Industry Guide

Run Your HVAC Business From One System

The right software turns chaos into control. Scheduling, dispatching, estimates, invoicing, and equipment tracking built for how HVAC businesses actually work.

The HVAC Operations Challenge

Most HVAC businesses leave money on the table through inefficient routing, missed rebates, and low estimate conversion rates.

65%

Technician Utilization

Average HVAC tech billable utilization. Top shops hit 80%+ with better routing.

2-3 hrs

Drive Time

Daily windshield time per tech. Route optimization cuts this by 30-40%.

45%

Estimate Conversion

Average close rate. Multi-option estimates push this to 60%+.

$2,000+

Missed Rebates

Average rebate value per install. Most go unclaimed without automation.

How HVAC Software Fixes Real Problems

HVAC shops running 5 to 50 trucks face problems spreadsheets and QuickBooks cannot solve.

  • Dispatchers waste hours playing Tetris with routes
  • Techs spend 2 to 3 hours per day driving between jobs instead of turning wrenches
  • Sales teams send estimates that sit in email folders for weeks
  • Install crews leave rebate money on the table because nobody tracks AHRI numbers

1Route Clustering Cuts Drive Time

Route optimization uses geographic clustering to group jobs within the same neighborhood. Instead of sending a tech from North to South to East, the system scores time slots based on proximity to existing appointments.

Impact: For a 10-tech shop running 40 service calls per week, this cuts 12 to 15 hours of drive time weekly. At $75 per billable hour, that recovers $45K to $55K annually in lost productivity. Fuel savings add another $8K to $12K per year.

2Multi-Option Estimates Close More Jobs

Single-price estimates force customers into yes or no decisions. Good, Better, Best pricing gives them three choices at different price points.

Close Rates: Shops using multi-option pricing report 60-65% close rates versus 40-45% for single-price estimates. For a shop writing $2M in proposals annually, that converts an extra $300K to $400K in sold work.

3AHRI Integration Captures Rebate Revenue

HVAC rebates from utilities and manufacturers range from $500 to $3,000 per system.

Most go unclaimed because:

  • Techs don't know which equipment qualifies
  • Documentation requirements are unclear
  • Manual tracking is time-consuming

Impact: For a shop installing 100 systems annually, capturing 80 rebates instead of 20 adds $100K to $150K in revenue with zero extra labor cost.

4Property-Based Equipment History

Customer-centric systems lose equipment history when properties change hands. Property-centric systems attach equipment to addresses, not people.

Pull up 123 Main Street and see:

  • Every unit installed
  • Filter change history
  • Warranty expiration dates
  • Service technician records

5Mobile Apps Work Without Signal

HVAC techs work in basements, attics, and mechanical rooms where cell signals die.

Offline-capable apps:

  • Sync job details before arrival
  • Store changes locally
  • Upload when signal returns

Time Savings: For shops running 200 service calls monthly, this eliminates 15 to 20 hours of office follow-up work entering handwritten notes.

What HVAC Software Should Do

Essential capabilities for running a modern HVAC operation.

Scheduling & Dispatching

Drag-and-drop scheduling with real-time tech locations. Assign jobs based on skills, proximity, and availability.

Route Optimization

AI clusters jobs geographically to minimize drive time. Techs complete more jobs with less fuel.

Estimates & Proposals

Build professional estimates with Good/Better/Best options. Customers choose the package that fits.

Invoicing & Payments

Send invoices via magic links. Accept credit cards, ACH, and financing on the spot.

Mobile App

Offline-capable app for technicians. View schedules, capture signatures, collect payments in the field.

Equipment Tracking

Track equipment by property with AHRI data, warranty status, and service history.

Top HVAC Software Options

Different tools for different business sizes and needs.

Plenum

Modern HVAC Platform

Recommended
$999/mo + usage

Best for: Growth-focused shops (5-50 techs)

  • 5 techs included
  • AHRI integration
  • Route clustering
  • Rebate automation

ServiceTitan

Enterprise Platform

$300+/user/month

Best for: Large operations (50+ techs)

  • Enterprise features
  • Advanced reporting
  • Marketing tools
  • Large ecosystem

Housecall Pro

Mid-Market Option

$65-129/user/month

Best for: Small shops (1-10 techs)

  • Easy to use
  • Good mobile app
  • Lower starting price
  • Basic features

Jobber

General FSM

$49-129/user/month

Best for: Multi-trade businesses

  • Simple interface
  • Quote tools
  • General purpose
  • Affordable entry

The ROI of Better HVAC Software

What modern HVAC software delivers for a typical 10-tech operation.

30-40%
Less Drive Time

With route clustering and optimization

15-25%
Higher Tickets

With multi-option estimate presentation

$20K+
Monthly Rebates

From automated rebate verification

Related Resources

Ready to modernize your HVAC operations?

See how Plenum handles scheduling, dispatching, estimates, and equipment tracking.