How to do Digital Marketing for HVAC Companies
TL;DR: Digital Marketing for HVAC Companies
Customers search online first — without a strong digital presence, you're invisible.
Start with the basics — a fast website, Google Business Profile, and good reviews.
Focus on local SEO and Google Ads to drive the most leads quickly.
Blend digital and traditional marketing for the best long-term growth.
Invest consistently — the HVAC companies that market year-round win year-round.
When someone's heater dies on a freezing night, they’re not flipping through the Yellow Pages. They're Googling "emergency HVAC repair" — and they’re picking one of the first companies they see.
97% of people learn more about a local business online than anywhere else. If your HVAC company isn’t showing up, someone else's is. And they’re getting the job you should have landed.
But good news — you don’t need a marketing degree to win online.
You just need a smart, simple digital marketing strategy built for how people actually search, think, and buy today. In this guide, I’m breaking down exactly what works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to digital marketing for HVAC companies. We’ll cover the must-haves, the best platforms to use, how to stretch your budget, and real-world steps you can take today to start booking more jobs.
Why Digital Marketing Matters for HVAC Companies
In today's world, when someone’s AC goes out, they aren't looking at newspaper ads—they're grabbing their phone and searching online. Digital marketing helps HVAC companies:
Reach more people where they are
Improve the quality of leads
Land bigger projects (like commercial jobs)
Build a strong reputation with online reviews
Stand out from competitors
If you're not investing in digital marketing, you’re leaving a lot of money on the table.
Should HVAC Companies Invest in Digital Marketing?
Short answer? Yes.
Digital marketing isn’t just "nice to have" anymore. Strategies like SEO, PPC, and email marketing are some of the most powerful tools HVAC businesses can use today. Without an online presence, you're invisible to most potential customers.
The risk of not investing: Competitors who are visible online will get calls you should have gotten.
The reward of investing: More leads, more booked jobs, and a bigger, more recognizable brand.
Getting Started: The Basics of Digital Marketing for HVAC Companies
Before you start throwing money at ads, here are a few basics you need locked down:
A professional, fast-loading website
A Google Business Profile (so you show up on Maps)
Some good customer reviews
Once you have the basics, you can start setting goals—like getting 10 more website leads per month or boosting your local Google ranking.
Is Digital Marketing Worth It for HVAC Companies?
Absolutely.
According to the LinkedIn article we reviewed, digital marketing has a measurable return on investment (ROI) compared to traditional marketing. Plus, it’s easier to track what’s working. You’ll know if you’re getting leads from Google Ads or from SEO—so you can double down on what works.
Some examples:
$500 on a newspaper ad = maybe a few calls (and no tracking)
$500 on Google Ads = dozens of people clicking directly to your website
The difference is clear.
What Are the Best Digital Marketing Channels for HVAC Companies?
SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
Showing up on Google without paying for ads is a huge win. With SEO, your HVAC business can:
Appear on the first page of Google when people search for "HVAC repair near me"
Earn free, ongoing traffic
Build long-term trust
Pro tip: Focus on "local SEO." That means using keywords like "AC repair in [Your City]" and making sure your Google Business Profile is optimized.
Google Ads (Pay-Per-Click Advertising)
If you want quick results, Google Ads are the way to go. PPC ads get you in front of people right when they’re searching for services like yours.
Tips:
Target local keywords
Set a daily budget
Monitor and adjust your campaigns weekly
Facebook Ads
Facebook isn't just for memes. HVAC companies can use Facebook ads to:
Promote seasonal tune-ups
Offer new customer discounts
Stay top-of-mind with local homeowners
In general, I do not recommend HVAC companies using Facebook Ads, unless you have a large enough budget to spend on brand awareness.
Best practices:
Use videos (like a "before and after" repair)
Target by location, age, and homeownership status
Email Marketing
Past customers are your goldmine. Email marketing lets you:
Send reminders for seasonal maintenance
Offer loyalty discounts
Share helpful HVAC tips
Simple idea: A "Spring AC Tune-Up" email blast can bring in dozens of jobs with almost zero cost.
Social Media
You don't need to go viral—you just need to show up.
Post simple things like:
Photos of completed installs
Customer testimonials
Maintenance tips for homeowners
Building trust locally matters more than having thousands of followers.
How Much Should an HVAC Company Spend on Marketing?
A common rule: 10-15% of your annual revenue should go to marketing.
If you’re new or trying to grow fast, lean toward 15% or more.
Pro tip: Don’t spend all your budget at once. Spread it monthly and leave some room for "boosted" seasonal promotions.
Traditional Marketing vs. Digital Marketing for HVAC Companies
Traditional marketing (yard signs, billboards, mailers) still works—but it’s harder to track results.
Digital marketing (Google, Facebook, SEO) is:
Easier to measure
Usually more cost-effective
More targeted to people actively looking for HVAC services
Best move: Blend both! Use traditional for branding awareness and digital for lead generation.
Common Mistakes HVAC Companies Make with Digital Marketing
Wasting money on the wrong ads: Poor targeting burns your budget fast.
Ignoring SEO: Without good SEO, your competitors will steal your online visibility.
No follow-up system: Leads mean nothing if you’re not calling them back immediately!
Should I Outsource Digital Marketing or Keep It In-House?
When it comes to digital marketing for your HVAC company, you basically have two options: do it yourself (DIY) or hire a professional agency. Both paths can work — but they come with very different demands and outcomes.
DIY Digital Marketing: If you’re just starting out or have extra time, managing your marketing in-house can seem like a cost-effective solution. You have full control over your brand, messaging, and budget. But it also means you or your team will need to juggle website updates, SEO, ad campaigns, content creation, and performance tracking — on top of running your actual HVAC business.
For most busy HVAC business owners, marketing often ends up getting pushed aside when things get hectic. And unfortunately, inconsistent marketing leads to inconsistent results.
The Real Challenge:
Digital marketing is a full-time job. If you don’t have a dedicated expert in SEO, Google Ads, Facebook Ads, copywriting, graphic design, and analytics, you’re probably going to experience slow progress, wasted ad spend, and missed opportunities.
Pros of Hiring an Agency:
Faster Results
Agencies have proven systems already in place. Instead of figuring things out by trial and error, you get a strategy that’s based on what actually works in your industry — meaning faster leads and better ROI.
Less Trial-and-Error
Digital marketing is constantly changing (Google algorithm updates, new ad rules, shifting consumer behavior). An experienced agency knows how to pivot quickly so you don't lose ground when the market shifts.
Access to a Full Team of Experts
When you partner with an agency, you’re not just hiring one person — you’re getting a team of specialists in SEO, paid ads, content marketing, website design, and email marketing. Building a similar team in-house would cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.
More Time to Focus on Running Your Business
Instead of trying to be an HVAC pro and a marketing expert, you can stay focused on what you do best: delivering top-notch service to your customers.
Scalable Growth
As your HVAC company grows, your marketing needs will too. Agencies have the resources to scale your campaigns up without you having to hire and train new employees.
Pro Tip:
Not all agencies are created equal. Look for a marketing partner that specializes in service-based businesses — ideally, one that knows the unique challenges HVAC companies face. (That’s exactly what we do at Schulze Creative — we craft custom digital marketing strategies that are as hardworking as you are.)
Bottom Line:
If you’re serious about growing your HVAC business, outsourcing your digital marketing is often the smartest, most efficient move you can make. It frees you up to focus on service and operations while experts drive leads, build your brand, and keep your phones ringing.
Quick Action Plan: How to Start Your HVAC Digital Marketing the Right Way
Claim and update your Google Business Profile
Build (or fix) your website
Set up a simple Google Ads campaign
Ask happy customers for Google reviews
Post once a week on Facebook
Start simple. Grow smarter.
Final Thoughts: Winning at Digital Marketing for HVAC Companies
Getting digital marketing right isn’t about chasing every new trend. It’s about showing up where your customers are, earning their trust, and making it easy for them to choose you.
Build a strong website and optimize your Google Business Profile, to smartly use SEO, Google Ads, Facebook Ads, email marketing, and social media. You now know the best channels for HVAC businesses, how much you should budget, and the most common mistakes to avoid.
At the end of the day, the HVAC companies that invest consistently in digital marketing are the ones that stay busy year-round. The ones that wait? They’re stuck wondering why the phones aren’t ringing.
You don’t have to do it all yourself — but you do need to start.
Whether you take small steps like setting up a basic Google Ads campaign or partner with a team like Schulze Creative to build a full strategy, the sooner you get visible online, the faster you grow.
Want real results without the guesswork?
Book a free marketing consultation today and let's create a digital marketing plan that actually works for your HVAC business.
FAQ: Digital Marketing for HVAC Companies
What is the most effective type of digital marketing for HVAC companies?
Local SEO and Google Ads tend to drive the fastest and most consistent leads for HVAC businesses.
How much does digital marketing cost for an HVAC company?
Budgets vary, but a good starting point is 10-15% of your revenue, with higher spending in competitive markets.
Can I do digital marketing for my HVAC company myself?
You can! But managing SEO, ads, email, and content takes time. Many HVAC businesses eventually outsource for better results.
How long does it take to see results from digital marketing?
Google Ads can bring results within days; SEO takes about 6-9 months to build up momentum.
Is social media really important for HVAC companies?
Yes! Even if you don't get a lot of leads directly, it builds trust and shows you're active and reliable.
What is Schulze Creative?
Schulze Creative is a marketing agency that specializes in personalized digital marketing for service-based businesses, including HVAC companies.
How does Schulze Creative help HVAC companies with marketing?
We help HVAC companies grow with:
Customized SEO strategies
Google and Facebook Ads management
Website design and optimization
Why choose Schulze Creative for HVAC marketing?
Because we don't do cookie-cutter marketing. Every HVAC company is different, and we build strategies that highlight what makes you the best choice for local homeowners.
