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Albert Nahman Plumbing Heating And Cooling vs Breathable
Alameda HVAC Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Albert Nahman offers full-service plumbing, heating, and cooling with rapid emergency response, while Breathable specializes in HVAC cleaning and maintenance with three times the industry experience.
| Albert Nahman Plumbing Heating And Cooling | Breathable | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.7 | ★ 4.8 |
| Years Licensed | 4 years | 13 years |
| License # | 1083634 | 979977 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Alameda, CA | Oakland, CA |
| Website | albertnahmanplumbing.com | www.breathable.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Albert Nahman Plumbing Heating And Cooling
Customers consistently praise Albert Nahman for rapid response times, same-day availability, and professional technicians who provide detailed explanations without sales pressure.
Breathable
Customers highlight Breathable's thoroughness with protective measures, before-and-after documentation, and transparent identification of additional issues during cleaning work.
Key Takeaway: Albert Nahman customers emphasize speed and scheduling flexibility for urgent needs, while Breathable customers focus on meticulous attention to detail and comprehensive documentation during preventive maintenance.
Customer Reviews
Albert Nahman Plumbing Heating And Cooling
Tara from Albert Nahman plumbing came out and did a excellent job installing a new toilet. She let the work area spotless and I was very impressed with her work. I would highly recommend this company
With their rapid response time, professionalism, know how and ability to communicate technical jargon in layman's terms, Albert Nahman Plumbing, Heating & Cooling stands head and shoulders above their...
Albert Nahman installed a brand new furnace in 2017 and they have maintained my unit to keep it in excellent running condition. They even offer a membership which I signed up for immediately. They are...
Breathable
Alex and his crew were very professional. They did an extremely thorough job cleaning my vents and ducts, which hadn't been cleaned since I purchased the house. I wish I had done this sooner! I not...
I recently hired Breathable for a vent cleaning and sealing service, and I am beyond impressed with the work done by Filipe and his team. From start to finish, the level of professionalism was top-not...
Alex and his crew did an awesome job cleaning the air ducts and dryer vent/duct in my San Francisco home. The 3-men crew came early, covered the surrounding area of each vent with plastic, removed th...
Consider Albert Nahman Plumbing Heating And Cooling if...
- ✓ You need plumbing work, emergency repairs, or full HVAC system installation or replacement rather than just cleaning and maintenance
- ✓ Same-day or next-day service availability is critical because you're dealing with an urgent issue like a leak, broken water heater, or heating failure
- ✓ You want a single contractor who can handle multiple systems in your home, from toilets and drains to furnaces and air conditioning units
- ✓ You value rapid response times and scheduling flexibility over maximum industry tenure
Consider Breathable if...
- ✓ Your specific need is air duct cleaning, dryer vent maintenance, furnace cleaning, or duct repair and sealing rather than equipment installation or emergency repairs
- ✓ You're dealing with allergies, post-renovation dust, pet dander buildup, or have never had your ducts professionally cleaned
- ✓ You want a specialist with 13 years focused exclusively on ventilation system cleaning and maintenance rather than a generalist contractor
- ✓ You appreciate detailed documentation including before-and-after photos and thorough identification of hidden issues like duct leaks
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Albert Nahman how they handle complications on projects given their 4 years of experience, and request references from similar projects to yours
- → Ask Breathable whether they can handle any equipment repairs or replacements if issues are discovered during cleaning, or if you'll need to hire a separate contractor
- → Confirm with either company what warranty or guarantee they provide on their specific type of work
- → Ask about crew consistency and how long their current technicians have been with the company
The Bottom Line
Your decision comes down to what you need done. For plumbing repairs, emergency heating or cooling failures, water heater replacement, or full HVAC installations, choose Albert Nahman. Their rapid response times and comprehensive service range make them the appropriate contractor for equipment problems and urgent issues. For air duct cleaning, dryer vent maintenance, or ventilation system work, choose Breathable. Their 13 years of specialized experience means they'll identify issues generalists miss and provide thorough documentation of their work. Both companies are properly licensed and insured, so this is about matching the specialist to your specific project type.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Breathable specializes in cleaning and maintenance, with services including furnace cleaning, heat pump installation, and air handler replacement. However, for comprehensive furnace system replacement or repair work beyond cleaning, Albert Nahman's full HVAC service capabilities would be more appropriate. If Breathable discovers equipment issues during cleaning, clarify whether they can address repairs or if you'd need another contractor.
For straightforward duct cleaning in a newer home, the experience difference is less critical. However, Breathable's 13 years becomes valuable for older homes, systems that have never been cleaned, or when diagnosing hidden problems like disconnected ducts or significant leaks. Their established track record means they've encountered more edge cases and system configurations.
Albert Nahman is the clear choice for heating emergencies. Their service model emphasizes rapid response with same-day and next-day availability for urgent repairs, and they handle the full range of heating system problems. Breathable's specialty is preventive maintenance and cleaning, not emergency equipment repair.
While Albert Nahman may offer some duct-related services as part of HVAC work, Breathable has built their entire 13-year business around duct and ventilation cleaning. For dedicated duct cleaning with detailed documentation, protective measures, and specialized expertise in identifying duct issues, Breathable's focus gives them the edge. For duct work connected to a larger HVAC installation, Albert Nahman can handle it as part of the overall project.
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See our ranked list of top hvac contractors in Alameda.
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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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