HVAC Questions & Answers — Berkeley & the East Bay
Aarvaks has served Berkeley and the East Bay since 1929. CSLB #1146520. Answers to common questions about HVAC pricing, licensing, diagnostics, and what to do in an emergency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I smell gas near my furnace or heating system?
Gas smell near the furnace requires immediate action. Do not operate any switches, use your phone indoors, or try to locate the leak yourself. Leave the home immediately, leaving the door open behind you. From outside or a neighbor’s home, call PG&E’s gas emergency line at 1-800-743-5000. PG&E will shut off the gas and inspect for leaks at no charge. Do not re-enter until PG&E clears the property. Once the leak is confirmed resolved, call Aarvaks at 510-848-5010 to inspect the furnace before relighting.
How long does HVAC equipment typically last?
Standard equipment lifespans under normal use with annual maintenance: gas furnaces typically last 15–20 years; central air conditioners typically last 15–20 years; ducted heat pumps typically last 15–20 years; ductless mini-splits typically last 20 years or longer, partly because they have no duct system to accumulate leaks and restrict airflow. Equipment operating without annual maintenance tends toward the shorter end of these ranges. Aarvaks provides written repair-versus-replace guidance at every diagnostic — you see the cost of the repair and the cost of a comparable replacement before making any decision. Call 510-848-5010 to schedule a diagnostic.
What is the difference between a tune-up, a repair, and a replacement?
A tune-up ($129 per system, or $199 for furnace + AC in a single visit) is preventive maintenance — the technician inspects, cleans, tests, and adjusts the system before a problem develops. No part is replaced unless a fault is found. A repair starts with a $79 residential diagnostic that identifies the specific component failure, followed by a written itemized quote before any work begins. A replacement is a full system swap — typically recommended when repair cost approaches 50% of replacement cost and the system is over 15 years old, or when a critical component such as the heat exchanger or compressor has failed. Aarvaks provides both figures at the diagnostic so you can decide without pressure. See our heating and air conditioning pages for service-specific detail.
How do I get a written estimate before committing to HVAC work?
For installation work — a new furnace, heat pump, mini-split, or central AC — book an estimate online or call 510-848-5010. Aarvaks performs a site visit, takes measurements, and delivers a written itemized quote. No work begins until you approve it. There is no charge for an installation estimate. For repair work, the $79 residential diagnostic fee ($189 commercial) covers the full system inspection and a written repair recommendation with itemized pricing. If you proceed with the repair on the same visit, the $79 fee is applied toward the repair cost.
Does Aarvaks offer a senior discount on HVAC service?
Yes. Aarvaks offers a 5% discount on all repair services for customers age 63 and older. Mention it when scheduling. The discount applies to repair labor and parts — it does not apply to maintenance tune-ups or installation quotes. Book online or call 510-848-5010.
Does Aarvaks service all HVAC brands, or only the brands you install?
Aarvaks services all residential and commercial HVAC brands for repair and maintenance — Carrier, Bosch, Mitsubishi, Lennox, Trane, Goodman, Rheem, American Standard, Daikin, and others. Aarvaks is an authorized dealer and installer for Carrier, Bosch, Mitsubishi, and Navien. Manufacturer authorization means factory training and the ability to apply manufacturer warranties on new installations — it does not restrict which brands can be diagnosed and repaired. The $79 residential diagnostic fee and $189 commercial diagnostic fee apply regardless of brand.
How do I know if my HVAC system is properly sized for my home?
HVAC system sizing requires a Manual J load calculation — an engineering calculation that accounts for your home’s square footage, ceiling height, insulation levels, window area and orientation, and local climate data. An undersized system runs continuously without reaching the set temperature. An oversized system short-cycles — it reaches setpoint quickly, shuts off, then starts again repeatedly — causing uneven temperature distribution, excess humidity in summer, and accelerated component wear. Both problems reduce comfort and shorten equipment life. Aarvaks performs a load calculation as part of every installation estimate. If you suspect an existing system is mis-sized, a diagnostic visit can assess whether the system’s capacity matches your home’s actual load.
Do I need to be home during an HVAC service appointment?
Yes. An adult must be present for all service calls — diagnostic, repair, tune-up, or installation. The technician needs access to the equipment location (typically the attic, garage, or utility closet), the thermostat, and the electrical panel. For repair diagnostics, being present lets you review the written findings and approve or decline the repair before any work begins. When scheduling online or by phone, Aarvaks can work with your schedule to find a time that fits.
Schedule HVAC Service in Berkeley & the East Bay
Serving Berkeley and 26 East Bay cities from 729 Dwight Way, Berkeley, CA 94710. CSLB #1146520. Residential and commercial HVAC — installation, repair, and maintenance across all brands.