I've worked with John on several projects over the last year, mostly new installations, but some repair work as well. I had the pleasure of working with John quite a bit, and have been very impressed. I find myself fortunate to be able to have found someone that was able to both solve complicated issues, and do very high quality work with the installs/repairs, and all at very reasonable prices. I've outlined some projects below. Replace Existing HVAC system: I had an HVAC system that was almost 30 years old at a rental unit. The furnace finally broke down, and the condensing unit didn't seem to be far behind. It used the old refrigerant (R22), so replacement had to use the newer type of refrigerant (R410a). The recommended way of doing this is to replace the refrigerant line to a bigger line as part of the new install, but most HVAC installers do not do this; they simply flush out the old line and install the new system with the old line. I pressed John to just flush out the line, since replacing the line costs more and I didn't want the new refrigerant line as an eyesore running down from the second story, since it would have to be run on the outside of the house. John felt very uncomfortable just flushing the line, and ended up just replacing the line as part of the price we had already negotiated. The refrigerant line install looked very good, and was seamlessly installed so that it did not stick out and was not an eyesore. John ended up doing more work for the same amount of money just because he wanted to do it "right", and didn't want me to have any problems with the system. This is a good example of the high standard he holds his work to. Replace Ducting: My ducting was old and torn, not properly sized, and caused half of our house to barely get any heat, while the other was too hot. John spent time with me to fully understand the heating issues, and re-engineered the ducting (upsizing some, downsizing others, added additional) to fix our heating issues. He also installed dampeners both at the air handler, and at the registers, and even at the splits, to give very fine tuned control of the air flow. After some adjustments to the dampeners over the summer, our house is very evenly heated and cooled. Replace Condensing Unit: Unfortunately, as part of firing the system back up, after the foundation repair, the condenser was having issues (It was having issues before this). After some troubleshooting, John gave me the bad news that the condenser (whole outside unit) needed to be replaced (I think the compressor went bad), and since it was an old unit, it just made more sense to replace it. Unfortunately, this required removing all the refrigerant again, and redoing all the work he had just completed with connecting the system! John likes to really educate his customers (and I am very technically minded) so he showed me the steps he took to get to his conclusion. He tested every component that could cause the issue and showed me the inconsistent behavior he was seeing with the compressor. He explains everything with enough detail to where, after working with him on these projects, I can now have a semi-intelligent conversation with other HVAC guys. Although, the compressor breaking was obviously not his fault, he really felt bad about this, so worked with me to get this replaced at a very good price. House Fan Install: I heard about whole house fans, and spoke with John about this. He had never installed one at the time, but knowing the quality of work he does, and his attention to detail, I had no problem being his first install customer for the house fan, as I'd trust him to do things his first time more then I'd trust most other installers to do it after a 100 times. As expected he did a great job, and from a recent chat with him, he's being doing a lot of these whole house installs since the initial one he did for me. Troubleshooting/Repairing issue at HVAC Install: The system John installed for me in January was not working well, and not blowing cold air. John started troubleshooting, and saw that the pressure in one of the refrigerant lines was low. Instead of doing what most HVAC guys would do, and simply add refrigerant, he knew something else was wrong, since he replaced everything in the system in January, and there was either a leak, or something else wrong. After spending some time troubleshooting, he found that the TXV valve was bad. He replaced it, tested the system, but after a few days the same issue returned. Now, again, most guys would either throw in the towel and not even return my call, or start replacing other random components in the system. John was puzzled since everything pointed to the TXV again. After some further troubleshooting, and talking to his supplier, he discovered that the TXV valve he installed 2 days prior was actually a returned part that was mistakenly sold to him as new. He replaced the TXV valve again, and that fixed the problem. read more

Full disclosure here: this is a follow-up of a review I wrote dated 3/20/2016, but since we've done further business with John and his business partner, Robert, at Aire Comfort, it felt like a good time to update a review and further articulate how impressed we've been working with him. About three years ago John took care of our heating/ducting system when we bought our home (see that 3/20/16 review for details). At that time we opted to make the system "AC ready," with the understanding we'd likely follow through in a year or two. Last year we did, and John was just as helpful and professional as he'd been during the first job. His business partner, Robert, was equally kind and thoughtful while also being very professional. And when we needed to get air testing completed for the city to complete our permit process, John put us in touch with a business that was able to take of that promptly. I'd like to highlight something I think illustrates how helpful, reliable, and kind John is. Two nights ago, a strange humming/buzzing was coming from the furnace closet. Upon inspection, it seemed to be coming from a small component installed when our AC was put in last summer. The next morning, I called John, who then arranged for Robert to come out to our home--that very day--to take a look. A faulty part was replaced, and when we inquired what we owed John for his trouble, he said we didn't owe him anything. And he made sure to remind me that if we needed anything in the future, we should give him a call. A key detail to this little anecdote: my wife is nine months pregnant. We certainly could have survived a couple of days without the AC, but John made the special effort to ensure we would be comfortable and asked Robert to come out that afternoon (after they completed their already-scheduled job, by the way). This goes above and beyond just being a good professional. It reflects a kindness and generosity towards others, and we certainly appreciate all he has done for us. More than anything, it was this gesture to help keep my growing family comfortable that made we want to write an updated review. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Hire John, and you'll be glad you did. We are. read more

This is the first time I have written a review and thought I had done what I was supposed to, but I didn't. So, John, here we go again, you are worth a do-over. Our experience with you installing our air conditioning system and replacing our (1974) heater was amazing. You are very organized, professional, courteous, knowledgeable, extremely reasonable and thorough. We had gotten 7 estimates and you were on the $$ with your bid and highly recommended by a one of our retired building inspectors. You brought things to our attention that we would never have known or found (the roof vent flashing was not done properly 20 years ago) and you fixed that along with having licensed asbestos contractors remove pipes. You obtained all the necessary permits and present for the inspections. You took the time to explain things, stating the pros and cons of different options in an informational, non-biased manner. It's the best experience we've ever had with a contractor and we can't recommend you highly enough. It is wonderful to have the air working perfectly and we haven't used the heater yet, but know that it will be perfect, just like the day you turned it on to test it. We still cannot believe you were able to remove the furnace, install the new one with air conditioning system and have all the inspections done within 5 days. You are a wonder and we thank you for everything. read more

I recently had John and his team replace my HVAC system after spending two grueling summers in Ojai with an aged and dying setup. I'm certainly glad I did and my family is living in comfort once again. A few years ago I called John when I first bought my house and suspected a problem and he was extremely helpful and generous with his time helping me troubleshoot over the phone despite knowing I wasn't ready to do business. I remembered this when looking for bids, and after receiving 4 that were all over the map I can say that John was the most thoughtful, trustworthy and provided the most value for quality. He ensured everything was done with impeccable craftsmanship and to my exact needs. John and Bob were detailed, efficient and thoughtful of my family's schedule during the job and I can't recommend Aire Comfort enough. Not to mention, during final inspection the county inspector stated how impressed he was with the work which made me feel confident I made the right choice and will have quality heating and air for years to come. Thanks again, John! read more

I can't say enough good about John, the Owner of Aire Comfort. My 31 year old Lennox condenser unit started blowing warm air during the current heat spell after running continuously for about 8 hours. A service call by another company failed to resolve the issue and I was prepared to replace the condenser at significant cost. However a free phone call to John got to the real cause. Turns out the evaporative coil was freezing due to the prolonged operation, dirty coil, restrictive filter and the fact that I had partially blocked off 2 registers because the original installation did not design the ducting to properly balance the system. John gave me a wealth of free advice and recommendations and the coil is no longer freezing and the unit is keeping the house cool. So now I can get a service company (John is now limiting his business to just installation) to balance the ducting and clean the coil. If and when I really do need the condenser replaced, Aire Comfort will be my choice. read more

First time we use John's service was a heater repair for our rental property. We were impressed how quickly and professionally it was done. After that he upgraded heaters on several of our rental units from the old wall units to central heating. John took care of all aspects of installation, communicating and arranging time with our tenants, doing all paperwork for the city permits, meeting inspectors, who were, by the way, also impressed with his work. We were so happy with the work he has done for us, that we started doing the additions to our own house. The split mini system was installed in my studio, which was my wish for a few years, and he also installed a house fan, which Is great for cooling with a fresh air without using a/c. Everything was done on time, professional and clean. John is very honest, he is always ready to answer all the questions we have and explain in details the work he is doing. I recommend him to all my friends. read more

I had an AC installed recently by Aire Comfort. I had a wonderful experience working with John, who is very professional and an excellent communicator. He came out and looked at our furnace and ductwork and explained what needs to be done in detail. His bid was more reasonable than some of the other bids that we received, and that included using high-end brands to assure long-lasting quality. John always replied to my texts and emails and found time to explain things over the phone when we had questions. John has great attention to detail which I especially value: he noticed an important problem with our furnace that would have caused much damage in the long run if left uncorrected and he fixed that too. John and Robert who did the installation of our AC were both very nice and polite. The work was done fast and clean, which made the whole experience very pleasant! I would recommend Aire Comfort to all my friends. read more

We originally had John install a complete heating system in our daughter's house a couple of years ago and was very pleased with the quality of installation, detailed service and substantially lower price. When we decided to do A/C (in our house and our daughter's), I called John, and he evaluated our house (the installed system had problems that needed correcting as well as the A/C addition) and our daughter's, gave me an estimate for each, and started work the next week. Even though we ran into additional issues at our house that took more time to correct, John stayed with his quote. The quality was excellent (improved our ducting and the overall original installation at our house even though it hadn't been an installation of his), the working areas were left in great condition, and time involved was better than expected given the additional work that needed to be done. Obviously, I'd recommend Aire Comfort. read more

I was referred to Aire Comfort by a friend that had an A/C system installed by John. Called, got an appt for an estimate for a new A/C and FAU. John was courteous, and on time. He listened to what I wanted, made some suggestions about what he felt would work the best, and he put together a Cadillac system that was WAY beyond my expectations. Pricing on the whole package was excellent when compared to other bids I had received. John and his helper were punctual, cleaned up after themselves, and kept me informed about their progress each day. I wanted to wait for a while after the system was installed to see how it worked before writing a review. The system works perfectly, ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEMS. I had an electrician out to do a panel upgrade, he asked who installed the A/C, because he said whoever did it, did a first class job. I agree. Save yourself time and trouble, call John first. read more

John and his team are certainly the right men for the job.. I had an unfortunate interaction with the home warranty idiots that after the 3rd try, I gave up and called John. Not only did he come out on short notice to trouble shoot, but also to do what the others weren't capable of doing (mainly, the guy couldn't get up into the attic to begin with if his life depended upon it so how are you going to assess the trouble?). John serviced the system, got it up and running and this was a year ago July. Fast forward to this July and John has now totally replaced my entire system. It is amazing how much better and cooler the house is and his attention to detail from start to finish was great... really happy I made the choice to call him back to do the work. I am really a happy customer. read more

After talks with several HVAC companies I consulted Yelp. Well glad I followed the other 5 star reviews. John is absolutely the best. He gave us a very reasonable quote and even after job stuck with that. My past experiences with contractors is always that dreaded add on expenditures. Our furnace was replaced in one day in time for when it got cold, but that is ok we were warm and toasty and have a great furnace. He explained the new thermostat to me before he left and made sure all was understood and to our satisfaction. We believe he went above and beyond even cleaning out area before and after. Any heating or duct work ever in our future he will be the only one we call. Very nice, treated us with much respect and even put up with dogs curious to what he was up to! read more

I have an ancient wall heater that wouldn't turn on using the thermostat. John was a wealth of knowledge over the phone on the first call. He knew the brand of heater based only on my problem descriptions (I didn't) and told me what the issue likely was. After trying things with wiring based on his recommendation he basically fixed my heater for free over the phone. I'm still sending a little $ anyway for the help. The guy knows his stuff, and is obviously an honest and good person for not wanting payment for his phone advice to a stranger. He generously saved me a service call for a fix that would have been easy for him, and he was very nice to talk to. Obviously you should pay him if he comes and fixes something for you though. I will remember his # for next time. read more

John installed a new HVAC system in our 37 year-old home about two years ago. Last fall, a rodent made a meal of the packing material sealing the air conditioner duct on the outside wall. Later, the indoor thermostat began wobbling on the wall and finally dropped off to hang by its wires. John discovered our painter had removed the thermostat from the wall and then remounted it by screwing it directly to the wallboard instead of to the anchors John had installed. Finally, John repaired the rodent damage and our issues were resolved. In our experience, John is an honest professional who stands behind his work and the products he installs even when issues arise that are completely unrelated to his workmanship; a rare breed these days. read more

John and his team with Aire Comfort are absolutely amazing. Recently, John installed a new furnace and central AC system at our home. Not only was John amazing to work with, but the quality and attention to detail really stood out to me. He was very thorough and made sure everything was perfect. He even called to follow up to see how everything was working out and how we were enjoying the new system. When it comes to choosing a company that will work hard for you, provide excellent service, high quality, and competitive pricing then Aire Comfort is the company of choice. I will definitely recommend anyone that I know in need of HVAC work to John at Aire Comfort. Thanks John for a job well done and we are loving the AC! read more

I could go on and on about how impressed I was with John Pelkola (Aire Comfort) and what a great job he did of removing my old central furnace and installing a new one (despite some challenges, e.g., clearance) of doing so. So I will just say that if you are looking for a heating and/or AC professional (whether for repairs or new installation) who is extremely knowledgeable in his trade, pleasant and courteous, fair and honest, and willing to work around any challenges you may have, this is the person you want to call. I have absolutely no reservation in recommending him and would definitely call him for any future furnace needs that I may have. Look no further...this is the guy you want for your heating/AC needs. read more

John is wonderful. I needed my heater replaced and my neighbor had used John to replace her heater. She recommended him and she got it right. He is professional, knowledgeable and very fair prices. After he replaced my heater I called him and told him I was not getting heat downstairs in my house. He came to fix it and it evolved into a huge process, all of my duct needed replacing. It was not a cost I had budgeted for. I told him this and he worked it out and gave me a fabulous discount. I am not one to write reviews, but John is work one. I highly recommend him and would use him again. The big plus is that he does all of his own work, no subs, just him. If you have to wait a week trust me it is worth it. read more

I was lucky this week. My Air Conditioning stopped in this heat! Saw add for Aire Comfort in a local newspaper. Called and spoke to owner John Pelkola. As he was on the way to Santa Barbara, he could not do it until tomorrow. Couldn't believe it though. He spent 15 minutes on the phone with me trying to help me isolate the problem, "hoping to save me some money." Can you believe it!! He fixed the problem the next morning. The biggest savings you get with him is that he does not mark up the cost of parts and shows you the receipt. He is working only for an hourly wage and it is REASONABLE. More importantly, he is HONEST, HONEST, HONEST. Next is my daughter's house in Camarillo. John W, Thousand Oaks read more

My experience with John was great. He installed an A/C unit in our new Carpinteria home and absolutely delivered the best service I've experienced. He was on time, courteous, knowledgeable, extremely reasonable in his costs and thorough. He did what he said he was going to do, when he said he would do it. He takes the time to explain things and you don't feel that you're being rushed or pressured into anything, and he doesn't try to upsell and instead explains the pros and cons of different options in an informational, non-biased manner. It's one of the best experiences I've ever had with a contractor and I can't recommend him highly enough. read more

As a former builder and master cabinet maker, who has seen his fair share of lousy workmanship, I was awestruck at how meticulous and detailed John was in the design and build-out of our new HVAC system. He was very conscientious about his work product and the materials he used, of which none included the "lowest bid" or cheapest materials. I was very much impressed by the final product as well as the follow-up by John to ensure we were happy with our new system. In addition, the price was not unreasonable given what we wanted and the amount of work required. I would highly recommend John (Air Comforte) for any of your HVAC needs. read more