Compare Local Pros
Apollo Heating And Ventilating vs Building Efficiency
San Francisco HVAC Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Building Efficiency brings significantly more experience (16 vs 5 years) and specializes in complex energy upgrades, while Apollo focuses on traditional HVAC repairs and replacements.
| Apollo Heating And Ventilating | Building Efficiency | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 4.9 |
| Years Licensed | 5 years | 16 years |
| License # | 1075227 | 947504 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Website | — | buildingefficiency.net |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Apollo Heating And Ventilating
Apollo customers consistently praise responsive communication, quick scheduling, and diagnostic expertise that solves problems other contractors missed, with fair pricing and no sales pressure.
Building Efficiency
Building Efficiency customers highlight technical knowledge in system design, proper equipment sizing for challenging installations, and comprehensive support through complex electrification projects including rebate guidance.
Key Takeaway: Apollo is recognized for responsive service and solving straightforward HVAC problems efficiently, while Building Efficiency receives feedback specifically about managing complex, multi-component energy efficiency projects in older homes.
Customer Reviews
Apollo Heating And Ventilating
Thank you Christ for his work today. He found a lot of water in my furnace, it looked weird and dangerous. He gave me the estimate to change the new one. However, he tried to pull it out, change the f...
They resolved my issues after speaking with 3 other companies, far superior than the competition on Yelp, highly knowledgably, no sales pitch.
I find their pricing to be very reasonable, and the technicians are excellent.
Building Efficiency
Incredible team, professional, terrific communication and great clean work. Absolutely recommend.
Building efficiency was very easy to work with thru all phases of my project: from initial consultation, through rebate applications to the actual project itself. Reliable and professional.
The Building Efficiency team was a joy to work with. They made my life easy at every step of the process.
Consider Apollo Heating And Ventilating if...
- ✓ You need a furnace repaired or replaced without restructuring your entire heating system, and want responsive service with fair pricing
- ✓ Your HVAC issue is straightforward maintenance or equipment failure rather than a whole-home energy upgrade project
- ✓ You appreciate diagnostic expertise that can solve problems other contractors missed, without high-pressure sales tactics
- ✓ You prefer working with a contractor focused on traditional heating and cooling repairs rather than complex electrification conversions
Consider Building Efficiency if...
- ✓ You're planning to convert from gas to electric systems or want a comprehensive energy efficiency upgrade involving multiple components
- ✓ Your home is older with unique spatial constraints or historic building considerations that require experienced problem-solving
- ✓ You need guidance through rebate application processes and want consultation on proper equipment sizing for complex installations
- ✓ Your project involves heat pump installation, insulation upgrades, or ductwork modifications rather than simple equipment replacement
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Apollo how they handle service calls during peak heating season and what their typical response time is for urgent furnace failures
- → Ask Building Efficiency for references from projects similar in scope to yours, particularly if your home has comparable age or complexity
- → If considering electrification, ask Building Efficiency about their experience with your specific home type and what timeline to expect for rebate processing
- → Ask both companies for detailed written estimates that specify equipment models, warranty terms, and what specifically is included in their service
The Bottom Line
Choose based on your project scope, not company loyalty. For traditional HVAC repairs, maintenance, and straightforward replacements, Apollo Heating And Ventilating offers responsive service, diagnostic skill, and fair pricing with 5 solid years of San Francisco experience. For heat pump conversions, comprehensive energy efficiency upgrades, or complex projects in older homes requiring system redesign and rebate navigation, Building Efficiency's 16 years of specialized experience in exactly these projects makes them the clear choice. The experience gap matters most when project complexity increases—Apollo is well-equipped for standard heating and cooling needs, while Building Efficiency excels at transforming older homes into modern, efficient systems.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For a straightforward furnace swap, Apollo's 5 years is sufficient for quality work. However, if your San Francisco home is older with potential hidden issues like outdated ductwork, asbestos concerns, or unusual venting configurations, Building Efficiency's 16 years means they've encountered and solved those complications many times before. The experience gap matters most when surprises emerge during the project.
While Apollo's license covers HVAC installations, their customer feedback focuses entirely on traditional furnace and AC work with no mention of heat pump projects. Building Efficiency specializes specifically in heat pump conversions and electrification, with extensive customer feedback about these projects. For a heat pump installation, especially one involving rebates and system design, Building Efficiency's demonstrated specialization is a clear advantage.
Apollo's customer feedback consistently highlights quick callbacks and flexible scheduling even during busy periods, suggesting they're structured for responsive service calls. Building Efficiency's feedback centers on planned, comprehensive projects rather than emergency repairs. If you need urgent furnace diagnostics on a cold San Francisco evening, Apollo's service model appears better aligned with that need.
Building Efficiency handles standard HVAC work including furnace replacement, but their expertise and business model are clearly optimized for comprehensive energy upgrades. If you're simply replacing a failed furnace without considering broader efficiency improvements, Apollo's focus on straightforward repairs and replacements—with pricing described as fair—may be more appropriate and potentially more cost-effective for your simpler needs.
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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 13, 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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