Housecall Pro for HVAC Businesses: A Realistic Look
Housecall Pro handles basic HVAC operations. But AC season demands more. Let's see where the gaps are.
TL;DR
Housecall Pro is a general FSM tool that can handle HVAC scheduling and dispatching. But it doesn't have HVAC-specific presets, its offline mode is partial (bad news for attic work), there's no equipment tracking tied to customer properties, and maintenance agreements require workarounds. Opsler's HVAC preset has everything pre-configured — terminology, services, equipment tracking, and an offline-first app that works where HVAC techs actually work.
What Does an HVAC Business Need from FSM Software?
Running an HVAC company isn't like running a general handyman business. You've got equipment tied to properties — condensers, furnaces, air handlers — and you need to track model numbers, install dates, warranty expirations, and service history for each unit. You've got maintenance agreements that generate recurring revenue. And your techs spend half their day in places where phones don't get signal.
A generic FSM tool can handle the basics: schedule the job, send the tech, send the invoice. But HVAC-specific needs? That's where things get interesting.
Where Does Housecall Pro Fall Short for HVAC?
Housecall Pro is a solid platform for general field service. Over 30,000 businesses use it. But when you look at it through an HVAC lens, the gaps start to show:
No HVAC-Specific Presets
When you sign up for Housecall Pro, you get a blank canvas. Every service needs to be created manually — AC Install, Duct Cleaning, Furnace Repair. The terminology is generic. Your techs see "Jobs" instead of "Service Calls." It works, but it doesn't feel like it was built for HVAC.
Partial Offline Mode
Here's the thing about HVAC work: attics in July are 140 degrees and have zero cell signal. Crawl spaces under houses are dead zones. Housecall Pro's offline capabilities let your techs view cached data, but completing full job workflows without signal? That's unreliable. An HVAC tech who can't mark a job complete from the attic has to climb back down, find signal, and do the paperwork in the driveway.
No Equipment Tracking Tied to Properties
HVAC companies need to know what's installed at each customer's property — make, model, serial number, install date, warranty status. Housecall Pro doesn't have dedicated equipment tracking built in. You end up putting this info in notes fields, which means nobody can search for it or report on it effectively.
Maintenance Agreements Need Workarounds
Maintenance agreements are the lifeblood of HVAC recurring revenue. You need to track agreement terms, covered equipment, service intervals, and renewal dates. Housecall Pro has recurring job scheduling (Essentials plan only, $189/mo), but it's not a real maintenance agreement system. You'll likely need spreadsheets or a separate tool to manage the business side of agreements.
No GBB Estimates for System Replacements
System replacements are the biggest tickets in HVAC. A homeowner facing a failing AC unit has options — repair, mid-range replacement, premium upgrade. Housecall Pro only supports single-price estimates, so your tech gives one number and hopes for the best. With tiered pricing, they'd present three options and let the homeowner choose. That's potentially thousands of dollars per job you're leaving on the table.
What HVAC-Specific Features Does Opsler Include?
When you sign up for Opsler and select the HVAC preset, here's what loads immediately:
- HVAC terminology: Service Calls, Maintenance Agreements, Equipment — not generic "Jobs" and "Notes"
- Pre-loaded services: AC Install, AC Repair, Duct Cleaning, Furnace Service, and more
- Equipment tracking: Tie condensers, furnaces, and air handlers to customer properties with make, model, serial, install date, and warranty status
- Maintenance agreement management: Track terms, covered equipment, service intervals, and renewal dates in one place
- Warranty tracking: Know which units are under warranty and which aren't before your tech ever shows up
- GBB estimates: Present Good/Better/Best options for repairs and replacements — average tickets go up 30-50%
And all of it works offline. Your tech in the attic can pull up the customer's equipment history, build a three-tier estimate, capture photos, and mark the job complete — all without a single bar of signal.
HVAC Feature Comparison: Housecall Pro vs Opsler
| HVAC Feature | Housecall Pro | Opsler |
|---|---|---|
| HVAC industry preset | ||
| HVAC-specific terminology | ||
| Equipment tracking (per property) | ||
| Maintenance agreement management | ||
| Warranty tracking | ||
| Good/Better/Best estimates | ||
| Offline-first mobile app | ||
| Job scheduling & dispatch | ||
| Customer management | ||
| Invoicing | ||
| QuickBooks/Xero export |
Built for how HVAC businesses actually operate
Equipment tracking, maintenance agreements, warranty status, and HVAC terminology — all pre-configured. You're not jerry-rigging a generic tool.
Offline-first where it matters most
Attics, crawl spaces, basements, and mechanical rooms. Your techs complete every workflow without signal. No more climbing back down to find bars.
GBB estimates on system replacements
The biggest HVAC tickets come from presenting options. A $4,500 basic install vs $6,200 mid-range vs $8,900 premium — let the homeowner choose.
$149/mo with every HVAC feature included
No add-ons for equipment tracking. No upgrade for maintenance agreements. No surcharge for offline mode. Everything your HVAC business needs at one price.
Looking for a broader comparison of HVAC software options? Check out our Best HVAC Software guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Housecall Pro is a general-purpose FSM tool. It handles scheduling, dispatching, and invoicing for any trade, but it doesn't have HVAC-specific presets, equipment tracking tied to customer properties, or maintenance agreement management built in. You can make it work for HVAC, but you'll be configuring everything manually.
Housecall Pro has recurring job scheduling on the Essentials plan ($189/mo), but it's not a dedicated maintenance agreement system. You can schedule recurring visits, but tracking agreement terms, covered equipment, and renewal dates requires workarounds or separate tools.
Yes. Opsler's app is built offline-first, meaning it works fully without any signal. Attics, crawl spaces, basements, and metal-roofed commercial buildings — your techs can complete jobs, capture photos, collect signatures, and log time. Everything syncs when they come back down.
The HVAC preset pre-loads terminology like Service Calls and Maintenance Agreements, common services like AC Install, AC Repair, Duct Cleaning, and Furnace Service, plus pricing templates for your market. Equipment tracking lets you tie units to customer properties and track model numbers, install dates, and warranty status.
Same as any other trade — $149/mo for 5 users with every feature. Additional users are $29/mo each. There's no HVAC surcharge, no add-on for equipment tracking, and no separate fee for maintenance agreement management. One price, everything included.
More About Housecall Pro
Deep-dive comparisons and guides for Housecall Pro vs Opsler.
More about Housecall Pro
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