Dillon V.
Feb 2026
Dillon V.'s Google Review
Great dude, great team, always gets my houses dialed in perfect ,
Heating & Air Conditioning in Auburn, CA
Auburn summers still push past 90 degrees, but foothill winters bring frost and the odd snowfall. We size systems for both, from Old Town to Foresthill and Cool.
- CSLB #956515
- NATE-certified
- 24/7 emergency service
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Tell us about the job and we'll get back to you with a price.
Airflow Heating & Air is a family-owned HVAC contractor that installs and repairs furnaces, heat pumps and air conditioners in Auburn, California, and the foothill communities around it. We serve Auburn from the Sacramento side of the foothills, up Auburn-Folsom Road and I-80, and offer 24/7 emergency service.
Auburn sits in the Sierra foothills about 800 feet above the confluence of the North and Middle Forks of the American River. That puts it between two climates: hot valley summers and real foothill winters. Heating matters more here than it does down in Sacramento, and the higher you live, the more it matters.
A foothill climate that works both ends of your system
Based on NOAA averages, Auburn gets about 63 days a year at 90 degrees or hotter, but only about 7 at 100 or above. The July average high is close to 93. Winter is where Auburn parts ways with the valley. December lows average about 37 degrees, the town sees roughly 20 nights a year at or below freezing, and the record low is 5 degrees, set in December 2013. Snow is rare in Auburn itself (the biggest year on record was 10.7 inches in 1972), but it is more common in the towns up the hill.
That means a system here has to be sized for heating as carefully as for cooling. We run a load calculation for your house and your elevation before recommending anything.
Heat pumps on frosty nights
A heat pump works well in Auburn, but on freezing nights it spends time in defrost and its output drops. We look at cold-climate models, backup heat strips, or a dual-fuel setup that pairs a heat pump with a furnace for the coldest hours.
Propane or PG&E gas
If your house runs on a propane tank rather than a gas line, the cost of fuel changes the math between a furnace and a heat pump. We ask what you pay for propane and electricity before we suggest a system.
Smoke seasons
The 2021 River Fire started north of Applegate and forced evacuations in Colfax. The 2022 Mosquito Fire started near Oxbow Reservoir east of Foresthill. When smoke settles in, a sealed duct system with good filtration keeps more of it out of the house.
Who issues your permit depends on the address
An Auburn mailing address doesn't tell you which building department you're under. California requires a permit for an HVAC changeout, and the Energy Code usually adds a HERS duct leakage test. Here is how it splits:
- Inside Auburn city limits. The City of Auburn Building Division issues the permit. Its fee schedule lists a flat permit for residential HVAC change-outs.
- Unincorporated Placer County. North Auburn, Applegate, Meadow Vista and Foresthill go through Placer County Building Services, which takes contractor permits for HVAC work through its online portal.
- Colfax. Colfax is an incorporated city, so the City of Colfax Building Department issues permits for work inside city limits.
- Cool. Cool is across the river in El Dorado County, so the permit comes from El Dorado County, not Placer.
We sort out the jurisdiction, pull the permit and schedule the HERS rater and inspection.
Rebates in PG&E territory, as of 2026
Auburn and the surrounding foothills are PG&E territory, not SMUD, so SMUD's heat pump rebates don't apply here. At the time of writing (2026), the statewide TECH Clean California single-family heat pump incentives are not taking new reservations, and federal tax credits for heat pumps ended on December 31, 2025. Programs change, so check TECH Clean California and PG&E's own rebate pages before you plan around an incentive. In the meantime, we focus on what you can count on: a system sized right for your house, sealed ducts and equipment efficient enough to lower your bills.
Foothill towns we cover from Auburn
- Applegate. At about 2,000 feet along I-80, roughly 9 miles northeast of Auburn, Applegate sits well above town. The 2021 River Fire began just north of it, so filtration and tight ductwork are worth a look.
- Meadow Vista. A Placer County community of about 3,300 people (2020 Census) around 1,700 feet, reached from the Clipper Gap/Meadow Vista exit off I-80. Hilly lots there often need careful planning for where the outdoor unit goes.
- Colfax. Around 2,400 feet, Colfax grew up with the Central Pacific Railroad, which reached town in 1865. Its 1905 Southern Pacific depot now houses the Colfax Museum. At that elevation, heating capacity drives the equipment choice.
- Foresthill. Up Foresthill Road and across the Foresthill Bridge, the tallest bridge in California, about 730 feet above the North Fork American River. The town's post office sits near 3,200 feet, high enough that winter heating is the main job and a heat pump needs a cold-climate rating.
- Cool. South of Auburn on Highway 49 in El Dorado County, Cool is the start and finish of the Olmstead Loop trail in the Auburn State Recreation Area. Permits here come from El Dorado County, and its air district is separate from Placer's.
HVAC services for Auburn and the foothills
Furnace repair
Gas and propane furnace repairs for frosty foothill nights, with 24/7 emergency service when the heat goes out.
Heat pump installation
Cold-climate and dual-fuel systems sized for your elevation, from Old Town Auburn up to Foresthill.
AC installation
Cooling sized for Auburn's 90-degree afternoons without oversizing a system that also has to heat well.
Air purification
Whole-home purifiers and UV lights for households that sit through wildfire smoke in the canyons.
Ductless mini-splits
Heating and cooling for cabins, shops and additions on rural lots where running new ducts doesn't make sense.
Furnace tune-ups
A fall check of burners, venting and safety controls before the first freezing night.
Before we quote a system in Auburn, we check
- Your elevation and the design temperature that goes with it
- Whether you heat with PG&E gas, propane or electricity, and what each costs you
- Which office issues the permit: City of Auburn, Colfax, Placer County or El Dorado County
- Duct condition and leakage ahead of the required HERS test
- Filtration and fresh-air options for smoke season
From Sacramento, up Auburn-Folsom Road
Airflow Heating & Air is a family-owned Sacramento-area HVAC contractor. Our NATE-certified technicians work on homes, multi-family and light commercial buildings across the foothills. Call (916) 476-2222 for 24/7 emergency service, or request a free estimate on a new system.
Auburn-area heating and cooling FAQ
Does a heat pump work in Auburn's winters?
Yes, if it's sized and chosen for the foothills. Auburn averages around 20 nights a year at or below freezing, so we look at cold-climate heat pumps or a dual-fuel system with a furnace backup. Higher up, in Colfax or Foresthill, the cold-weather rating matters even more.
Who issues HVAC permits for an Auburn address?
It depends on where the property is. Inside city limits, it's the City of Auburn Building Division. Unincorporated areas such as North Auburn, Applegate, Meadow Vista and Foresthill go through Placer County Building Services. Colfax issues its own permits, and Cool is under El Dorado County.
Are there heat pump rebates in Auburn?
Auburn is PG&E territory, so SMUD rebates don't apply. At the time of writing (2026), TECH Clean California's single-family incentives are not taking new reservations, and federal tax credits ended at the end of 2025. Check TECH Clean California and PG&E for current programs before you buy.
My house runs on propane. Should I switch to a heat pump?
It's worth comparing. The answer depends on what you pay for propane versus electricity, how cold your location gets and whether your panel can handle the load. We price both a furnace and a heat pump so you can compare them directly.
Do you serve Cool even though it's in El Dorado County?
Yes. Cool is just across the American River on Highway 49, and we work there along with Auburn and the Placer County foothill towns. The only difference is that the permit is filed with El Dorado County instead of Placer.
ZIP codes we serve in Auburn: 95602, 95603, 95604
Other areas we serve
- Antelope
- Arden Arcade
- Cameron Park
- Carmichael
- Citrus Heights
- Davis
- Diamond Springs
- El Dorado Hills
- Elk Grove
- Fair Oaks
- Fairfield
- Folsom
- Galt
- Gold River
- Granite Bay
- Grass Valley
- Lincoln
- Lodi
- Loomis
- Marysville
- Natomas
- Newcastle
- North Highlands
- Orangevale
- Penryn
- Placerville
- Rancho Cordova
- Rancho Murieta
- Rescue
- Rio Linda
- Rocklin
- Roseville
- Shingle Springs
- Vacaville
- Vineyard
- West Sacramento
- Wilton
- Woodland
- Yuba City
5.0
out of 5 stars
210+ Happy Customers
Real reviews from homeowners and businesses across the Sacramento area.
Toni P.
Jan 2026
Toni P.'s Google Review
I am so happy I went with this company. They are honest, friendly and reasonable prices. They went the extra mile. There were no surprise costs. Thank you Oleg and crew.
Marissa A.
Jan 2026
Marissa A.'s Google Review
We are thrilled with Oleg and the work he and his team did to install a heat pump, remove the A/C and detangle our hydronic heating system! The price was great, the work was great, the follow-up and follow-through were great. The team was super fast, getting it all done in one day. Oleg is such a great guy - extremely thorough, kind and does such good work. The inspector said "wow, he did a really clean job". We will highly recommend Oleg to anyone who needs HVAC!
skenic1952
Jan 2026
skenic1952's Google Review
I can’t say enough about Oleg and his staff, they were truly professional from initial diagnosis to installation. My heating system ceased working and my family and I were left in the cold. I reached out to Airflow based on the superlative reviews I saw in my research. Oleg came out and knew exactly what my issue was and also uncovered a problem with my dampening system which for the past 25 years no one was able to correct. Oleg told me what I needed, no sales pressure, promised to send me an estimate that day which he did. The cost was exceptionally fair and coupled with the impression Airflow had made I decided to go with them without further research or estimates for price comparisons….wasn’t necessary, this was the guy. I requested early January thinking I could tough it out, however it just got too uncomfortable in the house. I reached out to Oleg who by the way was quite busy and he moved some stuff around and did the entire install the next day. My home is now warm and comfortable. Oleg was a pleasure to deal with. This guy is an Einstein when it comes to HVAC and I will not do business with anyone else from this point forward. Thanks Oleg, you and your staff are top notch. My HVAC system has never operated at this level before.
Nathalie M.
Dec 2025
Nathalie M.'s Google Review
We highly recommend Airflow Heating & Air for your heating or air conditioning needs. Oleg and his crew installed 2 independent systems in our 2-story home built in the early 1900s. Both the Daikin mini-split and the Goodman heat pump system work to perfection, keeping our house cool in the summer and warm in the winter. What we appreciated most, along with professionalism and a clean job site, was Oleg’s genuine interest in ensuring that we were completely satisfied with the installations.
Ben A.
Dec 2025
Ben A.'s Google Review
I’ve used Airflow Heating and Air for years for both my personal home and multiple rental properties. These guys are truly top-notch. What sets Airflow apart is their honesty and thoroughness. Instead of immediately pushing a full system replacement like many HVAC companies do, AirFlow takes the time to properly diagnose the issue and recommend repairs whenever possible, always keeping my budget in mind. They clearly explain the options so you can make an informed decision without pressure. When a full replacement is necessary, they’re just as impressive. I’ve trusted Airflow with two complete system replacements, and both were smooth, professional, and fairly priced. They handled the entire process including permits and inspections which made everything incredibly easy for me and my tenants. Overall, Airflow Heating and Air has been reliable, professional, and easy to work with every step of the way. Their communication is excellent, their work is high quality, and they truly stand behind what they do. I trust them completely and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone needing HVAC service! 10/10
Eduard R.
Dec 2025
Eduard R.'s Google Review
Amazing work from Oleg and the team of trained professionals and staff Really appreciate the swift response and replacement of my condenser To keep my unit back up and running
Dawn S.
Nov 2025
Dawn S.'s Google Review
Oleg was referred to me by my neighbor. My neighbor said he will never go with anyone else for his HVAC needs - and I now I understand why! Both times I reached out, he responded to me within minutes, and came out to my house the very next day. He's honest, reliable, reasonably priced, and just an all around cool dude. Thanks, Oleg!
Karen P.
Nov 2025
Karen P.'s Google Review
This company is too notch! Highly recommend, great response time, extremely honest and fair. I use them for business and personal and they have always fixed any issue big or small in a timely manner at great prices. The owner is fantastic as are his employees.
John K.
Oct 2025
John K.'s Google Review
Such a wonderful experience. I definitely recommend them!
Margaret B.
Oct 2025
Margaret B.'s Google Review
We have worked with Airflow Heating & Air for over 15 years and highly recommend Oleg and his team! His team always shows up as scheduled and provides great service. Oleg always keeps up to date with State and County rules and regulations related to the installation and maintenance of AC and Heating units. We rely on his expertise and trust all the work this company has done for us. We highly recommend Airflow Heating and Air and everyone on Oleg’s team!!
Tony G.
Oct 2025
Tony G.'s Google Review
Awesome guys—came on time, worked quick, and didn’t overcharge. Really happy with the job.
Rated 5.0/5 from 210+ reviews·CSLB #956515
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