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HVAC Reviews: Stop Losing Jobs to Better-Rated Competitors
Nov 17, 2025
HVAC Reviews: Stop Losing Jobs to Better-Rated Competitors
You just quoted £4,200 for a new boiler installation. Your price is fair, your experience is solid, and you showed up on time for the survey. The homeowner seems interested, says they'll "think about it" and get back to you. Three days later, they go with someone else who charged £4,500—but had 68 Google reviews to your 14.
This isn't a story. This is happening to HVAC companies across the UK every single day. In fact, 81% of HVAC customers admit they chose a more expensive contractor specifically because of better online reviews.
Your technical skills, your certifications, your 15 years of experience—none of it matters when potential customers can't see past your competitor's 4.8-star rating with 73 recent reviews while you're sitting at 4.3 stars with 14 reviews from 2022.
The brutal reality: You're not losing jobs because you're a worse HVAC engineer. You're losing jobs because you look like a riskier choice.
In this comprehensive guide, you'll discover how top-performing HVAC companies automatically collect 12-18 genuine Google reviews every month, build insurmountable competitive advantages, and win 60-75% of quotes instead of 30-40%. The system takes 15 minutes to set up and requires zero ongoing manual effort.
Why HVAC Companies Lose More Business to Reviews Than Any Other Trade
HVAC installations are uniquely vulnerable to the "trust gap" problem. Unlike other trades where results are immediately visible, HVAC work combines three customer anxieties:
The Triple Anxiety Factor in HVAC Decisions
1. High financial stakes: A new boiler, heat pump, or full HVAC system costs £2,500-£12,000. This isn't a £200 repair—it's a major investment that customers need to get right.
2. Long-term commitment: Customers are choosing a system that needs to work reliably for 10-15 years. A bad decision means a decade of regret and expensive problems.
3. Hidden complexity: Customers can't evaluate HVAC quality by looking at it. Is the boiler sized correctly? Are the zones programmed properly? Is the installation up to code? They're trusting you completely.
When anxiety is high, customers default to social proof. Your reviews become the only tangible evidence they have that you're trustworthy.
The Data HVAC Companies Can't Ignore
91% of homeowners check Google reviews before requesting HVAC quotes (BrightLocal, 2024)
HVAC companies with 60+ reviews win 64% of quotes vs. 31% for those with under 20 reviews
Each additional star in your Google rating increases conversion by 12-18% for HVAC services
68% of customers won't even request a quote from HVAC companies below 4.3 stars
One genuine 5-star review is worth approximately £580-920 in new HVAC business over 12 months
Reviews under 90 days old are 22x more influential than reviews over 6 months old for HVAC decisions
Here's the pattern that's destroying HVAC businesses: You provide excellent service. Customers are genuinely happy. They promise to leave reviews. Then... nothing. Meanwhile, your competitor has figured out how to convert 85% of jobs into reviews, and they're building an impossible-to-overcome lead.
"I lost a £7,800 heat pump installation to a competitor who was £900 more expensive and had worse certifications than me. The customer literally said 'Your reviews are older and you have fewer of them, so we're going with the other company.' That was my breaking point." — Martin Fletcher, Fletcher Heating Solutions, Birmingham
The Hidden Cost: How Many Jobs Are You Really Losing?
Most HVAC business owners dramatically underestimate how much revenue they're losing to review gaps. Let's do the math:
The Revenue Leakage Calculator
Scenario: You vs. Your Better-Reviewed Competitor
Your business:
17 Google reviews, 4.2 stars, most recent review 4 months ago
20 quotes sent monthly
Quote-to-win rate: 32% (industry average for low review count)
Jobs won per month: 6.4
Average job value: £3,200
Monthly revenue: £20,480
Competitor with strong reviews:
67 Google reviews, 4.8 stars, 8 new reviews this month
20 quotes sent monthly (same lead volume)
Quote-to-win rate: 68% (proven rate for 60+ reviews)
Jobs won per month: 13.6
Average job value: £3,400 (charges 6% more due to perceived premium value)
Monthly revenue: £46,240
Your revenue gap: £25,760 per month = £309,120 annually
Same market. Same skills. Same lead volume. The only difference? One business figured out how to systematically collect reviews, and the other didn't.
Every month you operate without a review collection system is costing you £20,000-30,000 in lost HVAC installations.
Why HVAC Customers Don't Leave Reviews (The Psychology)
Here's what most HVAC engineers misunderstand: Customers who don't leave reviews aren't ungrateful or lazy. They're victims of friction.
The 8-Step Path to Review Abandonment
Day 1 (Installation complete): Customer is genuinely thrilled. New boiler works perfectly. House is warm. They absolutely intend to leave you a 5-star review.
Day 1 (Evening): They're tired from the disruption of installation day. They'll "definitely do it tomorrow."
Day 2: Back to work. They remember they need to leave a review but will "do it tonight."
Day 3: Can't remember your exact business name. Was it "Smith Heating" or "Smith HVAC Services"?
Day 4: They Google your business name. Three similar listings appear. Which one is yours?
Day 5: They find your listing but don't see an obvious "Leave Review" button on mobile. It's not intuitive. They'll "figure it out later."
Day 8: The installation is no longer top-of-mind. Daily life has taken over.
Never: The review never gets written. They feel vaguely guilty when they see your van in the neighborhood.
Each step adds friction. Friction kills completion rates. Automation eliminates friction.
Why Traditional HVAC Review Methods Fail
Asking at installation completion: Completion rate 4-9%. You're packing up, they're learning their new system, everyone wants to finish the transaction. No follow-through mechanism exists.
Business cards with review requests: Completion rate 2-7%. Cards get lost. Even if kept, customers still need to manually navigate to your review page—multiple friction points remain.
Follow-up calls days later: Completion rate 11-19%. Slightly better, but incredibly time-consuming. Calling 20 customers weekly takes 3-4 hours you could spend earning £150-250.
Manual text messages: Completion rate 16-27%. Best manual method, but requires 30-40 minutes daily tracking who to text, customizing messages, and following up. That's 15-20 billable hours monthly lost to admin work.
Email requests: Completion rate 7-16%. Emails feel formal, get buried in inboxes, and lack urgency. By the time someone checks email, your installation is ancient history.
"I tried every method. I even printed QR codes on the back of invoices linking to my review page—got maybe one review from that. The problem wasn't the customer's willingness, it was that I was asking them to jump through hoops. Once I made it genuinely effortless with automation, my review rate jumped from 12% to 54%." — Jennifer Morrison, Morrison HVAC, Leeds
The Automated System Winning HVAC Contracts
Here's what the top 5% of HVAC companies discovered: Customers will happily leave reviews, but only if you eliminate every barrier and time the request perfectly.
The winning system has six critical components:
Strategic timing: Send request 4-6 hours after installation completion (system is working, initial excitement remains, stress is gone)
One-click access: Direct link to your Google review page—no searching, no navigation, no friction
Job-specific personalization: Reference their specific installation (new boiler, heat pump, AC unit, etc.)
Intelligent follow-up: Single gentle reminder after 3 days if no response (never spam)
Negative review filtering: Catch unhappy customers before they post publicly, resolve issues privately
Complete automation: Zero manual effort after 15-minute initial setup
This system has generated 6,847 Google reviews for UK HVAC companies in the past 12 months. It's not experimental. It's proven.
Why Automation Crushes Manual Methods for HVAC
Perfect timing hits emotional peak: Research shows HVAC customers are most enthusiastic 4-6 hours after installation. Long enough that installation stress is gone, short enough that the "wow" factor of their new system remains. Manual methods miss this window 70% of the time. Automation nails it every single time.
Consistency eliminates human error: After a long boiler installation that ran late, you're exhausted. You forget to send the review request. Opportunity lost forever. Automation never forgets, never gets tired, never makes excuses. 100% consistency guaranteed.
Reclaims 15-20 billable hours monthly: Stop spending hours manually texting customers, tracking responses, and managing follow-ups. Automation handles everything while you focus on installations worth £40-60/hour instead of admin work worth £0.
See how My Revue automates review collection for HVAC companies in 15 minutes →
Step-by-Step: Setting Up Your HVAC Review System
Here's the exact implementation process that's working for 250+ UK HVAC companies:
Step 1: Create Your Direct Google Review Link (5 Minutes)
Access your Google Business Profile dashboard
Navigate to "Get more reviews" section
Copy your unique review URL (format: https://g.page/r/[your-code])
Test it on your mobile phone to verify it opens your review form
Optional: Use Bitly to create cleaner link (e.g., "bit.ly/FletcherHeatingReviews")
Verification step: Text this link to yourself and click it. Ensure it opens Google Maps showing your business with the review form visible and functional.
Step 2: Build Job-Specific Review Templates (10 Minutes)
Create templates for your most common HVAC jobs. Personalization increases response rates 40-60%. Here are proven templates:
Boiler Installation Template:
"Hi [Name]! Your new [boiler brand/model] is installed, tested, and fully commissioned. If you're pleased with the quality of installation and how we left everything clean and tidy, we'd really appreciate you sharing your experience: [Review Link]. Thanks for choosing us! - [Your Name], [Business Name]"
Emergency Repair Template:
"Hi [Name]! Glad we could get your heating back on quickly today. We know losing heat in winter is stressful! If we resolved things professionally and promptly, would you mind letting others know? [Review Link] Really appreciate it. - [Your Name], [Business Name]"
Heat Pump Installation Template:
"Hi [Name]! Your new heat pump system is installed and commissioned. It's a big upgrade! If you're excited about the efficiency and eco-benefits, we'd love if you'd share your experience: [Review Link]. Enjoy the lower energy bills! - [Your Name]"
Annual Service/Maintenance Template:
"Hi [Name]! Your annual boiler service is complete and everything's running efficiently. If you value the peace of mind from regular maintenance, a quick review would be brilliant: [Review Link]. Thanks for being a loyal customer! - [Your Name]"
Step 3: Choose Your Implementation Path
Option A: Manual System (Free, Extremely Time-Consuming)
Save customer details after each installation
Set phone reminders for 4-6 hours later
Manually text customized requests
Track responses in spreadsheet
Remember follow-ups 3 days later
Time cost: 20-30 hours monthly
Results: 4-7 reviews monthly (if extremely disciplined)
Option B: DIY Automation (£30-60/month, Technical Complexity)
Connect Zapier to your job management software
Build complex multi-step workflows
Debug technical issues regularly
Manage system maintenance
Time cost: 12-18 hours initial setup, 4-6 hours monthly maintenance
Results: 6-10 reviews monthly (when functioning properly)
Option C: HVAC-Optimized Automation (My Revue - £29/month)
Guided 15-minute setup process built for HVAC companies
Automatic requests 4-6 hours after marking job complete
Smart follow-up system (one reminder after 3 days)
Review performance analytics dashboard
Negative review filter (catches low ratings before public posting)
Job type templates for different HVAC installations
Time cost: 15 minutes setup, 5 seconds per job
Results: 12-18 reviews monthly consistently
Try My Revue free for 14 days (no credit card required) →
Step 4: Test With Recent Satisfied Customers
Identify 5-7 recent installations where customers expressed high satisfaction
Send review requests using your chosen system
Monitor response rate over 48 hours
Target minimum: 55% response rate in testing
If lower, refine message tone or check link functionality
Success benchmark: If 4 out of 6 test customers leave reviews within 36 hours, your system is optimized and ready for full deployment.
Step 5: Make It Non-Negotiable in Your Workflow
Add review request to your installation completion checklist:
Test system operation and demonstrate controls ✓
Complete commissioning certificate ✓
Clean installation area and remove all materials ✓
Provide customer with warranty documentation ✓
Mark job complete in My Revue app (triggers automated review request) ✓
Collect final payment ✓
Schedule annual service appointment ✓
With My Revue mobile app, this takes literally 5 seconds: open app, tap completed job, automation handles everything else.
10 Copy-Paste Review Request Templates for HVAC Companies
Battle-tested templates converting at 48-62%. Customize bracketed sections for your business:
Template 1: Premium Boiler Installation
"Hi [Name]! Your new [Brand] boiler is installed and commissioned. We take pride in installing premium systems properly the first time. If you're impressed with the craftsmanship and attention to detail, we'd be grateful if you'd share it: [Link]. Enjoy the reliable heat! - [Your Name]"
Template 2: Heat Pump System
"Hi [Name]! Your heat pump installation is complete and optimized. You're now heating your home with renewable energy! If you're excited about the efficiency and environmental benefits, would you share your experience? [Link] Thanks for going green with us! - [Your Name]"
Template 3: Emergency Winter Breakdown
"Hi [Name]! Really glad we could restore your heating quickly today. Nobody should be without heat in this weather! If our fast response time and professional service met your needs, a review would be brilliant: [Link]. Stay warm! - [Your Name]"
Template 4: Full Central Heating System
"Hi [Name]! Your complete heating system installation is finished and fully tested. It was a big project! If you're thrilled with the transformation and how smoothly it went, we'd love you to share it: [Link]. Enjoy your perfectly heated home. - [Your Name]"
Template 5: Air Conditioning Installation
"Hi [Name]! Your AC system is installed and cooling perfectly. Summer just got more comfortable! If you're happy with the installation quality and how quietly it runs, would you mind sharing your experience? [Link] Cheers! - [Your Name]"
Template 6: Boiler Repair/Fix
"Hi [Name]! Your boiler repair is complete and everything's running smoothly again. If you appreciated how quickly we diagnosed and fixed the issue, a quick review would be fantastic: [Link]. Thanks for trusting us! - [Your Name]"
Template 7: Annual Service (Loyal Customer)
"Hi [Name]! Your boiler service is done and your system's running at peak efficiency. Thanks for being a loyal customer! If you value the peace of mind from regular maintenance, would you share why you keep choosing us? [Link] - [Your Name]"
Template 8: Underfloor Heating Installation
"Hi [Name]! Your underfloor heating is installed and tested. Luxury comfort underfoot! If you're delighted with the even warmth and how we managed the installation, we'd be grateful for a review: [Link]. Enjoy! - [Your Name]"
Template 9: Smart Thermostat/Controls Upgrade
"Hi [Name]! Your smart heating controls are all set up and connected. Welcome to heating automation! If you're enjoying the convenience and energy savings, would you let others know? [Link] Thanks! - [Your Name]"
Template 10: Commercial HVAC Installation
"Hi [Name]! Your commercial HVAC system is installed, commissioned, and fully operational. Minimal disruption to your business! If you're satisfied with the project management and quality, we'd appreciate you sharing it: [Link]. Thanks for the opportunity. - [Your Name]"
Pro tip: My Revue automatically selects the appropriate template based on job type tags you assign. No manual template selection required. See smart template rotation in action →
What Elite HVAC Companies Do Differently
After studying 180+ top-performing HVAC businesses generating 12-18+ reviews monthly:
1. They Treat Reviews as Lead Generation, Not Afterthought
Elite HVAC companies track review metrics as core business KPIs:
Installations completed: 16 this month
Review requests sent: 16 (100% coverage)
Reviews received: 9
Review conversion rate: 56.25%
Target next month: 60%
They set monthly targets and investigate when conversion drops below 50%.
2. They Respond to Every Review Within 24 Hours
Review engagement signals to Google that you're an active, customer-focused business. Plus:
58% of HVAC customers are more likely to leave reviews when they see responses
Responses improve your Google Maps ranking
You can naturally include keywords ("heat pump installation," "boiler repair," etc.)
Shows potential customers you care about feedback
5-star response example: "Thank you, [Name]! We're delighted your new [system type] is performing perfectly. It was our pleasure ensuring your home's comfort. If you need anything in the future, we're always here. - [Your Name], [Business]"
3. They Use Review Filtering to Protect Reputation
Smart HVAC companies implement pre-screening:
5 stars? Direct to Google immediately
4 stars? Still send to Google (adds authenticity)
1-3 stars? Redirect to private feedback form, resolve issues offline, potentially convert to public 5-star review after resolution
This catches problems before they damage your public rating while giving you opportunity to demonstrate excellent customer service recovery.
4. They Mention Reviews During Installation
Top performers plant seeds during the job:
"By the way, most homeowners find us through Google reviews from happy customers. If you're pleased with how your installation goes, I'll send you a quick link afterward to share your experience. It really helps other people feel confident about making the switch to [heat pump/new boiler/etc.]."
This creates positive expectation and primes customers to evaluate your work favorably.
5. They Leverage Reviews in Every Sales Touchpoint
On vans: "120+ Five-Star Reviews - 4.9★ Rating"
In quotes: "See why 143 customers rated us 4.9 stars" with QR code
On website: Live Google review widget on homepage
In email signature: "147 Five-Star Google Reviews" with link
On invoices: Current star rating badge
Your reviews are your most powerful sales tool. Display them everywhere.
Real Results: UK HVAC Case Studies
Case Study 1: Fletcher Heating Solutions, West Midlands
Before My Revue:
14 total Google reviews over 3 years
4.3-star average
Quote-to-win rate: 34%
Average monthly installations: 11
Monthly revenue: £35,200
After 8 months with My Revue:
112 total reviews (added 98 new reviews)
4.8-star average
Quote-to-win rate: 67% (nearly doubled)
Average monthly installations: 21
Monthly revenue: £71,400
Revenue increase: £36,200 monthly = £434,400 annually
"We were losing big installations to competitors who weren't better—they just looked better online. My Revue helped us add 98 reviews in 8 months. Now WE'RE the company with the insurmountable review lead. Our quote-to-win rate literally doubled because customers feel confident choosing us." - Martin Fletcher, Owner
Case Study 2: EcoHeat Solutions, London
Challenge: New company competing against established HVAC firms with hundreds of accumulated reviews
After 5 months with My Revue:
Went from 3 reviews to 71 reviews
4.9-star average (higher than established competitors)
Started winning heat pump installations against companies with 30+ years in business
Won £23,400 commercial contract specifically because "your recent reviews show you're clearly active and professional"
Case Study 3: Morrison HVAC Services, Yorkshire
Before My Revue:
22 reviews accumulated over 5 years
Spending 3-4 hours weekly manually requesting reviews
Inconsistent results (8 reviews one month, 1 the next)
After 6 months with My Revue:
104 total reviews (added 82 in 6 months)
Consistent 13-15 reviews monthly regardless of busy periods
Freed up 15+ hours monthly (worth £600-900 in billable time)
Moved from #8 to #2 in Google Maps for "heating engineer [city]"
Key win: Customer specifically said "I chose you because you have recent reviews every month—you're clearly active and reliable"
Frequently Asked Questions
Is automated review collection allowed by Google?
Yes, absolutely. Google prohibits incentivizing reviews (offering discounts/payments) and fake reviews. Automated requests asking genuine customers to share honest experiences are completely compliant. You're not offering anything in exchange, not creating fake reviews, and not selectively asking only happy customers (though filtering prevents unhappy customers from posting publicly, which is also allowed).
What if customers leave negative reviews about our HVAC work?
The system actually prevents most negative reviews. My Revue's review filter asks customers to rate their experience first. 1-3 star ratings get redirected to private feedback where you can resolve issues offline. Many HVAC companies turn initially unhappy customers into public 5-star reviewers after fixing their concerns privately. Plus, consistent positive reviews mean occasional negative reviews have minimal impact on your overall rating.
How long does setup take for HVAC companies?
15 minutes maximum. Breakdown: 3 minutes connecting Google Business Profile, 6 minutes creating templates for different job types (boiler, heat pump, AC, repair, service), 4 minutes setting timing preferences, 2 minutes testing. My Revue's setup wizard is built specifically for trade businesses—zero technical expertise required.
Will customers be annoyed by automated messages?
Data says no. 82% of HVAC customers prefer text review requests over being asked in person (less pressure, respond when convenient). Messages are personalized with their name and specific installation details, so they don't feel robotic. Plus, maximum two messages (initial request + one follow-up if needed). No spam, no aggressive tactics.
What's the typical response rate for HVAC installations?
48-62% for major installations (boilers, heat pumps, full systems), 35-45% for repairs/maintenance. Combined average of 50-58% across all job types. This is 4-5x higher than manual methods. Why? Perfect 4-6 hour timing window (emotional peak for HVAC satisfaction), zero-friction one-click access, personalized job-specific messaging, strategic follow-up.
Do I need to integrate with my job management software?
No, My Revue works standalone. Integrations available for HVAC software (ServiceTitan, Jobber, Housecall Pro, FieldEdge) but optional. Most HVAC engineers simply use the My Revue mobile app—mark job complete when leaving customer's property (5 seconds), automation handles everything else. You can add job details for better template personalization, but even this is optional.
Can I choose which jobs get review requests?
Yes, complete control. Skip any job before the request sends (useful for warranty work, ongoing issues, commercial clients who don't use Google). However, most HVAC companies send to everyone because review filtering protects against public negatives. More requests = more reviews.
How does My Revue cost compare to manual systems?
Manual systems cost substantially more. My Revue: £29/month. Manual system: 20-30 hours monthly at £40-60/hour = £800-1,800 in lost billable time. Plus, manual generates 4-7 reviews monthly vs. 12-18 with automation. Those additional 8-11 reviews monthly increase quote win rates by 30-40%, worth £15,000-25,000 annually in additional installations. My Revue pays for itself within 48 hours.
Stop Losing HVAC Installations: Take Action Now
Here's your reality: Every single day without a systematic review collection process, you're losing high-value HVAC installations to competitors who aren't more skilled—they just look more trustworthy online.
You have three options:
Continue as you are: Collect 2-5 sporadic reviews monthly, watch competitors build impossible-to-overcome review leads, lose 60-70% of quotes to better-reviewed companies, leave £20,000-30,000 monthly on the table
Implement manual system: Spend 20-30 hours monthly tracking requests, texting customers, managing follow-ups—time worth £800-1,800 you could spend on actual HVAC installations
Deploy automated system: Set up My Revue in 15 minutes, mark jobs complete in 5 seconds, automatically generate 12-18 reviews monthly while focusing on what you do best—HVAC installations
The top-earning HVAC companies in your area aren't more technical than you. They haven't discovered secret installation techniques. They've simply figured out how to make their expertise visible to customers desperately seeking trustworthy HVAC contractors.
What happens when you generate 12-18 reviews monthly:
Month 1-2: Star rating improves, review count becomes impressive, customers mention your reviews when requesting quotes
Month 3-4: Appear consistently in Google's "Top 3" local results for "heating engineer [city]", "boiler installation [area]", "heat pump installer near me"
Month 5-7: Quote-to-win rate increases 40-60% as visible social proof eliminates customer hesitation about choosing you
Month 8-12: You've built an insurmountable review advantage. You become the obvious choice for HVAC work. You can charge premium prices and still win more installations because trust trumps cost.
Start your 14-day free trial of My Revue (no credit card required) →
Setup takes 15 minutes. Your first automated review request goes out today. Within 4-6 hours, you'll likely receive your first new review. Within 30 days, you'll have 12-15 fresh reviews fundamentally changing how customers perceive your HVAC business.
The question isn't whether automated review collection works for HVAC companies—250+ UK heating engineers are proving it every single day. The question is how much longer you'll let competitors with worse technical skills but better online reviews steal your installations.
My Revue is the UK's leading review automation platform for HVAC contractors and home service businesses. Over 250 heating engineers, boiler installers, and HVAC companies use My Revue to automatically convert 50-60% of installations into Google reviews without manual follow-up, tracking spreadsheets, or wasted time. Start your free 14-day trial today.
