Heating contractor in SF Bay Area & Sacramento, CA

What Does a Heating Contractor Do?

A heating contractor is a licensed professional who specializes in the installation, repair, maintenance, and replacement of residential and commercial heating systems. This includes furnaces (gas and electric), heat pumps, boilers, radiant heating systems, ductwork, thermostats, and related components.

When you hire a heating contractor in the SF Bay Area & Sacramento, CA, you get a professional who can diagnose heating problems and recommend solutions, repair malfunctioning furnaces, heat pumps, and heating components, install new heating systems sized correctly for your home, replace aging or inefficient equipment with modern high-efficiency units, perform preventive maintenance to extend system life and prevent breakdowns, improve indoor air quality through filtration and humidity control, and optimize your heating system for energy efficiency and lower utility bills.

Five or Free Electrical Heating & Air provides comprehensive heating contractor services throughout the SF Bay Area & Sacramento, CA—and because we’re also licensed electricians, we handle the complete job including all electrical connections and thermostat wiring.

Types of Heating Systems

A professional heating contractor in the SF Bay Area & Sacramento, CA works with multiple types of heating systems, each with advantages for different situations:

Gas Furnaces – The most common heating system in the Bay Area and Sacramento, gas furnaces burn natural gas to heat air, which is then distributed through ductwork. Modern high-efficiency furnaces achieve 95% to 98% AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) ratings, meaning nearly all the fuel becomes usable heat. Gas furnaces provide powerful, reliable heating even during the coldest nights.

Heat Pumps – Heat pumps use electricity to transfer heat rather than generating it through combustion. In heating mode, they extract heat from outdoor air (even cold air contains heat energy) and move it indoors. Heat pumps are highly efficient in mild climates like the Bay Area, and modern cold-climate heat pumps perform well even in Sacramento’s occasional freezing temperatures. Heat pumps also provide air conditioning, making them a versatile year-round solution.

Electric Furnaces – Electric furnaces use heating elements to warm air. While less common than gas furnaces due to higher operating costs, they’re a good option for homes without natural gas access. Electric furnaces are also simpler to install and maintain.

Dual-Fuel Systems – These systems combine a heat pump with a gas furnace. The heat pump handles heating during mild weather (when it’s most efficient), and the furnace takes over during extreme cold. This provides optimal efficiency across all temperature ranges.

Boilers and Radiant Heat – Some homes, particularly older ones, use boilers to heat water that circulates through radiators or radiant floor systems. Radiant heat provides exceptional comfort and even temperature distribution.

Ductless Mini-Splits – These systems provide zoned heating (and cooling) without ductwork. Each indoor unit serves a specific area, allowing precise temperature control room by room.

No matter what type of heating system your home has or needs, Five or Free Electrical Heating & Air has the expertise as a heating contractor in the SF Bay Area & Sacramento, CA to service, repair, or install it.

Signs You Need a Heating Contractor

Knowing when to call a heating contractor in the SF Bay Area & Sacramento, CA can prevent minor issues from becoming major problems—or complete system failures during cold weather. Warning signs include:

Your heating system won’t turn on – Could indicate thermostat problems, ignition failure, electrical issues, or a failed blower motor.

Uneven heating throughout your home – Some rooms warm while others stay cold, suggesting ductwork problems, sizing issues, or failing components.

Strange noises from your furnace – Banging, squealing, rattling, or grinding sounds indicate mechanical problems that need attention.

Higher than normal energy bills – Increasing heating costs without increased usage often signals declining system efficiency.

Frequent cycling on and off – Short cycling stresses components and indicates problems with the thermostat, heat exchanger, or airflow.

Yellow or flickering pilot light – A healthy gas flame burns blue. Yellow flames or flickering can indicate combustion problems or dangerous carbon monoxide issues.

Visible rust or cracks on your furnace – Physical deterioration suggests your system is nearing end of life.

Your system is 15+ years old – Even well-maintained heating systems eventually wear out. If your furnace is approaching 20 years, it’s time to plan for replacement.

Frequent repairs – If you’re calling for repairs every season, replacement often makes more financial sense.

If you notice any of these signs, contact Five or Free Electrical Heating & Air—your trusted heating contractor in the SF Bay Area & Sacramento, CA.

The Five or Free Difference

Five or Free Electrical Heating & Air has served as a trusted heating contractor in the SF Bay Area & Sacramento, CA for over 10 years. We combine HVAC expertise with electrical contractor licensing, meaning we handle your complete heating project—including all electrical work—without subcontractors.

Our “Five or Free” Guarantee: We promise to do five things right on every job. If we miss even one, the service is free. That’s the accountability you deserve from your heating contractor.

Call Five or Free Electrical Heating & Air today for expert heating services in the SF Bay Area & Sacramento, CA.