Compare Local Pros
Excellence Heating And Air vs Old Redwood Heating And Cooling
Sonoma HVAC Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Excellence Heating And Air brings 17 years of licensed experience versus Old Redwood's less than 3 years, a significant difference for complex installations and unexpected complications.
| Excellence Heating And Air | Old Redwood Heating And Cooling | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 17 years | 0 years |
| License # | 931055 | 1147019 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Santa Rosa, CA | Windsor, CA |
| Website | excellenceheating.com | — |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Excellence Heating And Air
Customers emphasize Excellence's detailed project explanations, careful installation work on complex projects including equipment relocations, and consistent handling of permitting through completion.
Old Redwood Heating And Cooling
Customers highlight Old Redwood's thoroughness in going beyond basic repairs to fully clean and service systems, with detailed technical explanations during troubleshooting work.
Key Takeaway: Excellence's feedback centers on managing complex installations and multi-stage projects, while Old Redwood's reviews emphasize exceptional service quality and thoroughness on repairs and standard replacements rather than complicated installation work.
Customer Reviews
Excellence Heating And Air
Great experience with E.H.A. No issues. Working with Anthony was easy. He talked me through the process step by step...
Excellent work done in a timely manor. Easy to schedule and they do all the permitting and followup. Would highly recommend Excellence Heating and Air!
I highly recommend Excellence! Dee, Anthony, and all of the staff were very responsive and patiently answered all questions regarding the equipment, installation, and permit/rebate processing. The hea...
Old Redwood Heating And Cooling
Justin at Old Redwood H&C is professional, honest, very knowledgeable, helpful and priced fairly. Was really so easy to have his Company replace my furnace. He goes beyond expectations to explain ever...
I had an outstanding experience with Justin at Old Redwood H&C. He helped troubleshoot my broken HVAC system and went the extra mile to ensure everything was thoroughly cleaned and fully serviced afte...
Consider Excellence Heating And Air if...
- ✓ Your project involves complex work like relocating equipment, significant duct modifications, or integrating new systems with older infrastructure where experience diagnosing hidden issues matters
- ✓ You're replacing an older HVAC system where complications like outdated wiring, inadequate ductwork, or structural issues are more likely to emerge
- ✓ You want a contractor with an established track record handling permitting, rebate processing, and multi-stage projects from start to finish
- ✓ Your home has challenging installation requirements where 17 years of problem-solving experience provides reassurance
Consider Old Redwood Heating And Cooling if...
- ✓ Your project is straightforward furnace or AC replacement in a newer home without complicated duct work or equipment relocation
- ✓ You prioritize a contractor who may spend extra time on thorough system cleaning and servicing beyond the primary installation
- ✓ You're comfortable with a newer contractor who's building their business and may be more competitively priced
- ✓ Your timeline allows flexibility to verify their crew's experience and ask detailed questions about handling potential complications
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Old Redwood how many projects similar to yours they've completed and request references for installations matching your scope and complexity
- → Ask Old Redwood who will perform the work and how long their installation crew has been in the HVAC trade, since licensing history is brief
- → If your home is older or the project involves duct modifications, ask Old Redwood specifically about their experience handling unexpected structural or code issues
- → Ask both contractors about their approach if complications arise during installation, including who makes decisions and how change orders are communicated
The Bottom Line
Excellence Heating And Air is the clearer choice for complex installations, older homes, or projects involving duct modifications and equipment relocation where 17 years of problem-solving experience provides substantial value. Their track record handling permitting, multi-stage projects, and documented complex work offers reassurance when complications arise. Old Redwood Heating And Cooling can be a reasonable option for straightforward replacements in newer homes if you verify their crew's trade experience and feel comfortable with their limited company track record. However, for most homeowners facing significant HVAC investment, Excellence's veteran experience handling the unexpected situations that emerge during installations justifies selecting them. If considering Old Redwood, invest time upfront getting detailed references matching your project scope.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
For a straightforward swap in a newer home with properly sized ducts, the gap matters less. However, even routine replacements can reveal undersized ductwork, inadequate return air, or code violations that require experienced judgment. Excellence's 17 years means they've navigated these situations hundreds of times, while Old Redwood is still building that reference library of solutions.
Not necessarily, but you need to ask the right questions. Verify who's performing the work and their individual trade experience, which may exceed the company's licensing history. Request references for projects matching your complexity. Their newer status isn't disqualifying, but it does mean less established track record when complications arise.
Excellence clearly has more documented experience with complex installations including equipment relocations and duct work modifications, with customer feedback specifically mentioning these projects. Old Redwood's feedback centers on troubleshooting and standard replacements without mention of complex duct work or relocation projects.
Old Redwood may price more competitively as they build their business, though this isn't guaranteed. Both companies emphasize quality and thoroughness, which typically doesn't align with budget pricing. Get detailed quotes from both and evaluate them against the experience difference and project complexity rather than price alone.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top hvac contractors in Sonoma.
Other Sonoma 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.