Got Watts? vs Mendez Air
Contra Costa HVAC Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
You're comparing an electrical contractor who does HVAC installations with an HVAC specialist focused on emergency repairs—different services entirely.
| Got Watts? | Mendez Air | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 4.5 |
| Years Licensed | 12 years | 26 years |
| License # | 985920 | 778884 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Pleasant Hill, CA | Oakley, CA |
| Website | www.gotwatts.com | — |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Got Watts?
Customers highlight Got Watts' detailed project planning, transparent pricing without sales pressure, and professional installation crews who complete multi-phase electrical and HVAC projects on or ahead of schedule.
Mendez Air
Customers consistently emphasize Mendez Air's rapid response times (callbacks within minutes, service within hours) and ability to diagnose and repair AC problems during the initial visit, including weekends and holidays.
Key Takeaway: Got Watts earns praise for methodical project communication over weeks-long installations while Mendez Air is valued for same-day emergency responsiveness measured in hours, reflecting fundamentally different service models.
Customer Reviews
Got Watts?
Got watts is incredible. Dont hesitate. Eric is so professional and experienced. They are meticulous about safety and quality and were on time had all the parts and even dealt with permits!!! They com...
Got Watts continues to do amazing work for us. They're prompt, attentive, and do high quality work. We originally had them install a large solar array and a couple of batteries for us. We recently had...
I reached out to GotWatts about adding solar panels to my home. They gave me several solid options and clearly explained efficiency, ROI, and cost. Their transparency was refreshing, and their pricing...
Mendez Air
Arturo was very quick, responsive and friendly. He came right away, on a holiday weekend and was able to get our AC back on before the hottest part of the heatwave started! Appreciate the work and rea...
Good service fast and affordable I recommend this business, Arturo did an excellent job in my AC unit and even went the extra mile with a few tips about better functionality with the AC unit
The tech was very professional and found the issue with my AC unit and fixed it on the spot. I highly recommend Mendez Air!
Consider Got Watts? if...
- ✓ You're installing a new HVAC system, upgrading to a heat pump, or adding central air conditioning where electrical panel upgrades and permit coordination are part of the project
- ✓ You're combining HVAC work with other electrical upgrades like solar panels, battery backup, EV chargers, or panel replacements in a single coordinated project
- ✓ You value detailed proposals with multiple design options and regular project updates throughout a multi-week installation process
- ✓ You need the electrical infrastructure properly sized and permitted for modern high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment
Consider Mendez Air if...
- ✓ Your existing air conditioning system has stopped working or isn't cooling properly and you need someone today or this weekend
- ✓ You need emergency HVAC diagnostics during peak summer heat when same-day service matters more than project planning
- ✓ Your system needs repair rather than replacement, and you want a technician who can diagnose and fix issues during a single service call
- ✓ You prefer working with a specialist who has spent 26 years focused exclusively on HVAC troubleshooting rather than a contractor who does HVAC as one of several services
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Got Watts whether your HVAC installation requires electrical panel upgrades and how they coordinate permitting and utility approvals for the complete system
- → Ask Mendez Air about their availability for your specific timeline and whether they also handle system replacements if repair isn't viable
- → Confirm with Got Watts what their timeline looks like for a complete HVAC installation project from proposal through final inspection
- → Ask Mendez Air what their diagnostic process includes and whether the initial service call fee applies toward repair costs if you proceed with their recommendation
The Bottom Line
Choose based on what you actually need this week. If your AC is broken and you need it fixed now, Mendez Air's 26 years of diagnostic expertise and same-day emergency service model directly addresses that urgency—customers consistently report service within hours, including weekends. If you're installing a new HVAC system, replacing an old one, or upgrading to a heat pump as part of broader home improvements, Got Watts coordinates the electrical work, permitting, and installation as an integrated project with detailed planning and professional execution. These aren't competing options for the same service—one fixes broken systems fast, the other installs new systems properly.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Got Watts is structured for planned installation projects with permitting and multi-day timelines, not emergency same-day repairs. If your AC broke today and you need cooling restored within hours, Mendez Air's service model is designed for that urgency. If you're planning a system replacement or upgrade, Got Watts coordinates the complete electrical integration.
The data shows Mendez Air focused on diagnostics and repairs of existing systems. If you need a new system installed with electrical work, permits, and panel upgrades, ask them directly whether they handle installations or if Got Watts' integrated electrical approach better fits that scope. Their 26 years of experience is valuable for either service if they offer it.
Got Watts handles this as a single coordinated project—they're electrical contractors who install HVAC systems alongside the necessary electrical infrastructure, permitting, and inspections. This integrated approach means one company manages the entire scope rather than coordinating separate HVAC and electrical contractors.
Mendez Air's 26 years provides deep diagnostic expertise for troubleshooting existing systems quickly. Got Watts' 12 years as electrical contractors means proven experience coordinating complex installations with permitting and inspections. The experience difference matters less than whether you need emergency repair expertise or installation project management.
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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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