Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it’s even more important for HVAC companies that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For Bayhill Heat & Air, Inc., the key to achieving and maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction is simple: focus on providing quality in every aspect of its work, from the initial consultations to the finishing touches. “Our first goal is to make sure our clients are completely satisfied,” affirms owner Ricardo Valderrama. “We accomplish that by staying up-to-date on industry regulations, working with high-quality HVAC equipment and original replacement parts, and ensuring our technicians have the skills and training to take on all types of jobs.”

Bayhill Heat & Air has been providing HVAC services for homeowners throughout San Mateo County since 1981. The company’s primary focus is fabricating, installing, maintaining, and repairing new and existing HVAC systems such as air conditioners, furnaces, heat pumps, insulated ducts and rooftop units, but it also has the capabilities to perform system relocations and upgrades, provide 24/7 emergency services, and more.

Unlike less experienced HVAC companies that use off-market replacement parts and offer short-term warranties as a result, Bayhill Heat & Air exclusively uses original replacement parts made by leading manufacturers like Carrier, which allows it to back all its parts and labor for five years. “We use top-of-the-line equipment and materials that meet or exceed industry standards, so our customers know they’re getting quality every time,” says Mr. Valderrama. “And we don’t just rely on our equipment–we carefully walk through each job after it’s complete to make sure everything was done correctly.”

Mr. Valderrama says Bayhill Heat & Air’s industry longevity has also been an important aspect of its success. “The fact that we’ve been in business for more than 30 years really resonates with our customers–they know we’re always here for them and will work hard to make sure they get exactly what they want. They trust us to take good care of them, so they give us good feedback and recommend us to their family and friends.”

If you’re a homeowner, make sure you know some basic safety information about your furnace. HVAC units keep homes comfortable throughout the year, but most people don’t realize that a malfunctioning or old furnace can endanger both their homes and families. Consider carbon monoxide, for example—it’s an odorless, colorless gas that’s produced during combustion, and it can be deadly in the right circumstances. Every gas furnace creates carbon monoxide during the heating process, but most only produce small amounts that are carried out and away from the home. However, furnaces that are running inefficiently because of age or faulty parts can create higher levels of carbon monoxide, which can be toxic to anyone living in the house.
To protect yourself and your family, consider the following HVAC safety tips:

• Have an HVAC professional conduct an annual safety check to ensure your furnace and all its parts are functioning correctly. This may include searching for cracks in the combustion chamber, performing a deep cleaning, or lubricating any motors or bearings.
• Replace your furnace’s air filter three to four times a year, depending on manufacturer recommendations and how frequently you run your HVAC unit.
• Never store combustible materials like solvents and chemicals near your furnace. “If your furnace is in your garage, make sure you keep these items at least three feet away at all times,” says Ricardo Valderama, owner of Bayhill Heat & Air in San Mateo. “If the furnace is in a closet or utility room, you shouldn’t put any chemicals or solvents in that space.”
• Make sure fresh air can flow to and from your HVAC unit. “Sometimes furnaces aren’t aesthetically pleasing and homeowners want to cover them with sheets, but you need to make sure the area around your HVAC unit is always clear and vented,” says Mr. Valderrama.
• Never close more than 20 percent of the air registers in your home. Better yet, keep all register vents open to allow for adequate air circulation and prevent stress on the system.

Q: Are you qualified to do the HVAC work I need?

A: Absolutely. We can provide you with information that shows we’re skilled and experienced with all types of HVAC installations and repairs.

Q: What kind of equipment do you install?

A: We install Carrier equipment that’s American-made and purchased directly from the dealer.

Q: Do you offer any warranties?

A: We offer five-year warranties on installations, materials and labor, and we provide a one-year warranty for minor repair jobs. Manufacturers’ warranties also apply on most products, and if you ever have any issues or problems, we’ll come back and take care of them for free.

Q: Should the air flow in all my registers be the same?

A: It should be very similar, but sometimes it’s hard for older systems to maintain an equal flow. If you notice a sudden change in your system’s air flow, call us and we’ll come inspect it.

Q: Is it safe to close the air vents in rooms that I don’t use often?

A: No. You should never close vents because that could create back-pressure and overheat your HVAC system. If your house is big and you want to close some vents, we can make changes that enable you to control the air flow without overheating the system.

Q: Does it really matter which type of filters I use in my furnace?

A: Yes, you have to be careful about the filters you use. Sometimes, high-efficiency filters that you install yourself can actually create problems with your system—if they’re too tight, for example, the furnace may not get enough air.