Aire Serv
Franchising since 1992 · 93 locations
The total investment to open a Aire Serv franchise ranges from $113,808 to $271,708. The initial franchise fee is $45,000. Ongoing royalties are 7%. Aire Serv currently operates 93 locations (93 franchised). Public SBA 7(a) and 504 loan records show that 24 distinct lenders made 101 loans to Aire Serv franchisees. PeerSense FPI health score: 84/100.
$113,808 to $271,708
$45,000
93
93 franchised
Proprietary PeerSense metric
ExcellentDistinct lenders in public SBA records for Aire Serv
101
Total SBA loans
$236K
Average loan size
Source: public SBA 7(a) and 504 loan records through December 31, 2025
Referral fee at closing
FPI Score Breakdown
Major Brand (100+ loans)
Are lenders increasingly or decreasingly funding this brand? Growing trends score highest.
Blended default rate (recent + all time) compared to NAICS sector peers.
Quality lenders actively backing this brand, with penalty for lender pullback.
FDD availability, Item 19 disclosure, and overall data completeness.
Geographic spread of SBA funded locations across states.
SBA Lending Performance
SBA Default Rate
7.9%
vs 10.8% peer avg
SBA Loans
101
Total Volume
$23.8M
Active Lenders
24
5 selective
States
29
vs. SBA Sector Average
SBA loan default rate vs. all franchises in the same NAICS sector, not limited to direct competitors
SBA Lending Activity for Aire Serv
What is the Aire Serv franchise?
Aire Serv provides heating, ventilation, and air conditioning installation, repair, and maintenance through approximately 208 franchise locations in the United States and Canada. Founded in 1992 in Waco, Texas, the brand is part of the Neighborly family, the world's largest home services franchise platform with more than 30 brands and over 5,800 franchise owners. This network gives franchisees access to purchasing power, cross brand referrals, shared technology, and corporate support. Aire Serv is headquartered in Waco and has one of the highest Franchise Performance Index scores in the PeerSense database, reflecting strong SBA lending confidence and favorable system wide performance metrics. The brand offers entry into the essential HVAC services market with support from an established franchise system.
The U.S. HVAC services industry generates more than $130 billion in annual revenue. Heating and air conditioning are essential to residential and commercial buildings, so equipment failures often require professional service regardless of economic conditions. Climate change has increased extreme temperature events, while the aging U.S. housing stock is putting millions of systems at or beyond their useful life. Federal and state energy efficiency rules are also driving replacement and upgrade demand. Aire Serv franchisees can generate revenue through new system installation, emergency and scheduled repair, and preventive maintenance programs. The market remains fragmented, with tens of thousands of independent HVAC contractors competing locally. A branded operator can compete through professional marketing, consistent service standards, and corporate backed service guarantees.
The initial Aire Serv franchise fee is $45,000 and includes territory rights, proprietary business management systems, initial training, and access to the Neighborly support network. Total initial investment ranges from approximately $113,800 to $271,700, depending on market size, vehicle fleet needs, equipment and tools, office setup, and working capital. The ongoing royalty is 7 percent of gross revenue. The model is designed for a mobile service business rather than an expensive retail location. Franchisees generally use a commercial warehouse or office for dispatching and parts storage. Neighborly purchasing agreements cover HVAC equipment, parts, vehicles, uniforms, and marketing materials. SBA backed financing has been an established option for Aire Serv buyers, with more than 115 SBA loans approved across 34 unique lenders. PeerSense is a commercial capital advisory firm and does not lend or approve loans.
Aire Serv franchisees manage licensed HVAC technicians serving residential and light commercial customers. Services include installation and replacement, emergency repair, scheduled maintenance and tune ups, indoor air quality solutions, ductwork, and energy efficiency assessments. Operations involve dispatching, appointments, parts inventory, quality control, and customer relationships. The proprietary technology platform combines scheduling, dispatching, invoicing, customer relationship management, and performance analytics. Technicians receive initial certification training and continuing education covering high efficiency equipment, heat pumps, mini split systems, and smart thermostat integration. New owners train at the Neighborly training center in Waco, Texas, studying operations, sales and marketing, financial management, hiring, customer service, and proprietary systems. Neighborly also provides franchise business coaches, performance reviews, benchmarking reports, and market specific guidance. Exclusive territories limit internal competition. The model supports owner operators and investor operators who hire a general manager.
HVAC financial performance depends on the mix of installation, repair, and maintenance revenue. Installation generally produces the highest revenue per job, while maintenance agreements provide more predictable recurring income. An average HVAC replacement generates several thousand dollars per project, and well managed franchises can complete hundreds of installation and major repair projects annually depending on territory size and market conditions. Seasonal tune ups and priority service agreements can create an annuity like revenue stream. Buyers should review the current Franchise Disclosure Document for any Item 19 financial performance representations. Demand tends to remain resilient because critical heating and cooling work cannot be deferred indefinitely. Summer cooling and winter heating create seasonal peaks, while maintenance and installation support shoulder seasons. Technical work can support premium pricing and create barriers to entry. Aire Serv's FPI score of 84 places it in the Excellent tier on the PeerSense Franchise Performance Index, reflecting strong lending confidence and favorable system level metrics compared with thousands of franchise systems.
Aire Serv has expanded over its three decade history to approximately 208 franchise locations while maintaining service and customer satisfaction standards. As part of Neighborly, the brand can receive cross brand referrals from households using other Neighborly services. Customers familiar with Mr. Rooter plumbing or Molly Maid cleaning may be more likely to choose Aire Serv through that network. Marketing support includes local web presence, search engine marketing, reputation management tools, and national brand advertising. Operational tools include GPS based technician routing, mobile invoicing, digital diagnostics, and real time customer communication. The brand is also pursuing opportunities in energy efficient upgrades, smart home integration, indoor air quality, and the shift from traditional refrigerants to next generation low GWP alternatives required by changing environmental regulations.
The ideal Aire Serv owner brings management experience, leadership ability, and a commitment to customer trust and technical quality. HVAC experience helps but is not required because training and hiring systems support the recruitment and development of licensed technicians. Franchisees may come from management, military service, construction, or professional services. Multi unit ownership is supported, with experienced operators managing territories in multiple markets. Territories are available throughout the United States and Canada, including markets with population growth, new residential construction, and aging housing stock. The franchise agreement offers a long term operating horizon with renewal options. The usual time from signing to launch is approximately three to five months, covering training, licenses, vehicles, equipment, hiring, and initial marketing.
Aire Serv combines a $130 billion market with essential service demand, Neighborly support, and a three decade franchise history. PeerSense provides due diligence information on the brand, including SBA lending history covering more than 115 approved loans from 34 unique lenders, an FPI score of 84 in the Excellent tier, location data with Google ratings, and FDD verified financial metrics. Buyers can use the PeerSense comparison tool to assess Aire Serv against other HVAC and home services franchises across more than 30 data points, including investment costs, financial performance, growth trajectory, and lender confidence. The profile is intended to help experienced home services operators and first time buyers review verified information as they evaluate the opportunity.
FPI Score
84/100
SBA Default Rate
7.9%
Active Lenders
24
Key Highlights
Franchise Financing Resources
Data Insights
Key performance metrics for Aire Serv based on SBA lending data
SBA Default Rate
7.9%
2.9% below peer avg
SBA Loan Volume
101 loans
Across 24 lenders
Lender Diversity
24 lenders
Avg 4.2 loans per lender
Investment Tier
Mid range investment
$113,808 to $271,708 total
Payment Estimator
Estimated Monthly Payment
$1,178
Principal & Interest only
Indicative only, as of October 1, 2026. Not a quote, commitment or offer of credit. Final pricing, leverage and terms are determined by the lender at underwriting, after full transaction materials are reviewed. PeerSense sources the file. The lender sets pricing. What these terms mean.
Locations
Aire Serv, unit breakdown
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