Compare Local Pros
Aquinas Hvac vs Modern Air
Santa Clara HVAC Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Modern Air brings 17 years of licensed experience compared to Aquinas HVAC's 8 years, offering deeper expertise for complex HVAC projects and difficult diagnostics.
| Aquinas Hvac | Modern Air | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 8 years | 17 years |
| License # | 1042033 | 935704 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Santa Clara, CA | Morgan Hill, CA |
| Website | www.aquinashvac.com | modernairco.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Aquinas Hvac
Customers consistently highlight Aquinas HVAC's rapid emergency response and ability to provide same-day service during urgent heating and cooling failures.
Modern Air
Customers emphasize Modern Air's thorough diagnostic approach, honest recommendations without upselling pressure, and clear explanations of technical problems with multiple solution options.
Key Takeaway: Aquinas HVAC earns recognition for speed during emergencies, while Modern Air receives praise for diagnostic accuracy and consultative approach to complex problems.
Customer Reviews
Aquinas Hvac
Mark, Tim and Celeste have been a wonder to work with. They provide us with quick and easy services.
Excellent customer service! John was super friendly and easy to connect with, and he got the job done quickly and efficiently!
John Carlo performed my dryer vent cleaning today and did a wonderful job. He was polite and professional, and did a great job educating me on the importance of keeping the dryer vent clean, as well a...
Modern Air
We replaced all of our asbestos-wrapped ductwork and installed a new heat pump system in late October. The entire Modern Air team did a great job with this relatively large project. Andrew, the owner...
Outstanding! Professional! Efficient! Great communications! Same day service. Texts and emails confirming all communications. Installation several days later. A special thanks to Billy, Alfredo and hi...
Alfredo was professional and courteous, and so was the previous person who came out for quote. Modern Air does a great job with their client communications, and their cost is reasonable.
Consider Aquinas Hvac if...
- ✓ You need emergency HVAC service during a heatwave or cold snap and prioritize same-day response above all else, particularly if you're located in Santa Clara city limits
- ✓ Your project is a straightforward repair or standard system replacement in a newer home without complicated ductwork or legacy equipment concerns
- ✓ You want fast service turnaround and appreciate a company recognized specifically for rapid response times during urgent situations
Consider Modern Air if...
- ✓ Your home is older and may have hidden complications like outdated ductwork, asbestos-wrapped ducts, or legacy heating systems requiring specialized diagnostic skills
- ✓ You're located in Morgan Hill, Scotts Valley, or more challenging service areas like the Santa Cruz Mountains where experience with diverse installations matters
- ✓ You value high owner involvement for consistent oversight and prefer a contractor with 17 years of experience navigating complex HVAC scenarios
- ✓ You want a contractor with documented expertise in specialized services like asbestos duct removal alongside standard HVAC work
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Aquinas HVAC how they handle older homes with potential ductwork complications and whether they perform asbestos duct removal if that becomes necessary during your project
- → Ask Modern Air about their typical emergency response timeframe if your system fails unexpectedly, particularly if you're located in Santa Clara rather than their Morgan Hill base
- → Ask both contractors for references from projects similar to yours in age and complexity, especially if your home was built before 1990
The Bottom Line
Modern Air is the stronger choice for most homeowners, particularly those with older homes, complex ductwork needs, or projects requiring deep diagnostic expertise. Their 17 years of licensed experience, high owner involvement, and documented capability with specialized services like asbestos duct removal provide meaningful advantages beyond basic HVAC work. However, if you're in Santa Clara facing an emergency system failure during extreme weather and need same-day service above all else, Aquinas HVAC's track record for rapid emergency response makes them worth contacting first. For planned replacements, older homes, or any project where experience depth matters more than speed, schedule your consultation with Modern Air.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
For a simple capacitor replacement or straightforward repair on a newer system, both contractors have sufficient experience. The gap becomes meaningful if your technician discovers underlying issues during diagnosis, like failing ductwork, inadequate airflow, or problems common in older homes where Modern Air's 17 years provides deeper pattern recognition for what might be causing your symptoms.
Aquinas HVAC receives more specific customer mentions for same-day and emergency response during peak demand periods like heatwaves. Modern Air also offers responsive scheduling, but if absolute speed during an emergency is your primary concern and you're in Santa Clara, Aquinas HVAC's track record for rapid turnaround gives them an edge in this specific scenario.
Yes, significantly. Modern Air explicitly handles asbestos duct removal and has 17 years diagnosing legacy systems with hidden complications common in older homes. While Aquinas HVAC may handle basic ductwork, Modern Air's documented experience with complex duct replacement projects and older building systems makes them the more appropriate choice for a 1975 home with suspected issues.
Modern Air serves throughout Santa Clara County and customers report responsive scheduling across their service area. However, if you need emergency same-day service and are located in Santa Clara proper, Aquinas HVAC's local presence may provide a slight timing advantage. Ask Modern Air directly about their typical response time to your specific address.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top hvac contractors in Santa Clara.
Other Santa Clara 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 13, 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.