A note before you read: This guide is published by Westisle Heating & Cooling, and we’ve ranked ourselves first. We know that’s worth being skeptical about. So instead of asking you to take our word for it, we’ve laid out exactly how we compared each HVAC company in Duncan, which public sources we used, and where other companies may be the better fit for your situation. All ratings and listings were checked on October 14, 2026.
How We Ranked Each HVAC Company in Duncan
We scored every company on five criteria that matter when you’re trusting someone with your heating system. Each one is based on information you can check yourself.
1. Track record. How long the company has served the area, based on its own published history.
2. Review evidence. Google rating and number of reviews together. A 5.0 rating from 20 reviews tells you less than a 4.8 from several hundred, simply because there’s less data behind it.
3. Licensing. Whether the company publishes its Technical Safety BC licences. Gas, electrical, and refrigeration work in BC all require them.
4. Availability. Whether the company offers after hours or emergency service, based on listed hours.
5. Range of services. Whether one company can handle heat pumps, furnaces, ventilation, and commercial work, or whether it specializes.
We only included companies with a physical base in the Cowichan Valley and enough public information to compare fairly.
1. Westisle Heating & Cooling
Based in: Boys Road, Duncan, with a second location in Shawnigan Lake
Serving since: 1989
Google rating: 4.8 stars from 698 reviews (Duncan location)
Hours: 24/7 emergency service
Why it ranks first: Westisle has the longest published track record of any company on this list, at more than 35 years in the Cowichan Valley. It also holds the second highest review volume in the area, which means its 4.8 rating rests on a large and steady body of customer feedback.
It is the only company on this list that publishes all three of its Technical Safety BC licences on its website: gas contractor, electrical contractor, and boiler, pressure vessel and refrigeration. That matters because a heat pump install often involves refrigerant, electrical, and sometimes gas work in the same job.
Westisle’s service range is also the broadest here. Beyond residential heat pumps and furnaces, it handles HRVs, boilers, indoor air quality, and commercial HVAC and refrigeration, plus dedicated support for strata and property managers. It installs Mitsubishi and Trane equipment, among other brands.
Best for: Homeowners who want one established company for installation, maintenance, and emergencies, and businesses or stratas that need commercial capability.
2. The Comfort Group
Based in: Duncan Street, Duncan, serving much of Vancouver Island
Serving since: 2004
Google rating: 4.8 stars from 1,167 reviews
Hours: Listed as open 24 hours
Why it ranks second: The Comfort Group has the largest review base of any HVAC company in Duncan, with a rating that matches Westisle’s. It is listed as holding Technical Safety BC gas and electrical licences, offers electrical work in house, and partners with The Super Plumber for plumbing.
Its service area stretches from Duncan up to Nanaimo, Parksville, Courtenay, and Port Alberni. That reach suits homeowners who like dealing with a larger regional operation.
Best for: Homeowners who want HVAC, electrical, and plumbing coordinated through one group.
3. Exchangenergy
Based in: Scott Road, Duncan
Google rating: 5.0 stars from 250 reviews
Hours: Listed as open 24 hours
Why it ranks third: Exchangenergy holds a perfect rating across a meaningful number of reviews, which is a strong signal of consistent customer satisfaction. It has appeared on the CleanBC Better Homes registered contractor list, so its heat pump installs can qualify for provincial rebates.
It stands out for offering ground source (geothermal) heat pumps alongside air source and ductless systems, which few local companies do.
Best for: Homeowners interested in geothermal, or anyone who puts heavy weight on review scores.
4. Sub Zero Heating & Cooling
Based in: Charlotte Street, Duncan
Google rating: 5.0 stars from 125 reviews
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Why it ranks fourth: Sub Zero has a perfect rating and has been listed as a CleanBC registered contractor for central, ductless, and ducted mini split heat pumps. It serves Shawnigan Lake, Mill Bay, Duncan, Ladysmith, and Chemainus.
Its shorter listed hours are the main reason it ranks below companies offering round the clock service. For planned installs and scheduled maintenance, that matters less.
Best for: Planned heat pump installs and ongoing maintenance with a smaller local team.
5. BlueTide Heating & Cooling
Based in: Banks Road, North Cowichan
Google rating: 5.0 stars from 23 reviews
Hours: Listed as open 24 hours
Why it ranks fifth: BlueTide has a perfect rating, but from a much smaller number of reviews, so there is less public evidence to judge it on so far. Its reviews frequently mention multi zone ductless installs and help navigating rebate paperwork.
Best for: Homeowners replacing baseboard or oil heat with a ductless system who want hands on rebate help.
Honourable Mention: Hometown Heating & Cooling
Based in Lake Cowichan, Hometown holds a 5.0 rating from 26 reviews and focuses on heat pump installation and service. If you live in the western Cowichan Valley, a company based closer to you can mean faster response times.
Quick Comparison
Longest track record: Westisle (since 1989), followed by The Comfort Group (since 2004). The other companies did not publish a founding year in the sources we checked.
Most Google reviews: The Comfort Group (1,167), Westisle (698), Exchangenergy (250), Sub Zero (125), BlueTide (23).
Published Technical Safety BC licences: Westisle publishes gas, electrical, and refrigeration licence numbers on its site. The Comfort Group is listed with gas and electrical licences. For the others, ask directly or check yourself.
24/7 or after hours service: Westisle, The Comfort Group, Exchangenergy, and BlueTide are listed as open 24 hours. Sub Zero lists weekday hours.
Commercial and refrigeration work: Westisle offers dedicated commercial HVAC and refrigeration services.
How to Choose the Right HVAC Company in Duncan
Whichever company you’re considering, these checks will protect you:
Verify licences. Ask for licence numbers and confirm them through Technical Safety BC. Any company doing gas, electrical, or refrigeration work must hold the right ones.
Confirm rebate eligibility before you sign. Most BC heat pump rebates require a registered contractor. If the company isn’t registered when you sign the quote, you may lose the rebate. Our heat pump rebates guide explains what’s available.
Read recent reviews, not just the score. Look at how the company responds to problems. Every busy contractor gets the occasional bad review. How it’s handled tells you more than the star rating.
Get two or three written quotes. Compare the full scope, including equipment model, warranty terms, permits, and removal of old equipment, not just the price.
Ask about after hours support. A furnace or heat pump rarely fails at a convenient time.
Our Take
There’s no single best HVAC company in Duncan for every home. If you want geothermal, Exchangenergy is worth a call. If you’d like HVAC, plumbing, and electrical under one roof, The Comfort Group makes sense.
We ranked Westisle first because, on the criteria above, it combines the longest local track record, a large and consistently strong review base, fully published licensing, 24/7 availability, and the widest range of residential and commercial services. If that sounds like the right fit, we’d be glad to hear from you. Contact our team for a free estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best HVAC company in Duncan, BC?
It depends on what you need. Based on track record, review volume, licensing, availability, and service range, we ranked Westisle Heating & Cooling first. The Comfort Group, Exchangenergy, Sub Zero, and BlueTide are also well reviewed local options.
How do I check if an HVAC company in Duncan is licensed?
Ask the company for its Technical Safety BC licence numbers and verify them on the Technical Safety BC website. Gas, electrical, and refrigeration work each require their own licence.
Do I need a registered contractor to get heat pump rebates in BC?
Yes, for most programs. CleanBC and BC Hydro rebates generally require installation by a registered contractor, and registration must be in place before you sign the quote.
Which HVAC companies in Duncan offer emergency service?
Based on Google listings checked in October 2026, Westisle Heating & Cooling, The Comfort Group, Exchangenergy, and BlueTide Heating & Cooling are listed as open 24 hours.
Are Google ratings a reliable way to compare HVAC companies?
They’re useful, but look at the number of reviews as well as the score. A high rating from hundreds of reviews is stronger evidence than a perfect rating from a handful.
