Fosters has had the privilege of serving Victoria’s heating and cooling needs for over 90 years. In keeping with service in the community, we support numerous charities as well. Whether we are proudly supporting our service manager Steve with his continued involvement with Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock event or our sponsorship with Anawim House which provides a clean, safe space to help adults get off the street and start anew, we are proud to support the community to make it stronger! We also sponsor HeroWork’s recent renovation of the Rainbow Kitchen, local sports teams like the Victoria Royals and the CAN program for autism research. Foster Heating and Cooling is committed to ensuring our beautiful city remains the thriving and conscientious community we are known for.
Foster Heating & Cooling has been part of enormous growth and industry innovation since its inception in 1928. Over the years, the one-person company, started by Nels Foster, has grown to the present team of office workers, engineers, technicians and sales and service personnel all dedicated to customer satisfaction. Fosters was the first company on the island to install and service a residential heat pump and it remains one of their specialties to this day. Staying on top of current technologies and advancements is crucial to providing the best service possible and this is what Fosters delivers. Fosters keeps meticulous service records to ensure technicians are fully aware of the nature of past and present concerns. Customers can rest assured that the service we provide is 100% guaranteed and backed up.
Air conditioning had not even been heard of when Nels Foster was starting out. A machinist by trade, Nels worked mainly in the area of refrigeration for restaurants. After World War II, it became necessary to properly preserve blood supplies in blood banks and hospitals. This in turn further enhanced the refrigeration process. Air conditioning was also invented shortly after the war and Fosters adapted to the needs of the times. Nels installed Victoria’s first AC system at the Royal Jubilee Hospital’s maternity ward and Fosters still does work at the hospital to this day.
Several years ago, co-owners James Crumb & Dwayne Melanson expanded into the Cowichan & Comox Valleys purchasing Westisle Heating and Cooling at each location. Westisle, in partnership with Fosters, is a major supplier of residential and commercial HVAC installations and they pride themselves by providing 24 hour service at all 3 locations.
Fosters has come a long way from the days when Nels Foster parked his work truck in the early morning hours at the downtown freight ferry dock waiting for his equipment and part orders to arrive. In fact, it was not that long ago that he was still at the helm – he sat at his desk in the office until a few weeks before his death in 1989 at the age of 88. He left quite a legacy which we uphold with pride today and will continue to in the future.
Today, about 75% of Foster’s business is commercial. Fosters remains strong by embracing and implementing new technology, being committed to the environmental footprint and understanding the community in which it works. Ultimately, the common thread is our customers and their satisfaction with our services whether residential or commercial.
