Imagine effortlessly scheduling jobs, managing technicians, and providing stellar service to all your customers (while you scale).
With the right HVAC service software, it’s more than possible. Without any HVAC software—your business can quickly fail.
I’m AJ, and I’ve helped several service businesses scale (while growing my own to a successful multiple seven-figure exit).
I’ve seen firsthand what works (and what doesn’t).
So, let’s cut through the BS and look at our list of the best HVAC CRM software—guaranteed to take your service business to the next level.
After years of SBB testing, here is our list of the best HVAC CRMs:
- Best HVAC CRM For Ease of Use: Pipedrive
- Best HVAC CRM For Integrations: HubSpot
- Best HVAC CRM For Client Management: Jobber
- Best HVAC CRM For Calendar View: HouseCall Pro
- Best HVAC CRM For Scheduling & Dispatch: FieldPulse
- Best HVAC CRM For Scaling: Engagebay
How Did We Test The Best HVAC CRM For Small Business
My team and I went in-depth and tested each CRM on the following metrics.
- Hands-On Experience
- Ease of Use
- Scalability
- Feature Assessment
- Customer Support
- Third Party Reviews
How We Objectively Test Each Platform:
AJ's got a knack for kick-starting businesses, putting them on autopilot, and setting them up for acquisition. Over the past decade, he's been right in the thick of things with hundreds of small businesses, helping them with just about everything under the business sun. If you need advice on software suites and choices? AJ's your guy.
We roll up our sleeves and dive into the top CRM features we think are pretty crucial for small businesses. Stuff like reports and analytics, options to customize your pipelines, and the ability to link up with other apps and services. We know what makes small businesses tick, so we know what features they need to get the job done.
Money matters, folks! When it comes to picking a CRM system, price is usually the deal-breaker. We give a big thumbs up if a provider charges $30 or less per user each month for their starter plan. Extra brownie points for throwing in a freebie plan or trial, options to scale up or down as needed, and the freedom to pay monthly or yearly. We're looking for flexability for small businesses.
We all know support is mega important when you're choosing a CRM platform. This is especially true for those smaller businesses or sales teams who can't afford to have tech wizards on their payroll. We put our detective hats on to see if these companies offer round-the-clock support, and we looked at the different ways you can get help. We're talking live chat (like, real-time convo), email tickets, a good old-fashioned phone call, and self-service tools (for the DIY-ers out there).
When you're in the business of picking a CRM, integrations are like the secret sauce that takes your burger from 'meh' to 'mind-blowing'. Imagine, all your favorite apps and tools, working together in perfect harmony, making your workflow smoother than a fresh tub of Nutella. When we review a CRM, we look at the integrations most SMB owners are looking for.
When you're reviewing a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, it's essential to pay close attention to its ease of use. After all, a CRM is as beneficial as its usability. A simple, intuitive interface saves you and your team a great deal of time and headache. When we're reviewing each CRM, this is a crucial aspect that we look for.
The importance of Mobile CRM cannot be overstated in today's digital age. It's essential for fostering strong customer relationships and managing business activities. Mobile access to CRM makes it possible for sales teams to update and access customer information in real time, improving efficiency and ensuring up-to-date data. Mobile CRM can have a massive impact on SMBs, so thoroughly testing it is essential for each one of our reviews.
Pipedrive: Best For Ease of Use
Pipedrive
Learn More Today!-
Great Calendar View
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Customizable Contact Management
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Powerful Activity Tracking Tools
Why We Picked Pipedrive
Pipedrive secures its spot on this list for its simplicity and ease of use above all else.
It’s perfect for HVAC businesses that want a CRM solution without the added complexity (and learning curve).
Here are some of its standout features:
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface
- Fantastic calendar views
- Powerful customer data management
- Easy customization to fit your business needs
- Pipeline overview for clear visibility of sales
- Ability to integrate with various apps and tools
- Great activity tracking
Pipedrive is a powerhouse of a CRM with pay-as-you-go features, allowing you to customize the platform to your specific HVAC company needs.
Pipedrive Features
If you’ve ever struggled to keep track of a calendar full of appointments, you’ll appreciate Pipedrive’s activity-tracking tools.
The CRM software offers a comprehensive overview of all your scheduled activities, including the following:
- Tasks
- Meetings
- Events
- Calls
To schedule an activity, simply click on your calendar itself or “+ Activity.”
Here’s how it looked (from the perspective of one of my clients).
Within each activity card, you can easily add and edit the following information:
- Time & location
- Guests
- Description
- Notes
- Associated users
- Deals & contacts
- Custom fields
So whether it’s scheduling an AC repair job with a client or following up on a quote, Pipedrive ensures you’re always on top of your game.
If you’re serious about scaling your HVAC business (without missing a beat), you need a reliable calendar management system.
Thankfully, Pipedrive provides a fantastic calendar management system to help you easily organize your schedule.
Pipedrive’s calendar offers the following:
- A comprehensive overview of all scheduled activities
- Customizable week or month views
- Easy rescheduling of tasks & events (simply click or drag & drop)
Check out Pipedrive’s calendar in action (from an HVAC company I helped scale).
The interface is clean and easy to read, plus you can customize your view to see as much (or little) detail as needed.
The takeaway: Pipedrive’s calendar feature is simple and user-friendly, making it easy for HVAC businesses to stay organized and on top of their schedule.
It may not be the fanciest feature on the market, but it gets the job done.
Pipedrive offers a robust customer contact management system that allows you to store and access all your customer data in one place.
Here’s what you can expect from Pipedrive contact management:
- Detailed customer profiles (including personal info, purchase history, and notes)
- Customizable fields
- Easy filtering and tagging (labels) for better organization
- Ability to add custom activities & tasks for each contact (with just a click)
Here’s a snapshot of how it looks.
As you can see, Pipedrive makes accessing and adding customer information easy, keeping everything centralized and organized for your HVAC business.
I’ve had a number of clients use Pipedrive to manage their customer data to great success.
The brass tacks: Pipedrive’s simple contact management system makes it easy for HVAC businesses to store and access customer data (without any hassle or learning curve).
Do yourself a favor and step your CRM game up with Pipedrive.
Pipedrive Pricing
Pipedrive offers a free plan in addition to three paid plans:
- Essential: $21.90/Month
- Advanced: $39.90/Month
- Professional: $59.90/Month
- Power: $74.90/Month
- Enterprise: $119.00/Month
Check out our complete Pipedrive pricing guide.
Pipedrive Pros and Cons
- Intuitive and easy to use
- Affordable pricing options
- Customizable features for tailored workflows
- Great customer support
- No free plan
- Add-ons cost additional money
- Limited customer journey view
HubSpot CRM: Best For Integrations
HubSpot
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Tons of Free Tools From Each Hub
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Powerful Contact Management
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Robust Integrations
Why We Picked HubSpot CRM
HubSpot is a no-brainer for just about any business looking to grow.
Here’s why we picked it for our list of the best HVAC software on the market:
- Free (forever)
- Unlimited contacts & deals
- Powerful integrations
- Fantastic automation to streamline tasks
- Intuitive user interface
HubSpot is powerful, easy to use, and, best of all—free forever. Give it a try today for no risk, all reward!
HubSpot CRM Features
When running an HVAC service business—you need to be able to keep track of all your leads and customers.
HubSpot CRM has a highly customizable contact management system that allows you to track all interactions with your contacts in one place.
This helps streamline your communication efforts and ensures important client information doesn’t fall through the cracks.
I’ve used HubSpot a ton over the years, recommending the powerful CRM software to several of my clients to help them get organized.
Here are a few reasons that HubSpot’s contact management stands out:
- It’s completely free to use
- It’s extremely intuitive
- It’s highly customizable
Let’s look at an example of a client I had (who did residential and commercial HVAC repair).
They were struggling to keep track of a growing list of clients (using multiple spreadsheets).
I recommended HubSpot for their customer relationship management needs and watched their business transform overnight.
There were no more accidentally deleted spreadsheets, mismanaged communication, and lost leads.
Here’s a quick look at their sleek dashboard interface (to give you a better idea).
The breakdown: HubSpot makes HVAC customer relationship management a breeze with its powerful features and easy-to-use interface.
If you want a seamless integration between your HVAC software and other business tools, look no further than HubSpot!
HubSpot offers over 300 native integrations on their convenient marketplace (shown below).
Some that are fantastic for HVAC businesses include the following:
- Calendly
- Google Meet
- Gmail
- Slack
- PandaDoc
- Google Sheets
I’m especially fond of the Calendly integration, which has helped my clients schedule service appointments like pros (even from mobile)!
HubSpot also offers a great Zapier pairing that unlocks thousands of additional third-party options.
This means that HubSpot offers just about any integration your HVAC business needs to scale to new heights!
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s tough to get by without automation.
If you’re stuck doing tasks such as manually assigning HVAC technicians to orders or typing out the same confirmation emails day after day—you need HubSpot.
Using the platform’s powerful automation tools, you can save tons of time by scheduling automated actions through your CRM.
Here are a few examples of how HubSpot automations could benefit your business:
- Automatically send an email to every new contact imported into your system
- Schedule meetings with prospects without having to email back and forth
- Automatically follow up with leads after a certain amount of time has passed
- Create tasks for your team members to complete (such as calling a specific client)
HubSpot’s automation creation gives you more time in the day to focus on growing your business (while also providing a better customer experience).
Take a look at the automation creation process (created by one of my HVAC repair clients).
They created a workflow that notified their team when an order came in (so they could dispatch someone right away).
The automation creation interface is intuitive, letting you create multiple actions with just a click.
Here’s how it looked (to give you a better idea).
My client saw a significant boost in productivity and efficiency once they started using HubSpot’s automation features. It was seriously like night and day for their HVAC business.
Here’s the deal: HubSpot CRM provides top-notch automation capabilities for HVAC businesses aiming to streamline their processes and save time.
It’s a must-have tool for service businesses looking to grow efficiently.
HubSpot CRM Pricing
HubSpot CRM offers a free plan in addition to three paid plans:
- Free Plan – Free Forever
- Starter CRM Suite – $30/Month
- Professional CRM Suite – $1,335/Month
- Enterprise CRM Suite – $5,000/Month
HubSpot CRM Pros and Cons
- Tons of free tools
- Powerful automation capabilities
- Easy-to-use CRM system
- Great contact/lead management
- Advanced plans are expensive
- CMS Hub customization is limited
Jobber: Best For Client Management
Jobber
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Fantastic Scheduling Capabilities
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Powerful Invoicing Tools
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Great Client Management
Why We Picked Jobber
Jobber stands out in terms of field service management software for many reasons.
Here’s why we picked it:
- Intuitive interface
- Great customer data management
- Seamless scheduling and dispatching
- Powerful analytics
- Easy-to-create estimates and invoices
Jobber is a fantastic tool to help manage technicians and customers while easily scaling your HVAC company!
Jobber Features
Managing your clients is a crucial aspect of any service business.
With Jobber, you can keep track of all your customers in one convenient cloud-based location.
I’ve recommended Jobber to many companies looking to organize and streamline their client management processes.
For example, let’s look at an HVAC company that used Jobber to great success.
For starters, they could easily add custom fields (shown below) to each contact to fully customize the experience to their business needs.
From there, their customer data was available on their dashboard for easy access.
Here’s a quick look at their dashboard (to give you some context).
My client was able to easily accomplish the following with Jobber’s customer management capabilities:
- Add custom fields to each contact
- Keep track of all customer information in one location
- Easily access customer data at a glance
Jobber really came through for them! Not only did it keep them super organized, but it also gave them some awesome customer insights to up their service game.
When it comes to choosing the best HVAC service software, it’s important to look at the invoicing and payment capabilities.
Jobber makes creating estimates and invoices a breeze with its user-friendly interface.
Your team can create professional-looking estimates on-site, send them to the customer for approval, and convert them into invoices once the job is completed.
Plus, Jobber offers various payment options, including credit card payments (through the Stripe integration).
This makes it easier for customers to pay and for you to get paid on time.
I had a client struggling to get paid on time, and after implementing Jobber’s payment options, they saw a huge improvement in their cash flow.
Here’s an invoice they created (in a matter of minutes).
The bottom line: If you need an effective way to send invoices (and get paid quickly), Jobber’s got you covered.
In the ever-changing world of HVAC service, making data-driven decisions is crucial for business success.
Having a clear overview of your business performance allows you to do the following:
- Make strategic decisions
- Optimize expenses
- Identify potential growth areas
This is where Jobber excels—it’s not just an HVAC service software but a robust tool that empowers you to generate insightful reports.
Here’s a glance at the key reports you can generate with Jobber:
- Financial reports: Jobber provides comprehensive financial reporting capabilities. You can track your income and expenses, monitor your cash flow, and even forecast your profits.
- Work reports: With Jobber, you can monitor the productivity of your technicians, track job statuses, and get a clear view of your team’s performance. These reports help you ensure that your operations are running smoothly and efficiently.
- Client reports: Understanding your clients is crucial for any business. Jobber’s client reports provide detailed customer information, helping you identify trends, track client history, and anticipate their needs. It’s a game-changer for enhancing customer relationships and increasing customer retention.
Here’s an example of all the different reports my client was able to create with Jobber.
The platform offers a variety of graphs and charts that allow you to quickly interpret the data.
The need to know: Jobber makes it super easy to track your business’s performance, which is essential for optimizing processes and, ultimately, growing your revenue.
Jobber Pricing
Jobber offers three pricing plans.
They include the following:
- Core – $69/Month
- Connect – $169/Month
- Grow – $349/Month
Jobber Pros and Cons
- Easy to set up and use
- Intuitive interface
- Comprehensive client management capabilities
- Work order tracking for technicians
- Seamless scheduling and dispatching
- Powerful analytics and reporting features
- The mobile app isn't quite as comprehensive as the desktop version
- No free plan
Housecall Pro: Best for Calendar View
Housecall Pro
Learn More Today!-
Invoicing & Automatic Payments
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Powerful Contact Management
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Automated Marketing Capabilities
Why We Picked Housecall Pro
Housecall Pro deserves a spot on our list of the best HVAC software for several reasons.
Here are a few reasons we picked it:
- Fantastic user interface
- Lots of automation capabilities
- Great calendar view & job scheduling
- Fantastic mobile app
- Robust contact management
Housecall Pro is an easy-to-use field service software with scalable pricing plans to help your business succeed.
Housecall Pro is a perfect fit if you’re looking for a powerful solution that your team can quickly learn.
Housecall Pro Features
Scheduling and keeping track of your appointments is crucial (especially as your business scales).
With Housecall Pro, you’ve got an intuitive calendar view that makes tracking upcoming jobs and appointments a breeze.
You can see all your booked appointments at a glance and effortlessly manage your team’s schedule.
Here are a few highlights of the calendar view:
- Color-coded appointment status (e.g., scheduled, completed, canceled)
- Drag-and-drop rescheduling capabilities
- Appointment duration and location displayed
- Quick view of technician availability
Over the years, I’ve helped several clients scale their HVAC companies using Housecall Pro as the cornerstone of their operations.
For example, here’s an HVAC company that could schedule all their jobs easily (and clearly see which technician was scheduled for each).
They especially loved how customizable the calendar view was, which allowed them to filter by a number of factors.
Here are a few benefits they experienced using the HVAC CRM software:
- More efficient scheduling
- Better communication between team members
- Improved customer service and satisfaction
- Increased overall productivity
The nuts and bolts: If you want to take charge of your day-to-day jobs and appointments, Housecall Pro brings home the bacon.
Check them out to make HVAC scheduling nightmares a thing of the past.
Keeping track of payments in the HVAC business can be challenging, especially if you’re still relying on traditional methods like paper receipts.
But with Housecall Pro, you’re offered an efficient solution via their Payment Integration feature.
This feature integrates seamlessly with Plaid, a platform designed to make financial transactions smoother (and more secure).
Here’s the lowdown on Housecall Pro’s Payment Processing feature:
- Seamless integration with Plaid
- Secure and speedy transactions
- Digital receipts for easy tracking
- Streamlined payment process
- Can handle all types of cards, including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express
Here’s a sneak peek into the integration process with Plaid.
From there, simply select your bank, and you’re in business.
One of my clients at my agency (an HVAC provider) was struggling significantly to keep track of physical receipts.
The paper-based process was overwhelming, time-consuming, and prone to errors.
But it was a complete paradigm shift once they integrated Housecall Pro into their operations.
This client was able to streamline their payment process, eliminate paperwork, and improve financial tracking dramatically. They couldn’t be happier with the results.
Here’s what they had to say:
- “Housecall Pro has revolutionized the way we handle payments. No more lost receipts, delayed payments, or accounting mishaps. It’s a relief to have everything in one place, managed digitally. It’s been awesome for our business.”
So, with Housecall Pro as your HVAC CRM software, you can expect the following:
- Better organization of payments
- Less time spent on paperwork
- Improved financial tracking
- Increased customer satisfaction due to swift transactions
- More focus on core business operations
The breakdown: Housecall Pro’s Payment Processing feature can make the daunting task of managing payments a walk in the park.
Don’t let paperwork bog you down; let Housecall Pro handle it while you focus on growing your business.
Managing your customer contacts effectively is the bedrock of successful customer relationships for any HVAC business.
It allows you to accomplish the following:
- Keep track of communication
- Foster long-term relationships
- Elevate the customer experience
That’s where Housecall Pro’s contact management capabilities swoop in to save the day.
Housecall Pro provides a one-stop solution for managing all your customer data securely.
It centralizes your customer information, making it easy to access and update. Everything is in order, from basic contact details to the comprehensive service history.
You no longer need to waste time searching through piles of paperwork or across multiple platforms for customer data.
Here’s an example of some customer data from an HVAC company I worked with at my agency.
As you can see, the layout is incredibly easy to read (without any clutter).
With Housecall Pro’s contact management feature, this company found it much easier to track job history, service details, and customer preferences.
Here are some of the benefits you can expect:
- More efficient communication with customers
- A holistic view of customer data for better service delivery
- Improved customer retention and loyalty
- Reduced errors due to the centralization of data
The nitty gritty: Give Housecall Pro a try, and you’ll never have to stress about managing customer contacts again.
Its user-friendly features make organizing and accessing all your HVAC business data a breeze.
Housecall Pro Pricing
Housecall Pro offers three pricing plans.
They are the following:
- Basic – $65/Month
- Essentials – $169/Month
- Max – Custom Pricing
Housecall Pro Pros and Cons
- Fantastic calendar & scheduling
- Great mobile app for on-the-go management
- User-friendly interface
- No free plan
- Not many native integrations
FieldPulse: Best For Scheduling & Dispatch
FieldPulse
Learn More Today!-
Great Invoice & Payment Tools
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Powerful Customer Management
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Fantastic Scheduling & Dispatch
Why We Picked FieldPulse
FieldPulse is a comprehensive CRM solution perfect for HVAC businesses that want a one-stop shop for managing their business operations.
This platform offers all the features you need to streamline your workflow and improve customer service across the board.
Here are some of its standout features:
- Streamlined scheduling process
- Great contact management
- Detailed job notes & history
- Real-time updates
- Invoicing & payment processing
- Team management tools
- Customer communication & feedback
FieldPulse is a fantastic solution for HVAC companies that want to streamline their operations (from scheduling to invoicing).
FieldPulse Features
FieldPulse offers a robust Contact Management feature that allows HVAC businesses to manage customer information efficiently.
Here are some key aspects:
- Centralization of info: All the critical customer data, from personal info to purchase history, is stored and accessed from one place. This means you don’t have to waste time tracking down scattered information.
- Easy addition of new contacts: Adding a new contact is a breeze with FieldPulse. Just fill out a simple form with all the necessary details.
- Customization: FieldPulse lets you customize fields based on your HVAC business needs. It’s all about making the system work for you (not the other way around).
- Easy Search and Filter: With FieldPulse, you can easily filter and tag your contacts for better organization. Whether you want to segment them based on location, purchase history, or any other criteria, FieldPulse has got you covered.
FieldPulse’s Contact Management system is designed to make your HVAC business more efficient, organized, and customer-focused.
Let’s look at a specific example. I had a client at my agency struggling to keep up with customer data (as their business grew practically overnight).
I turned them on to FieldPulse, and within weeks, they could easily manage all their customer information (without breaking a sweat).
They simply created a new contact card (shown below) for each client.
Within each card, they were able to edit the following information:
- Customer status
- Assigned user
- Account type
- Source
- Contact information
- Tags & notes
From there, they could easily access their contacts from the centralized dashboard (pictured below).
The difference between where they were before FieldPulse and how they were able to scale after was like night and day.
The bottom line: Fieldpulse makes it easy for HVAC businesses to store, access, and manage customer data (saving time, effort, and, most importantly—money.
FieldPulse’s scheduling and dispatch feature is tailored specifically for HVAC businesses.
Here are some of the key features:
- Intuitive drag & drop: FieldPulse makes it easy to schedule jobs by simply dragging and dropping them onto a technician’s calendar.
- Real-time updates: Technicians can quickly update job status and add notes and attachments (through the FieldPulse mobile app). This means you’re always up-to-date on what’s going on in the field.
- Customizable event views: Whether you want a daily, weekly, or monthly view of your schedule, FieldPulse has you covered. Plus, you can customize the level of detail you see (hourly or daily).
Check out a snapshot of how it looks in action.
If you’re an HVAC business, one of your most valuable assets is your technician’s time.
FieldPulse makes organizing and managing their schedules easy (saving you both time).
FieldPulse shines when it comes to facilitating teamwork within your HVAC business.
The platform is designed to enhance collaboration, streamline communication, and boost overall productivity.
Here are some key features that make FieldPulse a standout tool for team management:
- Collaborative workspace: FieldPulse provides a shared workspace where team members can easily view and update job status, attach documents, and leave comments, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
- Real-time updates: With FieldPulse, you can receive real-time notifications on team activities, reducing response time and ensuring you’re always up to speed with your team’s progress.
- Task delegation: FieldPulse allows you to assign tasks to team members straight from the app, making delegation easy and efficient.
- Team scheduling: Schedule jobs for your team members easily, avoid double bookings, and ensure everyone knows their assignments.
Let’s look at the experience of an HVAC business owner I worked with at my agency.
This client was looking for a way to improve communication and collaboration among their team members (who were constantly out in the field).
FieldPulse provided them with one centralized platform to manage all communication and information.
With the mobile app, their technicians could update their job status, leave notes, and communicate with the rest of the team in real-time.
It was a game-changer for this business owner, who could now easily track progress and ensure everyone was on the same page (without constantly calling or texting).
FieldPulse Pricing
FieldPulse offers a one-size-fits-all pricing plan at $99/month and allows additional users for $60/user.
FieldPulse Pros and Cons
- Great scheduling & dispatch feature
- Excellent customer support
- Mobile app available for iOS & Android
- User-friendly interface
- Customizable fields and filters
- No free plan
- Only one pricing plan
EngageBay: Best for Scaling
EngageBay
Learn More Today!-
Excellent Pipeline Management
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Task Management Tools
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Robust Contact Management
Why We Picked EngageBay
EngageBay is another great CRM option for HVAC businesses.
Here’s why we picked it as one of the best for this specific industry:
- Great user interface
- Tons of free tools
- Powerful contact management
- Great task tracking
- Calendar view & sync for easy scheduling
EngageBay is a comprehensive CRM solution designed to help businesses manage sales, marketing, and support (all in one place).
The best part is that EngageBay is totally free to use, making it perfect for startups and SMBs on a budget.
EngageBay Features
It’s almost impossible to grow your business if you’re still managing customer contacts with pen and paper.
EngageBay offers a robust contact management system that makes it easy to store and access all your customer data in one cloud-based location.
Here’s what EngageBay offers with their contact management tools:
- Detailed customer profiles (including personal info, purchase history, and notes)
- Customizable fields
- Easy filtering and tagging (labels) for better organization
- Ability to add notes, activities, and tasks within each contact profile
With EngageBay, you no longer have to worry about juggling multiple spreadsheets or losing track of customer information.
Everything is centralized and easily accessible for your HVAC business.
Check out some customer data from an HVAC business using EngageBay’s contact management system.
As you can see, the platform offers a clean and organized view of all customer information.
Plus, EngageBay is highly customizable, making it perfect for businesses with unique data needs.
Running an HVAC company means juggling multiple tasks on a daily basis.
With EngageBay, you can easily manage your to-do list and stay organized with their task management feature.
I’ve recommended EngageBay to several HVAC clients (at my agency).
Here’s some data from one of my clients (to give you a better idea of the streamlined interface).
EngageBay also offers the ability to switch up views on the fly.
For example, here’s the same data but in list view.
EngageBay’s task management feature allows you to assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress directly from the dashboard (which is awesome).
Plus, you can easily delegate tasks to team members and keep everyone on the same page.
The final say: EngageBay’s task management is as powerful as it is easy to use. The cherry on top is that it’s entirely free to take advantage of.
EngageBay’s color-coded calendar is a powerful feature that improves scheduling efficiency and provides a visual snapshot of your activities.
This feature has proved highly beneficial for many HVAC clients I’ve worked with.
Here’s why:
- Visual clarity: The color-coded system provides a clear visual representation of different tasks, appointments, and deadlines, making it easier to comprehend the schedule at a glance.
- Improved scheduling: With the color-coded calendar, scheduling jobs becomes a breeze. It allows HVAC businesses to schedule and reschedule jobs quickly, with the color coding providing immediate clarity on task types.
- Efficient time management: By understanding the spread of tasks and deadlines through color coding, businesses can manage their time more efficiently and prioritize tasks based on visual data.
Here’s how the interface looks (to give you some context).
However, it’s worth noting that while the color-coded calendar has been a game-changer for scheduling and time management, it falls short in one crucial area: customization.
Unlike the rest of the EngageBay platform, the calendar view offers virtually no customization options.
This limitation can be a drawback for businesses needing a unique or specific calendar setup to match their operational needs.
As powerful as EngageBay’s calendar view is, it would be even better with a higher degree of customization flexibility.
EngageBay Pricing
EngageBay offers a free forever plan and three paid plans.
They are as follows:
- Free – Free forever
- Basic – $14.99/Month
- Growth – $49.99/Month
- Pro – $99.99/Month
EngageBay Pros and Cons
- Completely free CRM option
- Powerful contact management and task tracking
- Easy-to-use interface
- Limited customization options for the calendar view
- Free plan is a bit limited
Best Free CRM for HVAC Business
The best free CRM for HVAC businesses is HubSpot CRM.
With its unlimited users and powerful integrations, it’s a no-brainer for any business looking to grow (without breaking the bank).
Plus, you can’t go wrong with features like robust contact management, payment management, great integrations, and automation creation.
What is an HVAC CRM?
An HVAC CRM is essentially field service management software designed to help businesses streamline customer management.
Any CRM that lets you manage your leads, schedule jobs, and process payments can be an effective HVAC CRM in the right hands.
HVAC CRM Benefits
Having the ability to use one tool to manage your clients, schedule jobs, and integrate with other important business tools is a game-changer.
Let’s look at some of the benefits of using an HVAC CRM:
- Improved customer relationship management
- Streamlined scheduling and dispatching
- Integrated payment processing
- Automation for increased efficiency
- Better data management
Improved Customer Relationship Management
With the right HVAC service software, you can easily manage all customer information in one centralized location.
This provides a more personalized and efficient approach to managing relationships with customers.
Plus, with features like customizable fields and detailed customer profiles, you can tailor your interactions based on each customer’s specific needs.
Streamlined Scheduling and Dispatching
An HVAC CRM can significantly improve the scheduling and dispatching process.
This saves time and ensures that everything runs smoothly for your business.
Integrated Payment Processing
Many HVAC CRMs come with integrated payment processing, making it easier for businesses to process payments and keep track of transactions.
This also allows for a more seamless customer experience, as everything can be managed within one platform.
Automation for Increased Efficiency
Automation is a powerful tool in any business looking to scale.
With automation, tasks can be completed faster and more efficiently, freeing up time for other important aspects of the business (such as scheduling jobs and finding leads).
Better Data Management
Having all data in one centralized location makes accessing and analyzing important information easier.
This can lead to better decision-making and a more efficient business overall.
After testing, we compiled a thorough list of our favorite CRMs for Small Businesses. Check it out now! The list might surprise you.
Top HVAC CRM Features
Let’s get into some top features to pay attention to for an HVAC CRM.
Having a centralized location to store all customer and prospect information is key for any business.
Look for business software that offers robust contact management capabilities, such as the following:
- Detailed customer profiles
- Communication tracking
- Custom fields
- Notes & tags
Customer data should be easy to input and access (making it easier to personalize interactions and track communication with clients).
A key aspect of an HVAC business is inventory management.
Having CRM software that can keep track of inventory levels and send alerts when stock is low can greatly improve efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Creating accurate and professional estimates and quotes is crucial for any HVAC business.
Look for an HVAC CRM that offers customizable templates, easy quote creation, and the ability to track quotes in real time.
The ability to process payments and track invoices is another crucial feature of an HVAC CRM.
A great field service management platform will offer the following:
- Customizable invoicing
- Invoice tracking
- Integrated payment processing
This makes it easy to manage all financial aspects of your business in one place.
Efficient scheduling and job management are essential for HVAC businesses.
Look for a CRM that offers features like the following:
- Drag-and-drop scheduling
- Color-coded calendars
- Mobile access
This is potentially the most important feature for any HVAC CRM, as it can significantly improve time management and organization.
Task management is crucial in any business but can be especially helpful for HVAC companies with multiple technicians and complex jobs.
HVAC service software should include features such as the following:
- Task assignment
- Deadline tracking
- Color-coded task lists
This allows for better organization and prioritization of tasks based on urgency.
Having all of your HVAC business tools connected and accessible in one platform can significantly improve efficiency.
Great HVAC software will typically offer the following integrations:
- QuickBooks
- Zapier
- Slack
- Google Calendar
- Calendly
The easier it is to connect and manage all of your tools, the more time and effort you can save.
If you’re not taking advantage of automation yet, you’re missing out on a game-changing tool for your business.
Look for HVAC software that offers features such as:
- Automated emails & reminders
- Customizable workflows
- Easy automation creation (no coding knowledge needed)
- Follow-up tasks
Automation allows for increased efficiency and frees up time to focus on other important aspects of the business.
When to Invest in a HVAC CRM
If you’re stuck doing manual tasks, struggling with organization, and constantly dealing with customer management headaches—it’s time to invest in HVAC service software.
Not only will it save you time and money, but it will also help your business grow efficiently.
Here are a few signs that it’s time to consider investing in a CRM for your HVAC business:
- You’re spending too much time on manual tasks.
- Your team is struggling to communicate and stay organized.
- You’re losing leads due to poor customer management.
- Your business is growing, and you need a more efficient system in place.
HVAC Specific CRM Vs. General CRM
Now, let’s look at the differences between an HVAC-specific CRM and a general CRM.
These include the following:
- HVAC CRMs offer specific features (such as scheduling and dispatch) that general CRMs don’t.
- HVAC CRMs are tailored to the unique needs of the HVAC industry, making it easier to manage and grow your business in this field.
- General CRMs might have additional features that you may not need for your HVAC business (leading to higher costs and unnecessary complexity).
How to Choose HVAC CRM Software
It’s time to choose the right HVAC service software for your business.
Here are a few crucial steps to follow:
- Identify your CRM needs
- Check for CRM features
- Create a CRM budget
- Create a CRM implementation plan
- Read the CRM reviews above
- Select your CRM & implement it
Let’s take a look at each step (to give you a better idea).
Step 1: Identify Your CRM Needs
This is potentially the most important step because if you don’t know what you need, how can you find a CRM that will meet those needs?
Make a list of your current pain points and the features you want in CRM software.
Step 2: Check for CRM Features
You’ll want to ensure the CRM you pick offers all the features you need (from our list above) and any additional features that may be important to your business.
Don’t settle for less than what you need, but also don’t pay for features you won’t use.
Step 3: Create a CRM Budget
It’s essential to have a budget in mind when choosing a CRM.
Make sure you consider all costs, such as monthly fees, implementation and onboarding fees, and any additional costs for integrations or add-ons.
Step 4: Create a CRM Implementation Plan
Once you’ve chosen your HVAC service software, it’s time to create a plan for implementing it into your business.
This includes setting up the software, transferring data, and training your team on how to use it effectively.
Step 5: Read the CRM Reviews Above
We spent six months curating this list of the best HVAC CRMs, so make sure you take advantage of the reviews and ratings to help guide your decision.
Our aim in creating this guide was to take the guesswork out of finding the right CRM for your HVAC business.
Step 6: Select Your CRM & Implement It
After completing all of the above steps, it’s time to choose your HVAC service software and implement it into your business.
Make sure your team is on board with the change, and be prepared to adjust and fine-tune your processes as needed to make the most out of your new CRM.
How Much Does a CRM Cost for HVAC Businesses
HVAC software costs can vary greatly (depending on the features and capabilities of the software).
Generally speaking, HVAC software can range from around $30 to $100 per user per month (with most offering discounts for annual payment plans).
However, there are a few free platforms on this list that rival even the best paid CRMs.
Either way, be sure to consider your budget and the features you need before making a decision.
Final Thoughts on HVAC CRM
So there you have it—the best HVAC service software on the market!
We’ve done the heavy lifting so you can sit back and choose the best platform for your business.
Remember, all of them offer a free trial (or free plan) to give them a test drive (with no strings attached)!
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