You can find the best HVAC and AC contractors in San Francisco by performing an online search. By viewing the top-rated local pros online, you can easily compare ratings and Top Pro statuses. You can also easily access customer reviews, as well as customer-provided photos of actual work done by the contractors.

It’s also helpful to check the contractors’ qualifications. Find out if the pros you’re considering have any credentials, certifications or licenses. For example, you can visit California's Department of Consumer Affairs website to look up HVAC and AC pros and find out if they’re licensed. 

Once you’ve identified three to five pros who seem like a great fit for your project, start asking them for free estimates. Compare the prices you receive to help narrow down the search. In the end, choose a HVAC contractor you believe has the best reviews, the most experience and the fairest prices for their services.

For some California coastal cities — like San Francisco — central air conditioning is rare. The city does not commonly experience high temperatures, and ocean breezes and fog keep the weather famously chilly. 

Still, the city does occasionally experience heat waves and record temperatures. If you want to ensure you’ll stay cool during the city's hottest days, air conditioning might be worth the cost. Contact San Francisco’s best HVAC pros to get free estimates and learn more about your options.

Your air conditioner should have about 20 BTU per square foot of living space, according to Consumer Reports. However, you should also account for other factors in the room. 

If it’s a very shady space, you can take off 10% of the square footage BTU calculation. If it’s sunny, add 10%. For rooms normally occupied by two or more people, you should add 600 BTU per additional person. Finally, if the room is a kitchen, add 4,000 BTU to your calculated square footage total.

Talk to an air conditioning company or HVAC professional to find out what size you should get.

The SEER label on an air conditioner stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio. This is a measure of the efficiency of either an air conditioning unit or a heat pump. 

The U.S. Department of Energy recommends replacing older AC units with energy-efficient models. Contact an air conditioning company or HVAC specialist for tips on how to select a new unit.

Installing a new appliance costs $125, on average. However, homeowners should expect to pay within the range of $120 to $150. 

For less complex appliance installations, you may pay a low-end cost ranging between $65 and $100. On the other hand, more complex appliances like laundry machines, ranges and other items can cost between $175 and $326 to install. Ask whichever appliance installation service you hire to give you a price quote, if possible.

You can tip appliance installers if you feel their service has gone above and beyond. A standard tip is between $10 and $20. 

Reasons you might consider tipping include a very pleasant customer service demeanor, having to carry a heavy appliance up or down the stairs, working in inclement weather, taking care not to make a mess and other acts of care and consideration. You are not obligated to leave a tip — but one is always appreciated.

There are a number of different appliances that professionals can install for you, including:

• Washers and dryers. These machines are heavy and very sensitive to being level and balanced, and also require hookups to water, electricity and sometimes gas or propane.
• Cooking ranges. Your range may use propane or gas, which is a hookup job best left to the pros.
• Microwaves. You may want to have your microwave be an undermount or in-mounted unit, which a pro can install and make it look seamless.
• Refrigerators. These are heavy and often require a water hookup.
• And more!

Reach out to an appliance installation service, and find out if they can install your appliance. Often, it’s helpful to provide the brand and model of the appliance you’re trying to set up.

There are several perks to having a professional install your appliances, including:

• Hiring a pro saves you time and money. If it breaks down, the service person who sold and installed the machine can fulfill its warranty. However, this warranty could be void if you install it incorrectly.
• It will work reliably. Many appliances like ranges and laundry machines rely on being on level surfaces as well as having potentially dangerous hookups installed correctly. 
• You can get repair and maintenance support. If something isn’t working or you want advice, you can call up your installer and ask if they can help you troubleshoot or repair it.

To find an appliance installer near you, start searching on Thumbtack. This way, you see a list of nearby pros offering services and compare based on their customer review, ratings and profile pages. You can also find customer-uploaded photos showing pictures of the pro’s work. 

Check for licensing requirements in your state, and make sure whoever you work with abides by them. Finally, contact several different pros to compare their rates.