The Future: From Maintenance Plans to Comfort as a Service
As connected HVAC technology continues to evolve, industry experts like Spaugh envision a significant shift toward subscription and membership-based services. Homeowners are increasingly comfortable monitoring their household systems, positioning HVAC monitoring as an essential element of homeownership.
Spaugh notes, “There’s always been informed homeowners, but it was rare. Now, a good percentage of people understand what’s going on in the home and where the costs are being spent.” This growing awareness aligns with Hargrove’s perspective that HVAC is transitioning towards subscription models. He indicates that his company is exploring ways to make more services—and potentially entire system installations—available on a subscription basis. “If there was a way to make everything we do subscription-based, it would make a big difference,” he explains, highlighting how platforms like SmartAC can differentiate contractors from smaller companies.
Teekell adds that traditional HVAC maintenance agreements are merely the beginning of a more extensive shift toward subscription relationships. Many contractors and manufacturers are trialing models that offer “comfort as a service,” which combines system leasing with maintenance, repairs, and monitoring into a predictable monthly payment scheme.
Teekell believes this approach is the industry’s future. Although full-scale adoption may take time, the model is becoming appealing for homeowners facing hefty replacement costs, which can range from $15,000 to $20,000 or more. Instead of a large upfront investment, homeowners could consider long-term agreements costing approximately $120 to $170 per month, ensuring predictable maintenance and repair costs.
For contractors, Teekell emphasizes the opportunity to expand beyond traditional maintenance plans and deepen connections with homeowners throughout the equipment lifecycle. As consumers demand greater transparency and immediate access to information, HVAC contractors are adapting through pricing tools, connected equipment, and tech-enabled service models.
Moreover, there’s substantial potential in engaging with homes that already have aging equipment. “Grabbing and retaining a home that already has old equipment is the highest ROI thing you can do,” Teekell states.
Ultimately, the evolution of maintenance agreements may transform them from sporadic transactions into ongoing strategies for maintaining connections with homeowners, creating recurring revenue, proactivity in service opportunities, and positioning contractors as trusted advisors for future HVAC decisions.
