Compare Local Pros
Ricos Heating And Air vs RPM HVAC Service
Sacramento HVAC Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Two similarly qualified contractors with RPM holding a slight edge in years licensed, while Ricos emphasizes repair-first approach over replacement.
| Ricos Heating And Air | RPM HVAC Service | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 4.9 |
| Years Licensed | 9 years | 11 years |
| License # | 1020985 | 995282 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Elverta, CA | Citrus Heights, CA |
| Website | ricosheatingandair8.wixsite.com | www.rpmhvacservice.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Ricos Heating And Air
Customers consistently praise Ricos for rapid emergency response and diagnostic expertise that finds repair solutions instead of recommending expensive replacements.
RPM HVAC Service
RPM customers emphasize the thorough explanations, professional approach, and family-run personal service that maintains availability even during peak demand periods.
Key Takeaway: Ricos differentiates through repair-first philosophy and extreme-urgency response times, while RPM focuses on comprehensive service with detailed customer education and relationship-building.
Customer Reviews
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!
RPM HVAC Service
Great communication. On time. Provided various scenarios. Started with the most obvious/lowest price item which fixed it for now. My system is old, so fingers crossed it keeps going.
Representative showed up on time got to work right away. Found an unexpected issue that saved us a major repair work. Got the system working very happy.
Great service. They were out to see me the same day I called.
Consider Ricos Heating And Air if...
- ✓ Your HVAC system is older but potentially salvageable, and another contractor has already recommended full replacement—Ricos specializes in finding repair solutions that save replacement costs
- ✓ You need true emergency response with arrival within an hour, particularly for after-hours situations when system failure creates immediate discomfort
- ✓ You prefer a contractor who defaults to repair-first thinking rather than replacement recommendations, even if it means working with aging equipment
- ✓ You value diagnostic expertise that can troubleshoot complex problems and extend system life beyond typical expectations
Consider RPM HVAC Service if...
- ✓ You want the additional experience cushion of an 11-year established contractor, particularly if your project involves complex duct work or whole-system design
- ✓ You appreciate detailed explanations of all options without feeling pressured, with emphasis on understanding what's happening with your system
- ✓ You need scheduling flexibility during peak seasons when many contractors are booked weeks out—RPM maintains availability even during heat waves
- ✓ The family-run business model appeals to you, and you value the personal service approach and relationship continuity over multiple service calls
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Ricos specifically what percentage of their service calls result in repairs versus replacement recommendations, and what factors determine that decision
- → Ask RPM about their approach when a system is borderline between repair and replacement—what criteria do they use to guide homeowners?
- → Ask both companies for references from projects similar to yours in scope, particularly if you're facing a borderline repair-or-replace situation
- → Confirm current availability and typical response time for your specific situation, as both companies emphasize quick service but timelines can vary with seasonal demand
The Bottom Line
Both contractors are solid choices with proper licensing, insurance, and strong customer satisfaction. Choose Ricos Heating And Air if you're facing a replacement recommendation from another contractor and want a specialist in finding repair solutions, or if you need true emergency response with within-the-hour arrival. Choose RPM HVAC Service if you prefer the additional experience buffer of an 11-year established company, want particularly detailed explanations of your options, or value the personal touch of a family-run business with proven scheduling flexibility during busy periods. The honest pricing and communication quality are comparable between both companies.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
Ricos Heating And Air explicitly positions themselves as the contractor who repairs what others want to replace, making them the natural choice for a second opinion focused on repair possibilities. Their customers consistently mention avoiding expensive replacements through expert diagnostics. RPM also provides honest assessments without upselling, but doesn't specifically market a repair-first philosophy.
For standard residential repairs and maintenance, both companies have sufficient experience to handle the work competently. The difference becomes more relevant for complex situations like custom duct work, commercial installations, or diagnosing intermittent problems across multiple system components. RPM's established tier status provides slightly more experience depth, but both have nearly a decade of proven service.
Both companies handle emergency calls, but Ricos specifically emphasizes their ability to arrive within an hour for urgent situations, including after-hours service. Multiple customers mention this rapid response for middle-of-night or weekend emergencies. RPM customers note prompt service and same-day availability, but the feedback focuses more on scheduling flexibility than extreme-urgency response times.
Both companies serve rental properties and commercial clients successfully. RPM has specific feedback from landlords and handles real estate transaction inspections, suggesting established processes for property management relationships. Ricos mentions multi-year customer relationships and maintenance contracts, indicating capacity for ongoing service agreements. Ask each about their approach to rental property service calls and whether they offer preferred pricing for multiple properties.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top hvac contractors in Sacramento.
Other Sacramento HVAC Contractors Comparisons
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 09, 2026.
This comparison is based on publicly available information. We recommend getting multiple quotes and verifying all credentials directly before hiring.
Get in Touch
Have questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you.