After-Hours Answering Service for HVAC Companies
Updated October 23, 2026. No-heat and no-cool calls come at night and on weekends. HVAC companies usually choose between an AI receptionist that answers every call, a human answering service, or a hybrid. Prices below are from each vendor's pricing page.
We have not call-tested these tools. Prices are copied from each vendor's pricing page on the date shown and can change; confirm before buying.
AI receptionists (answer 24/7)
OnCrew
Home-services specialist.
Published pricing: Starter $49/mo (100 calls); Pro $149/mo; Multi-Truck $349/mo; $0.99 per extra call; $0.05 per extra alert text (oncrew.ai, checked 2026-10-13)
Goodcall
General SMB AI receptionist priced per unique customer.
Published pricing: Starter $79/mo (100 unique customers, then $0.79 each); Growth $129/mo (500, then $0.26 each); Scale $299/mo (2,000, then $0.15 each); Enterprise custom (www.goodcall.com, checked 2026-10-14)
affiliate link: we may earn a commission. Disclosure
Rosie
General SMB AI receptionist.
Published pricing: Professional $49/mo; Scale $149/mo; Growth $299/mo; Website Texting add-on $50/mo (heyrosie.com, checked 2026-10-13)
affiliate link: we may earn a commission. Disclosure
Human and hybrid answering services
Ruby
US-based human receptionists (not AI). Overage rates are not published on Ruby's pricing page.
Published pricing: Virtual receptionist: 50 min $250/mo; 100 min $395/mo; 200 min $720/mo; 500 min $1,725/mo; larger plans via sales. Live chat: 10 chats $143/mo; 30 $335; 50 $520 (20% off chat when bundled with a receptionist plan). No activation, onboarding or setup fees per Ruby. Overage rates not published on the pricing page. (www.ruby.com, checked 2026-10-16)
affiliate link: we may earn a commission. Disclosure
Smith.ai
AI-first plans with human backup options.
Published pricing: AI-first Free $0 (25 calls, $3.00/call after); Pro from $150/mo (75 calls, $2.00/call); Enterprise from $500/mo (300 calls, $1.67/call) (smith.ai, checked 2026-10-13)
Abby Connect
Human receptionists; per Abby's page, minutes double when AI handles the call.
Published pricing: Starter $165/mo (50 Abby Minutes); Essential $329 (100); Professional $599 (200); Growth $1,380 (500); minutes double when AI handles the call (www.abby.com, checked 2026-10-13)
More HVAC: best AI receptionists for HVAC · HVAC AI receptionist pricing · Ruby pricing.
What do missed calls cost you? Plug in your own call volume and job value in the missed-call cost calculator.
FAQ
What's the cheapest after-hours option for an HVAC company?
Among verified prices in our directory, AI receptionists start lower than human services: e.g. Upfirst $24.95/mo vs Ruby 50 min $250/mo (vendor pages checked 2026-10-13 and 2026-10-16). Smith.ai also lists an AI-first Free plan (25 calls, $3.00/call after).
Can an AI receptionist send emergency calls to my on-call tech?
Many support live transfer. Confirm on the vendor's demo line with a real no-heat scenario before buying; we have not call-tested these tools.
AI or human for after-hours HVAC calls?
Human services handle unusual calls well but bill by the minute; AI answers every call at a flat or usage price. See AI receptionist vs answering service.
Free: the Missed-Call Playbook + weekly AI receptionist price updates
Pricing changes, new tools and setup tips for plumbers, HVAC, electricians and roofers. Free, unsubscribe anytime.
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. beehiiv handles subscriber emails; see our privacy note.