FAQs

Cold Cloud is based in Glendale and works throughout the Greater Los Angeles area — including Burbank, Pasadena, North Hollywood, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Woodland Hills, and the surrounding San Fernando and San Gabriel Valley communities. See the full list on our service areas page.

Yes. Cold Cloud holds a C-20 HVAC license (#1131338) from the California Contractors State License Board, and we're fully bonded and insured. Technicians handling refrigerant are EPA 608-certified.

Both. We serve homeowners, condos, and multifamily properties, along with restaurants, offices, retail spaces, and other light commercial buildings. Each type of property comes with its own equipment and code requirements, and our team is set up to handle either.

Cold Cloud was established in 2023, though our technicians individually bring years of hands-on HVAC and refrigeration experience from before joining the company.

A few common signs: strange noises from the unit, weak or uneven airflow, a system that short-cycles (turns on and off frequently), rising energy bills with no change in usage, or a thermostat that no longer seems to control the temperature accurately. Any of these is worth a diagnostic visit before the problem gets worse.

It depends on the unit, the part involved, and how complex the fix is — simple repairs like a capacitor or blown fuse tend to run on the lower end, while something like a compressor replacement costs more. We provide a clear quote after diagnosing the issue, before any work begins.

If your unit is under 10 years old and the fix is minor, repair usually makes sense. Once a system passes the 10–15 year mark, or a single repair would cost more than half of what a new unit costs, replacement is typically the smarter long-term option — you avoid the cycle of repeat service calls and often cut your energy bill in the process.

Yes, repairs come with a 120-day warranty.

Not usually. Uneven temperatures are most often a sign of a system design, ductwork, or airflow balance issue rather than a failing unit. That's exactly what a home comfort diagnostic is for — pinpointing the actual cause before anyone recommends new equipment.

We check room-by-room airflow, duct layout and restrictions, and the balance between supply and return air. Most visits take one to two hours depending on the size of the home, and you'll walk away with a written report on what's actually going on and what your options are.

Yes — no cost, no obligation to book further work.

Central air conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces and air handlers, single- and multi-zone mini-splits, and the ductwork that goes with them.

We use Manual J load calculations, which factor in square footage, window placement, insulation, and local climate data. An undersized unit struggles to keep up; an oversized one cycles too often and wastes energy — proper sizing avoids both problems.

A straightforward system replacement usually takes 1–2 days. If ductwork needs to be added or reworked, plan on 2–5 days or more.

Trane, Carrier, Daikin, Lennox, and others — we'll walk you through the options that fit your budget and comfort goals.

Workmanship is covered for 3 years by default, extending up to the equipment's term if you're on an active maintenance plan. Equipment warranties run 10–12 years depending on the manufacturer and registration.

As a rough starting point, figure 1 ton of cooling per 500–600 sq ft of space — but the real number comes from a load calculation that factors in windows, sun exposure, ceiling height, and occupancy.

In most cases, yes — commercial units are heavy enough that a crane is the safe, practical way to get them onto the roof. We coordinate that scheduling as part of the project.

Once repair costs pass roughly 50% of a replacement's price, or the unit is past 12–15 years old, replacement tends to pay off faster through lower energy use and fewer service calls.

New installation typically falls in the $8,000–$15,000+ range for a 5-ton package unit; replacement projects run roughly $4,500–$12,000+ depending on the scope. Every quote is based on an on-site assessment.

Most replacements take 6–10 hours on-site, though this varies with building access and system complexity.

It's worth considering when a building has several zones that need independent temperature control, limited space for traditional ductwork, or a mix of commercial and residential use. Multi-tenant buildings and hotels are common candidates, especially where heating and cooling needs vary a lot from one space to the next.

A few signals: more than two significant breakdowns in a year, energy costs climbing 20–30% without a change in usage, or a unit running on older R-22/R-410A refrigerant that's approaching 15 years old.

Smaller projects can wrap in days; large commercial jobs with multiple zones can run 2–6 weeks. We give you a specific timeline once the design phase is done.

Almost always, yes — installations, replacements, and most rooftop or VRF work require a mechanical permit and need to meet California's Title 24 energy standards. Our team handles the application, coordinates inspections, and makes sure everything is signed off.

Costs depend on the property, the equipment, and the scope of work, so we don't quote blind — we come out, assess the job, and give you a written estimate before anything starts.

Yes, through partners like GoGreen Financing / Go Zero, so a replacement doesn't have to be paid all at once.

Depending on your project, you may be eligible for Glendale Water & Power (GWP) rebates, federal tax credits on qualifying heat pumps, or incentives through TECH Clean California / HEEHRA. We'll flag what applies during your estimate.