Maintaining customer satisfaction is crucial for any business, but it’s even more important for HVAC companies that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For Pleasanton Heating & Air Conditioning, the key to achieving and maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction is simple: deliver quality at every step of every project, regardless of its size. “We believe we’re only as good as our reputation, so we’re very focused on customer satisfaction,” says owner Brian Waskow. “Our goal is to change our clients’ lives by improving their indoor air quality, and that’s what motivates us every day.”

Hometown Heating & Air Conditioning installs, repairs and maintains a variety of HVAC systems for residential clients throughout Alameda County. Additionally, the family-owned and operated company is qualified to perform safety inspections and energy audits; clean dryer vents; and install indoor air quality products such as carbon monoxide detectors, humidifiers, and zoning and programmable thermostats.

Unlike HVAC companies that approach every job with a “one size fits all” mindset, Hometown Heating & Air Conditioning personalizes its services whenever possible. “Any HVAC company can do a tune-up, but it’s how we interact with our clients during those tune-ups that makes the difference,” says Mr. Waskow. “From providing free dryer vent cleanings to changing light bulbs or bringing in garbage cans, we always try to exceed our customers’ expectations.”

Another distinguishing attribute of Hometown Heating & Air Conditioning is its 24/7 availability, which Mr. Waskow says is important for building positive relationships with clients. “There aren’t many companies that answer the phone afterhours and run out to fix a broken HVAC unit, but that’s how much we care about our clients. They know that if they ever have a problem, we’ll be there to take care of it.”

Take simple steps to make your HVAC system more efficient. New heating and cooling systems are designed to be incredibly efficient in terms of temperature control, but there’s still a lot you can do to increase your system’s overall efficiency. HVAC equipment accounts for as much as half of the energy usage of a typical home, so even small changes and improvements can drastically lower your energy expenditures. Consider the following tips:

Have a qualified HVAC contractor monitor your system’s efficiency. An HVAC professional will be able to make recommendations for your specific system that will help lower your utility bills. Schedule an annual tune-up to keep your equipment working right and give your HVAC contractor the opportunity to find problems before they become too serious.

Ask your HVAC contractor to seal any gaps in your duct work. Focus on the ducts in your attic, basement and crawlspaces. Simply sealing seams with duct sealant or wrapping them in insulation can lower heating and cooling costs by 20 percent.

Change your air filter regularly. For most homes, this means once a month during peak usage times or every three months during off-seasons. Dirty air filters can waste energy and cause your system to become overtaxed, which can make it fail sooner than expected.

Set a programmable thermostat to heat or cool your home based on your schedule. These thermostats are helpful if you want to come home to a warm or cool house, if you don’t need temperature control during daytime hours, or if you want your system to automatically lower the indoor temperature at night.

Don’t be opposed to replacement. If your HVAC system is severely underperforming, installed incorrectly or more than 10 years old, it may need to be replaced. A professional heating and cooling contractor can help you find an energy-efficient system to replace your old one.

Q: How long will my HVAC system last?

A: Most systems will last 10 to 20 years, but as your equipment gets older, it can lose a lot of its efficiency. When that happens, you can either overhaul the system or replace it. Since HVAC technology improves over time, it’s a good idea to get a new system that has been designed with newer, more energy-efficient equipment, especially if your system is more than 10 years old.

Q: Do you offer ongoing maintenance programs?

A: Yes, we offer service programs that are designed to keep HVAC systems running at peak performance. There are many benefits to enrolling in a service program, including two free performance tune-ups each year, discounts on replacement parts, flat-rate pricing and complimentary energy-saving coil cleanings.

Q: Do you offer emergency services?

A: Yes, we make ourselves available 24/7 to handle emergencies.

Q: Do you hire qualified and properly trained technicians?

A: Yes. All our technicians are certified to operate and maintain American Standard equipment, and many also have certifications in other brands that we service. They use their thorough training and experience to handle any challenges that come up on the job.

Q: How often should I change my air filter?

A: You should replace the air filter in your furnace on a regular basis. A dirty filter reduces the amount of air that flows through the system and makes the furnace work harder.

Q: What’s your approach to quality control?

A: Our quality assurance department performs quality assurance checks on all the equipment we install at no additional cost to our clients. Also, our owners are involved with every job in a hands-on capacity, so any issues that come up are immediately resolved.