Compare Local Pros
3rdGen Heating & Cooling vs All About Air
Alameda HVAC Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
All About Air's 18 years of licensed experience significantly outweighs 3rdGen's four years, providing deeper expertise for complex diagnostics and problem-solving.
| 3rdGen Heating & Cooling | All About Air | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 4 years | 18 years |
| License # | 1086898 | 902777 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Berkeley, CA | Hayward, CA |
| Website | 3rdgen.io | allaboutaironline.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
3rdGen Heating & Cooling
Customers consistently praise 3rdGen's responsive scheduling flexibility, meticulous installation work with mini-splits, and the owner's direct involvement in explaining systems and answering questions.
All About Air
All About Air receives recognition for same-day emergency response, professional conduct across long-term customer relationships, and efficient installations backed by remembering customers across multiple service years.
Key Takeaway: While both earn praise for responsiveness and professionalism, All About Air's reviews emphasize multi-year relationships and returning customers across generations, while 3rdGen's feedback focuses more on first-time customer experiences with detailed owner communication.
Customer Reviews
3rdGen Heating & Cooling
Love 3rd Gen, Devin and the team! They are knowledgeable, professional, kind, and generous. Highly recommend working with them!
I am so glad that I found 3rd Gen Heating & Cooling. The team is smaller so it felt so much more intentional and trustworthy. They pay such great attention to detail, in which they were able to meet m...
I got my HVAC system installed by 3rd gen in 2022, this week the heater stopped working . I gave them a call and Devin and Ceaser visited today to fix the issue. They were at the house right at the ap...
All About Air
Chris is always a pleasure to work with, and we have had him come to the house now for quite a few years.
Another great maintenance job.
Love the family owned business All About Air. Over the years I have used their services in 2 homes. They installed new AC & heaters and continue to do annual check up services. Christine (wife/owner)a...
Consider 3rdGen Heating & Cooling if...
- ✓ You're in Berkeley or North Oakland and want a contractor based in your immediate area with shorter travel time for service calls and follow-up visits.
- ✓ You're installing a Mitsubishi mini-split or heat pump system where 3rdGen has developed concentrated expertise with these specific products.
- ✓ You prefer working with a smaller, growing business where the owner will likely be on-site for your project and you value that personalized attention.
- ✓ Your project is straightforward (standard replacement, clear diagnostic) where the experience gap matters less than local convenience and competitive pricing.
Consider All About Air if...
- ✓ Your HVAC system is older or presents complicated symptoms where 18 years of diagnostic experience significantly increases the likelihood of accurate troubleshooting the first time.
- ✓ You're dealing with a home that has been renovated multiple times, has unusual ductwork, or presents complications that benefit from a contractor who has seen similar situations repeatedly.
- ✓ You value the institutional knowledge and stability that comes from a business that has served customers across nearly two decades, including multi-generational relationships.
- ✓ You're in Hayward or the southern/central East Bay where All About Air is locally based and can provide faster response for ongoing maintenance relationships.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For 3rdGen: Ask for references from projects that match your specific complexity level, particularly if your system is older than 15 years or your home has unusual characteristics.
- → For All About Air: Confirm current availability and whether their established customer base affects scheduling for new clients during peak seasons.
- → For both: Ask about their specific experience with your equipment brand and model, and request details about warranty coverage on both labor and equipment.
The Bottom Line
All About Air's 18 years of licensed experience provides meaningfully better protection for most homeowners, particularly those with older systems, complex diagnostics, or homes that might present installation complications. The depth of institutional knowledge from nearly two decades of troubleshooting is difficult to replicate and translates to more accurate diagnostics and fewer costly surprises. Choose 3rdGen if you're in Berkeley with a straightforward project, want concentrated Mitsubishi mini-split expertise, or prefer the convenience of a locally-based contractor. But for complicated projects, older systems, or situations where you need confidence that your contractor has truly seen it all, All About Air's veteran experience is worth the difference.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For a simple replacement in a newer home with standard ductwork, the gap matters less, and both contractors handle these competently. However, even standard replacements can reveal surprises once the old unit comes out—improper previous installations, code violations, or duct issues. All About Air's additional 14 years means they've encountered these complications far more frequently and can adapt without delays or additional costs.
Four years licensed means 3rdGen has completed hundreds of installations and carries proper insurance and bonding. They're not brand new, and customer feedback shows quality work. However, for projects involving older systems, complex diagnostics, or homes with quirks, All About Air's 18-year track record provides substantially more risk mitigation and problem-solving depth.
All About Air has demonstrated multi-year customer relationships spanning generations, suggesting strong business stability and continuity. 3rdGen is building similar relationships but has only four years to demonstrate longevity. If you're planning a 10-year maintenance relationship, All About Air's 18-year track record provides more confidence they'll still be operating and maintaining institutional knowledge of your system.
Location matters most for emergency service response and ongoing maintenance convenience. If you're in North Oakland or Berkeley, 3rdGen's proximity could mean 30-45 minutes faster arrival for urgent calls. If you're in southern Alameda County, All About Air is better positioned. However, don't let a 20-minute drive difference override the experience gap if your project is complex.
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How We Compare Contractors
License Verification
All license data is sourced from official California CSLB records and verified regularly.
Review Analysis
Customer reviews are aggregated from Google and analyzed to identify patterns in service quality.
Detailed Comparison
We analyze credentials, insurance, experience, and feedback to highlight meaningful differences.
Not all licensed contractors are created equal. While a valid license is the baseline requirement in California, contractors can vary significantly in experience, insurance coverage, and customer satisfaction.
- Experience matters: A contractor with 15+ years of experience has likely encountered and solved problems that newer contractors haven't faced yet.
- Workers' compensation protects you: If a contractor without workers' comp insurance has an employee injured on your property, you could be held liable.
- Reviews reveal patterns: Individual reviews can be misleading, but patterns across many reviews often reveal a contractor's true strengths and weaknesses.
- Bond amounts vary: A contractor's bond provides financial protection if they fail to complete work as agreed. Higher bonds offer more protection.
Taking time to compare contractors on these factors can save you from costly mistakes and help ensure your project is completed by a qualified professional.
Data Sources: License information from California CSLB. Ratings and reviews from Google. Last verified March 13, 2026.
This comparison is based on publicly available information. We recommend getting multiple quotes and verifying all credentials directly before hiring.
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