13 Ways HVAC Businesses Can Get More Leads

Growing your HVAC business depends on one crucial factor: a steady stream of high-quality leads. Whether you're looking for cost-effective marketing strategies or are willing to invest in premium lead generation solutions, there are numerous ways to attract and convert customers.

In this guide, we’ll cover proven tactics HVAC businesses can use to generate more leads, from no-cost methods to paid strategies. We’ll also cover how Scorpion’s RevenueMAX helps HVAC companies go beyond higher lead volume to get higher quality leads—leads that turn into paying jobs.

No-Cost HVAC Lead Generation Strategies

If you’re working with a tight budget, there are several ways to generate leads without spending money. These methods require effort and consistency but can produce excellent results over time.

1. Leverage Google Business Profile (GBP) to Rank Locally

Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is one of the most powerful tools for HVAC lead generation. When homeowners search for "HVAC repair near me," Google displays local business listings first.

To get the most out of your profile, make sure your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are accurate and match other online listings. Regularly update your profile with photos, services offered, and business hours. And, encourage satisfied customers to leave Google reviews, as businesses with more positive reviews tend to rank higher in search results.

2. Get More Customer Referrals

Happy customers can be your best marketing asset. HVAC services are often recommended through word-of-mouth, making referrals one of the most effective ways to generate new business. Here’s how to build a strong referral pipeline:

Ask for referrals at the right time: Timing is key. After completing an installation or repair, ask customers if they know anyone who might need HVAC services. A simple, friendly request can go a long way.
Create a referral program: Develop a structured referral program where both the referrer and the new customer receive a benefit. This could be:
- A discount on future services (e.g., $50 off the next maintenance visit).
- A free seasonal tune-up for every successful referral.
- A cash incentive (e.g., $25 gift card for every new customer referred).
Offer exclusive VIP benefits: Reward customers who consistently refer new business with VIP perks, such as priority scheduling or an annual service membership at a reduced rate.
Leverage social proof: Share customer testimonials and success stories on your website and social media. Seeing real experiences builds trust and encourages others to refer friends and family.
Make it easy to refer: Provide customers with referral cards, personalized referral links, or an easy-to-use referral submission form on your website.
Follow-up and say thank you: When a customer makes a referral, acknowledge their effort with a personal thank-you call, email, or even a small gift. Showing appreciation strengthens customer loyalty.

Word-of-mouth marketing has a powerful ripple effect. By actively encouraging and rewarding referrals, your HVAC business can tap into a continuous stream of high-quality leads without a heavy advertising spend.

3. Build Partnerships with Local Businesses

Forming partnerships with other home service businesses can be a game-changer for HVAC lead generation. Many homeowners need multiple services at once, and aligning with complementary businesses can create a steady flow of mutual referrals. Consider partnering with:

Plumbers – When homeowners have water heater issues or require maintenance, they might also need HVAC services.
Electricians – Electrical work is often required for HVAC installations, making this a natural partnership.
Roofing and insulation companies – Many HVAC efficiency issues are linked to poor insulation or ventilation.
Real estate agents and property managers – New homeowners and rental properties often require HVAC inspections, tune-ups, and new system installations.
Home remodeling contractors – HVAC upgrades are often needed in major home renovations.

How to build strong business partnerships:

Create a cross-referral agreement: Offer mutual referrals with an incentive for every customer sent your way.
Bundle services for special offers: Offer combined home service packages (e.g., “HVAC Tune-Up + Electrical Safety Inspection”).
Feature each other in marketing: Promote your partners in blog posts, email newsletters, and social media.
Network locally: Attend industry trade shows, join local business groups, and participate in Chamber of Commerce events to connect with potential partners.
Develop an exclusive homeowner discount: Provide special pricing for customers referred by your business partners to create extra value.

When done right, strategic business partnerships create a win-win scenario where everyone benefits from an expanded customer base and increased revenue.

4. Engage with Local Community Groups and Social Media

Many homeowners turn to Facebook groups, Nextdoor, and neighborhood forums when they need HVAC services. Becoming active in these communities can help position your business as the go-to HVAC expert.

Here’s how to effectively engage in local groups:

Join and monitor local groups: Search for community groups on Facebook, Nextdoor, and Reddit where homeowners ask for service recommendations.
Answer questions thoughtfully: Provide useful, non-salesy advice when people ask about HVAC issues. This builds trust and brand recognition.
Post maintenance tips and seasonal reminders: Offer valuable insights, such as:
- "How to Prepare Your AC for Summer"
- "5 Signs Your Furnace Needs Repair Before Winter"
- "Why Changing Your Air Filter Saves You Money"
Host live Q&A sessions: Go live on Facebook or Instagram to answer common HVAC questions and provide expert insights.
Share customer testimonials: Positive reviews from community members build credibility and encourage new customers to reach out.
Offer group-exclusive discounts: Provide a small discount or special offer to group members to encourage bookings.
Run contests or giveaways: Give away a free seasonal maintenance checkup in exchange for likes, shares, or engagement on your post.

By engaging with local communities and being a helpful, visible presence, you can generate organic leads without spending on ads while building long-term customer relationships.

5. Request Customer Reviews and Testimonials

More than 90% of consumers read online reviews before choosing a business. You can make it easy for customers to leave reviews when you:

Send a follow-up email with a direct link to your Google Business Profile.
Politely ask for reviews after successful service calls.
Showcase positive reviews on your website and social media.

Learn more about how to improve your reviews.

Low-Cost HVAC Lead Generation Strategies

With a small budget, you can expand your reach and get more leads with these affordable marketing tactics.

6. Run Targeted Local Facebook Ads

Facebook Ads provide a highly cost-effective way to reach homeowners in need of HVAC services. By targeting ads based on location, interests, homeowner status, and past online behavior, HVAC businesses can generate leads efficiently.

How to get the most out of your Facebook ads:

Use eye-catching visuals: High-quality images or short videos of your team in action can build trust and engagement.
Target the right audience: Narrow your focus to homeowners in your service area who have recently shown interest in home maintenance, HVAC, or energy efficiency.
Offer a clear call to action: Whether it’s scheduling a free consultation, claiming a limited-time discount, or signing up for a maintenance plan, make sure the next step is obvious and easy to take.
Test and improve: Run A/B tests with different ad creatives and messages to see what resonates best with your audience. Adjust targeting and budgets accordingly.
Retarget website visitors: Use retargeting ads to reach users who have visited your site but didn’t book a service, keeping your brand top-of-mind.

Running targeted Facebook and Instagram Ads can be an affordable way to capture new leads while building brand awareness within your community.

7. Use Email Marketing to Stay Top of Mind

Email marketing is an underrated but powerful tool for nurturing leads and increasing customer retention. Many HVAC businesses focus solely on acquiring new customers but fail to stay connected with past clients, missing out on repeat business and referrals.

How to build an effective HVAC email marketing strategy:

Grow your email list: Offer a free seasonal maintenance checklist, energy-saving tips, or a first-time customer discount in exchange for email sign-ups.
Segment your audience: Categorize your customers into groups based on their past service history, location, or level of engagement. This allows you to send personalized emails that are relevant to each group.
Send regular but valuable emails: Stay in touch with some of the examples below!
Automate follow-ups: Set up automated email sequences for new leads, reminding them of the benefits of working with your company and encouraging them to book a service.
Include a strong call to action (CTA): Each email should prompt the recipient to book a service, request a consultation, or claim an offer with a direct link to your website or booking system.

Email marketing keeps your HVAC business top-of-mind when your customers need service the most. Here are some examples of emails you can send:

Seasonal maintenance reminders: Send automated emails reminding customers to schedule AC tune-ups in spring and heating system checks in fall. Include an easy “Schedule Now” button to encourage immediate action.
Personalized offers and discounts: Use customer history data to offer discounts on services they may need soon, such as duct cleaning or filter replacement.
Follow-up emails after service: After completing a job, send a thank-you email along with links to leave a Google or Facebook review.
HVAC tips and educational content: Provide value by sharing home maintenance tips, energy-saving advice, and HVAC troubleshooting guides. This builds trust and keeps your business top of mind.

Make sure your emails provide value rather than just sales pitches to keep your audience engaged.

8. Post Video Content on YouTube and Social Media

Video marketing is a powerful tool that HVAC businesses can use to educate customers, showcase expertise, and build trust. Video content is highly engaging and tends to perform better on social media and search engines compared to static posts.

Types of video content to create:

How-To and maintenance tips: Make short instructional videos such as:
- "How to Change Your HVAC Filter in 5 Minutes"
- "5 Signs Your AC Needs Repair Before Summer Hits"
- "Why Your Energy Bill is So High & What to Do About It"
Behind-the-scenes footage: Show your team in action, whether it’s a new system installation, a service call, or team training.
Customer testimonials and case studies: Capture satisfied customers on video talking about their experience.
Live Q&A sessions: Go live on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube to answer HVAC-related questions in real time and engage with potential customers.
Seasonal awareness videos: Create short clips about preparing homes for winter or summer, featuring tips and special service offers.

Where to share your videos:

YouTube: Optimize videos with titles, descriptions, and tags that include HVAC-related keywords.
Facebook and Instagram: Upload short, engaging clips to reach local homeowners.
TikTok: HVAC businesses can gain traction by sharing quick, engaging maintenance tips.
Your website and blog: Embed videos in blog posts and service pages to keep visitors engaged.

Pro Tip: Keep videos short (under 2 minutes) for social media and create longer, detailed videos (5-10 minutes) for YouTube. Use captions to make content accessible for all viewers.

9. Improve Your Website for Local SEO

A well-optimized website is essential for attracting and converting local leads. Many HVAC business owners overlook their website’s role in lead generation, but an SEO-friendly website can increase visibility and drive organic traffic from homeowners searching for HVAC services.

Key website optimization strategies:

Use local keywords: Incorporate geo-targeted keywords naturally throughout your website, such as:
- "AC Repair in [Your City]"
- "Best HVAC Contractors Near Me"
- "Emergency Furnace Repair in [Your City]"
Create location-specific service pages: If you serve multiple cities, create a dedicated page for each area with customized content tailored to that location.
Optimize your meta titles and descriptions: Ensure every page has a unique, keyword-rich meta title and description that reflects the service and location.
Ensure mobile-friendliness: Over 60% of searches come from mobile devices. A responsive website that loads quickly on all screen sizes is essential.
Speed up your website: A slow website can cause visitors to leave before taking action. Compress images, enable caching, and remove unnecessary scripts to improve load speed.
Add customer reviews and testimonials: Showcase positive experiences prominently on your homepage and service pages.
Include clear CTAs: Ensure visitors know how to contact you, book an appointment, or request a quote with easy-to-find buttons.
Implement schema markup: Local business schema markup helps search engines understand your business, improving rankings in local search results.
Optimize for voice search: More homeowners are using voice search (e.g., "Who offers HVAC maintenance near me?"). Use natural language keywords and FAQs to optimize for this.
Set up Google Analytics and Google search console: These tools help track website performance, search rankings, and visitor behavior so you can refine your SEO strategy over time.

Pro Tip: Regularly publish blog content that answers common HVAC-related questions. This helps boost your site’s ranking on Google and positions your business as an industry expert.

Allow Scorpion To Maximize Your Website Presence

At Scorpion, we design and build your website so you can tell the right story, generate more leads, and increase your revenue. We work to improve bounce rates, site speed, and user experience so you are free to get back to your business. You can stay informed on your site’s ranking, lead flow, and return on investment with reports in your dashboard.

Plus, you can take advantage of features like live chat and online scheduling to improve customer experience and create a credible first impression. Pair your website with our other marketing services, and you will be perfectly positioned to rise to the top of search engines with SEO, informative content, a better social media presence, and ads that drive even more traffic to your business.

Premium HVAC Lead Generation Strategies

For businesses looking to scale quickly, investing in lead generation services and advanced marketing techniques can deliver high ROI.

10. Invest in Google Local Services Ads

Google’s Local Services Ads (LSAs) appear at the very top of search results, above traditional PPC ads and organic listings. They operate on a pay-per-lead basis, meaning you only pay when a customer directly contacts you.

Why LSAs work:

Google Guaranteed badge: Builds trust with potential customers and provides added protection.
Pay for real leads: Unlike traditional PPC, you only pay for qualified leads—calls, messages, or bookings.
Direct customer connection: Customers can call you straight from the ad, eliminating unnecessary steps.

How to get the most out of LSAs:

Complete the Google Guarantee screening process: This includes background checks, license verification, and insurance validation.
Optimize your profile: Ensure your business details, services, and location are accurate.
Encourage customer reviews: Higher-rated businesses tend to get more visibility.
Respond quickly to leads: Google factors responsiveness into ranking LSAs, so promptly answering calls and messages can improve your placement.
Set a competitive budget: LSAs operate on a bidding system, so adjusting your budget based on demand can maximize lead flow.

11. Run Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Ads on Google

Google Ads (PPC ads) can generate instant leads by displaying your HVAC business at the top of search results when customers search for high-intent keywords like:

"Emergency AC repair near me"
"Furnace installation quote"
"Best HVAC company in [Your City]"

A well-managed PPC campaign ensures your ads reach the right audience without wasting your budget. However, running PPC ads effectively requires expertise to avoid costly mistakes.

How to get the most out of PPC ads:

Target the right keywords: Focus on high-intent, local keywords relevant to your services.
Use negative keywords: Prevent wasted ad spend by filtering out irrelevant searches (e.g., "HVAC technician salary").
Create compelling ad copy: Use clear CTAs like "Book Your AC Tune-Up Today!" or "24/7 HVAC Emergency Services."
Optimize landing pages: Ensure fast-loading pages with an easy-to-use booking system for maximum conversions.
Use ad extensions: Add call buttons, service offerings, location info, and customer reviews to make your ad stand out.
Adjust your budget based on demand: Increase spending during peak HVAC seasons (summer/winter) and scale back during off seasons.
Track and refine: Monitor ad performance with Google Ads reporting and adjust bids, keywords, and ad copy accordingly.

12. Use Retargeting Ads to Convert Lost Leads

Not every website visitor books a service right away. Retargeting ads help bring back lost leads by displaying your ad to users who previously visited your website but didn’t take action.

Why retargeting works:

Keeps your business top-of-mind: Many homeowners search multiple providers before choosing one—retargeting keeps you visible.
Encourages action: Offering a limited-time discount or service incentive can push hesitant customers to book.
Increases conversion rates: Studies show retargeted visitors are 70% more likely to convert compared to first-time visitors.

How to implement effective retargeting ads:

Segment your audience: Customize ads for users who:
- Visited your service pages but didn’t book.
- Started a contact form but didn’t submit it.
- Clicked on an ad but didn’t engage further.
Offer a compelling reason to return: Use incentives like “$50 Off Your Next HVAC Repair” or “Book Today & Get a Free System Check”.
Use dynamic retargeting: Show ads based on the specific services a visitor viewed (e.g., “Still Need AC Repair? We Can Help!”).
Run retargeting ads on multiple platforms: Retarget potential customers on Google Display Network, Facebook, and Instagram to increase reach.
Optimize for mobile users: Ensure your retargeting ads link to a mobile-friendly landing page with click-to-call functionality.

Pro Tip: Combine retargeting with PPC ads to nurture leads from first-time visitors to conversion!

13. Implement RevenueMAX to Drive Leads and Revenue

Not all leads are created equal. Scorpion’s RevenueMAX goes beyond traditional lead generation by focusing on high-quality leads—those most likely to convert into paying customers.

With RevenueMAX, HVAC businesses benefit from:

AI-driven marketing campaigns tailored to their service areas.
Advanced data analysis to attract the right customers.
Full-funnel marketing strategies that nurture leads and increase bookings.

Unlike other services that focus on just delivering more leads, RevenueMAX prioritizes lead quality to maximize your return on investment.

Drive Revenue and Quality Leads

Generating HVAC leads requires a mix of free, low-cost, and premium strategies. The key is to focus on both quantity and quality, ensuring that the leads you attract are the right fit for your business.

If you want to consistently generate high-quality HVAC leads that turn into customers, Scorpion’s RevenueMAX can help. We specialize in HVAC digital marketing, ensuring your business gets the visibility, engagement, and conversions it needs to thrive.

Ready to generate more high-quality leads? Contact Scorpion today to learn how we can help your HVAC business grow with RevenueMAX. Request a demo now!