General FAQs
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Yes. Part of your appointment will include checking the proper functionality of the system through the thermostat, and for maintenance visits, checking the CO/smoke detectors. Estimates are customized to your needs and include consultation and a tour of the existing setup. For these reasons and more, we insist you are home and available to speak during your appointment.
We offer short two-hour windows of arrival for your convenience. We also send a text to alert you when the technician is on their way.
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Be home and available to speak with the technician during the window of arrival and an additional hour after. The tech may not arrive until the end of the window, therefore we insist you plan to be available for an additional hour after the window.
Know the location of all equipment and make sure that they are accessible. Our crew is unable to move any of your belongings. They will arrive with a ladder.
Make sure all pets are kept away from where the technician will be working. This includes both inside and outside the house.
Maintain a six-foot distance from the technician. Out of respect for our elderly and immune compromised clients, we appreciate you keeping a safe distance.
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If you need to cancel your appointment, please contact our office via phone, text, or email. Once processed, we will send a cancellation confirmation via both email and text; please keep these for your records as proof that your request was received.
We understand that life is unpredictable and unexpected problems can arise. To support you, there is no fee for your first missed appointment, nor is there a charge for any cancellation made with at least 24 hours’ notice.
As a small business, we ask that you please be respectful of our schedule and our need to provide for our families. Giving us ample notice allows us the opportunity to fill your slot with another client. Please note our policy for subsequent occurrences:
Late Cancellations: If multiple appointments are missed with less than 24 hours’ notice, a fee of our one-hour minimum will be charged to cover the loss of time.
No-Call/No-Shows: Any missed appointment where no explanation is provided will result in an automatic "do not return" status, and we will no longer be able to provide services.
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Yes. Unless you have booked an appointment that is an estimate to replace or add to your HVAC system, there will be a minimum charge for the appointment. The minimum charge includes travel time to get to your job location and labor, which together will not exceed one hour. Additional labor is prorated at the same rate and billed in 15-minute increments. Materials are not included in the minimum charge. Please visit our website for complete terms and current rates: www.bodnarhvac.com/terms
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We currently service the following California cities: Atherton, Emerald Hills, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Portola Valley, Redwood City, San Carlos, Stanford, and Woodside.
If you live outside our service area we will charge two-way travel time from our office in Redwood City at the same hourly rate as your service call.
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We offer residential HVAC maintenance, repair, consultations, and new equipment installation services.
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Upon completion of your service, you will receive your invoice via both email and text message. For your convenience, both notifications include a secure link that allows you to pay online using a credit card or bank account at no additional cost.
While we do not accept payments directly through our website, we offer several other flexible options: you may mail a physical check to the address provided on your invoice, or you can call our office to process a payment over the phone. If you prefer to receive a paper copy of your invoice by mail, please contact our office and we will be happy to send one to you.
Repair FAQs
How do I know if my system needs a repair or a full replacement?
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We follow a "Repair-First" philosophy, meaning we lead with skill rather than sales pitches. Generally, if your system is less than 12–15 years old and the repair is safe and cost-effective, we recommend fixing it. If you’ve been told a replacement is your only option, we offer a FREE second opinion to see if John—a 3rd-generation specialist—can find a way to fix it instead.
Do you charge for repair estimates?
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While we provide free estimates for equipment replacements, our repair diagnostics are a billable service. This allows us to remain 100% objective, because we don't work on commission, we have no incentive to "find" problems that don't exist. You are paying for over 20 years of expert field experience to get the straight truth about your system.
What kind of warranty do you offer on repairs?
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We stand behind our workmanship with a 60-day labor warranty on every repair. If the same issue returns within that window, we will return to make it right at no additional labor cost to you. This is backed by our status as a fully licensed, insured, and BBB-accredited family business.
Why should I choose Bodnar HVAC over a larger company?
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Most large companies train their technicians to be sales reps who push expensive replacements. At Bodnar HVAC, you get a small, expert team where the owner, John, personally handles the repairs. We are 3rd-generation technicians who treat our clients like neighbors in Redwood City, San Carlos, and Palo Alto.
Maintenance FAQs
Why do I need routine maintenance service?
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HVAC systems are generally an afterthought - until they stop working. Routine maintenance can prevent costly repairs and weeks of being without warm or cool air during the busy season. Additionally, a properly maintained system will last years and even decades longer than a neglected one, saving your wallet from repeatedly replacing an expensive HVAC system.
How often should I have a routine maintenance service performed?
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For homes with heating only - once a year. For homes with heating and cooling, twice a year. Newer systems (less than 5-10 years old) can get away with less regular maintenance IF you replace the filter regularly. This should be done every six months or when it appears dirty.
When should I have the service done?
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It is best to have the routine maintenance service performed at the beginning of the season you expect to use the equipment. This means May or June for A/C maintenance and October or November for furnace maintenance.
Can I have my furnace and air conditioner routine maintenance service performed at the same time?
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Sometimes, but mostly no. Here‘s why:
Seasonal restrictions - to perform a proper check of a heating or cooling system, it is necessary to run the system through several full cycles. This allows the technician to observe all the internal components of the unit in action - and catch anything that may be malfunctioning. Therefore, it is necessary to have furnace maintenance performed when the weather is cool enough for the system to run through several complete cycles. For cooling checks, the same is true.
Logistical limitations - heating and cooling system maintenance services require different tools and replacement parts. To remain efficient and properly prepared, our maintenance vehicles are stocked to perform one service or the other, not both.
Maintain expectations - Making it three generations in any business is no small feat. We have come this far because we offer knowledgeable and reliable service to our clients. It has been decided by the powers that be that combining maintenance services or performing them at the wrong time of year would lead to subpar service and missed opportunities to make a proper preventive diagnosis. The whole point of having a maintenance service performed is to prevent problems during extreme weather when wait times for appointments are typically 2-3 weeks out. To meet this need, it was imperative to separate and properly schedule heating and cooling maintenance services.
Installation FAQs
How do I know it’s time to replace my HVAC system?
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If your system is over 15 years old, requires frequent repairs, or your energy bills are spiking, it’s time for an honest assessment. We specialize in "Repair-First," but when a replacement is inevitable, we provide a transparent, no-pressure consultation to help you choose the right fit for your budget.
What is the "Bodnar Installation Guarantee"?
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We stand behind our craftsmanship with one to five-year labor warranties on top of all manufacturer warranties. Because we are BBB Accredited and third-generation technicians, we take pride in a clean, professional job site and a system that works perfectly from day one.
Do you offer free estimates for new installations?
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Yes. For residents in Redwood City, San Carlos, and Palo Alto, we offer free consultations for system replacements. We’ll look at your ductwork, your insulation, and your comfort goals to provide a quote based on expertise, not sales quotas.
Consulation FAQs
What is the difference between a free estimate and a paid consultation?
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A free estimate is strictly for a "like-for-like" equipment replacement quote. A paid consultation is for diagnosing chronic performance issues, airflow problems, or planning complex duct repairs. You are paying for a professional diagnostic report and a solution plan.
Why does Bodnar HVAC charge for repair diagnostics?
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We don't work on commission, and we don't hide our costs in inflated part prices. Charging for our time allows us to remain objective. Our goal is to tell you exactly what is wrong so you can make an informed decision, rather than rushing a "free" visit just to sell you something you don't need.
Are you licensed to perform these technical audits?
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Yes. We are fully licensed, insured, and EPA-certified. As a BBB-accredited business, our consultations are rooted in honesty and technical accuracy.
How can I contact you?
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You can reach us anytime via our direct phone number (650) 368-4408 (call or text), email info@bodnarhvac.com, or our contact form above. We aim to respond quickly—usually within one business day.