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Bolanos Heating And Air Conditioning vs Therma

Santa Clara HVAC Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026

Quick Verdict

Bolanos focuses on residential HVAC with hands-on owner service, while Therma specializes in commercial and industrial mechanical work.

Bolanos Heating And Air Conditioning: Newer residential HVAC contractor known for accurate diagnostics, transparent pricing, and direct owner involvement on every project.
Therma: Experienced commercial mechanical contractor specializing in custom fabrication, duct manufacturing, and industrial systems.
Note: Bolanos has only one year of licensure, meaning less experience handling complex HVAC complications compared to Therma's 9 years.
Bolanos Heating And Air Conditioning Therma
Rating 5.0 4.6
Years Licensed 1 years 9 years
License # 1124531 1027316
Workers' Comp ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Bond Amount $25,000 $25,000
Location San Jose, CA San Jose, CA
Website www.bolanoshvac.com www.therma.com

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Key Differences

The most critical difference is project focus: Bolanos handles residential HVAC installations and repairs including heat pumps, mini-splits, furnaces, and AC systems, while Therma specializes in commercial mechanical contracting with custom duct manufacturing, medical gas systems, and industrial fabrication. Therma's 9 years of licensure versus Bolanos' single year represents significantly more experience navigating permit complications and diagnosing complex mechanical issues. However, Bolanos demonstrates strong residential customer service with direct owner involvement on every project, while Therma's owner involvement level is unclear and appears oriented toward commercial clients. For a typical homeowner needing HVAC work, Bolanos is the relevant choice despite being newer. Therma's expertise lies in commercial fabrication and industrial systems, making it inappropriate for standard residential heating and cooling projects.

What Customers Say

Bolanos Heating And Air Conditioning

Customers consistently praise David's accurate diagnostic abilities, transparent pricing, and willingness to recommend cost-effective repairs rather than unnecessary replacements.

Therma

Customers emphasize Therma's high-quality custom fabrication capabilities, professional approach, and technical precision for commercial and industrial mechanical projects.

Key Takeaway: Bolanos receives feedback entirely from residential homeowners appreciating hands-on service, while Therma's reviews come from commercial clients valuing manufacturing capabilities and industrial expertise.

Customer Reviews

Bolanos Heating And Air Conditioning

Jan 2026

I would highly recommend Bolanos. David came out urgently to help with an issue we were facing and was extremely responsive from the very beginning. The problem was not an easy one to identify or fix...

Dec 2025

Bolanos did the HVAC on my ADU and I was really impressed with their professionalism, customer service and following up on their work. After they were done with their work, there was an issue with th...

Dec 2025

Dave and team installed a heat pump in our home. Dave provided options and even made recommendations that were less expensive. The job was finished on time and we have been very happy with the work. D...

Therma

Jun 2025

Did Stanford blood donation here today.

Dec 2024

Can't say enough about this company this group of guys the work that they do and the high technology that they are getting involved in. There is a manager Paul there, great guy hard worker. The compan...

Dec 2024

Top notch mechanical contractor. Very professional.

Consider Bolanos Heating And Air Conditioning if...

  • You need residential HVAC service including heat pump installation, mini-split systems, furnace or AC repair, or ductwork modifications for your home
  • You value direct owner involvement and want the same person diagnosing your problem and completing the work
  • You appreciate transparent pricing and detailed technical explanations in understandable terms
  • You need quick response times for emergency repairs or straightforward installation timelines
View full profile →

Consider Therma if...

  • You have a commercial or industrial facility requiring mechanical contracting services
  • You need custom metal fabrication work, specialty ducting components, or HVAC duct manufacturing
  • Your project involves medical gas systems, industrial plumbing, or process equipment fabrication
  • You require high-volume manufacturing capacity with precision dimensional accuracy for commercial applications
View full profile →

Questions to Ask Before Hiring

  • For Bolanos: Ask for references from residential projects completed in the past year, particularly projects similar in scope to yours, to assess experience with potential complications
  • For Bolanos: Confirm that permitting and inspection coordination are included in the quoted price for installation work
  • For Therma: Confirm whether they accept residential HVAC projects, as their focus appears primarily commercial and industrial
  • For Therma: Ask about typical project timelines and whether residential work receives the same priority as commercial clients

The Bottom Line

For residential HVAC needs, Bolanos Heating And Air Conditioning is the clear choice. Therma operates in the commercial and industrial mechanical contracting space, making them inappropriate for typical home heating and cooling projects. While Bolanos has only one year of licensure compared to Therma's nine, customer feedback demonstrates strong diagnostic skills, transparent pricing, and reliable project completion for residential work. If you need heat pump installation, AC repair, furnace service, or ductwork modifications for your home, contact Bolanos. Only consider Therma if you have a commercial facility or need industrial fabrication work.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Likely not. Therma specializes in commercial mechanical contracting, custom fabrication, and industrial systems including medical gas and process equipment. Their review feedback focuses entirely on commercial and industrial projects. Bolanos specifically serves residential customers with heating and cooling needs.

One year of licensure means less experience handling unexpected complications during installations or diagnosing unusual system problems. However, customer feedback shows owner David accurately diagnoses issues other contractors missed and completes projects on schedule. Ask for references from projects similar to yours and confirm he has experience with your specific system type.

Only Bolanos serves residential customers. Multiple reviews specifically mention competitive pricing compared to other contractors, with honest recommendations for repairs rather than unnecessary replacements. Therma's commercial focus means their pricing structure likely doesn't align with typical residential HVAC projects.

For straightforward repairs, Bolanos demonstrates strong diagnostic abilities with customers praising accurate problem identification. The experience gap matters more for complex installations involving permit complications, structural modifications, or older homes with hidden issues. For basic repairs and standard installations, Bolanos' track record shows consistent successful completion.

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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 11, 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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