Compare Local Pros
Awesome Heating and Air Conditioning vs Breathable
Alameda HVAC Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Awesome Heating and Air Conditioning brings 23 years of diagnostic and repair expertise, while Breathable specializes in duct cleaning and indoor air quality with 13 years of experience.
| Awesome Heating and Air Conditioning | Breathable | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 4.8 |
| Years Licensed | 23 years | 13 years |
| License # | 813172 | 979977 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Livermore, CA | Oakland, CA |
| Website | awesomeheatingandairconditioning.com | www.breathable.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Awesome Heating and Air Conditioning
Customers emphasize rapid emergency response with same-day service, direct owner communication, and honest assessments that avoid pushing unnecessary replacements.
Breathable
Customers highlight methodical work practices including protective floor coverings, detailed before-and-after photo documentation, and discovery of hidden duct system issues during cleaning.
Key Takeaway: Awesome's reviews center on crisis response and diagnostic accuracy during system failures, while Breathable's feedback focuses on thoroughness and documentation during planned maintenance and cleaning services.
Customer Reviews
Awesome Heating and Air Conditioning
First of all I want to start off by saying I'm not an employee, family member, or friend. Awesome Heating and Air is the perfect name for this company. I called them on a Sunday and Todd called back...
Cannot emphasize how trustworthy and reliable Awesome heating and air conditioning inc is. I notice my heating unit was not working, hence called my home warranty and they suggested their own HVAC com...
Two experiences with Awesome. The first was about a year and a half ago. My mother's heating unit quit working the day before Thanksgiving. Some "warranty" company, "Service something" said they neede...
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 Awesome Heating and Air Conditioning if...
- ✓ Your heating or cooling system has stopped working or is performing poorly and you need diagnostic expertise to identify whether repair or replacement makes sense
- ✓ You value emergency responsiveness and same-day service, particularly important during temperature extremes when HVAC failures create urgent comfort and safety issues
- ✓ You're facing a full system replacement and want a contractor with 23 years of experience navigating the complications that arise in older homes with outdated ductwork or electrical systems
- ✓ You prefer working directly with an owner-operated business where the same person diagnoses your issue, quotes the work, and oversees installation
Consider Breathable if...
- ✓ Your primary concern is indoor air quality, dust accumulation, or allergens rather than a malfunctioning heating or cooling system
- ✓ You've never had your ductwork professionally cleaned, are dealing with post-renovation dust, have pets, or have noticed musty odors from vents
- ✓ You want thorough documentation of the work performed, including before-and-after photos showing what was actually cleaned and any hidden issues discovered in your duct system
- ✓ You need dryer vent cleaning, bathroom fan maintenance, or duct sealing services in addition to or instead of traditional HVAC repair work
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Awesome Heating how they handle after-hours emergency calls and what their typical response time is for urgent heating or cooling failures
- → Ask Breathable whether they also provide traditional HVAC repair services or if you'll need a separate contractor for heating and cooling system repairs beyond cleaning and maintenance
- → Request references from projects matching your specific need, whether that's emergency furnace replacement or comprehensive duct cleaning after years of neglect
The Bottom Line
Choose based on what you actually need, not just company age. If your heating or cooling system has failed, performs poorly, or needs replacement, Awesome Heating and Air Conditioning's 23 years of diagnostic expertise and documented emergency responsiveness make them the clear choice. If your system works fine but you're concerned about indoor air quality, dust, or have never had ductwork cleaned, Breathable's specialized equipment and systematic approach to duct cleaning addresses that specific need better than a generalist. Both companies carry proper insurance and bonding, so your decision hinges on service type rather than credentialing concerns. Identify whether you have a mechanical problem or an air quality concern, then call the specialist.
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Frequently Asked Questions
While Breathable does perform some installation work like heat pumps and air handlers, their core expertise is duct cleaning and air quality services. Awesome Heating specializes in diagnosing and repairing failed systems with 23 years of troubleshooting experience. If your system isn't working properly, Awesome is the more appropriate choice for diagnostic and repair work.
The data doesn't indicate duct cleaning as part of Awesome's service offerings, which focus on system repair, maintenance, and replacement. If you need both duct cleaning and system repair, you may need to use Breathable for cleaning and then evaluate whether additional repair work requires a traditional HVAC contractor. Ask Awesome directly if they provide duct cleaning services.
Start with Awesome Heating for a diagnostic evaluation if your system is underperforming, making unusual noises, or not heating or cooling properly. These symptoms typically indicate mechanical issues rather than dirty ducts. Consider Breathable if your system works fine but you're concerned about dust, allergens, or have never had ducts cleaned. A traditional HVAC diagnosis costs less than unnecessary duct cleaning.
It depends entirely on what you need done. Awesome's additional decade of experience matters significantly for complex diagnostics and navigating unexpected complications during system replacements in older homes. For duct cleaning services, Breathable's 13 years provides ample expertise for thorough cleaning work, and their specialization in this area may outweigh Awesome's longer general HVAC experience for air quality projects.
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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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