating systems work properly to ensure your comfort. Read on to learn more about the industry and find the best air conditioning, heating and ventilation contractors in San Mateo County.

Updated May 16, 2012

Top 10 Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning - HVAC Contractors in San Mateo County

Bayhill Heat & Air
Send an email to this Company
(650) 212-7600
1033 South Claremont St
San Mateo, CA 94402
State Contractor's License #917996
   Prime Buyer's Report TOP 10  Diamond Certified  Better Business Bureau NATE (North American Technician Excellence) Carrier Temperature Tough Gold Dealer

Areas Served: Bay Area & San Mateo County incl. Atherton, Belmont, Brisbane, Broadmoor Vlg, ...
Services: HVAC / Heating & Air contractors for furnace repair, furnace installation, air ...
Key Brands: Carrier Temperature Tough Gold Dealer, service most makes and models

Valley Heating & Cooling
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(408) 294-6290
1171 N. 4th Street
San Jose, CA 95112
C-4, C20, C38 License #258540
   Prime Buyer's Report TOP 10  Diamond Certified  Better Business Bureau Rotary Club Chamber of Commerce-San Jose NATE (North American Technician Excellence) Green Seal Certified

Areas Served: San Mateo County incl. Redwood City, Burlingame, Atherton, Menlo Park, San Carlos CA
Services: HVAC contractors, heating & cooling systems, furnace repair & new furnaces, air ...
Key Brands: Carrier, Trane, Puron, Bryant, York

Mechanical Air Service Inc
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(800) 913-4822
2245 Fortune Dr, Ste C
San Jose, CA 95131
State Contractor's License #355446, C20, C10, C-4
   Prime Buyer's Report TOP 10 USGBC Member (U.S. Green Building Council) ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America) AIHA (American Industrial Hygiene Association) ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refridgerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) RSES (Refrigeration Service Engineers Society) RPA (Radiant Panel Association)

Areas Served: Bay Area including San Mateo County
Services: commercial & residential air conditioning & heating, including radiant floor heating,...
Key Brands: Carrier / Bryant, Trane, Lochinvar Boilers, Phoenix Radiant Boilers, ClimateMaster ...

R.C. Mechanical Inc
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(650) 575-3915
112 F St
Redwood City, CA 94063
State Contractor's License #634921
   Prime Buyer's Report TOP 10 IQAir Authorized Dealer CI (Comfort Institute) BPI (Building Performance Institute)

Areas Served: Bay Area & San Mateo County incl. Redwood City CA, Atherton, Belmont, Brisbane, ...
Services: heating & air contractors for repair, service, replacement, new installations ...
Key Brands: IQAir air filtration, Bryant

Find the Best Heating, Air Conditioning & Ventilation Contractors in San Mateo County 


HVAC Contractors in San Mateo County Provide Numerous Heating & Air Conditioning Services
Heating, air conditioning, and ventilation contractors in San Mateo County perform specialty tasks that are beyond amateur handyman abilities. When considering HVAC contractors, keep in mind the climate in which you live, and if there are areas within your home or business that are difficult to ventilate. HVAC contractors in Redwood City, South SF and Burlingame rely on this information to take the appropriate measures, such as the installation of air conditioning units, furnaces, heater installation, ducts, home cooling systems and all types of ventilation systems for homes and businesses in San Mateo County.

Good HVAC contractors in San Mateo County provide HVAC repair or maintenance for several commercial or residential applications, such as central heating and air systems, general duct cleaning and repair, reconditioned air, radiant heating, geo-exchange systems, and radiant floor heating.

Some HVAC contractors will perform duct cleaning or repair and can even design and build a new energy-efficient air conditioning system or heating and cooling system for your home or business.

Choosing a New HVAC System in San Mateo County
An HVAC contractor will measure each room to be serviced by a climate control system. Knowing the total volume to be heated or cooled allows them to figure the load, meaning how much power your system would need. They should also take into account your type of insulation, window space, and local climate data.

Next, the HVAC experts will determine the best location for your system. The amount of work an air conditioning unit will have to do can depend on where it's located, such as whether or not it's somewhere shady.

 

Air Conditioner Repair
An HVAC contractor should be used for any air conditioning repair and service other than routine cleaning, as the main components are sealed, and complex.

Central air conditioners usually are connected to a home's forced-air distribution system, if the home has one. The two main components of a central air conditioner are the condenser and the evaporator. The condenser unit is usually outside the home on a cement slab. The evaporator coil is in the duct above the furnace. Hot air is cooled by the evaporator as it flows through the return-air duct to the furnace. If the air conditioner unit outside works but isn't cooling the house, the problem is probably in this distribution system where the evaporator is located.

Central air conditioners should be inspected and adjusted by an HVAC contractor before the beginning of every cooling season.

 

 

 

Heating Systems

Forced Air Heating - Forced air heating systems are the most common type of home heating system and tend to be the least expensive. Air is heated in a furnace and then distributed through the building or home via air ducts. Different furnaces use different fuels, such as propane, oil, natural gas, or electricity. A forced air heating system requires air ducts, which take up space in your building or walls, and it requires regular air filter changes.

 

 

 

 

 

 



Radiant Heating System - Radiant heating simply refers to the direct transfer of heat, such as from a stove.  Hot water tubing in a floor also comes under this category, in which case the hot water is heated by a boiler. These radiant heating systems tend to be more expensive to install than a forced air heating system, and will require separate ductwork for your air conditioning system.






Hydronic Heating (Hot Water Baseboard) - Although this uses hot water heated by a boiler similar to an in-floor radiant heating system, the hot water is piped to baseboard units mounted along your walls which have fins that heat the surrounding air, which then rises to heat the room. Not every company licensed for HVAC does this so look specifically for hydronic heating contractors in San Mateo County.

Steam Radiant Heating - Cast-iron steam radiators can still be found in older buildings or homes but are rarely installed new anymore. They tend to be considered bulky and unsightly by modern standards and can be replaced with vertical wall panel radiators, such as are often seen in apartments.

 

 

Geothermal Heating - Geothermal heating and cooling in the form of a GHP (Geothermal Heat Pump) is the newest technology. Geothermal heat pumps take advantage of the constant temperature several feet underground with water pipes running from a heat pump above ground to several feet below ground where it is cooler. A GHP is more energy efficient than other systems can can save 30%-70% on home heating or 20%-50% on home cooling according to the EPA, but are 50-100% more expensive to install, with a 3-ton GHP system costing $5,000-$10,000 more than a heat pump system that runs on air.  With an annual energy savings of $350-$1,500, it can be many years before the additional expense of purchase and installation is recouped. Ask your local HVAC contractors in San Mateo County how much experience they have with GHP systems and how much in annual energy savings has been experienced by their customers in your area and climate.

 


There are a Number of Quality HVAC Contractors in San Mateo County
Some HVAC companies are better than others. That's why we've rated some of the local air conditioning, heating and ventilation contractors and identified those with better customer service, years of experience and service rates. The Prime Buyer's Report lists these HVAC contractors in San Mateo County: Bayhill Heat & Air, Valley Heating & Cooling, Mechanical Air Service Inc, R.C. Mechanical Inc, Harrison's Heating & Air Conditioning, Ron Melrose Services, Rebholtz Mechanical, Good Housekeeping Services, Ace Air Duct Vent Cleaners, Richard's HVAC. Other HVAC contractors that might still serve San Mateo County include: Bal-Aire Mechanical Inc, Grant Mechanical. Didn't find what you wanted with the TOP 10 Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning - HVAC Contractors in San Mateo County? Then click here to see additional companies in this category.

 

 

Dealing With Heating, Air Conditioning, and Ventilation Contractors in San Mateo County 


Step 1: Know What You Need From the Best HVAC Contractors in San Mateo County
Explain what type of heating, air conditioning, and ventilation work is involved. Since you aren't the 5certified contractor, it's understood that you have limited knowledge of your HVAC system. In this case, your description should basically include any problems you've encountered and your climate preferences. Be prepared to be consistent in the way that you present the information so each heating, air conditioning, and ventilation contractor will have an opportunity to offer an equally informed time and cost projection for your job.

Step 2: Answer Questions from Good Heating, Air Conditioning & Cooling Contractors & Take Notes
Listen carefully to the questions each HVAC contractor asks. Document the varying concerns of each professional heating, and air conditioning contractor. Note the level of detail and the amount of time he's willing to devote to you. It will help you assess his proficiency and work ethic.

Step 3: Questions to Ask Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Cooling HVAC Contractors
You can make a list of questions for the best San Mateo County heating and cooling contractors based on the notes you've taken and the basic information you've gathered. Supplement your own ideas with the questions we've listed below.

• How long have the HVAC companies in San Mateo County been in business?

• How many heating, air conditioning, and ventilation jobs have the HVAC contractors completed in San Mateo County?

• Do the heating, cooling, air conditioning and ventilation contractors specialize in the type of work you've described? If so, please ask the HVAC professionals to provide some references.

• How long will it take the heating and cooling companies in San Mateo County to complete the HVAC work?

• Do the HVAC contractors specializing in heating, air conditioning and ventilation, carry workers' compensation and liability insurance?

• Will the air conditioning & heating professionals in San Mateo County provide a written estimate for all HVAC work?

• Will permits be needed for HVAC work in San Mateo County? If so, who will be responsible for getting them?

• Do the heating and cooling companies in San Mateo County and their HVAC employees perform the air conditioning and heating work or do they hire HVAC subcontractors?

• What kind of warranties do the heating, cooling, air conditioning and ventilation companies in San Mateo County offer and what do their HVAC warranties cover?

• What process do the HVAC contractors in Redwood City, South SF and Burlingame go through to price the HVAC work?

• Will the heating & cooling professionals be responsible for removing old materials after performing the HVAC work?

Step 4: Making a Preliminary Decision on a Heating & Cooling Contractor in San Mateo County

After you've interviewed several HVAC contractors in Redwood City, South SF and Burlingame, you can narrow down the list to the best heating and air conditioning contractors for you. Look over your notes to recall and contrast the characteristics of each HVAC contractor. After analyzing your research, you can assess who will be your best provider for heating and cooling services in the Redwood City CA area of San Mateo County. During the decision process, don't forget to consider your comfort level with each HVAC contractor. A bad attitude can nullify an entire list of great qualifications.

Step 5: Final Research on the Best HVAC Contractors in the Redwood City, South SF and Burlingame Areas
After you've determined the best-suited heating, air conditioning and ventilation contractors in your area of San Mateo County, check his or her credentials. Verify HVAC contractor licensing and current liability insurance. You may also want to look for quality endorsements and heating and cooling certifications, such as Diamond Certification and Better Business Bureau membership.

Step 6: Making the Final Decision on Good Heating & Cooling Companies in San Mateo County
Now it's time to finalize the selection of your heating, air conditioning, and ventilation (HVAC) contractor. Call and ask any final questions and then ask for your heating and cooling company representative to provide a signed written pricing, timing, quality, and warranty agreement for all HVAC work. Upon completion of the heating, cooling, air conditioning and ventilation project, don't forget to insist that your HVAC representative provides you with written handling instructions for all new installations, including air conditioners, heaters and ventilation systems.

 

 

Tips On Good HVAC Contractors in San Mateo County 

Take Time Choosing Your San Mateo County HVAC Contractors.
Don't hire the first HVAC contractors that you can reach. If you do some research at the first sign of a problem with your heating or air conditioning system (or before you rush into HVAC system installation), the care you take with your selection of the best HVAC contractors in San Mateo County will be reflected in the end result.

Write a Description of the Job for the Heating & Cooling Contractors in San Mateo County.
You'll do better in assessing who the best HVAC contractors are in San Mateo County if you write up a little something about job specifics prior to contacting anyone. Since each contractor will see the same description, you can be sure that the responses you receive are based on the same information. Then you can better judge the qualifications of the different contractors.

Get Several Estimates From HVAC Contractors in Redwood City, South SF and Burlingame.
You should try to attain a number of separate HVAC estimates from various good heating & cooling companies in the San Mateo County area; get a realistic idea of an HVAC service fee and get preliminary insight into the heating and cooling contractors' abilities.

Get Details of the HVAC Work in Writing from Heating, Air Conditioning & Ventilation Contractors.
For the purposes of record keeping and preparedness for every eventuality, be sure that potential HVAC contractors can provide you with a written description of the work. This agreement should detail pricing, warranty information, and the projected time frame for completion.

Do Your Homework Before You Sign an Agreement with Any San Mateo County HVAC Contractors.
Before you agree to any home heating and cooling services from HVAC contractors in Redwood City, South SF and Burlingame, check HVAC contractor licensing, workers' compensation and liability insurances on all of the heating, air conditioning and ventilation companies in San Mateo County.



Maintain Communication with Your Heating, Cooling and Ventilation Company During The HVAC Work.
Balanced communication is vital to successful completion of your HVAC installation job. If you have questions or concerns, speak up. Your San Mateo County HVAC contractors should be willing to answer any questions you may have. At the same time, you should be ready to answer any questions your home heating and air conditioning professional has.

Agree in Advance to Examine the Heating & Air Conditioner Work Upon Completion.
After the HVAC job is completed, walk around the newly installed heating system or home air conditioning system with the most senior HVAC contractor available and compare the work visually with the agreement you signed. Bring up anything that differentiates from this agreement.

Know Your Rights as a Customer of Local San Mateo County HVAC Companies.
Heating, air conditioning & ventilation consumers have some special rights depending on where they live. You're dealing with HVAC contractors in San Mateo County, including Redwood City, South SF and Burlingame, so you can check out the consumer affairs Web site for the State of California.

 

 

HVAC Contractors in San Mateo County Sell & Install Many Brands of Heating & Cooling Systems 

Heating, air conditioning, and ventilation contractors in San Mateo County sell many different brands of products. They can accommodate most systems with the appropriate brands of equipment, such as Bard, Coldflow, Daikin, Gibson, Goodman, Haier, Honeywell, Intertherm, Air Con, Air Control, Westinghouse, Tempstar, Fasco, Amana, American Standard, Arco Aire, Coleman-Evcon, and Lennox.

 

 

Resources About Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Contractors in San Mateo County 

The following list contains some useful resources on the HVAC industry in San Mateo County.

Associations & Licensing for San Mateo County Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Contractors
ABPA American Backflow Prevention Association (http://www.abpa.org/)
ACCA Air Conditioning Contractors of America (http://www.acca.org/)
AGC of America Associated General Contractors of America (http://www.agc.org/)
ASC Associated Specialty Contractors (http://www.assoc-spec-con.org/)
ASHRAE American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers
(http://www.ashrae.org/)
BBB Better Business Bureau (http://www.bbb.com/)
CALSMACNA California Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association
(http://www.cal-smacna.org/)
CSLB Contractors State License Board (http://www.cslb.ca.gov/)
DCA California Department of Consumer Affairs (www.dca.ca.gov)
MCAA Mechanical Contractors Association of America (http://www.mcaa.org/)
NBBPVI National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors (http://www.nationalboard.org/)
NCBE North Coast Builders Exchange (http://www.ncbeonline.com/)
NUCA National Utility Contractors Association (http://www.nuca.com/)
PHCCA Heating, Cooling Contractors Association (http://www.phccweb.org/)
RSES Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (http://www.rses.org/)


 

Media & Web Resources for HVAC Services in Redwood City, South SF and Burlingame
Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration News
Heating, Piping, Air Conditioning Magazine
Home Appliance Magazine
Home Energy Magazine
HPAC Magazine
Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Magazine
This Old House Magazine

http://www.askthebuilder.com/
http://www.doityourself.com/
http://www.hometime.com/
http://www.hvacmechanic.com/
http://www.hvac-talk.com/
http://www.hvacware.com/
http://www.mygreathome.com/

 


The Prime Buyer's Report provides information for the TOP 10 Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Contractors in San Mateo County within the following zip codes:

94002, 94005, 94010, 94011, 94014, 94015, 94016, 94017, 94018, 94019, 94020, 94021, 94025, 94026, 94027, 94028, 94030, 94037, 94038, 94044, 94060, 94061, 94062, 94063, 94064, 94065, 94066, 94070, 94074, 94080, 94083, 94096, 94098, 94128, 94401, 94402, 94403 and 94404

 


 

HVAC, Heating & Air Conditioning Belmont CA

Bay Area Refrigeration & Air Belmont CA 94002
CHM Mechanical Inc Belmont CA 94002
Trans Commercial Refrigeration & Air Belmont CA 94002


HVAC, Heating & Air Conditioning Brisbane CA

Eagle Refrigeration & Heating Brisbane CA 94005

 

HVAC, Heating & Air Conditioning Burlingame CA

SR Coats Furnace Service Burlingame CA 94010

 

HVAC, Heating & Air Conditioning Daly City CA

Air Flow Systems Daly City CA 94015
Ok Heating & Air Conditioning Daly City CA 94015
Ortiz Heating & Air Conditioning Daly City CA 94015

 

HVAC, Heating & Air Conditioning Foster City CA

Newcomb Mechanical Inc Foster City CA 94404


HVAC, Heating & Air Conditioning Menlo Park CA

Carrier Corp Menlo Park CA 94025
Critchfield Mechanical Inc Menlo Park CA 94025

 

HVAC, Heating & Air Conditioning Millbrae CA

Peninsula Mechanical Supply Co Millbrae CA 94030


HVAC, Heating & Air Conditioning Pacifica CA

AMS Coast Sheet Metal Pacifica CA 94044
PCC Radiant Heating Pacifica CA 94044
Wolves Heating Air Condition Pacifica CA 94044

 

HVAC, Heating & Air Conditioning Redwood City CA

Bayside Heating & A/C Redwood City CA 94063
Comp Time Redwood City CA 94063
Dan Salzberg's Radiant Heating Redwood City CA 94063
Harrison's Heating & Air Conditioning Redwood City CA 94062
Kym Mechanical Redwood City CA 94063
MC Heating & Cooling Redwood City CA 94063
Peninsula Air Conditioning Co Redwood City CA 94063
Potter Drilling Redwood City CA 94063
R&R Marcucci AC Heating & Sheet Redwood City CA 94063
RC Mechanical Inc Redwood City CA 94063
Redwood General & Mechanical Redwood City CA 94063
Redwood Heating Co Redwood City CA 94063
Rivera Heating & Air Conditioning Redwood City CA 94063
Ron Melrose Service Redwood City CA 94063
SR Coats Furnace Service Redwood City CA 94063
Vertex Mechanical Inc Redwood City CA 94063
Westaire Redwood City CA 94063
Wm Lipp Hydronics Inc Redwood City CA 94063

 

HVAC, Heating & Air Conditioning South SF CA

Airco Commercial Service Inc South SF CA 94080
Atlas Home Comfort Systems Inc South SF CA 94080
Brady Air Conditioning Service South SF CA 94080
Edward B Ward & Co South SF CA 94080
Innovative Mechanical Inc South SF CA 94080
Madrid Heating & Air Conditioning South SF CA 94080
Slakey Brothers Inc South SF CA 94080
South City Refrigeration & Air South SF CA 94080
Us Air Conditioning Distributors South SF CA 94080
Weather Masters Inc South SF CA 94080

 

HVAC, Heating & Air Conditioning San Carlos CA

Aim Sheet Metal San Carlos CA 94070
American Air Systems Inc San Carlos CA 94070
BB Stern Co San Carlos CA 94070
Commercial Mechanical Service Inc San Carlos CA 94070
Heating Supply Co San Carlos CA 94070
MJ Mechanical Service Inc San Carlos CA 94070
Service Unlimited San Carlos CA 94070


HVAC, Heating & Air Conditioning San Mateo CA

ACH Heating & AC Inc San Mateo CA 94401
Al's Furnace Repairs San Mateo CA 94403
Bal-Aire Mechanical Service San Mateo CA 94403
Bayhill Heat & Air San Mateo CA 94402
Bayside Mechanical Inc San Mateo CA 94403
Carol Flynn Inc San Mateo CA 94402
Continental Heating & Cooling San Mateo CA 94401
Furnace Man San Mateo CA 94403
Gaffigan Co San Mateo CA 94402
Modern-Aire Mechanical Inc San Mateo CA 94401
Richard's Hvac San Mateo CA 94402

 

 

 

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