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Breathable vs Superior Mechanical Services
Alameda HVAC Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Superior Mechanical Services brings 21 years of licensing versus Breathable's 13, but your choice depends on whether you need full HVAC system work or specialized duct cleaning.
| Breathable | Superior Mechanical Services | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.8 | ★ 4.8 |
| Years Licensed | 13 years | 21 years |
| License # | 979977 | 854680 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Oakland, CA | Livermore, CA |
| Website | www.breathable.com | www.superiormsi.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Breathable
Breathable customers emphasize the thoroughness of duct cleaning work with diagnostic details like before and after photos, identification of hidden issues, and protective measures during service.
Superior Mechanical Services
Superior Mechanical customers highlight efficient installation teams who complete complex multi-day projects with clear explanations and minimal household disruption.
Key Takeaway: Breathable's feedback centers on diagnostic detail and discovering hidden duct problems, while Superior Mechanical's reviews focus on smooth execution of major system installations and replacements.
Customer Reviews
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...
Superior Mechanical Services
The service guy Milton was great and explained everything that he was doing and did. Answered all of my questions I had. Overall was a great experience.
Great customer service. Milton and Julio were very professional at installation and very helpful with explaining how to use my new furnace. I highly recommend their services.
The installation crew was awesome! Milton, Julio and Oscar were so wonderful to work with! Great communication, response and great customer service! They went above and beyond what I ever could have e...
Consider Breathable if...
- ✓ You need specialized air duct cleaning, especially if your home has never had professional duct service, you're dealing with allergies or air quality concerns, or you've just completed a renovation that left dust throughout the system
- ✓ You want diagnostic duct work with before and after documentation, or you suspect duct leaks, disconnected components, or poor sealing that's affecting efficiency
- ✓ Your project is dryer vent cleaning, bathroom fan maintenance, or duct repair rather than major equipment replacement
- ✓ You value a company that treats duct cleaning as their primary expertise rather than an add-on service
Consider Superior Mechanical Services if...
- ✓ You need a complete HVAC system replacement, new furnace installation, or water heater work—projects requiring the full mechanical contractor scope
- ✓ You're facing an emergency furnace or AC failure and need a company with 21 years of troubleshooting experience across multiple equipment generations
- ✓ Your project involves complex installations like mini-splits, system relocations, or coordinating heating and cooling upgrades simultaneously
- ✓ You want a veteran contractor with two decades of licensing history handling major mechanical system investments
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → If choosing Breathable for duct cleaning: Ask whether they recommend any duct sealing or repairs based on their inspection, and whether they coordinate with your regular HVAC maintenance provider
- → If choosing Superior Mechanical: Ask which technician will handle your project and how many years they've been with the company, particularly for complex installations
- → For either company: Request references from projects matching your specific scope—duct cleaning jobs for Breathable, or system replacements for Superior Mechanical
The Bottom Line
Choose Superior Mechanical Services if you need furnace replacement, complete HVAC system installation, water heater work, or emergency repairs—their 21 years of licensing and full mechanical contractor scope makes them the appropriate choice for major equipment investments. Choose Breathable if your project centers on air duct cleaning, duct system repair, dryer vent maintenance, or air quality improvement work—their 13-year specialization means more thorough diagnostic cleaning than you'll typically get from a general HVAC contractor. Both companies are fully credentialed and receive similar customer satisfaction feedback, so let your project type drive the decision.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Breathable does offer heat pump installation and air handler replacement, but their core expertise is air duct and ventilation system cleaning and repair. For a complete furnace replacement or major HVAC system work, Superior Mechanical's 21 years of experience with full system installations makes them the stronger choice. Use Breathable when duct system quality is your primary concern.
Yes, particularly for complex diagnostic work. Superior Mechanical's 21 years means their technicians have encountered more edge cases, obsolete equipment, and unusual system configurations—valuable when replacing a 25-year-old furnace or troubleshooting intermittent failures. For specialized duct cleaning, Breathable's 13 years is substantial experience in their focused service area.
Superior Mechanical does offer duct cleaning as part of their service menu, but Breathable treats it as their primary business with multiple service tiers, diagnostic photography, and detailed leak identification. If duct system quality and air quality improvement are your main concerns, Breathable's specialization likely means more thorough work. If you're replacing your HVAC system and want duct cleaning included, Superior Mechanical can handle both.
Breathable operates from Oakland and Superior Mechanical from Livermore, but both serve the broader Alameda County area. For routine service calls, location rarely matters. For multi-day installation projects or if you anticipate needing warranty callbacks, confirm with each company that your specific address is within their primary service zone to ensure responsive service.
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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 12, 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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