Best Air Conditioning and Heating Company

1. Service Champions Plumbing, Heating & AC

3150 E. Birch St., Brea; 714-777-7777; servicechampions.com

When looking for a heating and air conditioning company, finding technicians who are tested, trained and knowledgeable about the latest equipment and technology is pretty high on the priority list. At Service Champions Plumbing, Heating & AC, that’s just the start, according to founder and CEO Leland Smith.

“We have the world’s friendliest technicians (who) look for small ways to give our customers and the community a helping hand through ‘Good Deeds for Free,’” Smith said.

“We’ve swept floors, found dogs, repaired bikes, started stalled cars, delivered birthday cakes, cleaned up broken mirrors, fixed doorbells, carried lots and lots of heavy things, and have brought in or taken out tens of thousands of garbage cans.”

Going that extra mile helped to land Service Champions at the top of the category this year.

MARK RIGHTMIRE, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Omar Estrada is a regional trainer with Service Champions Plumbing, Heating & AC in Brea, winner of Best Air Conditioning/Heating Company.

Building long-term relationships with customers has been a key component of Service Champions’ mission since its founding in 2000. With that comes the knowledge that air conditioning and heating involves more than just installation and repairs — maintenance is also essential.

“Our CHAMP-Rewards club membership is our most popular amenity,” Smith said. It includes two tune-ups a year, one for air conditioning and one for heating, which come with professional cleanings and safety inspections, along with priority service and discounts.

— Kathie Bozanich

2. ALPS Heating & Air Conditioning

1895 S. Santa Cruz St., Anaheim; 800-994-2577 or 714-633-8892; alpscomfortair.com

With experience in Orange County for more than three decades, ALPS Heating & Air Conditioning has earned its reputation for helping homeowners when things go wrong and sticking with a job to its completion. Whether it’s installation, repairs or routine maintenance, ALPS bills itself as a one-stop shop for any heating or cooling system needs.

ALPS’ certified “Comfort Techs” are trained to educate and inform customers along with providing service, including about such issues as energy efficiency, ways to make the home more comfortable and when an upgrade is necessary.

Three generations have now worked at the family-owned business, a testament to how much ALPS’ customers trust the company’s services.

Beyond heating and air conditioning, ALPS also provides air duct and attic insulation services and replacement, water heater replacement and ductless AC and indoor air quality systems.

3. Veteran Air

2925 E. Ricker Way, Anaheim; 714-206-3493; veteranairusa.net

Veteran Air prides itself on not only offering quality air conditioning and heating services but also serving the community. President and owner Mike Andersen, an Army veteran, said his service to his country extends to the business’s service to the community, and “Our customers enjoy being a part of a company that helps others in need.”

Andersen went on to list some of the other things his customers like: “Our customer service, dedication to doing right by our customers, the quality of our work and being honest at all times.”

Among the most popular items customers seek are high-efficiency air conditioners/heaters, clean ducting, products for cleaner air, quiet whole house fans and remotecontrolled thermostats.

“Our industry is constantly inventing newer and better products,” Andersen said. “Currently, indoor air quality has become more important to many customers due to COVID-19.”