HVAC Service & Maintenance in Berkeley & the East Bay
Preventive care to extend the life of your heating and cooling systems. Annual tune-ups for furnaces, air conditioners, and heat pumps in Berkeley and the East Bay. $129 single system, $199 combined. EPA 608 certified technicians. CSLB #1146520.
★★★★★
“Aarvaks was professional, knowledgeable, friendly, and very efficient with both maintenance and install tasks. Will definitely use their services going forward and highly recommend them to others.”
Stop Breakdowns Before They Happen
HVAC systems rarely fail without warning. They fail because minor friction points are ignored until a critical component burns out. Routine maintenance is the difference between a $129 tune-up and a $2,000 compressor replacement.
Preserve Your Warranty
Carrier, Bosch, and Mitsubishi require proof of annual professional maintenance to honor their 10-year parts warranties. Skipping tune-ups gives the manufacturer grounds to deny a claim when a part fails.
Lower Energy Bills
A dirty blower motor or an undercharged AC unit forces your system to run longer to reach the set temperature. Clean, calibrated equipment uses measurably less electricity and gas.
Extend Equipment Life
The average lifespan of a gas furnace or central AC is 15–20 years with regular maintenance. Systems left unserviced tend to fail closer to the 10–12 year mark due to accelerated wear on the motor and heat exchanger.
What an Aarvaks Tune-Up Includes
EPA-certified technicians perform a comprehensive diagnostic and calibration on your equipment. Written findings before any repair work is recommended.
Air Conditioning Tune-Up
- Check and calibrate thermostat
- Measure refrigerant charge levels
- Inspect and clean condenser coils
- Test compressor and fan motor amp draw
- Inspect electrical connections and contactors
- Clear condensate drain line
Heating Tune-Up
- Inspect heat exchanger for cracks
- Clean and adjust burner assembly
- Test ignition system and flame sensor
- Measure gas pressure
- Test high-limit safety controls
- Inspect flue and venting for carbon monoxide leaks
Heat Pump & Mini-Split Tune-Up
- Test reversing valve operation
- Verify defrost cycle functionality
- Measure refrigerant charge in heating and cooling modes
- Inspect outdoor coil and clear debris
- Test backup auxiliary heat integration
- Confirm electrical connections at disconnect and condenser
Maintenance Cost
Flat-rate pricing for preventive care anywhere in our 26-city East Bay service area.
$129
Single system tune-up
AC, furnace, or heat pump
$199
Combined tune-up
AC and furnace in one visit
All
Brands serviced
EPA 608 certified techs
Prices apply to standard residential systems. Commercial maintenance agreements are quoted based on equipment count and visit frequency — see Commercial HVAC. Replacement filters are not included in the tune-up price; if you provide your own, we install them at no extra charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does my HVAC system need maintenance?
Manufacturers recommend professional maintenance once a year per system. For a home with a separate AC and gas furnace, that means an AC tune-up in the spring and a furnace tune-up in the fall — or both in one visit for $199. Heat pumps and mini-splits run year-round, so annual maintenance is critical to verify reversing valve operation and refrigerant charge in both modes.
When is the best time of year to schedule HVAC maintenance?
Schedule AC tune-ups in March through May, before the first warm stretch puts the system under load. Schedule furnace tune-ups in September through November, before consistent heating demand starts. Booking off-season also avoids the wait that comes with peak repair traffic in July and January. A combined $199 AC + furnace tune-up in late spring covers both systems in one visit.
Do I really need a tune-up if my system is working fine?
Yes, for two reasons. First, most major HVAC breakdowns start as minor, invisible friction — a slightly undercharged AC, a dirty flame sensor, a worn capacitor — that causes the system to overwork until it fails. Second, Carrier, Bosch, Mitsubishi, and most major brands require proof of annual professional maintenance to honor their 10-year parts warranties.
What is the difference between a tune-up and a diagnostic?
A tune-up is preventive maintenance performed when the system is operational — cleaning, calibrating, and testing to keep it running well. The residential tune-up is $129 for a single system, $199 for a combined AC + furnace visit. A diagnostic is performed when the system is broken; the technician identifies the specific failed component and provides a written repair quote. The residential diagnostic fee is $79, waived if we do the repair.
Are replacement filters included in the tune-up price?
No. Filter sizes and MERV ratings vary widely — from standard 1-inch fiberglass filters to 4-inch HEPA media cabinets — so the cost of the physical filter is not included in the $129 flat rate. If you have replacement filters on hand, our technicians install them during the visit at no extra charge.
Does Aarvaks offer commercial HVAC maintenance agreements?
Yes. Scheduled maintenance agreements are available for light commercial buildings and multi-family properties — package units, rooftop systems, commercial split systems, and ductless equipment. Agreements include priority appointment scheduling, documented service history for lease compliance and warranty requirements, and tenant repair coordination for multi-family accounts. See Commercial HVAC or call 510-848-5010 to discuss an agreement for your property.
Keep Your System Running Strong
Protect your warranty, lower your utility bills, and extend the life of your equipment. Serving Berkeley and 26 East Bay cities since 1929.