Heating & Air Conditioning in East Palo Alto, CA

What heating and cooling work do East Palo Alto homes need?

East Palo Alto homeowners usually call about a furnace, cooling for hot spells, an aging water heater or a move to an all-electric heat pump. The city’s own energy tips for homes point out that extreme heat is becoming more common in East Palo Alto, which makes insulation and air conditioning more important. They also suggest heat pumps, which both heat and cool.

• Heating: furnace and heating repair and heat pump installation.
• Cooling: AC repair, tune-ups and replacement.
• Water heaters: tank, tankless and heat pump water heaters.
• Indoor air quality: cleaning for ducts and dryer vents.

Do I need a permit to replace my furnace in East Palo Alto?

Yes. The city’s residential furnace inspection handout says a mechanical permit is required before a replacement furnace goes in. Permits are handled electronically by the Building Services Division on Tate Street. We pull the permit for you and meet the inspector at the end. The main points, in plain words:

City requirement	What it means for your home
Duct air leakage test by a HERS rater	An independent tester checks your existing ducts for leaks whenever the furnace is replaced. We schedule it and give the inspector the form.
Electrical basics	A shut-off switch within sight of the furnace, its own circuit, and a nearby outlet and light for service.
Sediment trap on the gas line	A short capped pipe that catches debris before it reaches the furnace.
One final inspection	The inspector checks the work and the duct test report once everything is done.

Who supplies electricity in East Palo Alto, and are there heat pump rebates?

East Palo Alto homes get their electricity from WestLight Energy, the new name for Peninsula Clean Energy, which serves nearly all San Mateo County residents. WestLight even lists a project in East Palo Alto, where it helped a condo complex add a charging outlet for every unit. As of November 2026, its appliance rebate page covers heat pump water heaters and heat pump systems that replace a gas furnace, with an added bonus for CARE and FERA customers. The application asks for a copy of the city permit. You may qualify; call us and we’ll check what applies to your home and your WestLight account.

What do East Palo Alto homeowners ask us?

Does the city’s reach code force me to go electric?

Not for a simple replacement in an existing home. According to the city’s reach code page, the codes are written for new buildings, and in 2024 the city paused its all-electric rule and adopted an energy-performance code instead. Either a gas furnace or a heat pump can be an option.

Have you worked near East Palo Alto?

Yes. In nearby Palo Alto, we replaced a furnace and AC with an Amana heat pump and enlarged the supply ducts. We have also replaced a water heater there.

What if my furnace is in the garage?

The city has specific rules for garage furnaces, such as raising the controls off the floor and adding a barrier if a car could hit the unit. Our technician checks them during the estimate so there are no surprises at inspection.

Who is Upgrade Home Services?

We are a family-owned heating and cooling company that has been serving the Bay Area since 2002. Our shop is at 743 Ames Ave in Milpitas, and we hold California contractor license CSLB #1066776. East Palo Alto is one of six San Mateo County communities among the 22 cities we serve across Santa Clara, San Mateo and southern Alameda counties. We install the brand you prefer, including Amana, Carrier, Goodman and Mitsubishi. New system estimates are free.