Building Efficiency, Inc.

In the words of Building Efficiency, Inc.

We are a full-service contractor with a focus on installing heating, cooling, insulation and water heaters. We specialize in electrification of older gas systems for home energy efficiency.

Trade

HVAC contractor

Business address

2037 Irving St Ste 213, San Francisco, CA 94122

Telephone

(415) 831-4535

Website

buildingefficiency.net

Hours

• Monday9:00 am - 5:00 pm
• Tuesday9:00 am - 5:00 pm
• Wednesday9:00 am - 5:00 pm
• Thursday9:00 am - 5:00 pm
• Friday9:00 am - 5:00 pm
• SaturdayClosed
• SundayClosed

From the business's Google listing, checked Oct 2026

Register

CA register

Recorded as supplied and as found in public sources. This register makes no credential or quality claim about any business; check license status with the state board.

Google Reviews

4.9 ★★★★★ (36)

• Building Efficiency upgraded our typical Berkeley bungalow, insulating our walls and crawlspace, replacing our central gas heating with a ducted heat pump system and replaced our water heater with a Sanco2 heat pump. We've lived with the systems for 2-1/2 years and couldn't be happier! We went from $950 a year in utility bills to $165 the first year, and even with PGE rates climbing, we're still at less than a third the cost we used to pay. Our house is much more comfortable, and the insulation paid additional dividends by making things so much more quiet! ...thumbs up for BE.

  Chris D.★★★★★

• Building Efficiency evaluated the property and educated us thoroughly before providing a competitive to install a heat pump and water heater. They communicated well, kept a clean work site, and the staff was professional and efficient. We've been very happy with the results.

  J M.★★★★★

• A Heat Pump was installed by Building Efficiency, replacing my old gas furnace. This enabled me to have a good heat source without the smell of a gas furnace and to have AC when needed. They worked closely with me to establish the best location for the heat pump (which does generate some noise of its own), were clear about the time frame in which we neede to schedule the work, and cleaned up afterward. They also continued support of the project afterward to fine tune the interior filter which had been making noise (fixed!) and helped me to understand the different ways for the new thermostat to be used. Staff was helpful, friendly, respectful of my home and my schedule. (I noted in services provided both heat and AC as Heat Pump was not a specific item listed. The price was considerable higher than the 2000 top price to choose in the cost listings! Over 20K.

  CA T.★★★★★

• I thought the quote was competitive and they got the work done. Professional operation. The owner checked in after and helped me set up the wifi for my water heaters. Class act.

  mark C.★★★★★

• I've worked with David and team on three different projects - insulating our house, installing a whole house fan, and installing a new furnace and air conditioning - and have been extremely satisfied each time. The work is completed in a timely manner, the prices are reasonable (I did shop around), and team members are very professional and courteous, they have a great deal of expertise, and do high quality work. They also provide great post installation support. When our furnace recently stopped working the week before Christmas, we were in a bind as we were leaving town and could not leave our pet in a freezing home. David came out himself even though his schedule was full and managed to get everything working before we left. I would highly recommend these guys and we will continue to use them on our own future projects.

  Jeff S.★★★★★

• The entire project for a new heat pump HVAC, from system design to estimate through installation was highly professional; everyone was a pleasure to work with.

  Terry S.★★★★★

• We had a heat pump water heater installed several months ago. The Building Efficiency team was excellent, did great work on the installation and completed it right around when they said they would. Unfortunately, the water heater died within a month of the install, but the Building Efficiency team stood by their work and came back out to swap out the unit, covered by the warranty. We're hoping to get a heat pump hvac someday and will definitely be back in touch for a quote.

  Jake E.★★★★★

• Incredible team, professional, terrific communication and great clean work. Absolutely recommend.

  Erica J.★★★★★

• Building efficiency was very easy to work with thru all phases of my project: from initial consultation, through rebate applications to the actual project itself. Reliable and professional.

  Erin S.★★★★★

• The Building Efficiency team was a joy to work with. They made my life easy at every step of the process.

  John O.★★★★★

• I worked with Building Efficiency and the owner David last year to bring my (new to me), 85 year old home up to today's efficiency standards. I had done a lot of research beforehand and had lots of questions/ideas/opinions on what I wanted to do. This included going fully electric for heating/cooling with a heat pump, new central air ducting, replacing gas hot water heaters with heat pump water heaters and fully insulating the walls and attic. David spent the time with me to go through all my options and various ideas. He didn't try to upsell me on the most expensive options and talked me through the pros/cons. Before all the work, when walking from downstairs to upstairs, I'd be hit with a wall of heat. Now, the temperature is stable and comfortable. Additionally, in the winter, various rooms would be cold and all the new insulation regulates the rooms perfectly now. There is one room where it's still cold mainly because it's over an exposed tunnel area. He suggested to not insulate the floor due to the cost of drilling out all the stucco and repair. This was a good suggestion as the room isn't used very much and putting down carpets helps regulate the temperature. Plus, the blankets on the couch make it nice and snuggly without overheating. He also worked with me to install my own chosen hot water heat pump that I bought over the internet. He looked at the specs and agreed that it'd fit my needs and it was installed perfectly. I've had one minor issue with a leaking condensate line on the air handler but they are taking care of it without any fuss. Glad to see they stand behind their work.

  David S.★★★★★

• Amazing local business! I had the team at Building Efficiency replace our gas furnace with a new, central heat pump. At the same time, they added blown-in insulation. The entire process was smooth and was handled very professionally. Our home is much more comfortable than before - and greener as well. We had such at great experience with Building Efficiency that we also had them replace our gas furnace with a SanCO2 heat pump water heater. That job was also handled extremely well. We are completely satisfied with the new water heater system. If you are electrifying, or just want a more modern, comfortable home, give this team a call!

  Jonathan S.★★★★★

• I hired BE in 2022 to install a two ton heat pump system to replace an old Bryant furnace. David, Beto and Homero worked with me to also install some new duct work to make my living room more comfortable–as like many homes built mid century, my living room was originally more reliant on supplemental heating from the fireplace and that didn't really work well. The work took two days and I was walked through the steps beforehand. It's been working well and my home is more comfortable. (I have enjoyed having AC on certain days when SF has hit higher mercury.) In 2024 I had an on demand gas water heater replaced with a heat pump water heater and recirculation pumps and that has also been working well, giving me hot water much faster than I have had it in the past. (I used to have a bucket of water for plants waiting for the cold water to turn hot). I've also really appreciated responsive customer service during this maintenance period. I'd just say that the world of rebates and incentives can be confusing so just make sure that your contract is clear about what rebates, if any, are available for the job and how they will come to you. (This would apply for anyone you hire!) Good work BE!

  Lisa R.★★★★★

• Building Efficiency recently installed a heat pump in our condo unit. Throughout the whole process, they were all kind, professional, looped me into all the decisions they needed to make for the job, and made sure all my questions were answered. The end result is great - the heat pump works like a charm. I definitely recommend them if you're doing a similar project!

  James R.★★★★★

• Dave and building efficiency were the most knowledgeable contractor which I interviewed for our project to install a Heat Pump system in our house. Unlike, several others, Dave sized the system accurately and had clear expertise in the technology. He included improvements to our ducting system which others did not. The pricing was very competitive. Although we had a long wait for our installation, when it occurred, it went smoothly and efficiently. The crew clearly was well experienced and expert at the work. They were prompt, communicative, and cleaned up thoroughly each day - making room in our garage so we could move our cars in at the end of each day.

  Clifford D.★★★★★

• We did insulation on our 100 year old plaster and lath house and the results have been excellent. Quieter and the temperature inside is now very stable. Even with a few windows open a little the inside temperature hasn’t gone below 63 or over 70 for weeks now which is perfect for us. We live in the City College area so it’s been fog and wind since we had it done. We also had a heat pump installed but other than running it to test for a day neither heating or cooling hasn’t really been needed yet. We do have the fan part run for 5 minutes every hour which has been working to even the temp throughout the house and filter the air. Maybe later this summer (if we ever get our usual late summer this year) and this winter we’ll have a true test. I should also mention that the fan on the unit outside the house is impressively quiet which I’m sure the neighbors will appreciate . The crews for both sides of this project were great. Once the work started they moved right along and were aware of how disruptive some of the insulation work would be and tried to keep that to a minimum. Overall working with them was a good professional experience and the results have been even better than we were expecting.

  Rex H.★★★★★

• I got solar panels installed in 2023, so I wanted to eliminate gas and go totally electric. I chose Building Efficiency after getting four different estimates. The whole process from start to finish, working with their crew was great.

  Jorg R.★★★★★

• We recently had Building Efficiency of San Francisco install environmentally friendly insulation throughout our home as well as a SanCo2 stainless hot water heater. From start to finish, the experience was excellent. The team was professional, on time, on budget, and very straightforward to work with—qualities that can be rare in home improvement projects. Even though it’s summer, we’ve already noticed a significant difference in our home environment: the temperature is far more stable, and persistent drafts have disappeared. It’s clear the insulation is doing its job beautifully. The SanCo2 hot water heater has also been outstanding—efficient, quiet, and reliable. What really stood out was how seamlessly and efficiently the work was done. Neighbors and other customers seem to echo this same sentiment: Building Efficiency delivers consistently high-quality results, communicates clearly, and respects both schedule and budget. Our own experience confirms that reputation completely. We would not hesitate to recommend Building Efficiency of San Francisco to anyone looking to improve the comfort and sustainability of their home with modern, environmentally responsible solutions.

  Kevin S.★★★★★

• David and the entire Building Efficiency team were polite, professional, and responsive to my needs as a customer. They guided me through selecting the range of home efficiency improvements I wanted to undertake but never pressured me or made me feel like I was being upsold. They ultimately offered me a good price and installed high quality systems in my home. I appreciated the care and attention they provided to cleaning up and restoring my home as quickly as possible once work was completed. Overall, I had an excellent experience and highly recommend Building Efficiency.

  Christian M.★★★★★

• Best possible experience and I cannot recommend them highly enough! Such a great experience!

  Jennifer K.★★★★★

• Pleasant and efficient building efficiency work, who could ask for more? We appreciated straightforward answer to our questions and Russ & David's willingness to use an unconventional and very ecological product for air sealing. Thanks.

  Vanessa★★★★★

• Building Efficiency’s team is super efficient and does a thorough quality job as their name states. They specialize in blown-in insulation and also can do heat pumps, hvac systems and know about plumbing systems. Creating a well insulated building envelope is one of the best ways to control the temperature fluctuation in buildings. This means occupants of the buildings will be more comfortable, less electricity and gases are used to heat/cooling and ultimately prices for heating and cooling are significantly less in the long term. Building efficiency stands out because they are familiar with many systems and have very competent, knowledgeable and most importantly an honest company. As an apartment multifamily complex, it is work knowing they take good notes, so that even years after we insulated they still know which building had what done. They are understanding and reasonable with their payment plan. Long overdue review and highly recommended!

  Sunshine G.★★★★★

• Great job with insulating our whole house! Our house is much more comfortable and we got the full rebate which is much appreciated! The painters hid the holes very well afterwards and the cleaners left our house spotless. We would recommend Building Efficiency to anyone.

  Amit P.★★★★★

• The Building Efficiency team installed 2 heat pumps (1 of them shown in the photos, the other is in a crawlspace that's a little hard to get to), heat pump water heater (shown), new ducts, and attic + kids' room insulation in my 75+ year old home. They did this quickly and efficiently (in under 1 week despite needing to re-duct our home and the random space constraints you'd expect with a 75+ year old home), helping us get the rebates we qualified for and making sure what they put in fit our home. We now have air conditioning (increasingly necessary in the Bay Area) and just better comfort (esp in my kids rooms which used to be too hot or too cold) and the knowledge that everything is electrified (and pairs nicely with our solar installation). They've also gone above and beyond in being responsive to our questions after the install, coming in to rebalance the air flow, answer our questions about air filters, and even troubleshooting a manufacturer's defect. I can't recommend them highly enough!

  Benjamin T.★★★★★

• David and his team are extremely knowledgeable and professional and got our project done efficiently and effectively. Beto did most of the HVAC installation and does his work to a high standard. You can tell everyone cares about what they do and that they aren’t there just there to clock in and clock out. They really want to leave behind a working system that they can stand behind. We really appreciate all of their hard work and definitely recommend them.

  Austen D.★★★★★

• David and his team installed a heat pump and heat pump water heater in my home several years ago, and I have been very pleased with them and Building Efficiency's ongoing support. When my garage was flooded in late 2022, David and his team helped troubleshoot the heat pump and made sure everything was running smoothly. More recently, I had plumbing issues that required another service visit, and the team was just as responsive and efficient as before. I highly recommend you go with Building Efficiency for your HVAC needs!

  Jeremy J.★★★★★

• David and his team did a great job replacing our hot water heater. It was a tricky space under the stairs, and previous plumbers told us just go swap out for a gas water heater to make it easier. Building Efficiency were very well organized and did the work with very little fuss. Nice to always know that you have the right person when ever you need something done right!

  Felix S.★★★★★

• Building Efficiency installed our heat pump 2 years ago and we have been extremely happy with their work. We recently had an upgrade to our solar panels, by another company, that unfortunately resulted in damage to our HVAC. BE's owner, David, responded to our SOS immediately, even working outside in the rain to untangle the mess. His charge for hours of work was generously waived, we only paid a minimal amount for a new thermostat! We are so grateful to have our system running perfectly again, and will be loyal customers from now until forever!

  barbara B.★★★★★

• Our heat pump system, originally installed by Building Efficiency, had been damaged by another company during some electrical mods to our solar panel breakers, and David Hamburger and crew showed up to quickly and efficiently diagnose and repair the problems, which gave us back our beloved heat pump during a very cold winter's week! Couldn't recommend Building Efficiency more highly----very professional service and a great system!

  Mark W.★★★★★

• Building Efficiency did an amazing job on my Pacifica house. I had wall heaters ripped out and they put in first insulation in the walls and attic. Next phase was putting in heat pump. They also created multiple zones for my in-law unit to have a separate control.. All controls configured from my smartphone! David and crew were easy to work with scheduling, working on the house. Super happy with the work, it’s really well worth the investment. The insulation is saving $$ with keeping the heat in and the pumps are efficient. Highly recc!

  suntosh M.★★★★★

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