A whole-home ducted heat pump install in the Bay Area runs $14,000 to $18,000 before rebates in 2026, depending on tonnage, ductwork condition, and electrical scope. Here's the breakdown of what drives that price and what current rebates can take off.
May 9, 2026 · Andrew Kuznetsov
Both are heat pumps. The difference is ductwork: a ducted heat pump replaces your central AC and furnace through existing ducts, while a ductless mini-split connects an outdoor condenser to one or more wall- or ceiling-mounted indoor heads. Pick the wrong one and you spend an extra $5,000 fixing the gap. Here's how we decide.
May 9, 2026 · Andrew Kuznetsov
For most Bay Area homes, a 1-inch fiberglass filter wants replacement every 30 to 60 days, a pleated filter every 60 to 90 days, and a 4-inch media filter every 6 to 12 months. The right interval depends on pets, allergies, wildfire smoke, and how dusty your specific home runs. Here's how to read your filter and decide.
May 9, 2026 · Andrew Kuznetsov
Most HVAC manufacturer warranties require documented annual maintenance. A tune-up costs less than one out-of-warranty compressor claim, every year. Here's what a real tune-up actually catches and why we recommend twice-yearly visits for most Bay Area homes.
May 9, 2026 · Andrew Kuznetsov
If your AC is icing over the indoor coil or refrigerant lines, the system is running but not cooling well. The five most common causes in Bay Area homes are airflow restriction, low refrigerant, dirty coil, low ambient temperature, and a failed blower motor. Here's how we diagnose each.
May 9, 2026 · Andrew Kuznetsov
The big rebates of 2024 are mostly gone. Federal 25C expired December 31, 2025. Tech Clean California ran out of money in November 2025. The active 2026 stack is smaller but real — we work with BayREN, MCE, PG&E, EBCE, and manufacturer instant rebates and check what's currently paying when we write your estimate.
April 25, 2026 · Andrew Kuznetsov
For most Bay Area homes replacing a 15-plus-year furnace, a heat pump is the better answer in 2026. Climate is mild enough that the efficiency gain is real, and we work with BayREN, MCE, PG&E, EBCE, and manufacturer rebate programs to bring the out-of-pocket cost down where eligibility lines up.
April 25, 2026 · Andrew Kuznetsov
A common scam in HVAC is a $15,000 replacement quote for what turns out to be a $200 fix. Here is the framework I use on customer calls — written by the guy whose license number is on the work.
April 25, 2026 · Andrew Kuznetsov