Frequently Asked Questions

A tune-up is a full system check, not a quick filter swap. We inspect electrical connections, test the capacitor and contactor, check refrigerant pressures, clean the condenser coil, measure airflow, and test the thermostat. On furnaces we check the heat exchanger, burners, and flame sensor. You get a written report of what we found, what's fine, and what's wearing out. Our technicians are not paid on what they sell, so the report is what it is. Call (669) 800-4179 to schedule a tune-up.

A standard central AC or furnace replacement takes one full day in most San Jose homes. Ductless mini-split installs with multiple indoor units can run two to three days. Larger jobs, or homes in older neighborhoods like Japantown with tight crawlspaces and aging electrical panels, may take longer. We give you a set install date and a written timeline before the crew shows up, and we keep you posted if anything changes. Call (669) 800-4179 for a free estimate and installation plan.

The quick rule: if the repair costs less than a third of a new system and the unit is under 10 years old, repair it. If the unit is over 12 years old, runs R-22 refrigerant, or the compressor or heat exchanger has failed, replacement almost always makes more sense. In San Jose, where cooling season runs long and hard for older units, we see failed compressors on 14-year-old systems in places like Evergreen and Berryessa every summer. We'll give you honest numbers for both options and let you decide. Call (669) 800-4179 for an honest assessment.

Yes. Estimates are free, and they come as a written fixed price, not a rough verbal range. We measure the space, look at your ductwork and panel, and factor in San Jose's cooling load before we give you a number. The price we quote is the price you pay if you move forward. No surprise line items on install day. Call (669) 800-4179 and we'll set up a time to come out and measure.

For repairs, we can usually give you an honest ballpark over the phone once you describe the symptoms. For new installations, the number depends on a load calculation and a look at your home, so a phone number without measurements would be a guess. We'd rather give you a real price after a quick site visit, in writing, than a wrong number that changes later. That's part of the Kingswell Way. Call (669) 800-4179 and we'll tell you what we can and can't quote over the phone.

We install Trane, Lennox, and Goodman equipment, and service Rheem among other brands. The right brand for your home depends on your budget, the size of the space, and how long you plan to stay in the house. We don't push one brand over another; we show you the equipment options with real efficiency ratings and let you choose. Every quote lists the exact brand and model number. Call (669) 800-4179 and we'll explain your options in plain English.

San Jose's climate is mild but dry, with long cooling seasons and short, mild winters. That means reliability comes down less to brand and more to proper installation and sizing. A correctly installed Goodman can outlast a badly installed Trane. What matters is a load calculation, a clean install, and regular maintenance. That said, Trane and Lennox both hold up well in San Jose's dry heat, and we've installed many of each across the South Bay. Call (669) 800-4179 to talk through your options.

Yes. We service and repair all major brands, including Trane, Lennox, Goodman, and Rheem, regardless of who installed the system. We see plenty of equipment across San Jose that was installed years ago by companies that are no longer around. If your system needs a repair, we'll give you the written price first and get your approval before doing any work. Call (669) 800-4179 with your system make and model, and we'll let you know what to expect.

If your system runs R-22 refrigerant, parts are getting scarce because the refrigerant was phased out in 2020. Compressors, coils, and expansion valves for older units are harder to source and more expensive when we do find them. Many San Jose homes, especially those built in the 1990s and early 2000s in neighborhoods like Cambrian and Blossom Valley, still run R-22 systems. When a major component fails on one of those, replacement is usually the smarter money. Call (669) 800-4179 and we'll tell you straight what your options are.

Every pro working under our name is required to hold the license and insurance their state requires. We carry proper coverage, and we're happy to show you documentation before any work begins. Victor Mancini, who leads our San Jose team, makes sure the paperwork is in order on every job. We also pull permits when San Jose's building codes require them. Call (669) 800-4179 and we can walk you through the details of our coverage.

In most cases, yes. San Jose requires permits for furnace and AC replacements, and for ductwork changes. The city wants to verify that the installation meets California's efficiency standards and local building codes. We handle permit paperwork as part of the installation, and we make sure the job is inspected and signed off. It's an extra step, but it protects you when you sell the house. Call (669) 800-4179 with questions about permits for your specific job.

The Kingswell standards require that every pro working under our name meets the licensing and insurance requirements for their trade. We send technicians who know their work and treat your home with respect - showing up in the window we gave, leaving the place cleaner than we found it, and putting the guarantee in writing. That's the Kingswell Way, and it applies to every job we do in San Jose. Call (669) 800-4179 and we'll tell you more about how we work.

During our open hours, Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Sunday 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, we do everything we can to get to same-day AC calls, especially during San Jose heat waves when a broken system is a genuine health risk. A failed air conditioner in a South Bay summer isn't an inconvenience, it's dangerous for kids, seniors, and anyone with breathing issues. Call (669) 800-4179 as soon as something stops working and we'll get you on the schedule.

We handle urgent AC and heat calls during our business hours: Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Sunday 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. When San Jose hits triple digits and your AC dies, that's an emergency, and we treat it that way. Call (669) 800-4179, tell us what's happening, and we'll get a technician to you as fast as our schedule allows. We know how uncomfortable a hot house gets in the South Bay summer, and how important it is to get it fixed quickly.

First, check the obvious: make sure the thermostat is set to cool, the circuit breaker hasn't tripped, and the filter isn't so dirty that it's choking airflow. If those are fine and the system still isn't cooling, shut it off at the thermostat to prevent further damage, and call us at (669) 800-4179. Running a struggling system can turn a small repair into a big one. We'll get you on the schedule and give you a written price before any work starts.

Our service area covers San Jose and the surrounding cities, including Fremont, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Redwood City, Mountain View, Union City, Milpitas, Palo Alto, Cupertino, Newark, and Campbell. During business hours we route our technicians to get to you as efficiently as possible, but we don't promise a specific arrival window we can't keep. We show up in the window we gave - that's a Kingswell promise. Call (669) 800-4179 and we'll tell you what today looks like.

The Kingswell Guarantee is four promises, in writing, on every job: a written price before any work starts, a real arrival window, a clean job site, and a written guarantee on the work. If a repair fails inside the guarantee period, we come back and fix it at no charge. Cold Harbour Heating and Air San Jose is an independently owned and operated Kingswell company, which means we work to those standards on every call. Call (669) 800-4179 and we'll show you the guarantee in writing.

Every repair we do is covered by a written guarantee, and the specific term is spelled out before we start the work. If the repair fails inside the guarantee period, we come back and fix it at no charge. That's the Kingswell Guarantee in action. For new equipment, you get the manufacturer's warranty plus our workmanship guarantee on the installation. Call (669) 800-4179 and we'll explain exactly what's covered on your specific job.

Manufacturer warranties on Trane, Lennox, and Goodman equipment typically cover the compressor, heat exchanger, and other major parts for 5 to 10 years, and sometimes longer if you register the equipment. The warranty covers the part, not the labor to install it. Our workmanship guarantee covers our installation labor separately. We register your equipment for you so the warranty is active from day one. Call (669) 800-4179 and we'll show you the exact warranty terms on the system you're considering.

For most San Jose homeowners, it depends on the system and how long you plan to stay in the house. If you're buying a high-efficiency Trane or Lennox system and plan to be there 10-plus years, a manufacturer extended warranty can pay for itself on one compressor replacement. If you're in a starter home in Milpitas or Campbell and likely moving in a few years, skip it. We'll show you the actual cost and coverage of the extended warranty before you decide. Call (669) 800-4179 for straight answers on warranty options.