HVAC apps aren’t the only way to get a job done right the first time, but they’re a helpful tool to make the most of your time, knowledge, and skillset. As an HVAC technician, you’re tasked with the important job of making sure people’s homes are comfortable. Using mobile apps like Housecall Pro helps make your business more efficient and responsive. Tackle each HVAC job with the confidence that comes from knowing you have all the information you need right in your pocket.
These days, it seems there is a mobile app for everything. And why wouldn’t there be? With over 310 million smartphone users in the U.S., you can rest assured that, yes, there’s an app for that. There are apps that can help us get more exercise, apps to help us sleep, apps to help us manage what we eat, and even apps that can help us be more efficient in our jobs.
So, it stands to reason that those in the HVAC business can benefit from apps, too. These apps are designed to help simplify scheduling, manage invoices, help you get from point A to point B on time, and so much more.
In this article, the team at Housecall Pro is here to tell you everything you need to know if you are in the HVAC business and looking for an app that can help simplify your job. And with that, let’s get to it.
Best HVAC Business Management and Scheduling App
While you might think that overscheduling is a good problem to have, it’s not exactly a good thing in the service industry. Overscheduling can result in missed appointments or being late to an appointment. Either way, this isn’t good for business and is sure to result in customer disappointment.
On the flip side, under-scheduling is a problem, too. It means you aren’t pulling in the revenue that your company is likely capable of. And when so many businesses fail because of cash flow issues—about 82%—you don’t want to underschedule yourself so much that your business can’t make ends meet.
That’s why investing in the best HVAC business management and scheduling app is an absolute must for your organization. And what’s the best HVAC business app? Well, we may be partial, but Housecall Pro, of course.
1. Housecall Pro
Download: App Store and Google Play
Cost: Free 14-Day Trial
Best for: “Managing your HVAC business”
Housecall Pro is the best scheduling software and app for HVAC contractors. It provides operational efficiency and helps you grow profitability. This platform is designed to simplify every aspect of your HVAC business, making sure that you’re equipped to meet the demands of a fast-paced industry. Sounds like a win-win, doesn’t it?
Here’s a closer look at some of the key features that make Housecall Pro an indispensable tool:
- Streamline Job Scheduling: Check out our advanced online booking and scheduling tools and manage appointments easily. Reduce your risk of overscheduling or under scheduling.
- Improve Sales: Grow your revenue with integrated payment software and options for recurring service plans. Our sales proposal software tools help you create compelling, professional proposals quickly.
- HVAC CRM: Keep your clients engaged with automated text notifications and reminders, and build your online presence by easily requesting Google and Facebook reviews post-job completion.
- Mobile App: On the field, easily create estimates and capture customer signatures using our intuitive mobile app.
- Time Tracking: Allow your employees to clock in hours accurately and track travel time, allowing efficient operations and accountability.
- Fast Invoicing: Generate invoices quickly with customizable templates, simplifying the invoicing process to prioritize faster payments.
Top HVAC Apps to Boost Productivity in the Field
Productivity is one of those things that can make or break a business. Being underproductive means giving up on revenue, and that’s never a good thing. Being overprotective can erode your work-life balance, resulting in safety issues that can cause illness, injury, or worse.
That’s why productivity tools can be so indispensable to HVAC contractors. Let’s look at the top HVAC tools that can help add a bit of oomph to your team’s productivity when out in the field.
2. CompanyCam
CompanyCam is a job site photo tool that simplifies how HVAC contractors manage their work remotely. Centralizing every photo, video, chat, and project detail in one intuitive app makes communication and documentation easy across teams and projects. This comprehensive solution keeps all team members on the same page, no matter where they are located.
Features:
- Photo and Video Capture: Easily capture high-quality photos and videos directly within the app to document job progress and important details.
- In-App Communications: Simplify team communication with in-app messaging features, allowing for real-time updates and quick decision-making.
- Galleries, Timelines, and Annotations: Organize photos and videos into galleries, use timelines for chronological tracking, and add annotations to provide context and clarity to visual documentation.
- Mobile Devices: Available on iOS and Android.
Free or Paid: This is a paid app, with pricing starting at $19 per user per month, offering both monthly and annual subscription options to suit different business needs.
3. Carrier Enterprise HVAC Assist
Cost: Free
Download: App Store and Google Play
Best for: “Locating prices on Carrier products”
The Carrier Enterprise HVAC Assist app is designed to support HVAC technicians with a comprehensive set of tools and resources to manage their equipment and customer service. This app provides instant access to warranty information, inventory levels, order status, and technical specifications for all HVAC models carried by Carrier Enterprise.
The goal is to equip HVAC professionals with the necessary support to expand their business efficiently and become their preferred HVAC supplier.
Features:
- Real-time Product Availability & Pricing: View current inventory and pricing details to make informed purchasing decisions.
- Order Status and Notifications: Stay updated with real-time notifications on the status of your orders.
- Access to Technical Documents: Easily find and view spec sheets, installation guides, wiring diagrams, and other important documents.
- Mobile Devices: Available on both iOS and Android.
4. Force by Mojio
Force Fleet Tracking by Mojio simplifies fleet management by integrating real-time GPS tracking, vehicle health monitoring, and dashcam video recording capabilities. This app allows you to oversee your business vehicles efficiently through a web app dashboard and mobile apps, ensuring you stay informed wherever you are. It’s tailored to reduce the complexities of managing vehicle fleets, making it easier for business owners to monitor their operations and safety.
Features:
- Real-time GPS Tracking: Keep track of your fleet with live location updates, making sure you know where your vehicles are at all times.
- Vehicle Health & Maintenance: Stay on top of vehicle maintenance with alerts and diagnostics that help prevent costly repairs and downtime.
- Driver & Vehicle Safety: Improve safety through dash cam recordings and driving behavior analytics to make sure your drivers and vehicles are operating securely.
- Mobile Devices: Compatible with iOS and Android devices.
Free or Paid: The service is paid, with three different packages available—starter, premium, and pro.
5. Heating & Cooling HVAC Pro+
Cost: Free
Download: App Store and Google Play
Best for: “Searching the ideal HVAC tools and replacement parts during a job.”
Heating & Cooling HVAC Pro+ is an indispensable mobile app developed by Heating & Cooling Supply, explicitly crafted for HVAC professionals. This app from Watsco, In., simplifies access to a wide array of product information and tools, designed to save time and make daily tasks easier.
Features:
- Real-time Product Availability and Pricing: Quickly check current stock levels and pricing to make informed decisions without delay.
- Inventory Management Tool: Manage your stock with features designed to keep your inventory organized and accessible.
- Access to Technical Documents: Easily retrieve spec sheets, wiring diagrams, and installation guides, all through the app.
- Mobile Devices: Available on Apple and Google Play platforms.
Best HVAC Financial Management Apps
Remember how we talked about those scary statistics with many businesses failing because of cash flow? While part of the reason for that can be tied to scheduling, it typically boils down to poor financial management. And in the HVAC business, there is a lot to stay on top of between accounts payable, accounts receivable, etc. That’s why you need the best apps for HVAC contractors to stay on top of those finances.
Let’s look at some of the best HVAC apps for exactly that.
6. QuickBooks Accounting: Invoicing & Expensing
Cost: Free-trial
Download: App Store and Google Play
Best for: “accounting management tool to see invoices, payments, profit, and loss”
QuickBooks Accounting: Invoicing & Expensing is a premier app designed for small business accounting, including those in the HVAC industry. It simplifies the management of financial tasks such as tracking receipts, monitoring income, and overseeing bank transactions. Recognized as the top accounting software for small businesses, it helps HVAC contractors maintain clear and organized financial records.
Features:
- Invoicing: Easily create and send professional invoices to enable timely payments from customers.
- Tracking Expenses and Managing Bills: Keep a close eye on expenditures and manage bill payments to maintain a healthy cash flow. As we all know, poor cash flow can be a slippery slope.
- Tax Deductions and Expert Tax Help: Maximize tax deductions with guided assistance and get expert help to navigate complex tax situations.
- Mobile Devices: Available on both iOS and Android platforms.
Free or Paid: This is a paid app that offers four different packages: Simple Start, Essentials, Plus, and Advanced. Businesses can choose the plan that best suits their needs.
7. Gusto
Gusto is a comprehensive payroll app designed to integrate various HR features such as health insurance, 401(k), workers’ comp, time tracking, PTO, and more, all on one seamless platform. It simplifies payroll management by automating complex processes and ensuring compliance with regulations, making it an ideal choice for HVAC businesses looking to organize their human resources tasks.
Features:
- Auto-Calculations for Fewer Mistakes: Gusto automatically updates and calculates taxes based on the latest tax laws, reducing errors and saving time.
- State Tax Registration in All 50 States: Provides necessary resources to register in any state where your employees live and work, ensuring compliance.
- Time Tracking with Geolocation: Track lunches, breaks, and hours for hourly workers, featuring geolocation to maintain accuracy and compliance.
- Mobile Devices: Available on Apple and Google Play platforms.
Free or Paid: Gusto offers three plans: Simple, Plus, and Premium, allowing businesses to choose the level of service that best meets their needs.
8. Profit Rhino
Profit Rhino is a pricing app tailored specifically for contractors in industries like HVAC. It offers three distinct pricing models: SmartPrice, designed for those new to flat rate or transitioning to digital; Integrate, which facilitates comprehensive business systems integration; and Customer Assurance Pricing™ (C.A.P.), which allows technicians to provide customers with a clear, upfront total price after a detailed system evaluation—a method preferred by many for its transparency.
Features:
- SmartPrice for Beginners: Perfect for contractors starting with flat rate pricing or going digital.
- System Integration with Integrate: Integrates with existing business systems for simpler operations.
- Transparent Pricing with C.A.P.: Offers customers upfront, fixed pricing for services, enhancing trust and satisfaction.
- Mobile Devices: Available on iOS and Android platforms.
Free or Paid: This is a paid app, offering various pricing models to suit different business needs and stages of growth.
Best HVAC Marketing and Sales Apps to Get More Customers
If you’ve been in the HVAC business for a while, you know the importance of marketing. The fact is that you can’t just set up a shop or throw wraps and stickers on your company vehicles to generate enough traffic to keep you busy. You need active marketing and advertising companies to get in front of the right eyeballs.
But marketing and advertising takes a lot of work, especially when you operate with a lean staff and you’re trying to manage various house calls. These tools that we’ll share next are designed to help you maximize your reach, get in front of more of the right customers, and make your approach to marketing a lot easier.
9. Google Business Profile
Google Business Profile is an integral tool for any HVAC business looking to grow its online presence and attract more customers. By creating a free profile, businesses can manage their information as it appears on Google Search and Maps, helping potential customers find them easily. This platform is an absolute must for local SEO, as it allows businesses to display their location, services, and hours, directly influencing how they rank in local search results. Housecall Pro users can now enjoy our Reserve with Google integration. Easily sync your Google Business Profile with out online booking tool to get more customers booked from Google.
Learn more about our Reserve With Google integration.
Features:
- Business Visibility: Increases your business’s visibility on Google Search and Maps, making it easier for customers to find your services.
- Customer Interaction: Provides a platform for customers to leave reviews and for businesses to respond, building credibility and customer trust.
- Insights and Analytics: Offers insights into how customers search for your business, where they come from, and what actions they take, helping you tailor your marketing strategies.
- Mobile Devices: Available on iOS and Android platforms.
Free or Paid: This tool is completely free, making it an accessible and invaluable resource for growing local SEO and attracting more customers.
10. CallRail
CallRail is a tracking app that allows businesses to monitor calls, texts, forms, and chats with the same precision as digital ad clicks. This tool integrates all your lead interactions into one comprehensive dashboard, making it simpler to analyze and optimize your marketing spend across various channels, from digital advertising to traditional media.
Features:
- Conversation Intelligence: Automatically analyzes every call to extract actionable insights, helping you understand customer needs, enhance team performance, and increase revenue.
- Form Tracking Integration: Combine form tracking with call tracking for a holistic view of your lead activity, identifying which marketing efforts are working the best and which are not.
- Lead Center: Acts as a unified communications hub that leverages CallRail’s lead intelligence to facilitate conversations, thereby improving customer engagement and sales outcomes.
- Mobile Devices: Available on both iOS and Android platforms.
Free or Paid: CallRail offers paid subscriptions with pricing plans that include different features and add-ons.
11. NiceJob
NiceJob is a reputation marketing software designed for busy and budget-conscious business owners who want to automate their review generation, referrals, and social media content. By simplifying these marketing activities, NiceJob helps businesses improve their online presence and attract more customers without requiring extensive time or resources.
Features:
- Reviews: Automatically prompts customers for reviews, helping businesses get up to four times more reviews and achieve top-rated status.
- Referrals: Facilitates the referral process by inviting your most satisfied customers to recommend your services to friends and family.
- Social Proof: Showcases your five-star reviews across social platforms, enhancing your reputation and building trust with potential customers.
- Mobile Devices: Available on both iOS and Android platforms.
Free or Paid: NiceJob offers two subscription plans, Grow and Grow + Sites, providing flexibility based on business needs and goals.
Best HVAC Learning Apps
As you know, you can’t simply say that you want to be an HVAC contractor and not have the education or credentials to go along with it. That’s why you may appreciate an HVAC mobile app designed to help you improve your skills and prepare to pass the HVAC licensing exam.
Here are my favorite apps to help you pass with flying colors.
12. HVAC Flashcards by BH Inc.
HVAC Flashcards by BH Inc
Cost: $4.99
Download: App Store
Best for: “Studying HVAC technology & theory”
HVAC Flashcards by BH Inc. are designed to grow the learning experience for aspiring HVAC technicians. It employs an engaging set of flashcards to help users prepare for HVAC exams. By integrating games like matching, memorization, and quizzes, the app makes study sessions interactive and more fun than more traditional methods. The inclusion of the superflashcard system with a built-in spaced repetition scheme makes sure that flashcards are reviewed at optimal intervals to aid in retention.
Features:
- HVAC Flashcard Database: Access a comprehensive collection of flashcards covering key HVAC concepts and terms.
- Interactive Games: Engage with material through matching and memorize games, designed to reinforce learning and make preparation enjoyable.
- Progress Tracking: Monitor your learning progress with detailed tracking features, helping you identify areas for improvement.
- Mobile Devices: Available on Android.
Free or Paid: The app is priced at $4.99.
13. HVAC School Toolbox Technician
The Browning Toolbox Technician app is designed specifically for HVAC contractors and maintenance staff. This free app integrates a variety of useful features including calculation tools, conversion tools, and a GPS-enabled distributor locator. It serves as an integral resource, providing reference guides, installation tips, and troubleshooting assistance for a wide range of HVAC components from bearings to v-belts. Its revolutionary V-Belt ID Wizard is particularly beneficial, allowing users to identify belts even without visible product IDs easily.
Features:
- V-Belt ID Wizard: Quickly identify and look up V-belt parts and images, simplifying maintenance and replacements.
- Efficiency Calculators: Utilize built-in calculators to assess and optimize HVAC system performance.
- GPS-Enabled Distributor Locator: Find nearby parts distributors effortlessly, making sure you can get necessary components wherever you are.
- Mobile Devices: Available on iOS and Android platforms.
Free or Paid: This app is offered completely free.
Best HVAC Troubleshooting Apps for Daily Use
Let’s face it. Sometimes, despite all the skills, training, and knowledge that you possess, an HVAC repair doesn’t go as planned. In these cases, you might need a bit of help troubleshooting. The following apps can help you troubleshoot common—and not so common—HVAC challenges when you are scratching your head trying to figure out what’s what.
14. Manifold
Cost: Free
Download: App Store and Google Play
Best for: “Calculating HVAC/R system performance”
iManifold is an HVAC troubleshooting app designed to improve the precision and efficiency of HVAC technicians in the field. This app offers extreme accuracy in diagnostics and extensive reporting capabilities, allowing technicians to perform high-quality repairs and system assessments. With the ability to share data instantly while on-site, iManifold facilitates real-time troubleshooting and allows technicians to communicate findings and recommendations for equipment repairs or upgrades to customers.
Features:
- Improved Workflow Navigation: Simplify processes in the field, saving valuable time and reducing manual input errors.
- Auto-Sync of Job Data: Automatically syncs all past equipment and customer data, ensuring you have access to vital information whenever needed.
- Supports Most Current Refrigerants: Includes comprehensive support for refrigerants, including newer blends, catering to modern HVAC systems and standards.
- Mobile Devices: Available on iOS and Android platforms.
15. Ref Tools
Ref Tools, formerly known as Refrigerant Slider, is an all-in-one tool that provides support, guidance, and resources, making it an indispensable part of any technician’s digital toolkit. With Ref Tools, HVAC professionals can access a suite of smart, user-friendly tools designed to make their work in the field so much easier.
Features:
- Pressure-Temperature Slider: Quickly convert between pressure and temperature for various refrigerants.
- Troubleshooter: Diagnose common system issues with step-by-step guidance.
- Refrigerant Charge Calculator: Accurately calculate the refrigerant charge needed for a system.
- Mobile Devices: Available on iOS and Android platforms.
Free or Paid: The app is free.
Top HVAC Load Calculation Apps
HVAC load calculation makes sure that heating, cooling, and ventilation systems are appropriately sized for a building. This process determines the optimal capacity required to maintain comfortable indoor environments. Explore the best app—or two—for HVAC technicians designed to simplify and improve load calculations, simplifying your workflow and your workday.
16. HVAC Load Plus
Cost: $24.99
Download: App Store
Best for: “Sizing cooling and heating units”
HVAC Load Plus helps technicians perform precise heating and cooling load assessments directly from their mobile devices. Ideal for small commercial and residential buildings, this app simplifies complex calculations and improves client communication by allowing you to generate and share detailed reports on-site. With the ability to save and reuse project data, HVAC Load Plus significantly reduces the time and cost associated with securing new business and planning new projects.
Features:
- On-Site Equipment Sizing: Quickly size heating and cooling systems while at the project location.
- Simple Block Loads: Perform straightforward block load calculations with ease.
- Local Weather Data: Access weather data for over 1,000 cities to improve accuracy in load calculations.
- Mobile Devices: Available on iOS and Android platforms.
Free or Paid: The app is available for approximately $24.99.
17. Duct Calculator Elite
Cost: $6.99
Download: App Store and Google Play
Best for: “Calculating ductwork sizing”
Duct Calc Elite is an advanced ductwork calculation app designed for precision in sizing ducts and calculating velocity, pressure drop, and flow rate. The app features an intuitive interface that allows for precise entry of values, making it easy for users to manage and optimize ductwork specifications.
Features:
- Versatile Sizing Options: Calculate both round and rectangular duct dimensions based on airflow, velocity, or pressure loss.
- Pressure Drop Calculations: Easily convert between duct length, pressure drop, and friction to optimize system performance.
- Customizable Aspect Ratios: Adjust the aspect ratio of rectangular ducts for tailored system design.
- Mobile Devices: Available on iOS and Android platforms.
Free or Paid: The app is available for $6.99.
What To Look For In An HVAC Business App
At this point, we’ve introduced you to 17 different apps that all can be extremely valuable tools for your HVAC business. But by no means does this mean you should download all of them. Rather, you need to consider what is important to you and what will be the most useful.
Here are some things to look for in the best app for your HVAC business.
Scheduling and Dispatching
Look for an HVAC scheduling app that offers real-time updates and automated dispatching. A good HVAC app allows technicians to view and manage their schedules on-the-go, making it easier to respond to urgent calls promptly.
Job and Customer Management
The best app for HVAC business should include features for comprehensive job and customer management. This helps maintain detailed records and manage ongoing projects efficiently, making sure every client’s needs are met.
Invoicing and Payments
An efficient HVAC invoice app simplifies the billing process by enabling mobile invoicing and secure payment options. This speeds up transactions and reduces paperwork, allowing for a smoother financial workflow.
Time Tracking and GPS
An HVAC mobile app with time tracking and GPS can significantly improve workforce management. It helps in monitoring team locations and accurately logging hours worked, which is super important for payroll and project management.
Integrates With Your Favorite Business Tools
Integration capabilities are a must in HVAC apps, allowing them to work seamlessly with other business tools you use. This synchronization helps avoid data duplication and errors, making operations more efficient and reliable. Here are some top apps that Housecall Pro integrates with to help you manage and grow your HVAC business:
- Google Local Services
Get booked directly from Google search results by integrating your app with Google Local Services. It improves your chances of landing local jobs and boosts your online presence. - QuickBooks
Sync your invoices and payment data directly into QuickBooks for seamless accounting. It eliminates the hassle of manual bookkeeping, making tax season stress-free. - Google Business Profile & Calendar
Easily manage your online presence and schedule jobs with Google’s tools. Sync your appointments with Google Calendar to stay organized, while Google Business Profile helps you get found online. - CompanyCam
Take photos and videos of your jobs, create visual reports, and share them with clients or your team in real-time. This tool is perfect for documenting work progress or sending updates. - Profit Rhino
Build accurate estimates with pre-built flat-rate pricing boards. This feature helps you provide quick, reliable quotes, giving you a competitive edge in the field. - NiceJob
Boost your online reviews and build a solid reputation by automating review requests. This integration helps you collect more positive feedback from satisfied clients, improving your visibility and credibility. - Thumbtack
Organize and convert leads from Thumbtack into actual jobs. This integration allows you to track new prospects and easily follow up to secure more business. - Wisetack
Offer consumer financing options to your customers, helping you close higher-ticket deals. This integration makes it easier for clients to afford large projects, boosting your sales. - Zapier: Connect Housecall Pro to over 5,000 other apps through Zapier, automating workflows across your favorite tools. Whether it’s syncing leads or automating customer follow-ups, Zapier ensures your tech stack works together smoothly.
Your HVAC Business–In One Easy To Use Mobile App
Who knew that you could manage your entire HVAC business with one easy-to-use mobile app? Well, now you do, and Housecall Pro is the perfect HVAC software solution for you. To get started, check out our free 14-day trial. With Housecall Pro, you can work simpler, not harder. And you can grow smarter. Give Housecall Pro a try today.
