Common problems
- No heat or uneven heat between rooms
- AC blowing warm air
- Boiler making banging or gurgling noises
Services
- Furnace and boiler repair
- Seasonal tune-ups
- Thermostat installation
If it's urgent: Gas smell or a carbon monoxide alarm? Get everyone out and call 911 or the gas utility.
Book a visit online
What San Rafael housing means for HVAC service
San Rafael is the county seat of Marin County. Many older homes have raised wood foundations.
SMART trains stop in downtown San Rafael. Ductwork in older houses was often added after the fact, which leaves some rooms starved for air. Balancing and sealing ducts can help. Gerstle Park and Dominican have early 1900s homes on tree-lined streets.
Inland heat waves push older AC units past their limits, and wildfire smoke days make better filtration a common request. The Marin County Civic Center was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Local rules
In California, licenses for heating and air conditioning contractors come from the Contractors State License Board. Replacing a furnace, boiler or central air system usually needs a mechanical permit from the City of San Rafael Building Division, which the installer normally pulls.
The Canal neighborhood is low-lying near San Rafael Creek. Terra Linda and Lucas Valley have many Eichler homes. In short, water comes from the Marin Municipal Water District, sewer service from the Central Marin Sanitation Agency, and permits come from the City of San Rafael Building Division.
What usually goes wrong
What usually prompts a call:
- No heat or uneven heat between rooms
- AC blowing warm air
- Boiler making banging or gurgling noises
What to have ready
Swap in a clean filter before the visit. Sometimes that alone changes the diagnosis.
Check whether anything is still under a manufacturer or builder warranty.
How we connect you
- Let us know the address area and the symptom.
- A heating and cooling company with openings near San Rafael gets the details.
- You hear from the pro directly about when they can come.
What people ask us
Which parts of San Rafael can you help with?
We look for independent pros across San Rafael, including Gerstle Park, Dominican, Terra Linda and Peacock Gap, and ZIP codes 94901, 94903. If nobody's available, we'll tell you. If you're close to a ZIP code line, mention your cross street when you call.
Why is water pooling near my furnace or AC?
Usually a clogged condensate drain or a failed condensate pump. Turn the system off and have it looked at to avoid water damage.
My thermostat is blank. Is the system broken?
Not always. Dead batteries, a tripped breaker or a blown fuse at the unit can blank the screen. Check those first.
What makes San Rafael a little different for HVAC service?
Summers are warmer than in southern Marin, with less fog. Mission San Rafael Arcángel was founded in 1817. Hillside homes face wildfire risk. Share what you know about your home when you book.
Does HVAC service in San Rafael need a permit?
Some jobs do and many small repairs don't. In San Rafael, permits are handled by the City of San Rafael Building Division, and the heating and cooling company can tell you if your job needs one.
If the problem changes before the visit, mention it when the pro reaches out.
Service area
Serving about a 50-mile radius from San Rafael, depending on which independent pros are available. ZIPs: 94901, 94903
Nearby
- Heating & cooling in Novato
- Richmond heating & cooling
- Heating & cooling near Berkeley
- San Francisco, CA heating & cooling
- Heating & cooling in Vallejo
- Oakland heating & cooling
Other services in San Rafael
All home services in San Rafael · California home services
We're a referral line, not a repair company. The heating and cooling company on your job answers for the bill and the result. Get the price in writing if that makes you more comfortable. The pro gives you a price before any work starts, and it's your call whether to go ahead.
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