[ 01 ] Residential HVAC · Kensington, CA

Residential HVAC in Kensington, CA

Kensington hillside and mid-century homes often need ductless or compact ducted heat pumps planned around tight access and room-by-room comfort.

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Project photo

[ img ] Kensington · residential design-build

2015

In business since

J · S · D

In-house Manual calcs

C-20 · C-36

CA Lic. 1086898

Local context

Heating & cooling designed for Kensington

Kensington homes are often older, custom, hillside, and built into challenging lots. Mechanical access can be tight, and comfort issues are often room-specific because of elevation, sun exposure, additions, and limited duct space.

Areas we often work in: Kensington Hills · Arlington Avenue area · Colusa Circle area · Upper Kensington · Lower Kensington · Berkeley border areas

Contra Costa County · permits pulled as part of full-system design-build scopes

Climate

Hillside exposure & smoke

Kensington stays relatively Bay-influenced, but hillside sun exposure and smoke concerns are real. Quiet heat pumps, ductless solutions, indoor air quality, and comfort upgrades that respect older hillside homes are central.

Capabilities

Full-system HVAC for Kensington homes

Remodels, whole-home replacements, heat pump conversions, and multi-zone comfort — planned with Manual J, S, and D where the project needs it.

Heat pump conversions

Gas-to-electric and high-efficiency heat pump upgrades sized for your home, with distribution and electrical needs planned up front.

Whole-home HVAC replacement

Full-system retrofits when ducts, equipment, zoning, or efficiency need a real redesign — not a same-size swap.

Ductless & multi-zone

Room-by-room comfort with ductless or ducted multi-zone layouts where the home needs flexible zoning.

Zoned comfort & VRF

Multi-zone ducted and ductless layouts, including VRF where larger or multi-level homes need quiet, flexible zoning.

Duct design & Manual D

Manual D–informed duct layouts so rooms get the airflow the load calculation calls for.

Indoor air quality & filtration

Upgraded filtration, sealed returns, and distribution strategies that help during wildfire smoke and allergy seasons.

Process

From first call to startup in Kensington

01

Tell us about your home

Share location, timeline, plans if you have them, and what is not working today — or what your builder has scoped.

02

Size & design the system

We use Manual J, S, and D where the project needs it to match equipment, ducts, and zoning to the actual house.

03

Coordinate & install

Principal-led field work with your GC or architect around access, finishes, sequencing, and clean rough-in.

04

Startup & handoff

System startup, basic orientation, and documentation so you know how the new system is meant to run.

Why 3rdGen

Built for whole-home projects in Kensington

Principal-led installs

Field work led by principals who understand the scope before equipment is ordered.

In-house Manual J · S · D

Load, equipment, and duct decisions based on the home — not square-footage rules of thumb.

Licensed design-build

C-20 HVAC and C-36 Plumbing · CA Lic. 1086898 · in business since 2015.

FAQ

Frequently asked in Kensington

What HVAC system works best for Kensington hillside homes?

Often ductless or compact ducted heat pumps, depending on the layout and available access.

Can you add cooling to a home without existing ducts?

Yes. Mini-splits are a common option for older homes without ductwork on full-system scopes.

Why are some rooms colder or hotter than others?

Hillside homes often have additions, uneven insulation, long duct runs, and large windows that create comfort swings.

Is wildfire smoke filtration important in Kensington?

Yes. Hillside homes can benefit from better filtration and tighter duct systems during smoke events.

Can HVAC equipment be installed where access is difficult?

Usually, yes, but it requires a site-specific plan for equipment location, service clearance, drainage, and line-set routing.

Service area

Residential HVAC nearby

We serve homeowners and residential builders across the East Bay, San Francisco, and Tri-Valley on full-system design-build projects.

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