Red Nilsen
HVAC Contractor & Owner
Founder of Surf Bros HVAC. 15+ years keeping San Diego commercial buildings comfortable. Started in Arizona, licensed in California to build a better option for San Diego.
Residential • Commercial • Industrial
San Diego's Commercial HVAC Authority
VRF. Chillers. Cooling Towers.
Serviced Right in San Diego.
From downtown high-rises to Miramar biotech facilities, Surf Bros HVAC delivers expert service on the most complex commercial systems. Licensed #1105589.
24/7 Emergency Service Available
Trusted by Property Managers & Building Owners Across San Diego
CBREJLLCushman & WakefieldColliersMarcus & MillichapLee & AssociatesCBREJLLCushman & WakefieldColliersMarcus & MillichapLee & Associates
Our Services
Three Specialties. One Trusted Team.
VRF, chillers, and cooling towers — factory-trained technicians for every brand in your building.
01
VRF System Service
Expert installation, maintenance, and emergency repair for Daikin, Mitsubishi, and LG VRF systems. From 4-ton installations to 50+ ton multi-zone buildings.
Learn More02Chiller Service & Repair
Full-service chiller maintenance, retrofit, and emergency repair. Centrifugal, screw, and scroll chillers. Efficiency optimization and refrigerant management.
Learn More03Cooling Tower Service
Cooling tower inspection, fill replacement, water treatment, and corrosion prevention. Keeping your tower running efficiently in San Diego's coastal climate.
Learn More
Residential Experts
Mini Split Installation
Mitsubishi Diamond Contractor specializing in ductless mini split systems. Perfect for San Diego homes and small commercial spaces.
Explore Mini Splits
Meet the Owner
Red Nilsen, HVAC Contractor & Founder
Tired of the available options for HVAC technicians in San Diego, Red got licensed and opened Surf Bros HVAC to build a better option for property managers and building owners.
With 15+ years in the trade — from Arizona to San Diego — Red is well versed in troubleshooting and installation across every system type. He enjoys the diagnostic side of the trade and will work on any equipment, big or small.
Meet the Full TeamWhy Surf Bros HVAC
The Commercial HVAC Partner San Diego Trusts
We don't just fix systems — we build long-term relationships with property managers and building owners.
01
Coastal Climate Specialists
San Diego's salt air and marine layer create unique corrosion challenges for commercial HVAC. Our maintenance programs are built specifically for coastal conditions.
02
Multi-Brand Certified
Diamond Contractor with Mitsubishi Electric. Factory-trained on Daikin, LG, Carrier, Trane, BAC, and Evapco systems. One call handles every brand in your building.
03
24/7 Emergency Response
HVAC failures don't wait for business hours. Our emergency team is on-call around the clock with fully stocked service vehicles across San Diego County.
04
Transparent Pricing
No hidden fees, no surprise charges. We provide detailed quotes upfront and communicate throughout every project. Your budget is our commitment.
Our Fleet
Fully Stocked & Ready to Roll
Our wrapped service trucks are on the road across San Diego County — stocked for VRF, chillers, cooling towers, and emergency commercial calls.
Service Areas
We Cover Every Commercial District in San Diego
From downtown high-rises to Sorrento Valley tech campuses — if your building has commercial HVAC, we service it.
500+
Commercial Projects Completed
15+
Years Combined Experience
24/7
Emergency Service Available
#1105589
Licensed California Contractor
What Our Clients Say
Trusted by San Diego Property Managers
“Red helped me with some HVAC assistance and maintenance, and I couldn't be more pleased with the results. From start to finish, service was top-notch.”
“We had a chiller go down at our Sorrento Valley office complex on a Friday evening. Surf Bros had a technician on-site within 2 hours and had us running by Saturday morning. Incredible response time.”
“Their VRF maintenance program has reduced our energy costs by nearly 30% over the past year. The technicians are knowledgeable, professional, and always on time.”
Certified & Accredited
Industry-Recognized Credentials
HEEHRA Rebate Program
Tech Clean California
Diamond Contractor
Meet The Team
The Crew Behind the Tools
Alex
HVAC Technician
Specialist in VRF systems and commercial diagnostics. Quick thinking, thorough work — capable on both commercial and residential side.
Colton
HVAC Technician
Chiller and cooling tower expert. Born and raised in San Diego, handles the biggest jobs with a calm, professional approach.
From The Blog
Commercial HVAC Insights
VRF Maintenance
VRF System Maintenance in San Diego's Coastal Climate
Salt air and marine layer corrosion are the silent killers of VRF outdoor units. Here's our preventive maintenance protocol.
Cooling Towers
Cooling Tower Corrosion Prevention for SD Buildings
San Diego's coastal environment accelerates cooling tower deterioration. Learn the signs and prevention strategies.
Chiller Efficiency
Chiller Efficiency in San Diego Summers: What Property Managers Need to Know
Peak summer demand can push chillers past their efficiency curve. Here's how to optimize before the heat hits.
Ready for Peak Performance?
Call for a free consultation and quote. We service all commercial districts in San Diego County — residential • commercial • industrial.
Or email us at info@surfbroshvac.com