Aarvaks is a family owned, full service heating and air conditioning company located in Berkeley, California, whose major emphasis is on quality, craftsmanship and exceptional customer service. We believe each customer is unique and take pride in designing a heating and air conditioning system that maximizes your comfort and investment. It has been our pleasure to serve residents and small commercial businesses throughout Berkeley, Oakland, Piedmont, Montclair, El Cerrito, Richmond, and the surrounding East Bay area since 1929.
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At Aarvaks, we pride ourselves on being a one stop shop that can meet all your heating and cooling needs from service and repair to system design and installation. We know energy efficiency and personal comfort are important and we work with you to achieve those goals. Our mission is always to help lower energy costs and offer exceptional value and service to our customers while protecting our environment for future generations.
At Aarvaks, we provide quality workmanship and personalized customer service while meeting all of your heating and indoor air quality needs, from service and repair, to new installation or replacement of your existing heating system. If your heater or furnace needs service or repair, you'll find our technicians to be knowledgeable and trained for just about any make and model of heater or furnace.
Complete home comfort is about more than just temperature - it's also about maintaining a healthy home with indoor air quality. Dusty, dirty homes at any temperature can mean discomfort. The air in homes can become stale as the same indoor air is circulated and recirculated. In fact, indoor air quality is among the Environmental Protection Agency's top three health concerns.
Reviews (22)
An X.
Jun 27, 2022
When we moved into our house, there was a faint buzzing from our gas heater, and I someone check it out. He said we'd need to get a new heater, and at the tune of ~10k while we had a million other projects, we deferred. Also the heat worked so it didn't seem too urgent. Well, after a couple years in COVID, the buzzing got way worse! I called Aarvaks thinking we'd be in the hole another 10k.
Long story short, they were extremely responsive and courteous, sent out someone super quick, and the guy identified that it was an easy fix that he was able to go to the Home Depot to get a part and complete the same day, all for around $300. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them for their work and their integrity. Thank you Aarvaks!
Long story short, they were extremely responsive and courteous, sent out someone super quick, and the guy identified that it was an easy fix that he was able to go to the Home Depot to get a part and complete the same day, all for around $300. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them for their work and their integrity. Thank you Aarvaks!
Bill S.
Jun 03, 2022
I used Aarvaks to install a whole house air conditioner and a high efficiency furnace. The initial installs seemed OK, but later on the furnace began dripping water inside the unit causing extensive rust. Had to have a repair person come out and tighten up a gasket to fix. The A/C condenser stopped working and Aarvaks charged me $218 to diagnose and replace a blown fuse. Two days later a 2nd sister fuse blew. I decided to replace that one myself. I plan on using Atlas from now on.
Shane H.
Mar 06, 2022
Maggie R.
Jan 03, 2022
Alexis N.
Feb 23, 2021
My pilot light went out on my stove last night, called PG&E and was informed the gas was fine. This morning my thermostat had an error message and our water heater was not working. I looked up recommended services for our thermostat and saw Aarvaks. I spoke with Glen about the issue, explaining as best as I could (which was probably very confusing) he stated he would be getting back to me so I would be seen same day to get the issue taken care of.
He called back with an appointment window. Jeff arrived around 13:10-13:15 for my 13:00-15:00 window. I explained the situation and Jeff knew immediately that something was awry with the earthquake valve. He reset the earthquake valve and showed me how to fix it if the problem arose again, helped relight the water heater, checked our furnace and showed me how to use the thermostat more effectively. He was super helpful, informative and patient. For any and all needs related to heating and cooling I will only be calling Aarvaks. Thanks Aarvaks for a job well done!
He called back with an appointment window. Jeff arrived around 13:10-13:15 for my 13:00-15:00 window. I explained the situation and Jeff knew immediately that something was awry with the earthquake valve. He reset the earthquake valve and showed me how to fix it if the problem arose again, helped relight the water heater, checked our furnace and showed me how to use the thermostat more effectively. He was super helpful, informative and patient. For any and all needs related to heating and cooling I will only be calling Aarvaks. Thanks Aarvaks for a job well done!
Eric K.
Nov 29, 2020
Great experience with Aarvaks who fixed my furnace. They came highly recommended from a family member that has worked with them for many years, and they lived up to the expectations. Jeff diagnosed and found a new circuit board for our old furnace and Chris installed it. Chris was very thorough in testing/ensuring it worked, and he even went out of his way to help us with a few other issues.
He took the time to do everything the right way. He was very pleasant and knowledgeable and explained things very well. Both of them wore masks and booties and practiced social distancing protocols. Also Lisa the scheduler was very helpful and a pleasure to deal with. Will be using Aarvaks again!
He took the time to do everything the right way. He was very pleasant and knowledgeable and explained things very well. Both of them wore masks and booties and practiced social distancing protocols. Also Lisa the scheduler was very helpful and a pleasure to deal with. Will be using Aarvaks again!
John K.
Sep 12, 2020
These guys are the best. When I told Jeff what I'd done to my furnace, he told me right off what the problem was and how to fix it. His advice saved me the cost of a service call and enabled me to get the furnace (now a furnace and air cleaner, very valuable just now) the same day. I wish I could have made some billable hours for them, but when the furnace goes for good they'll be my first call.
Lee W.
May 04, 2020
I never (never) write reviews, and it's taking me a good long time to do this one, but if you need assistance with your furnace - THESE are the people to call. Last winter, (told you it's been a while), my furnace went out and these guys came to the rescue, immediately. In no time, we were back on track, warm and cozy, and with a much lower out of pocket expenditure than we had anticipate. Thank you, Aarvaks. I still can't spell your name, but if we ever need this type of work again - you're the first call.
Melinda L.
Mar 30, 2020
My new heater was so noisy that I couldn't hear the phone or TV when it came on. The installer and the contractor shrugged and said there was nothing they could do. Aarvaks came out, looked at it and gave me a quote to insulate the intake box and other parts. It really helped! They are creative problem solver, and also very professional and knowledgeable. Now I have a normal heater. Just a great company!
Emily S.
Mar 01, 2020
Hi, my heater went south and i couldn't remember what heating company had put it in. i called aarvaks and they were very helpful and reasonably priced. i eventually found the company that did the work with their help and since the heater was still under warranty i went with the original company. if i had to have heater work done again i would definitely go to aarvaks.
Carol R.
May 18, 2019
Arrived home in Berkeley yesterday afternoon to no heat. Called Aarvaks at 3:15 pm and was given a 10-12 am window for today. Delighted at the prospect of a fix before the weekend! Chris arrived at 9:55 and did a masterful job of diagnosing and fixing the problem. Jeff the owner came over to consult and we were delighted with the whole experience. I love that the company name is Finnish for "guess who?"
Gil G.
Nov 30, 2018
Glen Uhles
Nov 29, 2018
Nicole H.
Aug 29, 2017
I'm not accustomed to give poor reviews but this one is definitely warranted given my recent experience with Aarvaks HVAC. I called to set up an appointment for service to my HVAC unit, all went well with scheduling the date/time, and the actual diagnostic appointment itself.until I get an invoice for the necessary repairs with a total cost only.
I followed up with owner Jeff Geier and requested a line item invoice so that I could provide a copy to my landlord, as well as the size for the recommended replacement of the air filter on 8/16, and I have not received a response from him to date. I honestly thought that everything was handled so professionally up to that point (the invoice), that the radio silence completely shocked me. Customer service and professionalism go a long way.
I followed up with owner Jeff Geier and requested a line item invoice so that I could provide a copy to my landlord, as well as the size for the recommended replacement of the air filter on 8/16, and I have not received a response from him to date. I honestly thought that everything was handled so professionally up to that point (the invoice), that the radio silence completely shocked me. Customer service and professionalism go a long way.
Ben H.
Dec 29, 2016
I called and spoke with Jeff, the owner. My need was to install a new Ecobee3 smart thermostat in a 1930's house. The wiring needed to be replaced to get the unit to function. He had done excellent work in the past servicing my heater so I knew they were the right ones to call. Due to the busy time of year, he was not able to send anyone out right away. Jeff spent a good amount of time with me on the phone explaining what was necessary and coached me though the process.
I went to Pastime ACE Hardware with confidence, knowing what I needed to complete the project. My son and I completed the job in good time and we are now enjoying our new thermostat. Thanks Jeff!
I went to Pastime ACE Hardware with confidence, knowing what I needed to complete the project. My son and I completed the job in good time and we are now enjoying our new thermostat. Thanks Jeff!
Deane C.
Jul 07, 2016
Jeff from Aarvaks fixed our furnace 2 years ago, and just now repaired (yes I said "repaired", not "replaced") our leaking hot water heater. Many of the companies I had called immediately said: "Oh, a leaking hot water heater. You'll need a replacement", before even seeing the problem. It turns out that the leak was at the top, and he was able to replace the hot and cold water flexes.
He charged less for the diagnostic and repair than another company was going to charge just for showing up. I was able to schedule the appointment within 24 hours, he was personable and professional, clear about what was wrong and what he was going to do and why, all at a reasonable cost. We experienced the same reasonably priced professional care with fixing our furnace, which another company had mis-diagnosed and then had been unable to fix. Aarvaks supplies experienced professional timely service at a reasonable price. I highly recommend them. Deane C July 2016
He charged less for the diagnostic and repair than another company was going to charge just for showing up. I was able to schedule the appointment within 24 hours, he was personable and professional, clear about what was wrong and what he was going to do and why, all at a reasonable cost. We experienced the same reasonably priced professional care with fixing our furnace, which another company had mis-diagnosed and then had been unable to fix. Aarvaks supplies experienced professional timely service at a reasonable price. I highly recommend them. Deane C July 2016
William S.
Nov 04, 2015
I am very happy with a new forced air heating system sold and installed by Aarvaks. The price, as I know from friends who have done comparable jobs, is very fair. The system is powerful and quiet; it raises temperatures in our house roughly one degree per five minutes. The Nest thermostat is great. The installers - Aarvak's only installation crew - are good-natured, meticulous, and proud of their craftsmanship.
For example, they put a sheet metal box under our old floor furnace grate to turn it into an air intake. They painted the insides of the box black so it won't gleam up at us whenever we look down. The management didn't bother getting a building permit till the job was done. But once they did the system passed the required inspections with flying colors.
The examiner who did the pressure test said it exceeded requirements by a wide margin. We are the third in a row of three houses to have systems installed by Aarvaks. All of us are very positive.
For example, they put a sheet metal box under our old floor furnace grate to turn it into an air intake. They painted the insides of the box black so it won't gleam up at us whenever we look down. The management didn't bother getting a building permit till the job was done. But once they did the system passed the required inspections with flying colors.
The examiner who did the pressure test said it exceeded requirements by a wide margin. We are the third in a row of three houses to have systems installed by Aarvaks. All of us are very positive.
Cheryl M.
Aug 18, 2014
Aarvaks recently replaced an original Aarvaks furnace which had been installed in my house in the 1930's. The new installation went smoothly. I found Jeff and his crew to be knowlegeable, honest and easy to work with. The cost, including asbestos removal, was reasonable and I look forward to lower energy bills this winter and for more winters to come. We are happy with our new unit and are happy to have relied on Jeff to keep our family warm with the new furnace. I also love supporting a local, family business!
Monica B.
Nov 07, 2013
Lauren W.
Nov 22, 2010
After interviewing five heating companies, it was a slam dunk to hire Aarvaks. From the initial walk through to the many subsequent questions to the actual installation, the process was painless and smooth. Jeff was wonderful in listening to my needs and then ensuring what I wanted was doable. It was also great in working with my budget. Greta in the office was thorough and pleasant. and very, very patient with all my calls.
The lead installer, David, was knowledgeable and efficient. They were very respectful of my home and put me at ease with "strangers" being in my house. If you have heating or air condition need, want an excellent bid with excellent work delivering on time, call Aarvaks.
The lead installer, David, was knowledgeable and efficient. They were very respectful of my home and put me at ease with "strangers" being in my house. If you have heating or air condition need, want an excellent bid with excellent work delivering on time, call Aarvaks.
Q. T.
Jul 30, 2010
Ali N.
Jan 20, 2010
Having people come to my house to fix stuff makes me uncomfortable sometimes - I feel like I should know how to do this stuff, but whenever I get involved I suck and usually make things worse. So, when a dude comes out to fix my problem, I feel uncomfortable. Jeff from Aarvaks, however, was exactly the kind of guy I want in this situation - competent, honest and on time.
We had a bad thermostat and during my attempt to fix it I blew a fuse on the heating unit - Jeff showed me how to do it properly, fixed the problem in no time, and was generally awesome. Call Aarvaks for your HVAC needs - they are local, family owned and good at what they do. What more can you ask for?
We had a bad thermostat and during my attempt to fix it I blew a fuse on the heating unit - Jeff showed me how to do it properly, fixed the problem in no time, and was generally awesome. Call Aarvaks for your HVAC needs - they are local, family owned and good at what they do. What more can you ask for?