Restart Hvac vs Therma Tech
Santa Clara HVAC Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Therma Tech brings 18 years of licensing versus Restart HVAC's 4 years, offering significantly more experience navigating complex installations and unexpected complications.
| Restart Hvac | Therma Tech | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.7 | ★ 4.9 |
| Years Licensed | 4 years | 18 years |
| License # | 1090166 | 913806 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Mountain View, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Website | restarthvac.com | www.thermatechhvac.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Restart Hvac
Restart HVAC customers consistently praise responsive communication, transparent pricing with detailed upfront quotes, and thorough inspections that accurately diagnose issues rather than pushing unnecessary replacements.
Therma Tech
Therma Tech customers highlight the same responsiveness and thorough diagnostic approach, with additional emphasis on long-term relationships with multiple customers returning over several years and referring family members.
Key Takeaway: While both companies receive nearly identical praise for professionalism and transparency, Therma Tech's reviews include more mentions of sustained multi-year relationships and repeat business, suggesting the confidence that comes with proven longevity.
Customer Reviews
Restart Hvac
Restart HVAC did a very clean installation of our new heat-pump system with air handlers and new ducting. Despite initial complications with Mitsubishi model configurations, issues were resolved profe...
Love the service, the communication, fast response, honesty everything.
Georgy and his team did a great job with the installation of our new heat pump system. We called 3 companies for quotes and went with Restart HVAC since Georgy provided us the most detailed quote, wit...
Therma Tech
Those of you reading my reviews, you know how important quality of service is to me. Any company I come in contact with, I pay close attention to their quality of service, value and even some time aft...
Everyone at Therma Tech was great to work with and professional. They worked with us to get the duct work done as soon as possible to get the heat back on for our tenants.
Very honest and knowledgable. They arrive right on time and are able to root-cause the issue and fix it in no time. Highly recommend them.
Consider Restart Hvac if...
- ✓ Your HVAC project is relatively straightforward with a newer home built in the last 15 years and standard ductwork configurations
- ✓ You're working with a tighter budget and competitive pricing is a primary concern, as the newer company may offer more aggressive rates
- ✓ You prefer working with a smaller operation where the owner is heavily involved in your specific project
- ✓ You're located in Mountain View and value the convenience of a locally-based contractor in your immediate area
Consider Therma Tech if...
- ✓ Your home is older with potential complications like outdated ductwork, questionable electrical, or systems that haven't been serviced in years
- ✓ You're undertaking a complex installation like dual fuel systems, extensive duct replacement, or whole-home HVAC upgrades where experience diagnosing hidden issues matters
- ✓ You value the track record of a contractor who has navigated 18 years of code changes, product evolutions, and warranty claims
- ✓ You're looking for a long-term service relationship, as multiple customers mention returning to Therma Tech over several years for ongoing maintenance and future projects
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Restart HVAC about their experience with projects similar to yours, particularly if your home has complications like old ductwork or non-standard configurations
- → Ask Therma Tech about current lead times and crew availability, as established companies sometimes have longer scheduling backlogs during peak seasons
- → Request references from both contractors for installations completed at least 1-2 years ago to verify warranty service responsiveness
The Bottom Line
For straightforward HVAC work in newer homes, both contractors demonstrate the professionalism and competence to complete your project successfully, making this a reasonable choice based on scheduling availability and quote comparison. However, if your home is older, your project involves complexity beyond basic replacement, or you highly value the peace of mind that comes with nearly two decades of field experience, Therma Tech's veteran status provides meaningful additional assurance. Get quotes from both, but lean toward Therma Tech if your gut tells you complications might arise or if references reveal Restart HVAC hasn't tackled projects with your home's specific challenges.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For a straightforward replacement in a newer home with no complications, the gap matters less as both companies demonstrate competent installation skills. However, even routine projects often reveal unexpected issues once the old system comes out, and an 18-year veteran has encountered far more scenarios. If your home was built before 2000 or you're unsure about your ductwork condition, experience becomes more valuable.
Customer reviews suggest both companies offer competitive pricing compared to other bids, so the cost difference may be minimal. Newer companies sometimes price aggressively to build their portfolio, but both contractors appear focused on fair pricing rather than premium rates. Get quotes from both to compare directly rather than assuming the newer company will be significantly cheaper.
Therma Tech's 18-year track record demonstrates they've successfully navigated the warranty period for thousands of installations and remain available for service. Restart HVAC has been operating for 4 years, which is sufficient to demonstrate commitment, but there's inherently less history to predict their long-term availability. Both maintain active licenses and appear stable, but longevity provides additional confidence for 10-15 year equipment warranties.
Choose Therma Tech for homes built before 1990, major system upgrades requiring significant ductwork modifications, installations with challenging access or structural complications, or if you've had previous contractors struggle with your home's unique configuration. Their 18 years of problem-solving experience becomes most valuable when standard approaches don't work and creative solutions are needed.
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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 10, 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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