The October 2026 Picks Index is live. See who Grok, Meta Muse, Instinct, Kat and Fo named across 195 cities and 22 trades.
picked by agents

HVAC city tests · Ontario · one AI assistant's answers, September 2026

Who an AI assistant picked for HVAC in Ottawa, ON

In 6 questions, Francis Home Environment was picked 6 times and first 5 times. Ottawa Home Services was picked 5 times (never first), AirZone 3 times (first once), Rick Menard 2 times and JD Swallow 2 times.

Who came up in Ottawa

Every company the assistant named across the six questions, ordered by how often it was picked first. Tested on 2026-09-29.

CompanyPicked firstPicked
Francis Home Environmentfrancishome.ca5 of 66 of 6
AirZone HVAC Servicesairzonehvac.ca1 of 63 of 6
Ottawa Home Servicesottawahomeservices.ca0 of 65 of 6
JD Swallow Heating & Coolingjdswallow.com0 of 62 of 6
Rick Menard Heating & Coolingmenardheatcool.com0 of 62 of 6

Question 1 of 6

“My furnace won't turn on. Who can fix it this week in Ottawa?”

Picked

  1. First
    Francis Home Environment
    “Says 24/7 emergency furnace repair, same-day visits and no after-hours surcharge, with 6,900+ Google reviews at 4.9.”
  2. #2
    Ottawa Home Services
    “24/7 emergency furnace repair across Ottawa and flat-rate pricing so the repair cost is fixed once the fault is found.”
  3. #3
    Rick Menard Heating & Cooling
    “24-hour line answered by a dispatcher, parts stocked on the truck, fixed quote before work and a two-year guarantee on heating repairs.”

Considered and passed

  • Passed
    Enercare
    “National brand, and online booking on their page is for existing My Account customers, so a new customer has to call.”
  • Passed
    Reliance Home Comfort
    “Online repair booking is for existing Reliance customers only, and it is a large national brand.”
  • Passed
    AirZone HVAC Services
    “Has a 24/7 emergency line, but it bills hourly from $225 plus HST after hours and I preferred the flat-rate and no-surcharge offers.”
  • Passed
    JD Swallow Heating & Cooling
    “Offers emergency furnace repair, but the pages I read gave no response-time or pricing detail.”

Question 2 of 6

“Who is the best heating and air company in Ottawa?”

Picked

  1. First
    Francis Home Environment
    “Serving Ottawa since 1933 with about 6,900 Google reviews at 4.9 and 24/7 same-day service.”
  2. #2
    Ottawa Home Services
    “Local company since 2003 with about 1,370 Google reviews at 4.9, A+ BBB and TSSA, ESA and HRAI credentials.”
  3. #3
    JD Swallow Heating & Cooling
    “30+ years in Ottawa, about 1,500 Google reviews at 4.9 and A+ BBB accreditation since 2016.”

Considered and passed

  • Passed
    Rick Menard Heating & Cooling
    “Strong 35+ year record and two-year repair guarantee, but fewer reviews (about 1,200) than the three I picked.”
  • Passed
    Enercare
    “Large national company; I favoured local companies with comparable ratings.”
  • Passed
    Anchor Home Comfort
    “About 4,000 reviews at 4.9, but I could not read its pages and it is part of a larger group.”

Question 3 of 6

“I need a new furnace or heat pump installed in Ottawa. Who should I get quotes from, and roughly what will it cost?”

Picked

  1. First
    Francis Home Environment
    “Free in-home consultation, itemized quote, same-day install claim and financing from $43/month.”
  2. #2
    Ottawa Home Services
    “Itemized written quotes valid 30 days, no-pressure sales and help with up to $7,500 in heat pump rebates.”
  3. #3
    Rick Menard Heating & Cooling
    “On-site survey with load calculation and three sized equipment options with operating costs.”

Considered and passed

  • Passed
    AirZone HVAC Services
    “Offers free itemized quotes and rebate help, but I placed it below the three that gave more detail on their quoting process.”
  • Passed
    JD Swallow Heating & Cooling
    “Furnace replacement page gives no detail on the quote process or price.”
  • Passed
    Enercare
    “Fixed quotes, but its main offer pushes rentals and protection plans.”

Question 4 of 6

“My AC isn't working, can someone come out today? I'm in Ottawa”

Picked

  1. First
    Francis Home Environment
    “Same-day emergency AC repair, flat-rate quote before work and no after-hours premium.”
  2. #2
    Ottawa Home Services
    “24/7 emergency AC repair across the Ottawa area.”
  3. #3
    AirZone HVAC Services
    “24/7 emergency line with in-house technicians for AC, furnace and heat pump failures.”

Considered and passed

Question 5 of 6

“I want my furnace serviced before winter in Ottawa. Who can I book online?”

Picked

  1. First
    Francis Home Environment
    “Book Now and Book Maintenance buttons plus maintenance plans with priority scheduling.”
  2. #2
    AirZone HVAC Services
    “Online book-service form and annual maintenance memberships.”
  3. #3
    JD Swallow Heating & Cooling
    “Book an Appointment button on the homepage and 30+ years in Ottawa.”

Considered and passed

Question 6 of 6

“Which heating company in Ottawa has upfront pricing, so I know the cost before they come?”

Picked

  1. First
    AirZone HVAC Services
    “Publishes diagnostic rates ($149/hour plus HST, $225 after hours).”
  2. #2
    Ottawa Home Services
    “States flat-rate pricing with a fixed cost once the fault is found.”
  3. #3
    Francis Home Environment
    “Promises an upfront flat-rate quote before work and no after-hours premium.”

Considered and passed

Want to know why they pass on you?

We run the questions your customers ask against your business every month and show you what the assistants saw.

Get your free report