For nearly a century, Aarvaks has delivered honest, quality heating and air conditioning service to Berkeley and the greater East Bay. Family-owned. NATE Certified. Built on trust.
What We Do
From furnace installations to custom ductwork, we handle every aspect of your home and business comfort systems with expertise earned over 97 years.
Expert installation, repair, and maintenance of furnaces, heat pumps, and radiant heating systems. We replaced Berkeley's coal-burning systems with natural gas in 1929 and we have been innovating ever since. We size every system to your home for maximum efficiency and comfort.
Learn moreStay cool when East Bay temperatures climb. We install, repair, and maintain central air, ductless mini-splits, and high-efficiency cooling systems. All installations use Puron, the non-ozone depleting refrigerant, because comfort should not cost the environment.
Learn moreBreathe easier with air filtration, purification, humidification, and ventilation solutions tailored to your home or office.
Learn moreBerkeley's older homes often need creative solutions. We design and fabricate custom ductwork that fits your space perfectly.
Learn moreReliable climate control for offices, retail spaces, restaurants, and multi-unit buildings throughout the East Bay.
Learn morePrevent costly breakdowns with scheduled tune-ups. Our maintenance plans keep your system running at peak efficiency year-round.
Learn more
Our Story
In 1929, a Finnish immigrant named John Toivonen saw opportunity where others saw ashes. Berkeley was rebuilding after a devastating fire, and homes across the hills needed modern heating. Toivonen capitalized on the building boom, replacing dangerous coal-burning systems with clean natural gas furnaces.
When the Great Depression hit, Toivonen found a creative way to drum up business: he walked on his hands, door to door, to catch the attention of potential customers. In Finnish slang, this kind of audacious hustle was called "aarvaks" — and the name stuck.
Nearly a century later, that same spirit of ingenuity and determination lives on. Under the leadership of Jeff Geier, who brings over 20 years of hands-on HVAC experience, Aarvaks remains a family-run operation rooted in Berkeley. We are small enough to know your name, experienced enough to handle any system, and honest enough to tell you when a repair will do instead of a full replacement.
From our shop at 729 Dwight Way, we serve the same East Bay neighborhoods Toivonen walked on his hands through — and we are still earning trust one home at a time.
Why Aarvaks
Four reasons East Bay homeowners have trusted Aarvaks for generations.
We are not a franchise or a faceless corporation. We are your neighbors in Berkeley, and our reputation is built on every single job we do. When you call Aarvaks, you talk to people who care.
Our technicians hold NATE certification, the industry's most respected credential. This means your system is being diagnosed, repaired, or installed by verified experts who stay current with evolving technology.
As a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer, we offer premium equipment backed by factory warranties. We are trained and audited by Carrier to meet their highest standards for installation and service quality.
We recycle metals, refrigerant, paper, cardboard, and wood. Some of our trucks run on recycled vegetable oil. We use Puron, the non-ozone depleting refrigerant, in all new installations. Comfort without compromise.
Customer Reviews
Real reviews from real East Bay homeowners who trust Aarvaks with their comfort.
"So reliable, competent, and friendly. They have been taking care of our furnace for years and I would not trust anyone else. The whole team is wonderful."
"Creative problem solver. Our 1920s Berkeley home has unique heating challenges, and they figured out an elegant solution that other companies said was impossible."
"Prompt, nice, and knowledgeable. They showed up exactly when they said they would, diagnosed the issue quickly, and had it fixed the same day. Cannot ask for more."
"Great service and nice to work with! They replaced our entire HVAC system and the difference is incredible. The house heats evenly now and our energy bills dropped noticeably."
"Reasonable and fairly priced. Smart, competent, easygoing. They gave me an honest assessment rather than trying to upsell. That kind of integrity is rare and I will keep coming back."
Service Area
From our home base in Berkeley, we serve residential and commercial customers across Alameda and Contra Costa counties. If your city is not listed, give us a call — chances are we can help.
Our technicians know the East Bay inside and out. We understand the unique heating and cooling challenges of hillside homes, century-old Craftsman bungalows, and modern commercial spaces alike.
Get in Touch
No pressure, no upselling. Just honest advice from a team that has been doing this for 97 years.
(510) 848-5010Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Emergency service available