Compare Local Pros Compare Local Pros

Breathable vs Mihas HVAC

Alameda HVAC Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026

Quick Verdict

Breathable brings 13 years of duct cleaning expertise while Mihas HVAC is a newer company focused on furnace and heat pump installations.

Breathable: Established duct and HVAC cleaning specialist with 13 years serving Oakland with thorough, documented service.
Mihas HVAC: Newer HVAC installation and repair company with strong diagnostic skills but limited verifiable licensing history.
Note: Mihas HVAC shows zero years of verified licensing history, requiring homeowners to confirm credentials and contractor background directly.
Breathable Mihas HVAC
Rating 4.8 5.0
Years Licensed 13 years 0 years
License # 979977 1149214
Workers' Comp ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Bond Amount $25,000 $25,000
Location Oakland, CA Oakland, CA
Website www.breathable.com mihashvac.com

Need help deciding?

Get free quotes from both contractors and compare pricing.

Get Free Quotes

Key Differences

The most significant difference is experience verification and service specialization. Breathable's 13 years of licensing history means they've handled countless Oakland homes with varying duct configurations, aging systems, and hidden issues like disconnected components or major leaks that only reveal themselves during thorough inspections. This track record matters when you need someone who can diagnose air quality problems or assess whether your ducts are salvageable. Mihas HVAC shows zero years of verifiable licensing history despite having an active license, which raises questions about how long they've operated under this business entity. Their customer feedback suggests competent installation work, but you're relying more heavily on individual technician skill than company longevity. The service focus also differs completely: Breathable excels at cleaning and maintaining existing systems while Mihas handles equipment failures and replacements. If your furnace died, Breathable isn't your answer. If you need ducts cleaned, Mihas doesn't list that specialty.

What Customers Say

Breathable

Customers emphasize Breathable's thorough documentation with before and after photos, protective measures during work, and repeat annual service relationships.

Mihas HVAC

Customers highlight Mihas HVAC's honest diagnostics that avoid unnecessary upselling and efficient handling of emergency heating failures.

Key Takeaway: Breathable's reviews focus on scheduled maintenance quality and detailed documentation while Mihas reviews emphasize responsive emergency service and straightforward recommendations during crisis situations.

Customer Reviews

Breathable

Jan 2026

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...

Jan 2026

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...

Dec 2025

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...

Mihas HVAC

Jan 2026

I reached out to Michael as my home heating was not working during a very cold winter, and he was prompt with the initial diagnosis that I needed to replace my entire system (it was very old and poorl...

Jan 2026

Big thanks to Michael for the fast and professional repair of our gas furnace. He arrived on time, quickly diagnosed the issue, and explained everything clearly. The work was done neatly, and he provi...

Jan 2026

Michael did a great job on my HVAC as well as my heat pump system. Neat clean. My area looks like new. Highly recommend him.

Consider Breathable if...

  • Your project involves air duct cleaning, dryer vent maintenance, or indoor air quality concerns where Breathable's dedicated specialization and documented cleaning protocols provide confidence
  • You value a established track record with 13 years of experience diagnosing hidden duct problems like disconnections, leaks, or contamination that newer companies might miss
  • You appreciate thorough documentation through before and after photos and transparent communication about what was found during inspection
  • You're looking for a company with repeat customers who return annually, suggesting consistent service quality over time
View full profile →

Consider Mihas HVAC if...

  • You need furnace repair, complete HVAC system replacement, or heat pump installation rather than duct cleaning services
  • You're facing an emergency heating failure and need responsive diagnostic work to determine whether repair or replacement makes sense
  • You value honest assessment without upselling, particularly when dealing with aging equipment that might not need full replacement
  • You're willing to verify licensing history and ask detailed questions about the company's background and warranty terms given the limited verifiable track record
View full profile →

Questions to Ask Before Hiring

  • For Mihas HVAC: Ask directly how long the company has operated, when the current license was obtained, and request references from installations completed over a year ago to verify long-term performance
  • For Mihas HVAC: Confirm warranty details on both labor and equipment for installation work, and ask who handles warranty service if issues arise
  • For both companies: If your project spans multiple service types like duct cleaning and furnace repair, ask whether they handle both or if you'll need separate contractors

The Bottom Line

Choose based on what you actually need done. If your project is air duct cleaning, system maintenance, or indoor air quality improvement, Breathable's 13 years of specialized experience and documented cleaning protocols make them the clear choice. If you need furnace repair, heat pump installation, or complete system replacement, Mihas HVAC handles those services but requires you to verify their operational history and warranty terms directly given the zero years of verifiable licensing data. Don't hire Breathable to replace your furnace or Mihas to clean your ducts—these companies serve different HVAC needs despite both being licensed Oakland contractors.

Get Up to 3 Free Quotes

Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors

3 pros will compete for your business
Licensed & Insured
Top-Rated Pros
100% Free

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, particularly for diagnostic work. Breathable's 13 years means they've encountered countless duct configurations, hidden damage patterns, and air quality issues across different Oakland home types. Mihas HVAC's limited verifiable history means you're relying more on individual technician skill than organizational experience. For straightforward furnace replacements, this matters less than for complex duct assessment.

This requires direct confirmation. Breathable lists heat pump installation and air handler replacement but emphasizes cleaning and maintenance work. Mihas focuses on installations and repairs but doesn't list duct cleaning as a specialty. If you need comprehensive service, ask each company specifically about their capabilities and whether they'd subcontract portions of the work.

This indicates either very recent licensing or limited publicly verifiable history under this business entity. It doesn't necessarily mean they're inexperienced, but it does mean you should ask directly about the company's operational history, the owner's background, and request references from projects completed over the past few years to assess consistency.

Breathable is structured for scheduled preventive maintenance like annual duct cleaning and system inspections. Mihas HVAC's customer feedback emphasizes emergency response for heating failures and diagnostic repairs. If your furnace just died in winter, Mihas handles that scenario. If you're planning routine maintenance to improve air quality, Breathable specializes in that work.

Looking for the Best?

See our ranked list of top hvac contractors in Alameda.

View Top 10 HVAC Contractors in Alameda

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.

Get in Touch

Have questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you.

Get Free Quotes