Safety and Quality are Everything
A look at real HVAC installs, repairs, and safety corrections from our team across Sonoma and Marin counties — the good, the dangerous, and the fixed.
Complete Trane Install
This homeowner’s tract-home furnace was a low-grade, mid-efficiency builder-grade model that left the house uncomfortable. We installed a new Trane 95% variable-speed furnace, a 14 SEER A/C system, and Trane CleanEffects — which removes 99.98% of airborne allergens, far more effective than even the best HEPA filter.
Super Efficient
A Trane XV95 furnace, Trane CleanEffects™ whole-house air cleaner, and a Honeywell Zone Control System let this homeowner heat upstairs and downstairs independently — minimizing bills by only conditioning the rooms actually in use. We also added new foundation ventilation and ducting for a tight, efficient system.
Proper Installation Is Key
A homeowner called us to fix her heater, and we found a system installed against manufacturer recommendations — rotting away after just a few years. Duct holes were blocked halfway, and the flue pipe was oversized, preventing it from retaining heat. We corrected the installation with Energy Star equipment sized to code.
Duct Cleaning
Improving indoor air quality starts with removing airborne allergens trapped in your ductwork. We vacuum out large debris first, then run a motorized brush through every vent — the return air duct is always the dirtiest, since the most air passes through it. We recommend duct cleaning whenever a furnace is replaced.
Rotten Ducting and Plenum
While installing a new furnace, we pulled out the old unit and found a badly rotted plenum box and ventilation ducting. Furnace efficiency depends entirely on duct integrity — leaking ducts mean you never see the 92–95% rating your system is rated for. The new, sealed system started saving this homeowner money immediately.
From Retro to Metro
A 1950s floor heater was struggling to keep up. We removed it, sealed the opening, and installed a Cozy™ energy-efficient wall heater with a fan that pushes warm air across the floor. A Honeywell™ programmable thermostat now warms the house before the family wakes up and shuts off while they’re away.
Fire Hazard, Corrected!
This furnace and water heater sat directly on the garage floor — against code, which requires 18" of clearance so a leaking car or spilled flammable liquid can’t reach the pilot light. We built a proper foundation, installed a 92% Ruud™ furnace, replaced the attic ducting, and elevated the water heater to code.
Bigger Is Not Always Better
A well-meaning friend installed an oversized, bottom-of-the-line Carrier™ furnace that didn’t match the home’s ductwork. Oversized furnaces overheat, break down prematurely, and can crack the heat exchanger — all costing more money over time. We found the blower motor already failing. Call an experienced contractor, not a friend.
Copper Pipe Hazard
Years ago, someone hooked up a wall heater’s gas line with copper pipe. The "rotten egg" odorant added to natural gas corrodes copper over time — and this homeowner’s heater caught fire as a result. Always have gas lines inspected and installed by an HVAC professional, not left to chance.
Ductless: Filter Changes Are Not Enough!
We received a service call for a Fujitsu mini-split, just 2 years old, after 2 years without professional maintenance. The owners cleaned the filters themselves, but that alone wasn’t enough — dirt embedded deep in the coil and blower wheel still required a full professional cleaning.
Experience the Adams Difference
We answer our phones. We show up on time. We do it right — that’s the Adams promise since 1969.
Call (707) 795-6059