Compare Local Pros
Ducks Plumbing Heating Air vs Ricos Heating And Air
Sacramento HVAC Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Both experienced contractors match on credentials and insurance, but Ducks handles plumbing plus HVAC while Ricos focuses exclusively on heating and cooling systems.
| Ducks Plumbing Heating Air | Ricos Heating And Air | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 9 years | 9 years |
| License # | 1022840 | 1020985 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Sacramento, CA | Elverta, CA |
| Website | www.ducksplumbingca.com | ricosheatingandair8.wixsite.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Ducks Plumbing Heating Air
Customers consistently praise responsive communication, professional home treatment with thorough cleanup, and clear upfront pricing for diverse plumbing and HVAC projects.
Ricos Heating And Air
Customers emphasize remarkably fast emergency response times, honest diagnostic assessments that favor repairs over replacements, and fair pricing for HVAC-specific work.
Key Takeaway: Ducks customers value scheduled reliability and multi-system capabilities, while Ricos customers specifically highlight emergency speed and the company's willingness to repair rather than replace aging equipment.
Customer Reviews
Ducks Plumbing Heating Air
I have never been disappointed with the service from the crew at Ducks. They always provide outstanding service.
They came in within a day of my calling them, were fast and made great recommendations.
Super efficient & very personable. Saul showed me where the issues were and did a beautiful job on my shower & feed lines. Additionally, it was a messy job cutting into the wall, but he cleaned up eve...
Ricos Heating And Air
As always - Ricos is reliable, trustworthy and reasonably priced. More than one time when getting bids one company will say cannot repair and will cost $10k or more to replace and yet Ricos is able t...
Phenomenal experience! The attention to detail, communication, and commitment to the customer is incredible. It's awesome to see how they take personal responsibility on their work and leave the custo...
I called to get an estimate for the issue I had with my heater. He showed up within a few hours and fixed the issue!
Consider Ducks Plumbing Heating Air if...
- ✓ You need any plumbing work done—water heaters, leak repairs, drain clearing, fixture replacements, or pipe work—since Ricos doesn't handle plumbing
- ✓ Your project involves both plumbing and HVAC systems, allowing you to use one contractor for coordinated work
- ✓ You're planning ahead for scheduled work rather than facing an immediate emergency, taking advantage of their same-day availability for non-urgent projects
- ✓ You own investment properties requiring ongoing maintenance across multiple systems, benefiting from their experience serving property investors
Consider Ricos Heating And Air if...
- ✓ You have a heating or cooling emergency and need the fastest possible response, with their track record of arriving within an hour for urgent situations
- ✓ You've been quoted for a full system replacement and want a second opinion from a contractor known for finding repair solutions instead
- ✓ Your project is strictly HVAC-related with no plumbing components, making their specialized focus an advantage
- ✓ You need after-hours emergency service capabilities for heating or cooling failures outside business hours
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Ducks: What's your typical response time for emergency HVAC calls compared to scheduled appointments, and do you offer after-hours service?
- → For Ricos: If my system does need replacement rather than repair, how do you handle that process and what brands do you typically install?
- → For both: Can you provide references from customers with similar systems or project types to mine?
- → For both: How long has your current service crew been working together, and who specifically would be handling my project?
The Bottom Line
Your decision hinges on what you actually need done. If your project involves any plumbing work or you want one contractor handling both plumbing and HVAC, Ducks is your only option between these two. If you need strictly HVAC work, choose based on your situation: Ricos for emergencies requiring immediate response or situations where you want a repair-focused second opinion, Ducks for planned projects where you value their same-day scheduling and thorough approach. Both companies have identical credentials and strong customer satisfaction, so you're choosing service model and scope, not quality or reliability. Call Ricos for HVAC emergencies, call Ducks for everything else.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No, Ricos specializes exclusively in heating and cooling systems and doesn't perform plumbing work. Water heater replacement requires plumbing expertise, which Ducks provides along with their HVAC services. If you need both HVAC and plumbing work, Ducks can handle everything, while choosing Ricos would require hiring a separate plumber.
Ricos has built their reputation specifically on emergency response speed, with customers reporting arrival within an hour for urgent calls and after-hours availability. Ducks customers emphasize same-day service even for non-emergencies, but their reviews focus more on scheduled work. If you're facing an immediate HVAC failure, Ricos' emergency response model gives them the edge.
Ricos has developed specific expertise in repairing systems other contractors recommend replacing, making them the logical choice for a second opinion on HVAC equipment. Their customers frequently mention avoiding expensive replacements through skilled repairs. Both companies handle replacements when necessary, but if you're hoping to extend your system's life, Ricos' diagnostic approach aligns with that goal.
Ducks specifically mentions experience with century-old properties and complex plumbing systems, suggesting comfort with older home challenges. Their broader service scope means they can address the interconnected plumbing and HVAC issues common in older properties. Ricos focuses on HVAC systems regardless of home age. For strictly HVAC work, both have equivalent experience, but Ducks handles the full range of old-home complications.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top hvac contractors in Sacramento.
Other Sacramento HVAC Contractors Comparisons
Ducks Plumbing Heating Air
★ 5.0
Sierra Valley Mechanical
★ 5.0
Ducks Plumbing Heating Air
★ 5.0
Elite Heating And Air Conditioning
★ 4.9
Sierra Pacific Home & Comfort
★ 4.5
Ducks Plumbing Heating Air
★ 5.0
Absolute Comfort Heating And Air
★ 4.9
Ducks Plumbing Heating Air
★ 5.0
How We Compare Contractors
License Verification
All license data is sourced from official California CSLB records and verified regularly.
Review Analysis
Customer reviews are aggregated from Google and analyzed to identify patterns in service quality.
Detailed Comparison
We analyze credentials, insurance, experience, and feedback to highlight meaningful differences.
Not all licensed contractors are created equal. While a valid license is the baseline requirement in California, contractors can vary significantly in experience, insurance coverage, and customer satisfaction.
- Experience matters: A contractor with 15+ years of experience has likely encountered and solved problems that newer contractors haven't faced yet.
- Workers' compensation protects you: If a contractor without workers' comp insurance has an employee injured on your property, you could be held liable.
- Reviews reveal patterns: Individual reviews can be misleading, but patterns across many reviews often reveal a contractor's true strengths and weaknesses.
- Bond amounts vary: A contractor's bond provides financial protection if they fail to complete work as agreed. Higher bonds offer more protection.
Taking time to compare contractors on these factors can save you from costly mistakes and help ensure your project is completed by a qualified professional.
Data Sources: License information from California CSLB. Ratings and reviews from Google. Last verified March 08, 2026.
This comparison is based on publicly available information. We recommend getting multiple quotes and verifying all credentials directly before hiring.
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