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Josephine NesbitHome improvement writer
Josephine Nesbit is a contributing writer for USA TODAY Homefront. She specializes in home impr...
Updated Jun 22, 2024
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We've ranked the top 10 air conditioning repair companies that operate within 50 miles of San Mateo. We base our ranking off average customer ratings weighted against the number of reviews. For more information, check out our full methodology.
When your air conditioner (AC) breaks down during a hot San Mateo summer, you need service ASAP. Hire a top AC technician in San Mateo, California to get your air conditioning system back up and running in no time.
We recommend hiring an experienced AC repair company rather than diagnose the problem yourself.
Air conditioning repair technicians receive training to safely conduct electrical repairs and handle refrigerants, which are toxic materials regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Only trained professionals with proper certification should handle refrigerants.
Even in San Mateo, summer temperatures get up to 75 degrees on average, making a working air conditioning system a welcome convenience. When you need repairs, find the best HVAC pro for you by reviewing quotes from multiple providers.
Look for AC repair companies in San Mateo with at least 3.5 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews and a good rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB). Use the filters below to help you find the right company for your needs.
Below are additional air conditioning repair companies that didn’t make our top picks based on their distance, ratings or service offerings.
Your AC system needs to be repaired if you see the following signs:
Take these factors into account when choosing the best AC repair company for you in the San Mateo area.
Confirm your AC company is properly licensed and insured before booking. The California Contractors State License Board requires HVAC contractors to maintain proper licensing. They also need a surety or cash bond and worker’s compensation insurance. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires all HVAC pros who handle refrigerants to be certified.
While not mandatory, there are national accreditations for AC pros, such as the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). Having a certification from one of these professional organizations offers proof of a technician's ability and knowledge in the field.
Most AC repair companies provide free estimates. This includes an in-home inspection during which the technician proposes solutions and gives you a quote. Pay attention to how careful and thorough the technician is during the inspection.
Request itemized quotes from multiple providers to compare costs. Reviewing prices from multiple providers will help you find the average local price range. Be wary of pros that have disproportionately high or low rates.
Verify the technician has experience handling your type of AC system. HVAC technicians work with different kinds of heating and cooling equipment, but some have expertise in certain types of systems.
Ask your friends and family for recommendations for local AC repair companies. Always check a company’s online reviews.
When browsing reviews, watch out for consistently bad ones. Make sure you're reading current reviews, as the company's service quality could have changed over the years.
These are the types of AC units you can typically find in San Mateo homes, along with which homes they suit best:
Experts Ready to Help
The Homefront Local team employs a proprietary scoring algorithm that evaluates companies based on key factors you value, such as average customer review ratings and trustworthiness indicators. Our method for determining trust involves a comparative analysis of the number of reviews a company receives compared to its local competitors. This leads to companies that have earned more trust from your local community being awarded a higher score.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics. Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Go back to top
Our editors may use AI as an input tool to tailor information in local markets. All content goes through a rigorous research and review process led by our team of writers and editors.
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