Compare Local Pros
All About Air vs Breathable
Alameda HVAC Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
All About Air offers 18 years of veteran experience with full HVAC system replacements while Breathable specializes in duct cleaning and maintenance with 13 years in business.
| All About Air | Breathable | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 4.8 |
| Years Licensed | 18 years | 13 years |
| License # | 902777 | 979977 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Hayward, CA | Oakland, CA |
| Website | allaboutaironline.com | www.breathable.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
All About Air
Customers emphasize All About Air's same-day emergency responsiveness, clear communication throughout repairs, and long-term relationship continuity with the family team remembering properties across multiple service calls.
Breathable
Customers highlight Breathable's meticulous cleaning documentation with before and after photos, protective measures during work, and transparency in identifying hidden duct issues during service.
Key Takeaway: All About Air receives feedback centered on emergency response and equipment replacement efficiency, while Breathable's reviews focus on thorough preventive maintenance and system cleaning documentation.
Customer Reviews
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...
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 All About Air if...
- ✓ You need a furnace or AC unit replaced and want a veteran contractor who has navigated 18 years of equipment failures, manufacturer changes, and installation challenges
- ✓ Your HVAC system has failed during extreme weather and you need same-day emergency service with a company known for accommodating urgent requests
- ✓ You're planning a major system upgrade like mini-split installation and prefer working with a family team that maintains continuity across service calls and remembers your property history
- ✓ You value the experience depth that comes with nearly two decades of diagnosing hidden problems and handling complications during installations
Consider Breathable if...
- ✓ Your HVAC equipment functions properly but you need air ducts professionally cleaned, particularly after renovation, for allergy concerns, or if your system has never been cleaned
- ✓ You're focused on preventive maintenance and indoor air quality improvement rather than equipment replacement
- ✓ You appreciate thorough documentation practices including before and after photos that show exactly what was accomplished during service
- ✓ Your priority is duct repair, sealing, or dryer vent cleaning rather than heating and cooling equipment installation
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For All About Air: Ask about their experience with your specific equipment brand and whether they stock common parts for emergency repairs
- → For Breathable: Ask whether their inspection identified any issues requiring equipment replacement beyond their cleaning scope, and if so, who they recommend for installation work
- → Ask both companies for project timelines and whether they handle permit processing for any installation work required
The Bottom Line
Choose based on what you actually need done. If your furnace or AC unit needs replacement, repair, or you're facing an equipment emergency, All About Air's 18 years of veteran installation experience and same-day service capability make them the appropriate contractor. If your equipment works fine but you need air ducts cleaned, system maintenance, or indoor air quality improvement, Breathable's specialization in thorough cleaning with documented processes serves that need directly. These companies operate in different segments of the HVAC industry. Don't hire a cleaning specialist for equipment replacement or an installation contractor when you specifically need comprehensive duct cleaning.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
Breathable's specialty is duct cleaning and maintenance, not equipment replacement. While they do offer heat pump installation and air handler replacement, their primary focus is system cleaning. If you anticipate needing major equipment replacement, All About Air's 18 years of installation experience makes them the more appropriate choice from the start.
All About Air offers ductwork evaluation and repair as part of their HVAC services, but Breathable specializes specifically in comprehensive duct cleaning with documented before and after processes. If your system needs both equipment replacement and thorough duct cleaning, you might consider All About Air for the installation and Breathable for dedicated cleaning work.
For equipment installation and system replacement, yes. All About Air's 18 years versus Breathable's 13 years represents additional experience diagnosing aging systems, handling installation complications, and working through equipment failures. For duct cleaning services, the experience gap matters less than specialization, where Breathable focuses their entire business model.
All About Air is the clear choice for emergency equipment failures. Their customer feedback specifically highlights same-day service availability and accommodating urgent requests during extreme weather. Breathable specializes in preventive maintenance and cleaning, not emergency equipment repairs or replacements.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top hvac contractors in Alameda.
Other Alameda HVAC Contractors Comparisons
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 09, 2026.
This comparison is based on publicly available information. We recommend getting multiple quotes and verifying all credentials directly before hiring.
Get in Touch
Have questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you.