There are plenty of Bay Area contractors in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) industry who do good work, says Alex Ortiz, owner of Ortiz Heating and Air Conditioning. What sets his company apart, he says, is something less tangible: How his technicians approach their jobs. They recognize they’re ambassadors of a company that prides itself on the highest levels of courtesy and respect for its customers. For everyone at Ortiz Heating and Air Conditioning, it’s not just a 24/7 job but, says Mr. Ortiz, “It’s the entire year. It’s our life.”

Mr. Ortiz attributes that commitment to dedication to his company’s high standing in its community, a fact he says is reaffirmed “everywhere we look or when we talk to people.” The company is known for working fast, efficiently and professionally.

Since 1999, Ortiz Heating and Air Conditioning has sold, repaired, serviced and installed all types of heating and air conditioning equipment to its customers across the Bay Area. As duct cleaning specialists as well, the company can help protect your family or coworkers–particularly those with allergies or respiratory conditions–from the hazards of dust, dirt, mold and mildew.

Ortiz Heating and Air Conditioning is a family-owned and operated company. That puts customers at ease, says Mr. Ortiz, and makes them comfortable leaving a technician in their home while they’re at work or running errands.

The company offers two full years’ warranty on labor and most parts, along with any applicable manufacturer’s warranties.

Mr. Ortiz typically pays a visit to a project following its completion to make sure the customers are satisfied and to answer any questions. He reassures them he’ll be available in the future should they have any concerns or problems with their equipment–”a rare occurrence,” he says.

When you hire an HVAC contractor, remember that the first person through the door represents the company. First impressions are indelible—particularly when you’re admitting an unfamiliar person into your home and letting them work inside, perhaps unsupervised, for hours or even days at a time.

“Do they have uniforms? Are they professional looking?” These are the questions Alex Ortiz, owner of Ortiz Heating and Air Conditioning, recommends people consider when evaluating HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) contractors. “The way they talk on the phone, the way they handle themselves, what posture they have…it all makes a big impression,” he says.

It’s not enough to merely trust your contractors. You want to trust them completely, says Mr. Ortiz. When you hire reputable, insured, bonded companies, you have the luxury of taking their honesty and reliability for granted so you can focus exclusively on the work itself. “You want to be able to say, ‘I’ll leave the check on the table. I’ll leave the key under the door. The dog is very friendly. Feel free to walk in the house,’” he says.

Mr. Ortiz notes how the last few years have witnessed a sharp increase in the number of unlicensed HVAC contractors. Hiring them carries obvious problems: They can’t obtain insurance and are therefore not covered for damage to your home or injury to their workers. But equally important, says Mr. Ortiz, their willingness to break the rules suggests they might also cut corners while performing the work itself.

A good place to find reputable operators, he says, is an objective ratings service like Diamond Certified. He also recommends you research the company’s license to verify that former customers haven’t lodged unresolved complaints against them.

Q: How long does it take to replace my A/C?

A: One or two days, depending on whether it’s a new addition to the system or just a replacement. Getting a full, new system with new ducts can take up to a week. We do quality duct work and create systems that take a little extra time. We don’t just put a bunch of plastic pipes together. We actually take the necessary time to do it right.

Q: How long does duct cleaning take?

A: Depending on the size of the house, duct cleaning takes between two and a half to four hours on a single-family home. If you have two or three furnaces, it could take an entire day.

Q: Will I come home to a mess?

A: No. We clean up after ourselves. We leave the home the same way we found it.

Q: How important is preventative maintenance?

A: It’s recommended—sort of a tune-up for your system every now and then to prevent it from malfunctioning. The unfortunate part is that heating and air conditioning systems are often just left alone and neglected, leading to breakdowns sooner than normal.

Q: How often should I schedule these tune-ups?

A: Manufacturers recommend once a year. We feel that even if people did it at least every two to three years, it would be adequate.

Q: What are the options for people with asthma or other respiratory problems?

A: Obviously, you want to keep your filters clean—the higher-efficiency the filter, the better. You can even go up to air purifiers. Today’s air purifiers can actually kill bacteria, human influenza and bird flu. And it’s just a great, fantastic air cleaner; it’s not just a filter, it’s a purifier. These filters are expensive, but when you have people in the home who are ill, money usually isn’t a big issue. I can tell you that I’ve done a lot of those filters for homes with sick kids, and when parents tell us their kid is doing well, it just feels really good.

Q: When’s the best time to turn on my air conditioning?

A: Early in the morning when it’s nice and cool. Don’t wait until it gets hot, since the system will have to work much harder and you probably won’t get it to the temperature you want.