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A Step-by-Step Guide for Creating an HVAC Company Marketing Plan

hvac marketing plan = graphs and light bulb with hand and marker pointing to the graphs and marketing strategy.

Are you relying on referrals alone to grow your HVAC company? Or throwing money at ads without understanding what’s actually working? You’re not alone—and you’re not stuck. The solution is a smart, strategic HVAC marketing plan.

With the right marketing approach, you can:

  • Attract higher-quality leads
  • Build long-term brand recognition
  • Stop competing on price
  • Create predictable growth

Here’s your step-by-step guide to building a results-driven HVAC company marketing plan.

Step 1: Know Your Ideal HVAC Customer

Your ideal customer isn’t “any homeowner.” Narrow it down:

  • Are they new homeowners looking for their first HVAC install?
  • Are they busy families who need fast service?
  • Are they commercial property managers needing reliable maintenance?

Identify their pain points—do they hate dealing with unreliable contractors? Are they looking to save on energy bills? Once you know what matters to them, you can tailor your marketing to address their specific needs.

Step 2: Analyze Your Competition

Who else is serving your area—and how are they showing up online?

  • Review competitor websites and Google Business Profiles
  • Check their online reviews
  • See which keywords they’re ranking for

Knowing your competitors’ strengths and weaknesses helps you position your HVAC company as the better choice.

Step 3: Create Core Messaging That Converts

You need messaging that clearly communicates what sets your company apart.

  • Craft a simple elevator pitch: “We help homeowners stay comfortable year-round with fast, reliable HVAC service.”
  • Develop a unique selling proposition (USP): Do you offer 24-hour service? Transparent pricing? A comfort guarantee?
  • Make sure your messaging is consistent across your website, ads, social media, and email.

Step 4: Build a Recognizable Brand

Your brand should reflect trust, professionalism, and consistency. That includes:

  • A memorable logo
  • A clean, easy-to-read font
  • A color scheme that feels modern and reliable

Your visual identity should be instantly recognizable—on your vans, your uniforms, your website, and your Facebook ads.

Step 5: Strengthen Your Online Presence

Start with the essentials:

  • Google Business Profile – Optimize it with service areas, updated hours, photos, and review responses.
  • Local SEO – Get listed on directories (Yelp, Angi, Thumbtack) and optimize your website for “HVAC company near me.”
  • Reputation management – Ask happy customers for reviews and reply to every one.

This forms the foundation of your long-term organic lead generation.

Step 6: Create Content That Builds Trust

Use content marketing to answer the questions your ideal customers are already asking:

  • Blog posts like “How Often Should You Replace Your Air Filter?”
  • Short videos explaining common HVAC repairs
  • Social media tips for energy savings

You’re not just educating—you’re showing that your HVAC company is the trusted expert in town.

Step 7: Run Targeted Paid Ads

Use Google Ads to:

  • Capture high-intent search traffic (“AC repair near me”)
  • Stay visible with local homeowners
  • Promote seasonal tune-ups or financing offers

Start with a modest budget and track performance. Focus on return on investment, not just clicks.

Step 8: Use Email and CRM to Stay Top of Mind

If you’re not following up with leads or past customers, you’re leaving money on the table. A simple CRM (like Jobber, ServiceTitan, HouseCallPro, or HubSpot) can:

  • Track leads and past jobs
  • Automate follow-ups for tune-ups and annual maintenance
  • Send helpful seasonal reminders

Email isn’t just for promotions—it’s a relationship builder.

Step 9: Set a Realistic Marketing Budget

Your HVAC company’s marketing budget should align with your growth goals. A good rule of thumb:

  • 5–10% of revenue for steady growth
  • 10–15% if you’re aggressively trying to scale

Distribute your budget across:

  • Paid Ads (Google, LSA): 30–40%
  • SEO & Content: 25–30%
  • CRM, Email, and Automation: 15–20%
  • Social Media, Branding, and Creative: 10–15%

You don’t have to do everything at once—but you do need a plan.

Step 10: Track Your Results and Adjust

Marketing isn’t set-it-and-forget-it. Use KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) to measure what’s working:

  • Website traffic
  • Form submissions and phone calls
  • Conversion rate from ads
  • Customer reviews and repeat bookings

Regularly review your data and tweak your campaigns. Marketing isn’t a guessing game—it’s a system you improve over time.

Final Thoughts: A Smart Plan Builds a Stronger HVAC Company

If you want to stop relying on referrals and start growing your HVAC company on purpose—not by chance—it starts with a strategic marketing plan.

Get clear on your goals, your ideal clients, and the marketing tactics that move the needle.

Need help building a custom marketing plan that works for your HVAC company? Let’s talk.

Picture of Jessica Rhoades

Jessica Rhoades

Jessica Rhoades is the Owner and Designer at Create IT Web Designs. Among her greatest passions are web design, SEO, helping small businesses succeed, bicycling, traveling, and making lists.

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