Part of our Bay Area best-of guides, lists for every city and service we cover.
Hayward has a deep bench of local heating and cooling contractors, several of them based within a few miles of downtown. Here are eight companies that work in Hayward, what each one focuses on, and what to check before you hire any of them, including us.
At a glance
| # | Company | Based in | Focus | License |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cool Aid Air Conditioning & Refrigeration | Santa Clara | Residential and commercial HVAC, commercial refrigeration | C-20 & C-38 |
| 2 | All About Air Heating & Air Conditioning | Hayward | Residential HVAC repair, maintenance and installation; Bryant dealer | #902777 |
| 3 | Artisan Air Heating and Cooling | Hayward | Residential heating and AC repair, tune-ups, replacement, indoor air quality | #1018534 |
| 4 | J.R. Heating & Cooling Systems Inc. | Hayward | Residential and commercial HVAC installation, repair and maintenance | — |
| 5 | Villquin Air Services | Hayward | Heat pumps, AC, furnaces, water heaters, VRF systems | — |
| 6 | Comfy Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. | San Leandro | Heating, AC, heat pumps, ductless, water heaters, indoor air quality | #894110 |
| 7 | AIS Heating & Air Conditioning | Fremont | Residential and commercial AC and heating installation, repair, maintenance | #1098502 |
| 8 | Hassler Heating and Air Conditioning | El Cerrito | HVAC installs, heat pumps, energy-efficiency upgrades, insulation | — |
License numbers are shown only where the company prints one on its own site. Check any contractor on the CSLB license lookup before you hire.
How we picked
We started from contractors that are based in or near Hayward or that name Hayward on their own website as a place they work. We then visited each company’s site to confirm what it actually offers and where it works. We left out lead-generation directories, businesses whose sites no longer load, and national chains with no local presence. We do not publish star ratings or review counts here: they change weekly, so read them on Google or Yelp at the time you hire.
The order after #1 reflects how close each company is to Hayward and how closely its services match typical Hayward homes. It is not a quality score, and no company paid to be included.
#1 — Cool Aid Air Conditioning & Refrigeration
Cool Aid is a family-owned HVAC and refrigeration contractor founded in 1966 and based at 3511 Thomas Rd in Santa Clara. We work on homes and businesses in Hayward for repair, replacement and maintenance, and we publish this list.
What stands out
- California C-20 (HVAC) and C-38 (refrigeration) licensed; EPA Universal certified technicians
- 24/7 emergency service for no-heat and no-cooling calls
- Furnaces, central AC, heat pumps and ductless mini-splits, plus commercial HVAC and refrigeration
- Every job backed by a 1-year parts & labor warranty
More about our work in Hayward: Hayward HVAC & refrigeration services.
#2 — All About Air Heating & Air Conditioning
Residential HVAC repair, maintenance and installation; Bryant dealer.
What stands out
#3 — Artisan Air Heating and Cooling
Residential heating and AC repair, tune-ups, replacement, indoor air quality.
What stands out
#4 — J.R. Heating & Cooling Systems Inc.
Residential and commercial HVAC installation, repair and maintenance.
What stands out
#5 — Villquin Air Services
Heat pumps, AC, furnaces, water heaters, VRF systems.
What stands out
#6 — Comfy Heating & Air Conditioning Inc.
Heating, AC, heat pumps, ductless, water heaters, indoor air quality.
What stands out
#7 — AIS Heating & Air Conditioning
Residential and commercial AC and heating installation, repair, maintenance.
What stands out
#8 — Hassler Heating and Air Conditioning
HVAC installs, heat pumps, energy-efficiency upgrades, insulation.
What stands out
What Hayward homeowners should know
- Hayward is in Ava Community Energy’s service area. Ava supplies the electricity while PG&E still delivers it and sends the bill. (City of Hayward)
- Since January 2022 most Hayward Ava customers have been on 100% renewable electricity by default. That is worth knowing if you are weighing a gas furnace against an electric heat pump. (City of Hayward)
- A replacement generally needs a city mechanical permit, and many changeouts need HERS verification. Ask every contractor to include both in the quote.
How to choose an HVAC company in Hayward
- Check the license yourself. Look up the business on the CSLB site and confirm a C-20 classification for heating and cooling work.
- Get the permit in writing. The quote should say who pulls the permit and whether HERS testing is included. A price that leaves both out is not comparable.
- Ask for a load calculation on replacements. Sizing a new system from the old nameplate repeats whatever mistake was made last time.
- Compare the same scope. Equipment model numbers, duct work, electrical upgrades and warranty terms should all be written down.
- Ask about rebates before you sign. Some programs need approval before installation.
For more, see our guide to choosing an HVAC company in the Bay Area.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to replace a furnace, AC or heat pump in Hayward?
Almost always. In California, replacing a furnace, air conditioner or heat pump normally needs a mechanical permit from the local building department, and Hayward is no exception. Many changeouts also need a HERS rater to verify the installation, depending on the work. A licensed contractor should pull the permit for you and include it in the quote. (CEC on HERS testing)
Are there heat pump rebates in Hayward?
Programs change often, and several Bay Area incentives have closed or changed since 2024, so confirm what is open before you budget around one. Hayward is in Ava Community Energy’s service area, with PG&E delivering the power. (Ava Community Energy) Check Ava and BayREN for current offers, and see our Bay Area heat pump rebate guide for how the programs fit together.
How do I check an HVAC contractor’s license?
Search the company name or license number on the CSLB license lookup. Residential HVAC work needs a C-20 license. The lookup also shows the bond, workers’ compensation status and any disciplinary actions. If a company only gives you a number, check that the name on the license matches the business you are dealing with.
Does Cool Aid serve Hayward?
Yes. We serve Hayward from our Santa Clara base for residential and commercial HVAC and refrigeration, including 24/7 emergency calls. See our Hayward page or call 1-800-266-5243.
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